Monday Afternoon-1:30pm-April 27th-2009
ORAGAMI ARTIST FINISHES A DECENT 5TH IN FIRST START BACK!!
TAMMIBEST FLAT IN HER RACE-BACK IN ON THURSDAY AT BIGM!!
FOUR STARZ AFFAIR VERY DISAPPOINTING IN HIS RACE-LOCKED ON LINE THROUGHOUT THE RACE!!
KATHRYN DANCER SHUFFLED BACK-ALSO FLAT!!
Well-in a few words-this was an extremely tough and frustrating week of racing for us and the Salerno Stables. I knew that we needed this week to prep-improve and get ready for winnable races with the right conditions-but what happened was really tough to watch.
The frustrating part for the trainers were that the horses trained and warmed up good-and then went out and acted terrible. I guess the good news is that noone came out of the races in bad shape-and with the standardbreds-there is always next week-not the next few months.
Obviously-Tony and Bernie will need to make some serious equipment changes and possible do some vet work-when we can pinpoint exactly what everyone's issues are.
Partnership #34-Oragami Artist
It's a little disappointing that Oragami Artist was our best performer this week-given the fact that he was off 3+ weeks-had a quarter crack and was racing in a higher condition/claiming class.
But-I thought OA raced well with Mike LaChance-chased a fast mile-going 1st over and hanging tough-when he could have folded. I like that he still had pace in the stretch-and claimed that 5th check. LaChance thought he was good-but probably needed this race. If everyone did well this week-and if this race came up as a straight $40k-I was thinking about trying this condition one more time.
But-instead-we'll drop into the next straight $30k at Chester-which was moved from this Thursday to next Monday-so that will be our plan. Biggest question will be driver.
Partnership #35-Tammibest
Our big disappointment here was that Tammy was locked on the right line the whole race-not giving our driver a chance to get involved in the race. The driver was our first problem-since we couldn't get Brennan or any of the top drivers-since half were at Chester Downs.
Tony said the vet thought that her being in heat-is giving her some discomfort-and they found that she had some cysts in her ovaries. So-they gave her a shot and some antibiotics and said that we can keep racing. Might take a few weeks to her back where she needs to be-but our vet said that there is no reason why we can't race this week.
Fortunately-the BIGM carded a NW3 race on Thursday-so we dropped into that-named Brennan-and will add a headpole on both sides. We drew well-post #4 for Thursday and have Brennan. Let's hope we can rebound-this race is much liter than last weeks race against older horses.
Partnership #36-Four Starz Affair
After warming up good-for some reason-when Yannick left the gate-FSA locked onto the left line and wouldn't let go thru the whole race-it was awful to watch. Immediately-I thought we had a serious setback to his leg where he had injured his tendon-but when he cooled out-his leg looked good.
Tony jogged him on Saturday and Sunday and he jogged good-but as soon as he tried to train him-he locked hard on the left line-like something is pinching him. Tony and vet will check him out more thoroughly today. We will need major equipment changes here-but first we need to get a handle what is bothering him. Guess right now might be his feet.
More than likely-we'll miss this weekend-since we'll need to drop in by tomorrow morning.
Partnership #37-Kathryn Dancer
Kathryn Dancer raced ok on Saturday-in the tough reclassified NW$10k race-getting shuffled back-after Ron Pierce-left-got a seat in 4th-and then angling out in the stretch. He was flat late in the mile-causing Pierce to say that might have tied up a little late in the mile.
He acted good returning and was turned out all day Sunday-we'll check his blood and see what his numbers look like. Tony doesn't think it's too serious-I was targeting going to Chester anyway-but now will drop lower in class-like OA-aiming for the $40k's-next Thursday-so he'll get at least 10-12 days between this start.
Partnership #39-(Target Date=May 1st-$50,000)
Orphan Annie raced good-finishing 4th in that tough NW$16k or $50k claimer-was a little tired finishing her mile. Problem here is that she's run herself out of all conditions-and must look at straight claimers. Only the Meadowland have these claimers-and they are part of sub-conditions right now. Not out of consideration-just on hold-will look more into this situation
Exterminator raced good again from an impossible spot in the $50k's as E-Shopper was too tough
I know that I was hoping that Dragon Island would drop to $30k-but he didn't and put on a mile like you wouldn't believe-winning in 1.48.2-and getting claimed for $40k by Mark Kesmodel
I haven't watched all the races from this weekend-and I'm getting some additional horses coming in from our agent
Final Thoughts
We're going to need to take some small steps forward here-starting with a good race by Tammibest to get us back in the right direction. This past week will force me to be very aggressive in placing our horses-with no fear of losing any or all of them.
