A couple of hours ago, Tim Ice was fired as the trainer of Summer Bird by owner K.K. Jayaraman. Of course the Eclipse winning Summer Bird was only the top name of the Jayaraman Stable that was removed from Ice's care. Twenty four other horses were also taken from Ice and moved to trainer Tim Ritchey. In the Yahoo! Sports article, the reason cited by Jayaraman was "a lack of communication".
Admittedly, I know nothing about the circumstances surrounding the split, but it does open up a conversation about trainer communication and what is and isn't enough. I think a lot has to do with the personality of folks involved. A controlling person probably needs more care and feeding than a laissez faire owner. I fall somewhere in between myself. I have enough trust, faith and confidence in my trainers to let them do their job. By the same token, though, as a syndicator I have a responsibility and an obligation to make sure the partners in the horse are well informed of their progress. Part of my thought process when dealing with my partners is that the more involved in the process they are, the more enjoyment they'll get out of owning a racehorse.
At this point in our 2010 Claiming Partnership we have the money and now we're shopping. Not much to report on that front, but I sent a note out to the group anyhow on Friday just to let them know we're still looking. I actually feel guilty that I haven't sent anything out since then, but there really isn't anything new to report - and it's only been 4 days! Maybe that's a bit overboard, but the point is that you're better off being a little more communicative than less.
I try to set aside a set day and time to touch base with my trainer(s). I don't try and take up too much of their time, I just want to get a rundown on any aches and pains, how galloping has been going, any works the horse may have had and where we are pointing them for their next race. That's all I really need on a weekly basis. Of course that's pretty easy when you only have a handful of horses in training. What happens when I have 25? I have to say that I don't really know, though I'm looking forward to having that problem. I would think that more extensive communication would be required - possibly to the degree of receiving written updates on a regular basis. While it's hard for a trainer to find that kind of time, if you multiply a day rate of say $70 times 25 horses, I would think you'd make the time for someone paying you $1750 a day plus a cut of the purses.
Some trainers are of the opinion that owners are like mushrooms: just keep them fed, watered and in the dark. I don't know if Tim Ice is that kind of trainer. Some owners are overbearing, think they know better than the professionals they hire and change trainers like they change underwear. I don't know if K.K. Jayaraman is that kind of owner. I like to think that my position is a bit of the middle ground and I'm fortunate that my trainers are open to dialogue and discussion. I also like to think that neither of us would have it any other way.
Showing posts with label Summer Bird. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Summer Bird. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Monday, November 9, 2009
Handicapping Breeder's Cup Day 2 - Very Similar to Day 1
The similarity is not good either. As you recall, day one was a train wreck. Day 2 was not much better. Plenty of close, but never the cigar.
Juvenile Turf
I had this one surrounded, but left out Pounced. He certainly lived up to his name and Interactif, while in good position throughout, never had a second gear in the lane. I knew Bridgetown wouldn't get the mile, but missed on who would nail him in the stretch.
Finish: My top 3 finished 3rd, 2nd and 5th.
Turf Sprint
In order for this one to work out for me, Canadian Ballet had to go with California Flag. As I mentioned on the Show, if he's alone down the hill it's all over but the shouting. Canadian Ballet didn't and it was.
Finish: My top 3 finished 4th, 11th and 1st.
Sprint
OK. We ALL missed this one, so I don't feel too badly about it. My only mention of the winner, Dancing in Silks, was that he needed to go wire to wire for the win. Uh...no, no he didn't. Boxcar payouts on this one.
Finish: My top 3 finished 8th, 4th and 5th.
Juvenile
Another one that the world missed. Disregarded 30-1 shot Vale of York out headed hard charging favorite Looking at Lucky. It was another half back to my choice Noble's Promise.
Finish: My top 3 finished 3rd, 2nd and 13th.
Mile
I took a stand against Goldikova on this one strictly on value. My choice, Justenuffhumor (16-1) finished very well, but left too much work for the end. The filly did it again. As I mentioned in the Show, the performance of Zacinto and Delegator would be a bellwether on Rip Van Winkle's chances in the Classic. They folded and he never had a shot.
Finish: My top 3 finished 3rd, 1st and 11th.
Synthetic Mile
My lock of the day, Mastercraftsman, was hardly a master of his craft today. Another boxcar payoff when 21-1 Furthest Land won followed by 24-1 Ready's Echo.
Finish: My top 3 finished 4th, 9th and 3rd.
