Big favorite Silver Timber is beaten

Posted by Avram Freedberg

With those words, I’d assumed we could celebrate Ahvee’s Destiny’s victory in today’s Troy Stakes at Saratoga Race Track. Silver Timber was beaten by Awakino Cat, Ahvee’s stablemate. The same Awakino who beat us at Suffolk Downs. The same Awakino who both times Linda said was sore and not training well. While Ahvee’s Destiny ran a very disappointing race. John Velasquez executed the game plan, which called for him to stalk the leader and be well-positioned to get in front in the stretch. However, Destiny did not take off. She emptied out and faded to next to last… the last one being the early leader, Ezzy, whom Destiny had been stalking.

Johnny said that she seemed intimidated when she was surrounded by horses both to her inside and to her outside. She never relaxed and used up her speed with the stress she was feeling. She “scoped” out fine, so it had to be some other factor. Maybe she needs some time with a psycho-therapist. Arielle?

Speaking of Arielle, her namesake, Arielle’s Song has been shipped to Presque Isle Downs. They’ll try her in a cheap claiming race and when that doesn’t work, they’ll ship her to the same charity that took Conseated Lady. I’m sorry they’re even trying to race her again. She seems so traumatized by it.

Tomorrow is the debut of our 2-yr. old, It’s Truly Ahvee. You remember him… the one I got “stuck” with by myself when no one wanted to partner on buying him. Rhoda calls him “Little Ahvee.” He’ll run 5 ½ furlongs on the dirt. He hasn’t gotten out of the gate quickly during training. If he repeats this habit, it will not bode well for victory in a short race. Anyway, this is where reality may overtake the dream. I can’t just imagine his success. Now, he needs to earn it. Go Little Ahvee! …Please?

Best,
A.

Visit the Official Avram Freedberg website!