The last couple of weeks have been a marked disappointment for us with limited exception.
Week 7: 5:0-0-0
"Sultan" came in 5th, though with an improved speed eval and enough ESR to make us think he can get 6f. He also MUCH prefers Santa Anita to Shenandoah - a slight problem as most 2yo runs are at the latter.
Livewire came back last, though sound. No real excuses except that she was outclassed. Glad she can get 6.5, though. This will, in all likelihood, be her last season at the track. We're seriously considering pairing her with a stud we're currently eying for purchase.
Prince Stephen is the odd duck out this week...AR fail, mayhaps? This "Sprinter" gave his best finish to date with a ESR to make us think Miler. He's doing well on a 1-1.5 month interval, but it looks like 2 months to a 7f will be his next best chance at a check.
"Roo" was never really asked (until just over 1f remained :X) but showed a KILLER closing kick. Her speed went from fair to poor, leaving her connections at a loss, but she handled the slop admirably AND with Stamina to spare. Looks like 8f might just be her niche unless her Stamina improves down the line.
"Goldie" got caught napping, but closed quite well to finish with his best ESR of the season. So much for being an 8.5f specialist as he's shown he can get 9 with the right set-up.
Week 8:
Light Touch came in last..again. Likely outclassed as I'm sure she can get the distance. I already know this is her last season I would just like for her to get another win over 6f. She will likely be seeing Civil War for a 2016 foal, though that may change if we find someone better suited to her.
Astrapios pulled a shocker...I thought he could get distance, but 5th and closing...wow! Nice clean trip and back sound. Very proud of this first run for Roll of Thunder's firstborn (and so far only colt)! (and do my eyes deceive me, or did he go off as the favorite? O_O)
Congratulations to Round Robin on getting his Blacktype, and a Well Done to Blackfoot for her 3rd over slop!
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Week 7: 5:0-0-0
"Sultan" came in 5th, though with an improved speed eval and enough ESR to make us think he can get 6f. He also MUCH prefers Santa Anita to Shenandoah - a slight problem as most 2yo runs are at the latter.
Livewire came back last, though sound. No real excuses except that she was outclassed. Glad she can get 6.5, though. This will, in all likelihood, be her last season at the track. We're seriously considering pairing her with a stud we're currently eying for purchase.
Prince Stephen is the odd duck out this week...AR fail, mayhaps? This "Sprinter" gave his best finish to date with a ESR to make us think Miler. He's doing well on a 1-1.5 month interval, but it looks like 2 months to a 7f will be his next best chance at a check.
"Roo" was never really asked (until just over 1f remained :X) but showed a KILLER closing kick. Her speed went from fair to poor, leaving her connections at a loss, but she handled the slop admirably AND with Stamina to spare. Looks like 8f might just be her niche unless her Stamina improves down the line.
"Goldie" got caught napping, but closed quite well to finish with his best ESR of the season. So much for being an 8.5f specialist as he's shown he can get 9 with the right set-up.
Week 8:
Light Touch came in last..again. Likely outclassed as I'm sure she can get the distance. I already know this is her last season I would just like for her to get another win over 6f. She will likely be seeing Civil War for a 2016 foal, though that may change if we find someone better suited to her.
Astrapios pulled a shocker...I thought he could get distance, but 5th and closing...wow! Nice clean trip and back sound. Very proud of this first run for Roll of Thunder's firstborn (and so far only colt)! (and do my eyes deceive me, or did he go off as the favorite? O_O)
Congratulations to Round Robin on getting his Blacktype, and a Well Done to Blackfoot for her 3rd over slop!
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Making the Winners blanket of Stargazer Lilies ------------->>>>>>>
Week 9: KY Oaks
Pre-entries are in and with just over 6 hours to close they are...
*Blue Streaker - this maiden posted her best PSR's over 8.5 dirt and 11 turf. She has talent, but she's outclassed in this field
*Crown on the Troll - another maiden, this one showing a preference for sprints. Might be a rabbit. Paired entry: Fleeting Glimpse
*Fiery Camena - Santa Anita Oaks winner with a TR in the Davona Dale. Expect her in the money.
*Fleeting Glimpse - 2nd in SA Oaks, looks to be using Crown on the Troll as a rabbit. Paired entrey: CotT
*Frequency - FL Oaks winner. This granddaughter of Cigar, Winning Colors, and Affirmation has talent and the chance to pull an upset. Paired entry: Roman Holiday
*Glitzy Diva - This G3 winner is running a heavy season; hope she has enough gas to match her talent.
