Mo Should Go For Classic

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

Rick the Handicapper — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:25:06 GMT

It is now beyond the Pa. Derby and Uncle Mo is heading for the Kelso on October 1. If the loss in the King's Bishop can be attributed to his first race back from his illness as well as the loss of a shoe, it would seem logical that Mo will be even tighter (especially in view of last Sunday's blazing work) for the Kelso. If he wins the Kelso impressively and comes out of it in good health, then he does have a fighting chance to win the BC Classic. If he wins the Classic, it is a no brainer that Uncle Mo will also be HOY.

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

Ranagulzion — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 01:07:34 GMT

Coldfacts,

Uncle Mo returned from serious illness and ran a blinder in the King's Bishop to go down by a nose to Caleb's Posse, surprising even an ardent fan as yours truly and you appear from your post-triple crown haitus only to put him down. That's what sparked my reaction. It takes a very classy horse to come back in a salty field as the King's Bishop and lose by a whisker to a colt that's on top of his game. Be reasonable Coldfacts.

As for the 2YOs I have eyes for only Union Rags right now. He is my 2012 Derby horse. He is good looking, bred-in-the-purple for speed and stamina on dirt, grass or polytrack, has a wonderful trainer, an excited jockey and a name that has a Triple Crown ring to it. This colt is one smart cookie ...the real ragamuffin. I'm glad you like his pedigree ...at least we shouldn't be fighting over this one's qualities. Watch him in the Champaigne.

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

Slew — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:34:21 GMT

DeIrene...JC's Pride was pulled up during the race. Have not heard anything since.

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

Criminal Type — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 12:55:06 GMT

Coldfacts, Union Rag's is going in the Champagne too so I guess we will see.

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

Medlocke — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 04:17:21 GMT

Completely disagree that Uncle Mo should go for the Breeders Cup Classic. There's nothing in this horse's pedigree that suggest he'll stay 1-1/4 remotely effectively enough to be able to win the Breeders Cup Classic. Whereas, Uncle Mo would likely dominate in the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile!! The winner's share of the Dirt Mile is a lot better than no share of the Classic!!

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

Alex'sBigFan — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 03:14:09 GMT

Steve I agree with you on this. I still believe something that Mike Repole said a long time ago, that Uncle Mo was "6 lengths better than any of them" prior to the illness. I think Mo is unique, an unusual offspring of Indian Charlie, he's got the "it" factor that it takes, that rare combination of the athletic ability, the heart to win, and the mentality. As long as Mo is sound, I'm all for him going in the BCC as his chance for redemption. Interesting if Mo and Thirsty are in it competing against each other, the two training buddies in the BCC could give us a one-two Repole BCC punch. Add Havre de Grace to the mix and we've got a great race. A win by her would put Larry Jones back in the limelight in a good way this time and give him his own shot at redemption. Interesting that the females seem to be stronger than the males and suffering less injuries; I wonder if the Lasix affects them differently with better renal function and less loss of bone calcium due to water retention? Just wondering if female horses retain more water than males and would be less dehydrated? Just a thought but I have now just been able to watch the Travers and King's Bishop and I think Mo's second was just as good as Thirsty's win, maybe better. I fully support Mo going in the Classic.

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

Delrene — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 22:23:56 GMT

Thanks for all your great articles Steve and am very glad you are on the mend. I have seen both HDG & Blind Luck . I'm so torn, BL is like the little engine that could! HDG is so feminine and all racehorse. And what is not to love about Uncle Mo?

Just want all of them to stay healthy throughout their careers. Does anyone know what happened to J.C.'S Pride. I read that he was vanned off. I tried to research but found nothing. Hope he is ok.

Thank you and take care

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

Criminal Type — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 19:31:40 GMT

I had forgotten, There is a two year old colt out there By Hard Spun who is a half brother to Lost in the Fog. He was purchased by IEAH and I communicated via email with Mike Sherack at IEAH who told me the colt was with Eddie Woods in Ocala and would be going to Wesley Ward. The only problem is, the colt was not named. I made a couple suggestions which Mike liked but still no name and without a name I cant watch him. There is also a Hard Spun who is half to Rockport Harbor who I can't wait to see. If Regal Miss Copelan passed her gorgeous white face off to this one he should be a spectacular looking colt.

