Seeking A Star '23 - First Update

This one's so new we haven't even added her page yet, but Seeking A Star '23 is a daughter of superhorse Knicks Go out of Seeking A Star by Pioneerof the Nile. She just turned 2. We'll try to get her page with more info up soon. The partnership has also just started the process of selecting a name for her, so she won't be going by the "Seeking a Star '23" tag for long!

This girl is literally the first foal sired by Horse of the Year Knicks Go. Here's an article about it from Bloodhorse:  

First Foal a Filly for 2021 Horse of the Year Knicks Go

Here's the first report on her progress:

Sailing has remained smooth for Seeking a Star '23, and she's already up to galloping two laps at GoldMark Farm all by herself. The team was very pleased with how professional she was going on her own without company--that's not always the case with a youngster at this stage of their training. Your filly should have a first breeze in the next couple of weeks.

Nakoma Work Out Info

Nakoma (3-Year-Old Filly)

Your comments for this horse were: Vekoma out of Rylee's Song

Date: January 15, 2025
Track: GULFSTREAM PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 48:98 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt

Rank: 10/19 

Catalyst Move and Update

Catalyst has moved to Louisiana Downs for the time being as we wait for a next race for her, and she breezed this morning there (outside), but it looks like the clockers missed it.

The nice thing about Louisiana Downs is that it’s positioned in between Sam Houston, Oaklawn Park and Fair Grounds, so we can keep an eye on races at all three venues and have more options for entries. Our preference is still probably Sam Houston, but in the current condition book the one logical spot is on the grass (1 1/16 miles on Jan. 25). 

A surface switch might be worth a shot (plus there’s always a chance for an off-the-turfer), so for now we’ll keep that race in mind and also consider options at the other two nearby tracks (there’s a turf route at Fair Grounds, also on Jan. 25; and a dirt route MSW one day later at Oaklawn). Catalyst's pedigree skews mostly towards dirt, but one 3/4-brother was G1SP on the lawn.

Fancy Quality Workout Report

Fancy Quality returned to the work tab on Sunday morning, covering a half mile in :50.80 at the Fair Grounds. This work was delayed a few days due to the weather and track conditions. No workouts were permitted on Friday, Jan. 10, and track conditions were still listed as good on Saturday, Jan. 11.

The newest condition book was recently released, and we have a new race target on Jan. 25. The maiden special weight will be for fillies and mares three years old and upward and will be contested over a mile and one-sixteenth on the turf. There is plenty of rain in the forecast next week, but the 14-day weather report looks positive for her race.

Seismic Beauty Work Report

Seismic Beauty worked another nice half-mile this morning at Los Alamitos, this one in :49.80 by herself and without much encouragement. She was clocked in 1:02 1/5 for the five-furlong gallop out. Her breeze next week should come at five furlongs as she progresses towards a return to the races.

Seismic Beauty (4-Year-Old Filly)

Date: January 12, 2025
Track: LOS ALAMITOS
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 49:80 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 10/15

Here's The Kicker Back on the Work Tab After Illness

Here’s the Kicker returned to the work tab at Palm Meadows training center on Friday morning. Coming off a brief illness, she only went a solo three-eighths in :37.85 for her first work back, but she should pick things up fairly quickly from here.

Munny Problem Back from Break - Status

We got some fresh Munny Problem content today with commentary from Wavertree’s Ciaran Dunne. Our colt is doing well and picking things back up after the standard easy period that most horses in Ocala get around the holidays.

Ciaran did note that Munny Problem had a bit of a splint flare up (localized swelling on the lateral or medial aspect of the metacarpals or metatarsals—a very common issue in young horses at this stage of their development and rarely a long-term concern), but it didn’t really impact his training schedule as it timed out well with the holiday break.

At this stage, it appears Munny Problem should have no trouble picking up the pace on schedule and eventually starting to do some speed work. He looks to be carrying some good muscle at the moment and we’re happy with his development.

From MRH's Year End Summary

MRH had a lot to say about what a wonderful year 2024 was, with commentary on some of their top horses including Straight No Chaser, Rosie's Alibi, and of course, their first 100% MRH owned classic champion, SEIZE THE GREY!

Here's an excerpt that focused on our boy's achievements:

Another incredible 2024 moment for the MyRacehorse stable was Seize the Grey's glorious Preakness victory! Our son of Arrogate quite simply had a whirlwind year. Leading up to the Preakness, Seize the Grey had been just outside of the conversation for the Triple Crown. Although putting in good effort in the Jeff Ruby, Seize the Grey opted for the G2 Pat Day Mile instead of being an also-eligible for the Kentucky Derby. He won the Pat Day Mile rather impressively, but it was not enough to gain much attention on his own merit heading into the Preakness. He would make everyone regret not paying much attention to him though.

"Coach" D. Wayne Lukas had always been high on our son of Arrogate. On May 18th, Seize the Grey proved that he was absolutely deserving of the Coach's continual high praise when he romped home to a 2 1/4 length victory over Kentucky Derby champion Mystik Dan. With this win, not only was D. Wayne Lukas officially the oldest trainer to ever win the Preakness Stakes, but Seize the Grey himself made history as the first ever fully-crowdfunded horse to win a triple crown race- truly the people's horse taking back the sport of kings! But the Seize the Grey story didn't stop there...

