Seize The Grey Does Impressive Speed Work

Yesterday morning, Seize The Grey worked 3F at Wavertree in company with impressive style. He seemed much more focused and engaged in his job, and his trainer even commented that our class clown had done "no fooling around" on the track that morning. His work may even have been a tad more assertive than what they were going for, but Seize The Grey sure looked great in the exercise. 

We were also given a very exciting timeline update. If he continues to train well and has no setbacks, he could ship to Todd Pletcher's barn after the Kentucky Derby! Below are a succession of photos from his work, which are screenshots from the speed work video. He's the outside grey horse (nearest to the camera in the first shots.)

Kindle '21 Does His First Speed Work - 3/31/2023

Kindle '21 (temporary tag -- American Pharoah x Kindle) did his first speed work at Wavertree this morning, in company. Looking good! (Here's a screen shot.)

Simply Enchanting Back on the Track 3/30/2023

After a slight hiccup in her training, Simply Enchanting returned to the track yesterday morning to do a speed work in company with two other fillies. We were extremely happy with what we saw in the work, which ended with her exercise rider needing to get a good hold on her during the gallop out when she showed considerable enthusiasm for continuing to run.

In the commentary from the trainer, he stated that: "She's been training really well." Simply Enchanting displayed a great work ethic, picking up the right lead and galloping well on the outside of her two companions. In the gallop out, she moved out ahead of both of her companions.

Simply Enchanting on outside

Simply Enchanting on outside

Simply Enchanting in the lead

Secret Crush - New Photo

This morning, we received a new photo of Secret Crush (Candy Ride x Elarose - Storm Cat x Take Charge Lady) taken at Wavertree in Ocala Florida. 

Secret Crush is expected to debut later than some of his peers, partly due to being a later foal (April 18th). 

Another Candy Ride son is currently one of the Kentucky Derby leaders by points--Confidence Game, the surprise winner of the Rebel Stakes. Confidence Game, like Secret Crush, has a notable female family, in that his dam, Eblouissante, is a half-sister to the legendary Zenyatta. 

There are also other possible Kentucky Derby contenders sired by another Candy Ride son, Gun Runner.

Like Lady Blitz, this guy will be heading to top trainer Todd Pletcher when it's time to begin his race training.

Exciting Update on The Royal Duet - San Saria '21

The Justify x San Saria filly is currently doing great in her training and gate work, and is now being pointed toward a stakes race at Gulfstream Park as her debut! 

The Royal Palms Juvenile Filllies Stake on May 13th will essentially be a win-and-you're-in for the Royal Ascot, which is trainer Wesley Ward's goal for her. 

Many good wishes to her in the weeks ahead.

Latest Photo of Lady Blitz

Ohlala! Have a look at the most recent photo of Lady Blitz. :D She has dappled out beautifully since we saw her in Ocala five weeks ago. 

If she continues to train as well, she could be on her way to Todd Pletcher's barn soon.

Coexist - Targeted Race

Coexist is being pointed at an April 23rd race at Keeneland, going 7 furlongs on dirt and we've added it to our UPCOMING section above. She will be running for a tag.

This will be her:

    - First start as a 3YO

    - First time at Keeneland

    - First time on dirt

    - First time running for a tag

    - First start under her new trainer

We hope this softer race will give her a chance to learn what this game is all about! Go Coe!

Official Name Pending for Sarrocchi '21

The naming process has completed for our Justify x Galileo colt currently known as Sarrocchi '21. 

And the winner is....

We love the name and how it implies that he's a son of Justify without using "Just," "Justa," or "Justi" at the beginning of his name. It's currently listed in the Urban Dictionary with the following definition:

Verb; to Legitify; To recognize or to check something and find it legitimate or true.

That sure works for us! 

But there's a catch. Before it can become his official registered name, it has to be approved by the American Jockey Club. And that's the final confirmation we're waiting on.