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

Coldfacts — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 19:15:54 GMT

Criminal Type

I researched Union Rags pedigree before the Saratoga Special and fell in love with him. Sadly I did not make any money as the race was on a Monday. His second dam Terpsichorist captured my attention as she was sire by Nijinsky and she set a NTR for 11F at the Meadowlands. I have my doubts that Dixie Union will be the sire of note for a Derby winner. I caught Creative Cause when he made his debut. I do not like him for the Derby. His sire is over bred and his dam belongs to the million dollar earners club. He does not fit the profile of a derby winner. That said. His talent is not in any doubt. Currency Swap has a very wide gate and appear to used a lot of energy to move in huge frame. I do not like him for the TC series of races..

Alpha is by a Nijinsky Broodmare and those are rarely seen. The brilliant but unsound Tapit was produced from a Nijinsky broodmare. After his Wood victory I was on him for the derby but the sloppy track and Smarty Jones was his undoing. The 1993 Belmont winner Colonial Affair was produced from a Nijinsky broodmare. Nijinsky was the sire of unfortunate Derby winner Ferdinand. Nijinsky the 1970 English Triple Crown winner was one of Northern Dancer’s best sons. When one of his broodmare produces a horse with ability I am on board. We should not forget that the Northern Dancer broodmare line is the best in Triple Crown history with 20 victories. I have no doubt that Alpha is a router. The 10:90 split for the 6F of his maiden race suggest he can stay close to good fractions and use the stamina laden pedigree to great effect. He is being pointed to the Champagne and a better evaluation of his ability can be made.

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

Criminal Type — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:28:54 GMT

I saw Alpha's race. He looked OK, but there are two year olds that have impressed me much more. Ive never been an AP INDY fan or for that matter any of his son's.

Currency Swap looked pretty good yesterday in the mud but what I was really payin attetion too was Trinniburg not far behind Currency Swap, and I tought.. Hmmm Trinniburg ???? Sure enough when I went back and checked, Trinniburg was in the field that Union Rag's(Dixie Union) beat so badly in the Saratoga Special. Trinniburg almost caught Currency Swap yesterday.

Now, this tells me one of three things. First, Currency Swap is not that good, or, two: Trinniburg is an improving horse, or, three: Union Rags is a very special colt. The time in Rag's race was also better then Currency Swaps times.

There is a two year old out on the left coast that has caught my eye, and he is Creative Cause (Giants Causeway) who needs to run on dirt at SA before I make up my mind about him. I have no reservations about Rag's on a dry track, he blew them away in his maiden at DP on a dry surface.

Another two year old who will likely be making his first start at Belmont in a couple weeks is Margano, the two year old brother of Barbaro who is in training with Barkley Tagg. It's amazing how much he look like Dynaformer. Much more so then the other brothers.

I do love this time of year, whe the new two year olds take to the track, they are so exciting.

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

Ivan — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 13:52:55 GMT

I think Pletcher doesn't have anything to lose going to the Pennsylvania Derby. If Uncle Mo doesn't run well, then is off to the Breeders Cup Mile, where he should be a fitter horse and taking a cutback in distance. But I think he can and will win the Pennsylvania Derby, and if he does that, there is no reason why he shouldn't be in the Breeders Cup Classic, where he will be a much fresher horse than his counterparts and he has already proven a liking for the Churchill Downs strip.

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

Slew — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 13:32:48 GMT

MikeM: Plenty of stamina in Mo's pedigree????? Please tell me where? You would have to go all the way to Nasrullah...but then, most horses trace back to Nasrullah, and they're not all Classic distance horses.

The BC Dirt Mile has only been around for 4 years...give it time...heroes will emerge. I can't name the past 4 winners of the marathon either, but that doesn't mean it carried no prestige. I can certainly remember the name of the last 3 winners of the turf mile...that's so easy since it's only one name...Goldikova...and she's a miracle. Of course her trainer was the jockey of one of the best...Miesque. Sounds quite prestigious to me.

What about the BC Sprint? Just look at the monsters we've seen. Midnight Lute, Big Drama, Lit de Justice, Artax.

Just give the mile time. Don't you think we'd remember the 2010 winner a bit more clearly if Quality Road dominated it?

So You Think is not going back to Australia for another Cox Plate. If he comes to America, I think even I would crawl to CD to see him....and Aidan O'Brien does send his stock to the BC.

