The worm turns

Everything does not go perfectly. Jess Not Jesse finished 3rd on Friday when he couldn't get sufficient foothold on the very slippery grass course.

Yesterday, Patsy Symons's horse, Effie Trinket, won the Filly Stakes race. So, we represented her in the Winner's Circle and got some Champagne too.

We hoped it was just a dress rehearsal for Hear the Footsteps's Stakes two races later but, despite a valiant effort, he finished third. He always tries. Both those horses do!

Cameron Lucky was coming on around the stretch turn at Saratoga Harness, when a piece of equipment broke and she had to be taken back. On top of that, she was claimed away from us. Oy!

Today, It's Truly Ahvee emptied out after 3/4 of a mile and finished last in his race at Finger Lakes. Rhoda said he didn't like the way the track announcer pronounced his name (he stressed the "vee," rather than the "Ah."

We really have been spoiled by such good luck. Still watching these magnificent animals is wonderful.

More Jewish holidays and more food... but less time to get things done. Best of all, more family time!

  

Best,

A.

Yom Kippur

Greetings!

So I should be concentrating on atoning and my apologies to all and, in fact, I will be. But with the seriousness of the Days of Penitence ending in the Day of Atonement, comes racing excitement... maybe.

Tomorrow's 1st race at Belmont might see Jess Not Jesse run on the grass at 7 furlongs, if the forecast rain doesn't take it off the grass. Can he last the distance.?Hope we get to see.

Brother Bob is entered in a cheap claimer tomorrow which I won't be able to see in real time.

Tomorrow night, a recent harness acquisition, Naugatuck is racing at Saratoga Harness with Cameron Lucky going on Sunday afternoon.

The biggest race, if it goes on the grass on Sunday at Belmont, is Hear the Footsteps running in another stakes race but at his longest distance yet, 1 1/8 miles. It's against all his friends from the West Point Stakes and some new faces. It's tough, but he deserves the shot.

It's Truly Ahvee runs in a $25K Allowance race at Finger Lakes also at a longer distance of 1 mile 70 yds.

That's a lot of racing in a short time. Whew!

As for the apologies and the introspection... it has been a tough year in many respects. I can't replace my mother. Of course, she is still with me. In fact, getting to read some of her thoughts in her papers, letters and travel diaries, it has been like talking to her on a deeper level. Unfortunately, I can't ask questions or make comments. Nonetheless, it's better than not having had the opportunity to connect with her on another level.

That's life, good things and bad things mix together. You can only hope for more of the good things. And, that is what I wish you, more good things in your life than the bad. I'll try to be more of a good thing than a bad thing. I hope you know that even though I'm doing my best, I expect to make my best better to all of our benefit.

Thanks for your friendship and your interest in my missives.

  

Best,

  

A.