Tag Archives: Nik Goodwin

Short, but Tough, Field for EDDY

Posted on by
6

It will be fun to be able to watch ASK EDDY run without the risk of a claim looming over the race. As you all know, I have no problem losing a horse but sometimes it’s nice to sit back and watch the race without wondering if you’re going to need to go shopping just after your trainer got the horse right.

There is a certain amount of joy you can take in a short field as well – especially when you have a horse that’s fit and going well. The odds of a bill-paying payday get much better in a shorter field.

As comforting as both of these aspects of racing tonight are, this short field is a tough one and will go a long way in telling us how far EDDY has come and what he still has left in his tank.

1. ASK EDDY (BRINSON/GOODWIN)

2. Seven Tuff (Rarick/Stevens) – Don’t let his last race fool you, this 6-year old gelding has some talent. Stakes placed in Arizona and an allowance winner in Canada in the last year, his recent starts may not be stellar but there is some back class there and if you can get a classy horse relatively right, they can occasionally throw a big race again. Don’t overlook him, especially with the crafty Hall of Famer aboard.

3. Magic Bullet (Van Winkle/Rivera) – Horse is a big fan of trying to get out early, something that no one else in this field can boast. And we all saw how early speed did last night… Closed out the 2012 Hawthorne meet with a win at $14,000 claiming before running in mostly starter allowances and starter handicaps. Was 4th last out behind a dominating performance by the morning line favorite in here.

4. Tigerstark (Suter/Hernandez) – Hasn’t won in a very long time and his best efforts have been on the turf.

5. Dontlaffhespaidfor (Troche/Escobar) – The 8-year old had virtually a career best performance last time out, dominating a field at this level by 8. He had been running at considerably higher levels – and hitting the board – prior to that start and just lit it up that day. That said, at 8-years old it’s hard to find the consistency to put together back to back performances like that…but not impossible. The one to beat.

6. Raton Pass (Rarick/A Canchari) – Had a bit of a tough trip against the favorite last time but still finished 2nd. The connections must have sighed when they saw they were up against him again today! Horse is a consistent sort and solid in that $5000 – $8000 range.

What chance does EDDY have? Not a bad one, really. Clay has said that if EDDY is going to step up and take on a tough field, this is the time because he is training so well and appears to be really feeling good. There are concerns, of course. If Magic Bullet shakes loose on the lead, everyone could be in trouble. EDDY isn’t one to wire a field but he’s going to need to be close after what we saw last night with speed prevailing and the difficulty closers had bridging any gap in the lane.

Heck, it’s possible that if Magic Bullet doesn’t break well that EDDY inherits the lead by default. In his last two starts, EDDY has been away very well and with the rail and a race void of speed, he and Nik could find themselves on the front end. If Nik can then control the pace it will be very tough for anyone to get by EDDY in the lane. Ideally we’d like to stalk an move through the turn but I’m not sure that the complection of this field is going to allow it.

Jilique should be there for you all in the paddock before the race, Group 1, and there is space reserved at Wild Horse Saloon for the Club this evening. I hope Group 1’s luck can carry through to another win!

Good luck and safe travels!

Advertisement

EDDY on Friday Night

Posted on by
17

ASK EDDY will be running for the first time for us without a claiming tag on Friday night in the 5th race. The condition is a starter allowance for horses that have raced for a claiming price of $5000 or less OR $7500 claiming. As a refresher, if you ran for $5,000 or less you do not have to be eligible to get claimed or you can enter for $7500.

The field is only 6 horses but there is definitely some competition at the top – including us. Alex Canchari has opted to ride another horse in the race so we will retain the services of Nik Goodwin.

The 5th race should go off around 8:35. My kids are landing at MSP at 8:57 so, unless there is a delay in their flight, I will end up missing the race, though either Jeff or Jilique will be there to more than ably fill in.

More details to follow as well as the analysis of the race later in the week.

Good luck!