Coldfacts...I saw Alpha last week. I still love me my Bernardini's....but it's simply much too soon to discuss the TC after only one maiden race....but didn't that happen with UM last year...and see where that got us.

What ever happened to Maclean's Music? Kindersley? etc..etc?

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

The Deacon — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 06:46:12 GMT

I agree with you Steve on your assessment of Uncle MO, I have been touting him all year and believed that if he were healthy he had a good shot at winning the Triple Crown. Here is my question, if Repole runs "Mo" in the Classic, what does he do with Stay Thirsty? Obviously they both can't win the race.

Like Shackleford, I think Havre De Grace may be spent by Breeders Cup day, she has had an awful lot of tough races this year but she is one tough mare. I think the Ladies Classic will be a better fit, that would be a great renewal of the Blind Luck rivalry as well. It will make Friday's race card well worth warching. All you bloggers remember this please, "Mo" loves Churchill Downs, he won the Juvenille last year at a 1 1/16 miles going away. I think he is now coming into his own and the older handicap division is pretty weak. Other then Tizway and maybe Acclamation I don't see much out there. Finally, Uncle Mo is fresh, many of these other horses have been running all year so getting the 1 1/4 mile may not be that daunting.......

Welcome back Steve, you were truly missed.

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

Coldfacts — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:37:53 GMT

RANAGULZION

“He is not within your realm of expertise”

You are using a language with which I am not familiar. I have never declared myself an expert in any area of the Thoroughbred industry. Like everybody else I merely share my opinions. I sometime ask the tough questions and keep those who make emotionally driven statements honest.

“Give it up bro. Uncle Mo is a lot better than you'll ever give him credit for”

What exactly should I give up? Are you referring to my asking why the colt is considered great when he has not achieve anything that others have not and they are not labeled great? I think I have been very measured about Uncle Mo. I give him the credit he merits based on his record. The fact that I am not in awe of his record does not equate to my discrediting him. Uncle Mo is still a young horse and if he remains healthy and produce the performances that elevate him to greatness status I will gladly acknowledge his greatness. Until then I will continue to ask if he is a HOF candidate off his 2YO record. If not he cannot be classified as great. In retrospect he is probably great but not exceptional.

NB: Did you see the likely 2012 Derby winner at Saratoga last Saturday. He is a son of Bernardini out of a Nijinsky broodmare. “Alpha” Alpha and Omega: The beginning and the end. His beginning could signal the end of the Triple Crown drought. Oh! I forgot he is from the A P Indy sire line. My Bad!

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

Ranagulzion — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 21:12:51 GMT

Matthew W,

In your 03 Sept 2011 8:51PM post you said that Havre de Grace is HOTY right now and that Tizway would need to win the BCC big. Are you kidding? To be the HOTY leader HDG has to defeat Blind Luck and Tizway. She has certainly entered the discussion with a bang in the Woodward but she has a couple mountains to climb to get the vote. You have underestimated Tizway big time my friend.

Coldfacts,

You certainly enjoy blogging about Uncle Mo but your record shows that he is not within your realm of expertise. Give it up bro. Uncle Mo is a lot better than you'll ever give him credit for.

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

Coldfacts — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 18:51:30 GMT

I cannot see how winning or finishing in the top three I the Breeder Cup Classic would catapult Uncle mo reputations into the stratosphere. I am of the opinion that a strong Breeder’s Cup Mile performance would serve him better as a stallion. A mile in 1:31 and change is far better than the 2:02 plus that Blame and Zenyatta recorded in the 2010 BCC. Elusive Quality record a world record for a mile. I believe it was on turf. He is one of the premier sires in the world. His runners have won the Derby, Preakness, Breeders Cup Classis and who can forget the brilliant Quality Road.. He is also the sire of the brilliantly fast Sepoy from Australia who swept the Blue Diamond series of races and went on the win Golden Slipper the richest 2YO race in the world. I do not know Elusive Quality’s racing record but it is unlikely that he ever contested a 10F race. Mr. Prospector was a brilliant sprinter who set track records for 6F at two different tracks. He was started in a 10F race to enhance his reputation and he went on to be one of the best sires in the world.

Breeders’ Cup Classic winners have not distinguished themselves as sires of Triple Crown horse. I am of the opinion they fall into a curse category. A. P Indy and Unbridled are the only two that have sire winners on TC races. Are breeder lining up for Invasor and Pleasantly Perfect? Uncle Mo’s stride pattern suggests he is not a 10F horse. The current crop of G1 routers is not great. Could Uncle Mo use his high cruising speed and great acceleration to steal the BCC? If he had more fluent strides yes. I told one Of Mr. Haskin’s supporters who was all the rage over Dialed In that he had a laborious stride pattern that would not allow him to be effective at 9F or 10F in good company. Uncle Mo hits the ground very hard and that that saps stamina one of the requirements to carry speed..

Although he is considered great in some quarters He is a talented colt but not a great one and there are lots of those around that are not targeting the BCC. If Uncle Mo was a great horse I would have no hesitation in backing his entry into the BCC in spite of the aforementioned stamina issue. The great ones find a way to win in spite of short comings. I do believe his place in the BCM where he will be at his best. Even with a strong showing in the BCM his pedigree is not commercially appealing and he will have to compete at stud with another brilliant colt that goes by the name The Factor who has a Northern Dancer /Raise A Native cross. The Factors fluency in movement is a dream for farm operators and broodmare owners.

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

GoldenBroom — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:44:02 GMT

Regardless if you are a fan of this horse or not, if, (and it's a big if) - he wins back to back breeders cups, last year's Juvenile and either the dirt mile or the Classic this year...that's a great horse. Maybe not an all time great, but you don't win at that level year over year without skill and talent. You just don't...

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

Criminal Type — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:59:14 GMT

I heard last night that Jacky Martin had fractured three cervical vertebrae and damaged his spinal cord. Per TVG: His Xrays were flown to Scrip's yesterday to be reveiwed by a team of neurological specialists but they are not optimistic. The doctors in El Paso are working hard to stabilize his breathing. Because his diaphram is affected by the paralysis, it is probable that Martin will have to be ventilated. At this point in time the Doctors are saying his condition is permenent. My prayers go out to him, his family and the medical personnel working so hard to save him.

Congrats to Havre De Grace, Larry Jones and Rick Porter. She was far and away the best horse in that group. Also, WeeMissFrankie what a little dynamo! The other Grace looked good too, Grace Hall in the Spinaway. I didn't see any 2 yr old colts that impressed me this weekend. The best so far IMO is Union Rag's. He goes in the Champagne on 10/8 and then on to the BC Juvenile. Hopefully he can continue to carry his form through the rest of this year and into the Classics. Im not concerned that he won the Special in the slop, He broke is maiden on a dry fast track at Delaware Park on 7/12.

I'd like to say something to the Repole detractors. First of all, Mike Repole may run off at the mouth a bit about his horses, racing and anything else he has an opinion about. No question this guy is opinionated, arrogant even. BUT, he is enhusiastic and commited about and to his horses. Remember this is not a guy who just fell off the manure wagon. He started a company that he sold for 4.1 billion dollars. B I L L I O N.

Sure, I've seen the attitude, who can miss it?. But, I've also seen great humility from this guy. When they had to winthdraw Mo from the Derby, He could have sent Pletcher out alone to face the media but he did't. He went out there and took it like a man. Some people think he waited till the last minute so that no other horse could get in, I don't think that was contrived. I think they were praying with every freaking fiber of their beings that Mo would snap out of it, much like the movie version of Secretariat miraculously getting his appetite back the morning of the Derby.

I think Mike Repole is good for racing, maybe he shakes things up a bit. Maybe it's time someone did. I like the guy and think he is one of the better owners in this sport and nothing at all like Ernie Peragallo. I also think Mike should run Uncle Mo next year, Stay Thirsty too. Retiring a horse due to injury is one thing, but I've never been a fan of retiring a horse as a three year old just so they can gooble up the stud fee's. Uncle Mo deserves at least a chance to compete when he is 100%. As much as Todd Pletcher says he is, I doubt that's true. Him, I am no fan of.

Maybe Mike Repole should send his horses to Larry Jones.

