2010!

This Winter we have split the stable into two divisions, one located at Philadelphia Park and the other at the Classic Mile Training Center in Ocala, FL. There were a few reasons besides high purses and good weather for these locations but those are two good reasons! Kentucky simply isn't a viable year-round location any longer as the purses at Turfway Park and Ellis Park are far too small to give the stable and its owners a reasonable chance of success.

Philadelphia Park is a track that boosted by slots revenue offers purse levels that give us an opportunity to make our horse ventures profitable. The fact that they run a year round circuit is a huge plus as we can set up shop there and not have to move. The Mid-Atlantic area also has many other tracks within a short van ride like Laurel, Penn National, Delaware Park and Monmouth, giving us a lot of flexibility when shopping for spots to run. Another reason that Philadelphia fits with our program is that with a dirt surface, we have an outlet for our horses that don't appreciate the polytrack surface.

The Classic Mile Training Center was chosen over a racetrack location in Florida for several reasons. The first and foremost is that being located at a training center allows us to train the horses in a different manner than being at a racetrack does. We have turnout paddocks where the horses can graze, a turf gallop with hills, two days a week of turf works, a mile training track with a starting gate and the ability to bring our two year olds in to get them prepared for the upcoming year. The quiet setting also is a welcome break for the horses and people used to the fast pace of the racetrack with training jammed into a short 4 hour window. The ship to Tampa is 90 minutes, about 5 hours (the same as Churchill to Arlington) to Gulfstream and close to 10 hours to the Fair Grounds. Ocala's weather is warm by Winter standards but the mornings are cool, almost ideal circumstances.

Arlington is our Summer destination and we will be expanding our numbers there this year. Our horses fit very well in the racing program there and the purse structure may be enhanced by money currently still in escrow as the casinos exhaust every delay tactic they can.

As for the horses.....

COOL CLUE is in today at Philly Park in the last race (number 10), breaking from post position 4 in a 10 horse field under Tony Black.

COLONEL KLINK continues to train well as he gets closer to his return to the races. He went a nice 5 furlongs on Thursday on the grass at Classic Mile in 102 under jockey Diego Rodriguez. Klink was still a little winded after the work but recovered faster than he had been previously which shows he is getting his fitness back. We will look for a turf sprint for his first race back since his maiden victory last summer.

SHIPS CABIN is being pointed for a starter allowance race on January 30th at Philadelphia Park going 6 1/2 furlongs. He will be looking for his third win in a row in that spot and will be ridden again by apprentice Jermain Burke.

ROCHELLE ROCHELLE is being aimed at a maiden special weight race on the turf at Tampa on Super Bowl Sunday, February 7th. She finished 2nd a few weeks back in an off the turf event and has trained well since that race.

ALBIN came out of his 4th place finish in an off the turf race last Sunday in great shape. We entered him back for a race on the 29th this morning with a race on the 4th being the backup plan.

RICHWOOD SILVER is being pointed to what we hope will be a winning spot on the 7th at Philadelphia Park.

APPOINT and GRAPHITE HALO are both progressing nicely in their training at CM coming off of short layoffs.

ROLLED UP came out of his recent start ok and we will be looking for spot for him in early February.

MIZZ LIZA has been training better lately after having some attitude issues.

GONDORF has had trouble with a persistent quarter crack that has finally grown out enough to allow us to patch it and get him back on track. He has really physically matured since last fall.

BIG SHAKE has been my biggest disappointment so far this year. I keep expecting to see him wake up and run to his potential but he keeps failing to live up to expectations. We will keep entering him on the grass and hoping for dry weather.

TARGET PRACTICE has been training great and we are keeping our fingers crossed that the MSW at Philadelphia will fill on February 13th.

NORMANRUTH is pointing to an allowance race at Philadelphia Park on the 30th.

HIPPOCRATES JONES had his shins flare up and we wound up re-firing them. He is being turned out in a sand round pen daily and will return to full training shortly.

REDBOARD KING had the ultimate equipment change a few weeks ago and he has traveled much better since. One of his testicles was twisted which was causing him some pain. He is currently jogging 2 miles and galloping a mile and should resume timed works in a few weeks.

MISSUS MAYFLOWER had a nice work on Thursday, going 37 for 3 furlongs and galloping out in 49 and change for the half. She really loves to go fast and once we get some more gate work into her she should be ready to run.

KICKIN N SCREAMIN continues to plug along and will run back in one of the 5000 claimers written for the 8th at Philadelphia Park.

Update!

Well quite a bit has happened since our last post. Fading Light won again at Arlington and has been retired and is being retrained by the girls to be a show horse. Kickin N Screamin also won another race at Arlington and was recently second at Kentucky Downs. Colonel Klink broke his maiden impressively but was sidelined after having surgery on his ankle and has just recently returned to training. Graphite Halo returned from New York and ran third last out at Turfway Park and will be pointed to a Spring campaign. Normanruth made a splashy debut at Keeneland last Friday, running a strong second in a madien special weight race going 7 furlongs. He earned an 84 Beyer for that effort. Cool Clue and Target Practice both had disappointing races on the polytrack but have trained well on the dirt and I am looking forward to racing them on that surface. Rochelle Rochelle has also been an underachiever but she has been running at distances short of her best and will make her turf debut November 1st at Churchill Downs. Mizz Liza hasnt been doing much since she got really sick after her first race. Big Shake ran a sneaky good 5th in his turf debut and will return on the 1st of November as well. Albin ran well all summer but never got over the hump in breaking his maiden.

More to come soon.

Friday update

It has been a long time since we last updated the blog and there are a few changes. First we have launched www.chucksimonracing.com and this blog can be found there as well as a bunch of new things. We have had a few horses leave the stable and have greeted some of our new 2 year olds and well as moving a division to Arlington Park for the summer.

Comeback is making his comeback race on Sunday at Churchill Downs. This will be his first race after the ultimate equipment change (gelding) and he has been training really well. Jon Court will ride him from post position number four in the 10th race which is a maiden $30000 race going seven furlongs.

Fading Light took a tough beat yesterday in the finale at Arlington Park. She moved to the lead turning for home but got nailed right at the wire by the 6/5 favorite. It was a good effort on short rest for her and she seemed to come out of the race in good shape.

Operetta Italiano worked well this morning at Arlington Park after her unusual debut where the jockey simply fell off in the first turn. She went a half mile in 48 under a strong hold and looks like she is fine after the strange incident.

Colonel Klink worked a strong six furlongs in 112 at AP this morning also. We have been working on getting him to relax in the races and come from off the pace and he seems to be responding to a different type of training.

Sugarland Star!

Yesterday morning Sugarland Star, Operetta Italiano and Shades of Hope all worked in company, going their first five eights. Sugarland Star was a few lengths behind the other two beginning the work. She moved up going into the far turn while taking dirt in her face. She angled in between the others when Shades of Hope who was on the outside drifted out a little and finished well to be on even terms with Operetta Italiano at the wire. Shades of Hope, who still acts a little green, was a length behind the others. All three galloped out well and cooled out in good order.

Carl S. worked as well as he ever has but took a bad step while galloping out and came out of the work with a fractured right cannon bone which will require surgery. This is a tough break as he seemed to be just coming into his own.

Allie Jane worked her first 1/4 and did great. She was timed in 25.4 and galloped out in 40. She looks really good while going fast.

Albin came out of his work on Friday in good shape and will have one more five furlong work on the 10th before his scheduled comeback race on the 15th at Keeneland.

Update

With all the rain the past two days we have postponed the works till the weekend. If the track doesn't dry out enough at CDT to work we may ship some of the horses to Keeneland to work.

Todays works

Albin worked well over the polytrack at Keeneland this morning. He went a half mile in 51 under a good hold and the exercise rider reported that he had a lot of horse at the end of the work.

Richwood Silver went very well as usual, getting her half in 47.60 at CDT, which was the bullet work for the distance. She looks ready for next Friday night at Turfway.

Carl S. went a strong five furlongs in 101.20 at CDT which was also a bullet work. He galloped out well and blinkers seem to have sharpened his speed. His next race may also be next Friday at Turfway March 27.

