Monday, January 18, 2010

Barn Report - Sunday January 17th

Joe is back from not-so-sunny Florida, so here's his report on Sunday's visit to Strings and Arrows' barn at Belmont, followed by my notes (in italics) on the other Castle Village Farm horses. -- Steve

Strings and Arrows appears to be fine after his disappointing race Saturday. Steve and I were at Leah Gyamarti's barn very early this morning. It was unexpected, but I liked what I saw and heard. Strings and Arrows was being attended to just like he won the race, and Leah and her staff were acting like sore losers. I have witnessed the hard work it took to get Strings and Arrows healthy and in racing shape, and could sense everyone's disappointment. They felt it was a listless ride by Rosie Napravnik, that after breaking well she should have strongly urged Strings and Arrows to use his speed. Leah said that Strings and Arrows did not drift out in the stretch, and was not a tired horse when he returned to the barn. The plan now is to use that race as a very good breeze and to stretch Strings and Arrows out. He is bred for a distance and Leah thinks down the road he will like the turf as well. Strings and Arrows will be back on the track galloping in a few days and we are hoping to race again in 3-4 weeks.

Talking Blues had already left for the Aqueduct detention barn by the time we got to Bruce Brown's barn at Belmont, so we didn't see our horse before Sunday's race. The race itself was a disappointment, as Talking Blues appeared not to like the sloppy and sealed race track, finishing 7th. Bruce reported on Monday that Talking Blues came back from the race with only slight soreness in his legs, which is normal for him after a race, and that he should be ready to give it another shot, with luck on a dry track, in about three weeks.

Iguazu is back in training in South Florida, after a few days off with a sprained ankle, and is galloping on the Palm Meadows training track. Pat Turner reports that he looks very strong, and that we should be looking for a race for him at Gulfstream in the latter part of February.

Bagavond continues to frolic in the snow at Diana McClure's farm in Berryville, VA. Diana reports that the snow has been cleared from their jogging track, and that Bagavond is beginning to get back to work, aiming at a return to Belmont in time for the turf racing season.

And, last but not least, we've started to look for a horse for our new 2010 claiming partnership with trainer Bruce Brown. Join us now and you can participate in the fun of looking at possible claims and debating whether we should claim one or another horse!

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