Blonde Executive should be set to return in about four weeks

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - One of the most notable horses missing from action here this year is Blonde Executive, Canada's champion sprinter of 2004.

"She needs a few more works before she's back to herself," said trainer Radlie Loney, after watching Blonde Executive gallop over the training track here Wednesday morning. "We're looking at another four weeks or so."

Blonde Executive won four stakes and five races from six starts last year, topped by the Grade 3 Duchess at seven furlongs. Her other stakes wins came at the expense of Canadian-bred fillies in the La Prevoyante at one mile on turf and against Ontario-sired 3-year-old fillies in the Passing Mood at seven furlongs on grass and the Lady Angela at seven furlongs on dirt.

Blonde Executive was slated to wind up her campaign in the seven-furlong Jammed Lovely here Nov. 14 but was on the farm by that time.

"She got hurt a little bit, so we stopped on her," said Loney. "It was more wear and tear than anything. We decided to give her as much time as she needed."

Blonde Executive returned to the track about six weeks ago and has breezed twice, her latest move being four furlongs in 49 seconds last Saturday.

And, all being well, Loney expects Blonde Executive to come back as good as ever.

"Hopefully, maybe better," he said.

'Financing' back to winning ways

Financingavailable, who finished a close second to Blonde Executive in the La Prevoyante and went on to become a stakes winner in the Jammed Lovely, got back on target by romping in a second-level allowance race here last Sunday.

Owned by K.K. Sangara and trained by Lorne Richards, Financingavailable had finished third in her seasonal debut in the June 19 Zadracarta at six furlongs on turf.

"I probably didn't have her ready enough," said Richards.

Financingavailable remains eligible for a three-other-than allowance.

Richards points out that there are only two more stakes for Ontario-sired fillies and mares on the schedule here this season. The $125,000 Victoriana, a 1 1/16-mile turf race, goes Aug. 21, while the $125,000 Classy 'n Smart, at 1 1/16 miles on the main track, goes Oct. 10.

Funeral planned for Carter, 75

A funeral for trainer George "Buddy" Carter was to be held at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Beckett-Glaves Family Funeral Centre, 88 Brant Ave., Brantford.

Carter, who died in the hospital Monday night at age 75, had trained horses through six decades and had had 11 starters at the current meeting.

Carter's highest-profile horse was Mister Jive, who finished seventh in the 1957 Kentucky Derby. Iron Liege was the Derby winner that year, with Gallant Man second, Round Table third, and Bold Ruler fourth.

Mister Jive, owned by John Applebaum, was a multiple stakes winner, with his major successes coming in the Cowdin at Belmont, a division of the Youthful at Randall Park, and the Summer Stakes at Woodbine in 1956; the Gotham at Jamaica Race Course in 1957; and the Eclipse and Highlander here in 1958.

Carter's long list of local stakes winners also includes Sweet Briar Too, Bouncing Brave, Greyechel, Sinister Spinster, Parquill, Little to Do, and Someolio Man, who finished second in the 1980 Queen's Plate.

Chiefswood pair work in company

Alleged Ruler and Pipers Honour, both owned by Chiefswood Stable and trained by Eric Coatrieux, shipped in from the farm Wednesday to work over the main track.

The pair went five furlongs in company, with Alleged Ruler clocked in 1:00.80 and Pipers Honour in 1:00.60.

Alleged Ruler, a 4-year-old colt, is pointing for the Grade 3, $150,000 Seagram Cup, a 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and upward here July 30.

Pipers Honour, who won her maiden at 1 1/8 miles on turf here last time out, is eyeing the $250,000 Wonder Where, a 1 1/4-mile turf race for Canadian-bred 3-year-old fillies here July 31.

Stable may have two in stakes here

Coatrieux and Chiefswood also could be represented in two stakes here this weekend, with Fifth Overture slated for Saturday's $100,000 Belle Mahone and Niigon for Sunday's $300,000 Chinese Cultural Centre.

The Belle Mahone, a 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares, is an overnight stakes and is not guaranteed to go. The Chinese Cultural Centre is a Grade 2, 1 3/8-mile turf race for 3-year-olds and upward.

* Tickets are on sale for the LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society's "Black & White Gala," which will take place in the trackside tent here Sept. 23. The fund-raising event includes a live auction, dinner, and entertainment by Jeff Healey and The Jazz Wizards. For information, contact the LongRun office at (416) 675-3993, Ext. 3440.

* Tickets also are on sale for the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which will be held at the Toronto Congress Centre on Aug. 25. The evening, which includes a reception, dinner, and silent auction, begins at 5:30 p.m. For information, contact Anna MacLeod at (905) 858-3077, Ext. 213.