Louise Kimball Distaff Championship

After a  five month absence the Mass Breeders program resumed action on December 1st with the second running of the Louise Kimball Distaff Championship. The race shaped up to be a contest between two very nice fillies Gal Sal Stable's Big Miss and the Manfred Roos' champion Sunlit Ridge.

Big Miss and Ed Molinari cruise to victory

After following the early fractions set by Dr. Desai, Big Miss (winner of her last two in open allowance company) looked to make a move but was but was boxed in by Sunlit Ridge. When a space opened jockey Ed Molinari and Big Miss made the move. "Once she got some room she just went by and kept going" commented Ed Molinari after the race. As usual there was a huge crowd in the winner's circle to honor Louise and present apples for the winning filly.

Overflow in the Winner's Circle

Massachusetts Derby

Jini's Jet proved he was a worthy recipient of the special achievement award he received at the New England Turf Writer's Annual Award dinner in late November by cruising to a 12 length victory in The Mass Derby on Dec. 3rd. Jini's Jet was bred by Dennis and Krystyna Wallace, and trained by Karl Grusmark. Off as the overwhelming favorite Jini's Jet created a minus show pool of $103,803.

   Jini's Jet in October Allowance victory

The Amelia Peabody Stakes

 When heavily favored My Honeychild crossed the finish line to claim honors for 2-year-old Mass Bred  Fillies leader she also gave part-owner Anthony Spadea and  Trainer Karl Grusmark consecutive stakes wins in a six day span. After jumping in the air when the gate opened My Honeychild shot to the lead.  "She got a little tired late" noted jockey Dyn Parnell, "but I knew she had enough to win".

My Honeychild holds on for the win

The Massachusetts Thoroughbred Breeders Championship

With a distinctive white blaze and huge muscular frame Jini's Jet is a commanding presence in the Suffolk Downs Paddock. Three late scratches in the Mass Thoroughbred Breeders Championship shows the respect this Three-year-old A.P.Jet gelding gets from the competition. Today's win would run his 2001 record to six wins and three seconds in eleven starts and over $90,000 in purses.

A Commanding Presence in the Paddock

When the gates opened on the sloppy Suffolk track Jini's Jet and Papa Ho Ho battled briefly for the lead before Jini's Jet took over. Papa Ho Ho followed the early pace. Just into the stretch Papa Ho Ho made a move inside then shifted outside but could not catch the winner. Jini's Jet will now be given some well deserved time off at a farm in Florida. New England fans will look forward to seeing more of the Jet next year.

Another Mass Bred Victory for the Jet

The Massachusetts Oaks

What an end to the racing  season for Sundance Ridge. His progeny carried the last two stakes races of the year. On Friday Dec.21st Sunlit Ridge proved she can run as well on the dirt as on the grass. Sunlit Ridge overtook pacesetters Oh Sham Baby and Viva Concorde and cruised to an easy victory. Regular rider Dyn Panell was once again in the saddle.

Sunlit Ridge in spring victory

The Norman Hall Stakes

The final State bred race of the fall produced the most exciting finish. Stylish Sultan, full brother of Sunlit Ridge, hooked up in an exciting stretch duel with Lloyd Lockhart's Storm Lad. At the line Stylish Sultan gained a hard fought 1/2 length victory over his foe. The final time of 1:11:82 was one of the better postings of the day for that distance, indicating that these two should be competitive in open company next year. The weekend winners were bred by Manfred Roos and were from the pairing of Sundance Ridge and Sultan's Light.  

Stylish Sultan and Storm Lad battle to the line