Sugarland Star, Operetta Italiano and Shades of Hope worked four furlongs in company with Cherie, Ryan and Pat Johnson riding. Shades of Hope was on the rail, Sugarland Star in the middle and Operetta Italiano on the outside starting out. Cherie on Sugarland Star got hit in the face with a clod of dirt in the turn and couldn't see very well coming into the stretch and didn't ride much on the filly down the stretch. Operetta did well despite losing the ground on the turn and galloped out well and Shades of Hope showed improvement from last weeks work. Next week we will try to get them a work out of the gate.

Too Muddy

We scratched the works today because of muddy conditions. Will work in the morning.

MIA

I have been very busy and simply haven't had time to keep up lately. We are going to work quite a few horses in the morning and I will have updates on everyone tomorrow.

Saturday Update

Richwood Silver ran a nice race last night at Turfway, finishing a good second in an allowance race to a 4/5 favorite. She broke a step slow, which is a old habit that hasn't been an issue in a long time, yet got to the lead without too much trouble and held well when passed in deep stretch.

Comeback is in to run in the 7th race at Turfway on Wednesday afternoon. He is number 8 in an 8 horse field going 1 mile on the polytrack. He has trained well, going a half mile in 50 under wraps on Wednesday, and should be tough on the 4th.

Appoint ran 9th today at Oaklawn after breaking out and bumping the filly outside of her at the start again. She doesn't have sprinting speed and again trailed before making up some ground in the stretch. We will look to stretch her out next time before heading over to Indiana Downs in April.

Graphite Halo ran a good third last Friday night at Turfway. She was hung a little wide on both turns but finished up well and the race was much better than what she had shown in New Orleans. She came out of the race in good shape and will run in a similar spot later in March.

Albin started galloping this weekend after proving to be too much to handle while just jogging. He has grown quite a bit the last three months and has filled out considerably. We are pointing to a polytrack race at Keeneland sometime in April for Albin.

Reports from the Fair Grounds have Colonel Klink training well and pointing to a maiden turf race on the 14th of March. He worked an easy half in 50.80 earlier this week.

Shades of Hope has done well since his arrival from Ocala. Bill Recio had been training him in blinkers which we have continued to do since he has been here. We will work him with some company on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Sugarland Star worked another good half mile in 50.40 this past week. Her progression has been slow but steady and she is starting to put things together.

Operetta Italiano worked a nice three furlongs in 37, galloping out in 50. She has also been a little slow to come around but has made a lot of good progress lately.

Carl S. is doing well since his third place finish at Turfway on the 18th. He will work on Monday if the weather cooperates.

Kickin n Screamin worked well again on Wednesday, covering five furlongs in 102.80 which is a good move for her. She is being pointed for a race on March 16th at Turfway.

Fading Light has also been training well in preparation for her return to the races on March 14th at Turfway.

Rampillion worked in sharp fashion on Wednesday, going a half mile in 48.40 in her first work since her disappointing last race. Her blood work came back today and showed her red counts to be back to normal levels. We will work her again next Tuesday or Wednesday and look for a spot afterwards.

Cool Clue continues to impress in his training. He worked five furlongs this past Wednesday at CDT going in 101.80 without much pressure. Being a late April foal still has some baby fat that we are working off of him but he is looking like a really nice prospect for the summer.

Inki Blandford worked really well yet came out of the work with a minor health issue and will miss a week of training.

Sumwonlovesyou and Posse Valley both continue to move forward while recovering from injuries that have had them off for a considerable amount of time.

Normanruth had a nice work on Wednesday but came out with a bruised foot which we are treating.

Campaneris is training along at BEC and is doing nicely.

Jacques Sparrow is doing great at BEC on the Aqua Pacer. His leg has healed very well and looks great.

Basketwoman is also doing very well and will return to the track soon.

We have some new faces around the barn. The first crop of two year olds have arrived. Big Shake, Chief Paleface and Mister Monsieur are all at CDT and are now 'officially' in full training.

Top Royelle sustained a suspensory injury and has been retired and will be bred to Dehere.

Wednesday Update

Louisville got a much needed rain shower last night which had the track in very good condition this afternoon for the many workers we had.

Richwood Silver worked very well under Pat Johnson. She went 5 furlongs in 100.80 under a good hold and galloped out strong. She will be entered to run in an entry level allowance race on the 27th of February.

Also working five furlongs was Kickin n Screamin who went in 102 with Cherie aboard. it was a very good move for the filly who is traditionally a poor work horse. She will be running sometime in early March at Turfway Park.

Cool Clue worked great once again, getting his half mile in 48 which was tied for the bullet work. He is very smooth for a big horse and very visually impressive to watch. Cool Clue still gets very hot after the works which tells me that he is still a ways from racing fit but has a lot of talent. There is a maiden race on the 21st of March going six furlongs at Turfway that is his current target.

Comeback went an easy half mile in 50.40 under Pat Johnson. We did not want to do too much with him coming off his slight sickness and Pat worked him perfectly. He is tentatively pointed to a maiden special weight race going one mile on the 27th at Turfway Park.

Fading Light went a nice half mile in 48.60 as son as the track opened at 11. It was a nice move and she continues to do well nearing her return to the races.

Amethyst Rose worked an easy half mile in 50.60 in her first work since her race. She went nicely and galloped out well.

Inki Blandford worked really good with Cherie going 48 seconds for a half mile. He is going to be entered for Sunday's races at Turfway.

Normanruth and Sugarland Star worked four furlongs in company going in 50.40. They stayed together throughout and continue to improve.

Italiano Operetta went three furlongs in 38.20 in her first work in a few weeks.

Love Dubai is getting some work done on his back and seems to be improving.

Posse Valley continues to jog 2 miles a day and is feeling great.

Colonel Klink came out of his race in good shape and we are awaiting the next condition book to see when his next race will be. He got a 75 Beyer number for his debut which is pretty solid for an early season turf race.

Appoint is going to work this week and is also awaiting the next condition book to see where she will run next.

Albin is doing great and feeling good. He was feeling so good today he kicked out and caught TC on the shoulder. TC not feeling so great anymore.

Campaneris is jogging at BEC and really going nicely.

Carl S. came out of his race in good shape and will be pointed for a similar spot in early March.

Rampillion's blood work came back slightly better but not quite where I want it and we chose to keep galloping her and didn't work her this week. Once her levels are back to normal we will start looking for a race.

Shades of Hope is on his way to KY and will work this weekend as we determine the course of action we will take with him.

Sumwonlovesyou is doing very well and will have her workload increased soon.

Graphite Halo has been entered for Friday's card at Turfway Park. She is in the 12th race which is a maiden 30000 claimer going one mile. Tommy Pompell will ride her in her first maiden claiming race.

Thursday update

Bad news as Comeback is running a slight fever and will have to be scratched from tomorrows 9th race. While it is disappointing I am glad that we caught it prior to him running and will be able to treat him before it becomes full blown sickness. He got an 11 on the Thorograph speed rating for his first start which is a very solid number for a first time starter.

The good news is that Shades of Hope has been training very well at Classic Mile. Our patience has served him well and he is finally set to arrive in Kentucky next week. We are sending a couple of two year olds down to Ocala on Sunday and Shades will be heading back on the return trip. Bill Recio remains high on the horse and says he is a few solid works away from being ready to run.

Cool Clue came out of his work on Tuesday in good shape. He went in 49.20 under a snug hold from Hector Rosario and is looking better with every work. He is another horse that appears to have has benefited from our patience with him.

Graphite Halo zipped around the track in 36.60 and returned full of energy. I dont know why she ran so poorly last time but I am going to remove the blinkers. I think that we should take a look at a maiden $30000 race at Turfway on the 20th going a mile on the polytrack.

Normanruth and Sugarland Star both came out of their easy works in good shape. Sugarland hates the mud. Normanruth has gotten a little chubby due to the recent inactivity.

Fading Light is quite pleased with herself at the moment and it shows in her training. She is not far from a return to the races.

Kickin N Screamin is also going well. She needs a few more works and she will be ready to roll also.

Richwood Silver is sharp and will be tough if the race on the 16th fills.

Update

Colonel Klink ran a decent race yesterday in his debut yesterday at the Fair Grounds. Showing a bit of unexpected speed out of the gate, Klink ran a bit green and tired a little in the stretch but only was beaten about 4 lengths at the wire.

