2011 Breeders\u2019 Cup on Nov. 4-5 at Churchill Downs.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\nTo make Noosa Beach eligible, the Harwoods paid a $25,000 provisional nomination fee that is part of a new \u201copen enrollment\u201d program offered by the Breeders\u2019 Cup, which is available to any horse sired by a stallion nominated to the Breeders\u2019 Cup for the 2011 breeding season. The deadline for open enrollment nominations is midnight Thursday.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cWe decided to nominate Noosa Beach for several reasons,\u201d Doris Harwood said. \u201dIt gives us multiple options: leasing Noosa Beach, selling him, or taking him ourselves. Also, his value increases tremendously if he\u2019s Breeders\u2019 Cup eligible.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
In previous years, Noosa Beach\u2019s connections would have had to pay a prohibitive supplemental nomination fee because the 5-year-old\u2019s sire Harbor the Gold was not nominated to the Breeders\u2019 Cup in 2005, the year that Noosa Beach was conceived. Doris Harwood said even though she spoke with a Breeders\u2019 Cup representative, who all but guaranteed Noosa Beach would get in the BC Dirt Mile, a selection committee still has to qualify him for the race, and Noosa Beach must stay healthy.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a difficult decision for Jeff and me, because we are taking a gamble,\u201d she said. \u201cBut as of right now, things are looking pretty good with how Noosa Beach has been running.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The 2010 Emerald Downs Horse of the Meeting has already captured the first two stakes races in 2011\u2014Governor\u2019s and Budweiser Handicap\u2014in the older horse division. With the July 24 Mt. Rainier Handicap as the last local prep, Noosa Beach has stamped himself as the resident favorite to defend his title in the 2011 Longacres Mile (G3) on Aug. 21.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
In addition to Noosa Beach\u2019s success, Doris Harwood\u2019s previous Breeders\u2019 Cup experience adds a level of comfort to the difficult decision. In 2007, the 58-year-old conditioner saddled triple stakes winner Smarty Deb for a fifth-place finish in the $2 million Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Monmouth Park. And the day before, Smarty Deb\u2019s stablemate Margo\u2019s Gift scored a 26\u2013to-1 upset at Monmouth in the $250,000 Favorite Trick.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
In other news, Doris Harwood said Thursday that owner Frank Gaunt has transferred twelve horses from her barn to trainer Frank Lucarelli\u2019s stable, motivated by Lucarelli\u2019s strong presence in California. She also said that longtime assistant trainer Maryellen Silva has moved to Southern California to run a string of horses at Del Mar.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
FLEDGLING ANNOUNCER BRENT POVIS TO CALL RACE THIS MONDAY<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\nBrent Povis of Redmond will realize a lifelong goal Monday when he calls a live race on the 10-race holiday card at Emerald Downs.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Povis, 33, has been practicing for the big event the last two months, calling approximately 150 \u201cpractice\u201d races and receiving advice and feedback from track announcer Robert Geller. A native of St. Louis, Povis approached Geller with the idea last spring, proposing an unpaid apprenticeship behind the microphone. Geller agreed, and said Povis has more than kept his share of the bargain.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
“It is not every day that I would agree to mentor someone in the fashion I have with Brent,\u201d Geller said \u201cHis quick mind, auctioneering background and handicapping skills made him a good candidate. His commitment and sincerity made him an excellent one.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Povis, to put it mildly, is the studious type. He earned a master\u2019s degree in biology at Duke University, and has always been fascinated with animals. And perhaps race calling is in his blood, as his grandfather was a livestock auctioneer. In fact, it was his grandfather and father that taught young Brent how to read the Daily Racing Form, and the then 8-year-old recalled listening with admiration to track announcers at places like Churchill Downs and The Woodlands.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was mystifying,\u201d Povis said. \u201cI remember as a kid thinking how are those guys doing that? It\u2019s the most difficult play-by-play job in sports. So, I thought, wouldn\u2019t it be amazing to give that a whirl? I wanted to pursue it now while I had the chance.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Geller said Povis has proven a prompt student, arriving early, staying late and asking probing questions about the craft of race calling.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew he could handle a crash course,\u201d Geller said. \u201cAt the beginning I used a fine tooth-comb and was very specific. I then pulled back to allow him to integrate all the feedback and find his rhythm. As he develops his own style, I can suggest choices that I believe enhance rather than detract. I am proud of what I have imparted and have full confidence that he will be great.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Povis said he would call a route race since the longer distance offers the announcer more of a chance to find a rhythm, and he would prefer an eight-to-10 horse field. In the final analysis, he said, race calling is a sink or swim proposition.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cHopefully it comes across that I\u2019ve got five years of experience rather than two months,\u201d he said. \u201cIf you don\u2019t succeed in the memory department, the rest of the race is going to fall apart.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Povis\u2019 wife, Kaleen, also is in for a big weekend. She will sing the national anthem prior to Saturday\u2019s races at Emerald Downs, and the couple will soon move to Pittsburgh where Kaleen will pursue a PhD in museum studies.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
