Time to regroup after a disappointing week.
Roja Redemption did far too much for far too long and wound up third in the Michael G. Walsh Memorial Novice Stakes Wednesday. The 5-year-old suffered from heat issues immediately after the race. Thank you to the NYRA vets and their team, he eventually got up on his own power and walked back to the receiving barn. He’s home at Jack Fisher’s farm (photo below). Whew. As uncomfortable as it was to watch before and after, Roja managed to pick up another third to improve his record for Riverdee to three wins, three seconds and three thirds in nine starts for $80,750. Talk about not owing us anything. We’ll turn him out until next year. Just thankful he’s OK.
Ethics finished fourth on the turf at Colonial Downs Wednesday. We got the tactics wrong in his first start and he did too much, too early and faded. We probably overcorrected this time, dropping the son of Hard Spun way off the pace. He circled past horses on the turn and was beaten just 2 lengths. Not very exciting but definitely a step in the right direction. He should be a good prospect for fall hurdling.
Lorraine broke quietly and lagged too far off the pace in a maiden turf race at Colonial Downs Thursday. One of those races where you knew you were in trouble early. She can’t quicken and stayed the same speed to finish fifth. Disappointing. She’s compromised in her races. We might run her in the filly and mare maiden at Fair Hill at the end of the month.
Saratoga rolls on with five more issues of The Special still to come. Deadline tonight.