Inki Blandford ran a game third on Saturday at Turfway Park. Despite missing a lot of training time the last few weeks, Inki was determined in the stretch and held on for the show position. He will improve with blinkers and steady training.

Makutus ran like crap on Thursday and was claimed thankfully.

Rampillion ran a dull race last Wednesday and came out of the race with low blood counts.

Comeback has been entered for Friday night's card at Turfway park. He is in the 9th race which is a maiden special weight race going 1 mile on the polytrack. He has been training well and I believe he has a great chance to run big if he gets a good trip.

Our newest horse, Rolled Up is also entered on Friday at Turfway. He is in the 10th race which is a $8000 claiming race going 6 furlongs.

Appoint came out of her eventful first race in good shape. We will look for something else for her the 1st week of march before heading to Indiana Downs with her.

We hope to get a bunch of workouts in tomorrow at CDT and will report about those works tomorrow.

Winter gets worse

Turfway Park has canceled today which means Makutus will have to wait before going after his first win of the year after a close defeat a few weeks ago. The weather in central KY has been miserable and has brought most of the horse business and most others to a standstill this week.

Comeback came out of his nice debut last Friday in good shape. He is being pointed to a maiden $50000 race going 1 mile on February 11th. Inki Blandford and Carl S. are ready to roll if Turfway can get a race to fill for them. Richwood Silver remains on course for the 16th at Turfway. Appoint is also waiting for a race to materialize at Oaklawn.
Colonel Klink worked well at the Fair Grounds yesterday and is close to a start which may come on the turf. Graphite Halo was disappointing on Monday and is scheduled to return to KY Friday to be reevaluated. 

Richwood Silver, Kickin n Screamin, Fading Light and Rampillion are heading to Turfway on Friday morning to work. Carl S., Inki, Cool Clue are scheduled for Saturday works at Turfway.

Wednesday Update

We shipped four horses to Turfway yesterday morning to work over the polytrack. Despite the cold temperatures and a bit of snow all went well and we may do it again this weekend with four others.

Amethyst Rose worked from the gate in 49.40 from the gate and received her gate card. She will be entered for Sundays card in a Maiden Special Weight race for fillies at Turfway going 5 1/2 furlongs.

Comeback worked three furlongs in rapid fashion but did not show up on the work tab. He is in the 10th race on Friday night at Turfway, drawing post 10 in a 12 horse field.

Inki Blandford worked a very good six furlongs in 115, finishing up well in the stretch.

Carl S. went 103.60 for five furlongs and remains on schedule to run on the 31st at Turfway.

Graphite Halo went well at the Fair Grounds on Monday going an easy half in 50.60. She is on target for the 26th on the turf at FG.

Appoint is scheduled to work on Thursday at Oaklawn and Colonel Klink will do something this weekend at the FG.

Richwood Silver managed to cut her head in her stall last night and needed stitches to close it up. We will give her a few easy days. Her next start is most likely a $30000 NW3 oon Febuary 16th at Turfway.

Cool Clue will work this weekend along with Kickin n Screamin, Sugarland Star, Top Royelle, Fading Light, and Normanruth.

Winter days

We haven't been able to do much training the last week or so due to the severe cold. Tomorrow Amethyst Rose, Carl S., Rampillion and Inki Blandford are shipping to Turfway to work. Entered Comeback again for Thursdays races. Appoint and Colonel Klink shipped out o Oaklawn and Fair Grounds this weekend. I hate winter!

Richwood wins!

Richwood Silver ran really well in scoring a wire to wire victory at Turfway park yesterday. It has been a long time since she was last in a winners circle and the drop in class along with a heady ride by Diego Rodriguez made the difference. She will probably return in a similar spot next month or maybe visit the scene of her last win, Oaklawn Park. Anyway it was great to win one for Bob Gary, a really good owner but a great guy.

Training was cancelled today due to a frozen track. Hopefully we can get some workouts in on Saturday or Sunday.

Weather sucks

Graphite Halo's race was rained off the turf today which killed our chances before we even hit the track. She came out of the race in good shape and will be legged up for the next grass maiden that comes up down at the Fair Grounds.

Hoping that the weather in KY clears enough to get Richwood Silver's race in Wednesday though the forecast is not promising. The moisture in the track will be a plus for her as long as it doesnt freeze and cause a cancellation of the races.

New target for Comeback is January 18 at Turfway.

First works of the year!

It looks as though we had the track to ourselves at CDT this afternoon as all eight horses that worked were ours. Richwood Silver tuned up for her drop into the claiming ranks next Wednesday at Turfway by working a half mile in 50.20. She is in the 8th race on the 7th which is a $30000 nw2Lt race going 1 mile over the polytrack. She drew post position number two in the eight horse field and Diego Rodriguez will be aboard.

Normanruth and Sugarland Star worked in company going three furlongs in 38.80. Neither horse is very far along and I am just happy they are up to breezing the right way at this point. They will go another easy three furlongs next weekend.

Amethyst Rose and Comeback worked out of the gate and went pretty good with Comeback besting the filly by a length getting a time of 50.60. He may be entered for the 8th or 9th depending on how he comes out of this work. Amethyest Rose broke pretty well but will need to do it again for her card.

Colonel Klink and Appoint both went five furlongs in company with Klink beating the filly to the wire by a good two lengths in 104. We tried blinkers on Appoint and she went well in them. Cherie did say Klink was a bit winded afterwards and we scoped him but he was clean.

Cool Clue went an easy half mile in 50.60 and showed improved focus during the work by himself.

Graphite Halo is in to run at the Fair Grounds for Monday's card. She is in the 5th race which is a maiden special weight race for fillies going 1 mile on the turf. Pat Valenzuela rides and the filly will run under the name of my friend Richie Scherrer as trainer since I cant get down there for the race. The DRF has me listed as the owner which is an obvious mistake but considering its Louisiana, it isnt really surprising.

This week's works

We have had a tough week weather wise as the week began with freezing temperatures, had a nice rainstorm in the middle and ended with 70 degree temperatures. Needless to say it has been a bit challenging trying to devise and implement training schedules especially with the track being closed 2 days for the Christmas break (did not know that Dec 24th is now considered a holiday but CD's world it is). We did get some galloping in and we were able to get most of our works in this weekend and in the end it wasn't so bad.

Carl S. had an easy half mile work today in 51.40 at CDT in preparation for his next start which is scheduled for the 31st at Turfway going 1 mile. This will be his first start around two turns and that style of race should suit him better than the sprints.

Appoint and Comeback went five furlongs in 104.80 in steady fashion, never being asked for speed over the muddy surface. Both appear ready to start with Comeback likely making his debut at Turfway on the 8th or 9th and Appoint being pointed for the 17th at FG.

Colonel Klink went in company with Amethyst Rose, getting the half mile in 51 and galloping out in 103.80. Both went in hand with the rider of Amethyst Rose having to work a little at the end to keep pace with the large strides of Colonel Klink. Both are getting fitter and are not far from being ready either.

Cool Clue went a really easy half mile in 52.80. This was his first work without company and he was a bit lost starting out but picked it up down the stretch. He was getting a little behind Colonel Klink and we need to get him to work properly instead of simply chasing the company.

Graphite Halo went in 104.20 in a maintenance move for her. She is being pointed to a grass race at the Fair Grounds on January 5th.

Rampillion went an easy half mile in 51.20 in preparation for her next race on January 2 at Turfway Park.

Richwood Silver worked her usual fast work going 48.40 for four furlongs. She is being pointed to a race at Turfway Park on the 4th.

Fading Light and Kickin n Screamin had their first strong gallops since returning to the track from BEC. They are fresh and should be ready to roll towards the end of January.

Inki Blandford galloped well and has come out of his third place finish in good shape. His next start may be on the 22nd.

Makutus is being pointed for a $7500 nw3 races on the 14th.

Normanruth galloped well and is about ready to start working once again.

Sugarland Star has been a little sick but has started galloping again.

Albin continues to be an aquatic star in the Aqua Pacer and will be returning to racetrack training next week.