Turf
I thought I had the tri in this one, but Spanish Moon, trying to rate in 2nd most of the way, displayed no close and was passed by Dar Re Mi heading into the stretch. I gambled on Presious Passion holding on to win and, despite a very gutsy performance in the stretch, was nailed by favored Conduit.
Finish: My top 3 finished 2nd, 4th and 1st.
Classic
I had her wrong. I did not think Zenyatta would hit the board. My reasoning was the field was too large and too talented to give her the opportunity to win unless she was rated closer to the pace. When Quality Road scratched and she showed so much reluctance to load - both times - I figured I was spot on and she was a goner. Hardly. Mike Smith was stellar and the race was one for the ages. Absolutely magnificent.
Finish: My top 3 finished 4th, scratched and 10th.
It was a tough weekend. When I went for value, the chalk won. When I went for chalk, the long shot won. Sometimes you have days like that. Usually you don't have them so public that the world can see, but it is what it is and I'll take the good with the bad.
I'll recap the races in a bit more detail on the radio show Wednesday night, 9PM Central on Blog Talk Radio.
Juvenile Turf
I had this one surrounded, but left out Pounced. He certainly lived up to his name and Interactif, while in good position throughout, never had a second gear in the lane. I knew Bridgetown wouldn't get the mile, but missed on who would nail him in the stretch.
Finish: My top 3 finished 3rd, 2nd and 5th.
Turf Sprint
In order for this one to work out for me, Canadian Ballet had to go with California Flag. As I mentioned on the Show, if he's alone down the hill it's all over but the shouting. Canadian Ballet didn't and it was.
Finish: My top 3 finished 4th, 11th and 1st.
Sprint
OK. We ALL missed this one, so I don't feel too badly about it. My only mention of the winner, Dancing in Silks, was that he needed to go wire to wire for the win. Uh...no, no he didn't. Boxcar payouts on this one.
Finish: My top 3 finished 8th, 4th and 5th.
Juvenile
Another one that the world missed. Disregarded 30-1 shot Vale of York out headed hard charging favorite Looking at Lucky. It was another half back to my choice Noble's Promise.
Finish: My top 3 finished 3rd, 2nd and 13th.
Mile
I took a stand against Goldikova on this one strictly on value. My choice, Justenuffhumor (16-1) finished very well, but left too much work for the end. The filly did it again. As I mentioned in the Show, the performance of Zacinto and Delegator would be a bellwether on Rip Van Winkle's chances in the Classic. They folded and he never had a shot.
Finish: My top 3 finished 3rd, 1st and 11th.
Synthetic Mile
My lock of the day, Mastercraftsman, was hardly a master of his craft today. Another boxcar payoff when 21-1 Furthest Land won followed by 24-1 Ready's Echo.
Finish: My top 3 finished 4th, 9th and 3rd.
Turf
I thought I had the tri in this one, but Spanish Moon, trying to rate in 2nd most of the way, displayed no close and was passed by Dar Re Mi heading into the stretch. I gambled on Presious Passion holding on to win and, despite a very gutsy performance in the stretch, was nailed by favored Conduit.
Finish: My top 3 finished 2nd, 4th and 1st.
Classic
I had her wrong. I did not think Zenyatta would hit the board. My reasoning was the field was too large and too talented to give her the opportunity to win unless she was rated closer to the pace. When Quality Road scratched and she showed so much reluctance to load - both times - I figured I was spot on and she was a goner. Hardly. Mike Smith was stellar and the race was one for the ages. Absolutely magnificent.
Finish: My top 3 finished 4th, scratched and 10th.
It was a tough weekend. When I went for value, the chalk won. When I went for chalk, the long shot won. Sometimes you have days like that. Usually you don't have them so public that the world can see, but it is what it is and I'll take the good with the bad.
I'll recap the races in a bit more detail on the radio show Wednesday night, 9PM Central on Blog Talk Radio.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Saturday's Breeder's Cup Selections
Here are my picks for the Saturday edition of the Breeder's Cup. For a more detailed analysis, click on the Blog Talk Radio player to the left after 12:35 PM Central Time and listen to today's preview show.
Juvenile Turf
Interactif appears to be the one to beat in here. While some others have the ability to jump up from their latest starts, I'm going with the chalk here.
