Racing

I apologize for not getting this missive to you right after Awakino Cat’s race on Thursday. We were excited to have 12 friends join us for lunch at Christine Lee’s at Gulfstream, including Don’s wife and parents. So, I really wanted a Winner’s Circle photograph… even more than usual. It would be a perfect ending.

After the third race, we met Awakino, Ass’t Trainer, Samantha and Hall-of-Fame rider, John Velazquez in the Paddock area. It was good to see them both… reminds me of Saratoga.

As Johnny was riding out to the track, I said to him, “Don’t let Awakino fall back!” He said, he’d been so instructed already. So, when the starting gate opened, I was excited to see Awakino Cat among the leaders in third place. However, it didn’t take long to see him falling back, staying ahead of just one runner. To me this meant the short five furlong race was effectively over. When they came around the stretch turn, Awakino was guided wide around slowing competition. He closed to within 3 lengths of the winner in third place. Johnny said that in the early part of the race, Awakino couldn’t keep up. You always wonder if it’s the horse or the jockey. Well, it’s hard to question Johnny’s ability. So, we’ll just chalk it up to a good race that might have been an excellent race. If Don placed a bet in heaven, I know he would have won. He liked making “show” bets. I was happy that his family was there. Wish we could have had that storybook ending.

Tomorrow, we go see Rhoda’s favorite horse currently in training, It’s Truly Ahvee. You may remember him as being almost named, “Stuck with You,” since it turned out that way when no one wanted to be involved. He is a beautiful specimen. He came back from a long layoff due to a serious tendon issue to eventually win a maiden race. Now, he’ll have to do as well as when he ran in that race to have a chance to win this 6 furlong $20,000 claiming race. We’ll be rooting him on with my colleagues and spouses. Then, we’ll either drink to victory or, more likely, leave a donation at the Resorts World casino!

Best,

A.