Mixed Signals...

The news in recent weeks has been pretty grim for thoroughbred racing. Between the Governors planned raid of the horseman's fund in PA to the cancellation of the HBO show "Luck", the stunning plan to end racings participation in the slots program in Ontario to the usual casualties on the Derby Trail and the overreaction to the breakdowns on the inner track at Aqueduct, it has been mostly ugly. There has been some good news as the Monmouth situation appears to be settled and the NJTHA has unveiled some interesting ideas on how to maximize the profitability of the track moving forward. The recent 2 year old sale in Ocala was very strong and the market for good horses seems vibrant. Very scary times for those of us who make our living in the horse racing business.

Sweetjudyblue Eyes didn't seem to care about industry issues, night racing, shipping or much of anything on Wednesday night at Penn National, breaking her maiden in stylish fashion. Going two turns for the first time she broke fast from the gate which was expected considering her speed displayed in sprint races. After going very fast for the 1st quarter (22.97) Kristina McManigall was able to ration her speed while maintaining a clear lead throughout, cruising home a 4 1/2 length winner. Sweetjudyblue Eyes races for her breeder, Gum Tree Stables of Laura and Larry Ensor and Thomas Clark Bloodstock.

Cascades Comet ran a good race to be second behind Sweetjudyblue Eyes, her fourth 2nd place finish from her last 5 starts. Sent off as the even money favorite coming off a career best race last out, she got shuffled back going into the first turn and was sitting a little further behind the leader than she usually does. Rosario Montanez moved her up along the rail down the backside to be in contending position turning for home. However Sweetjudyblue Eyes had built too big of a lead by then and Cascades Comet showed her grit by grinding it out down the stretch to grab the runner up spot right at the wire.

Normandruth continues to train well though we aren't exactly sure where we will be running next. We entered today in 2 races at Parx and neither filled which has been a common occurence lately. Hopefully something materializes soon for him.

Slumber Smarty is doing fine and we are looking at running her on March 26th at Parx in a 5 1/2 furlong 7500 nw2 race which is usually a popular event and should fill.

Malibu Murmur worked a nice half out of the gate on Tuesday at Parx. She is another who we are having a tough time finding races for despite her having basic eligibility (nw2) left.

Speaking of which, Fusaichi Pretty is in the same boat as Malibu Murmur. She is another filly with her entry level conditions but finding two turn races for these types is tricky. There is a 16000 nw 2 race at Parx on the 26th that will be our target with her.

Extradite is training really nicely. If things progress as expected he could be racing in April, perhaps at Atlantic City on the grass.

All Peace N Quiet is being pointed for a maiden 10000 race at Parx on the 31st of March. She showed much more speed in her latest race and hopefully that will translate into better performances. She is also one who should benefit with a move to the turf.

Outta Jail is back under tack, jogging on the track daily at Westampton.

Mustang Island is jogging 2 1/2 miles a day as he comes back from a winter turnout. There doesn't seem to be any races at Atlantic City that suits him so we will point for Monmouth and Belmont with him.

Hippocrates Jones is in light training at Westampton, enjoying his paddock time in between jogging on the track. There is a race for him at Penn on April 7th which will serve as a prep race for a April 28th race going 1 1/8th on the turf at Atlantic City.

The two year old fillies, Pleasantly Miranda and the unnamed St Averil filly have progressed to galloping. Both made their initial trip to the starting gate this week and did great.

One Time Richie is getting ready to get back on the worktab after getting some time for sore shins.

Lyle's Angel started walking under tack in the shedrow this week. She will gradually progress back to racetrack work over the next few weeks.

Midas Term's is making good progress recovering from a quarter crack. He will probably start back under tack on April 1st.

Jelly Donut is now off of stall rest and is walking by hand twice a day, generally making life miserable for the hotwalkers.

Latent Charm has been relocated to Parx as her training picks up in intensity. Going to do some gate work this weekend and will have an official work sometime early next week.

Ciampini like Latent Charm by Latent Heat has moved to Parx as he progresses in his training. He will also school in the starting gate this weekend and work next week.

Red Baroness is in a holding pattern waiting on a good spot to make her debut. The plan is to run her once or twice on the dirt before heading to the grass which will most likely be her preferred surface. Of course we have to actually find and get in a race in order to execute this plan.

Angry Dragon has been diagnosed with a gas pocket in her foot which has been causing her discomfort. This is much better news than having a broken bone in her foot which is what we were beginning to fear. She is now at the farm as we wait for the gas to dissipate.

Classic Maria is scheduled to return from the layup farm shortly to resume training. She may be returning to Canada to race at Woodbine later this spring.

Goonsquad has been training well. She worked nicely out of the gate earlier in the week and is only a few works away from being ready to run.

Lloydobler is not doing well and may soon be retired.