Tom
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Wednesday Morning-10:00am-April 22nd-2009
ORAGAMI ARTIST DRAWS POST #4 TODAY AT CHESTER DOWNS!!
TAMMIBEST DRAWS POST #3 THURSDAY AT BIGM!!
FOUR STARZ AFFAIR DRAWS POST #4 FRIDAY AT BIGM!!
KATHRYN DANCER DRAWS POST #7 AT BIGM!!
Looks like the next few days will see all our horses in action-our plans didn't exactly work out as designed and the driver situation was a real challenge.
Although it's important for us to earn some good money this week and beyond-I think the main objective this week for most of our horses is to begin working back off of layoffs and injuries. My plans didn't put us in the perfect spots-because the conditions didn't fill the way we wanted.
Our new partnership hasn't started-I'm in the process of getting us organized-but we may be looking at a private situation that will get us started before everything settles in.
Partnership #34-Oragami Artist
Goes today at Chester Downs-things almost worked out for us-was about 1-2 horses short of having a straight $40k and a straight $50k carded today-but in the end-today's race is a combined $40-$50 claiming race.
2 Big problems for us-is that we only have 1 real fast work in since his quarter crack a few weeks ago-and then we lost Gingras-and all the other top drivers were named in this race-so our selections were slim and none. We decided to us Mike LaChance-since he did drive OA a few years ago-and we trust him more than some of the remaining drivers.
We'll evaluate this race and then decide what to do next-if things don't work out well-we'll drop down in class immediately. Race #11 goes off around 8:15pm at Chester Downs.
Partnership #35-Tammibest
Our big decision here was do we race her at Chester Downs-on a smaller track-coming off a break-but fitting their NW3 perfectly-or do we go on the mile track-get a safe race under our belt-but go against older horses in a combined condition of NW$8-9,000 with an optional NW3 condition.
After thinking this thru-we did decide to race back at the Meadowlands for this week-and then try Chester. Looks like her race came up real tough-plus we lost Brennan. We Chester Downs competing against the Meadowlands on Wed/Thursday-again-our choices were slim and none-we tried for David Miller-but he went with another filly-so Steve Smith drives-damn.
Partnership #36-Four Starz Affair
Our big decision with FSA was the same-Chester or the Meadowlands-in the end-we went with the BIGM condition-I'm not totally disappointed-it's a tough race-but until we get a little smoother in his gait-I rather be on the mile track.
Looks like we will have Gingras in the bike-which is a good thing-he'll know what to do after his first race back last week. We're hoping for a better race and maybe dropping another 1+ seconds this week.
Partnership #37-Kathryn Dancer
We were almost in at Chester-one horse too short-so we decided to race OA there-since we had options with KD in the NW$10,000 condition at the Meadowlands.
We drew post #7-but only 8 horses here. We named David Miller-he has one other driver-but I think we'll get him-if not-we'll try and get Tetrick as our backup. He's in the 1st race on Saturday night.
Partnership #39-(Target Date=May 1st-$50,000)
There is a possibility that the filly that beat Tammibest both in the Night Styles and Petticoat Final is for sake-around the $40,000 range-Orphan Annie. She is in to go on Friday night at the Meadowlands in NW$16,000.
I would love to see this race first-because they have an optional $50k claiming tag attached to this great condition. We're doing some research right now-Nick Surrick is acting as our agent-we'll see what happens over the next few days
Exterminator is back in the $50k-$60k-I see Artist Cafe is back in for $50k.
I was hoping that Dragon Island would drop to $30k but did not-which is understandable.Ndizani continues to stay in $40k-and Dodgeball moved up to $50k off his win in the $40k's.
Both Major Domo & Warning Zone-stay in the 4 yr. old $50k-which is getting tougher each week.
