Vanderboom did not run the kind of race we had hoped for last night.  He was in a great spot early but when Denny Velazquez asked him heading into the turn, there was nothing there.  He faltered down the lane and finished a disappointing 8th.

Talking to Denny after the race he said that he felt that Boomer just wasn’t getting his feet up and out of the mud very well.  Early on it wasn’t bad but as the race progressed he was getting more and more tired and was empty late.

He’ll rest up and we’ll look to find him a softer spot before the meet ends and we shift to Chicago.

Miz Owell is having some issues.  She’s developed a little soreness in the hock and this past week she’s developed some soreness in an ankle.  What she needs is four to six months off to be out in a field and heal up.

For the Club, where we need to be horseless by the end of the season, this isn’t an option for us, so we will be looking to sell her to someone who has that kind of time or someone that would like her as a broodmare.  She’s an E Dubai out of a Mizzen Mast mare and should be attractive to a breeder.  With the proper amount of rest and rehab, she could run again successfully next season as well.

We won’t get what we paid for her but we will get what we can while making sure that she’s going to a good home.

This has been a tough season for the Club, no question about it – especially on the heels of a pair of highly successful seasons.  But the Club is an educational experience and all lessons in racing aren’t happy.

The Thoroughbred has a beauty and a grace that is unmatched and for all it’s size and power there is an underlying fragility that makes this dance so intricate.

The business is a hard one and we have been very fortunate over the past few years to be able win more than our share of races and the joy has been great.  Bad breaks, injuries, rainouts, etc. are also part of the business and, though not pleasant parts, still issues that need to be dealt with and managed through.

The season is not over yet and Boomer can still win a few for us and, depending upon the finances, maybe we can pick up a replacement for Miz Owell, but we have to get her sold first.

Being a race horse owner is a thrilling, rewarding experience.  It can also be stressful, worrisome, difficult and trying. You take the good with the bad, like in anything.  Hopefully it is still fun to see the horses go the post and race for us and that the lessons learned, while so far this year are not the happy ones but the trying ones, are still lessons worth learning.  It’s not an easy business, but you dust yourself off, get back up and get back at it.  Because it’s worth it.