Ester Degli Dei Is 3TF Swedish Breeders Crown Champion
November 18 - Ester Degli Dei (Maharajah - Twill Be Done) toyed with a field of elite 3YO filly trotters to win the Swedish Breeders Crown final today in 1.12.9 for 2140 m. (1:57.0 mile rate) in Eskiltuna, Sweden. Once again the betting favorite and leaving from post 1 for driver Robin Bakker, Ester Degli Dei hustled out of the gate to gain an early lead, from which she was able to control the enire race. Second favorite Adriatica tried to challenge her on the outside several times, but each time Ester Degli Dei refused to be passed. Adriatica was hung outside, and eventually lost her momentum. In the stretch, Ester Degli Dei assumed complete command, drawing away at the finish to win comfortably by 2-3 lengths over a gallant Adriatica. Ester Degli Dei is now winner of 9 of 10 lifetime starts with earnings of 2,724,626 SEK ($258,815) for her Dutch connections: owner L.C.J. Schalkoort, trainer Paul Hagoort, and driver Robin Bakker. Ester Degli Dei was bred by Roberto Cavalli, the celibrated Italian fashion designer, businessman, and breeder of elite trotters. Her dam is the Donato Hanover mare Twill Be Done 3, 1:55.3 $131,210, bred by Windsong Stable and purchased by Mr. Cavalli personally at the 2016 Harrisburg Mixed Sale. Twill Be Done is 1/2 sister to Swedish and Danish star Bring Me Luck US 3, 1:57.3f; 1:54.2f $368,197, winner of 19 of 32 races lifetime including the $75,000 Carlsberg Stoloppet, Quick Pay Pokalen, Wallenius Cup, Lovly Godiva, and Ulf Thoresen Memorial. A replay of the race can be viewed here.
French Filly Welcomed to America by Windsong Stable
September 19 - Windsong Stable is excited to announce the addition of the 3YO French filly Kelle Evidence (Earl Simon - Evidence Destinee - Saxo de Vandel) to our broodmare band from the Arqana Trot September Mixed Sale with the assistance of agent Christian LeBarbey. As a 3 year old, Kelle Evidence was 5 - 3 - 1 - 0 with earnings of 40,925€, taking her 1.14 record in a 2875 m. race at Enghien. Our plan is to race her in the US before she begins her broodmare career. Her dam is 1/2 sister to the prominent French stallion Uniclove 1.10 (551,900€) and the multiple G2 winner Tolerance 1.13 (176,860€). She is from the family of Olga du Biwetz 1.10.3 (2,208,795€) and the great Speedy Somolli French sire Tarass Boulba 1.18.8 (57,000€), as well as Pretty Jet 1.11.4 (589,700€), Utoky 1.11.3 (560,050€), Olivia Jet 1.12 (527,946€), and a number of other elite performers. Photo from Arqana Trot.
Arqana Trot featured her purchase on their YouTube sale summary during an interview with agent Christian LeBarbey. French speakers and curious others can access that interview here.
$100,000 NY Classic Consolation Winner Blazing Deo Has Windsong-Bred Dam
September 8 - We normally track the racing performances of Windsong-bred racehorses, but we should also acknowledge the success of Windsong fillies who become productive broodmares for their owners. We recently reported the success of the Dutch 3YO filly Ester Degli Dei 3, 1:54.4f ($145,560), whose dam is the Windsong-bred, Italian-owned Twill Be Done 3, 1:55.3 ($131,210).
Now we recognize Blazing Deo 2, 1:54.4 ($75,250), winner of a $100,000 NJ Classic Consolation at the Meadowlands tonight from post 9. A son of Six Pack bred by Deo Volente Farms, his dam UF Lindsey Lou Who 4, 1:54.4f ($102,874) was bred by Windsong Stable from our active broodmare Sweetspellosuccess 3, Q1:58.4 ($206,024).
We are very proud of the success of our fillies in their later broodmare careers!
Windsong Stable sells L'il Sweet, a Green Manalishi filly out of Sweetspellosuccess, and 1/2 sister to UF Lindsey Lou Who 4, 1:54.4f ($102,874), she the dam of Blazing Deo 2, 1:54.4 ($75,250).
