Posted by Avram Freedberg
Saturday was a big race day at the Big A… The Wood Memorial, The Bayshore, The Carter, The Excelsior. Two Stakes races for 3-yr. olds and two for 3 yrs and older. It started off as a beautiful sunny day and ended up cool in heavy fog and fizzle (not quite drizzle). I went with Robbie and we met Robbie’s friend “Pressman” (does he have a first name?) and his guest, Freddie Bond, who used to be a professional clocker for NYRA (they clock the times of the horses-in-training who breeze that day. Those times are published in the Daily Racing Form). We met in the Trustees dining area on the 4th floor. They ate from the buffet. I pulled out my matzah, egg salad and tuna salad. It was still Passover.
Steve Byk of radio’s At the Races had LloyDobler running in the 2nd race and Linda Rice had an entry in the 5th race. I also had made arrangements with Adam Coglianese (can you believe he’s Jewish?), the track photographer, to pick up our Winner’s Circle photos from Holy Blitzer’s maiden victory the week before.
I went down to the paddock area before the 2nd race with Freddie Bond and Gary Sciacca (LloyDobler’s trainer), figuring I’d get the photos and wish Steve Byk good luck (can you believe he is Jewish?). I ran into Byk on the way to Adam’s office and we chatted. Then I got the photos and bet LloyDobler to Win and Place. As LloyDobler got passed in the stretch, I thought it was all over, but it wasn’t. Lloyd came back and drew even. The two horses ran that way until just before the finish when the other horse put his head in front. Since LloyDobler was 8-1, the “Place” ticket was still generous and I had the joy of an exciting race to the finish.
When it was time for Linda’s race, Rob an I went down to the paddock to wish her good luck and see if we could get any good info. Linda said she’d be happy if the horse stood up in the gate. In his lat race, he got fractious and rolled under the gate. Then, we met the owner of Abilio, who told us the horse was not running the right distance. So, we asked Byk who he liked in the race and followed his selections. We were almost distraught when Abilio caught the two pacesetter’s and proceeded to win easily and pay $26.60. So much for good info!
A few races later, Linda joined us in the Trustees room. It was a nice day even when the weather turned cold and foggy. I had the winner in the 10th race and Rob shared in a winning Trifecta that paid over $500 in the last race.
On Sunday morning, Rhoda joined me and we met Johnna, Wayne and Wayne’s girls, Carly and Hannah, at Linda’s stable. Abby, Linda’s assistant, brought her pony, a Quarter-horse named Tucker (whom she had staying with a friend at another barn) to the little corral and all the kids, big and small “rode” Tucker. I think there is one photo with fear in the face of the big, fat cowboy who was born in Brooklyn, when he asked Tucker to “go” and Tucker started moving (not running, mind you, just moving). “Whoa, boy!” It was hard enough for me to get on you (I had to step up on the back of a pail). “Go easy… I’m Jewish, you know.”
Then, Tucker asked me if I knew that Adam Coglianese and Steve Byk were Jewish. So, I invited him to have some gefilte fish but he preferred the carrots and peppermint cookies. Only after he ate them all did he ask if they were Kosher for Passover. He was happy when I got off his back. You could almost see him smile.
Anyway, since it was Easter, there was no regular training of the horses. So, Abby was able to bring out Holy Blitzer, Conseated Lady, Hear the Footsteps and Robbie’s horse, Jess Not Jesse, so we could feed each of them and watch them run behind the groom for a few steps to observe their natural gaits. Everyone except Jesse looked great. Jesse had some gauze on an ankle that must have been bothering him.
It was a lot of fun and just before we left, Wayne brought out what turned out to be a moldy Kosher for Passover birthday cake to wish Rhoda a Happy Birthday, since she was Sweet 16 just days before. It was a passable cake as long as you Passed Over (get it?) the mold. Despite the mold, it was a lovely gesture and capped off a fun time at Belmont.
So, what does all this lead up to? Well, it’s very hard to stay annoyed at someone that makes it possible for you and little kids to have a good time. So, for the moment, we remain firmly (?) ensconced in Linda’s stable and Ahvee’s Destiny will be entering a race in Gulfstream Park in Florida for either Sunday, Monday or Wednesday, depending on when the Racing Secretary at Gulfstream lists the race and depending on whether there are sufficient entries to schedule the race. We will try and go down for the race and see family and friends.
Ahvee’s Destiny breezed 4 furlongs in 49.3 today, not as fast as recently but she did NOT run down her rear hooves. Hopefully, she’s being saved for the race. If this race does not go, she has been nominated for the Keeneland race in Kentucky… but that’s a back-up position.
I love that horse and look forward to seeing her compete. (Yeah, I look forward to seeing her win!)
More to come!
Best,
A.
