Fun Times With Stephen Foster

re: Fun Times With Stephen Foster

Racefan66 — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:06:38 GMT

I am REALLY enjoying your blogs! Keep it up!!!

re: Fun Times With Stephen Foster

Glenn B — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:16:53 GMT

aspradling We went on Taylor Made Farms, which is home to Northern Afleet and Unbridled Song and about 5 others. We drove by Calumet ( the Baking Powder Co.) WalMac, and 4 or 5 others. I spent the IRS refund check. It was well worth it. P.S. I bet the lines were not as long as on Derby Day.

re: Fun Times With Stephen Foster

Jed Dog — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:23:56 GMT

My favorite Stephen Foster was when Victory Gallop won. It was amazing. He flew around the final turn as if the others were standing still. I have seen many races, but never seen a move like it. Jerry Baily rode him and said he has never ridden a horse with that much acceleration. And he has rode some of the best like Cigar. To bad he is breeding Turkey mares now.

re: Fun Times With Stephen Foster

aspradling — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:24:17 GMT

GregB: It was a tough call, but since I was working on site Derby Day, that probably influenced my fun, though both were fun in totally different ways! So I understand where you are coming from. It was a predictable race day betting wise, sorry your super wasnt four digits =)

BlueCollar: I agree 100%, what a great horse.

Gleen B.: What farms did you get to visit? That is awesome that you were willing to travel so far to watch the races. It is good to hear of race fans still willing to go out of their way and experience history =)

re: Fun Times With Stephen Foster

Glenn B — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:01:13 GMT

I too was at Churchill on Stephen Foster Day.

I read that Curlin was going to be there, soI drove all the the way from Kansas just to see that horse. We made a little vacation. saw the horse farms, took a river boat ride, and went on a van tour on the backside on Churchill Downs. My only disappointment was all the elderly men working behind the ticket windows.

re: Fun Times With Stephen Foster

BlueCollar — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 18:27:07 GMT

That is an awesome picture of Curlin. He is just the perfect equine specimen.

re: Fun Times With Stephen Foster

Greg B — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:48:49 GMT

I was at both derby and this. Stephen Foster was good but Derby blows away Stephen Foster in terms of scenary of people and intensity. Plus it was hot and humid. Big payouts on derby day. No money to be made this day. I hit a $1 super. Paid $19. Hit another two exactas but didn't pay much at all.

Derby = 160K people

Stephen Foster = maybe 40K ??

re: Fun Times With Stephen Foster

Wanda — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:41:23 GMT

I will do that Adam next time we take a road trip to see the family. You know what's funny he got claimed half way thru his 3 year old year and the owner at the time shipped him and his other horses to Fort Erie in Ontario. Thats clear across Canada for you people without maps. He then shipped down to Finger Lakes(NY) and won and they shipped right back to Alberta! You got to remember he was a bottom claimer and it's not cheap to ship a horse that far even 9 years ago.He had some ankle issues as a 4 and 5 year old and we went and bought him for my in-laws to run on the

"B" tracks here. I never thought I'd see him again and I'm not ashamed to say I cryed when he was claimed.His name is a play on Larry the Legend who won the Santa Anita Derby over Lucas heavy fav. Was it High Yield? Can't remember the horses name.Anyway the racing gods always looked afer Larry and he came home to his family who loves him dearly.Sorry for the ramble Adam but you know I still can remember that high so clearly. Isn't that strange?

re: Fun Times With Stephen Foster

aspradling — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:44:19 GMT

chelz: dreaming of anna is awesome

Julie L.: I am a big Alysheba fan, my co-worker Marta really got me in him and his family tree

Jen: The rail + Secretariat = Amazing and priceless

skipaway: what is your trick with your exacta betting? hitting five is way impressive =)

Wanda: say hi to Larry the Longshot for me, winning your first start is very impressive and I don't blame you for going nuts at his race.

jshandler: I learned a lot from the best out there (cough you)

diggyrun: thank you

Joe Camera: I appreciate your suggestions and input. I will be concious of that next time. I was just happy my friend let me borrow her camera and I have pictures of some beautiful horses =)

re: Fun Times With Stephen Foster

Joe Camera — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:18:09 GMT

Try adjusting the quality of the image you are snapping. Your shooting at too low an image quality. Increase the DPI of the j-pegs snapped - consult the manual to your camera. If you increase the resolution, you decrease the number of images that a card will hold. So, just bring a few cards. When you post the images, 72 dpi is supposedly optional, but 100 loads fast. Your shooting at too low a quality, and posting at 72 dpi exacerbates that and makes your photos look crappy.