Basketwoman has a lot of Aqua Pacer miles under her belt and will be returning to the track in February.

Campaneris will also start track training again shortly.

Jacques Sparrow has done well in the Aqua Pacer and is looking at a spring return to the track as has Posse Valley and Sumwonlovesyou.


Operetta Italiano is doing really well and will be returning to the track in mid-January. 

Shades of Hope is pointing to an early February start at Turfway Park.

The soon to be two year olds plans are becoming clearer also.
Hippocrates Jones, Reddington, and the Medallist colt are heading to Ocala on January 5th. Rochelle Rochelle, Mizz Lizz, Chief Pale Face, the Thunder Gulch and Big Shake are all at Rea's and will be heading down to Ocala afterwards. Gondorf, Hostillian, the other two Smarty Jones colts, the Northern Afleet filly, Probation Charlie and the other Medallist filly will soon be on training of some sort also.

Monday Update

Inki Blandford ran an improved race on Saturday while finishing third at Turfway Park. He rated nicely, moved up between horses, angled out in the stretch and closed ground steadily despite having some issues with lead changes. January 22nd at TP looks like the next logical step for him.

Makutus turned in a disappointing run on Saturday after racing so well earlier this month. He simply has to have everything his own way or he packs it in. He will race at a lower level sometime in the near future.

Graphite Halo worked fairly well at TP saturday morning despite doing a lot of looking around and appearing a bit uncomfortable on the deep polytrack. Somehow the clocker did not catch her or report the time. 

Rampillion and Amethyst Rose worked over a heavy track at CDT on Saturday morning also. Rampillion went a quick three furlongs in 36.80 while the Rose went a half in 50.60.

We are going to work the majority of horses on either Wednesday or Friday depending on the weather and track conditions.

Workout report

Cool Clue and Colonel Klink worked an easy half mile today in 50.60 seconds over the muddy track at CDT. They appeared to handle the off going well though Colonel Klink galloped out a bit better than Cool Clue did but that may be more due to fitness levels than anything. They will work another 1/2 mile next week and do a little gate work in between.

Aldebutante worked a half mile in 50 with Cherie aboard. She also seemed to handle the mud fine and was eager throughout the work. She cooled out in good order and her foot appears to be in good shape.

Comeback worked five furlongs in 104.80 and galloped out in 118. He was a little put off by the track and did not get into a comfortable stride in the mud  till he hit the quarter pole. Comeback did gallop out pretty well and was not too winded afterwards. The 26th at TP continues to be the target for him.

Carl S. worked five furlongs in 104, galloping out in 117. He seemed very comfortable in the mud and had a nice work with a nice gallop out. The 31st at TP is going to be his next start.

Appoint went in 104.40 but was under urging throughout. She did not really get a hold of the mud and seemed to be fighting the rider and track the entire work.

Inki Blandford went well going 104.40 under a tight hold. He will be entered on Wednesday for the Saturday card at TP.

Graphite Halo galloped well and will be entered for Sundays card at the FG in a maiden special weight race on th turf.

Sox a Fire went in 53 from the gate and may have injured a stifle in the process.

Yesterday, Amethyst Rose went five furlongs in 104 despite very windy conditions and a cuppy track.

Sugarland Star had her second work and went in 39.80 under a nice hold.

Much needed update

Makutus came out of his win last Sunday in good shape and will be pointed to a race on the 20th at Turfway in similar company.

Richwood Silver had no apparent excuse in her latest and will go on the "makutus plan" of dropping hard in class. She has never been the same filly in the afternoon since the gate was left on the track at OP.

Carl S. is pointing to a race on December 31st after being scratched Sunday due to a minor lung infection. He worked well on Tuesday and will probably work again on Sunday.

Shades of Hope is doing exceptionally well since being gelded and worked good out of the gate this week at the Classic Mile training center.

Ship's Cabin is in the process of being sold and will go for some R & R at BEC before heading to Woodbine in the Spring.

Graphite Halo is doing well and is being pointed for a December 22nd start at the Fair grounds on the turf.

Cool Clue and Colonel Klink both continue to train well. They will work another 1/2 mile on Sunday. Klink handled the muddy conditions well while breezing on Tuesday and remains on course for a late January start at the Fair Grounds. Cool Clue is still learning how to do things yet has enough talent to keep pace with Colonel Klink who has a lot more miles under his belt.

Appoint is about ready to run and I will be looking for a spot for her right after the 1st of the year.

Amethyst Rose tired in her work though the deep going on Tuesday and will work again on Sunday.


Sox a Fire hated the going and also tired badly on Tuesday and will work 5 furlongs on Sunday.


Normanruth has developed a sore shin and we have backed off on his training once again.


Sugarland Star had her 1st official work on Tuesday and went an easy three furlongs in 39.80. She will work with some company on Sunday going another three furlongs.

Comeback worked well on Tuesday and will work another five furlongs on Sunday. We are looking at a start on the 26th of December for him in maiden special weight company.


Campaneris is training on the Aqua pacer at BEC and is doing fine.


Jacques Sparrow has begun training on the Aqua pacer at BEC on the comeback trail from a minor leg injury that kept him out of action since the summer.


Basketwoman is also returning from an injury and continues to progress on the Aqua pacer. She will resume galloping in early January.





Rampillion did not get in the race we entered her for at Turfway on the 17th. We will work her on Sunday and look for another spot.





Aldebutante has been fitted with a padded glue on shoe and has trained well since the shoe was added.





Sumwonlovesyou has been training great while on the Aqua pacer. Since she was off for so long we are starting from scratch with her training but she has made great strides since the late summer.





Kickin N Screamin has been doing some Aqua pace work and will be pointed to a race at Turfway after the New Year.





Fading Light has also been training on the Aqua pacer and will be pointed to a January return.

Albin's return to the track has been delayed by spotty weather and I have kept him at BEC where he can train everyday on the Aqua pacer. He will be coming back soon with an eye on a return at the FG towards the end of January.

Operetta Italiano has also been doing quite a bit of training on the Aqua pacer. She missed some time this summer and fall and is just starting to get her legs back underneath her.

Top Royelle has been working on the aqua pacer and will be looking at a return to the races in January at Turfway Park.

Inki Blandford spent a week at BEC for a short break and some hyperbaric oxygen treatment and has trained well since his return to CDT.

Galaxy Lady has been retired and entered into the Keeneland January sale.

We have been doing some work with an exercise physiologist using special equine heart rate monitors and been recording lots of data that I am hoping will help us improve our training techniques and learn more about each horse individually. Once we have more information I will post the findings here.

The soon to be two year olds update

The Medallist yearling colt has been broke and is at BEC waiting to go south to either S. Carolina or Ocala. He developed a lung infection which has delayed his moving on.

The Mizzen Mast fillies are both at the Rea's and have been doing well.

The Eddington filly is doing well and will be moving on to more advanced training soon.

The Smart Jones colt got a little sick a few weeks ago but has recovered and also is close to moving on.

The Thunder Gulch colt and Johar will be moving to the Rea's next week as will the newest Smarty Jones colt.

The Theatrical colt will be going to the Rea's after the first of the year as will the Powerscourt colt.

The plans for the other Medallist fillies, Northern Afleet filly as well as the other Smarty Jones colt and Roman Ruler colt are still not set as of yet.

Today's Works

We had a number of workers today and all went reasonably well. Colonel Klink and Cool Clue went three furlongs in a bullet 36.40 in company at CDT. They were both under a good hold and well within themselves throughout. We will look to go four furlongs with them next week and will do a little more gate work though Colonel Klink has more experience there than Cool Clue.

Normandruth went an easy three furlongs in 39. This was his first work since October due to some minor health issues. He will go another three furlongs next week and we will ask him for a little more speed.

Sugarland Star went three furlongs in 40 in company with Normandruth and missed the worktab. Since Ryan has not yet returned from Thanksgiving vacation we used a substitute rider who got a little too far behind the colt starting off and the filly was not thrilled getting so much dirt in her face. The experience will be good for her and they both will do more next Friday.

