Stable talk – Kentuckiana Lodge

The excitement of spring racing is nearly upon us.

As some of our best equine athletes are beginning to make their appearance at the trials, it’s just a matter of time before the inevitable match ups of spring and summer racing spark our enthusiasm and produce some excitement.

In this Stable talk, Cran Dalgety of Kentuckiana Lodge runs his eye over some of their stable stars as they prepare to return to the track.

Tour Party (Bettor’s Delight)

Last started: April 2026

Starts/wins/placings this season to date: 4-4-0-0 $87,450

Recent feature wins: G1 Cardigan Bay Stakes

Comment: “He’s great and has put on a lot of weight – in strength and maturity rather than being overweight. He’s into his fifth week of hopple work now. Physically he looks twelve months older than he is. Sure he’s won four races, but to run two races with 26 last quarters and it looks like he’s done them in 36 – he’s got push button speed. It’s going to be hard for new two year olds to come in, because we’ve had that foundation and that trip away,” Cran said.

Roger That (Sweet Lou)

Last started: May 2026

Starts/wins/placings this season to date: 4-3-0-1 $79,400

Recent feature wins: G1 Diamond Creek Farm/SBSR Two Year Old Classic

Comment: “He’s such a casual horse who gets round like an old grandpa. He’s soaking up his training really well. He’s not too far behind the other fella (Tour Party). They’ll both target the Sires’ Stakes races and Harness Million. They’re the two juicy ones for us.”

Franco Sinatra (Captaintreacherous)

Last started: May 2026

Starts/wins/placings this season to date: 11-3-2-4 $74,262

Recent feature wins: Nil

Comment: “He’s the quiet achiever of the whole lot of them. He’s gone ahead big time. He was one tenth of a second from being the first horse to break 1-50 and with no hopples on. He’s going to be a bit better than the average chance with the way he’s coming up.”

Show Stopper (Downbytheseaside)

Last started: June 2026

Starts/wins/placings this season to date: 9-2-3-1 $51,355

Recent feature wins: G2 Southern Oaks

Comment: “She’s into her third hopple training week. She looks good too and has got a big high end on her now so hopefully she’s got a bit more power with that. The Nevele R (Fillies Series) has quite a few heats, so we can jump into there with her.”

Cherish Me (Downbytheseaside)

Last started: June 2026

Starts/wins/placings this season to date: 5-4-1-0 $47,288

Recent feature wins: Nil

Comment: “She’s been quite a pleasant surprise. It was a bit topsy turvy at the start with a wee bit of an injury. She’s lucky because she’s got a bit of blue blood, so hopefully we can keep that coming out of her. She’s turned into quite a big filly and is abnormally long.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink