Horse Racing questions and answers

[JBEX]

army mule sunday

aqu 2

#1 army gal (5-2)
@ 1:42


tam 7

#3 hymn of heaven (15-1)
@ 3:24


woodbine 8

#7 midnight mascot (6-1)
@ 4:41





.

[JBEX]

hmmm wonder who won last year!

that's right seize the grey .. had to look it up with my less than steel trap memory

set up nicely for the cutback to a mile off his last race ..where he belongs imo vs running in the derby

[batt33]

seems like california burrito (army mule) will be running in the pat day mile (derby day) with an outside shot of getting into the derby ..lots of you tube material on him if interested

hmmm wonder who won last year!

[batt33]

Thanks for checking out the result.

That was it's 7th 2nd place, which I am sure many owners would take if told their horse would do that for them. But honestly, it was a real disappointment. It jumped and settled exactly where the trainer asked for. Jockey rode it exactly as asked. Maybe a bit wide on the turn and he said the horse did not like the tight turn on the track. But it had every chance to overhaul the winner but just never gave anything extra. I don't think it knows when to fight for the line, or only has the one speed in it.

On the upside the time was awesome and would have won most stakes level city races. And there was 36k prizemoney for 2nd, which covers a large chunk of annual costs from one race.


My own photo finish shot.

lots of stuff going on my way.... normally I watch that horse........ sorry I missed it..... but wow the photo you put up caught my eye... nothing better!

[JBEX]

I just did. Oh man, she could be special even at the age of 4.
Hooks a real nice game one just inside her. If she can handle running against her with all that experience and her only running twice in two years, she could be tough to deal with down the road.

very nice win..will be interesting to see if she makes it back at a reasonable interval this time

[Optional]

Opti,

If you send it, please send this as well. This is purely respectful trainer to trainer stuff. And he can find my old record in equibase if he would like.
I'll PM you my name if you don't already know it.


All respect to your brother and anyone can second guess after the fact. Lord knows I was about 1000 times. So I hope he knows I respect his ability and am simply talking horseman to horseman like we would on the rail in the morning with my training buddy and comparing notes.
I made sure that the race I tried him long the first time was a perfect setup for him going long enough that the fractions would be easily set by him. 24 and 48 and change was what I was looking for. No stupid speed in the race with no chance to win but might mess it up for me . No early outside pressure was a must have in that 1st attempt.
Try as you might, it still takes some luck to break well, not get pinched or whatever leaving the gate, and get a lead without burning him up. But if he can do that, and he has shown the horse that way in the morning, chances are the lightbulb will go off and the horse will say, "yeah man, I'm into this."
If not, it's just one race and he can revert back to sprints.

Please tell him, all respect to him. And yeah, I scoffed at all the wanna be trainers telling me that stuff as well. I would wonder where they were days after the race and what they were doing at 5 AM when I was at the barn in the winter freezing my ass off . Lol.

Don't fear, you don't sound disrespectful at all. In either post.

And I will pass on both.

[str]

I'm not a horseman but what you say there makes a lot of sense to me. In fact I have said to my brother I thought he needs to be trained to lead and stay ahead, as he looks like he just wants to run with other leaders instead of pass them when coming home.

I've sent one of your posts to my brother before and he liked the way you spoke and the analysis in that one, so will shoot him this one too. I don't think he generally likes to tell the trainer how he thinks they should do their job but I'd be happy to see him think about what you said and maybe push a little more than he does in general.

Horse will have maybe 3 or 4 more races this campaign then a spell until Aussie Spring racing season. Being set for a 5 million+ $ race in November (2nd in that would be just fine for 1.5mil lol)

Have to admit losing a bit faith in him as the big race winner he was expected to be though.

Opti,

If you send it, please send this as well. This is purely respectful trainer to trainer stuff. And he can find my old record in equibase if he would like.
I'll PM you my name if you don't already know it.


All respect to your brother and anyone can second guess after the fact. Lord knows I was about 1000 times. So I hope he knows I respect his ability and am simply talking horseman to horseman like we would on the rail in the morning with my training buddy and comparing notes.
I made sure that the race I tried him long the first time was a perfect setup for him going long enough that the fractions would be easily set by him. 24 and 48 and change was what I was looking for. No stupid speed in the race with no chance to win but might mess it up for me . No early outside pressure was a must have in that 1st attempt.
Try as you might, it still takes some luck to break well, not get pinched or whatever leaving the gate, and get a lead without burning him up. But if he can do that, and he has shown the horse that way in the morning, chances are the lightbulb will go off and the horse will say, "yeah man, I'm into this."
If not, it's just one race and he can revert back to sprints.