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

mpetrecz — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 14:23:00 GMT

Steve, I am a fan and am so glad to have you back. I read your blog and most of the responces. Your suggestion to give Mo a chance is perfect...hopefully, he'll be healthy enough to go the the Pa Derby. Mo's health is a race by thing(I think..as is most horses). He is a star and I don't think any one can really say why. Yup he was a brilliant 2 yr Champion, he has a non traditional owner that SOME people find fun (as opposed to the high-brow pompous owners....not all of them are charmingly genuine like Mary Lou). Lastly, Mo is a star. Like it or not (I love it), he is a major draw at the track and he does have a fb page. Stay Thirsty was his training buddy, call it what you want, they don't know one is supposed to be greater than the other. So I ask of everyone....what makes a star? Lots of musicians have more talent than the big name stars....I'm just saying, there is always someone better, but why is a star a star? It's because they captured the heart of fans. Weep away nay-sayers, Uncle Mo is a star.

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

Coldfacts — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 02:31:05 GMT

Some interesting questions and statements are contained in this blog and since they are associated with an issue involving the Uncle Mo I cannot resist the temptation to add my views to the list already provided.

“Be honest now, can you name off the top of your head the four previous winners of the Dirt Mile?”

Legitimate question as very few would be able to without research. However, if a past winner of the Dirt Mile had recorded either a NTR or a WR that winner’s name would be on everybody’s lips. The same question could be asked about the winners of a number of Breeders Cup races. Discreet Cat who ran in the Dirt Mile won by Corinthian was far more impressive than the Mighty Mo before he went sour. His connections could have gone to the BCC but realized the colt was just not a 10F horse in spite of his immense class.

“Uncle Mo, after nearly winning the grade I King’s Bishop off a four-month layoff and a severe, lingering illness, should be at least given the opportunity to strive for greatness”

I am not sure that winning the BCC elevates any horse to greatness. The bar of greatness has been lowered in the past to match for the Mighty Mo’s achievements. Is this another attempt? There are a number of horse that have won the BCC who can hardly be considered great and have no chance of even making the Thoroughbred Hall of Fame

“Because this horse has extraordinary talent and has true greatness in him”

The same could be said about The Factor and Premier Pegasus. The latter gave one of the best 3YO performances before his unfortunate injury. Uncle Mo was a brilliant 2YO. He has one victory as a 3YO how this equates to greatness remains puzzle to me.

“Because going from the grade I King’s Bishop to the grade II Kelso and then the Dirt Mile, which would be a grade II race based on its previous winners, would do little to confirm his greatness”

What greatness am I missing? How many track records has this colt established or equaled? If the grade I King’s Bishop turns out to be his last race, will he enter the HOF off his 2YO record? The Mighty Mo put together three impressive victories as a 2YO. I can list a number of horses that have done the same and the bar of greatness was never lowered to match their achievements. If Uncle Mo is so great, why did his connections choose to enter him in a race specially written for his 3YO debut? The monster Frankel was entered in a graded race for his 3YO debut. The great filly Regret made her 3YO debut in the Derby. The connections of a great champion 2YOs do not duck age group competition.

“In short, the Classic could catapult Uncle Mo’s reputation into the stratosphere”

I wonder why? Victories in the BCC by Invasor, Cat Thief, Concern, Valponi, Pleasantly Perfect etc., did not catapult their reputations into the stratosphere.

I fail to see why a case Uncle Mo’s greatness is still being made. The cold facts do not support his greatness. On the two occasions he lost there were legitimate excuses provided for his defeat. In his four victories he went by the field and pulled off. In his two losses he was challenged when he kicked on and could not repel the challenges. He was sick when he was the 1-5 looser of the Wood. He was coming back from sickness when he was the 2-1 loser of the King’s Bishop. If he is entered in the BCC, What will be the reason for his loss? I guess a valid reason would be he was never the same after the sickness. If Uncle Mo will not realize his true potential because of his set back then he should be retired. If he continues to race and loose close races contested in fast fraction, he will continue to diminish the achievements of those who defeat him. His supporter will continue to specify that he is not over his sickness. Which may very well be the case? If he wins, he will be even greater as a sickness affected colt would have defeated others that are fit and well. His supporter cannot have it both ways.

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

Freetex — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 00:45:59 GMT

Mike Repole seemed very iffy about Mo's future after the King's Bishop and yet before the race Todd Pletcher acted like Mo was going to take the Bishop and was ready to roll. These are just my observations. So it may be the owner and the trainer are on two different thinking modes for Uncle Mo's future.

More importantly, if Mo is healthy the Penn Derby sure makes sense. He looked like the old MO in the King's Bishop. He surely did.