On an interesting (or maybe irritating), side note, this is the colt who was somehow mysteriously named by an unknown person prior to his naming process beginning. The name given to him was Sir Leto(UK) which he is currently showing as under Equibase. Hopefully his legitimate official name will be approved soon, and this Sir Leto business can be left in his dust, along with his future competition if all goes well. And we can call him "Legit" as a nickname. :)

Magical Ways Work - 3/24/2023

Magical Ways (4-Year-Old Colt) 

Your comments for this horse were: OURS - partnership - son of MacLean's Music 

Date: March 24, 2023 

Track: BELMONT PARK 

Distance: Four Furlongs 

Time: 48:95 Breezing 

Track Condition: Fast 

Surface: Dirt training 

Rank: 22/146

A slight regression from his last work, but we haven't received the work analysis as yet, so can't know what the goal was for this exercise. Still, 22nd fastest time out of 146 works is in the upper strata of the workouts this morning. We'll pass along info from the analysis when we receive it. 

We'd really love to see this guy get off the Aqueduct surface for his next race, but we'll see what happens.

Photo from an earlier work (Magical Ways on the outside.)

Postcards from Ocala

Not really postcards, but a series of photos taken by MRH at the Ocala 2YO Presentation event we attended last month. If you look close, you may spot David, Laurie and Brian in some of these photos. Around 500 people attended!

The 2YOs we went to view during exercise and walking ring cool down and in-hand presentation were Lady Blitz (Audible), Seize the Grey (Arrogate), Secret Crush (Candy Ride), Simply Enchanting (Nyquist), One Last Night '21 (Wootton Bassett), and Sarrocchi '21 (Justify) who will have an official name in a couple more days. We were also shown a promising young American Pharoah colt -- Kindle '21 -- and have since bought a share in him, too. 

One of the owners says hello to Sarrocchi '21 (now Legitify).
(Justify x Sarrocchi by Galileo)

A participant points to Kindle '21
(American Pharoah x Kindle)

Studying the presentation booklet in the grandstands.

Waiting for the exercise phase.
(We're in the background)

Here come the 2YOs! Each horse was given a different 
saddle cloth color so we could easily identify them.

Joe Moran, one of the organizers, detailing the showcase events
prior to kickoff of the event. 
(Laurie, David and Brian are in the background.)

The crowd heads back to the walking ring.
(You might spy the three of us in the background.)

Owners taking photos with One Last Night '21, the French import.
(Wootton Bassett x One Last Night)

The grandstands during the exercise viewing. Full house!

The horses in the walking ring.
(You can glimpse us just behind Simply Enchanting next to
a mom and daughter who were there to see Secret Crush.
Brian is on the left.)

Kindle '21 (American Pharoah x Kindle) was introduced
to the crowd. His shares sold out within hours
of being offered a few days later.

The "Buzz" Horse -- Lady Blitz (Audible x Patsy's Kim)
You might want to remember her name. :)

Secret Crush - a Candy Ride colt out of Elarose by Storm Cat.
Same sire as Gun Runner. From the immediate family
of Take Charge Lady, Will Take Charge, Omaha Beach,
Charge It and Take Charge Brandi (to name a few.)

Wavertree owner/trainer Ciaran Dunne
answers questions from the partners.

The Pop-Up Shop with t-shirts, sweatshirts, caps, photos and
other merchandise. Everyone got a ticket for a free photo of the 
horse of their choice. We chose Lady Blitz and Seize the Grey.
You might recognize a couple of people in the background. (We were 
having an exciting discussion about Lady Blitz with a fellow partner.)

Pioneer Prince Takes a Break

Pioneer Prince has had a little down-time built into his schedule, but in order to keep him fit he's been sent to Bonnie Acres Farm in California where a unique form of water exercise -- essentially an underwater jacuzzi treadmill -- is being used for his fitness routine.

This water treadmill -- or Hydro Horse -- is installed in a narrow, shallow water passageway where the horse is led to complete the exercise, which begins in 5 minute intervals and is gradually increased up to 20 minutes or more. 

