Mid-Winter Blues

Winter has officially settled in throughout the Northeastern part of the country. Winter weather of course wreaks havoc with training schedules as planning beyond 24 hours often becomes a futile battle. This week in particular has been rough as we have had periods of rain, snow, sleet, sun, a warming trend and soon to be freezing temperatures. One little secret of training thoroughbreds is understanding that our training plans aren't always 100% perfect and an extra day off or easy day of training every now and then is probably beneficial. That being said we have a number of horses that are tearing down the barn right now as they are overdue to breeze and I am just not willing to do too much speed work over sloppy or uneven surfaces. We have the benefit of having jogging machines at Westampton where the horses can get some exercise in when the track is just not kosher like this morning and Penn National does a pretty good job with its surface but training in the Winter in the Northeast is a challenge.

Made to Love Her caught a really top class filly last Saturday at Laurel in Bold Affair who won the What a Summer stakes by almost 5 lengths after holding up the start of the race, balking at the gate for five minutes. Made to Love Her raced along the inside chasing fast fractions, got untracked too late and finished 6th, though only beaten a few lengths for 2nd and galloping out strong after the wire. We will be looking to stretch her out in her next start which may come in allowance company sometime in February.

Lyle's Angel has picked up the pace in her training and her appetite as well. Despite being a fairly normal sized filly, she requires an enormous amount of feed and hay and never leaves an oat behind. Looking forward to getting her back to the races.

Small Town Talk has been training well and is ready to have his first work since he returned to full training after a brief freshening. Hopefully the weather will allow us to sneak in an easy work this weekend. 

                                                      Small Town Talk at Westampton

Frosty Whirl worked an easy 1/2 mile last week and hopefully will get to work tomorrow or Saturday. We are going to probably going to stretch him out to 5 furlongs for this next breeze.

Oklahoma Den is really thriving in the mornings and is one that I am semi-desperate to work this weekend as he is overdue to do something and has been letting us know it. 

Ski Bum and Lyford have been training partners and worked from the gate last week. We are going to perhaps get them to breeze in company this weekend. Ski Bum is ready to run and Lyford isn't too far behind.

Tango Master has trained nicely and we have started to do some gate work with him. He is also scheduled to breeze this weekend.

Frosty Merry Eri is doing fine and is also overdue to work this weekend. She will be moving to the racetrack soon as she is ready to get her gate card.

Bourbon County also is in need of a strong work. He has been training very well and a mid-February first start for him has been targeted.

All Peace N Quiet is recovering nicely from her leg injury and is due to be re-xrayed soon.

Midas Terms is also on the mend and has exceeded all expectations thus far and is not that far away from a return to the racetrack.

Coax Liberty is another that has had her training hampered by wet racetracks. While we are cautious in our approach to training her in general, the muddy tracks have been a real hindrance.

Mustang Island, Outta Jail and Southern Access have maintained status quo.

Rochelle Rochelle has been retired from racing and we are actively seeking a new home and 2nd career for her.

Malibu Murmur has trained well since her win a few weeks back. We are weighing a few options for her including allowance races or a potential shot at getting some black type.

Pennypennypenny and Pleasantly Miranda are both doing well and are awaiting a good track over which they can safely breeze. 

Angry Dragon and Red Baroness have been booked to leading freshman sire Frost Giant for the upcoming breeding season. 

                                            Angry Dragon in the paddock at Monmouth Park