Calm before the Storm

Anticipation, anxiety and restlessness are all ways to describe what is going on with Bob Gary Racing recently. It is a certain calmness before what should be a hectic, entertaining and fun next 6 months. We are in that unique timeframe where Arlington Park is 30 days away from opening, yet it can't get here fast enough. Winning at Arlington Park is special because it is considered home and it is also the racetrack program that BGR is built upon. All of our horses fit specific conditions that are run at Arlington frequently and we are hoping that the 5 month Arlington meet is a fruitful one.

Appoint's race was not used by the Tampa Bay Downs racing office and has been brought back for April 2nd. There is also an open claiming race going 6.5 furlongs that might fit her that day for what is only a prep before she invades Indiana Downs near the end of April.

Colonel Klink prepared for his Keeneland start with a 1:00 five furlong work that was described as 'great' from Chuck. While Keeneland is always a tough place to run at, the return to polytrack and an extra 2 furlongs should benefit him greatly, and also set him up perfectly for Arlington.

Big Shake and Albin are both coming off very good races and pointed towards early April starts. Big Shake is pointed towards an April 10th start while Albin is on the fence for his next start, which is dependent on Arlington's first condition book. Targets are a 50nw2 race at Tampa on April 16th and if Chuck is feeling confident there is also a race at Gulfstream (allowance nw2) on April 11th. There is also potential of giving him a minor break to have a fresh horse for Arlington, especially if there is a race early in the first book for him. Lets go with this condition book Arlington Park! :)

Rochelle Rochelle and Gondorf are back in full training after minor aliments. Rochelle is pointed to the first MSW for 3 year old fillies in the Arlington condition book and Gondorf should be ready in late May, early June.

Graphite Halo is set to join Cool Clue with the Philly Park string in early April. She has been training well and pointed towards an April 23rd return to the race, at the old school racetrack, Atlantic City Race Course. Cool Clue was a touch winter sore and has bounced back. The Philly string had some setbacks with the changing weather and should be back to normal soon. Cool Clue should have a start sometime within the next 15 days.

Mizz Liza got a favorable report from Dr. Ferguson last week and has been able to be turned out now. She will return to full training when she arrives at Arlington Park.

The two year olds are all progressing the way we would want. Maturity is gonna be the theme for this year. The Magic Bus continues to show class and talent in the mornings. Mr Mojo Risin is starting to realize that he has some talent and that he is flashy. Prospect Knight has calmed down since he has lost his 'jewels' and Surfer Rosa, which immature, has moved forward. They will be arriving at Arlington Park the first week of May.

Bob's Bean produced a classy Johar filly (pictures in Gallery) in mid Feb. Mom and foal are doing good and are back at Arundel Farm. Top Royelle just visited Cactus Ridge in the breeding shed and her Dehere filly has really improved from the attitude side recently. Wundelia is a week away from having some fun with Yes Its True.

As always, April is one of those months in the industry that has promise to be entertaining with all of the Kentucky Derby preps, flowers blossoming in the North while the tracks prepare for the invasion of the connections from the winter tracks and most importantly the future of people's stables arrive from remedial training. Looking forward to it.

Richwood Claimed, Shake runs big!

Interesting last couple days with the BGR camp as we have gone through our first horse being claimed. Richwood Silver was dropped to the bottom at Philly Park to gain some confidence after two disappointing performances. Unfortunately she didn't perform how we expected yet again. Part of this business is running in races where other people can 'claim' or buy your horse. She was 'claimed' by Robert Reid for $5,000. We hope she gets back to her better form for her new connections and she is well taken care of. Thank you Richwood for running your rear end off almost every time for us.

Big Shake decided he wanted to be a racehorse today at Tampa Bay Downs. Being hung out wide the entire race, he stayed on strong to only be beaten by 2.75 lengths. Diego rode a great race considering the circumstances and it was great to see Big Shake put in a what will come back to be a very good performance, numbers-wise.

Cool Clue and Albin are pointing towards their next races within the coming week. Cool Clue will be pointed towards a nw2 6.5 furlong race and Albin is being entered in a route turf race.

Colonel Klink is ramping up for his April 9th Keeneland start. He will ship to Keeneland a couple days before that start.

Gondorf, Mizz Liza, and Rochelle Rochelle are all making their way back after some time off. Look for Rochelle Rochelle to be ready first (early April), Gondorf to be ready towards the middle of May, and Mizz Liza to be ready in June.

Graphite Halo and Appoint continue to prepare for spring campaigns. Graphite Halo will most likely not be ready until she ships to Philly Park. Both Philly and Delaware Park will be options for her. Appoint will have a prep race at Tampa Bay Downs before she readys for her Indiana campaign. Indiana Downs first condition book should be out relatively soon.

We have decided that Mr Mojo Risin and Prospect Knight will benefit greatly by being gelded. Both have been focusing a little more on the ladies and also becoming a little tough to handle while they become fitter. The Magic Bus continues to do well and Surfer Rosa continues to develop.

Bob's Bean is ready to burst with her Johar foal. She is currently still in Illinois. Top Royelle has been sent back to Kentucky to Arundel Farm with her Dehere filly. Both mare and filly are doing well. Top Royelle will be going back to Cactus Ridge this spring. Wundelia is getting ready to go to Yes Its True.