A long list of Monday morning chores after a whirlwind weekend. The first one, write a blog. So here goes.
Tim Keefe texted Saturday night.
“How did you do today?”
I wrote back, “Erratic.”
Keefe, a 33-year lifer at Laurel Park, always adds a positive spin.
“The best time to work out all of the kinks is early in the year.”
Kinks, look out.
It was that kind of day.
Pietrelcina jumped well for a circuit, spooked from some photographers at the eighth hurdle, slid across to his right and lost ground. He strolled home from there, an educational experience. A kink or two still to go.
American War Hero jumped accurately and ran efficiently, lost two shoes, cut his knee and then suffered from the heat which was stifling, certainly for this early in the spring. All hands on deck and a testing situation. He seems fine now. Kinks galore.
Cyber Ninja jumped and galloped resolutely and finished third while not being asked by Whit Schweizer. First day of school in the books. Nice horse. Big things ahead. No kinks, at least on Saturday.
Vintage Year settled well, jumped well and rallied to finish second in the NSA maiden hurdle. A promising effort from a horse who was once very promising before a tendon injury. No kinks Saturday, while trying to overcome kinks of the past.
Mortal Sin handled his flat race with aplomb and wound up fourth after a tardy start. Conor Tierney provided a quiet ride. No kinks and a plan.
Koru got nervous in the paddock and was disappointing in the race. Kinks, one for the road and more.
King Tsunami finished third on the flat at Elkridge-Harford. His jockey James Wyatt texted Sunday afternoon. “…he settled in really nicely and passed a few…He is an amazing horse and I just wanted to reach out and thank you for letting me ride him!” Nice kid. No kinks.
Onward.
We enter Cool Jet, Roja Redemption and Penicillin Success at Blue Ridge and Include It and Potus at My Lady’s Manor.
Cyber Ninja after finishing third in his hurdle debut at Old Dominion.
