Finally...

Well as I'm sure you know by now Kickin n Screamin finally broke Dee Tee Stable's maiden. It has been a long journey from when Hooves called me to ask what I thought about the idea of Derby Trail getting a horse to the winners circle on Saturday afternoon. However the wait makes you appreciate the victory that much more especially after the close calls with both Sumwon and Kickin. There was a strong turnout of Dee Tee partners from around the country as well as the hometown Arlington guys which was great. Scavs (Tom) did his usual fine job in hosting the group, securing three nice boxes, and was "having a very good day" (except at the Meadowlands). TC has done great job in fiddling with the filly, keeping her happy, getting her to eat, maintaining her weight and it showed up in the performance on Saturday. Jose Velez rode a good race, didn't force the issue with her and move too soon, saved enough ground on the 2nd turn and rode her hard down the stretch. A few partners were able to find the time to visit the barn which is always fun. Heels even brought evidence that I once had a little athletic ability, though it was long ago. Paula and I had a great time seeing everyone again and meeting people we hadn't met in person before. Though we didn't get much luck on Sunday with GBBob's horse, it was still a great weekend and we look forward to many more.

I did want to say thanks to all the people who called that I have not been able to get back to. Both Steve and I appreciate the kind words that many have expressed on the occasion of our first winner.


Now we can look forward to her next race which tentatively a $25000 NW3L on June 12 at Arlington going 1 1/16th on the polytrack. You may be thinking, "Didn't we just run for $32000? Why would we drop her off of a win?" The fact is that the condition is more important than the price for these types of races. Since Arlington doesn't run a NW3L for a price higher than $25000 our options are limited but this is the next logical spot for the filly. The likelihood of her being claimed for the $25000 are pretty slim and she would have a much better chance of winning in that class than in an open claiming race. She is not the type of horse that is easy to ship and run so I would prefer for now to keep her at Arlington, especially since she seems to like the surface. We are pointing to the June 12 race but there is still a long time until that race and if she doesn't bounce back sufficiently we will give her a bit more time as she seems to run well when her races are spaced out.

Aldebutante has managed to injure herself once again. Before you panic, it is not serious but is something that needs to be taken care of properly so there are no lingering issues. She got a small piece of metal lodged in the area by her quarter in her foot. Cherie had the blacksmith remove the object which had caused a small pocket to develop in that foot. We are soaking it to flush out anything potentially bad stuck up there and keeping her foot wrapped. She will miss a few days of training while we wait for the area to dry out and it is still a little tender also. This is not a big problem but it needs to be 'put to bed' so to speak before we do much serious training with her. The biggest worry in the foot area besides infection is a weakening of the area where the metal was lodged turning into a quartercrack. I will update everyone on her condition in a few days when we can tell more about how it is healing.

Rampillion is back training regularly after her fight with the wheelbarrow. I plan on doing a little something with her (1/4 mile) this weekend. She is growing noticeably and is starting to mature, at least physically. We will start doing more gate work with her before she is too fit.


I am planning on visiting Sumwonlovesyou on Thursday and since Scavs returned the camera, I will try to get some pictures and post them on the board.

Saturday at AP

Kickin n Screamin drew post #1 in the 4th race at Arlington Park on Saturday. She will be ridden by Jose Velez, Jr. rather than James Graham who wound up on a different mount. I believe that it is immaterial since Velez has a style of riding that suits her fine. The race is a 7 horse field and there are no standouts, we seem to fit in well. We are 5-1 on the morning line which is fair considering our last 2 races. The ML favorite is a horse that is making it's polytrack debut second off of the claim from Dutrow. There are supposed to be a bunch of DT'ers in attendance, if the weather hold out, should be a good time.

Aldebutante will have her 1st 3 furlong work on Friday morning, weather permitting. She has been training really well and is ready for a real work. We aren't looking for anything fast, probably in the 38 range. Rampillion has popped a small splint which we are going to treat tomorrow morning with a shockwave session. She shouldn't miss much time, maybe a few days of light training.

