Thursday, February 18, 2010

Holy Blitzer

Posted by Avram Freedberg

The gray horse came on with a flying finish and pulled away from the pack to win by 8 ¾ lengths. Too bad this was the result of the previous race!

I guess this is more like what most horse owners go through… frustration and failure. Ahvee’s Destiny spoiled us and now we’re getting our just desserts.

In this race, Holy Blitzer looked beautiful. Too bad it’s not a beauty contest. She left the gate last, was out of the picture for a while, came on quickly around the turn, flattened out, got bothered by another straggler and finished 8th. Her stable mate, One White Sock, was leading throughout but got bested in deep stretch to finish second. Doesn’t look like she was claimed, so we still have her on the payroll. Anyone need a horse… cheap?!

On this side of the world, Rhoda is sick. We’ll be back this weekend. Aside from today’s stomach virus, it was a generally nice time. Of course, I did get in a fracas with someone whose cell phone kept ringing on full volume in the seat in front of me on the bus… but that’s a story for another day.

Look forward to seeing you soon!

A.

Avram C. Freedberg

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Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Holy Blitzer runs tomorrow

Posted by Avram Freedberg

She’s 7-2 on the morning line because she’s paired with another Linda Rice filly, One White Sock. 4th race tomorrow at Aqueduct. We will try and see it.

We’re back this weekend. Saw a tank training exercise today. Very exciting.

The $5 million race pitting Horse of the Year, Rachel Alexandra versus undefeated Zenyatta is scheduled for April 9th in Arkansas at Oaklawn Park. It’ll be quite exciting, if it comes off. More to come.

See you soon!

A.

Avram C. Freedberg


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Monday, February 15, 2010

Dad is home

Posted by Avram Freedberg

Thanks for your prayers and good wishes. They say he did not have a heart attack. His oxygen level is low, so he has a home-tank now. Hopefully, we’ll get some info sometime about what did happen and why his oxygen level is low.

Holy Blitzer is running on Thursday in the same level race as Conseated Lady ran on Saturday. Sure hope she does better. She has jockey champ, Ramon Dominguez riding the fourth race at Aqueduct.

Linda clipped hear the Footsteps but held back on clipping Cricky’s Goldeneyes.

We are overlooking the Gulf’s of Eilat and Aqaba. Strange seeing the Jordanian flag flying so close to our hotel. On a clear day you can see 4 countries including Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Believe it or not, I seem to have had an attack of gout. Ouch! Haven’t had one in over 20 or 25 years. I’ve been icing my foot as I write this.

Really appreciate all the sentiments about my dad. Thanks again.

Best,
A.
Avram C. Freedberg

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Saturday, February 13, 2010

Conseated Lady takes the lead

Posted by Avram Freedberg

C.C. Lopez had 3 winners yesterday and got our girl to the front before she stopped badly in upper stretch. She’ll have to run in even cheaper races and will be sent to Finger Lakes.

My dad was admitted to the hospital with chest pains a little while ago, so horse talk will have to take a back seat. Will keep you advised as more becomes known and I can get to the internet.

Best ,
A.

Avram C. Freedberg

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Friday, February 12, 2010

Conseated Lady

Posted by Avram Freedberg

Conseated Lady is the morning line favorite in tomorrow’s 10th race at Aqueduct. We will try to watch it from across the globe.

Why is she the favorite when she has lost her first two races? Because Linda entered her in a lower quality race with a lower purse with a claiming tag of $15K (This means if someone wants to buy her for $15K, they can enter a claim at that price).

Israel weather has been very kind to us. We’ve had two balloon rides, planted trees in Jerusalem, seen the Voca People group with an eye to a future relationship, visited with friends and relatives. Time goes quickly when you do so much.

Hope you don’t get more snow on Monday. Have a lovely weekend.

A.

Avram C. Freedberg

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Thursday, February 4, 2010

Outta here in the nick of time...

Posted by Avram Freedberg

No, it’s not ‘cause of the forecast snow storm. It’s my crazy female trainer. She told me she wants to castrate (geld) Hear the Footsteps and Cricky’s GoldenEyes. She’s scaring me. So, I’m getting outta here PRONTO! It’ll be hard for her to find me unless she’s in cahoots with Mr. S., our tour leader. Who knows… maybe I haven’t given enough to Mr. S’s favorite charity. I’d better be very careful.

Here are photos of the elder Ahvee and the younger Ahvee as well as Cricky’s GoldenEyes. Enjoy! Please don’t tell Linda where to find me?!

Best,
A.

Avram C. Freedberg








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Wednesday, February 3, 2010

We’re off to Israel tomorrow night for a couple of weeks. No horse racing in Israel.

Posted by Avram Freedberg

I’d hoped to be able to send you photos of It’s Truly Ahvee and Cricky’s GoldenEyes but Linda has not sent them to me yet. At present, we have not nominated either to a sale because they will not be ready for April. However, on Feb 15th the Maryland sale closes. So, Linda and Pat will have to decide whether to nominate either or both by then. If Cricky’s GoldenEyes gets nominated, we will be changing his name in deference to Cricket, our dear, departed dog whose likeness appears on our jockey silks and after whom our stable is named.

We’ve sent leases for a new home rental in Saratoga that back up to the Oklahoma training track. It is not as centrally situated as the smaller house we discussed but they made the price so good for 4 bedrooms, we had to go in that direction. When we get the signed lease back, we’ll know it’s really done. Then, we can start talking about your summer visits.

We’ve been frustrated with the lack of runners. Hopefully, the string of horses will advance in their training and we’ll get some action by Spring. Depending on which groundhog you believe, it’ll either still be Winter when we return or Spring will be in view. Let’s hope for an early Spring, so Staten Island’s rodent can rule over Pennsylvania’s.

Here’s an interesting story… Linda Rice is not noted for getting 2-yr. olds to the races very quickly, though she is noted for getting them to the Winner’s Circle when she does finally run them, especially in Turf Sprints. On the other hand, one of her most famous winners, City Zip, was racing early and swept several Stakes races in a row during his 2-yr. old summer. I asked her what was special about him, that allowed her to get him ready so early. Turns out, she didn’t get him ready. She didn’t get to be his trainer until after his first race which was handled by another trainer! I was hoping to apply the lessons learned to our 2-yr. olds, but c’est la vie!

Look forward to more frequent updates on our return.

Love to all,
A.


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