Monthly Archives: July 2012

Lovely Tak Wins! High Spirit Finishes 3rd

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You can now say that you have owned a winning racehorse!

Lovely Tak found a perfect spot to sit early in the race taking advantage of the fact that there wasn’t much speed and sticking closer to the early pace. Nik kept her in good position through the turn and then was able to capitalize up the rail when Automatic Victory left a hole for her to slip through. Click here to get the full chart.

It was a perfect and patient ride by Nik and it has certainly helped that the track appears to have evened out just slightly. It is a little easier to come from off the pace.

Here’s the replay:

Now, you’ll notice that Lovely Tak has been entered back for Thursday in the Claiming Series Final. As Jeff explained in an e-mail to the group this morning, it is unlikely she runs. However, if Clay thinks she’s doing extremely well come Wednesday, he will consider it. We will keep the group posted on Wednesday as to the plans. Check out Jeff’s e-mail for more information.

We are working a deal with the photographer to get pictures of the winner’s circle for the group. Stay tuned for more on that as well.

High Spirit ran about as well as could be expected given the glacial pace that was established in his race. Certainly expected there would be more speed to set the race up. That is why being a closer is difficult, you are always reliant on others to give the race the proper shape for success.

At any rate, a first and a third in one night aren’t bad. Congratulations on the victory! Hope some of you are out to enjoy the Mystic Lake Derby today.

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Paddock Protocol for Friday

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Just a reminder, you have two horses running tomorrow night!

Lovely Tak is entered in a $3,500 claiming race going 6 and 1/2 furlongs. The race is the second race on the card. Nik Goodwin is named to ride. Jeff and Andrew will be outside the paddock shortly after the first race to help those with last names starting with A – L for this race. (Approximately 7:10pm).

High Spirit is entered in a $5,000 claiming race going 1 mile and 1/16 on the dirt. The race is the sixth race on the card. Denny Velazquez will be aboard. Jeff and I will meet up with those having last names starting with M – Z after the 5th race, approximately 9:05pm).

We have reserved some seats in Silks for those that would like to hang out as a group. Reminder, if we happen to be lucky enough to win, all of you are encouraged to come down to the winners’ circle!

Hope to see all of you tomorrow.

High Spirit and Lovely Tak Entered for Friday

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Well, two is better than one. Clay called this morning and wanted to enter both Lovely Tak and High Spirit and we told him to do what he thought was best. Therefore, they are both entered in different races on Friday night’s card.

Lovely Tak is entered in a $3,500 claiming race going 6 and 1/2 furlongs. The race is the second race on the card. Nik Goodwin is named to ride.

High Spirit is entered in a $5,000 claiming race going 1 mile and 1/16 on the dirt. The race is the sixth race on the card. Denny Velazquez will be aboard.

We will work on securing a seating area. Last names starting with A – L will be able to go to the paddock for the second race (approximately 7:35PM). Last names starting with M – Z will be able to go to the paddock for the sixth race (approximately 9:30PM). We’ll be back with more information about the races and paddock protocol later in the week.

Racing Stable Update

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Thanks for your patience on the Friday update. Here’s an overview of the Racing Club stable.

Clay has had a good chance to look over High Spirit. He thinks that he will run his race if given the proper pace to run at. When Jeff and I spoke with him yesterday, he thought that High Spirit is about 10-14 days away from his next race which would put us somewhere close to the end of July. The plan is that it will be a turf race and, assuming he comes back at the same level, those races haven’t been too difficult to fill. He’s continued with a fairly regular training routine since the race so let’s hope that a little rest and a faster pace have him ready for a top effort!

The plan with Lovely Tak is to enter her tomorrow in a $3,500 N2Y race going 6 and 1/2 furlongs. If the race goes, it would be used on Thursday. Not sure what to expect as far as entries for this level, so we’ll have to play it by ear to see if the race is used or not.

After talking with Clay, we all came to the conclusion that she probably can’t win the Claiming Series Final on August 2. The track has favored speed so much that it isn’t likely she’ll be well suited to go the 5 and 1/2 furlongs in the final against the likes of Boneafide Cat, Gracias, etc. Therefore, we’re going to see what happens with the race tomorrow as we think that would be a good spot for her. The extra distance will only help her run down the leaders.

In addition, there have been a couple of people asking about whether she might be for sale. At this point, we haven’t received any offers but as an owner you always have to listen if someone is talking.

