I'd Like to Thank the Academy

Movement worked five furlongs, her longest work to date, in 1:03 flat Friday morning which was 8th fastest of 15 works at the distance. I watched from the grandstand with trainer Jamey Thomas. (seen here saddling an entry last weekend at Santa Rosa). She worked well and it did shed a little light on her ability. Jamey asked the rider to let her go so that we could see what we have. We could have discovered that she’s the 2nd coming of Ruffian, or that there was nothing else in the tank. She responded, and she can probably be competitive in the claiming ranks, which was in serious question when we bought this tiny filly for what is a rounding error at the Keeneland sale. On the other hand, she didn’t click it off in 58 and change, and since she had never really been roused, there was that chance, however slight, that she could have been a world beater.

This game is so much about hope. But I can say I have gotten my money’s worth exercising my hopes along the way, while knowing full well the chances of her being Ashado or Azeri or Megahertz were infinitesimal, but also knowing that there are lots of milestones along the way, each one a success of their own. Can she be broken? Will she accept a bridle & weight? Will she offer enough promise to even justify shipping her to California? Will she acclimate to her new surroundings? Will she train? Learn how to break from the Gate? Can she go 2 furlongs? 3? 4? Now we hope she can handle the stresses of raceday. Hopefully the next hope is that she can win a race, and she probably will.

There have been so many successes along the way that I feel incredibly lucky. For that I would like to thank Jamey for shepherding both me and the filly through the journey from the sale to the gate. I have learned so much from him over the past 10 ½ months. He opened up his barn and his racing mind to me for every question I’ve had and each idea I wanted to bounce. Sometimes I’m sure it was trying for him, and seemed like a child asking “why is the sky blue?” for the hundredth time. Still, he was always patient and willing to explain his thought process.

The ever pragmatic trainer that avoids controversy at all costs has also put up with my blogging of various CHRB scandals. He has never once told me not to write something because of the possibility of reprisals, even though I’m sure he’d rather I never pick a bone with the people that hold his livelihood in their hands. We have somewhat of an unspoken “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy and he successfully ignores that entire aspect of my blogging. I can’t imagine a trainer that I’d rather tend to a racehorse for me.

I’d also like to thank my co-owners Allison and Irv. Without each of these folks buying a quarter of the filly, sight unseen, I would not have pulled this off. Their love of racing and not monetary gain has guided them throughout. Longtime readers may recall I had hoped Movement would begin earning her keep in May. Now she’ll start 3 training bills later for the first time. They never once complained that she wasn’t moving fast enough or that I had v’schnucker’d them into a foolish endeavor. These are the people you want as your partners.

It’s been a hulluva ride. I can’t wait to see how it turns out.