Monday, June 13, 2011

Sunday in New York... New Jersey... Brooklyn... and CT

Wow! We did it… and we passed through Staten Island too. Of course, that was our only glitch on return, when an accident on the Verrazano Narrows Bridge doubled the time for our trip to Brooklyn. Missed the wedding smorg but not the ceremony!

What, you want to know about racing? It turned beautiful at Monmouth just as we neared post time… but then post-time was delayed because it was the 2011 Irish Festival Day at Monmouth and the bag-pipers were marching on the track. So, my DVR settings got the marchers but not the race! Luckily, Rhoda was beautifully bedecked in green. I told everyone I was her oversized leprechaun.

Awakino Cat, in the meantime, came to the paddock with a little sweat but looking calm. We were happy that Alan Garcia was riding because he's guided him to victory several times and we like Alan… but it turned out he wasn't there. He went off to ride in Canada. Eddie Castro was aboard with instructions to get him out there and ride an aggressive race. Unfortunately, he spent a good deal of the race near the back. However, when they turned for home, he took Awakino to the outside and was coming on. He did make up some ground but Joe Bravo, who had ridden Ahvee's Destiny to her 2nd place finish at Monmouth last weekend, came charging through horses on General Perfect. It was a daring move by rider and horse and it worked. Awakino couldn't catch the first two and came in third, two lengths back. Still it was his best race this year. Hopefully, he's rounding into shape.

We like Monmouth. Someday, when our schedule is a little more relaxed, we may spend the day.

Best,

A.

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