Streak of Sunshine peaking through

I wish I was able to say that things have turned around since the last blog posting in early July. I think something we have learned is that when you think it as bad as it could get, it can get worse. Yet there is still that one ray of sunshine peaking through with hope

Rochelle Rochelle went to Penn National to be able to take advantage of their great purse structure against meager competition on the lower levels. These races are generally the saving grace for a racing secretary cause they always fill. We should have known considering BGR's luck that she would only get one opportunity to run at the 4k level. She also has gone off form. A deal has been worked out with our trainer Chuck Simon and she is under his ownership now. She is getting a layoff and will come back in the late fall.

Gondorf has made his way back to Kentucky after what was a painstaking process. Reports are that he looks good and he will be getting a full evaluation the first week of September in regards to his potential of racing again.

Prospect Knight was entered in what was actually his last race carrying the BGR colors. We put him in a spot where we knew there was a strong likelihood he would get claimed and we hoped he would have won the race consideration it was the lowest level he had raced. He dead heated for 3rd and had 4 claims on him. He was a horse that we did very well with, but by our admission we had probably run him a couple too many times and at the time he was a tired horse. He came back about 45 days later to run 4th at Remington Park in the same type of race and we still feel it was the right move cause he was going to need an extended break this fall.

Albin is currently in Kentucky rehabbing from his last race were he didn't come out of it well. He will get monthly checkups and we will decided at the start of the year what to do in regards to his racing career.

Now onto the GOOD news! Fifth of April made her debut for BGR the day after Million Day (August 19th) and it was a flashy winning debut. I think we will admit that we are completely shocked by this and I think Richie and even the jockey (Jesse Lantz), who had been on her for every work, were also. It is an unreal feeling that your first homebred, a horse that you have raised from conception to racetrack, makes it to the races let alone wins first out against open company. Her Illinois bred status is very beneficial to us and while we are trying to stay even keel in regards to her potential, we can't help but get excited. Richie has recommended that we invade Fairmount Park on September 18th for an Illinois bred 2 year old Filly stakes race on what is their Illinois Stakes Day. We will absolutely nominate, enter, and feel we could have a decent shot in it if she handles the dirt.

Mr Mojo Risin will be getting a full evaluation this week to get the OK to go back into training. It would be great if we were able to get him back to Hawthorne on October 1st and back to the races.

Things are also starting to pick up at Rea's where all of our bloodstock is currently located. Wundelia and her foal arrived towards the start of August from Canada. Both of the 2012 foals (Yes its True / Wundelia and Desert Party / Top Royelle) have been weaned and the process went great. Top Royelle is pregnant to Into Mischief, who had a flashy debut winner yesterday at Del Mar in almost track record time. Pair that with Fifth of April (Top Royelle's first foal) debut win and all their values have been enhanced. Fashion Slave will be going back into training soon as she continues to grow. Our Yes Its True yearling filly and Cactus Ridge colt will begin the breaking process October 1st.