Thanks to his flashy victories in the G2 Pat Day Mile and of course the G1 Preakness Stakes, Seize the Grey captured the interest of many of the elite stallion farms in Kentucky, including historic Gainesway Farm. Gainesway's role in the American Thoroughbred can't be ignored. Housed on the old C.V Whitney Farm, Gainesway stood legendary sires such as Lyphard, Blushing Groom, Vaguely Noble, among many others.

Seize the Grey is one of two sons of Arrogate at stud and a very attractive option for many breeders due to being out of an exceptional Smart Strike mare, his racy physical, and his durability. Even though he hasn't begun his first season at stud, Seize the Grey is already well on his way to filling his book up. Seize the Grey's owners have retained 10% of his ownership and we couldn't be more excited for them to embark on this journey of owning one of the hottest new stallions of the year!

Horses That Left our Stable in 2024

Adaay in Asia - claimed

Our talented import never faired well on our eastern tracks (Keeneland, Aqueduct, etc.) and was later sent West, where she didn't improve at Santa Anita or Del Mar. She was claimed out of a race, but has since been sent to Tampa Bay Downs where she has scored a 1st and a close 2nd in consecutive races in 2024.

English Jubilee - claimed

Our daughter of English Channel out of a Kitten's Joy mare never seemed to be able to put a solid race together until she won a claiming race at Woodbine on Halloween night and was claimed. She had eight starts with one 1st, one 2nd, and one 3rd and $34,000+ in earnings. In her only stakes entry, the Cup and Saucer at Woodbine, she ran 4th. She has not worked or run back since being claimed, but may have been sent south for the winter, as she was by us the previous year.

Guinevere - sold at Keeneland November / race or broodmare 

Our stunning daughter of Justify only had 5 starts, but won both of her starts on the dirt, and came in 3rd on the tapeta at Turfway Park in her debut. Purchased as a possibly top turf contender, she finished her only two races on turf dead last. She was put through the Keeneland November sale as a racing or broodmare prospect in early November and brought $90,000, purchased by one of the participating partners. She has since been entered into a race at Mahoning Valley, possibly pending her broodmare career in the spring. 

Lady Blitz - retired / sport horse or broodmare project

After showing a ton of talent and ramping up the hopes of many of her owners early on, and finishing 3rd in her debut at Saratoga with Irad Ortiz in the irons, Lady Blitz could never seem to put together a career. She was sent back to Wavertree Farm to retrain in early 2024, and during the process a flap issue was found in her throat. After two unsuccessful surgeries she was retired and sent back to her consignor as a broodmare or sport horse project. 

Lane Way - retired / at Old Friends in Kentucky

After a wonderful career where our son of Into Mischief frequently won or placed in graded stakes, set a new track record on the downhill turf course at Santa Anita, and finished 2023 as 1st alternate to the Breeders Cup Sprint, a decision was made to retire him at age 7. He was sent to Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Kentucky in late Fall, where he can now rub elbows with other famous retired horses such as Silver Charm, Big Brown and Cozmic One.  

Legitify - claimed, has raced

Our chestnut son of Justify was claimed on May 24th. Legitify continued his career in shorter sprint races at Los Alamitos and got a win by 2-2/3 lengths at Santa Anita on October 5, 2024 going one mile on dirt. He ran back on 11/22 in a 1 mile claiming race at Del Mar, ran 7th and was subsequently claimed again. He has not run back since the end of November. 

Magical Ways - claimed and has been racing

Our son of Maclean's Music, Magical Ways, continued his career after being claimed in 2023 at Aqueduct, and has registered some wins and strong performances increasing his current bankroll to $262,000+ with 5 wins, 3 2nds and 4 3rds from 24 lifetime starts. His last two Equibase speed figures at Aqueduct were 104 for 3rd and 108 for 2nd!

Mo Temptation - retired / broodmare in California 

Our promising daughter of Mo Town was retired from racing on May 19th with only one race under her belt. Frequent setbacks led to the decision to retire her from racing in her best interest. She'll be a broodmare in California, with a date with a talented California stallion, Brickyard. 

Pioneer Prince - claimed, has raced

Our gelded son of Pioneerof the Nile was claimed in August by top trainer, Doug O'Neill. He ran back on August 17th with a win, and on September 1, where he finished 7th. 

Straight to Glory - retired / hunter/jumper in Texas

Our son of top UK freshman sire Cotai Glory struggled with a series of setbacks including bulking up which led to the decision to geld him in an attempt to reduce stress due to weight on his joints but he never made it to a debut. As part of the Royal Duet with Guinevere, they were simultaneously retired on October 29th. Straight to Glory has found a home with a young equestrian in Texas who will train him as a hunter/jumper.  

2024 Year In Review - Seize The Grey and MRH

Seize The Grey and MRH are two of the subjects of this article summing up 2024.

ABRS Year In Review: Memorable Stories of 2024

What a fantastic year in racing it was for us!

Munny Problem Update

Newly named MUNNY PROBLEM continues to train well at Wavertree Stables, where he is expected to have his first breeze sometime towards the end of January. 

His sire Munnings had two impressive juvenile stakes winners in December— Poster was victorious in the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes and Muhimma won the Grade 2 Demoiselle. Both of these two-year-olds by Munnings are undefeated and poised for exciting campaigns in 2025.