Coolin' Out... taking a look back at a not-so-quiet-Saturday

Congratulations to Hall of Famer Jonathan Sheppard on his 1000th training win over fences. On the flat, or over fences, he can do it all. He is in a class by himself.

Nice job from Nick Zito on his 3rd Pennsylvania Derby win, to tie Woody Steve’s record. Morning Line, hung on gamely through the mile and 1/8th, to hold off another good effort by First Dude.

But the Dude did not disappoint. Taking a little longer than most to put it all together, he showed another dimension. After attending the pace the whole way, he looked to be tiring, when he got squeezed inside the 16th pole, and then swung to the outside, not easy for a big dude, and re-rallied to almost get the win. Have to give him credit for trying. Maybe now, he has the game figured out.

Good looking win by the home bred Apart, in the Super Derby. No doubt about it, the patient Al Stall and owner/breeder Adele Dilschnieder have another good one.

My Jen ( Kenneally / Leparoux) ran a big one at 12 to one to win the “Win and Your’re In” Gallant Bloom at Belmont.This was her first stakes win. Sarah Louise finished third in a good effort after a long layoff.

Kudos to HRTV for their interview with Rene Douglas. Some very positive energy there, with the paralyzed rider, who is  slowly putting his life back together. He was instrumental in finding Golden Moka, who although, OTB in the Super Derby, will make some money for his owners, Good Friends Stable.

Zenyatta worked Saturday, with Mike Smith aboard, in her final prep for next week’s Lady Secret. She worked ¾’s in 1:13 & 4/5ths, in company.


Looked like an easy win for Frankel in the Group ll Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot. Khalid Abdullah’s 2 year old, named for the Hall of Famer, coasted in the 1 mile event, by 10. Trainer Henry Cecil, has high praise for the colt, but questions whether he will get the Derby distance.


Poet’s Voice got up to beat Rip Van Winkle in the QE II, by just a nose. He is looking ahead to the BC Mile. Where Rip will go is anybody’s guess.

The WEG games started at the Kentucky Horse Park, yesterday with the Reining competition. The opening ceremonies included dignitaries, celebrities and of course, horse entertainment. An introduction was given by the HRH Princess Haya, president of the International Equestrian Federation. There is some live coverage, online at USEF Network.

John and Gina Greathouse, owner of the filly Devil May Care, selected the Gluck Center for Equine Research, at the University of Kentucky, to receive a nice donation, sponsored by Bet Fair TVG. The donation was a result of DMC winning the most points in the BetFair TVG Triple Tiara this year. Kudos to all involved.

And many thanks to The Knight Sky Racing for providing weekly, cyberspace contests for handicappers. I got lucky this weekend with my exacta box in the PA Derby. Not how I planned it, but a win is a win!