Monday, August 10, 2009

You can't come home again...

Yes, that’s how I was feeling. We arrived yesterday and there was one small frustration after another. Nothing big, but different than the magic of last year… The owner of our house was supposed to leave a crate for Jose. She didn’t. She moved the PC sites and didn’t tell us. The track was very crowded. We couldn’t get seating. When we went to Linda’s stable, it was so busy, I had to park elsewhere. So, we missed seeing Conseated Lady train. The NY Racing Assn. liaison office gave us separate boxes, so our guests were separated from us. It was cloudy and threatening to rain (and they might have had to take the race off the turf, which means we would probably have scratched). Like I said, no big deals, just not the magic of last year. So, I assumed this would carry over to Ahvee’s Destiny’s race today. But…

I WAS WRONG! She ran near the front from the outset. We were worried because in her early races, this meant she’d get caught from behind. However, when she got into the stretch, she lengthened her lead. Looking really good. Looking really good… but here comes her nemesis, Smart and Fancy… and she’s coming fast. Her lead’s down to two lengths – when will the wire come – it’s down to a length, a ½ length, a neck and then, mercifully, the wire. SHE WINS IT! And, gets some payback from two prior defeats by Smart and Fancy. As Shelly S. said, too bad they don’t run in Saratoga year round. That’s her fourth Saratoga victory in a row!! How can you help but love that horse, who not only has talent but lots of heart .

So, maybe this trip will be different. But not if Ahvee’s Destiny has anything to say about it. She brought back the magic today, as she has done so many times in the past. Thank you, horsie, YOU ARE THE BEST!

You guys are the best too. Thanks for all the support.

Sincerely, Avi (without the “H”)

Visit the Official Avram Freedberg website!

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