Back From "Vacation"

I’ve been horribly remiss in filling this spot the last month.  I have no legitimate excuses other than I’ve been remarkably busy between the day job, the horses and the Form job that when I have time of my own I find it hard to sit here and bang out 500 words.  It’s a crock, I know, but then again I can’t blow off the paid work so this suffers.  Here are some bullet points to catch everyone up in what’s going on:

TABBY LANE

Tabby tweaked an ankle in her last race.  Nothing serious, thank goodness, but enough to give her some time off.  It wasn’t all R&R for Tabs though, she swam several days a week to keep her fitness level up and she was still inundated with visitors as she is Ms. Social.  Her spot in the Rhone barn allows her to see everyone that comes in and out and soak up all the attention she can get.  She’s back working on the track and I hope that I’ll be previewing a race for her in a few weeks!

CANTERBURY

Story lines around half time are the purse agreement with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and how it’s impacting field size (up a horse from the beginning of the meet) and stakes races (the inaugural Mystic Lake Derby this coming Saturday); Heliskier – an impact thoroughbred gelding that may be the best Minnesota bred ever; Tanner Riggs trying to run away with the jockey title; and Mike Biehler giving Mac Robertson all he can handle in the trainer’s race.

Extreme Day at Canterbury was a huge hit with over 16,000 fans converging to see the ostriches and camels, but the highlight was that day’s ninth race being called on helium by race caller extraordinaire Paul Allen.  You can catch the videos over at Canterbury Live.  The brain child of “Idea Man” Jeff Maday and delivered with an assist from track analyst Angela Hermann, the race is believed to be the first time a race has ever been called on helium.  Watching it from the booth was hilarious and Paul pulled it off with his customary aplomb.  While the animals were fun, the call was great!

There has been some fun wagering activity on Heliskier at Canterbury.  Well, not at Canterbury per se but via an ADW somewhere.  He was such a heavy favorite, the second choice in his last race, the MTA Stallion Auction Stakes, went off at over 300-1.  There were two bets of over $200,000 placed on hi in that race – one to win and one to show.  Why, you ask, would someone risk a win bet to win the same as a safer show bet? The only thing we can figure is that there must be some kind of rebate program wherever he/she is betting that is only available for win betting.  Still, the gelding won while breezing and earned a 86 Beyer for that workout.  I simply cannot wait and see what he can do when challenged.

E SVEIKATA

Who?  Yeah, that’s the next blog post.  I still haven’t introduced you all to the 2 year old filly entrusted to Kathleen O’Connell at Calder that one of our groups owns in partnership with breeders Gabe Puniska and Jenepher Hess.  She’s doing very well and you’ll learn more about this young Even the Score filly in a few days.

Hopefully my break is over and I’ll be back at it every few days or so.  With the $150,000 added Mystic Lake Derby this weekend, Fillies Race for Hope Day and the Lady Canterbury Stakes next weekend and Tabby returning to the races, there should be plenty of fun stories to address and I’ll try and stay roused enough to write ‘em!