Awakino Cat

It's Belmont Stakes Day tomorrow. But, for Awakino Cat, his Stakes day is Sunday at Monmouth Park. He's entered in the 7th race on the grass. Alan Garcia will be his guide in the $65K John McSorley Stakes. He'll be running from Post 3. We'll be running all day.

We start with a memorial service for Rhoda's Uncle Meyer in NYC. Then, we proceed to Elmont, just down the road from Belmont Park, for the Unveiling of his headstone. On to Floral Park for a BBQ at the Kriegers. Then to Monmouth for the race followed by a trip to Brooklyn for a wedding. Interesting that both the memorial and the wedding are for people named Steinmetz. I think we'll be tired by the time we make it back to Stamford.

Hope you have a lovely weekend!

Best,

A.

Avram & Rhoda's Almost Excellent Adventure

I often say, "almost doesn't count!" Today it counted, at least a little.

It was a beautiful day for a drive.. and drive we did. First to Belmont where Hear the Footsteps opened as the even money favorite when Writing on the Wall, a horse I had been interested in claiming scratched. By Post time, Mr. Vegas, who came in ahead of us last time, was the favorite. The race was very formful with Mr. Vegas going to the front and Hear the Footsteps stalking him. Cornelio Velasquez, who has yet to win a race for us, might have let him trail by a little too much but when they straightened out for the stretch run, he got Hear the Footsteps going. For a minute, as he was charging down the long stretch at Belmont, I thought he was going to make it… but he just missed by a head. 2nd place.

We were disappointed. It was so close. Nonetheless, we have to be impressed by this horse who has run 8 times and never been off the board… 2 wins, 1 second and 5 thirds. If he didn't have some physical issues, he could have been a great Graded Stakes race contender.

After watching the replay of the race, we took off for Monmouth in Oceanport, NJ. It's a nice little track - homey, quaint and well-maintained. Ahvee's Destiny looked a little nervous in the paddock. She was wet with nervous perspiration and she seemed sullen. Nonetheless, she looked beautiful… as did Rhoda, who was decked out in a beautiful dress and hat. yes, she was hoping for a photo in the Winner's Circle!

She was the morning line favorite but the crowd had made her third choice, quite rightly, I thought, based on her recent record. The bell rang and the gate opened. Ahvee's Destiny stumbles. Had I seen it when it happened, I would have been very worried about her, but I didn't and she didn't seem to notice because she recovered and was head and head with the eventual third place finisher in front of the pack. So, they went around the track. When two horses challenge each other like that, it can be very stressful and tiring. Straightening out in the stretch, it seemed like the other horse was inching ahead of A.D…. but she came on again to take the lead. Unfortunately, a longshot who had been stalking the two leaders, came on the outside and passed us in the final strides. Still it was a magnificent effort. This field was pretty soft and she may find it difficult to find such competition again, but for today she was right up there. We have a reason to hope for victory in the future. Yay, Ahvee's Destiny!

All-in all, a worthwhile adventure with two exciting races and more to look forward to. Yes, it can be fun even when you lose… just not usually!

Best,

A.

Chasing horses

Hear the Footsteps is entered in Saturday's first race at Belmont going off at 1PM. Ahvee's Destiny is entered in Monmouth's 8th race, the Fort Monmouth Stakes at 4:47PM. The drive time from Elmont, Long Island to Oceanport, NJ is about 2 hours (supposedly even in traffic). Time back to CT is 2 - 2 1/2 hours. Of course, there's CT to Belmont… all in all a lot of driving… with a synagogue appearance before and after. Whew! I'm tired already.

More about the races, soon to come.

A.

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.