Midway through March

The Winter that never ends struck again this week as torrential rains wreaked havoc with racing and training schedules from New York to Miami. I suppose the positive that you can takeaway from these storms was they are now rain storms rather than blizzards. We wound up missing several days of training in both locations which isn't exactly a tragedy, however it does make efforts to get returning horses back to the races that much more difficult. I also wish that Target Practice hadn't missed so many days since his last race heading into next weekend's stakes but I suppose most everyone else in the region is dealing with similar issues.

Target Practice is scheduled to work Monday as his final preparation for next Saturday's Private Terms stakes at Laurel. The rain has turned the Philadelphia surface into a sea of mud but we are going to try to get the work in tomorrow or at the latest on Tuesday. Kendrick Carmouche who is currently the leading jockey at Philly has taken the call on Target Practice.

Colonel Klink came out of his tune up at Tampa is good shape and is training very well for his next race which is April 9th at Keeneland going 7 furlongs on the polytrack. While hoping to win what figures to be a very competitive race, it should set him up well for the Arlington Park racing season.

Gondorf has started galloping again as he recovers from reoccurring foot trouble. The plan is still a comeback race in May at Arlington Park.

Albin looks to make it two in a row when he heads post ward in the 6th race Wednesday at Tampa Bay Downs. He finally broke through last out to break his maiden after many close calls and has trained really sharp since. Diego Rodriguez who was aboard for the winning ride won't be able to make it as he has commitments in California but Arlington Park's leading rider Junior Alvarado will be a good replacement rider.

Richwood Silver ran terrible last Monday and was claimed out of the race. It is always a little bittersweet when you lose a horse that you have had so long but she has been in poor form since November and honestly probably needs a long vacation.

Big Shake ran a much improved race last week when he was 4th in a maiden 50000 race at Tampa Bay on the turf. He was unlucky to draw an outside post which led to him being wide throughout yet he ran strong through the stretch, only losing by just over 2 lengths,

Normandruth ran a dull race last week at Philadelphia and was found to have bled after being scoped post race. We are going to turn him out for a couple weeks and point him to the summer meet at Arlington where he can run on the polytrack surface that he seems to prefer.

Rochelle Rochelle is training fine though her coat has not recovered quite as quickly as I had hoped. The filly that beat her two races back, Awesome Vow, ran fifth in the Florida Oaks yesterday, only losing by 3 lengths.

Graphite Halo worked well over a heavy track on Thursday, going 51.80 as the rains began to pick up. She came out of the work in good shape and we are looking to get her another turf work next Thursday going four furlongs. She has filled out over the Winter and is training forwardly. I don't know if we are going to get a start in her at Tampa because that depends on what charms the next condition book holds. Certainly I would like to have a race under her belt before heading North but we may be at the mercy of the Tampa Bay racing office, which is unsettling to say the least.

Hippocrates Jones finally had his first work since being pinfired on Thursday also just beating the worst of the storm, going an easy three furlongs in 38.80. He came out of the work in good shape and we are going to try to work him back on Tuesday on the turf, weather permitting naturally.

Cool Clue has been hampered by the spotty training schedule at Philly and sustained a minor leg injury which led to us passing on a couple of potential spots. He should be fine and we will find a spot for him in a week or so.

Kickin n Screamin is scheduled to work tomorrow morning and be entered for a race next Sunday at Philadelphia.

Ships Cabin has been a disappointment since his victory on New Years Day. We will continue to search for winnable races for him.

Appoint has trained well despite being in raging heat this week. We have to make sure to keep her away from Gondorf so we don't wind up with another foal next spring. She also worked this past Thursday going four furlongs in 49.20.

Redboard King has been training in draw reins to make him use his hind quarters more effectively. He worked well out of the gate last Monday going a half mile in 50.

Angry Dragon has some skin irritation on her legs and we gave her 10 days of just turn out time. She is going back to the track tomorrow.

Hemissesu and Slumber Smarty have been going to the main track and have done very well.

Mizz Liza is going to have her leg scanned tomorrow and if all is well she will start to be turned out in the sand round pen.

Missus Mayflower's shins have been bugging her and we have backed off her trining till they aren't.