Final Thoughts
I think KD has the best shot for us to get the money-but he'll still need a good trip.
For this week-I'm hoping to see good competitive performances from FSA-Tammy and OA-which would set us up better for next week.
Good Luck tonight and this week-and I'll update us if something progresses with the private purchase of Orphan Annie
Tom
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Thursday Morning-9:00am-April 16th-2009
FOUR STARZ AFFAIR GOES FRIDAY AT BIGM-DRAWS POST #4 & GINGRAS!!
ORAGAMI ARTIST & KATHRYN DANCER POINTED TOWARDS CHESTER DOWNS!!
TAMMIBEST GETS WEEK OFF!!
Sorry for the delay-on business travel-a little change in plans for this week and next week-based on some changes in qualifying dates and condition sheets.
The good news is that banged up Four Starz Affair-Tammibest and Oragami Artist are doing much better-recovering from their injuries to their legs and feet. If things work out-we'll have a nice racing schedule for the next week-starting on Friday-it could look like this:
Friday-FSA at BIGM
Wed.-OA & KD at Chester
Thurs-Tammibest at BIGN
Friday-FSA at BIGM
Our goal during this next week to 8 days-is to get some racing foundation back under FSA-and try and rebound with Tammy-while having OA and KD in a better spot that racing against some of the tougher claimers and condition horses at the Meadowlands
Partnership #34-Oragami Artist
Decided that with some of the claiming races scheduled for Tues-Wed-Thurs-at Chester Downs-that he could use the extra few days to get a little healthier on his foot. Tony had our blacksmith put on a bar shoe on his foot that has the quarter crack and Bernie reported that he was real on it over the last few days. But this schedule now allows us to train him 2x before racing next week.
I know this is the 1st week of racing at Chester Downs-and the track has been extremely sloppy-but their conditions and claimers are definitely weaker than the Meadowlands right now-where they combine sub-conditions to allow tougher horses to enter. Chester had 1-2 $30k claiming classes and 1 combined $40k-$50k-claimer yesterday and only had 7 horses.
I'm undecided right now-whether to try and enter both KD and OA on Wed-to try and get in separately in the $40k and $50k-with small fields-or go with OA right into the $30k's. What is holding me back is the fact that Bernie keeps telling me how good OA-and has been recently-so it will be a game time decision.
Partnership #35-Tammibest
Enjoying the week off-and her leg seems fine after our tough break at Yonkers where she cut her leg pretty bad. We're targeting the Thursday condition of NW$8,500 or NW3. The BIGM has definitely cut the purses because we'll be racing for less money than when we raced in NW2-just doesn't make sense. But for now-we need to stay on the mile track-get her mindset changed and get her confidence level higher. More than likely-we'll try and get Brennan back in the bike.
Partnership #36-Four Starz Affair
Chester didn't have qualifiers this Tuesday-so it was either qualify again at the BIGM on Thursday or race in NW3 at the BIGM on Friday. Tony and I know-that he's not up to going a 1.51.-1.52-or 1.53 mile-but it's probably better to just race into shape-than not race for any money.
We drew post #4 and got Yannick Gingras to drive. Plans will probably be to sit and close-hoping to go around 1.55-or a little lower this week. Tony reports that his leg injury looks like it's healed well-hopefully we dodge a bullet with this guy as well. He's also acting incredibly well.
Partnership #37-Kathryn Dancer
Will enter either the straight $50k on Wed. at Chester or the $40k-$50k claimer if they combined the 2 classes. Will try and get Tim Tetrick or Yannick to drive. He's acting good-and I just believe we have a shot racing here again-before other stables make the switch-looks like the Delaware horses are shipping there because Dover closed last week.
Partnership #39-(Target Date=May 1st-$50,000)
Continuing to develop a list of horses-that now will expand over a few more racetracks. The entries at the Meadowlands show a combined $25k-$30k class-one $40k and a $50-$55k claimer.
Exterminator is in again at $50k-I see Artist Cafe is in there too-I like him a little lower in the 4 yr. old $30k class.
Dragon Island moved up to $40k off his win last week-and Genetic Miracle stays in this class. Basillo Blue Chip also moved up in this class of the claim. They also kept Ndizani A in this class off his parked out mile-so they must like this horse.
