End of year rapidly approaching

Generally in horse racing the Breeders Cup signals the end of the year which causes us to reflect back on the year that we have had. As in every situation, there are positives and negatives and the roller coaster continues.

Gondorf continues to progress down at Rea's and he is tentatively being scheduled to come back into the fold January 1st. We are still not 100% sure if he make it back, but we are willing to give our trainer, Richie Scherer, a chance to see and evaluate our options with him.

Mr Mojo Risin has gone to the Second Stride organization, which is a non profit organization that adapts horses out to people that have the ability to take care of horses in their 2nd career. Mojo was just an unfortunate situation considering the promise that he had. These things happen in racing every day. We did what was right for him and he will now be able to start his 2nd career as a trail horse for someone who will love him dearly.

Fifth of April has ran back to back 2nds, in the stake at Fairmount by a nose, and at Hawthorne in a nw1 allowance race. She is being pointed towards the Hawthorne 2 year old filly stake, the Showtime Deb, on November 10th. We finished 2nd to what will be the probable favorite last time, and we will be getting weight (6lbs) going into this race. We are also hoping for a fast track as I feel the winner of her last race was aided by the sealed muddy racetrack and while we probably weren't hampered, we weren't helped either. After her race next week, she will go on break for 60 days down in New Orleans and come back into the fold February 1st

Our other 2 year old, Fashion Slave (Johar out of Bob's Bean), has been turned out for most of the summer and fall and she will begin her training for her 3 year old debut. She is tentatively scheduled to go to New Orleans on the same van as Gondorf.

Albin is taking his next steps in rehab as he will finally get to be turned out in a paddock after suffering a leg injury. Its possible he will begin training for a 7 year old campaign around February.

The babies have started to be broken and one is doing great and the other will need more time. Our Cactus Ridge colt (by Top Royelle and half brother to Fifth of April) has taken to the breaking process well and is basically almost ready to go to the next level. Her compadre, the Yes Its True filly (first foal out of Wundelia) is gonna need more time to mature a little as she has been skittish, yet willing which is a good sign. We think the colt will go be on the same van as Gondorf down to New Orleans on January 1st, and the filly will probably need an additional 30-60 days before training begins.

With Wundelia barren this year, she will stay at Reas' for the winter and we are hoping to be able to breed her to the super fast new stallion, The Factor. Top Royelle will leave towards the end of November for her Illinois foaling farm, where she will have her Into Mischief foal. We are undecied on her mating for 2013.