Amethyst Rose and Sox a Fire worked from the gate in company though the former did not credit for a gate work because she was a little slow leaving there. She did pick up speed rapidly and blew by Sox a Fire on the turn in recording a time of 50.40 which is better than it looks on paper due to her slow begining. Sox a Fire left there good enough to get a gate card and went in 51.60 but simply isnt as fast as the other filly. She will be seen at the races soon as she is not getting any younger.

Carl S. went well in his first breeze since his debut. He was clocked in 49.60 and was never asked for much during the work. There are a number of spots available for him though the 13th at Turfway going a mile for maiden $30,000 looks like the most logical.

Richwood Silver had another really good work going four furlongs in 48.60. She is headed for a race at Hawthorne on the 10th of December.

Comeback worked well from the gate on Friday going 103.20 for five furlongs. He should be ready to run in a few weeks most likely at Turfway Park.

Mondays muddy update

We have not had much luck lately with the weather as it has been so cold early in the morning the track has been filled with hard clods which have made training a challenge. We finally got some warmer temperatures today but rain came along with it. Since the weather is going to turn very cold again tomorrow we decided to work several of the horses this morning despite the muddy conditions.

Colonel Klink and Cool Clue had their second work of the lay off, going three furlongs in 37.20 both under good holds. They both handled the mud fine and galloped out in 50.40.

Rampillion was very sharp and went four furlongs in 48.40 also under a tight hold. Amethyst Rose went the same distance in 49.80 and while handling the footing fine she did get a little tired galloping out.

Carl S. went great, covering the half mile in 49.60 while galloping out in 103. This was his first work since his race and he looks like he is progressing nicely.

Richwood Silver worked in 49, galloping out in 102.30 and finishing strong while under control as opposed to her occasional attempts to run off early in the work.

Comeback has done some gate work since his work in 50.20 last Thursday and continues to train well. We are going to work him out of the gate on Friday weather permitting.

Graphite Halo did not get in the grass maiden race on Thanksgiving and they did not bring the race back as an extra. We will point her to a maiden turf race at the Fair Grounds in December.

Normanruth has been galloping and we continue to work on his immune system which is tough in such erratic weather.

Carl S. debuts

Carl S. ran 5th today in his career debut at Churchill Downs third race. He was pinched back at the start and wound up trailing the field with mud from the sloppy track hitting him in the face. ET Baird gave him a few taps to get him motivated down the backside and he drew a bit closer though still a long way from the leaders. He angled Carl S. outside in the stretch and he closed ground to be 5th beaten about 10 lengths while galloping out very well. He certainly will benefit from the experience and will need more ground and two turns to be at his best. Carl S. came out of the race in good shape and will be seen again most likely at Turfway Park in December.

All of this weekends works are going to be postponed until Monday due to poor weather and track conditions.

Overdue update

I apologize for the delay in updating the blog as I have been just been swamped the last few weeks. Our next runner is Carl S. who is making his debut on Friday at Churchill Downs in the third race which is a maiden claiming $30000 race going 7 furlongs. He may need a start or two before he is at his best and he will probably want a bit more ground but he is ready to begin his racing career.

Our runners from last Friday, Rampillion and Inki Blandford both returned in good shape and will resurface in races in a few weeks. Rampillion was hampered a bit by a poor break but gained a lot of experience and will improve off the effort. Inki Blandford will also improve as it is hard to run long first time out and he needed the race.

Makutus was entered for a $50000 nw2 race sprinting for Friday but the race did not fill and we will look for another spot for him. Graphite Halo ran well in her second start and her first on the grass. She finished 4th to a very tough field despite getting a less than perfect trip. She handled the grass well and was finishing at the end and I believe that the turf is where her future lies. Not exactly sure that we will get another try at Churchill but she came out of the race in good shape and looks like she is going to be a runner.

Aldebutante has been picking up the pace in her training after missing a short bit of time due to sore feet. She will work this weekend probably going an easy half mile. Richwood Silver is pointing to a race on November 20th where she will be shortening up a bit to a one turn mile.
Comeback missed some time due to a nagging cough but has worked well including a nice gate work on the 6th going 36.20 and getting his gate card. He will also work this weekend going 4 furlongs. Normandruth has also missed some training with a cough and has just recently started serious training again.

Colonel Klink has been jogging 1 1/4 and galloping 1 1/4 every day and is also going to work this weekend going three furlongs. He has done well since his brief break from training in late summer. Cool Clue was scheduled to have his first work since the summer on Tuesday but it was postponed due to him coughing. Hopefully he can get that work in this weekend also. Sox a Fire worked an easy 3 furlongs on Tuesday which was her first official work since the spring. She has done quite a bit at BEC though none of it was timed and she is on the fast track to get her first race in possibly on the 30th at Turfway park. She will work every 5 days Scotty Schulhofer style until the race which means a half mile on Monday.

Ship's Cabin managed to be outrun going 7 furlongs once again and we are going to stretch hm out to 1 1/8th in a maiden claiming $30000 race on November 27th. Moonlight Flite has re injured her leg and has been retired and will be entered in the Keeneland January sale as a broodmare prospect. Appoint has worked to five furlong works in November and is inching closer to being ready. Albin has recovered nicely at BEC and is going to start working in the Aqua Pacer before returning to the track. Basketwoman has been training on the Aqua Pacer and will be ready to return to the track in December. Jacques Sparrow has done very well at BEC and is scheduled to have his leg scanned in two weeks. If all is ok he will be starting training on the Aqua Pacer and will be back at the track in early January. Bubble Berry has been shutting between CDT and BEC getting ready for her start on November 27th going 5 1/2 furlongs for $7500.

Fading Light is ready to start training again and will be pointed for turf claimers at the Fair grounds with perhaps a warm up start at Turfway before that. Kickin N Screamin will be following a similar schedule as Fading Light and is also about ready to resume training. Top Royelle has been doing some light work on the Aqua Pacer and looks to be in good shape. She will be running in sprints at Turfway Park this winter before launching her broodmare career.
Bob's Bean has been retired and may be bred to Johar this Spring. Operetta Italiano has done quite a bit of work on the Aqua Pacer and will have x rays done this week to see if she is ready to resume track work. Sugarland Star is galloping at CDT and has done fine. She will have her first work next week. Amethyst Rose (formerly Rocket Dog) worked a sharp three furlongs in 36.60 on Sunday and will be working four furlongs on Saturday.

Sumwonlovesyou has been training on the aqua pacer and is going to start being ridden this weekend which represents the next step in her long recovery. Shades of Hope has trained fantastic since having the ultimate equipment change and will start getting cranked up for a start mid-January. Campaneris has been training fine and is close to her first workout since the summer. She is still small but has grown and filled out quite nicely the last few months. I am expecting her to start this winter at the FG or Turfway sprinting. Galaxy Lady has had few minor setbacks but will return to the races soon.

Our plans for the stable for the Winter are looking like we will maintain a base in Kentucky at Turfway and BEC and ship to run in various locations such as the Fair Grounds, Oaklawn, Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream, Aqueduct, Mountaineer, Laurel, Philly Park and Charlestown.

Ship's Cabin tries the dirt

Ship's Cabin has been entered to run at Churchill Downs on Friday. Wearing his extension blinkers like a Halloween mask, he drew post position number three in the first race which is a $50,000 maiden claiming race going seven furlongs on the dirt. Diego Rodriguez will be riding and Ship's Cabin will be getting 7 to 9 pounds from the rest of the field. Hopefully his mind will be on running on Friday.

Galaxy Lady was very tired after her race on Sunday. She came out of the race well an we will look for another spot for her in about 10 days.

Makutus worked very well once again this morning and was entered for Friday's races in a turf allowance race as a main track only entrant. He went in 48.80 under a tight hold this morning and was feeling really good leaving the track. If the rain doesn't show up he will run on the 5th of November.

We have moved out of Keeneland with the Breeding stock sale looming next week and have all the horses either at CDT or at Bluegrass Equine Center.

Workout update

We dominated the work tab at CDT yesterday with 10 horses working. The day went well as all of the horses except Aldebutante worked really good. Aldebutante did not go bad but she did not have the same spark in her work that she had last week. She went in 102.40 which was actually the 2nd best of ten workers at the distance but she was not doing it like she can. This morning both her front feet were bothering her and we will be pulling her shoes and soaking them for a few days in some warm water and epsom salts.

