Major Disappointment

On the flight home last night, I kept trying to think of the right title for this entry. I thought about something witty, humorous or optimistic. However, one thought kept coming back – yesterday was a MAJOR Disappointment on a number of fronts. A win would have set us up really well for the next few months. Instead, the race raised a number of concerns. While Stumbling Block was falling back through the field on the far turn, I was told that Jamie’s first thought was that he bled. Once back in the barn and after a vet scoped Block, Jamie’s theory was confirmed. Not only did he bleed, his lungs were also full of dirt. The poor boy had a rough trip to say the least.

While the diagnosis answers one question (why did he run so poorly?), it raised a few more. Best-case scenario: the bleeding was an isolated incident (he has not bled since we have owned him) and he will be able to mentally overcome the fear/stress that he undoubtedly experienced during the race. However, if the problem becomes chronic and/or he becomes hesitant to exert himself due to fear of bleeding, he may never return to form.

Even with the outcome known, I still think we made the right call by running in this race – he deserved a shot against this group. The favorite/winner was on his game and probably would have won even if Block ran his race, but a second place finish would have been a reasonable expectation. We’ll never know.

The rest of the day wasn’t much better for the humans involved. A half dozen of us made the trip down via various bumpy flights. The Windy City lived up to its name by offering some interesting weather. During the 10 or so hours we were on the ground, the temperature dropped about 30 degrees and the winds shifted 180 degrees from south to north. Off and on rain throughout made for a pretty miserable day. Sadly, the highlight was the complimentary buffet offered to owners of the stakes horses.

Next up: As I write, there is hope that Tytus will put in a good effort this afternoon and offer some consolation to an otherwise disappointing weekend.

9/2 Odds

The entries came out today for Stumbling Block's race on Saturday in Chicago and we were assigned morning line odds of 9/2 (second favorite). A few months ago, I would have said there was a better chance of me re-growing my hair than there was us having one of the "horses to beat" in a stakes race worth $100k. The 5/2 favorite (Stonehouse) does look formidable on paper, but he'll have to spot us 8 lbs. Block is coming into the race in good form, drew a nice post (#2), got the services of the leading rider who has rode him a number of times (Thornton) and he likes the Hawthorne surface. So if the favorite doesn't run his race or gets caught in a fast pace, we have as good a shot as any other to pick up the pieces. The airfares to/from Chicago are still reasonable and it is an easy drive if anyone wants to join us in the Windy City for the day. As I write, Block is on his way to Chicago (after a detour to Erie, PA - Presque Isle Downs). Jamie is taking a load of horses up there (including Wild Adventure) to prepare for the start of the meet in a couple weeks.

Elsewhere on Saturday...if the races fill, we could have a couple runners at Tampa (Darby Lee and Straight Laced). After that, there won't be much left in Tampa. Block will go back to Presque Isle with Jamie where the majority of our racing action will take place this summer.

Second, Second

A pair of runner-up efforts today for Darby Lee and Tytus. While wins would have been nice, seconds help pay the bills. I was hoping one or both would have been claimed. At this point, I am reluctant to buy any more until we get rid of some. I just don't want to put the stable in the position of having too many horses and have the bills pile up (learned that lesson the hard way last year).

Next Up? Dawn Raider should be ready if a race comes up at a lower level on the turf.

Broken Record

Tytus no longer holds the track record for 6.5 furlongs at Tampa Bay - it was broken earlier today. If we can get someone to claim him on Friday, we can close the book on him.