A Blissful Kiss:
Driving to Keeneland from a previous evening in Louisville was quite an adventure Sunday. I did make it to Keeneland in time for race 7 finally, in time to see the jockeys load and hear the call to post trumpet sound. However, I had to make my way to the box seats and by the time I made it there, the horses were loading in the gate, so I did not wager on this race. No cash in hand and not wanting to mess with the ATM. Oh, but I should have.
I was rushing to attend a sweet climax to a great weekend. Kiss With A Twist was set to run in race 7. I had spent all Friday afternoon and part of Sunday evening at Keeneland with a good friend from the Nuckols family who own the filly. They are kind and great to be around, so I encourage you to introduce yourself sometime. The box seats were right off the finish line and a great view to the action that was about to begin.
After a good break, Kiss With A Twist rounded the first turn towards the back and sat decently off the pace. She sat in a solid off position along the back stretch. Then traffic picked up around the final turn and that traffic was heavy. Kissy came up the inside, but then moved slightly outside, looking for a hole. A good move, as a brief break in the traffic opened, allowing Kiss With A Twist to jump into gear and pass the lingering traffic to catch up with the main leaders of the pack. Inches at a time, Kiss With A Twist saw the finish line and let the heart take over. Gaining the edge ever so slightly, finally, she reached the leader and continued to gain until the wire. As the wire approached, it was clear Kiss With A Twist was going to get the win, but it was exciting and tense at the final turn. The horses went four wide, but that nice gap opened and Kissy took it.
The box went crazy and I shook/congradualted the hand of Alfred and family. I was invited to come to the winners circle and to be in the winning photo. First time experience with that and it was actually quite thrilling. Kiss With A Twist happily strutted into the circle. She was on her toes, ears engaged and she KNEW she did well. She looked like she was ready to go again, almost as if she had not run. That was a wonderful sign.
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The East.
So Pyro is moving to Darley after the BC and Alysheba is coming home!
Pyro has been bought by Sheikh Mohammed and he has said there are no definite plans to retire Pyro just yet. I am very excited that Pyro is getting a good home, but will miss his Winchell silks.
http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/47689.htm
Alysheba, who I am a huge fan of, is coming to the Hall of Champions. Poor Cigar can't seem to catch a break from the attention stealers. John Henry and now Alysheba. They will have plenty to talk about though, since Cigar did steal the earnings record from Alysheba.
http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/47699.htm
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Arrrrr Runs on Breeders' Cup Day
Arrrrr is entered to run on October 24, 2008 at FINGER LAKES.
Race: 7 Distance: Five And One Half Furlongs Surface: Dirt Age: 4 Sex: Gelding
Race Type: Allowance Purse: $ 20,500
Jockey: John R. Davila, Jr.
Trainer: Jeremiah C. Englehart
Race conditions: FOR FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE AND APPROVED BY THE NEW YORK STATE-BRED REGISTRY THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON A STATE BRED RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, OR STARTER. Three Year Olds, 120 lbs.; Older, 124 lbs. Non-winners of a race since September 24 Allowed 2 lbs. A race since August 24 Allowed 4 lbs. (Races where entered for $15,000 or less not considered in allowances).
OR
Arrrrr is entered to run on October 25, 2008 at FINGER LAKES.
Race: 7 Distance: Six Furlongs Surface: Dirt Age: 4 Sex: Gelding
Race Type: Allowance Purse: $ 17,400
Jockey: Dennis Carr
Trainer: Jeremiah C. Englehart
Race conditions: FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. Three Year Olds, 120 lbs.; Older, 124 lbs. Non-winners of two races since September 25 Allowed 2 lbs. A race since then Allowed 4 lbs. (Races where entered for $15,000 or less not considered in allowances).
Last Raced: 10/11/2008 at BELMONT PARK in Race 4
Finish Position: 5th
Last Reported Workouts:
09/20/2008-BELMONT PARK-Three Furlongs-Dirt training Fast-37:81 Breezing
08/31/2008-BELMONT PARK-Three Furlongs-Dirt training Fast-35:67 Handily
07/19/2008-BELMONT PARK-Four Furlongs-Dirt training Fast-49:46 Breezing
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Jedi Code Watch
Date: October 21, 2008
Track: SKYLIGHT TRAINING CENTER
Distance: Five Furlongs
Time: 1.01:40 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 1/10
Date: October 14, 2008
Track: SKYLIGHT TRAINING CENTER
Distance: Five Furlongs
Time: 1.03:40 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: All Weather Track
Rank: 6/12
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Notable Workouts:
Piratesonthelake
Date: October 22, 2008
Track: HAWTHORNE
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 48:60 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 5/33
Jedi Games is entered to run on October 23, 2008 at REMINGTON PARK.
Race: 7 Distance: Six Furlongs Surface: Dirt Age: 2 Sex: Colt
Race Type: Maiden Special Weight Purse: $ 28,000
Jockey: Belen Quinonez
Trainer: Mark W. Buehrer
Race conditions: FOR MAIDENS, TWO YEARS OLD. Weight, 120 lbs.