Climb The Pole Reaches The Top In $157,000 CAD Simcoe Stakes
September 2 - Climb The Pole (Kadabra - Legzy) erased all doubts that she belongs at the top of the list of Ontario 3 year old trotting fillies by winning the $157,000 CAD Simcoe Stakes tonight at Woodbine. Starting from post 2, Climb The Pole got away third behind Righteous Resolve and HP Extra Ice in a torrid 26.3 first quarter. Coming toward the 3/4 mark, Climb The Pole tipped outside and flushed HP Extra Ice from the pocket, following her into the final turn. Climb The Pole then fanned three wide to take her shot at a very determined Righteous Resolve. It appeared that her rally would fall short. But echoing driver Jody Jamieson's observation that Climb The Pole hates to be passed, his Kadabra filly summoned a final burst of speed to reach the front as Baroness Hill surged on the outside. Climb The Pole was the winner by 1/2 length in a lifetime best of 1:52.2, notching her fourth consecutive victory and seventh of the year. Her lifetime earnings now stand at $220,009 (USD) for owners Carl and Jody Jamieson, Steve Heimbecker, and Aaron Byron. See race coverage and video on Standardbred Canada here.
Windsong Stable sells Long Legs, a Green Manalishi half sister to Climb The Pole, in the Concord consignment at Harrisburg.
Climb The Pole Blows Hot in $75,000 CAD Casual Breeze S.
August 25 - Climb The Pole (Kadabra - Legzy) followed up her recent ONSS-GL victory with an even faster 1:53.4 win in the (div.) $75,000 CAD Casual Breeze S. at Woodbine Mohawk tonight. From post 1, driver Jody Jamieson was content to allow Climb The Pole sit quietly fourth through fractions of 28.1, 56.3, and 1:25.1. Around the 3/4 mark, Climb The Pole edged outside to position herself for a strong mid-stretch surge that carried her through a 27.4 final quarter to a two length victory. Now winner of 6 of 9 races at three, Climb The Pole increased her lifetime earnings to $161,845 (USD) for owners Carl & Jody Jamieson, Steve Heimbecker, and Aaron Byron. See race coverage with photo by USTA here.
Windsong Stable sells Long Legs, a Green Manalishi half sister to Climb The Pole, in the Concord consignment at Harrisburg.
Climb The Pole Dominates Righteous Resolve In C$159,000 ONSS-GL at Mohawk
August 15 - Climb The Pole (Kadabra - Legzy) demonstrated that the 2023 ONSS will be competitive with a decisive 1:54 victory over what was optimistically deemed a "good" Mohawk track tonight. Sent off from post 2 at 24/1 by the disbelieving bettors, Climb The Pole fought to take the lead to a heavily contested 27.0 first quarter, while odds-on favorite Righteous Resolve settled into fifth position. Climb The Pole then put on the brakes through a 57.3 half. Righteous Resolve then rushed first over to challenge for the lead by the 3/4, almost but not quite clearing to the front coming around the final turn. In the stretch Climb The Pole and Righteous Resolve battled head-to-head before Righteous Resolve weakened and fell to third behind Baroness Hill. Climb The Pole was strong past the wire for a 1 1/4 length victory in 1:54.0. See race coverage with photo by Standardbred Canada here.
Driver Jody Jamieson said after the race: "It worked out tonight. I didn't have to push her too hard leaving," J. Jamieson said. " I just let her keep trotting. My filly felt great, so I just let her trot and you know, I'm standing here with you now so it's really cool."
Climb The Pole 's fifth victory increased her lifetime earnings to $134,095 (USD) for owners Steve Heimbecker, Carl and Jody Jamieson, and Aaron Byron. She has established herself as a top competitor for the rest of this year's ONSS schedule.
Windsong Stable sells Long Legs, a Green Manalishi half sister to Climb The Pole, in the Concord consignment at Harrisburg.
Ester Degli Dei Dominates $150,000 Breeders Course at Jagersro
July 25 - After 4 victories to start her career at Victoria Park Wolvega (Holland), undefeated Ester Degli Dei (Maharajah - Twill Be Done) tested herself against the best 3 year old fillies in Sweden today in the $150,000 Breeders Course stakes race (1640 m) at Jagersro. As the betting favorite, Ester Degli Dei left the gate second from post 2 for driver Robin Bakker, only inherit the lead from a breaker. From there, she took command and turned away a determined challenge from Eros Jet to win in 1:55.2f (video, Ester Degli Dei is in post position 2).
Ester Degli Dei was bred in Italy by Soc Agricola Degli Dei SRL. Windsong Stable bred and sold as a yearling the dam of Ester Degli Dei, Twill Be Done 3, 1:55.3 $131,210. Twill Be Done is a Donato Hanover half sister to the European star Bring Me Luck US 3, 1:57.3f; 1:54.2f $368,197. Their dam, Polyester Hanover, is currently in foal to Captain Corey.