Small Town Talk is training well and we will be looking for a spot for him to run shortly.

Speedy Trial broke well from the starting gate this week and is really progressing nicely. Look for her to run in a few weeks.

Southern Access has changed hands but remains in our barn. She will be running in the coming weeks in much softer company than she has been keeping.

Who We Gunna Call has resumed training after getting some time off to help resolve a minor issue.

70 degrees all week!

Spring has arrived early this year as the 10 day forecast this morning had 70 degree temperatures through next weekend when it will dip down to the pleasant mid 60's. Pimlico which opens March 30th has a bunch of turf races written in its condition book which is always a welcome development. Atlantic City usually kicks off the New Jersey/Pennsylvania turf season and Penn and Parx usually ease grass races into their schedules in May. Monmouth is scheduled to open on May 12 and while I'm not sure about when they will begin offering grass races, it won't be too long after opening day.

Our barn has quite a few turf horses and though some can hold their own on the dirt others like Mustang Island are grass only. This time of the year is also when we start training the 2 year old's with races carded as early as mid April at some venues. We don't usually have many early types in the barn but we may have a few babies running this summer.

We are going to stable a string of horses at Monmouth Park this Summer, moving in as soon as they open the backside sometime in mid-April. Monmouth has had some "off the track" issues over the last few years but the new deal with the NJTHA should provide some stability and the dates and purse levels fit our horses very well. It is a great place to train young horses and being located within an hour drive of our home base at the training center in Westampton makes it convenient as well.
We will also be keeping our barn at Parx and between the two racetracks and training center we should be able to meet the training needs of all our horses. With Delaware, Pimlico, Penn National and Belmont/Saratoga all being only a short drive from any of our locations we should be able to spot our horses well even if our home tracks dont offer a particular type of race.

Spring is close

Hopefully the changing of seasons will bring us better luck in the various local racing offices. Bad luck such as the cancellation of last Fridays card at Penn National leading to Cascades Comet and Sweetjudyblue Eyes to miss a great spot is inevitable. However the failure of the racing office to get that race which had nine horses entered in it originally to fill again is troublesome especially considering a number of cheaper races were carded on Thursday with less than full fields. Brighter times are ahead though as Atlantic City's short all-turf meet is not far off and soon after Delaware and Monmouth open which leads to many more options.

Normandruth came out of his race in good order and we are considering quite a few options though I believe that we will keep him at two turns for now.

Slumber Smarty did not fare so well after her most recent race and we are giving her a little time to recover.

Sweetjudyblue Eyes and Cascades Comet are "all dressed up with no place to go". Both PA bred fillies are training well but need a little luck getting these maiden races to go. So frustrating for all involved.

Extradite is training well and should be ready to run later this Spring. That is him below, galloping yesterday at Westampton Training Center.

All Peace N Quiet is going to be entered today at Parx for Mondays card. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the race fills and she gets in as she has trained really well recently.

Jelly Donut is getting a little time off to get over a few minor issues.

Ciampini is a newcomer to the stable. He is a Latent Heat 3 year old colt owned by Gum Tree Stable who should be ready to roll later this Spring.

Latent Charm is another new horse also by Latent Heat. She is an unraced 3 year old filly owned by Copper Penny Stable who should also be getting to the races in the coming months.

Who We Gunna Call is getting some more time to give his foot issues time to continue to resolve themselves.

Malibu Murmur is being pointed to a race at Penn National next Saturday. This will be her first race in some time and as usual we hope that the race fills.

Fusaichi Pretty is also being pointed to a similar race also at Penn next Saturday. She rebounded out of her first race since July in good order and hopefully she will be a bit more rateable with that race under her belt.

Outta Jail is getting a little break to get over sore shins.

Speedy Trial is doing well at Parx and should have her gate card soon. A race in March may be pushing it but April looks good.

Goonsquad is training really well and will be transferred back over to Parx this weekend and will breeze on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Midas Terms is healing up quickly.

Pleasantly Miranda is jogging 1 1/4 daily as we get her legged up to start her racing career. The picture below is her training yesterday at Westampton with her friend Hank.

Be Sharp is not officially Be Sharp because the Jockey Club rejected her name again. The shrimp as she is nicknamed is also jogging 1 1/4 miles a day and is progressing well.

One Time Richie took it easy last month getting over sore shins. We are going to ramp his training up starting Monday.

Red Baroness is ready to go as soon as a good spot appears.

Angry Dragon is doing much better after having a week off allowing an foot abscess to drain.

Lyle's Angel is getting a brief freshening and will be ready for an extensive Summer campaign.
Lloydobler is on target for the 17th at Parx.

Mustang Island is returning to full training this week in anticipation of a start at Atlantic City to kick off the turf season.

Classic Maria is returning to light training at the farm.

Small Town Talk is gearing back up after a few days off to clear up a minor foot issue.