*Hagrid's Backhand - MG1W, 2nd in SA Derby with 4 TR. My pick to Win.
*Inane - MGSW. Expect to see her in the money
*Mrs. Rita - This daughter of the great Revenge looks to be having an off season and may just prefer 9.5f+.
*Oprah's Angel - This game filly just missed the 2 y/o Tiara and may prefer Sprints to Classics. No wins at 3 or above 8f. May be a rabbit. Paired entry: Sweet as a Gander
*Rimfire - Silverbulletday winner. Has the class and the pedigree, but may be a little low on speed. Chance to pull an upset.
*Roman Holiday - 2nd in Silverbulletday, 3rd in Ashland. This granddaughter of Silver Charm, Winning Colors, and Seattle Slew has speed and talent, but needs some luck to pull it off. Paired entry: Frequency
*Slipstream - El Camino Real winner. Dual surface threat who was beaten by many of the other entries in last year's BC Juvi Fillies at Churchill - of course a lot can happen between Fall and Spring, but I find this lass unlikely to bring home the Lilies.
*Stigmata - Another maiden. She has the speed, but has been trounced soundly in both the SIlverbulletday and the FL Oaks. Will she be the next Sir Barton?
*Sweet As Gander - An ungraded win at 2 is the only thing separating her from the maidens. She punched her ticket with a 3rd in the FL oaks. Unlikely to be in the money, though probably won't be at the back either. Paired entry: Oprah's Angel.
*White Water - Cicada Stks winner. Her best speed was over 4.5f and she's never run past 7f.
CF Picks: Hagrid's Backhand, Fiery Camena, Inane
Longshot: Frequency
Can Get the Distance, but Needs A Miracle: Mrs. Rita
fwiw Hagrid's Backhand is my pick not just for the 3 y/o Triple Tiara, but also for the NY 3 y/o Fillies Triple...5 races between now and mid-July to get 2 Triples, but I'm sure she can pull it off.
Summer and Sassy have been at our KY branch for the last two weeks and have been seen frolicking like a pair of yearlings in the pasture. Summer clocked a work at the Downs Monday afternoon then vanned back to spend the rest of the week at the farm. They'll ship in Friday afternoon (while everyone is busy watching the Oaks) for Summer's Run for the Roses. With Hagrid's Backhand in the Oaks, we are very confident of Summer's chances. If it rains she'll have an even better shot as she actually prefers slop.
Week 9 will see import Pawn to Queen squaring off against another filly and a colt in the ungraded Ruabon Sprint at Ascot. Contested over 7f turf, we feel she's recovered enough and can get the distance; the small field is gravy. She'll ship with an Assistant Trainer as the senior staff is otherwise engaged stateside - good thing her passport is current!
A last minute entry sees Perfect Charmer also at Ascot. Set to run over 6f turf some 7 days after Queen, Lucky faces 2 other maidens in the ungraded Placid Ark Stakes for a purse of 50,000.
Amaterasu stayed in California to repeat at Santa Anita in the 5f ungraded Cooper Stakes for 2 year-olds. It looks to be a full field, but if she runs as she did last time it won't be an issue. She's currently accompanied by our Senior Assistant Trainer while our Head Trainer is otherwise engaged with Summer's Classics bid.
Livewire is pre-entered in a 4.5f Allowance at Shenandoah on KY Oaks day. She'll ship from our KY base across the Cumberlands and Appalachians with our Head Trainer and a groom, then post race return with the groom as the Head Trainer makes the drive to meet the fillies at Pimlico.
Bluegrass Thorn has been stabled at our KY branch with the fillies and will van up to Churchill Downs ahead of the Oaks crush. He'll square off against 7 other 3 year-olds (including 2 fillies) in the G3 Derby Trial over 1 mile on the dirt track. 1 month layoff is a bit sooner than we were wanting, but the slight drop in distance should compensate nicely for that. The field looks as one that befits a G3 on Derby week, but we feel he is more than up for the task at hand (at hoof?). Owner Tia will watch this one live since she's in KY anyway for Summer's Derby which runs 5 days later.
Derby Bound and Down! Roll on!!!
Week 9: KY Oaks
Pre-entries are in and with just over 6 hours to close they are...
*Blue Streaker - this maiden posted her best PSR's over 8.5 dirt and 11 turf. She has talent, but she's outclassed in this field
*Crown on the Troll - another maiden, this one showing a preference for sprints. Might be a rabbit. Paired entry: Fleeting Glimpse
*Fiery Camena - Santa Anita Oaks winner with a TR in the Davona Dale. Expect her in the money.
