Back from Belmont

Today we went to see friends’ horses race. We lunched with patsy and her daughter Lisa, watched the $500K Man O’ War Stakes and then went down to the paddock to see Meriwether Jessica (Patsy’s horse) and Canadian Ballet (Obviously NY Stable) get saddled. Ballet came in second by a nose and beat us a head at Pimlico on May 15th. Today she took the lead immediately. She’s a very fast horse out of the gate. Then, coming around the stretch turn MJ seemed to catch her but drifted out only to come back at her again. Stride by stride MJ kept closing but when they hit the finish line, Canadian Ballet held off MJ by a neck and made Rick and Dave very happy. Linda was happy her horses finished 1 – 2. Unfortunately, the race also made Patsy and Lisa very frustrated. Patsy has the most 2nd place finishes I’ve ever seen. So close, yet so far is assuredly frustrating!

At least Ahvee’s Destiny will not have to face Canadian Ballet or MJ on Wednesday night at Penn National which is 20 miles outside Harrisburg, PA. Nonetheless, there will be plenty of other competition from the boys, including Awakino Cat from Linda’s barn. This is a prep race for two stakes races that take place on July 31 and August 1. We are pointing for the filly and mare race on July 31 with a $100K purse. So, the benefit is that A.D. will get to run on the track and then stay there for the two weeks, so she can train there and acclimate to the surroundings, including the fact that the races take place at night. Of course, we’re planning on being there. (Yes, we are a bit nuts!)

On the good news front, Conseated Lady ran a fast ‘bullet” (fastest time at the distance [3 furlongs]) workout at Saratoga today. It’s her best to date. If we get lucky and she shows no recurrence of a soundness problem, this may be an indication she’s healed and ready to race. YAY! Let’s hope.

Linda plans on racing Arielle’s Song once more at Belmont before the action shifts to Saratoga. I’ll keep you advised.

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