Great Bam continues to train. He had a new glue-on shoe put in place earlier this week and the hoof continues to grow out. Clay still doesn’t have an estimate of when a race may be possible, but he does look good. Hopefully, the hoof will continue to heal and we’ll get that guy back to the races soon.

We’ll keep tabs on entries tomorrow and will let you know what happens! Thanks again for your patience today.

Lovely Tak Runs Fourth

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Lovely Tak ran in tonight’s opener finishing fourth. She simply wasn’t able to overcome the speed bias and Boneafide Cat. That being said, she did run markedly better than she did last time out only beaten by 2 and 1/2 lengths this time around.

We’ll have to see how she comes out of the race before deciding on where to run her next. Obviously, the Claiming Series Final would be an option; however, she would have to improve to beat that group. Another option would be to bring her back in a different claiming race. We’ll discuss this with Clay when we find out how she is doing.

Thanks to everyone that came out tonight. Hope you enjoyed the evening at the races!

Lovely Tak Entered – Faces Familiar Foes

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As you have likely already found out, Lovely Tak was entered in tomorrow’s first race of the evening. The final Claiming Series Qualifying Races for Fillies and Mares. Nik Goodwin will ride and the race is scheduled for 7:07PM.

She faces five others in a field of six including Downerbythemeadow – now owned by Zephyr Racing Stable and trained by Valorie Lund. Overall, she has 2 points in the 2012 Claiming Series and she will be one of only six horses to have run in enough qualifying races to be eligible for the $25,000 Final on August 2nd. Obviously, let’s take one thing at a time.

Last names starting with M through Z are eligible for the paddock tomorrow night. Plan on being in front of the paddock no later than 6:45 if you want to get in.

Jeff and Andrew have a pretty full night with the hot tub show and summer school. Molly will be around to help guide everyone through the paddock process and Jeff will join the group shortly after the hot tub show concludes.

We have some space in Silks (main level to the left of the winner’s circle) for the group to congregate afterward to enjoy the remainder of the races.

Post any questions or comments here. Otherwise, let’s hope for a good trip!

Bills & an Update on the Equines

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Jeff and I went back to discuss the newest acquisition and the entry of Lovely Tak for next Thursday. Below, Clay goes over the two charges:

Here is a look at the account as of this afternoon. We have accumulated all training bills through June and all vet bills through may. Additionally, we accounted for the claim that we made on Tuesday.

Balance as of the End of May = $28,466.45

Plus the following revenues:

20% of the Purse for the Second Place Finish – $1,500

20% of the SMSC Purse Enhancement Bonus – $300

20% of the MN Breeders’ Fund Supplement – $630

Claim of Downerbythemeadow by Zephyr Racing – $3,500

Total Revenues – $5,930

Less these expenses (training expenses through June and other expenses through July):

Great Bam

30 Days Training for Great Bam ($60 per Day) – $1,800

Farrier (Shoes) – $120

May Vet Bills – $303.05

Downerbythemeadow

8 Days Training for Downerbythemeadow ($60 per Day) – $480

Jockey Fee for Denny Velazquez – $121.50

Trainer Fee for Clay Brinson on 2nd Place Finish (10% of purse earnings) – $180

Farrier (Shoes) – $120

Post Parade Pony – $25

May Vet Bills – $56.35

Equine Retirement – $2

Lovely Tak

15 Days of Training for Lovely Tak ($60 per Day) – $900

Farrier (Shoes) – $120

Training Expenses through 6/30 & Vet Bills through 5/31 – $4,227.90

Other Expenses

Claim of Lovely Tak (6/14) – $3,500

Claim of High Spirit (7/3) – $7,500

Click here for High Spirit’s Career Past Performances

Click here for Lovely Tak’s Career Past Performances

Other Expenses through 7/3 – $11,000

Ending Balance as of July 5 – $19,168.55

Horse #3 Joins the Team!

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Clay claimed another horse for the group today out of the eighth race. #9 High Spirit was claimed out of the 7 and 1/2 furlong turf race for $7,500. Clay said that he likes the horse’s ability to run on both surfaces and believes that he’ll be able to find a good spot for him.

This time, we actually won a 3-way shake!

High Spirit went favored but wasn’t able to come with his typical late kick as the field let Bravo Prado get away to a pretty easy lead and go gate-to-wire. He ended up finishing mid-pack not being able to mount a serious charge down the stretch.

We’ll update the group on the horse after we have a chance to talk to Clay.