1. Interactif
2. Bridgetown
3. Buzzword
Turf Sprint
California Flag will set the early pace. If Canadian Ballet pushes him along, the race opens ups a bit for Diamondrella and Delta Storm.
1. Delta Storm
2. Diamondrella
3. California Flag
Sprint
This race begins with Zensational wanting to wire the field. As in the Turf Sprint, others will need some help hooking the frontrunner. Fatal Bullet and long shot Dancing in Silks fit the bill in here to help set things up for Capt Candyman Can and Gayego.
1. Captain Candyman Can
2. Gayego
3. Zensational
Juvenile
Undefeated Looking at Lucky will be a short priced favorite as he's won around two turns and loves the Pro-Ride. D'Funnybone has been tearing it up back East, but hasn't gone long yet. An option at a price could be Noble's Promise who appears to be peaking at the right time.
1. Noble's Promise
2. Looking at Lucky
3. D'Funnybone
Turf Mile
Goldikova is favored to repeat and is joined by a couple of other Euros, Zacitno and Delegator, that could make for a European sweep. A sleeper at a price: Justenuffhumor who loves the turf firm and should be obliged today.
1. Justenuffhumor
2. Goldikova
3. Zacinto
Synthetic Mile
My best bet of the day appears in this race. Mastercraftsman appears to clearly be the best of this group.
1. Mastercraftsman
2. Bullsbay
3. Midshipman
Turf
I'd really like to pass on this race, but if you're going public, you have to go all out. Conduit will try and defend his title while American Presious Passion will run out to a big lead and try to hold on.
1. Presious Passion
2. Spanish Moon
3. Conduit
Classic
Undefeated Zenyatta really steps it up here in an attempt to wrest Horse of the Year honors from Rachel Alexandra. Throw in the Derby winner, the Belmont winner, the QE2 winner as well as sentimental favorite Einstein and you have a lot of entertaining story lines. But the race is about running, not story lines and I think that Summer Bird will handle this field and Zenyatta, caught in traffic, won't hit the board.
1. Summer Bird
2. Quality Road
3. Rip Van Winkle
There you have it. My choices for Breeder's Cup Saturday 2009. Best of luck everyone!
Juvenile Turf
Interactif appears to be the one to beat in here. While some others have the ability to jump up from their latest starts, I'm going with the chalk here.
1. Interactif
2. Bridgetown
3. Buzzword
Turf Sprint
California Flag will set the early pace. If Canadian Ballet pushes him along, the race opens ups a bit for Diamondrella and Delta Storm.
1. Delta Storm
2. Diamondrella
3. California Flag
Sprint
This race begins with Zensational wanting to wire the field. As in the Turf Sprint, others will need some help hooking the frontrunner. Fatal Bullet and long shot Dancing in Silks fit the bill in here to help set things up for Capt Candyman Can and Gayego.
1. Captain Candyman Can
2. Gayego
3. Zensational
Juvenile
Undefeated Looking at Lucky will be a short priced favorite as he's won around two turns and loves the Pro-Ride. D'Funnybone has been tearing it up back East, but hasn't gone long yet. An option at a price could be Noble's Promise who appears to be peaking at the right time.
1. Noble's Promise
2. Looking at Lucky
3. D'Funnybone
Turf Mile
Goldikova is favored to repeat and is joined by a couple of other Euros, Zacitno and Delegator, that could make for a European sweep. A sleeper at a price: Justenuffhumor who loves the turf firm and should be obliged today.
1. Justenuffhumor
2. Goldikova
3. Zacinto
Synthetic Mile
My best bet of the day appears in this race. Mastercraftsman appears to clearly be the best of this group.
1. Mastercraftsman
2. Bullsbay
3. Midshipman
Turf
I'd really like to pass on this race, but if you're going public, you have to go all out. Conduit will try and defend his title while American Presious Passion will run out to a big lead and try to hold on.
1. Presious Passion
2. Spanish Moon
3. Conduit
Classic
Undefeated Zenyatta really steps it up here in an attempt to wrest Horse of the Year honors from Rachel Alexandra. Throw in the Derby winner, the Belmont winner, the QE2 winner as well as sentimental favorite Einstein and you have a lot of entertaining story lines. But the race is about running, not story lines and I think that Summer Bird will handle this field and Zenyatta, caught in traffic, won't hit the board.
1. Summer Bird
2. Quality Road
3. Rip Van Winkle
There you have it. My choices for Breeder's Cup Saturday 2009. Best of luck everyone!
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