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.