Rampillion worked very well from the gate and we are going to move her debut up to next Wednesday at Churchill in a maiden $25,000 race going 6 furlongs. She blasted out of the gate and worked in 48 seconds while galloping out strong.

Appoint and Normandruth worked an easy half mile together, going 51 and galloping out in 105. Graphite Halo went a nice four furlongs in 49.60 under a tight hold. She is going to run on the 1st of November at Churchill in a grass maiden race.

Bubble Berry worked a sharp half mile in 47.80 under the cover of darkness. Apparently it wasn't dark enough as the clocker still managed to catch her. She is set for the 29th at Churchill.

Makutus worked great going 59.60 from the gate under Diego Rodriguez. He has had issues with breaking slow from the gate in the past and was a little slow in his last start so we wanted a sharp work from the gate from him. We got that sharp work and he will work one more time before his next start on the 5th at Churchill.

Carl S. and Inki Blanford went 5 furlongs in company with Carl S. breaking off in front of Inki. Inki caught him at the wire and I thought it was a good work for both horses with them timed in 103.20 and 102.80 respectively. Inki Blandford is going to start on the 7th at Churchill and Carl S. wont be too long after that.

Comeback worked early in the morning while it was still dark and the clocker did not get a time for him though he was blowing afterwards and the rider thought he went well.

Richwood Silver drew into the 5th race at Keeneland on Saturday which is her turf debut.

Fading Light hung a bit in the stretch yesterday at Keeneland while finishing 5th but was found to have bled after the race. She is at BEC for a little R&R while she recovers from the episode.

Lots of works tomorrow

We will be working a lot of horses tomorrow morning at CDT. With wet weather on the horizon we have moved most everyone up in addition to the horses already scheduled. Aldebutante is going to work a half mile and gallop out an additional furlong. She is being pointed to a maiden race at Churchill Downs on the 9th of November. Rampillion, Normanruth and Comeback are all scheduled to work from the gate going four furlongs. Also scheduled to go from the gate is Makutus who is pointing to a November 5th allowance race at Churchill. Graphite Halo will work an easy half in preparation for her next start on November 1st at Churchill on the grass. If she is still a maiden after that there is a NY state bred race on November 20th at Aqueduct going 1 1/8th on the dirt for her. Appoint, Carl S. and Inki Blandford are also all scheduled to work tomorrow with Appoint going four furlongs and the other two going five. Bubble Berry is going to go four furlongs which will be her last work before a scheduled start on October 29th at Churchill.





Amethyst Rose (formerly known as Rocket Dog) had her first work this morning though the clockers did not catch it. She has done well since starting back in full training at Keeneland. Ship's Cabin worked four furlongs in 48.40 this morning at Keeneland. He was excluded from the race he was scheduled to run in this week and will run in a maiden $50000 claiming race opening week at Churchill going 7 furlongs. Moonlight Flite is training well at Keeneland and will have her first work soon. Galaxy Lady worked in 50 at Keeneland on Sunday which was not recorded by the clockers either. She is going to run opening day at Churchill Downs in a $5000 claimer.



Albin has gone to BEC for two weeks of R&R after a minor injury. Cool Clue is training well and is close to his first work since his brief freshening at BEC. Colonel Klink is doing really well since he started back from his break and I still have high hopes for him. Richwood Silver is ready to roll and will run Saturday at Keeneland in her grass debut. Sugarland Star has returned to training at Keeneland and is doing good. The Suit has been gelded and is still a little rough to the guys at Rea Quarter horses. However the Quiet American filly, the Medallist colt, Eddington filly and Smarty Jones colt are all progressing nicely. The other yearlings are all doing fine and we will be sending a couple more out to Rea's next week. Mercury Rising has one more start in him for us on November 1st at Finger lakes going 1 mile and 70 yards. If we don't see a lot of improvement he will be sold. Fading Light is in on Wednesday in the 1st race at Keeneland which is a $30000 nw2 LT race on the polytrack. She is listed as the 6-1 third choice on the morning line and will be ridden by Diego Rodriguez.

Long overdue update

It has been a busy week during the morning hours though we have had no runners in the afternoon. Yesterday we worked several horses at CDT including a set from the gate.

Aldebutante worked after the break during a steady drizzle with Cherie aboard. she went really well, settling nicely and finishing strong. Her time of 49.20 doesn't look that impressive but as Cherie said after the work, Aldebutante is really starting to stretch out and use herself properly. That is a sign of both physical maturity and experience and she will work a few more times before her next start at Churchill Downs at the upcoming meet.

Appoint worked four furlongs from the gate though she was only credited with three furlongs in 38. She broke well and did fine though she is not as advanced as some of the other horses.

Bubble Berry whistled four furlongs in 48.20 galloping out in 100.80. She is going to run in a claiming race at Churchill though we have not settled on a race yet.

Carl S. and Inki Blandford both worked four furlongs out of the gate. They were both timed in 50.40 and galloped out in 103. They need a little more gate work but both should be ready to run at the Churchill meet.

Normanruth worked early in the morning, going a half mile in 50 seconds. He is progressing nicely and may make the races at the Churchill meet also.

Rampillion worked 5 furlongs, the first four in company with Normanruth, finishing up in 102.20. She has really been training well and will be another of the two year olds that makes at start at the Churchill Downs meeting.

Graphite Halo came out of her race in good order and we are considering a turf start for her on the first of November at Churchill on their two year old showcase day. We want to get a chance to see how she handles the turf before the winter season eliminated our ability to do that. Sine she is a NY bred there are still a lot of opportunities for her at Aqueduct in the Winter, though turf is hardly an option then.

Mercury Rising needs to show a lot of improvement in his next start around two turns or her will find himself competing against $5000 maiden claimers at Penn National for different connections.

Albin strained his left leg in his tough trip stakes debut. he will get 15 days of handwalking before resuming light training. The injury is fairly minor and he should not miss much training or racing.

Colonel Klink has resumed training at Keeneland after a short break and change of treatments. He is doing well and appears to be on the right track now.

Campaneris has been training aggressively and has grown quite a bit since the early summer.

Cool Clue is doing well since his return from BEC.

Comeback was coughing this week and missed his work. He will do something serious on Monday or Tuesday if his lungs clear up and don't give us any problems.

Galaxy Lady has resumed racetrack training and is scheduled to work tomorrow morning at Keeneland. She will make a start at Churchill this November.

Ships Cabin is scheduled to run this coming Thursday at Keeneland in a maiden $40000 claimer going 1 1/16th on the polytrack.

Fading Light is also going to run this coming week at Keeneland in a $30000 nw2 race also going 1 1/16th on the polytrack.

Richwood Silver worked great yesterday at CDT going five furlongs in company in 10o.60 under jockey Joe Johnson. We are planning on running her at Keeneland next Saturday in a turf allowance race going 1 1/16th. This will be her first start since the Spring.

Shades of Hope lost his manhood this week as he was gelded. He just hasn't matured enough mentally and was becoming dangerous with his antics. This will make him a better racehorse overall and I still have high hopes for him.

Wednesday Update

The horses that ran this weekend have all come out of their races in good shape. Ship's Cabin will be running back in a maiden $40000 race going 1 1/16th at Keeneland on the 23rd. Albin will be pointed for November 1st at Churchill Downs going 1 mile on the turf in a maiden special weight. Plans for Makutus are still in the air, though a turf start may be possible.


Graphite Halo had an educational trip today in the 5th at Keeneland. We weren't looking a huge effort first time out but wanted her to have a good trip and gain some experience. Diego Rodriguez did a good job in schooling her early in the race, coming up the rail inside of horses and finishing up strong in the lane. Though it does not look like much on paper, her race was something that she will improve upon.


We postponed this mornings works due to a muddy track at CDT. Tomorrow, weather permitting, we will work Comeback, Carl S., Aldebutante, and Appoint.



Bill Recio reports that Shades of Hope has really turned the corner in his training at the Classic Mile training center and his silly behavior seems to be a thing of the past. He will join the main stable shortly.



Richwood Silver continues to train well and Campaneris is also progressing nicely. Bubble Berry has also been doing well and at BEC, Galaxy Lady, Sugarland Star and Italiano Operetta have been improving.

