Barbaro Updates: 314
updates are now here.
Update 2084: Laywer Ron ran yesterday at Monmouth in a short field and he was beaten: Lawyer Ron odds on, neck short. TeresaNY made her first visit to Monmouth yesterday and witnessed this race, here is her report: My Day at Monmouth.
Today I visited Delaware Park for a couple of hours. I witnessed two Fair Hill wins, one in the fifth at Delaware Park, the other in the second at Woodbine: Smart Enough Wires Scotts Highlander.
Update 2083: I made a brief visit to Fair Hill this morning to check up on our runners from yesterday. Gator Nation remained at Colonial Downs, Tim has plans to run him back there and it did not make sense to bring him back here only to return in a couple of weeks. Who's Happy looked good outside grazing this morning. She was perhaps a little tired, but she ate up well last night and did not pick her head up off the grass when I went outside to see her.
On my way back I stopped at the local gas station to get a copy of the Wilmington News Journal. The horse slaughter story (update 2082) is the lead story, there are also additional stories in the paper.
Update 2082: Sue McMullen writes a nice piece about the Royal Ascot experience for The Herald: Plenty of fizz in memorable week, excerpt:
Not known for his sentimentality, trainer Jeremy Noseda fought back tears as he spoke of Soldier's Tale success. "We call him Spam at home because he sticks out his tongue and it looks like a piece of Spam," he said.
"I've told the owner that if the horse doesn't go to stud, he'll stay with me forever on the yard. It all sounds a bit soppy but I love him to bits."
Some great exposure regarding the horse slaughter issue in today's Wilmington News Journal: Racing's nasty secret: horse slaughter.
Update 2081: Invasor worked this morning and suffered an injury and is retired: Super Horse Invasor Retired After Workout Injury.
Update 2080: Ascot's feature race today did not disappoint with a thrilling finish between Australia's Takeover Target and the fast closing Brave Soldier: Brave Soldier wins battle, excerpt:
"I am very proud of him," said Joe Janiak of the super-tough little star, who has now grossed him over £1,800,000 world wide and heads back to Australia "That was a great run and I actually thought that was his race two strides from home. I'll go to the pub and get drunk but I will have to go home with Takeover Target first." They were heartfelt words but on this day they could be no match for those from the winning trainer.
"I love him for his heart and will to live," said a tearful Noseda. "99 horses out of a 100 would have given up after what he has been through.
"He had problems with his knees as a two-year-old and he fractured a leg as a three-year-old and then had colic and spent three months at the equine hospital when he was minutes from being put down. As a four-year-old he was fourth in the July Cup but then more problems stopped him running last year.
Update 2079: I just got off the phone with Tim, who is naturally delighted with Who's Happy. Oliver Castillo (subbing for Victor Molina) rode a great race. The pace was a little soft, so he kept Happy a little closer and kept riding her the whole way. A perfect ride. Happy is now cooling out well. Here is the chart.
Update 2078: A nice stakes win at Philadelphia Park, and now four wins in a row, for Who's Happy! Gator Nation also ran a closing fourth at Colonial Downs. I will post more once I have spoken to Tim.
Update 2077: Driving into Fair Hill this morning my truck decided to quit. Fortunately I had made the main entrance, so I abandoned the truck and walked to the barn. A gorgeous morning, I only had three to ride. First out was Linda's Pistol. He went to the Tapeta track and galloped a mile and a half, nice and slowly. It was his first day out after he ran earlier in the week. He finished a decent fourth at Colonial Downs. He felt good after his race. Next out was Nautical Agent, she went to the Tapeta track, along with Tim on Quick Quest. We galloped a mile and a quarter, I led Tim. They both went well ... and of course Nautical Agent high-stepped it home. Finally I rode Kitty. Before getting on her I offered her a grape (FOB Denise was visiting and she delivered a HUGE basket of fruit and another plate of other goodies). She accepted, chewed it and literally spat it out. I guess it did not taste like a carrot or a mint! Kitty went with Nonpareil and they galloped a mile and a half on the dirt. For the most part they went well together, although Kitty needed a little encouragement to keep up.
On my way back to my truck I stopped by the gate to see if someone from the gate crew could diagnose the problem. Brian came over to help me. The truck started, no problem. I am now home!
DRF has a short article on Who's Happy's race this afternoon: Distance the key for Who's Happy, excerpt:
"We wanted to stretch her out earlier, but it was hard to find races for straight 3-year-olds going long," said trainer Tim Woolley. "Our long-term goal was to get her into races like this.
"She's come along really well, and we've been able to space her races perfectly. Hopefully, she's still got a bit of room for improvement."
Update 2076: A busy weekend for Tim this weekend. Whip Smart ran last night at Penn National. She showed some good early speed in her first start back, but then faded. She cooled out well but drank plenty of water, a signal that she got very tired. Hawty Creek was in the same race and came from out of it to finish second.
Today Tim has Who's Happy in the Foxy J. G. at Philadelphia Park and Gator Nation at Colonial Downs.
It is the final day at Ascot and the marquee race is the sprint that sees the return of the King Stand trio from Australia: WOLF AN EACH-WAY JUBILEE OPTION.
Good Morning all
Some pictures from yesterday's Ascot:
Royal Ascot
One of the photos will illustrate why the going went from 'good to firm, firm in places' to 'good to soft, soft in places' very quickly and turned form upside down. That happens with the turf and heavy rain. The bookies were happy though. It might affect today's sprint race, though the Aussies still hold the aces probably. If anyone has understood all that, well done.
Posted by: Liz (UK) at June 23, 2007 11:26 AM