I'll watch the 4 yr. old $50k race-might actually try and contact the owner or trainer directly if we really like a horse here-keeping an eye on Major Domo. I do like Warning Zone-but at a lower price than $62.5k. I'm a little worried about the lack of races in 2008-but like his class.
Final Thoughts
Extremely interesting that Dan Dube-Tim Tetrick-and Yannick Gingras have decided for now-to race at Chester Downs instead of the Meadowlands on Wednesday and Thursday-which is making my decision to try and race there. last year-a lot of our races were on Sunday-but now-it's mid week. The challenge will be to get one of these drivers-if we do-we have a major advantage like in the past-if we don't-we have a bit of a driver problem.
Tom
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Sunday Afternoon-12:30pm-April 12th-2009
TAMMIBEST MAKES BREAK IN PETTICOAT FINAL!!
KATHRYN DANCER GETS SCHUFFLED OUT OF RACE AT BIGM!!
FOUR STARZ AFFAIR TO QUALIFY AGAIN ON THURSDAY AT BIGM!!
ORAGAMI ARTIST TO TRAIN ON MONDAY-MIGHT RETURN THIS WEEKEND!!
I knew this weekend would be a tough one-based on post positions-but my real concern for both horses was to get out of these races without getting injured. Especially-Tammibest-since she was on a 1/2 mile track from post #8 with a new driver-tough to think this way-while you're racing for $63,400.
Off a nasty break on the 2nd turn-Tammibest got roughed up pretty bad-ripping thru her tendon boots-and cutting her leg pretty bad. Tony and I were afraid that she would have her leg blow up bad-but so far-it doesn't appear to be extremely serious-I'm hoping that we dodged a real bullet here.
Here's a quick update:
Partnership #34-Oragami Artist
Acting much better and sounded-been jogging good. Big test comes on Monday-Tony will test his foot with a slow training mile-if he does that well with no problems-we do want to race this weekend.
Would like to stay at the BIGM-will look at whether we fit anything here-he's $50 over NW$10,000-which they may open up-that would be my first choice. I rather race in the $30,000 claimers at either Pocono or Chester-money is better and the competition looks a little lighter than the BIGM-but that is my 2nd option right now.
Partnership #35-Tammibest
Will get a week off this week-just getting turned out for 2-3 days-while getting that leg healed. The leg could still blow up-so I'm hoping that she stays sound for now.
The BIGM doesn't card a NW3 anymore-it's combined with a NW$8,500-will want to stay on the mile track for now-so that is my top option. Eventually-would like to try Chester and Pocono-they have good conditions for us-the fact that we only have 2 wins lifetime helps us with these conditions-before we need to think claimers.
Partnership #36-Four Starz Affair
Chester doesn't have Qualifiers this Tuesday-so will probably come back to BIGM to qualify on Thursday morning. He needs some more work-before we can race back. If he qualifies good-we'll stay at the BIGM-otherwise-we may look at Chester Downs.
Partnership #37-Kathryn Dancer
Raced good-just got shuffled when Andy Miller got the lead from post #9-but then gave it up to Dube and the $10-and then-before long-we're 9th going into the stretch.
He closed nice-I do feel he still fits this NW$10,000 race at the BIGM-maybe we enter with OA-if they go 2 divisions-we try that. Otherwise-I'm thinking that he'll fit the $40,000 claimers nicely at Chester Downs next week.
Partnership #39-(Target Date=May 1st-$50,000)
Exterminator raced well again-closed late to win for Rucker-which is my only problem with this colt.
King of Kings has been impressive-but he's 4 yr.-goes for that extra allowance-so his $50,000 is really $62,500 plus tax.
Dragon Island is very attractive in the $30,000's-raced great again and wasn't claimed-that surprised me.
Basillo Blue Chip raced good in the $30,000's as well-and he wasn't claimed.
The horses in the $40,000's didn't impress me too much-I've also like Genetic Miracle-who won-but Casey Coleman has this horse.
Ndizani A got parked in the $40's-but down in the $25-$30-he's attractive.
