Breathtaking

There was about $18,500 bet in the win pool for the second elim of the first Futurity heat—and $18,200 was bet on Muscle Hill. And Muscle Hill did n not disappoint, winning easily, with virtually no encouragement from Brian Sears. He “only” trotted in 1:52.3, but his easy was simply breathtaking.

The crowd was on his feet as Muscle Hill made his way back to the detention barn, applauding heartily, and Greg Peck waving to the crowd just got them more excited.

The wind is starting to pick up again, and it will be at the drivers’ backs in the stretch if it stays in this direction. When he interviewed Brian Sears after the race, announcer Sam McKee said he expected he would be talking to Brian again in about an hour, indicating he’d do so when Muscle Hill wins the final. Now that is confidence!

Mr Muscleman just paraded in a retirement tribute. Adam Victor Jr. just said that they are still trying to get him into the Kentucky Horse Park. Right now Western Dreamer and Staying Together are the Standardbred representative.

Muscle Hill draws the rail in the Futurity final, and Russell Hill and Airzoom Lindy both scratch out. Ron Pierce picked Explosive Matter over Big Bikkies, who will be driven by Jim Morrill Jr.

 

25.4!

Rock N Roll Heaven just came his last quarter in 25.4 to with a Bluegrass division. Granted it was “wind aided,” but still—that’s amazing. And this colt has already finished second in two sub 1:50 miles. As trainer Bruce Saunders said, “You have to pinch yourself to remember these are 2-year-olds.”

It’s great to see Bruce Saunders with a top colt. I worked with him in the 1989 when he trained my horse Best Of Dani, and just loved his sense of humor and professionalism.

Of course Bruce was in the harness new last year for a whole other connection—he is formerly the brother-in-law of Joe Biden, our nation’s vice president, having once been married to Biden’s sister, Valerie.

Bruce, who also trained Misfit and Casimir Camotion, says Rock N Roll Heaven is done for the year since he is not Breeders Crown eligible.

Looking for Nails

We just went out to present the trophy for the “Hoof Beats Pace,” race 3 at The Red Mile, won by Big Bad Bosley and George Brennan. We were joined walking across the track to the winner’s circle by trackman Dan Coons, who goes out to look at hoof prints in the dirt to see how horse are getting over the track.

“Look for the nails,” he said. “The hoof prints look good if you can see the nails.”

We saw plenty of nails in the cascade of prints along the fiery red dirt, and Dan said the track was in great shape.

“With weather like this,” he said, “any track can be in great shape.”

Harness Horse Youth Foundation is being saluted today and drivers are giving a percentage of their earnings to the HHYF. One of the best elements of that feature is that HHYF ponies lead the post parade, with Chris Ryder and a young member of the Harness Racing Youth League. So far we have seen the next generation of Kimelmans (Blue Chip Farms), Svensson (blacksmith Conny) and Antonacci (the legendary Lindy Farms family). The future looks good!

Anyone seeking to join the driver and support the HHYF efforts can visit www.hhyf.org.

Nicole

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

Red Mile visits

What an amazing experience it is walk around The Red Mile and see so many great racing personalities. We spent a blustery morning on the backstretch today, after a rain-soaked drive from Columbus.

Our first stop was to Steve Elliott’s barn, where the Jug blanket of roses is in full display and the Jug blanket hangs with great pride. Well Said was having a hind shoe tacked on when we got there, and looking at him you would be hard pressed to find any flaw on his absolutely beautiful and sculpted body. He looks as fit and glossy as a horse could be—no doubt in big part to the care he receives from Steve’s assistant trainer, Toni Rose. Toni is an amazing person and an even more amazing horsewoman, and how much she loves Well Said is clear in her every moment with the colt. Getting to stroke his satiny neck and look up close into the eye of  such a champion was a thrill of the morning.

But it wasn’t the only thrill. We next stopped by Greg Peck’s barn where we watched Muscle Hill getting a bath after his jog session. He looks terrific—alert, in great form, ears up and happy. Greg Peck looked a little tired, and he admitted he was ready for his wife, Nancy, to arrive tomorrow. Great horses, a wonderful wife, successful and charming kids (son Sean has a 4.0 GPA in high school and Brendan has become a media star)—what doesn’t this guy have?!

Muscle Hill’s groom, Sylvia, is home with a cold or flu, and we certainly hope for her a speedy recovery. We know she does not want to miss tomorrow’s festivities.

Mark Hall and I spent a few minutes with Holiday Road, the Peter Haughton winner, who Greg Peck said is done for the year. The powerful son of Yankee Glide (who has a positively towering head) was staring out the window when we first passed his stall, but he soon came over to say hello, shake his head and even take a nip or two at us.

The day has turned quite lovely, with big puffy clouds amid blue sky, and a fast track to compliment the top filly trotters battling for the Filly Futurity crown. Ah, Lexington. There is nothing like it.

Nicole

Going to Lexington

Friday the Hoof Beats crew heads to Lexington to cover the Grand Circuit racing, most notably the Kentucky Filly Futurity on Friday and the Kentucky Futurity on Saturday. We'll have video recaps of both days' features and a photo feature in the November issue of Hoof Beats. Also, stay tuned for blog posts from the front.

I'm looking forward to this year's trip because it feels like it has been so long since I've been there. Last year I came down for the first week, but my brother (who is not involved in harness racing) decided to have his wedding on Futurity Day. I have to admit that I was a little disappointed when I called to get the results and found out that there had been such an exciting third-heat raceoff, but it was a beautiful wedding nonetheless.

This year I'll make it a point to be there trackside for this year's trotting classic. I'm just hoping that the weather is warm (and dry) enough for Muscle Hill to really show how fast he can trot. I was there when Giant Diablo trotted in 1:50.1, when Snow White trotted in 1:52.4 and when Somebeachsomewhere paced in 1:46.4, so if there is any place to stop a clock, it's Lexington!

Good racing, and hope to see you there! TJB

HB Story Idea

George Rood asked: Why doesn't Hoof Beats do an article on the most dominant ownership operation in racing--Bulletproof Enterprises. They are like a big mystery that no one dares talk about. They are involved in every major race, but no one knows who they are--just some group hidden away in Florida. How about telling the fans who these guys are and what drives this operation?

Answer: Thanks for the suggestion. We will certainly consider it.