Barbaro Updates: 343

updates are now here.

Update 2224: Nautical Agent was fourth tonight at Colonial Downs. She was well off the pace, appeared to get stopped as she was making a run, and then had to be redirected to the outside for her final run. She was beaten a length and a half for second. Its storming here at Fair Hill.

Update 2223: Rags to Riches is now back at Belmont Park after a two day stay at New Bolton: Rags to Riches Returns to Belmont, excerpt:

The results of the exam will be reviewed by Dr. Paul Thorpe, the attending veterinarian for owners Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, said Pletcher, adding that "Dr. Thorpe will be flying in from Ireland (July 28) to go over the results with us. If everything checks out, well she could still make the Alabama."

Update 2222: A fun article on Funny Cide's new role: A Day at the Spa: July 27, Pony Cide, excerpt:

We keep an eye on Funny Cide while he's on the track. There are spurts of the old racehorse fire -- fiercely pinned ears when a stablemate gets too close, a bow-necked snorting moment when Tagg moves him into a canter down near the first turn. For the most part, however, Funny Cide has adjusted to his new life. He even accepts goodwilled pats on the nose before ferrying his stablemate off the surface.

Update 2221: A warm morning this morning at Fair Hill. I had three to ride, two for Tim and one for Linda. First out was Real Lace, her first outing since her last race. She was to jog two miles on the dirt track. She went nicely and appeared no worse for her most recent race. Tim was on Who's Happy, on the Tapeta track jogging / hacking around. She is running tomorrow at Philadelphia Park in a stake. Next out was Mass Romantic, she went to the Tapeta track, and she galloped a mile and a quarter. Very nicely. Tim came out with Whip Smart, Amanda was on Luke supervising the training. Whip Smart did a little work. Finally I rode Linda's Precious Partner. She breezed a half mile on the Tapeta track, likely my last breeze at Fair Hill. She went nicely, 2 13s and 2 12s.

Nautical Agent is running this afternoon at Colonial Downs, so lets hope she puts in another good effort. Her last effort at Colonial Downs appeared better. Redaspen is also running tomorrow, she will be favorite for her stakes race. A big weekend for Tim, and nothing to do with my imminent departure!

Media blitz week continues.

Update 2220: TeresaNY provides an update on Saratoga after day two: Today at Saratoga, excerpt:

It is a Saratoga tradition that at about a minute to post before the first race, Tom Durkin, the track announcer, coaches us to announce the beginning of the meet. He reminded all of us that this is the 139th season of racing at Saratoga (the oldest meet in the country, though not uninterrupted--racing began in 1863), and got even the most cynical in the crowd to join him in announcing, "And they're off at Saratoga!" as the starting gate opened for the first race.

The Whitney Handicap, to be run tomorrow afternoon and on ESPNs two hour coverage, is a full field as older horses attempt to fill the void established by the retirement of Invasor: Full Whitney field will vie for divisional supremacy and With Invasor Out, the Whitney's Anyone's Race.