Sumwon continues to do well while turned out. I am going to visit her next week and will take some pictures if Scavs gives me my camera back.

Kickin and Aldebutantes works

Kickin n Screamin worked an easy 1/2 mile in 50.2 this morning at AP. Under the watchful eyes of Scavs and GB Bob, she put in her last bit of serious work before her return to the races next week. We will be entering her in the $32000 nw2 LT race on the polytrack next Saturday. James graham is scheduled to ride.

Aldebutante worked a quarter mile in company with 2 other horses this morning at Trackside training center. She was timed in 26.2 for the 1/4 and galloped out 3/8ths in 40. She was not asked to run and was inside of the other 2, trying to get her some experience. Cherie was impressed with the way she handled everything and with the ease of her stride.

Rampillion had an encounter with a wheelbarrow and scratched up her hind legs which didn't allow us to work her this morning but the scrapes are not serious and she will do something next week.

Arundel reports that Sumwonlovesyou has been moved to a 2 acre grass paddock and is moving well and they have not seen any negatives from her.

A good sign?

Kickin n Screamin worked in 47.20 this morning over the polytrack at Arlington. TC reports that she was never asked till the final 1/8th and finished up well, galloping out 6 furlongs in 113. TC said that he didn't think she was going that fast and was surprised when the clockers told him the time. She seems like she is rounding back into form, carrying a little more weight, and just generally doing better.

Aldebutante came out of her work in good shape.

Aldebutante and other matters

Aldebutante stretched her legs a bit this morning, working a 1/4 mile in 27 seconds with Cherie in the saddle. We weren't looking for much speed, just an easy work to let her get used to the track, breaking off when the rider asks, etc. She galloped out four furlongs and was not blowing much walking off the track. After getting a bath she cooled out quickly and posed for pictures from the Dee Tee faithful present for the morning activities. Scavs, Bigs, Pdrift, Mumtaz and the Hooves family as well as Kasept all woke up early to watch from the rail.

Rampillion has arrived at Keeneland for those that didn't see the pictures in the thread on the Dee Tee page on the website. She will jog a little this weekend and start serious training on Monday.

Kickin N Screamin will work four furlongs tomorrow morning at Arlington Park. She is doing well and is on course for the 17th. James Graham may ride.

Sumwonlovesyou continues to do well and may graduate to a larger paddock this week.

Update

Kicking N Screamin worked well this morning at Keeneland. She was under a snug hold throughout and was well within herself during the work. TC reported that she was blowing pretty good afterwards which is expected since she has had a lot of down time since her last race. She will be leaving for Arlington on Tuesday morning. There is a race on the 17th which is a $32000 NW2Lt going 1 1/16th on the polytrack which looks like a logical spot.

Aldebutante had a area of swelling on her neck, which may have been caused by a needle used to give her some fluids the other day, that caused her to miss two days of training. She appears fine now and will resume trackwork tomorrow.

Rampillion is scheduled to arrive in Kentucky on Thursday morning. More details to follow.

Sumwonlovesyou has done well in her small round pen and will be moved to a larger paddock next week.

Aldebutante arrives in KY...

Aldebutante arrive at Barn G at Trackside (Churchill Down Training Center) this morning at 6:30 am. She was alert and bright and seemed to be in good order after the long ship. She will walk the shedrow tomorrow and will go to the track Monday morning for some exercise. Kenny did his usual fine job with her and she looks great, as do the others that came from him.

Rampillion has had a few strong gallops and is ready to have her first official work of 1/4 mile soon. She is scheduled to arrive in KY toward the end of April and will initially go to Keeneland.

Kickin N Screamin was thoroughly examined by Dr. Begue who diagnosed some irritation in her right stifle. He did not think it was serious and she had a shockwave treatment on the area to stimulate healing. She is going to pony on the training track at Keeneland for a few days and will be re-evaluated next week.

Someonelovesyou moved to Arundel yesterday and will be turned out in a small sand round pen on Monday. We will graduate her to the larger paddocks soon after.