High Spirit Entered, Financial Updates and Tour Plans

Posted on by
Reply

First of all, it’s going to be a busy weekend for you! High Spirit has been entered in a $5,000 claiming race for non-winners of two races in the year. The race went with 8 entries and will be run as the fourth race on the card on Saturday.

Denny Velazquez is again named to ride and the field looks a bit easier than the group we ran against last time.

Yes, that means that you have a horse entered on Friday night (Lovely Tak) and Saturday afternoon (High Spirit).

Therefore, we are going to split the paddock groups as follows:

Friday (Lovely Tak – Race 4 – 8:28PM): Last Names Beginning with A – L

Saturday (High Spirit – Race 4 –  Approx 3:00PM): Last Names Beginning with M – Z

Per usual, if you would like to join the group in the paddock, please be sure to arrive outside of the paddock shortly after the conclusion of the previous race.

Plans for a Second Backside Tour

We are going to host a second tour on Sunday, August 26 at 9:30 a.m. Please RSVP with Jeff or Andrew by e-mailing them at communications@canterburypark.com.

We will take a spin through the backside, see the pool, visit the barn and watch a workout (if time permits).

Update on Club Finances

Below is an update on the status of the account. Earnings are listed first with expenses following. As you can see, it certainly helps to win a race. However, without one member of the stable being able to run, it does make it difficult to make money.

Balance as of July 5 – $19,168.55

July Earnings:

Lovely Tak Fourth Place Finish on 7/12 – $540

Lovely Tak First Place Finish on 7/27 – $5,400

High Spirit Third Place Finish on 7/27 – $1,210

Total July Earnings – $7,150

July Training Expenses:

Lovely Tak Day Rate (31 Days at $60 per Day) – $1,860

Great Bam Day Rate (31 Days at $60 per Day) – $1,860

High Spirit Day Rate (28 Days at 60 per Day) – $1,680

Equine Retirement Fees ($2 per start) – $6

Pony in the Post Parade ($25 per start) – $75

Jockey Fee to Nik Goodwin (Lovely Tak Fourth Place 7/12) – $55

Jockey Fee to Nik Goodwin (Lovely Tak First Place 7/27 – 10%) – $540

Trainer Free to Clay Brinson (Lovely Tak First Place 7/27 – 10%) – $540

Groom Bonus for Winning Horse (Lovely Tak First Place 7/27) – $50

Jockey Free to Denny Velazquez (High Spirit Third Place 7/27) – $75

Trainer Fee to Clay Brinson (High Spirit Third Place 7/27 – 10%) – $110

Shoes for High Spirit on July 19 – $125

Quarter Crack Patch, Glue on Shoes and Protective Plate for High Spirit – $306

June Veterinarian Expenses:

Downerbythemeadow

Electrolytes, Thyroid Medication and Joint Supplements – $282.55

Raceday Medications – $35

Great Bam

Electrolytes, Antibiotics for Burst Blood Vessel and Thyroid Medication – $285.08

Lasix for Workout – $15

Lovely Tak

Thyroid Medication and Joint Supplements – $203.75

July Miscellaneous Expenses:

Win Pictures from Coady Photography – $1,092.27

Total of June Vet Expenses and July Training Expenses – $9,195.65

Final Balance as of 7/31 – $17,122.90

Lovely Take Entered for Friday

Posted on by
7

Lovely Tak has been entered for Friday. She drew the sixth post position in the fourth race (estimated post time 8:28pm). She’ll face some familiar foes and it will certainly be a more difficult race than her last. She is the third choice on the morning line of seven participants.

Nik Goodwin will again have the call. The race is a $3,500 claiming race at a distance of six furlongs.

Sounds like Clay will enter High Spirit on Wednesday with the hopes of running him on Saturday. However, we will have to wait and see what happens there.

More information (including an update on bills) will be provided on Wednesday. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday afternoon and make plans to be here on Friday night!

Lovely Tak Wins! High Spirit Finishes 3rd

Posted on by
7

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.

High Spirit and Lovely Tak Entered for Friday

Posted on by
6

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.