Please tell him, all respect to him. And yeah, I scoffed at all the wanna be trainers telling me that stuff as well. I would wonder where they were days after the race and what they were doing at 5 AM when I was at the barn in the winter freezing my ass off . Lol.

[Optional]

I see he has blinkers on. Makes sense too me. I like the smaller cups as well.

The horse that I show in my icon here is a horse that just would not win. He laid back early, could close sometimes, and sometimes not so much , all going 6 or 7 furlongs around one turn. He just had no interest in passing that last horse in order to finish first. We cut his blinkers back, as you can see, to seemingly about what your brothers horse is wearing, and I trained him for about a month before the next race in company most days, and about a length in front of the others. I would have the other two horses in company, one on each side go up and engage him into the far turn, and then fix it to make sure my horse on the lead, picked it up enough to regain that length advantage. Never allowing him to be passed. That seemed to change his mind.

We ran him in a longer race than usual so the fractions would be slower early, which allowed him to break and make the lead. Long story short, he won 8 in a row. All on the lead, and all relaxing early and repelling all challengers. That is him in my icon here.

In his case it made him a warrior after a win or two. He fell in love with it. Your brother is a darn good horseman from all I have seen. I'm sure he knows this stuff, but if he is so inclined, have him try this in the morning and see if the rider feels a difference after a couple of weeks. If so, and if the races written offer that opportunity, maybe he can give it a try.
Just a thought from and old timer to an excellent current conditioner.

Best of luck.

I'm not a horseman but what you say there makes a lot of sense to me. In fact I have said to my brother I thought he needs to be trained to lead and stay ahead, as he looks like he just wants to run with other leaders instead of pass them when coming home.

I've sent one of your posts to my brother before and he liked the way you spoke and the analysis in that one, so will shoot him this one too. I don't think he generally likes to tell the trainer how he thinks they should do their job but I'd be happy to see him think about what you said and maybe push a little more than he does in general.

Horse will have maybe 3 or 4 more races this campaign then a spell until Aussie Spring racing season. Being set for a 5 million+ $ race in November (2nd in that would be just fine for 1.5mil lol)

Have to admit losing a bit faith in him as the big race winner he was expected to be though.

[str]

Thanks for checking out the result.

That was it's 7th 2nd place, which I am sure many owners would take if told their horse would do that for them. But honestly, it was a real disappointment. It jumped and settled exactly where the trainer asked for. Jockey rode it exactly as asked. Maybe a bit wide on the turn and he said the horse did not like the tight turn on the track. But it had every chance to overhaul the winner but just never gave anything extra. I don't think it knows when to fight for the line, or only has the one speed in it.

On the upside the time was awesome and would have won most stakes level city races. And there was 36k prizemoney for 2nd, which covers a large chunk of annual costs from one race.


My own photo finish shot.

I see he has blinkers on. Makes sense too me. I like the smaller cups as well.

The horse that I show in my icon here is a horse that just would not win. He laid back early, could close sometimes, and sometimes not so much , all going 6 or 7 furlongs around one turn. He just had no interest in passing that last horse in order to finish first. We cut his blinkers back, as you can see, to seemingly about what your brothers horse is wearing, and I trained him for about a month before the next race in company most days, and about a length in front of the others. I would have the other two horses in company, one on each side go up and engage him into the far turn, and then fix it to make sure my horse on the lead, picked it up enough to regain that length advantage. Never allowing him to be passed. That seemed to change his mind.

We ran him in a longer race than usual so the fractions would be slower early, which allowed him to break and make the lead. Long story short, he won 8 in a row. All on the lead, and all relaxing early and repelling all challengers. That is him in my icon here.

In his case it made him a warrior after a win or two. He fell in love with it. Your brother is a darn good horseman from all I have seen. I'm sure he knows this stuff, but if he is so inclined, have him try this in the morning and see if the rider feels a difference after a couple of weeks. If so, and if the races written offer that opportunity, maybe he can give it a try.
Just a thought from and old timer to an excellent current conditioner.

Best of luck.

[Optional]

Nothing wrong with 2nd Opti. The horse ran hard I'm sure.

Hope you enjoyed the day.

Thanks for checking out the result.