re: Fun Times With Stephen Foster

diggy_run — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:16:10 GMT

You're hilarious man. That was a great report, sounds like you had a heckuva day. Thanks for all the videos since I couldn't make it. Next time you head to the track post your picks on here man sounds like you are doing pretty good. Nice pictures too. I cracked up at that nasty blockin your view.

re: Fun Times With Stephen Foster

Jason Shandler — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:30:04 GMT

Adam: When I first met you nine months ago you were a gambling novice. Now you are knocking off exactas like their going out of style. I need to start taking betting advice from you!! Nice job.

re: Fun Times With Stephen Foster

Wanda — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 05:06:18 GMT

Your welcome Adam.Here's my "best day at the races".My husband and I owned and trained our own and decided to breed one cheap mare we had.Long story short Larry the Longshot won his first life time start as a 3 year old. I was screaming so loud you'd of thought it was the Kentucky Derby.He retired this year with 100,000.00 in earnings and lives a spoiled rotten life with my in-laws on their farm.

re: Fun Times With Stephen Foster

skipaway2000 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 22:01:28 GMT

I have been to 3 KY Derbys, and all of them rank at the top of my best racing days. As for betting days, The last time I went to Oaklawn I hit 5 exactas, which was a very, very good thing for me!

re: Fun Times With Stephen Foster

Jen — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:46:37 GMT

Adam- the 1973 Kentucky Derby- I was 11 years old, had seats right on the finish line, could stand next to the rail and see Secretariat in all of his glory. My first KD and first live races. Nothing has ever compared. Jen

re: Fun Times With Stephen Foster

Julie L. — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:05:35 GMT

I watched the Northern Dancer and Stephen Foster on television and was so happy to see Pyro back in form, I believe that he didn't get a decent chance in the Kentucky Derby as he was squeezed right at the start out of the gate and as for my horse Curlin he is just his usual professional self. He showed that the impost of 128 lbs. did not bother him but then in the Jaguar Trophy in Dubai the 132 lb. impost did not bother him either. This is a horse who is on his way to true greatness, Thank God his racing connections kept him in the game, I haven't been this excited about watching a horse run since Alysheba and that was quite awhile ago. Cigar was fun but Alysheba and Curlin are my standouts. Just one person's opinion.

re: Fun Times With Stephen Foster

chelz — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:56:32 GMT

Hey Adam! I was at Churchill Saturday too. Curlin is positively amazing, isn't he? He's so muscular in real life. I think my favorite part of the day was Dreaming of Anna though. She is one of the most beautiful, graceful, delicate fillies I have ever seen. Thanks for sharing your memories. I also got goosebumps during Pyro and Curlin's races but I also got some during Anna's incredible grass race. =]

re: Fun Times With Stephen Foster

aspradling — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:25:58 GMT

Bellwether, that would be way thrilling to see a horse I owned or had trained close a race and just miss the win! I bet you were very proud none the less and the must have been just thrilling.

Wanada/Jean: Thank you for your kind words. The outrider thankfully moved soon after that picture, so I saw Pyro leave the gate just fine. And you will have to come back and report on how things went at Colonial Downs! Let me know who you were able to see.

re: Fun Times With Stephen Foster

cnovak — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:47:38 GMT

Nice report, Adam. Here's a funny connection for you; the outrider picking his teeth in your photo is Greg Blasi - Scott Blasi's brother!

re: Fun Times With Stephen Foster

Bellwether — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 07:30:12 GMT

so far the day our filly Raised On Promises(Minardi) got beat by a head comming from way back @ Laurel Park in a maiden special is our best day...we are Oh for Nine lifetime...tough game...Long Live The King!!!

re: Fun Times With Stephen Foster

Wanda — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 04:21:45 GMT

Wonderful pictures Adam. I laughed out loud at the outrider picture. I love that you are so into racing and so enjoy your day at the track. That's what it's all about. I'm jealous that you get to see these horses up close and personal but thank you Bloodhorse for Adam and of course Jason. You guys rock!

re: Fun Times With Stephen Foster

Jean — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:32:43 GMT

Thanks so much for your report,

I loved it.

I hope to be at Colonial Downs on Saturday to see up close some of the horses that I have read about and admire.

Thanks again -