CHU AND I HEADS MONDAY\u2019S NWSS STRONG RULER<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\nMike and Amy Feuerborn\u2019s Chu and I, winner of the fastest 2-year-old race of the meeting, is among five juveniles entered in the $25,000 Northwest Stallion Strong Ruler Stakes.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The NWSS Strong Ruler at 5-\u00bd furlongs is half of Monday\u2019s Fourth of July stakes double-header for 2-year-olds that are progeny of stallions standing in 2008 that have been nominated.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
A Washington-bred by You and I, Chu and I romped by six lengths in his June 5 debut, running 4-\u00bd furlongs in :51.19 and earning a 73 Beyer Speed Figure\u2014both tops by a juvenile at the meeting.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The last two winners of the NWSS Strong Ruler\u2014Hollywood Harbor in 2009 and Couldabenthewhisky in 2010\u2014both went on to earn honors as the meet\u2019s Top 2-Year-Old.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The NWSS Strong Ruler is race eight on a 10-race card at 5:39 p.m.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The field for the 33rd<\/sup> running of the Northwest Stallion Strong Ruler Stakes: Wild Wings, Joe Crispin, 120 lbs; Chu and I, Juan Gutierrez, 120; Orlando Xpress, Leslie Mawing, 118; Mattallie, Pedro Terrero, 118; Mel and Al, Robert Skelly, 118.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nYOUTHEPRIZEANDI TOPS LINEUP IN NWSS KNIGHTS CHOICE <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\nJethorse LLC\u2019s Youtheprizeandi, coming off a smashing 4-\u00bc-length debut on June 11, is among six 2-year-old fillies entered in the $25,0000 Northwest Stallion Knights Choice Stakes.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
A daughter of You and I trained by Tim McCanna, Youtheprizeandi ran 4-\u00bd furlongs in :51.96 and is the only horse coming off a winning effort.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Royal Moses, a daughter of Cahill Rose from the Tim Harder barn, and Sweet Saga, a Slew\u2019s Saga filly trained by Larry Ross, are first-time starters that have shown promise in morning drills.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The NWSS Knights Choice is race nine on a 10-race card at 6:09 p.m.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The field for the 33rd<\/sup> running of the Northwest Stallion Knights Choice Stakes: Wild Chica, A.L. Gutierrez, 117; Royal Moses, Jose Zunino, 117; Zenett, Javier Matias, 117; Sweet Saga, Mawing, 117; Youtheprizeandi, Crispin, 120; Gotaminute, Deborah Hoonan-Trujillo, 117.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nSPECIAL 4:30 PM POST SUNDAY ON FIREWORKS NIGHT<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\nThe annual \u201cFireworks Spectacular presented by Carl\u2019s Jr.\u201d \u2013 one of the most popular fireworks shows in the entire Pacific Northwest \u2013 returns to Emerald Downs this Sunday following the 10-race Thoroughbred program.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Special first post time is 4:30 p.m., with the final race at approx. 9:38 p.m. The Fireworks Spectacular will begin about 30 minutes after the 10th<\/sup> race.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nNOTES: <\/strong>Week 11 Honors\u2014Jockey-Lance Bullock (rides first EmD winner); Trainer-Frank Lucarelli (five wins); Owner-Nelson Family Racing (Zayda wins Pepsi-Cola Handicap); Groom-Jose Lomeli (Tom Wenzel)\u2026 Through eight stakes the average field size is 8.5 horses, and the average $2 win price $23.40. Noosa Beach, with victories in the Governor\u2019s Handicap and Budweiser Handicap, is the only favorite to win a stakes this season at EmD.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nFirst-time starter Cone Back Karma was claimed from Sunday\u2019s third race by owner\/trainer Vann Belvoir for $12,500. It was the meet\u2019s 41st<\/sup> claim in 34 days for an aggregate $272,500. Tim McCanna has lost five horses via claim while Vann Belvoir, Howard Belvoir and Tom Wenzel have lost four horses each at the claim box.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nSheen Falls, 3-for-3 last season, will make her 2011 debut Sunday in a $12,500 claiming race. The 6-year-old Officer mare also captured the 2010 Diane Kem Handicap at Portland Meadows for trainer Steve Fisher.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Washington-bred Mack\u2019s Gold Bullet, 2010 Dennis Dodge Stakes winner, will face seven other 3-year-olds Friday in the $50,000 Livermore Valley Wines Stakes at Pleasanton\u2026Trainer Frank Lucarelli, who as three horses entered for Sunday at Pleasanton, will saddle Portland Meadows Mile winner Deacon Speakin\u2019 in the fourth race, a $32,000-30,000 claiming race for older horses.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Longacres Mile possible St. Liam\u2019s Halo, 2011 Johnny Longden stakes winner, will attempt his third straight victory Friday in the $50,000 Lieutenant Governor\u2019s Handicap at Hastings Racecourse\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Live racing returns to Les Bois Park in Boise, ID Saturday for the first time since Aug. 2008. The opener includes six Thoroughbred races, three Quarter horse events and a grand total of 64 horses on the nine-race card. The feature race is the $5,000 Premiere Quarter Horse Stakes at 350 yards.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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