That was it's 7th 2nd place, which I am sure many owners would take if told their horse would do that for them. But honestly, it was a real disappointment. It jumped and settled exactly where the trainer asked for. Jockey rode it exactly as asked. Maybe a bit wide on the turn and he said the horse did not like the tight turn on the track. But it had every chance to overhaul the winner but just never gave anything extra. I don't think it knows when to fight for the line, or only has the one speed in it.

On the upside the time was awesome and would have won most stakes level city races. And there was 36k prizemoney for 2nd, which covers a large chunk of annual costs from one race.


My own photo finish shot.

[JBEX]

seems like california burrito (army mule) will be running in the pat day mile (derby day) with an outside shot of getting into the derby ..lots of you tube material on him if interested

[JBEX]

army mule saturday



tampa 8 @ 3:55

#2 over the mark (2-1)


oaklawn 5 @ 3:38

#3 razorback army (4-1)




.

[Madison]

I just did. Oh man, she could be special even at the age of 4.
Hooks a real nice game one just inside her. If she can handle running against her with all that experience and her only running twice in two years, she could be tough to deal with down the road.

FWIW, Just came out of my stable. BOL!

[Madison]

Finished 2nd. Apparently cooled out after the race sore or with an obvious problem of some sort, and the claim was voided.
Now you know the rest of the story Madison.

Always appreciated!! and JBEX as well.

[JBEX]

I just did. Oh man, she could be special even at the age of 4.
Hooks a real nice game one just inside her. If she can handle running against her with all that experience and her only running twice in two years, she could be tough to deal with down the road.

I like her chances in spite of the long layoff and part of that is because her sire was able to do it ..be no value though especially with the j/t combo ..just rooting for her to be a good one and off her only 2 races she's obviously real talented

[str]

yesterday's out of the money @ 57-1

army mule friday

santa anita

R8 #9 barbara t (2-1)
@ 7:39

same jock/trainer as ky derby ml favorite journalism
.
having a very similiar career to her dad
.. should definitely have a look str

I just did. Oh man, she could be special even at the age of 4.
Hooks a real nice game one just inside her. If she can handle running against her with all that experience and her only running twice in two years, she could be tough to deal with down the road.

[str]

Community Adjusted ‘25 Update



We were out to check on Community Adjusted’s Quality Road filly, who is recovering well from her conformation correction procedure. Bandages are being changed daily until the incisions heal completely, at which point she will go back to her normal routine.

https://cdnb-media.myracehorse.com/blog/video/IMG0186_1745255646411/MP4/IMG0186_1745255646411.mp4

Community Adjusted Foal Update



While we had hoped that the Equilox would do the trick for straightening out Community Adjusted ’25’s front legs, the farm and her attending vet both feel she would benefit from surgical intervention to correct her toeing in. She will have screws placed in the outside of both front ankles in the growth plate, effectively slowing the growth of bone on that side and allowing the other side to catch up. Once the angle of the joint is corrected, the screws will be removed.

Click here for an in-depth article with further explanation of the procedure including insights from several experts.

As the article explains, “[Denali Stud’s Conrad] Bandoroff echoed the feelings of [Dr. Stuart] Brown and [Dr. Larry] Bramlage, that he rarely sees any post-operative complications in horses after these surgeries, and the procedures themselves are generally considered by horsemen to be simple and safe.”

Yeah Batt, this foal ,definitely needs some help to get her straightened out. She is not there yet. Now is the time and agree that she will be better off for it. They are trying hard to get her right. That is all you can do.

[str]

If someone has nothing to do would you give me a little insight/education on KEE R4 #2 Give Me Liberty. Horse has been STK, MSW, **, laid off, and runs today off a ** win and gets IRAD back again in a 20K claimer. Just so much I don't understand with horse racing.

Thx!!

Finished 2nd. Apparently cooled out after the race sore or with an obvious problem of some sort, and the claim was voided.
Now you know the rest of the story Madison.

