Here we are at Labor Day Weekend with the extremely hot summer winding down having only 4/10ths of an inch of rain for over a month. Three miles away they have had rain, but not our brown crunchy ground. I never have figured out how weeds grow without water. Grass won’t, but weeds will.
Racing makes a big shift Labor Day. Ellis Park, Saratoga, and Del Mar all close. August has turned out to be our best month regarding purse money and racing taking us over the million mark for the year and $242,000 for the month. We have had a record 16 seconds and 10 thirds for the month. Many of those seconds were very painful to watch as they were decided by photo’s, head bobs or jockey error. Hopefully in September we can flip some of those seconds and thirds to winners next time out.
The highlights of the month were our home bred and owned DREAMIN BIG winning two races with the second win being the $84,000 added Merrillville Stakes for fillies and mares going three quarters. It was also her 4th win in a row this year from 5 starts and made her our leading earner this year of $172,000 taking her lifetime earnings right at $350,000. This moves her into the second most money winning horse we have bred entirely. Coincidently the most winning horse we have ever bred MOR CHANCES (still winning at age 8) won at Fingerlakes this month taking his earnings over $510,000.
ROCKIN’ ROCKSTAR who was one of our favorite horses was claimed this month having won right at $330,000 lifetime for this partnership who bred the 5 yr. old gelding. Congratulations to all the owners and breeders (Jack Danehy, Ralph Piercy, Terry Ward, Barry Ward, Kenneth Agronin, Steve Yamaguchi and Mary Ann Barth) and we thank you all for your years of friendship and loyalty.
We also won a race (and broke her maiden) with DOVE’S GONE WILD for our longtime friends and owners of the farm where we foal our Indiana Breds, Larry and JoAnne Ernst.
EL OF A RASH (who was named by a group of dermatologists!) broke his maiden winning a race for owners Margaux Farm.
Kentucky Downs opens this week and will run 6 days (up from 3 last year) thanks to the instant racing slot machines. Their maiden special purses are $60,000 which is twice what they were. Kentucky Downs is a European grass course and is located less than one mile from the Tennessee boarder off of interstate 65.
The breaking of yearlings is going well on the farm. Most have been very sensible in the transition from lunging to being ridden. We are still weaning mares and foals waiting for the weather to cooperate.
On the home front, Sara has returned to Morehead to continue her education. As you recall she spent last semester in southern Mexico teaching English, which was an experience of a lifetime. Abby, our youngest, has moved to Lexington and is now attending the University of Kentucky as a freshman. Elizabeth’s photography business is doing well and keeping her schedule full. In other words, Penny and I are home alone once again. It got quiet here real quick.
Racing is on the upswing as handles across the country are up. There are still many difficulties to overcome regarding unity in racing as well as medication rules, but it still can not take away the thrill of winning a race or watching these beautiful animals develop. Remember to get out and support your local track and place a bet!