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