I’ve been trying to write every day, good or bad, something to say or not. Somebody told me Saratoga started in five weeks, better start up the engines. Missed yesterday while spending the morning at Fair Hill, the afternoon on I-70 west and the evening riding bikes with Miles and picking weeds in the garden.
Began the day at Arnaud and Leigh Delacour’s barn at Fair Hill. Four dozen donuts delivered. They offered Shadow Wood, their lead pony, to me, I didn’t hesitate. Climbing in the western saddle – sneakers, baseball hat – I accompanied five horses around the backfields at Fair Hill. We meandered along the mowed strip on the edge of the field, a long, slow, winding journey, jogging, slowing to a walk to cross the dirt road, jogging again, slowing for a deer to move or not move – it moved and we sat tight – and finishing with a languid pick of grass for all the horses. They know the routine, as soon as we slowed and stopped, their heads shot down and they grazed in the tall grass that reached their bellies. Happy horses. What a treasure, ground was perfect, light breeze, no bugs this early, five riders enjoying their horses, five horses enjoying the break from city life. Lemonade Thursday and Gotham Gala looked vibrant after their races, great news.
Riverdee picked up two thirds Thursday. Douglas Road returned for his 4-year-old debut, finishing third, no match for the winner and splitting a photo for third. Announced and posted as third at the track, somehow, the Equibase chart posted him fourth. Confusing for a moment, it was corrected. As we’ve said before and will say again, if you stick around long enough, you’ll see everything in this game.
Speaking of which, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zjbfmid9h1M
Gostisbehere finished third in an allowance turf race at Churchill Downs. Much improved from his previous race, the 4-year-old by Gio Ponti stalked the pace but didn’t fire with the winner ho had loped on the lead, we picked up a cool $5,950 along the way. He’ll win some races.
One runner today. Lilting returns to the flat in the opener at Laurel. Nothing has gone smoothly for her, including winding up on the also-eligible list at Fair Hill. For better or worse, there aren’t any jump opportunities for her this summer so she goes back to the flat. We have some of our better horses resting for the summer – Gibralfaro, Down Royal, Biedermeier to name a few. Lilting and a few others need to earn some summer wages.
