Lost Weekend

We lucked out weather wise on both Saturday and Sunday. Turf course was firm and the sun shone.

Katy is a sweet horse. The way she finishes races is exciting. However, she often is so far back that her run still falls short. That is the situation with Saturday's race.

Last year's Eclipse award winning Jockey, Ramon Dominguez was hurt on Friday in a fall. So, he took Saturday off. Jose Espinoza was the sub. Since we love our puppy, Jose, so much, we hoped it was meant to be. He got a good start, then let her settle to the back with one of the race favorites. However, when the other took off, he stayed back. Nonetheless, when he finally called on her to run, she closed to within 1 3/4 lengths of the winner but only a fourth place finish. Had he started earlier with the other horse, they could have been in it at the end. C'est la vie!

On Sunday, Holy Blitzer looked like a big white steed from fairy tales… something the prince would ride to rescue the fair damsel. She was beautiful… until the race started. The opening of the gates left her flatfooted and in last. Ramon was back today but he said she ran scared and was intimidated by the others. Last year on this date Ramon was on her for an easy win at this distance on this racetrack in a faster time. What can I say. Linda says she looks better, has been training better, etc. but she didn't perform as well. As they say, "that's horse racing!"

On the other hand, our friend Patsy's horse, Gitchee Goomie, ran a great race in the $100,000 Mount Vernon Stakes. Alan Garcia, who sometimes can't get out of the gate, did a masterful job. While she didn't win by a lot, it seemed like an easy victory. We joined Patsy's daughter Lisa and trainer Rick Violette in the Winner's Circle and after our loss, we toasted their victory and drowned our sorrows with champagne, courtesy of the New York Racing Association. As Patsy reminded me, we've had those victories in the past and we hope for more in the future for us and for her.

Best,

A.

Katy on Saturday, Blitzer on Sunday

Arielle's Song finished 7th at Presque Isle Downs for trainer Wayne Rice, Linda's brother.  She still looks like she doesn't want to be a racehorse.

Katy's Office Girl with Ramon Dominguez in the saddle will run on the grass at Belmont, if weather allows at 1 1/16 mile. It's race number 8 and she's got the #7 post in a $20K claimer. Sure hope she can be competitive. Don't know about Holy Blitzer's race for Sunday yet but we'll find out tomorrow. let me know if you're coming to either.

Best,

A.

Our two best horses...

…last and next to last. We'd be having a successful year, if the results were read from bottom to top. How awful to watch your two big winners become big losers!

Ahvee's Destiny was left at the gate. When the jockey tried to recover, the horses in front of him came together and pinched her out. She was really never in the race. they scoped her after the race and found a respiratory infection. I think if they had not found that, we'd have had to seriously consider getting her to the breeding shed immediately, since it seemed she did not want to run. Linda feels she can be competitive. So, the breeding shed will wait until next year.

Awakino Cat has been a mystery. When he was supposed to tie up last year, under different ownership, he beat Ahvee's Destiny twice and won three straight races. Since we've owned him, he's tied up and had to be vanned off the track, then he's lost three straight races. Maybe it's caused by the owner! In his race last night, he was perfectly positioned. Then, Fatal Bullet pulled up along side of him and smacked into him, pushing him into the horse to his inside. After that, none of them faired well with Awakino finishing dead last.

The joy of racing will continue at Belmont on May 28 and 29. We hope Katy's Office Girl and Holy Blitzer will race that weekend. If they do as well as "the best two," it really will be Memorial Day weekend!

I've won and I've lost. Winning is better… and a lot more fun!

Best,

A.

Third Place

Hear the Footsteps ran a decent race. Alex Solis got him out of the gate quicky but then took him a little too far back. Alex said Footsie was slipping on the turn. Then he got behind a wall of horses into the stretch. When Solis found a hole, he went through and ducked in to the rail. Footsie had a big rush to get him onto third place but then flattened out a bit and made little further progress. Still a nice race for his first time this year. Hopefully, he will not have bled and won't be sore.

Ahvee's Destiny is the morning line favorite in a wide open race on Tuesday at Presque Isle Downs. On Wednesday at Presque Isle, Awakino Cat has ended up in what should have been a Graded Stakes race that includes the likes of Fatal Bullet, a million dollar plus winner. It'll be a tough one.y

May sun shine somewhere for you on this otherwise rainy day

Best,

A.

Your weekend racing update

Ahvee's Destiny was scratched from a race at Belmont today but will run in an allowance race on Tuesday night at Presque Isle Downs, the site of her only victory last year. She's coming out of post position 7 with Harry Vega aboard. He guided her to victory last year.

It will be sort of a prep race for her defense on June 21st of the $100K Satin & Lace Stakes title she won there last year. Since Linda's brother Wayne is headquartered in Presque Isle Downs, Ahvee's Destiny will stay there with his operation until after the race on the 21st. There is an allowance race for Awakino Cat at Presque Isle on May 18th, so I presume they will be shipping them there together.

BTW, the racing surface used by Presque Isle Downs is a synthetic surface called Tapeta. It is the same surface used in Dubai, where they have the World Cup Races for very big purses. I could see Ahvee and Avi going to Dubai for the World Cup Sprint, couldn't you? Sheik Mohammed wouldn't mind… I hope!

Hear the Footsteps is scheduled to race on the grass in tomorrow's 8th race at Belmont. It's his first start of the year and this is a longer route, so he may need the race, especially since he's facing the two horses who beat him in his last outing. If the race comes off the grass because of rain, he will be scratched. He has Alex Solis, who is a solid rider, aboard.

Now, we see what happens. Hope you all have a good weekend!

Best,

A.

Scratch Ahvee's Destiny

To make a long story short (another commercial for Colin Quinn), Linda thought it didn't make sense to take a long trip with questionable weather and a VERY tough field of boys in Atlantic City tomorrow. I am always worried when we skip an opportunity… and I have never been to the Atlantic City Race Course, so this would have been a new adventure. I'll just hope that we find races for fillies and mares where we are more competitive and that are blessed with good weather.

I really love that horse. Just thinking about her being stabled in Saratoga again, makes me want to go and see her… this time with Carrots in hand, so she can plant kisses on my cheek and be rewarded!

Best,

A.

Winner's Circle Photo

Sammy and Flossy came to Belmont yesterday and got a chance to get their photo taken in the Winner's Circle… it was with a grey horse, just not Katy. Linda had another entrant named Love Shack who won the race. Katy, who was 24 lengths behind going into the stretch, finished 5 1/2 lengths behind in third place. So, at least, she got a small check.

Ahvee's Destiny is scheduled in a 5 furlong stakes at Atlantic City tomorrow. Post time is 6PM. Let's hope the rain holds off. Go Ahvee!

Cricky'sGoldeneyes had surgery on both legs. He had a major tear of his right suspensory. OY!

Best,

A.