Robert Mitchell, owner of Bonnie Acres Ranch created this video to demonstrate the Hydro Horse process and expected benefits. Although sometimes the Hydro Horse unit is used for injured horses that are recovering, it's also being used for horses that are undergoing a brief lay-up/freshening up, as in the case of Pioneer Prince, and for sales prep. 

The demonstration process is shown in the first minute and a half of the video, followed by Robert Mitchell's testimony about the benefits of Hydro Horse.

Coexist Worked

Coexist worked a breeze from the gate this morning at Payson Training Center. Although the time wasn't notable, this is her first from-the-gate work while on the road back to racing, and only the second 5f work she's completed. I expect we'll get an update on her progress in the very near future. 

Here's a recap of her recent works: 

The Thoroughbred Center - 3/21/2023 - Dirt 5F - 1:04.00 Breezing from the gate - 8/9 

The Thoroughbred Center - 3/14/2023 - Dirt 4F - 50.00 Breezing - 4/13 

The Thoroughbred Center - 3/7/2023 - Dirt 5F - 1:03.00 Breezing -  6/15 

The Thoroughbred Center  - 3/1/2023 - Dirt 4F - 50.20 Breezing - 6/12 

The Thoroughbred Center - 2/20/2023 - Dirt 4F - 50.40 Breezing - 5/12 

The Thoroughbred Center - 2/14/2023 - Dirt 3F - 37.60 Breezing - 8/16 

The Thoroughbred Center - 2/7/2023 - Dirt 3F - 38.80 Breezing  - 11/15

The Royal Duet - San Saria '21 Works

Very nice work this morning from the Justify filly half of The Royal Duet pair. Her time was just .4 of a second off the bullet work. We're getting pretty excited about this girl. Her name is currently blank because she does not have an official name of record with the AJC as yet. 

She is anticipated to start in late April, however since she isn't yet named yet, we expect either an accelerated naming sequence, or else she will be named by the non-MRH entity holding a good portion of the filly's shares. (Which we actually hope will happen condering the short time frame. She can't be entered without a name.)

WORKOUT REPORT

(2-Year-Old Filly) 

Your comments for this horse were: Royal Duet Filly by Justify 

Date: March 21, 2023 

Track: PAYSON PARK TRAINING CENTER 

Distance: Three Furlongs 

Time: 38:40 Breezing 

Track Condition: Fast

Surface: Dirt Rank: 2/10

Simply Enchanting's Awesome 3/4 Sister

Here's a video of Envoutante winning the 2021 Churchill Downs Falls City Stakes (Grade 2) for the second year in a row, destroying the field in a six-length romp in the slop.

Envoutante is Simply Enchanting's 3/4 sister. She's out of the same dam, Enchante by Bluegrass Cat, but instead of being sired by Uncle Mo, she's sired by his Kentucky Derby winning son, Nyquist, sharing 3/4 of her pedigree with Simply Enchanting.

This is a fan video that gives you a close-up look at the then 5YO mare before, during and after the race. 

Envoutante earned nearly $1 million on the track, including stakes wins in the Grade 2 Falls City (twice), the Remington Park Oaks (Grade 3), and the Shawnee Stakes at Churchill Downs, as well as places in the Ashland Stakes (G1), La Troienne Stakes (G1), Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2), Locust Grove Stakes (G3), and the Summer Colony Stakes.

Envoutante was trained by Kenny McPeek who now trains our Wootton Bassett filly, One Last Night '21. 

New Photo of Simply Enchanting

We love this new photo of Simply Enchanting taken during a recent exercise. 

 

The Royal Duet - San Saria '21

We've had some developments with our Justify x San Saria filly. She is part of a package we just bought a share in called The Royal Duet, paired with a Cotai Glory colt. Here's an article that we recently posted on her profile page. You can find her profile under "The Royal Duet" tab at the top of the page.

Ward to Aim Justify Filly Toward Royal Ascot

She completed her first official work on March 9th (a day after we bought our share) and it was from the gate. She went 38.8 for 3f on dirt, and in company. 