Sure glad you are back Steve!

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

Bill Two — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 00:40:33 GMT

Like Steve says, it might not seem logical to point this horse towards the big prize, but the thing about Mo is he has so much talent that he may be able to overcome all of objections everyone so astutely have enumerated. Only the most talented horses can overcome this much adversity, lack of seasoning, etc. and be seriously considered for a challenge like this. I admit that on pedigree alone I don't like him at a mile and a quarter, but then Secretariat had a lot of doubters too before he won the Derby. Not to compare him to Secretariat since that would be sacrilege, but his talent is the thing that makes it difficult to judge his chances. I say give him a race - say the PA Derby - and if he demolishes the field and he's healthy and training well, go for it.

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

Elizabeth Martiniak — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 00:12:12 GMT

Normally I agree with you, Steve, but this time, I am afraid not. Uncle Mo is a very nice horse, and he may have a nice four-year-old season ahead of him. Why go for broke now? Why take a horse who is just recovered from a life-threatening illness and push im to get him ready for one of the hardest races of his life? What is the rush? Why does he have to be whisked off to stud at the end of this year? It's not as if Repole needs the money. In my opinion, he is not a mile and a quarter horse--he is a miler. I just fail to understand pushing the horse so unmercifully to make a race that would be beyond his abilities probably anyway. Why ruin him? I have no use for people who would put money and prestige ahead of the welfare of the horse. I was not thrilled with the way Stay Thirsty was treated ealrly in his career. He was used purely as a workhorse to pump up Uncle Mo--what he could have achieved with a training job designed for him and his abilities, I can only imagine. I feel poor Stay Thirsty was cheated in a way. But now I hate to see Uncle Mo cheated out of a possible four-year-old campaign where he could be really effective just to cash in on the moment now.

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

Linda in Texas — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 23:45:01 GMT

Matthew W, i read the article this morning on Bloodhorse.com.about Jacky Martin. I called a friend of mine who is a quarter horse racing fan and there. He reported no new news this morning except he is in very critical condition and we know that is the standard. We will all think of him and his family in our prayers i know.

re: Mo Should Go For Classic

Linda in Texas — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 23:30:34 GMT

Steve, you are lucky. I started a post yesterday after Jackson Bend won, finished it up a minute ago and when i clicked submit it said "oops, sorry there has been an error." it just disappeared in thin air. So i am rewriting it as close to memory as i can. This is shorter.

Jackson Bend had just won on July 22 last month and got a kiss from Zito then. He got another one yesterday for his over 3 length win. I had just mentioned in a post last week 'that what is old is new again' and i cannot think that more than when i think of JB, Aikinite, Rule, The Factor and for today Big Drama and Gray Flannel and Gray Hawk came in 2 and 3 at Ellis Park. I even saw Ice Box on a list for a race yesterday.

On Saturday at Saratoga,Race 3, there was a mare named Nurse Dolce racing from Gate 1. I would like to think that she won that one for your nurses who are probably sweet, just as Dolce means in Italian. In Spanish it is Dulce!.

It was a race for New York Bred Fillies and Mares only.

And cannot continue without mentioning Havre de Grace's win against the guys. GOOD GIRL HAVRE

and on to the BC. And congratulations to Mr. Porter, Mr. Jones and her handlers. For me i am dedicating her race to Eight Belles since i am the chairman of myself,and I just did. i am not discounting Blind Luck at all. She will have another try at Havre.

Odds and ends for me today were

a big handsome deep brown and white high stepping track pony escorting True Feelings to Gate 1 at Saratoga for Race 10 where Grace Hall prevailed and won. She was a $95,000 purchase last year so she has paid her owners back with a win in The Spinaway Gr.1. Very nice.

At Ellis in Race 7 i watched as a group of horses with not famous names run for a purse of $11,000 after i had just watched Grace Hall win the $250.000 purse at Saratogta. Those horses at Ellis had no idea they were running for a mere $11,000, but Steve they ran with the determination of true champions. No one told them they were only running for a small purse. But they ran. There is a lesson in that someplace and i am trying to find it to apply it to my life because it is what horse racing is. Full of heart.

Be well Steve and have a Happy Labor Day. As for some folks in my little town who own big expensive boats, they are out looking for water in our empty lake and dragging their kids around dirt skiing! :)