[str]

can definitely understand how being a trainer is an all encompassing profession and walking away after so many years is a major adjustment to make ..seems like you made a good choice with all the shenanigans going on and you've done well being a homebuilder for a long while now ..sure there's still a part of you that would've liked to continue on if circumstances related to the game were better

sure your friends will enjoy exploring the thread and will give them a chance to see your views on things you may have never discussed with them ..to say you've covered a lot of topics in here is an understatement .. I certainly have learned a lot and nice to be able to look at things from a trainer's perspective

related to playing the claiming game I noticed today that mike maker claimed a horse out of a mcl 4 back for $50k ..last 2 starts a win in mcl and a starter alw at oak ..about $75k purses those 2 ,up for $50k today and winners share is about $43k ..ml favorite today so highly possible they'll get a 3rd straight ..nothing to do with a pick here but just an example how good it must feel to be the trainer when you get things right like here..maker certainly one of the best in the game with his claims


if it's the case in regards to maryland racing can understand how disappointing it must be to you..sure a lot of it has to do with how it will affect people who have made there livelihood from it for a long time..if its a boutique meet certainly a whole different thing than the year round circuit it was .. hopefully that won't happen but seems from what people close to it are saying there's a good chance it will .. a shame for sure

That is exactly what it was JBEX. Times 10.

All good now though. I just wonder what might have been but no regrets at all.

[str]

Black Tie Optional Update

https://cdnb-media.myracehorse.com/blog/video/BlackTieOptionalWT_1745435466955/MP4/BlackTieOptionalWT_1745435466955.mp4

We had an opportunity to check in on Black Tie Optional at Wavertree this past week during the OBS April sale. Your son of Not This Time has continued to progress in his training and has a series of 3/8 breezes under him to this point. He is scheduled to ship West tomorrow and will join the barn of trainer Bob Baffert at Los Alamitos. Admittedly, we don’t believe this colt will be an early 2-year-old type and that does not come as a surprise given that the Not This Times are not typically early bloomers, but we would like to get Bob and his team's hands on him and see what they think. As we mentioned following our March visit, he hit a pretty good growth spurt a month ago and looks the part of a two-turn colt--which is what we bought him to be--so we will not be in a rush with him by any means.

By no means a criticism. Just an observation. The horse HAS changed with growth. He looks and gallops different now. That is not a bad thing, it is just a growth spurt so I totally agree. He did not and refused when asked to switch to his right lead through the stretch. That is what the rider was trying to get him to do when he was shifting weight and the horses head was all over the place. There is always a reason for that. He looked slightly, and very slightly uncomfortable on that left lead but he had no intention of going over to the right lead. And he has a real reason most likely. It was the right thing to do to stop trying and making him do it so glad to see the rider do that.
A growth spurt can cause temporary soreness or awkwardness when it occurs. Kind of like a 13-14 year old kid being clumsy with larger feet for a while. That should go away in a month or two. I could not tell if the marks on his sides were just sweat lines or if the rider had rubbed him on his sides with his boots. Hopefully, sweat. If not, let's watch for the rider to be wearing a fuzzy insert on the outside of his boots to prevent that. It will go away in a month or so but they can be painful like a raspberry on your knee from sliding or whatever when you are a kid. Sore to the touch. Hi9s legs looked real good. Knees are fatty but that is extremely common early and no way to know for sure unless you can feel them daily. I miss that.

All in all, he is indeed my favorite. He is smart and I really like him. Taking the needed time with him to grow into himself will serve him very well down the road.

Thanks Batt !

[str]

My brothers horse Green Shadows is resuming with a run in The Tamworth Cup today. It's a fairly large country race and a carnival meeting and a public holiday in Australia for ANZAC Day. So it's supposed to be quite a party atmosphere at this meeting each year.

I am taking the day off to go with him.

It's Tamworth Race 7 #6 at 2.20am ET

https://www.racenet.com.au/form-guide/horse-racing/tamworth-20250424/tamworth-city-toyota-tamworth-showcase-cup-race-7/overview

Nothing wrong with 2nd Opti. The horse ran hard I'm sure.

Hope you enjoyed the day.

[JBEX]

how about the consecutive bullets on huge worktabs at churchill then they just stop on her ?


almost 1 year to the day since her last race also

[JBEX]

yesterday's out of the money @ 57-1

army mule friday

santa anita

R8 #9 barbara t (2-1)
@ 7:39

same jock/trainer as ky derby ml favorite journalism
.
having a very similiar career to her dad
.. should definitely have a look str

[batt33]

Community Adjusted ‘25 Update



We were out to check on Community Adjusted’s Quality Road filly, who is recovering well from her conformation correction procedure. Bandages are being changed daily until the incisions heal completely, at which point she will go back to her normal routine.

https://cdnb-media.myracehorse.com/blog/video/IMG0186_1745255646411/MP4/IMG0186_1745255646411.mp4

Community Adjusted Foal Update



While we had hoped that the Equilox would do the trick for straightening out Community Adjusted ’25’s front legs, the farm and her attending vet both feel she would benefit from surgical intervention to correct her toeing in. She will have screws placed in the outside of both front ankles in the growth plate, effectively slowing the growth of bone on that side and allowing the other side to catch up. Once the angle of the joint is corrected, the screws will be removed.