Windsong Stable sells Raggedy Ann, a Cantab Hall half sister to Twill Be Done and Bring Me Luck US, out of Polyester Hanover in the Concord consignment at Harrisburg.
Smooth As Silk Stars In PA Fair Stakes
July 17 - After a second place finish in May in a $20,000 leg of the PA Stallion Series at The Meadows, Smooth As Silk (International Moni - Polyester Hanover) has found additional success in PASS races at PA County Fairs this summer for owners Gregory Callihan and Nicole Buchleitner, and owner/trainer Susan Callihan. Since late June, Smooth As Silk quickly reeled off three straight wins at the Butler, Wattsburg, and Hughesville Fairs. Today she had her best performance yet at the Bedford Fair in which she was timed in a track record 1:58.4, only to be set back to second place and her record disallowed when she broke stride right at the wire. Despite this disappointment, Smooth As Silk is proving to be a capable performer at the PA Fairs, and is hoping to be a contender for top divisional honors in the PA Fair Final later this year.
Windsong Stable sells Raggedy Ann, a Cantab Hall 1/2 sister to Smooth As Silk, in the Concord consignment at Harrisburg this November.
Climb The Pole Wins $101,300 CDN ONSS-GL at Rideau Carleton
July 16 - Climb The Pole (Kadabra - Legzy) demonstrated that she will be a top contender in the Ontario Sire Stakes this year with a win in the 3rd $101,300 CDN leg at Rideau Carleton tonight. Starting from post 1, Climb The Pole settled nicely for driver Jody Jamieson in the two hole behind Righteous Resolve in a 27.3 first quarter. Positions remained the same through fractions of 56.3 and 1:25.2. In the stretch, Climb The Pole started up the passing lane until she found her progress blocked by the sulky of Righteous Resolve. Driver James McDonald then moved Righteous Resolve away from the rail, and the horses accordingly finished 1-2. The finish line timer was tripped in a fast 1:54.1. A lengthy review by the judges concluded that Righteous Resolve failed to yield the passing lane, and Climb The Pole was declared the winner. The victory was 4th in 7 2023 starts for Climb The Pole, increasing her lifetime earnings to $75,265 USD for owners Steve Heimbecker, Carl and Jody Jamieson, and Aaron Byron.
Windsong Stable sells Long Legs, a Green Manalishi 1/2 sister to Climb The Pole, in the Concord consignment at Harrisburg this November.
Readly Success Impresses USTA In Debut
June 5 - It may have only been a 2YO filly baby race at Gaitway Farm, but Readly Success (Readly Express - Sweetspellosuccess) turned enough heads with a commanding performance to be the subject of a USTA feature article. From post 3, Andy Miller quickly changed his plans to allow Readly Success to take the lead when no other filly left smartly from the gate. From there, Readly Success led the field wire-to-wire, winning by 2 lengths with a last quarter in 28.4 and the mile in a very quick 1:59.
A post race interview with trainer Julie Miller revealed that Readly Success will now ship to Oak Grove to compete in the early KYSS series.
Adore Me Second By A Head in $150,000 M4YOKYSS Final
May 29 - Not satisfied with finishing second by a pixel in a blown up win photo last week, Adore Me (Father Patrick - Sleep Tight My Luv) once again fell barely short of victory in the $150,000 M4YOKYSS Final at Oak Grove today. Despite last week's super photo finish, bettors sent Adore Me to her outside post 7 with unconvincing 8/1 odds. However, as the gate left odds-on favorite and Track Record holder Yanaba immediately broke stride. Driver Andy Miller alertly steered Adore Me to a very comfortable second position, which she maintained around the track in fractions of 27.1, 56.3, and 1:24.1. However, soon after the 3/4 mark Adore Me found herself blocked by Eternal Lee and eventual race winner Pioneer As on the outside. After shaking free, Adore Me made a determined rush to the finish, only to finish second by a head in 1:52.3f. Nevertheless, Adore Me finished a successful KYSS campaign with two seconds and two fourths, raising her lifetime earnings to $236,476. Coverage of the race can be found at Harnesslink.
Adore Me is in foal to the great Muscle Hill, last bred 3/17/23.
