Horsie news

Saturday's races left us disappointed. Calgary Enforcer ran 12th in his $16,000 claiming race but did not have the good luck (for the ONY VI partnership) of being claimed. Obviously Tuesday made it much more exciting by vying for the lead throughout his contest. seemd to have second place in hand at the 1/16th pole in the home stretch but tired badly, letting 3 horses pass him in the last 20 yards or so. He finished fifth. I don't know what the plans are for either of them, since I don't get much info on this group.

Hear the Footsteps left for his vacation in Florida at Pat Hoppel's farm today. While Cricky'sGoldeneyes has gotten a clean bill of health and will be coming to Belmont from Florida. He has never raced. Pat reports he's been training well.. but now the real stresses of racing take effect and we'll have to see how he stands up to them.

Dr. Belgrave was supposed to get to me last Wednesday about Awakino Cat's condition but did not. I'm following now and will report when I find out.

It's Truly ahvee will be training lightly at Pat's farm for another 6 weeks. Hopefully, all this care will help him recover.

I have received a pedigree report from Alan Porter. Had some questions. then we'll send the recos to Becky Thomas who is a geno-type expert and make a selection of a possible mate for Ahvee's Destiny. I'm looking forward to that.

Katy's Office Girl ran in an allowance race that was over her head for her new owner and finished 7th at 34-1.

Hope you had a happy holiday.

Best,

A.

Saratoga & Aqueduct

We had a lovely time in Saratoga. We visited newly retired Ahvee's Destiny. She's only 10 minutes away from the Saratoga house. She looked a little like a top athlete who had let herself go because she's growing her winter coat, she's only getting hand-walked each day because of her knee fracture and she's eating a lot. So, she looks a little fat, and hairy. Her ankles swelled a bit but she's in good shape and is well taken care of by Ellen Bongard and Cindy Norton. She will go to the "round-pen" soon, where she can walk in a confined area. Then, she'll go to a corral with at least one new friend. In the meantime, we take the next step in trying to find a mate for her by consulting this week with Alan Porter a noted pedigree consultant.

We had a lovely time Saturday night with good friends who comprise our Saratoga team and we were lucky enough to finish our work ear;y and get down to Aqueduct in time for Hear the Footsteps's race. Our friend, Don, came to represent us and we surprised him by showing up. Footsie looked good in the paddock and went off at 10-1. He looked strong for 3/4 mile but suddenly seemed to want to stop. So, Johnny Velasquez eased up on him. Johnny thought he was bleeding and that diagnosis turned out to be correct. So, Hear the Footsteps will go to Florida in a few days or so and vacation for 90 days before getting back in training for a return to Belmont's grass in the Spring.

Holy Blitzer is with Bill Bartlett at Finger Lakes. She ran her second poor race on the dirt. So, my guess is that Bartlett will return her at the end of the Finger Lakes meet on Dec. 3rd. We'll have to decide what to with her in short order.

We'll get an update on Awakino Cat from Dr. Belgrave and from Pat Hoppel on Cricky'sGoldeneyes and It's Truly Ahvee this week. Plus, we'll soon have a decision on the mate for Ahvee's Destiny. So, more news to come.

As Rhoda says, the knowledge that Ahvee's Destiny is no longer racing leaves us a little empty. I think we'll feel better if she gets into foal by a good stallion and has a healthy little Ahvee.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Best,

A.

Hear the Footsteps runs Sunday

We're going to Saratoga this weekend, so, of course, a race has been scheduled for Hear the Footsteps at Aqueduct… a tough race at that. He's 8-1 in the Morning Line for this 1 1/16 mile contest on the grass. There are four others rated more highly by the track handicapper but, if he puts in a good race, he can win. John Velasquez, who rode the winner of the Kentucky Derby and was the most successful rider in this year's Breeder's Cup races will be riding for us. He's also guided Ahvee's Destiny to three Stakes wins.

We'll visit Ahvee's Destiny at Rojan Farm in Schuylerville this weekend with carrots and treats. Looking forward to seeing her and her new home… and ours as well.

Have a nice weekend. Assuming Hear the Footsteps runs, we'll send an e-mail. Either way, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Best,

A.

Goodbye, Katy, we'll miss you!

Katy's Office Girl was always a sweet horse and nice to spend time with. Today at Aqueduct, she started coming out of the gate just before it opened and then she reared up on her hind legs. This put her even further back than usual and Ramon couldn't get her back into the race. She closed, as usual, but could do no better than 7th. When she came back, a red claiming tag was waiting for her. It was, after all, a $16,000 claiming race and Trainer Jeff Odintz claimed her for one of his clients. I had a tear in my eye as she left to go back to a different stable. I have to remember this is a business and, eventhough Linda puts us into the "owners who love their horses like pets" category, this is what happens every day at the racetrack when your horse is not good enough to run in "protected" races like allowances or stakes. We wish her the best and will be watching whenever she runs for her new owners. I'll be stroking Ahvee's Destiny even more passionately when we visit her at the farm next weekend.

This leaves us with one active horse, Hear the Footsteps. Hopefully, he will get to run again this year.

Awakino Cat is doing well at a lay-up facility near the Mid-Atlantic Equine Center in New Jersey. We want him to be 100% before sending him down to Florida.

Today, we got our Players cards at the new Resorts World casino at Aqueduct. There weren't enough Poker machines but it's certainly doing lots of business.

Best to all,

A.

Katy's Office Girl

With only two horses in racing shape, it's nice to know that we can still find a race or two. Katy will be at Aqueduct, where the new Casino has finally opened, on Sunday in the 4th race on the grass under the able direction of Ramon Dominguez. Unlike the horse you see at the Empire Casino commercials, she will not visit the casino (though we might!). She will be contesting a mile and 1/16 from the 12 post position with post time at 1:50 PM. She's 4-1 on the morning line behind two others, including Linda's Smart Farming who is the 5-2 favorite.

Next weekend, we'll be visiting Ahvee's Destiny at RoJan Farm in Schuylerville. We'll be bringing her lots of carrots and treats!

Best,

A.