Caldera Update and Event

After a nice break since his purchase, Caldera, our stunning son of Liam's Map, is progressing nicely since graduating to jogging according to farm pre-trainer Dave Scanlon! According to Scanlon, "He is moving great. He looks good, and has grown and matured,” The next step for the colt will be to continue to build up his fitness in preparation for heading to joining "Coach" D. Wayne Lukas, hopefully in mid to late August.

In the meantime, Caldera owners will have the opportunity to visit the farm in Ocala, FL. During this visit, they will have the chance to get up close and personal with Caldera and watch him in action on the track in a morning training session. It's a fantastic opportunity for many of the owners to meet the horse and see his progress firsthand. The event will be held on Saturday, July 13th, from 10:45 AM to 11:30 AM. 

Straight to Glory Update

We caught up with trainer Wesley Ward on July 2nd and he reported that all is well with Straight to Glory. Wesley is just being a bit cautious with him as he gets started again, but based on what he has seen thus far he says, “He will get you a win.” We are not sure yet how high the ceiling will be for this colt, but he looks like a solid runner—and we are not too far away from a start.

Fireball Birdie has Work Cut Out for him in Next Start

Fireball Birdie ("Firebird") had his final tune-up breeze Monday morning at Lone Star Park, covering three furlongs in :38.60 (see above). This is a standard final drill in the Asmussen barn, which gives the majority of its stable an easy three-furlong blowout the week of a race.

As we reported in our entry update, the idea of trying the turf has been a thought for quite some time due to the success of his siblings, most notably Up with the Birds. This will come with some challenges, though. 

Not only will Fireball Birdie be trying the turf for the first time, but he will be going two turns for the first time and skipping a condition. While half of the field of eight are N1X (non-winners of one race other than maiden or claiming) horses, this is a N2X (non-winners of two races other than maiden or claiming) and four of the top contenders are all multiple winners. From a numbers standpoint, Fireball Birdie will need to improve to crack the board in here, but in reality, he does not need to improve that much. 

If we are right regarding the surface and distance upside, the improvement needed could be well within reach. Asmussen strikes at 16% when moving from dirt to turf and 16% when going from a sprint to a route. In addition, Steve and his youngest son Erik have teamed up to have quite the meet at Lone Star Park, winning at 26% together and we were lucky enough to team up with this duo last week for a win with MyRacehorse stablemate Classic Cut.

A reminder, Saturday's third race has a post time of 2:31 p.m. CT. Fireball Birdie has been slated the morning-line fifth choice with odds of 8-1. Click here to enter our winners' circle lottery.

About the competition (click here for the past performances):

#1 Illustrator (3-1): Was fourth two weeks ago in the Canterbury Park Derby. It must be noted that that race was taken off of the turf and run over a muddy track. The two-week turnaround is a bit concerning given the ship back and forth from Minnesota, but the return to turf will be very beneficial.

#3 Devil’s Mischief (6-1): Ran a career-best Beyer Speed Figure (69) in his most recent start. Still seems a notch below.

#4 Rusty (20-1): Beaten a combined 43 1/2 lengths between his last two starts. Will add the blinkers for the first time, but that seems like a shot in the dark. Hard to support.

#5 Louis the Champ (12-1): Stablemate to Fireball Birdie. Has been beaten by many of the other contenders in this field. Would be a shock.

#6 Mind Bolt (5-2): The deserving morning-line favorite. The $160,000 2-year-old purchase has shown talent from the get-go, winning on debut at the Fair Grounds. He flopped against winners for the first time, but responded with a career-best race, earning a 79 Beyer Speed Figure in start number three. He has tactical speed and is the horse to beat.

#7 Third Street (9-2): Was second to #8 Kentucky Dawn a few weeks ago. The barn is hot, striking at 21% this meet, but we would lean towards playing against this one.

Isle Blue has a Minor Hiccup

Isle Blue (unraced 2YO daughter of Speightstown) did not work back this past weekend due to an abscess. She only missed three days of training and is back galloping consistently. She should be back on the work tab this week and we will follow up once she breezes.

Seize The Grey - One Year Anniversary

SEIZE THE GREY ran his first race one year ago today!

He ran 8TH after a lazy sightseeing tour down the home stretch. :/ We all groaned. He came back in his 2nd race on July 29th--with pretty low expectations--to shock the heck out of everyone when he pull off a win and major upset at Saratoga! Jaime Torres was aboard for the first time that day. 

What an incredible year it's been!!!! 

[Photo credits - Christine Hayden. First start at Ellis Park, coming off turn on extreme outside.]

Fireball Birdie Race Update

Fireball Birdie ("Firebird") has been entered in Saturday’s third race at Lone Star Park, a first-level allowance for 3-year-olds which will be contested at one mile on the turf. Given our son of Uncle Mo is a half-sibling to Grade 1 winner and $1.8-million earner Up With the Birds, who did all of his running on turf or synthetic, we feel it's worth not only stretching "Firebird" out in distance but also attempting a surface change. 

He will be #2 (of 8 ) and Erik Asmussen will take over riding duties for the first time. Post time is 2:31 PM CT. 

[Photo credits from an earlier race - Sharon Miesen]

Fireball Birdie - from an earlier race
Photo credits - Sharon Miesen

Seize the Grey Turns in Another Good Work

SEIZE THE GREY turned in his final work this morning at Churchill before shipping out. He breezed in company with maiden Cowboy Code and was credited with five furlongs in 1:00 flat. 

Our son of Arrogate started some five lengths behind his workmate down the backstretch under regular jockey Jaime Torres and always traveled the best. He loomed up with ease into the turn and bounded down the stretch under no asking. 

The Lukas barn was pleased with the work and reported that Seize the Grey cooled out well. As long as he checks out of his work in good order, he will van to Saratoga on Tuesday as we prepare for his next start in either the G1 Haskell (Monmouth Park) or G2 Jim Dandy (Saratoga). 

We are very excited to be able to share the feed with you from this morning's work, since it was done by Churchill Downs and available to the public. 

Churchill Downs: Seize The Grey and Cowboy Code Work

More exciting updates are expected soon.