Kickin, Sumwonlovesyou, Aldebutante and Rampillion...

Kickin N Screamin arrived this morning at Keeneland in good order. She was a little drained from the long ride, especially after running on Tuesday, but that is to be expected. There are a few different options that I am looking at for her. In no particular order, River Downs has a $25000 NW3 LT going 1 1/16th on the turf on May 6th. Arlington Park has a 32500 NW2 going 1 1/16th on the poly on May 17th and a 17500 NW2 going 1 mile on the 8th (one turn mile). Indiana Downs has a 15000 NW2 going 1 mile on the turf on the 17th and an NW1x allowance on the 9th going 1 mile. Keeneland has a $30000 NW2 going 1 1/16th on the poly on the 23rd. I have no plans for her at the moment and will see how she is doing and fully evaluate her before picking a next race. I know some people were talking about cutting her back in a turf sprint but there really aren't many options available for that kind of race during the spring.

Sumwonlovesyou is going to move to Arundel Farm in Paris, KY this week. The reason for moving her is that Arundel has several smaller paddocks that are in a quiet area where she can be turned out. We will reevaluate her after about 2 weeks of being turned out and move on from there. If anyone is going to be at Keeneland or in for the Derby and wants to visit, just contact Steve or I and we will make arrangements. www.arundelfarm.com

Aldebutante continues to impress Kenny in her training. She is scheduled to arrive in Louisville sometime around the 15th depending on the van companies availability. She will go to the Churchill Downs Training Center, about 10 minutes from Churchill, to acclimate to racetrack life with the majority of my 2 year olds. Rampillion will be coming up from Texas toward the end of the month and will probably wind up at the training center also though there is a chance she may go to Keeneland until after the Derby. Same as for Sumwonlovesyou, anyone in town interested in visiting contact myself or Steve. If things go as planned (which is rare) Aldebutante may have a workout Derby week that partners and friends can go and watch.

I have said this before but I want all of you to know that both Steve and I appreciate every ones patience and support in getting this venture off the ground. What started off as a bit of a shot in the dark (thanks to hooves who was crazy enough to come up with the idea) has turned into a great group of people having fun following their own little stable. I am grateful for the opportunity to have met so many nice people and made so many new friends. Thanks again.

Kickin N Screamin on Tuesday

We drew post position number 5 in the 7th race on Tuesday at Tampa. Posttime is 3:12 Eastern. She is coming to the race in good shape and I expect her to run really well. Win or lose she will be shipping to Kentucky on Wednesday, most likely heading to Keeneland.

Saturday update

Kickin n Screamin worked an easy 5 furlongs today on 105.6. We were not looking for speed, it was more of an open gallop type deal with her finishing up strong. I want to get back to the style that seemed to be most effective with her which was to sit and make one late run and we are also just trying to keep her fresh and wanting more. She has held her weight pretty well and looked good when I saw her last weekend. We are all set for the race on the 1st, Centeno is booked and we have a special date. If we can draw a good post position and keep it on the grass, we should be in great shape.

I watched Aldebutante train on Monday in Ocala. She galloped 1 1/4 miles in company with a Point Given filly named Appoint. She made a great impression under tack, moving easily and appearing very light on her feet. She has matured since I last saw her and Kenny seems very pleased with her progress. The filly has 2 minute licked a few times and is about ready to start breezing easy quarter miles. She is still a bit quirky in her stall and does not really appreciate much attention but is fine while on the track.

Rampillion is also doing well. Paul Harte was down to see her and his report is under the comments section of the previous update. She did kick my Phone Trick colt, causing him to need a few stitches but I am sure he wont be sniffing around her again. All the 2 year olds in Texas got a little sick and missed a bit of training but are fine now and back in full training.

I will make a trip this week to see Sumwonlovesyou and we will probably give her another shock wave treatment on her leg. She is hand walked 30 minutes a day and should be moved into a small paddock once the weather clears.