*Fleeting Glimpse - 2nd in SA Oaks, looks to be using Crown on the Troll as a rabbit. Paired entrey: CotT
*Frequency - FL Oaks winner. This granddaughter of Cigar, Winning Colors, and Affirmation has talent and the chance to pull an upset. Paired entry: Roman Holiday
*Glitzy Diva - This G3 winner is running a heavy season; hope she has enough gas to match her talent.
*Hagrid's Backhand - MG1W, 2nd in SA Derby with 4 TR. My pick to Win.
*Inane - MGSW. Expect to see her in the money
*Mrs. Rita - This daughter of the great Revenge looks to be having an off season and may just prefer 9.5f+.
*Oprah's Angel - This game filly just missed the 2 y/o Tiara and may prefer Sprints to Classics. No wins at 3 or above 8f. May be a rabbit. Paired entry: Sweet as a Gander
*Rimfire - Silverbulletday winner. Has the class and the pedigree, but may be a little low on speed. Chance to pull an upset.
*Roman Holiday - 2nd in Silverbulletday, 3rd in Ashland. This granddaughter of Silver Charm, Winning Colors, and Seattle Slew has speed and talent, but needs some luck to pull it off. Paired entry: Frequency
*Slipstream - El Camino Real winner. Dual surface threat who was beaten by many of the other entries in last year's BC Juvi Fillies at Churchill - of course a lot can happen between Fall and Spring, but I find this lass unlikely to bring home the Lilies.
*Stigmata - Another maiden. She has the speed, but has been trounced soundly in both the SIlverbulletday and the FL Oaks. Will she be the next Sir Barton?
*Sweet As Gander - An ungraded win at 2 is the only thing separating her from the maidens. She punched her ticket with a 3rd in the FL oaks. Unlikely to be in the money, though probably won't be at the back either. Paired entry: Oprah's Angel.
*White Water - Cicada Stks winner. Her best speed was over 4.5f and she's never run past 7f.
CF Picks: Hagrid's Backhand, Fiery Camena, Inane
Longshot: Frequency
Can Get the Distance, but Needs A Miracle: Mrs. Rita
fwiw Hagrid's Backhand is my pick not just for the 3 y/o Triple Tiara, but also for the NY 3 y/o Fillies Triple...5 races between now and mid-July to get 2 Triples, but I'm sure she can pull it off.
Summer and Sassy have been at our KY branch for the last two weeks and have been seen frolicking like a pair of yearlings in the pasture. Summer clocked a work at the Downs Monday afternoon then vanned back to spend the rest of the week at the farm. They'll ship in Friday afternoon (while everyone is busy watching the Oaks) for Summer's Run for the Roses. With Hagrid's Backhand in the Oaks, we are very confident of Summer's chances. If it rains she'll have an even better shot as she actually prefers slop.
Week 9 will see import Pawn to Queen squaring off against another filly and a colt in the ungraded Ruabon Sprint at Ascot. Contested over 7f turf, we feel she's recovered enough and can get the distance; the small field is gravy. She'll ship with an Assistant Trainer as the senior staff is otherwise engaged stateside - good thing her passport is current!
A last minute entry sees Perfect Charmer also at Ascot. Set to run over 6f turf some 7 days after Queen, Lucky faces 2 other maidens in the ungraded Placid Ark Stakes for a purse of 50,000.
Amaterasu stayed in California to repeat at Santa Anita in the 5f ungraded Cooper Stakes for 2 year-olds. It looks to be a full field, but if she runs as she did last time it won't be an issue. She's currently accompanied by our Senior Assistant Trainer while our Head Trainer is otherwise engaged with Summer's Classics bid.
Livewire is pre-entered in a 4.5f Allowance at Shenandoah on KY Oaks day. She'll ship from our KY base across the Cumberlands and Appalachians with our Head Trainer and a groom, then post race return with the groom as the Head Trainer makes the drive to meet the fillies at Pimlico.
Bluegrass Thorn has been stabled at our KY branch with the fillies and will van up to Churchill Downs ahead of the Oaks crush. He'll square off against 7 other 3 year-olds (including 2 fillies) in the G3 Derby Trial over 1 mile on the dirt track. 1 month layoff is a bit sooner than we were wanting, but the slight drop in distance should compensate nicely for that. The field looks as one that befits a G3 on Derby week, but we feel he is more than up for the task at hand (at hoof?). Owner Tia will watch this one live since she's in KY anyway for Summer's Derby which runs 5 days later.
Derby Bound and Down! Roll on!!!
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