Click here for an in-depth article with further explanation of the procedure including insights from several experts.

As the article explains, “[Denali Stud’s Conrad] Bandoroff echoed the feelings of [Dr. Stuart] Brown and [Dr. Larry] Bramlage, that he rarely sees any post-operative complications in horses after these surgeries, and the procedures themselves are generally considered by horsemen to be simple and safe.”

[batt33]

Sweet Voyage Race Overview

Sweet Voyage returns to turf to face claiming company this Saturday, Apr. 26, at Churchill Downs. Trainer Jeff Hiles has tabbed Corey Lanerie, who was aboard for her maiden-breaking victory, to pilot your filly. Sweet Voyage will be the #5 among a full field of 10 rivals carded as the day’s 8th race. Post time for the night racing event is 9:09 p.m. ET.

Your daughter of Candy Ride will look to get back on track as she drops down to non-winners of two claiming company following a decent effort against allowance types, which we had known would be a bit salty for her going into it. She seems to be well spotted amongst this group of rivals and we are hopeful that she will bounce back off of her previous effort with the class relief. There seems to be a decent amount of pace when analyzing the race on paper, so we expect her to work out her typical stalking trip before hopefully kicking home a winner. Best of luck!



More on the competition:

#1 Smooth Waves: Drops down into the claiming ranks following a well-beaten effort against first-level allowance company at Fair Grounds. May have needed that most recent race being that it was her first off of the layoff. She possesses some back class and has run respectable figures in the past, but will need to get back on form to win this race. Always a positive to see Irad Ortiz Jr. in the saddle.

#2 Talent Show: Was a winner last time out where she was claimed by her current connections for the $30K tag from the Brad Cox barn. All three of her starts have come over the synthetic surface at Turfway Park—so this will be her first over the lawn. Her pedigree does not scream grass and would be weary to back this one in her first start away from the Cox barn.

#3 Faire Plaisir: Finished third at the level back in December before a string of allowance attempts at Turfway. Ran some respectable figures during that stretch and should appreciate a bit of class relief.

#4 Bread to Run: Was fifth when sprinting on the dirt at Keeneland against starter allowance company last time out. Goes back to the turf and stretches out around two turns, which she should appreciate being by Authentic. Figures will have to improve to win this race.

#6 Choate: Has put together a string of three honest closing efforts at the $30K level. Should get the pace to run into in this race, but will need to run a figure a bit faster than her usual high 50’s.

#7 Cheyenne Moon: Was a well-beaten third in an off-the-turf allowance event at Keeneland most recently. She earned a 67 Beyer in her only career turf start which came at Churchill Downs when she finished sixth against first-level allowance company. She should appreciate the class relief, but unsure if she is talented enough for this group.

#8 Angel of Faith: This filly by Justify will try the turf for the first time in her career. Though progeny of Justify tend to take to the lawn, with Bernardini carrying a heavy dirt influence as her broodmare sire it's fair to question how she will handle it. The barn is only 8% with runners competing over the turf for the first time in their careers.

#9 Life Advice: One of the main speed horses in this race--should break and go from the outside post. Her best race can put her in contention with this group and she goes out for a barn who has been red-hot so far this year. A main contender.

#10 Hold My Halo: Returns to the claiming ranks, but will still need significant improvement to compete with this group.

[str]

If he has asked Irad to ride him, that speaks volumes.

[JBEX]

If someone has nothing to do would you give me a little insight/education on KEE R4 #2 Give Me Liberty. Horse has been STK, MSW, **, laid off, and runs today off a ** win and gets IRAD back again in a 20K claimer. Just so much I don't understand with horse racing.

Thx!!

starts 2 and 3 were solid 2nds and not sure why they decided to try tampa bay derby..
no shot anyway with the slow pace and trip he had

laid off for whatever reason and given to a different trainer..finally put into a spot he could easily handle last out and he crushed them..this is the next logical spot (type of race) after winning a maiden claimer and why not win at keeneland with the prestige and bigger purses ..trainer is killing it last 2 years and as you said irad aboard first time..doubt he'll be 3-1

[Madison]

If someone has nothing to do would you give me a little insight/education on KEE R4 #2 Give Me Liberty. Horse has been STK, MSW, **, laid off, and runs today off a ** win and gets IRAD back again in a 20K claimer. Just so much I don't understand with horse racing.