Then she ran another unofficial gate work in company with two other horses with top jockey Joel Rosario up for this one. She's being aimed toward Royal Ascot and expected to start at Keeneland in about a month. Things are getting exciting for this half of our most recent acquisition--The Royal Duet. Fingers crossed no setbacks occur in the meantime.

Coexist Works at the Thoroughbred TC

Coexist continues to improve her speed during her weekly works, this morning running the 4th fastest time out of 14 works at four furlongs. 

Although the time may seem a little slow by some standards (48 seconds being considered a more optimum time), we've been informed this training track runs slower than many other training surfaces. For comparison, the top time was clocked at 49.00, only a second faster than her 50 flat.

We are more and more encouraged by each new work that she's on the road to a potential start in the near future, barring anything unforeseen (illness, injury, etc.) 

We're just so happy to see she's back in training and progressing with her works. It continues to be a long road back for her, but we are feeling positive about her progress to date.

Horse Workout Notification 

Coexist (3-Year-Old Filly) 

Date: March 14, 2023 

Track: THE THOROUGHBRED CENTER 

Distance: Four Furlongs 

Time: 50:00 Breezing 

Track Condition: Fast 

Surface: Dirt 

Rank: 4/14

Introducing the Royal Duet

A two-horse package -- a Justify filly and a Cotai Glory colt -- possibly bound for Royal Ascot (by way of Keeneland)! 

Read more about them on their page: The Royal Duet

And now there are fourteen!

Magical Ways Race on Friday

Magical Ways again had a great start to his race at Aqueduct today where he was stalking in 2nd place all the way into the first turn of the 7 furlong race, but when the point came where he needed to make a move to overtake the leader, he failed to mount a challenge, and instead let two other horses pass him by to finish fourth.

After remarks from the jockey, Magical Ways may possibly be looking at a surface change for his next race. Several partners observing the race commented that his knee action seemed to indicate he might fair better as a turf horse. 

We'll keep you posted on any further updates. Meanwhile enjoy these photos taken by a partner in attendance. 

Magical Ways in Aqueduct Race 3, March 3,2023.
Photo by Anne Mahler

Magical Ways racing at Aqueduct on March 3, 2023.
Photo by Anne Mahler

Mo Temptation Sent Back to Doug O'Neill Barn

Mo Temptation safely departed Kingfisher Farm this afternoon en route to San Luis Rey Downs. We'll keep you posted once she settles back into the Doug O'Neill barn. 

We're Back to Twelve

We're back to twelve partnership horses with the addition of Kindle '21, but in deference to Disdainful, we don't want to call this group the "Terrific Twelve" so we needed to come up with a different tag for our partnership stable roster.

After some thought, we decided on the "Tremendous Twelve."  

They are, in alphabetical order:

Coexist

Kindle '21 (now A Day To Remember)

Lady Blitz (formerly Patsy's Kim)

Magical Ways 

Mo Temptation

Pioneer Prince

One Last Night '21 (temporary tag)

Sarrocchi '21 (now Legitify)

Seize The Grey

Simply Enchanting (formerly Enchante '21)

Song of the Lark '21 (registered Fireball Birdie)

 

Introducing Kindle '21

We've added an exciting new prospect to our partnership stable after having the opportunity to see this big-framed boy in person at Ocala. We loved everything about this guy's professional manner, sturdy frame, and -- of course -- his spectacular pedigree. He's sired by Triple Crown winner and top young sire American Pharoah and out of a stakes-winning and stakes producing Indian Charlie mare. 

Kindle '21 seems to have inherited the no-nonsense temperament of his sire and stood out like a gem at the presentation! 

You can get more details on his page by clicking here: Kindle '21

Here are a few photos of him taken at the Ocala 2YO Presentation (photos not taken by us are noted in captions):

Kindle '21 
(Photo by Jennifer Reed)

Kindle '21
(Photo by Kathy Craycraft)

Kinde '21
(Photo by Kathy Craycraft)

Kindle '21 in his stall at the Ocala 2YO Presentation

Kindle '21 and a fan at the Ocala 2YO presentation

Kindle '21 loving all the attention from his admirers