Adore Me Second By A Whisker In $50,000 M4YOKYSS
May 22 - Adore Me (Father Patrick - Sleep Tight My Luv) has been knocking at the door in the lucrative M4YOKYSS series at Oak Grove, but bad racing luck and powerful opponents have held her to several 4th place finishes. Today, the door was opening more than just a crack for her. Leaving from post 3 for driver Dexter Dunn, Adore Me settled into perfect stalking position behind Stakes/Track Record Holder Yanaba, who led the field through early fractions of 27.2, 55.4, and 1:23.1. This week however, the race wasn't going to be won without a fight. In mid-stretch Adore Me and Pioneer As made a determined attack on a tiring leader. Adore Me equaled Yanaba in a too-close-to-call finish, which on photo showed Yanaba had prevailed by a flare of a nostril in another 1:51.4 Stakes and Track Record. USTA coverage of the race can be found here.
Next week is the $150,000 Final. With a favorable post and some racing luck, Adore Me could be a major factor for trainer Julie Miller, regular driver Andy Miller, and owner Windsong Stable.
Adore Me is in foal to the great Muscle Hill, last bred 3/17/23.
Climb The Pole Ascendant In $25,000 SBOA Prelim at Mohawk
May 13 - Initially overlooked by bettors and racetrack commentators, a 6-1 Climb The Pole (Kadabra - Legzy) led a strong field from the quarter pole to the finish line to win the $25,000 3TF SBOA preliminary by a confident length in 1:55.3 at Mohawk. Post 6 did not deter driver Jody Jamieson from pursuing an early lead, as Climb The Pole assumed command in a 28.1 first quarter. Aided by a brief second quarter breather, Climb The Pole was well prepared for the long Mohawk stretch, turning back several determined challengers in a 27.3 last quarter. Climb The Pole is now the winner of all three starts in 2023, with lifetime earnings of $29,255 for Steve Heimbecker and co-owner/trainer Amanda Fine.
Windsong Stable sells Long Legs, a Green Manalishi - Legzy 1/2 sister to Climb The Pole, in the Concord consignment at Harrisburg.
Moonlight G Passes at Hanover Shoe Farms
March 25 - Though everyone in harness racing knows Windsong's Legacy, only a few know his Super Bowl older brother, Moonlight G. Their dam Yankee Windsong was the first broodmare purchased by Windsong Stable. She was in foal to the great Super Bowl, and sentiment dictated that we retain that first colt for racing. His name was inspired by the "Moonlight Graham" character in the Kevin Costner baseball movie, "Field of Dreams." Graham was purportedly the only player in Major League history to play in a game but never have the chance to hit. If you believe that a name influences its owner, then you can already imagine where this story is going.
"Moonie" was quite a character. At 2, he was very reluctantly gelded after becoming almost unmanageable upon reaching puberty. Thereafter he became extremely depressed, eating and training poorly, and refusing most interactions with people. But his developing friendship with a very young Martin Lagas, the son of Edwin Lagas, then second trainer for Jan Nordin, turned his life around. Another example of Moonie's antics; one night, he somehow opened the outer latch to his stall door, and was discovered in the morning calmly enjoying grass in a paddock behind the barn.
Although he won 16 races lifetime, Moonie was resolute in his refusal to win when I was present at the track. Once in a 3YO PASS at Pocono, Moonie gave me quite a thrill coming around the last turn with a full head of steam and dead aim on the leader, Brumal Hanover. Inexplicably, Moonie decided to bolt for the draw gate and the comforts of the race paddock instead of completing his quest for racing glory. All in attendance were dumbfounded, not the least his driver and trainer, Jan Nordin.
No Yonkers trotter was quicker than Moonie leaving the gate, and none were as likely to run out of gas in the last 100 feet of a race. Moonie also required his groom to run along with him to the gate, letting go of his halter just upon arrival. If the groom dropped him too early, Moonie would just stop. Watching Moonie go to the gate with his groom was always a bit frightening. I don't know why the track and his groom put up with his antics.
Nevertheless, despite his quirks and eccentricities, Moonie won 16 of 142 lifetime starts for $151,062, taking his lifetime mark of 1:58.2f at Pocono. He retired at age 8 after his second significant suspensory injury from the Jim Doherty stable.
He spent the next 17 years enjoying the sun and the grass and the companionship of a herd of retired mares at Miller Shed of Hanover Shoe Farms. Moonie's special buddy for years was a mare named Royal Ambition, a Royal Strength mare that had only a couple foals that were racetrack failures before she refused to have any more. Like Moonie, she enjoyed the kindness and generosity that Hanover extended to even the most modest of horses.
Rest well, old friend. Your brother might have been better, but you will always be very special to Windsong Stable.