Thx!!

[Madison]

In the interest of not boring everyone I'll try to keep this short.

I feel at times we have lived somewhat parallel lives. Until I was 36 my life was mostly consumed in the Greyhound universe and other matters were of little consequence. I watched as what I considered (hoped) would consume my lifetime, i.e. 1,000,000 handles with 15% takeout to 250,000 handles with 25% takeout. And inevitably the death of Greyhound racing.

I was forced to do a 180 and change my dream life to a more normal existence. As is the nature of pari-mutual gambling friends were few if any, acquaintances at best. I ground through my new life with maybe one or 2 long lost friends, thousands of miles apart who could remotely understand the change I had made and its effects on me.

Anyway, apologies for the sob story, but luckily, I came out the other side with a great life and happy ending. The humorous part is it took me 40 years to destroy 20 boxes of programs and signers LOL.

All my best!

[str]

I don't know what happened to cause the pain but it sure sounds like you are at that place of being comfortable with what is. I think I can relate a little and am happy for you.

Thank you Opti.

The pain was in my head. Me not understanding what I was witnessing, it was like a slow moving demolition in my minds eye from week to week and month to month. I saw it all in slow motion and had no way to stop it. In hind sight, I don't think there was anything I would have, or could have done differently. Stay quiet, and watch it all crumble, or speak out and be the whistleblower. I was NOT going to be that guy, so I just accepted it, and planned for my eventual exit.
I think the hardest part was keeping it all in and not sharing with anyone. That gets lonely sometimes. But, everything eventually worked out great in my life. Everything I want and need, I have. As great as it is to see people from back in the day, and as enjoyable as it is to have all I have now, I honestly could not have asked for more.
I do think it is important to let it out, albeit slowly and without ruining peoples reputations. It is something I never dreamt would happen but that's why you always stay back when swinging at a fast ball down the middle. Because sometimes, it's a curve ball. And no matter what it is in our lives that that represents, you have to be ready for it, just in case it comes. Many a curve ball have been hit over the fence for a homerun. But never if you didn't wait for it.

Thanks again Opti !

[JBEX]

today's was scratched

thursday

by army mule

horseshoe

R6 #9 weekend reveille (8-1)
@ 4:45



.

[batt33]

Black Tie Optional Update

https://cdnb-media.myracehorse.com/blog/video/BlackTieOptionalWT_1745435466955/MP4/BlackTieOptionalWT_1745435466955.mp4

We had an opportunity to check in on Black Tie Optional at Wavertree this past week during the OBS April sale. Your son of Not This Time has continued to progress in his training and has a series of 3/8 breezes under him to this point. He is scheduled to ship West tomorrow and will join the barn of trainer Bob Baffert at Los Alamitos. Admittedly, we don’t believe this colt will be an early 2-year-old type and that does not come as a surprise given that the Not This Times are not typically early bloomers, but we would like to get Bob and his team's hands on him and see what they think. As we mentioned following our March visit, he hit a pretty good growth spurt a month ago and looks the part of a two-turn colt--which is what we bought him to be--so we will not be in a rush with him by any means.

[batt33]

As I had mentioned previously, the annual Horseman's reunion was a couple of Sundays ago. And as many of the long time readers of this mess know, for years I was unable to talk about the track or even visit it when I first left. It took about 10 years to be able to start talking about the track at all. I only mentioned it when asked and said little. But over time, it became very clear to me that not only was leaving the right thing to do not only for my family as well as myself but talking to people about it is as well.

Having only worked at the racetrack since leaving high school, I had very little idea of what was going on elsewhere. It's like when you walked through the stable gate, you were closed off to everything else that mattered and I found myself in that realm only. Everything else was so secondary to me that I didn't pay any attention. It was all about the horses and the game within the game. And as I have said in here before, it had nothing to do with betting on the horses at the track, it was playing that game within the game where the betting was on thousands of dollars bet in the form of claims on horses that could make a lot of money, or lose just as much or more money. And starting training at the age of 21 years old, ten thousand dollars in 1976 was as serious an amount of money as I had ever dealt with by far. It was about every moving part of the racetrack except the betting windows and the tickets they produced. The only news I cared about was the local weather. It was my own little world and it was my focus at all times.

