WILMINGTON, Del.--Michael Matz had three impressive 2-year-old winners, all for Runnymoore Racing, in two days.
Late Frost winning at Delaware Park (Photo by Hoofprints, Inc.)"One minute you think you don't have anything, and then these three pop up," said Matz.
Gregory and Caroline Bentley, owners of Runnymoore Racing, bred two of the 2 year olds, a filly and a colt, while the third, another filly, was bought by their manager, Joe Bentley at last year's Timonium yearling sale.
Runnymoore's homebred Late Frost, by Frosted, won a $44,000, 6 furlong Allowance race by 8 lengths at Delaware Park on Oct. 28 in her second start after winning a maiden claiming race on Sept.16.
"She looks like a pretty nice filly,"said Matz."It looked like she handled herself pretty well in that race."
"Her mother died when she was born," he said. "I think she had some tough times growing up. She has some scars on her hind leg. She's a tough little thing.That's probably why she made it."
ALSO ON OCT. 28, Alla Breve won a $57,880, 5 1/2 furlong for Maiden Fillies, 2 years old, by 3/4 length at Laurel in her very first start.
"Alla Breve was bought at Timonium," said Matz. "She was a little late coming along. I was really pleased with her race."
Runnymoore's homebred Picture This, by Munnings, won a $44,000, 6 furlong Allowance Optional Claiming race for 2 year olds by 1 length at Delaware Park on Oct. 29.
Picture This was sixth in his first race, a maiden special weight, then won a maiden claiming race at Delaware Park on Oct. 6.
"In his first race, he didn't know what to do," said Matz. "He finished that race at Delaware Park in 1:10.25. That's pretty good time for a 2-year-old at Delaware."
"Picture This will run back in the Nursery Stakes at Parx on Nov. 29," Matz said. "We don't have anything picked out for the other two yet. I was pretty please with the way all three raced."
GRAHAM MOTION had seven winners over the last two weeks, including two stakes winners.
Mrs.Fitriani Hay's homebred Highland Chief won the G3, $300,000,1 1/2 mile Sycamore Stakes on the turf by 1 length at Keeneland on Oct. 14.
Highland Chied ran close to the pace in the 12 horse race and won under a drive.
Sparkle Blue, bred by Catherine Parks and owned by Catherine Parks and Augustin Stable, won the G3, $300,000, 1 1/16 mile Rubicon Valley View Stakes on the turf by 2 1/2 lengths at Keeneland on Oct. 28.
Sparkle Blue ran third in the 10 horse field, moved to second in the stretch and kicked clear for the win.
Fortune Racing's Candy Light won a $110,000, 1 mile Allowance turf race by 1 1/2 lengths at Keeneland on Oct. 13.
Madakt Stables Wooten Asset won a $110,000, 1 mile Allowance Optional Claiming race on the turf by 1 length at Belmont at the Big A on Oct. 27.
River Oak Farm and Michael W. Olazewski's Pharoah's Song won a $54,000, 1 1/16 mile Allowance turf race for fillies and mares by 3/4 length at Laurel on Oct. 30.
Sean Feld's Evan Harlan won a $95,000, 1 1/16 mile Maiden Special Weight for 3 year olds and up on the turf by 2 1/2 lengths at Aqueduct on Oct. 15.
Stone Farm's War Fighter won a $95,000, 6 furlong Maiden Special Weight for 3 year olds and up on the turf by 8 1/4 lengths at Aqueduct on Oct.29.
BERNIE HOUGHTON had four winners over the past two weeks, all at Penn National.
Douglas W. Gibson's African Angel won a $33,604, 5 furlong Maiden Special Weight for 2-year-old fillies by 1 1/4 lengths on Oct. 14.
Joseph Viviani's Rain Lily won a $27,100, 6 furlong Maiden Special Weight race by 14 1/2 lengths on Oct. 21.
Rain Lily dueled for the early lead, put the field away on the turn and drew off to win impressively.
Both Maiden winners were bred by Bernie's mother Betsy at her Sylmar Farm in Christiana, Pa.
Lee J.Glassberg's Phancy Philly won a $19,000, 6 furlong Starter Optional Claiming race by 1 length on Oct. 26.
Houghton's own W.M.T. Stable's homebred Major Thomas won a $18,100, 6 furlong Maiden Claiming ace by 1 1/4 lengths on Oct. 21.
RODNEY JENKINS saddled Hillwood Stable's homebred Misty's Lass to win a $57,580, 5 1/2 furlong Maiden Special Weight for fillies and mares on the turf by a neck at Laurel on Oct. 30.
