Runners Tune UP

April 22, 2007

Courtney’s Progress

Our Filly is doing very well.  She worked five 16ths in :31.1 (that’s two furlongs and a 16^th in just over a half minute).  The times at Diamond D are going to seem slow (compared to the race track); but you have to keep in mind that the training track is purposely kept deeper—which will produce slower fractions.  That’s okay because what is given up in time is gained in safety and fitness.

 

Scooter reports that Courtney is very smart and working just as good as (and in some cases, better than) the present company in training at the Ranch.  He said she’s holding up well and should be ready to go to the track by mid-May. 

 

On Friday, April 27, Courtney will breeze three 8ths (three furlongs), and the following Friday (Kentucky Oaks Day), she’ll begin her gate schooling.

 

Woody’s Return

 

After a nice hiatus in his personal paddock, it’s almost time to get the Mojo Man back in action—Bret wants to freshen him up before it gets too hot.  As such, it looks like Woody will resume training and then gate schooling the first week in June.  From there, Scooter will tell me when he’s ready; then Bret and I will look at the calendar to see which meet offers the best fit for the Big Man’s first test of the track.

 

Note:  I only plan to run Woody once or twice as a Two-Year-Old. 

 

Also Note:  I would like to give Woody his first test on the Polytrack surface; and as such, Arlington Park or Keeneland (Fall Meet) are my top choices.  That said, if he needs more time, then we’ll likely shoot for Churchill (Fall Meet) or hold off for the Fairgrounds.   (For all of you California dreamers, there will be plenty of opportunities to consider our So Cal options when Woody gets older.  I don't want to put the track before the horse at this point.)

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Easter at Diamond D

April 7, 2007

Even though it was a bit chilly outside, the barn was nice and toasty.  Here are a few photos taken the day before Easter of Woody in his paddock and Courtney in her stall:
 

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Mojo's New Runner

April 3, 2007

I am very pleased to announce that a beautiful Bay Filly named Not In My Court (a.k.a. Courtney) has been added to our Mojo Stable.  She was born on March 29, 2005 at Woods Edge Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. 

Our filly’s pedigree is quite impressive.  Her daddy (sire) is Doneraile Court—a multiple graded stakes winner as a Two-Year-Old and mile Racer, and sire of 26 stakes winners from his first three crops.  Doneraile Court’s sire is Seattle Slew—he won the Triple Crown in 1977.  This dam-side of her sire’s family is quite successful too, and is inbred to the influential stallion Tom Fool.

Not In My Court’s momma is Overcame It All.  Her family is equally impressive.  Rahy is our Runner's grand-sire on the dam’s side, and Courtney's great grandsire (on the dam's side) is Blushing Groom.  Both were successful racers and are/were (respectfully) prolific stallions.  Not In My Court's great grand-dam, Love Smitten, also produced Swain—a European champion that gave Silver Charm a run for his money in the 1998 Dubai World Cup and again in the 1998 Breeders’ Cup Classic.  NIMC is also inbred to Hail To Reason on both sides of her family.

Not In My Court was first sold at the 2006 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.  After completing her initial race training, she was sold again (a.k.a. “Pinhooked”) at the 2007 Fasig-Tipton Texas Two-Year-Olds In Training Sale—where Mojo Racing Partners happily made the purchase.  We’ve sent her to Diamond D Ranch to get freshened up and undergo gate schooling to get her ready for the Spring/Summer Meet at Lone Star Park.

Below are a few pics that were taken after she passed through the sales ring at the TX 2YO In Training Sale.

If all goes well, and she remains fit/sound, Not In My Court will be sent to our Trainer, Bret Calhoun, the first week in May.

You can read more about our new Runner by visiting Not In My Court's profile page.  Here’s to keeping our Mojo workin’!

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2YO In Training Sale Update

April 2, 2007

I spent the afternoon on the backside at Lone Star Park evaluating several fillies that are set to go through the Fasig-Tipton Texas Two-Year-Olds In Training Sale this week.  I’m hoping there’s another Mojo Runner in the mix.  There are several gals that caught my eye–naturally, the real question remains whether or not some good Mojo will once again come my way tomorrow.  To help the cause, Ken Carson and Bret Calhoun have, once again, graciously offered their assistance; and out of all the fillies that we evaluated, we found six that look like they will be nice candidates for the Mojo Stable.  Here are the Hip #s:  89, 104, 112, 128, 249, and 264.