So when I left, I found myself kind of lost. I had a lot of time on my hands. I started a company in the building business building new houses, just one at a time and that allowed me to have so much extra time for my kids, my wife, my father who was quite old, and I even got to coach baseball which was my first love as a kid. But all during that time, I talked about the track only when asked and said very little.
I finally , and I am not so sure why, started talking about why I left the track after years of avoiding the question. It has taken a couple of years now but I am quite comfortable with it these days. I do try hard to get it right as 25 years can alter the facts somewhat if I am not careful. So I respect that.
I say all this because in the last several months, I have told three people about this thread that I always respected. Nobody knew about it for years. One was an owner of mine that I had as much or more fun with than probably any other stable I trained for. He also is a lifelong dear friend that I knew as a kid. The 2nd one is a former owner I trained for with a few other people in his partnership. They were school teachers and man did we have fun during those times. Especially at my favorite track of all time, Bowie .The 3rd one, was a writer for the Washington Post, as well as several other publications . I have mentioned him in here before as he was the writer that wrote an article on Jimmy Hamilton, the crippled man who wanted to be a groom. Nobody would give Jimmy a chance and for some reason I decided to give it a try. That story is embedded in this long and winding thread from years back.

The reason I am posting this is because those three people I mentioned have been made aware of this thread after all these years. And for some odd reason, I feel like the sun has finally come out on a story I have kept quiet about for a long time. Of course, there is much more to this story, some of which I do not feel is appropriate to talk about in a public forum. But don't worry about that. It is what many would consider hot gossip at best and it really doesn't matter in the broader sense of the race track.

So the main thing I want to be able to share with those that care to read this, is that the racetrack, with all it's glory and shortcomings is no different than most places I assume. Like the clubhouse of a sports team and all that goes on that we don't see. Or a large company where people are like lobsters in a tank trying to crawl over and on top of one another to get out. It is simply a place, like many I'm sure, that have a ton of stories few have ever heard but can be interesting to those that like that particular sport.

It feels good to mention those people I just spoke about and there are hundreds and surely thousands more that make up all those years of memories in Maryland racing . And that leads me to a subject that I find painful but yet, not surprising at all. I will talk about this I guess, almost like it will be a wake of sorts, because , and I hope I am very wrong about this, but from what I see and hear, Maryland racing is just about finished as it was for so many years.
It looks like it will become some sort of a boutique meet that runs several months in the late spring and summer. Sure the Preakness will be there, but that is not at all what Md. racing was. At least not to me.
That is what I am hearing and seeing and it is about as sad over at Laurel as it can be. I could be wrong, and I sure hope I am. And I will find out more soon and keep everyone posted but that is the consensus around the backside and lifelong workers, trainers, etc. there are at a loss for words. Like I said, I hope I and everyone there are wrong. But the mood in the clubhouse as they say, is somber to say the least.
I thought it was time to share what seems to be the reality of Md. racing.

I'll keep everyone posted as I hear more.

Thanks.

Thanks for sharing STR. Like Maryland racing California is also on the down hill slide..... with Northern california racing gone with the exception of a fair or two(maybe) the smaller trainers, farms , breeders and owners are getting out of the game or forced to race at Turf paradise or in Washington. such a shame.....

[JBEX]

As I had mentioned previously, the annual Horseman's reunion was a couple of Sundays ago. And as many of the long time readers of this mess know, for years I was unable to talk about the track or even visit it when I first left. It took about 10 years to be able to start talking about the track at all. I only mentioned it when asked and said little. But over time, it became very clear to me that not only was leaving the right thing to do not only for my family as well as myself but talking to people about it is as well.

Having only worked at the racetrack since leaving high school, I had very little idea of what was going on elsewhere. It's like when you walked through the stable gate, you were closed off to everything else that mattered and I found myself in that realm only. Everything else was so secondary to me that I didn't pay any attention. It was all about the horses and the game within the game. And as I have said in here before, it had nothing to do with betting on the horses at the track, it was playing that game within the game where the betting was on thousands of dollars bet in the form of claims on horses that could make a lot of money, or lose just as much or more money. And starting training at the age of 21 years old, ten thousand dollars in 1976 was as serious an amount of money as I had ever dealt with by far. It was about every moving part of the racetrack except the betting windows and the tickets they produced. The only news I cared about was the local weather. It was my own little world and it was my focus at all times.

