A Brand new year!

January 1st is not only the start of the new year but it is also every single thoroughbreds birthday. Looking back on 2010, we continued to learn about the racing industry and while we did have a difficult year, we did have some positives to look back on, learn from and hopefully grow upon. With us not adding any horseflesh through yearling sales, all of our horses (besides the two mares and foals) are racing or very close to racing. We have yet to ever be in that situation and it should help things run a little more smoothly.

Big Shake will start the 2011 year off for BGR as he has been entered in the 6th race at Tampa Bay Downs. We are hoping to change tactics with him as we would like to see him involved in the race alot earlier. If there was ever a 'Gallop out' award for horses, he would win the Eclipse.

Not too long after Big Shake runs, Rochelle Rochelle will make her 2011 debut at Parx Racing. She was touched with a bit of bad luck as her race was cancelled with the Philly area got trounced with snow. They redrew the race and we still drew the rail. The way the race shapes up she should have things her own way as there is speed and hopefully she will be able to get off the rail and make the wide and hopeful run that works so well at Parx Racing.

Prospect Knight has had some downtime because his race didn't fill and we are hoping to run him on January 12th at Parx Racing. He was one of the bright spots from 2010 and he should improve as a 3 year old and have a very good year.

The Magic Bus was excluded from an MSW at Parx Racing because there was over 20 horses entered in the race. We are hoping for an extra to be written to run him in or we will wait until January 19th for him to make his 3 year old debut. He has been training forwardly and we should see a different horse from his debut.

Gondorf was entered in an interesting spot today at Tampa Bay Downs but it ended up not filling. He is a horse that we are expecting to carry the load in 2011 and that will hopefully start by him breaking his maiden very soon.

Surfer Rosa made her return in the work tab and Chuck has said a January 23rd claiming race at Tampa is possible for her. She was our first ever 2 year old winner and we are looking forward to stretching her out around two turns. She seems to have tactical speed and a good closing kick, both which are extremely beneficial in turf racing.

Both mares (Top Royelle and Wundelia) have settled in at the winter homes in Waterloo, IL. They are set to foal in mid March and will return to Kentucky afterwards.

Good luck and safe trips for both Big Shake and Rochelle Rochelle tomorrow as we are hoping to start 2011 off on the right foot. Happy New Year!