Final Thoughts
Happy Easter to all
Tom
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Thursday Morning-9:00am-April 9th-2009
TAMMIBEST DRAWS DREADED POST #8 FOR $63,400 FINAL AT YONKERS!!
KATHRYN DANCER DRAWS BAD AGAIN-GETS POST #9 ON SATURDAY AT BIGM!!
FOUR STARZ AFFAIR QUALIFIES AT CHESTER-BUT MIGHT NEED ANOTHER!!
ORAGAMI ARTIST TO MISS ANOTHER WEEK-GETS PATCH THIS WEEK!!
Well-I was hoping for a little luck this week in post draws-especially for the Petticoat Final at Yonkers on Friday with Tammibest-since we will be racing for over $60,000+. When racing on a 1/2 mile track-post positions can make or break you-one of the reasons why I hate 1/2 mile racing-because if you happen to draw the extreme outside-you have NO SHOT.
Our luck turned out to be bad luck-so now we have to play the cards that we were dealt. Jason Bartlett's other horse-drew post #7-so he's in a bad situation all the way around. I fully expect him to take that horse-so we named Stephane Bouchard-who will be back driving this week. I haven't seen the final form-but I'm fairly confident that we don't have Bartlett.
Poor Kathryn Dancer has to move up in class-off his 3rd place finish from post #8-and now we draw post #9-and lose David Miller who we decided to name. Most of all the other drivers had drives-so it looks like we might have Andy Miller in the bike.
Four Starz Affair's plan was to go around 1.57-1.58 at Chester Downs and despite the cold weather and high winds-he did go that fast-but I think he needs a little more foundation right now. We could race at Pocono Downs to get tighter-but I think we'll qualify again and hope to come back to the BIGM in 2 weeks.
Oragami Artist's quarter crack still has some infection oozing out-makes you wonder about Kentucky Derby contender Quality Road-who just happens to have the same problem right now-I don't know if he'll be 100% for the Derby. We need a little more time to get this patched-the area needs to be completely dry-he's on the exerciser but he's not 100% on that foot yet-so he'll miss another week of racing.
Partnership #34-Oragami Artist
Continues to get sounder-but still not 100% of that foot-plus-we need the patch on before returning. Tony and I don't want to wait too long to get back on track-due to his tying up issues-we need him to get his work in.
Been feeling great-especially with his new schedule of training lightly ever 2 days. Bad timing has been his problem for the last few years-but we're not going to rush him right now-since his form has been real good lately.
Partnership #35-Tammibest
OK-been thinking about what our strategy might be-don't think we have many options-since we're stuck outside-have a new driver-and she doesn't like the 1/2 mile. I think we're really shooting for getting a check. Think the race is out of our control.
We need the #7 with Bartlett to rush out of the #7 hole-so we can angle over quickly to the rail and save ground. We need an up front battle-once the #6--Orphan Annie gets the lead-which I think will happen since it's $60,000. If an upfront battle occurs-and some flow develops-maybe we can either save ground on the rail-my preferred trip-or get in the flow-4th over-and try and close late passing tiring horses.
Tough tough situation for us-just bad luck in the draw.
Partnership #36-Four Starz Affair
Had the rail in the qualifier-and basically went around the track with Al in the bike-going in 1.58.2-last quarter in 30+ on an off track. I'm not crazy about how he finished the mile-so I would like another qualifier rather than racing into shape. But-I'll let Tony make that final decision. If we qualify again-we'll go back to Chester next Tuesday.
Partnership #37-Kathryn Dancer
Moves up into the NW$10,000-and I think he can compete here-but it's a competitive race-and drawing outside really hurts us. I'm not sure what Andy Miller will do-if it was possible to float and get a seat 6th-I would take it and then try and close late.
Partnership #39-(Target Date=May 1st-$50,000)
I did watch a few horses this weekend-I liked a few horses-but the problem is the trainers of some of the colts. I do like Exterminator-but not for $50,000-maybe for $40,000. In the 4 yr. $50,000's-I really like First Impression-but it's $62,500 + Taxes-so that's higher than we have-but I will continue to watch him-and maybe even try and contact the trainer when we're ready.
There isn't a $50,000 claimer this week-a few in the $30,000-$40,000's look interesting-but I expect them to get claimed this week-so we'll keep those horses nameless. Will keep developing our list for later this month. We still need another real good race or two from our racehorses for Tony and myself.
