Barbaro Updates: 671
updates are now here.
Update 3973: A fun afternoon at the rodeo in Toronto. Laura survived her bull ride, but not long enough for the eight seconds. This was my first "behind the scenes" view of a rodeo and I have to say I was pleasantly impressed with how things work. The "stock" animals all looked very healthy too!
The Nick Zito trained Anak Nakal took the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby: Anak Nakal Nabs Pennsylvania Derby.
Update 3972: Gorgeous day at Woodbine! We had 8 sets - 4 before the break and 4 after the break one of which went to the gate. I think I must have galloped about 15 miles so I'm now pretty knackered. Off to the rodeo with Laura who is a freelance exercise rider at Woodbine. She's riding a bull - I might be driving back to Woodbine. Getting on an animal knowing with absolute certainty you will fall off is a little whacky.
Update 3971: Happy Labor Day.
A terrific win yesterday by Breeders Stakes winner Marland in the Saranac at Saratoga. Another wire to wire ride from Richard Dos Ramos in his first ride at Saratoga: Marlang Wires Rivals in Saranac.
Curlin seems well after his win on Saturday. Plans for his next start will be announced after his first breeze back: Relaxed Mood at Curlin's Saratoga Barn.
Update 3970: Peppers Pride scratched today, aborting her effort to break the record for consecutive wins. The track was getting sloppy: Peppers Pride Scratched From Record Try.
Update 3969: A gorgeous afternoon spent at the races, but not Woodbine. The quarterhorse races at Pivoc Downs. There are about three more weekends of racing at Picov Downs before the end of the "meet". It will be the end of an era as there will be a new track opening in its place for next year. This is the second time I have visited, and its just an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. Plenty of the horsemen have Woodbine connections. A few of the jockeys are exercise riders at Woodbine. One jockey is a very recently retired Woodbine jockey.
I did run into Dave Landry. He is a photographer who I had previously met at Woodbine and also brother of jockey Robert Landry. He had heard the interview I had had on the local sports radio station. He was pretty impressed with it and apparently there were plenty of calls into the show afterwards. Great PR for the slaughter issues I think.
Update 3968: Racing's focus today switches to New Mexico, and Peppers Prides attempt at something very very special, seventeen consecutive wins: Wait is over for Peppers Pride.
Found on Paulick Report.
Help will be needed in the wake of Hurricane Gustav: SOS Gustav Cat 3 Hurricane.
Update 3967: A busy and warm morning here this morning at Woodbine. We had nine sets. Five before the break and four after the break. No gate schoolers. All my horses galloped nicely, so a fun morning despite a lack of sleep (went out a little last night).
Lots of people gratulating us on Curlin's win yesterday. It's nice to be a part of the team, even if we are a remote part of the team. Anyway, it will be interesting to see where Curlin goes next. He had to dig deep for yesterday's win, but he certainly showed a lot of heart in getting the job done!
Update 3966: Media coverage of yesterday's Woodward:
CURLIN GRINDS IT OUT
Curlin notches Woodward win
Curlin Cashes in Woodward, Nears Cigar
Curlin 'consummate professional' in Woodward
Update 3965: Curlin, who was put to task today by front running Past the Point, did manage to run down the front runner and win by about a length in today's Woodward. He is now second on the all time money list.
Update 3964: Hall of Fame rider, Gary Stevens, offered a ringing endorsement for the new Santa Anita surface. This surface is scheduled to play host to the Breeders' Cup in a couple of months: Stevens endorses overhauled Santa Anita surface.
Update 3963: Quite a busy morning again here at Woodbine, with eight sets. For some reason it was one of those mornings that seemed exhausting when it really was not! Gorgeous weather here too. All the horses I galloped galloped very nicely. We had a couple of sets school in the gate, no problems there either. All in all a decent morning's work. We have a runner here this afternoon in the tenth race. Course much of our attention will be focused on Saratoga and Curlin!
Update 3962: Churchill Downs is reducing it's stakes purses, due to a decline in bettng handle, for it's fall meet: Churchill Makes Deep Cut in Fall Stakes.
Today Curlin will attempt to get one step closer to the record for total earnings: Curlin overwhelming favorite in Woodward.
Tomorrow Peppers Pride will attempt to break the modern day record for consecutive wins: Peppers Pride still on track for historic run.
Go CURLIN,have a winning & safe race.Let all the horses that race today come home safe.
Posted by: John K at August 30, 2008 10:13 AM