3 Feb 2013
Enigma...what can I say that hasn't been said already? Dead last and hurt - again - small consolation he managed a 62 PSR. No more Graded starts for him, but finding a half-decent Ungraded Turf Sprint is going to be a trial.
Millie came in near the back in the Truly Bound with a 65 PSR. Almost 15 lengths off the winner who went on to show in a G2 four weeks later. We're okay with this, though that 3 month layoff may have been a bit too long for comfort.
Also near the back was Copacabana. Carrying career and race 2nd-high weight he still managed to post his career 2nd-high PSR of 73. He showed his potential with giving 24 pounds to the winner. The Field granted up to 31 lbs to that win whcih garnered quite a few sour grapes at post time.
Seattleswale ran gamely in his first start in 26 months to finish just out of the money. Landing 6th of 9 while carrying Top Weight, he posted PSR=69 to the winner's Track Record setting PSR=102. We are very proud of this effort and look eagerly ahead to his next start.
Card 2 saw two more races for us; this time with kickback!
Light Touch joined another maiden mare in the ungraded Farley Stakes Jan 28. Running over 6.5f on Belmont's turf course, they had their tails handed to them by Newsham Lodge's Multiple Graded-placed colt. 11 lengths back garnerd a 46 PSR that was likely skewed by the winning 73. $8,750 for 2nd pays the feed for now, but that $21,000 would have come in mighty handy.
Sundance brough in our second check with a Show in an Ungraded Maiden at Shenandoah. Outclassed, we are nontheless very proud of her effort.
Everyone except Enigma came back sound this month and even his was minor. A slight rework of schedules brings us into February with March in our sights.
Next up is Livewire in the ungraded Happy Ticket Stakes at Fair Grounds. 8 pre-entries at press time with 3 carrying Scratch instructions, only 2 we see as definitive threats. 6f on the dirt for 3 year old fillies and we think she can pull off check #3.
Last to start in this new season is our much vaunted Graded winner Swain's Gold. This younger brother to the famous Heat Seeker is really starting to show his stuff and we hope he'll continue all the way to the circle at Rosehill Gardens. That's right: Goldie's going international! The 1 3/16m Grade 2 Hill Stakes is his mark and the only real concern we have is that he didn't much care for this track a year ago. 1 of 5 preentered with 1 filly and 1 carrying scratch notes.
After first publicizing to Fin (owner of FDL Lodge and Heat Seeker) that Goldie would be runnig, we received a tip from JD (former owner of Livewire, and good buddy) about the Mackinnon Stakes in March. A $400,000 Grade 1 over 1 1/4 mile Flemington turf may be just the ticket to earn Goldie his Black Type. If he comes out sound (after 2 months there's no reason why he shouldn't) and doesn't totally get his tail handed to him, then Flemington may indeed be our next stop.
The foals are growing nicely and gaining both independance and brass. The only one still lacking a stall chart is Monty, though it is in development and should be up soon. The yearlings are all glossy and full of themselves and will be learning what a track and gate are very soon. Gate cards are scheduled to be earned late summer or early fall. The studs graze contentedly in their paddocks while the mares snooze in the sun. Princess is starting to show her age and we've had to call the vet out twice already. This may be her last season, though it'll break our hearts if anything happens to her.
The Bloodstock Manager is hard at work on taillines again, and in trying to deduce why two consecutive route-route pairings gave us sprinters. Most of the new stock and one or two foals are still lacking Tail Line reports so she's working on finalizing those for publication.
Between the active racers and prepping the yearlings our Head Trainer is also hard at work. He hopes for many purses and a clean Gate test...and many clean vet checks...for the future.
Our recent jockey roster change seems to have had a positive effect as more of our runners are managing to bring in checks. Oddly enough the 'bug' on Maiden more than earned his keep last season and will be getting a crack at both Chief and Cop later this year.
Portions of our website required patching so our Web Administrator set aside an entire weeked (3 whole days!) to redesign portions of said site. She's done a fabulous job so be sure to visit and up the "visitor" count...it'll make her day!
Card 3 is up and will roll this comming weekend. Happy Raceing!