Horsie status

Greetings!

When does a 4th feel like a 1st? Well... NEVER. But when Cameron Lucky finished 4th last Sunday at Saratoga Harness, she could have been the winner. It was 4 horses across the track on the finish line. She lost by 3 noses. Worth the excitement but it was an "almost!" She runs again this Sunday in race 9 from the 1 spot with Joe Bongiorno driving. He did a great job driving her last week.

Brother Bob may run tomorrow at Belmont. I'm waiting to hear yes or no.

Hear the Footsteps, fresh off his win on May 3rd, may be entered in a Stakes race next Saturday at a mile. Linda will look at the competition and decide for sure late next week.

Awakino Cat and It's Truly Ahvee are back at Belmont (though Linda is shipping some of her horses to Saratoga, ours will be staying at Belmont right now).

On the other hand, Arch Traveler is lame in one foot (but is getting better), Inchcape has a sore shin and may need time off and Hidden Music has a sore mouth which explains why she ran rank in the race we claimed her.

Then, there is Jess Not Jesse, our double winner from last season at Saratoga. He looks good is reported sound and is happy. Will he come back to race again? That is the question. Linda will talk to Pa

Best,

A.

A few words about our time in Kentucky

When we arrived in Louisville, Chris picked us up at the airport and left the car with us, so we could get around. He arranged for our room not far from his home in the burbs for $800 compared to the over $3,000 we spent at the Galt House last year. He put water, snacks and other goodies in the refrigerator and elsewhere in the room.

We met several of our winning superfecta group from last year at Drake's Tavern, two of them (Rob and John) for the first time. They were very nice. We all made our picks, drank and had a jolly old time.

Later, Mark -- after considerable trouble -- had managed to get us dinner reservations at the famous Jeff Ruby Steakhouse (We couldn't get in last year). There we met the beautiful woman, Kris, who owned the table we would be sitting at in the Turf Club at Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Oaks and the Derby. BTW, Mark is the one that waited on his porch for the delivery of Rhoda's Derby hat below. 

Friday we congregated at Popsy's and Jan's for early drinking and then piled into the Limo for our trip to Churchill Downs, where Chris had arranged for Kosher meals. We didn't want the airline food, so we just ate salads, cheese and small salmon dishes washed down by the pink Oaks drink called the Lily. Here's Rhoda in her Oaks outfit. Sorry it's not full length. Her high platform, even higher heel hot pink shoes were a sight to behold.

Friday night we went to the Barnstable-Brown Mansion for a charity function featuring food, drink, music, dancing and celebs. Here's Rhoda with Josh Henderson (John Ross Ewing III on Dallas).

Saturday -- Derby Day -- was a repeat of the Friday schedule. Only one problem, we brought Friday's Oaks tickets and not Saturday's Derby tickets. It took half an hour but thanks to Churchill Downs's Carl Ackerman and the ability to get our hostess, Kris, on the phone, we did get in.

We were supposed to go to Mark's house for dinner, etc. but since it was raining all day, his patio was not functional. No one wanted to go out for dinner, so we went ourselves.

Sunday morning, we went out ourselves for breakfast. Tammy picked up our car and Mark took us to the airport. We missed spending more time with the Kentucky group but a good time was had, nonetheless. Hopefully, we'll see them next in Saratoga this summer.

Here's Here the Footsteps's WIN Photo:

Best,

A.

Sincerely,

Avram Freedberg

Everything's Cricket Racing

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Better than the Kentucky Derby

It's been too long. This format makes it more difficult to get messages out remotely, so my apologies for not being more up to date.

So, what is more exciting than the Kentucky Derby? Well to my friend Mark, nothing could be... especially when your horse selection wins, you hit the exacta and you win more than $20 K! I was standing next to him in his grandstand box and I have the black and blue marks from being hit by him as Orb passed us in the lead and the rest of the way through the stretch to the finish line.

I wasn't as excited because we only got 3 out of 4 and 4 out of 5, neither gets you the Superfecta... and I didn't have Orb alone.

I've been gravitating to the speed horses. I blame Ahvee's Destiny. As a teen, we always rooted for the come from behind horses (all of whom did well in Saturday's 139th Kentucky Derby). However, Ahvee's Destiny used to most often race in front or near the front and I realize I've become biased to speed types, Bodemeister last year and Verazzano and Goldencents this year. No more of that!

So, what IS more exciting than the Kentucky Derby? Why, how about Hear the Footsteps winning his first race in 2 1/2 years?! He did just that at Belmont on Friday, May 3rd. He started on top but when he fell back to 4th the 2nd time, you would have thought it was all over for him. But Footsie and his jockey, Jose Ortiz, didn't stop. They came on again in the stretch and won going away by 2 1/2 lengths. YAY FOOTSIE! We wouldn't have expected less from someone named JOSE!

Last Thursday, we claimed Hidden Music, a 3 year old filly. She was very rank during the race. Seems like her mouth is very sensitive and it may be trial and error to find the right bit for her. 

While Cameron Lucky came in 2nd last week, this week she was only 6th in a very tough race.

Arch Traveler is entered at Belmont on Thursday in a 7 furlong race on the turf with Cornelio Velasquez riding. Of course, if it rains to much, the race may come off the grass and he'll probably be scratched.

Awakino Cat and It's Truly Ahvee will be back in training this month. Brother Bob is already galloping after his surgeries. Inchcape will try training on the grass again to see if that offers any potential. It's also time to re-evaluate Jess Not Jesse. 

Lots going on in the horse world!

Best,

A.

  

Sincerely,

Avram Freedberg

Everything's Cricket Racing