Final Thoughts
Have decided to not go with the dividends this week with KD and Tammy-good thing with their posts-hopefully next race-we're set to distribute.
I'll try and find every lucky stone I can find for our horses this weekend-my goal would be to cash any check with both horses.
Tom
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Monday Morning-12:00am-April 6th-2009
TAMMIBEST JUST MISSES IN GAME EFFORT-2ND-MAKES $63,000 FINAL OF PETTICOAT!!
KATHRYN DANCER WITH ANOTHER QUALITY PERFORMANCE-3RD AT BIGM!!
FOUR STARZ AFFAIR SET TO QUALIFY AT CHESTER ON TUESDAY!!
Well-it was a real good weekend for our stable again-right on the money with our goals and targets for both Tammibest and Kathryn Dancer with good performances finishing 2nd and 3rd in their races.
Our goal now is to draw well tonight with Tammibest-we desperately need the inside-and for a good qualifier for Four Starz Affair and for Oragami Artist to get his patch put on and have him return to the races in the next week or two.
Partnership #34-Oragami Artist
Has gotten more sound as the week went on-Tony was waiting to patch the quarter crack since there was still some infection coming out-it's 50-50% whether we race this weekend. We don't want to wait another week-due to the fact that he's acting good-and sometimes he ties up by missing too much time.
Partnership #35-Tammibest
Great drive by Jason Bartlett Friday night-from post #4-he got around the turn mush easier-although he was forced to work hard-going 3 wide-then brushing to the lead-and then cutting the mile the whole way. Tammy looked good-tried to hold off the pocket sitter-couldn't do it-because the track was deep and tiring and that filly got a great trip-but she did hold off that late closing #5-which was the difference of us making the $63,000 Final on Friday night. This was a gutty performance from Tammibest.
Now-tonight-we draw for posts-Jason Bartlett is on 2 fillies-I think it will come down to who draws better-can't blame him. Backups might be Jeff Gregory or Stephane Bouchard-if he's healthy. Actually-he's my #1 backup. Let's think #1 at around 5pm!!
Partnership #36-Four Starz Affair
Enters today for tomorrow at Chester Downs. Glad that we're not qualifying today-with all this rain-we would miss another week. Would like to draw mid pack for this-more news later today with Tammibest
Partnership #37-Kathryn Dancer
Nice race on Saturday night with David Miller. Met up with that same tough and fit horse that beat us last week-with the winds-the speed was holding up early-so when we left and dropped in 4th-I was hoping that Miller just sat and closed in the stretch-not deciding to move 1st over. That is what he did-and we closed in 27.2 and got 3rd-probably as good as we could expect in this race-nice check like I had asked for.
We do have to move up in class-to NW$10,000 this week-we draw tomorrow night for that-must decide-to either leave Miller or put Sears back-nice problem to have
Partnership #39-(Target Date=May 1st-$50,000)
I did watch a few horses this weekend-will include my notes in the next stable update which will be soon after we find post positions out later tonight
Final Thoughts
Have to decide whether to give small dividend checks back for Tammy and Kathryn Dancer this week-before they race again-leaning on doing that-which will help me get my full funding for the next partnership-although I do want to continue to grow both horses reserve account
Some of our partners-got together with friend and former partner and USTA handicapper Rusty Nash to try and hit this Saturday's Pick 6 at the Meadowlands. Exciting times-Rusty was right on the money-throughout-but then halfway thru-realized that he left the #4 out of the last leg. OK-not to worry-still had 2 races to go and 3 horses in the last leg. Well-the 2 races came-they hit both-including the colt I tried to buy privately from Canada-Village Blast at 14/1. Well-now they are alive with 3 horses for: $53,000, $66,000 and $250,000. But the #4 was paying $193,000-and that was the horse they forgot. Well-their 3 horses are 1-2-3 with 100 yards to the wire-until the #4 comes charging out of the clouds-to nail the #7 by a nose with his last stride-and $66,000 went down the tubes. Heartbreak City-don't think anyone has gone to sleep yet-knowing that $193,000 was suppose to be in their pockets. But credit to Rusty Nash who had this documented in his column-with that #4 in his play.