So when I left, I found myself kind of lost. I had a lot of time on my hands. I started a company in the building business building new houses, just one at a time and that allowed me to have so much extra time for my kids, my wife, my father who was quite old, and I even got to coach baseball which was my first love as a kid. But all during that time, I talked about the track only when asked and said very little.
I finally , and I am not so sure why, started talking about why I left the track after years of avoiding the question. It has taken a couple of years now but I am quite comfortable with it these days. I do try hard to get it right as 25 years can alter the facts somewhat if I am not careful. So I respect that.
I say all this because in the last several months, I have told three people about this thread that I always respected. Nobody knew about it for years. One was an owner of mine that I had as much or more fun with than probably any other stable I trained for. He also is a lifelong dear friend that I knew as a kid. The 2nd one is a former owner I trained for with a few other people in his partnership. They were school teachers and man did we have fun during those times. Especially at my favorite track of all time, Bowie .The 3rd one, was a writer for the Washington Post, as well as several other publications . I have mentioned him in here before as he was the writer that wrote an article on Jimmy Hamilton, the crippled man who wanted to be a groom. Nobody would give Jimmy a chance and for some reason I decided to give it a try. That story is embedded in this long and winding thread from years back.

The reason I am posting this is because those three people I mentioned have been made aware of this thread after all these years. And for some odd reason, I feel like the sun has finally come out on a story I have kept quiet about for a long time. Of course, there is much more to this story, some of which I do not feel is appropriate to talk about in a public forum. But don't worry about that. It is what many would consider hot gossip at best and it really doesn't matter in the broader sense of the race track.

So the main thing I want to be able to share with those that care to read this, is that the racetrack, with all it's glory and shortcomings is no different than most places I assume. Like the clubhouse of a sports team and all that goes on that we don't see. Or a large company where people are like lobsters in a tank trying to crawl over and on top of one another to get out. It is simply a place, like many I'm sure, that have a ton of stories few have ever heard but can be interesting to those that like that particular sport.

It feels good to mention those people I just spoke about and there are hundreds and surely thousands more that make up all those years of memories in Maryland racing . And that leads me to a subject that I find painful but yet, not surprising at all. I will talk about this I guess, almost like it will be a wake of sorts, because , and I hope I am very wrong about this, but from what I see and hear, Maryland racing is just about finished as it was for so many years.
It looks like it will become some sort of a boutique meet that runs several months in the late spring and summer. Sure the Preakness will be there, but that is not at all what Md. racing was. At least not to me.
That is what I am hearing and seeing and it is about as sad over at Laurel as it can be. I could be wrong, and I sure hope I am. And I will find out more soon and keep everyone posted but that is the consensus around the backside and lifelong workers, trainers, etc. there are at a loss for words. Like I said, I hope I and everyone there are wrong. But the mood in the clubhouse as they say, is somber to say the least.
I thought it was time to share what seems to be the reality of Md. racing.

I'll keep everyone posted as I hear more.

Thanks.

can definitely understand how being a trainer is an all encompassing profession and walking away after so many years is a major adjustment to make ..seems like you made a good choice with all the shenanigans going on and you've done well being a homebuilder for a long while now ..sure there's still a part of you that would've liked to continue on if circumstances related to the game were better

sure your friends will enjoy exploring the thread and will give them a chance to see your views on things you may have never discussed with them ..to say you've covered a lot of topics in here is an understatement .. I certainly have learned a lot and nice to be able to look at things from a trainer's perspective

related to playing the claiming game I noticed today that mike maker claimed a horse out of a mcl 4 back for $50k ..last 2 starts a win in mcl and a starter alw at oak ..about $75k purses those 2 ,up for $50k today and winners share is about $43k ..ml favorite today so highly possible they'll get a 3rd straight ..nothing to do with a pick here but just an example how good it must feel to be the trainer when you get things right like here..maker certainly one of the best in the game with his claims


if it's the case in regards to maryland racing can understand how disappointing it must be to you..sure a lot of it has to do with how it will affect people who have made there livelihood from it for a long time..if its a boutique meet certainly a whole different thing than the year round circuit it was .. hopefully that won't happen but seems from what people close to it are saying there's a good chance it will .. a shame for sure

[Optional]

My brothers horse Green Shadows is resuming with a run in The Tamworth Cup today. It's a fairly large country race and a carnival meeting and a public holiday in Australia for ANZAC Day. So it's supposed to be quite a party atmosphere at this meeting each year.

I am taking the day off to go with him.

It's Tamworth Race 7 #6 at 2.20am ET

https://www.racenet.com.au/form-guide/horse-racing/tamworth-20250424/tamworth-city-toyota-tamworth-showcase-cup-race-7/overview