Some of the Gang

Comeback and Ryan

Fading Light and Cherie

Richwood Silver

Aldebutante at Belmont

A lot going on

Ships Cabin was up to his old tricks on Friday at Keeneland. Though he was not nearly as bad as he was in his first two starts, he was very rank while behind horses forcing jockey Rene Douglas to steady twice, costing him important position and a few lengths. He put in a mild rally to be 4th beaten about two lengths but galloped out far ahead of the rest of the field. We are going to try him around two turns again on the 23rd at Keeneland.

Albin and Makutus are both ready to go tomorrow at Keeneland in the 5th and 7th races. Makutus drew a tough group for an entry level allowance race but has been sharp in his training lately and we are looking for him to run a career best race, which he will need to do to be competitive against this bunch. Albin has also trained well after missing some time after his first race due to a lung infection that lingered a while. He appears to be 100% going into the Woodford and if Douglas can work out a trip, he will be dangerous in the stretch. His Thorograph numbers put him in the mix with this crew and if he can step up his game a little bit, who knows? Bob Gary and the AP crew are coming in from Chicago for the race which will be Bob's first stakes race as an owner.

Graphite Halo worked a solid five furlongs in 102.40 this morning at CDT and was entered in a maiden special weight race at Keeneland for Wednesday's card. She drew post position number six in the 5th race which is a polytrack event going 1 1/16th (or eight and a half furlongs as Keeneland calls it). Diego Rodriguez, who has worked her several times including this morning, will ride her. Graphite Halo is an improving type that is probably not going to be at her best as a 2 year old but has done enough training to where she will really benefit from racing experience.

Richwood Silver snapped off another quick work this morning at CDT, getting clocked in 47.80 which was good for the bullet work of the day even though she had worked an eighth in 13 before the half mile. That would give her a five furlong time in 100.80 which would have been the fastest five furlong work by a long ways. Cherie felt her get a little tired right after the wire and she was winded afterwards. She has scoped clean after every work lately which is a really good sign.

Inki Blandford worked a nice half mile in 49.60 and didn't want to pull up afterwards. He worked the first three furlongs in company with Normanruth and went out the extra eighth by himself. Inki has returned from his brief freshening over the summer in great shape both mentally and physically. Normanruth, who has been getting over a brief sickness, did fine in his first work in a few weeks.

Bubble Berry returned to the worktab with a quick three furlongs in 36.40. She will have another work or two before being entered at Keeneland or Churchill.

Sunday a big day

We got a little lucky at the entry box today and hoping that carries over to the races Sunday when Makutus and Albin are both scheduled to run at Keeneland. Makutus, who was originally supposed to run Friday but had the race pushed back due to lack of entries, is in the 5th race which is an allowance race going 1 1/8th on the polytrack. Albin, who was entered in both a maiden special weight race on the polytrack and the Woodford Reserve Stakes on the turf, was fortunate to draw into the stake when only 11 others were entered.

Makutus race is a tough one as several of the other runners are coming off sharp races at various tracks around the country. He appears like the main speed and hopefully jockey Rene Douglas can ration out that speed and hold off the closers.

Albin drew post number 11 of 12 but that may not be as big of factor as usual because of his closers style. Rene Douglas will also ride him in the $200,000 Woodford which is a Grade 3 race and part of the Breeders Cups "Win and your in" series. Hopefully he can save some ground in the first turn, get a good position down the backside behind a solid pace and get through coming for home.

Comeback broke alertly from the gate and got right into his work but became a bit distracted when the horse he was working with pulled up after going less than 3 furlongs. His time of 50.20 would have been at least a second quicker if he had company throughout. He is improving with maturity and a Churchill start is looking good.

Appoint worked her 1st half mile going 51.20 after going 3 furlongs in 37.80. She galloped out well and is progressing nicely. We will go a few more half miles with her and will do some gate work her this week.

Carl S. and Rampillion went 49.60 in company, galloping out in 104. They broke off a little early and worked head and head throughout. They are both training well and should make starts at Churchill in November also.

Ship's Cabin leads off Keeneland meet

Ship's Cabin is in the 1st race on Friday which is opening day for Keenelands Fall meet. The race is a maiden $50,000 race going seven furlongs on the polytrack. Ship's Cabin drew post position number five in a ten horse field and will be ridden by Rene Douglas. Makutus was entered in an allowance race that failed to draw enough entries. We will enter him back for the same race for Saturday's card.

Tuesday update

Kickin n Screamin is ready for her race Thursday night at Turfway Park. She has post position number 4 out of 11 runners and is listed at 9/2 on the morning line. She will be ridden by apprentice Matt Straight who is a graduate of Chris McCarrons riding academy. PP's are here .

Makutus and Ship's Cabin are being entered today for opening days' card at Keeneland on Friday. Albin is going to be entered for Sundays card.

Today's Works

Albin worked in 105 this morning at Arlington Park on his last day in Chicago this year. It was an easy work and he scoped clean afterwards. After shipping on Saturday to Keeneland he will train hard all week and if he seems to be thriving we will enter in the Woodford Reserve stakes on Sunday. If Albin doesn't draw into the stake then we will enter him in a maiden special weight going 1 1/16th on the polytrack on Sunday.

Ship's Cabin worked a sharp half mile in 48 in preparation for his next race on opening day at Keeneland. Rene Douglas will ride him in the maiden claimer going 7 furlongs on the polytrack.

Kickin n Screamin worked an easy 53.80 at Arlington,a leg stretcher before shipping. She remains on course for next Thursday at Turfway Park.

Rampillion and Comeback worked a nice four furlongs out of the gate in 50.20 while in company at CDT. Both broke well and remained together throughout the work and galloped out fine.

Carl S. also worked in 50.20 though he went by himself from the pole. He continues to improve.

Makutus snapped off a 47.80 work this morning at CDT in his last work before his next scheduled race on October 3rd at Keeneland. He continues to do well in his training and if the track is playing fair he will have a good chance. Rene Douglas will ride him also.

Appoint worked an easy three furlongs at CDT in 38. She may work an easy four furlongs next week.

Work info

Albin, Kickin n Screamin, and Ship's Cabin are all scheduled to work tomorrow at AP before shipping to Keeneland on Saturday. Albin is going to go five furlongs and the other two will go four.

Rampillion is going another half mile tomorrow at CDT and will go in company with Comeback. They are going to go from the gate and hopefully get approved from there.

Carl S will also work tomorrow as well as Appoint and Makutus. Carl S is going to go four furlongs as is Makutus and Appoint is going to go three furlongs again. Inky Blandford is going to work three furlongs on Saturday and Richwood Silver and Graphite Halo are scheduled to go five furlongs on Sunday.

Cool Clue back

Cool Clue is back at the track and ready to go into full training mode. After almost killing me and considering breeding a two year old Quiet American filly that was traveling in the van with him, he strutted off the van screaming at the top of his lungs. First day back to the race track will be interesting. Also on the van returning to the track was Bubble Berry. She has been burning up the Aqua Pacer and we are looking at an October 12th race at Keeneland for her.

Fading Light had a legitimate excuse other than a wide trip when 5th the other day at Kentucky Downs. She was coughing afterwards and a scoping revealed a minor lung infection was hampering her.

Albin is scheduled to work at Arlington Park on Friday going 5 furlongs. He, as well as the remaining horses at Arlington, will be shipping to Keeneland on Saturday.

Operetta Italiano was a little too hyper to start back at the track and we sent her to Bluegrass Equine Center to go on the Aqua Pacer before returning to racetrack training.

Top Royelle also went to Bluegrass for a freshening from the torture chamber at Presque Isle/Mountaineer Park.

The Suit and the Quiet American filly arrived at Rea Quarter Horses today to begin the breaking process. It is a good thing the guys at Rea's are top horseman because these two are tough.

Campaneris is going back to full training after a brief break to grow up.

Monday work report

Graphite Halo worked well out of the gate this morning. She went in 49.60 and had no problems, breaking quick and straight. She will have a five furlong work next Sunday and reamins on course for her debut on October 8th at Keeneland.