Tom
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Friday Morning-7:00am-April 3rd-2009
TAMMIBEST DRAWS POST #4 AND RETAINS BARTLETT FOR LAST LEG OF PETTICOAT TONIGHT AT YONKERS!!
KATHRYN DANCER DRAWS POST #5 AND GETS DAVID MILLER FOR NW$8K ON SATURDAY AT THE MEADOWLANDS!!
FOUR STARZ AFFAIRS TRAINS GOOD-GOES 2.05-READY TO QUALIFY ON TUESDAY AT CHESTER DOWNS!!
OK-I talked about being tested every week-which makes our business so interesting when you're racing and doing well-and this weekend isn't any difference. While we only have 2 horses in action-good performances could mean good financial results for us down the road.
Our biggest challenge this weekend starts tonight-since we did decide to give Yonkers another shot with Tammibest. We still couldn't figure out why she made that break-even though we know she is narrow up front-doesn't take the tight turns well-and had a little further outside post. She trained good this week on the farm-we brushed her hard-and she responded-so we're going to take this chance tonight. I believe that we'll need a win or 2nd to get into the final next week-otherwise we make the consolation instead. The big risk is that if we make another break-we are out of that race-so instructions will be to be careful on that 1st turn. The good news is that leading driver-Jason Bartlett took her over a filly that secured a spot in the final-so at least we have a driver who knows the filly.
Kathryn Dancer will meet a much tougher field Saturday night-loses Brian Sears-but we pick up leading driver David Miller-who has driven him before. A good performance here-means that he might be able to continue to climb the class ladder-which means racing for more money down the road-while increasing his value as well.
Partnership #34-Oragami Artist
Haven't gotten a full update yet on Oragami Artist-was going to use this week to get healthier and return next weekend. Plan was to get the quarter crack patched up-dried out and supported for the Meadowlands wars. Will jog into the weekend-and then train next week before the weekend. Will update next report.
Partnership #35-Tammibest
I hate the weather forecast tonight-looks like a sloppy track-not crazy about racing on the 1/2 mile-I'll be on pins and needles-especially early on-but the risk might be worth the reward here. A good race means that we'll make some money this weekend-and make a final worth more than $60,000. A decent performance means that we'll probably be the favorite in a $25,000 consolation. I'll be there in person to root her on-but will be extremely nervous throughout this race.
My hope is that we get a clean float out of the gate-which means sitting 4th early thru the first turn on the outside. Then if noone is pushing the pace-Bartlett decides to quickly brush to the lead down the backstretch-getting the lead-before the 2nd turn-maybe in 28.2-and then I'll take my chances the rest of the way. Good Luck to all and Tammy.
Partnership #36-Four Starz Affair
Trained great this week-going in 2.05 on the 1/2 mile track on the farm-doing it easy-and finishing real strong-so we look ready to qualify on Tuesday morning at Chester Downs. Al-an owner/trainer who helps out on the farm-drove him and will drive him again at Chester-so we know what to do and what to expect. Be nice to get him back in action soon-since we'll have plenty of options at 3 different tracks.
Partnership #37-Kathryn Dancer
In the first race on Saturday night-moves back up in class-to NW$8,000+-field is extremely competitive-so this will be a great test to see if we'll continue to race well. Would like to see us come off the pace once again-not from far back-but sitting 4th and coming 2nd over. Would also like a quick move-followed by a pocket trip-my preferred trip. Good Luck.
Partnership #39-(Target Date=May 1st-$50,000)
Will watch the $40k's-$50k's and 4 yr. $50k's this weekend-nothing jumps out at me right now-but will make some notes for the future. Haven't reached out to the private sales agents yet-not ready to do that right now. Will also keep watching the 4 yr. old $25,000's and $30,000's and the filly $30,000's to $40,000's. In a week+-Chester opens and will give us more options. Pocono opened but they really don't have higher claimers-and look at some of the Yonkers claimers as well.
Final Thoughts
My hope is for 2 really good performances this weekend. My goal would be a 1st or 2nd with Tammibest and an in the money with KD. If this happens-we could be looking at 2 more dividends next week.
Tom
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