Super Likit 2nd

Super Likit finished an impressive 2nd this past Friday in a race so tough that three entrants were claimed. The winner, Kona Town Girlies, was very impressive and is now two for two, as she also won her debut in the maiden $8k ranks. That horse was claimed from the Sherman barn by Sue Gilmour. I would expect the filly to be stepped up, and I would rather not face that one again, even though Super Likit was closing ground on the winner. The filly came out of the race fine, and will be pointed for one more race over the Golden Gate surface she favors before the NorCal circuit shifts back to Bay Meadows in early February. There are no races in the condition book for straight four year olds that she fits, but we would hope to see such a race on the overnights. If not, she will have to take on older in open company. After Fridays impressive run, she just may be able to handle them.

No, I'm not dead

Despite the neglect the blog has endured, it is not due to my untimely demise as one emailer asked.

Super Likit won her last start, in fact, and is in again Friday against a very tough field. She is entered in a 6 furlong affair run over the main track for three year old fillies. Eleven are slated to run. Either of the uncoupled Sherman fillies could win it, as could the Mathis or Lage entrant. Those four along with Super Likit will likely garner the bulk of the betting dollar. Even though Super Likit is 15-1 on the morning line, I'd bet she goes off somewhere closter to 8-1 in a very competitive race.

Super Likit 2nd; Golden Gate Fields debuts new surface, full fields

Super Likit finish a game second on opening day at Golden Gate Fields on Wednesday in closing fashion on a day when speed dominated on the new Tapeta surface.

As reported in the popular racing press, times were fast and the maintenance crew took steps to slow it down over the next few days. By Sunday, closers were dominating, although some attributed the change to rain the track took Saturday night.

One other item of note has been field size. This welcome change in the NorCal racing product did create one notable SNAFU. [style guide gurus please advise if snafu has ceased to be an acronym] Sunday's sixth race was originally scheduled for turf at a mile and drew twelve entrants. When the race was washed off the turf due to rain, no one scratched. This created a problem because only 10 horses are permitted to go postward in a one mile race on the main track due to how close the start would be to the clubhouse turn. Since no one scratched the stewards were in quite a predicament. They decided to simply run the race with all twelve. What was immediately clear was that the race was no longer a one mile race, though. The starting gate was set some fifty yards farther back from where it would be for a true mile race. At Golden Gate Fields, a one mile race on the main track almost always has a run up, but on Sunday this run up was significantly longer than usual. It is a shame the betting public was not made aware.

Picture of the Golden Gate Bridge taken from Golden Gate Fields

Super Likit tries to get off the schneid

Super Likit is back in action opening day at Golden Gate Fields facing a full field of $4,000 claimers [pdf warning] in a six furlong affair over the synthetic Tapeta surface. Super Likit drew post position three in the race, which is carded as the fifth on an eight race card.

She fits well in this group and has shown an affinity for Micheal Dickinson's Tapeta racing surface in the mornings. We hope these factors can get her home.

Super Likit Update

Super Likit returned to action last week. After an offensive first after the claim outing, she turned things around and briefly flashed an impressive turn of foot nearing the wire to nose out the odds-on favorite for third. Check the chart (pdf warning).

Super Likit Disappoints

Last week Super Likit ran a lackluster race. Even though we thought it a tough spot for her to win since it was too short and there were a coupla nice fillies with backclass in there, I was very disappointed with her effort. She just didn't do much running. Worse yet, Jockey Barrington Harvey said she was trying. I hope we don't discover that is the pinnacle of her abilities. Jamey said she came out of the race find and didn't find anything awry. Since we don't have any other explanation, Jamey might try taking the blinkers back off next time.

Recent Acquisition

While Movement is enjoying some R&R at what I can only assume is a 5 star resort given the day rate they're charging, I have dipped into the owners account once more. On August 18th we claimed Super Likit (pictured left with budding horseman Troy Thomas) out of a 4k condition claimer where the filly finished a game 2nd.

I'm blessed to be in partnership with long time owner BJ, and first time owner Alex--great gentlemen, both. BJ, or Bob James as you'll see him listed regularly in the past performances, is one of the most enthusiastic owners you could ever meet. The long time racehorse owner brings a wonderfully contagious energy and lust for the game every time he graces the grandstand.

Alex too has a history with horses, growing up in Northern England where he took in days at the races at Doncaster Racecourse. I got to know Alex shortly after moving to the west coast, and I have been pestering him furiously for years to go in on a horse with me. It wont be long now before I find out if he curses my name or sings my praises for railroading him into this shaky endeavor.

Super Likit is entered in the 2nd race on Friday at Bay Meadows. She drew the 4 hole and will be adding blinkers in the five and one half furlong affair to be contested over the main track.