Futurity Morning

We had a great fashion show at Lexington this morning with Greg Peck and Ron Gurfein. Greg was receiving numerous compliments on his black Red Mile jacket, personalized with Muscle Hill’s name, given to him by the track. Smoking a cigar in Gurfein’s shedrow at 11 a.m., he looked far from relaxed, but I imagine he won’t be able to feel calmer until after Muscle Hill proves himself today.

Gurfein got in on the fashion act, as well, as the Hall of Fame trainer broke out a reversible polo jacket—black and white quilt. It was quite stunning—but Ronnie has always been one of racing’s snazziest dressers.

It is a beautiful day in Lexington today, with a blue, cloudless sky and an autumn breeze lifting the flags toward the finish line. Many are buzzing with talk of Muscle Hill, but next week’s sale is also a big topic. We heard that yearling viewing has been brisk, and the Ohio Select Sale’s success is a good sign. I saw Bruce Brinkerhoff of the Lexington Select Sale Company and asked his thoughts. Though he was not sure the numbers would be as strong as last year, he believes the sale will still have good strength based on the quality of yearlings and the great purses now available.

And although the Thoroughbreds had real challenges at their sale last week, the fact that we don’t rely on multi-million dollar purchases to drive our numbers will certainly bode better for the Standardbreds.

Walking through the Lexington backstretch is always magical, but there was also a slap of reality when we walked past the banner for Troy Sylvester hanging above the Sylvester shedrow: “Gone but not forgotten.” So true.

Nicole