The legal battle with the casinos over the 3% that was earmarked for the Illinois Thoroughbred racetracks and horseman has finally ended, in favor of the horseman. Arlington has already increased their purses 21%, and those increases should be around for following 3 years. If the racetracks are able to get slots also, the purses could become the highest in the Midwest, making racing here extremely viable.
Albin proved that his last place finish in his race on July 21st was a fluke as he galloped in a conditioned claimer on August 4th. He received a very good Thorograph figure in his August 4th win and he will go back to facing allowance company the first week of September. Hopefully he continues to improve.
Rochelle Rochelle and Prospect Knight made their return to Arlington Park the first week of August. Rochelle Rochelle returned to the turf in a lackluster performance last Friday. She will get some class relief towards the first week of September.
Prospect Knight has been given 14 days of light training and will get back to it starting tomorrow. He will work around the 20th of August as we target an allowance race at Hoosier Park on August 27th.
Mr Mojo Risin ran a sneaky good 5th in an allowance race on Million Day. Despite only being able to run for a quarter mile, he was only beat 4 lengths to a couple older horses on what we consider his non-preferred surface. The next couple weeks he will get some special attention and focus to his behavior in the gate. His first two races he has broke tardy which has caused him to be shoveled back to last. We will try and get him to break a little cleaner so he doesn't have to make up so much ground. He'll also return the first week of September.
Gondorf ran back after his maiden crushing to finish a fading 7th place. He never really got a chance to settle in that race and while we do believe he is allowance worthy, he will get some class relief and hopefully a return to the turf.
Surfer Rosa was suppose to run today but was scratched because Arlington took the races off the turf after the deluge of rain yesterday. Considering her race got 30 horses and was split into 3 divisions, it is probable that they will bring it back as an extra fairly quickly.
The Claiming Crown is at the Fairground this year and we have nominated four horses (Prospect Knight, Gondorf, Albin and Mr Mojo Risin). As of right now, Albin has a chance to be running that day but alot can change between now and the end of December. The Claiming Crown gives the working man horse a chance at making stakes type money. Its a novel idea that is great for our type of operation.
Not much to report from Arundel Farm regarding our foals and broodmares. October 1st is getting closer and closer for both of the yearling fillies and their first trainings begin. This is the first crop of homebreds for Bob Gary Racing, and while they are not named yet, we are eagerly awaiting them for debut, hopefully in 2012.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
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