Richwood Silver had one of the fastest five furlong works that was timed in 103 that I have ever seen. Cherie broke her off pretty slow from the pole but Richwood quickly picked up speed and finished up very fast and galloped out really strong. I am not sure where she will make her next start but it doesnt look like it will be too far away.

Comeback galloped out of the gate and did well, breaking fast and strong.

Weekend Update

Makutus continues to train well coming up to his next race on October 3rd at Keeneland. He went an easy five furlongs in 102.20 and galloped out in 115. He is going to be ridden in the allowance race by Rene Douglas.

Carl S. and Comeback worked well in company, going a half mile through the early morning darkness in 50.60 and 50.80 respectively. Neither was particularly winded after the work and will go another half out of the gate next week.

Appoint went an easy three furlongs in 39.20 under no pressure. She galloped out strong and is still learning the game and developing physically. We do look forward to those slot-fueled purses in Indiana next year with her being an Indiana bred. Indiana bred maiden purses are scheduled to be right around $42000 when the Indiana Downs meet starts in April.

Rampillion went an easy four furlongs in 50.60. This was her first work in two weeks because of a minor ankle issue.

Mercury Rising improved some when he ran at the Finger Lakes on Friday. He broke a tad slow again but did improve 7 lengths from his first start. He will be better when the races get longer.

Fading Light has been entered for Monday afternoon at Kentucky Downs. She is listed as the 7-2 morning line favorite in the 6th race, a one mile allowance race, obviously on the grass. Diego Rodriguez will ride her.

Today's works

Richwood Silver lit up the powerless Churchill Downs training center this morning going four furlongs in 46.80. She was under a tight hold during the work and was not really winded afterwards. We were originally thinking that Churchill would be the spot for her comeback but she may be ready before that meet begins.

Graphite Halo worked five furlongs in 102.20 on her own. The work was another step of progress in her training and was her best work to date. She was a little winded and we are still looking for a spot for her debut though there is a possibility that we may start her at Keeneland on the 8th of October to get a race under her belt before going to New York to run against New York breds. We will see how she progresses the next few weeks. Ideally there would be a NY bred 2 year old filly maiden race on the turf for her but the newest condition book at Belmont lacks one.

Mercury Rising has drawn into the 5th race on Friday at the Finger Lakes, a maiden special weight going 6 furlongs. He drew post position number 5 in a field of 11 and Elaine Castillo rides back. We are hoping for better racing luck for him this time out.

Aldebutante looks fine after her rough debut on Sunday. She is heading back to Kentucky and is being pointed to a 7 furlong maiden race at Keeneland over the polytrack on the 16th of October.

Albin has finally scoped clean and will work this weekend. We are going to take a shot and try him in the Woodford Reserve Stakes on the turf at Keeneland as a maiden. Though there is little chance we get in we are willing to take a shot at it. Our backup plan is probably a maiden race going 1 1/16th on the polytrack the same day or an allowance on the turf later in the meet.

Tough trips for weekend runners

Aldebutante suffered through a horrible trip in her first start at Belmont this afternoon. She broke a step slow, was checked not too far out of the gate, checked again going into the turn and slammed at the top of the stretch while in tight. Hopefully she will come out of the race ok and gt back to the races at Keeneland.

Ship's Cabin showed a bit of talent on Saturday at Arlington Park without any of his usual stunts. Equipped with blinkers and jockey Tim Thornton for the first time, he broke alertly and assumed the lead soon after the start. He tired a bit in the stretch and was hampered when the horse on the rail came out into his path forcing him to steady hard. He re-rallied to be 4th and the stewards disallowed the jockeys claim of foul against the third place finisher. Though it was a little frustrating to have some traffic trouble he displayed speed and determination and will probably run back on opening day at Keeneland, October 3rd.

Appoint, Normanruth, Carl S. and Comeback all worked 3 furlongs at CDT and may advance to four furlongs next weekend. Makutus worked a sharp 100.80 under no urging from Cherie and looks like he will also run on opening day at Keeneland. Richwood Silver is scheduled to work tomorrow morning.

Friday update

Aldebutante has drawn into the 5th race at Belmont on Sunday. The race is a six furlong maiden special weight going six furlongs on the turf though there is a lot of rain in the forecast. She will be ridden by Richard Migliore and John Fahy will be saddling her for us. Aldebutante drew post position number eleven and will run regardless of track surface as she needs racing experience and has handled everything we have thrown at her so far.

Mercury Rising will be working tomorrow, going 6 furlongs from the gate with jockey Elaine Castillo. Hopefully he breaks a little better than he did in his race a few weeks ago. We are pointing to a race on the 19th at the Finger Lakes for him.

Kickin n Screamin disappointed over a soft course yesterday but came out of the race fine and will be pointed to a 20000 nw3LT race at Turfway park on October 2nd.

Makutus has trained well since his maiden victory and is on course for October 3rd at Keeneland.

Richwood Silver has continued to train well and will work again Sunday morning, weather permitting.

Today's Race and other things

Kickin n Screamin is running today at Arlington park in the 7th race, a $25000 conditioned claimer on the turf. She is listed as the 3-1 morning line favorite under leading rider Rene Douglas.

Ship's Cabin has been entered in the 4th race at Arlington on Saturday. The race is a seven furlong maiden special weight on the polytrack and he will be ridden by Tim Thornton and will be equiped with blinkers for the first time.

Aldebutante has arrived in New York for her debut this Sunday going six furlongs on the turf.

Fading Light came out of her race in good shape and will run back at Kentucky Downs in an allowance race.

Monday work update

Aldebutante broke sharp from the gate this morning under Diego Rodriguez in her final work before her first start on Sunday. She was timed in 35 for three furlongs and galloped out very strong afterwards. After the work she cooled out quickly and we are working on transportation plans to get her to Belmont later this week. She is going to trainer John Fahy's barn at Belmont and will run in John's name as trainer and he will saddle her since I will be busy at the sales this weekend. We have reached out to Richard Migliore and he will definitely ride her if we wind up in the dirt race though my preference right now is to try her on the turf. They will let us know tomorrow if he can be freed up from any commitments in the turf race.

Graphite Halo went five furlongs in 105 early in the morning. Cherie started her off slow and she finished up really well. We are trying to get her to be tractable and run at the end of her works which will hopefully make her want to pass horses rather than stay aside them.

Appoint, Carl S. and Normanruth all went easy three furlongs in 39.80, 39.40, and 39.60 respectively. They will all go another three furlongs next week.

Makutus went very well, going 47.80 in his first work since breaking his maiden at Arlington a few weeks ago. He is being pointed to an allowance race going 1 1/8th on opening day, October 3rd at Keeneland.

Richwood Silver went great in her first work since the spring. After getting a brief freshening she has been training forwardly and her 48.40 work was a really nice move with Cherie never letting her really run.

Fading Light on Saturday

Fading Light has been entered in the 6th race on Arlington Park on Saturday. The race is an entry level allowance race going 1 1/16th on the turf and Fading Light who starts from post number five has leading rider Rene Douglas riding.

Mercury Rising came out of his race in good shape and will look to run back on September 19th at the Finger Lakes going 6 furlongs. We will probably have him work once out of the gate maybe on the 10th before the race.

We have officially moved back to the Churchill Training Center and will have stalls at Keeneland during the fall meeting in October.

Labor day works

Carl S. and Comeback went great this morning, going three furlongs in company in 37.20 under Ryan and Cherie. They worked much more professionally today, staying together, switching leads and finishing up well past the wire. They will move to four furlongs next week when we move back to the training center.

Appoint, Campaneris and Normanruth went 1/4 mile in 26 while in company. Appoint went nicely and Normanruth did fine but Campaneris may need a little more seasoning before progressing to three furlongs. Normanruth was on the inside of the three and held his ground well and Appoint did a good job while between horses but Campaneris wanted no part of the others and needs more schooling before we start going too fast and far with her.

Rampillion and Graphite Halo worked well this morning though the clockers apparently missed a lot of the work, giving them a 38.20 clocking despite their working four furlongs and galloping out fast enough to get credit for another eighth. Rampillion broke off outside of Graphite Halo and was going a a good clip passing the 1/2 mile pole. They stayed together through out the work and both galloped out strong. They will work another half mile out of the gate next week, probably on the 6th or 7th.