New Silks unveiled

For the past four seasons, our silks have consisted of a white jacket with orange sleeves and an orange "V" down the front and back. It was topped with a red cap.

In order to bring everything into line with our blue and yellow stable logo, we have changed our silks to solid blue; the chest emblazoned with our trademark blue galloping horse in a yellow oval. The cap will be blue with a narrow yellow edge.

Our jockeys began wearing the new colors this weekend.

Dragon Force off to Sam's Kingdom

In an unlikely turn of events, Sam's Kingdom, the very stable that sold us Candle of Life earlier this week, was the purchaser of Dragon Force at auction.

This marks the first time that we have sold an unraced horse. Our usual method of operation is to give the horses at least 4 runs before making a decision on their long-term viability at Otsego Farms.

We have actually broken this rule twice this season. With Dragon Flyer, and with Firefighter, who we sold to Olmo Dorado after his third race.

We actually like both of these horses, but the recent crowded conditions in our stable necessitated that we cull our string a bit.

We currently have one open stall and seriously considered purchasing Landscaper who was available from Endless Vista. He performed very well last year, with seven out of eight races with speed scores above 100. He actually set a track record in his final race last season. When the bidding hit $100,000 by Zippy Chippy, we decided to bow out, as that seemed a bit much for a 6yo who won a total of $140,000 last season.

The bidding ended there, but it looks like the reserve was $200,000, so we'll have to see what happens.

We'll keep the stall open for a while perhaps. There are a couple horses I have my eye on though...

As it was prophesied, so it shall be...

On March 23rd, I wrote a piece about the tough times that new stables can go through. That article was written with a particular stable in mind.

Not surprisingly, that stable is now defunct.

We've seen it many times. A new participant comes in, full of hope and energy, only to wither away and quietly disappear like an unwatered dandelion.

As I mentioned, I had the good fortune to be lucky at the beginning. So perhaps I shouldn't be the one dispensing advice on the hard times a struggling new stable may be experiencing.

I had high hopes for this particular stable. He was active in the forum. In his own words, he spent hours reading the threads. It looked like he would eventually be an upstanding citizen in our horseracing community. He even had a blog, and a very nice one, I might add. Well written, insightful. Yes, I thought he might be a force to be reckoned with sooner or later.

And then it happened. Or, perhaps it is better to say, it didn't happen.

The losses started mounting. I kept an eye on his horses, hoping that he would get some reinforcement with a win. Even a place or show. Something to give him some hope.

It didn't happen. In fact, it seemed like his horses were pretty much finishing last or close to it every race. Bad luck really. I haven't analyzed his entries to see if he was shooting too high. Maybe that was the problem.

In any event. He is gone. Looked like he might be a respectable owner, but the bottom line was he didn't have the fortitude necessary to patiently work for success in this instant gratification world we live in.

Hopefully, the Mayor won't close down his town if they have similar budget problems.

Big money week in Dubai, Who will be there?

Otsego Farms has 8 horses running this weekend, the most we have ever entered in one week in our six seasons of operation.

Big Easy, King of the Sea, Nova, newcomer Candle of Life, Kid Flash, Lady Katherine, Big Slick, and Night Thrasher are all entered and ready to run.

King of the Sea and Lady Katherine are both getting their first starts after rather lengthy recoveries from injury.

Big Slick is entered in the Dubai Juvenile, but it is possible he may be balloted out due to lesser earnings than other entries.

Nova is scheduled to run in the Dubai Golden Shaheen. The race will assuredly bring out the top sprinters, so while we always like her chances, it will be a very tough race.

We are extremely excited about this weekends racing. We have had just 17 starts all season thus far, so having 8 in one week is quite a treat.

Predictions? Nope. But we figure we've got a darn good chance in at least three of the races, regardless who the competition is.

Of course, I'll have to travel to the UAE to watch Nova in the Shaheen. I have one of the Presidential Suites reserved at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai. Stop in and see me the day before the races. I will have the Al Muntaha reserved all day for a reception.

2yo filly Dragon Force - For Sale

Dragon Force (2007), 16 hand black filly
By Crown Prince out of Dragon Flyer by Tagula

This horse will mature slowly, in time for the later handicap season.
This horse will have an average performance peak, at least two racing seasons.
This horse will be near peak potential for the Derby.
This horse is poor on hard dirt.
This horse prefers soft dirt.
This horse is ok in mud.
This horse is ok on hard turf.
This horse is ok on soft turf.
This horse will fight tooth and nail if challenged at the wire.
This horse is very hardy and unlikely to fall victim to injuries.
This horse has average ratability.
This horse holds its position well in curves.
This horse cruises once it has the lead.
This horse handles traffic ok.
This horse isn't very consistent.
This horse is a machine! Recovers quickly from fatigue and ready to race again.
This horse can carry alot of weight and still run well, no problem with handicaps.
This horse usually comes from far back.
This horse has poor acceleration.
This horse has average speed out of the gate.
This horse has average speed.
This horse appears to be a sprinter.

Available at auction via Photo-Finish sales venue.

Race Results for Weeks 11-12

We just had two racers going this week. Doomsday in the 5.5 furlong Schillaci Stakes and Union Jack in the 10 furlong Cox Plate.

Doomsday went off at 7/2 odds, the co-favorite along with the eventual winner, Whirlwind from Parklands. Doomsday, who had the heaviest load at 128 lbs, set the early pace. Whirlwind settled in behind and conserved energy, which worked well as he had plenty of strength to pass Doomsday down the stretch for the win. Doomsday finished second and now has a season record of 3-1-2-0.

Union Jack also started at 7/2 odds. The money was on the fabulous filly from Rainbow though, Perfect Bell at 1/1. Union Jack slipped 12 lengths off the leaders before he finally got into gear. By that time there was not enough real estate to make a run for the lead. Perfect Bell looked to be the winner, when out of nowhere, the 3yo colt from FDL Lodge, Double Dome screamed into the lead and across the wire for the win. Perfect Bell finished second and Union Jack third. UJ's season record stands at 3-0-2-1.

Double Dome won the race carying just 107 lbs. Perfect Bell has 122 lbs and Union Jack had 127lbs.

Overall, a bit of a disappointment. We thought we had a good chance to win both races. However, we are at least gratified that both racers finished in the money. That brings our season record to 17-3-7-3, which we think is quite remarkable. So far, 13 of 17 races have resulted in an on-the-board finish.

Tough times for some new stables?

Fortune smiled upon me in my first year.

Prior to my first season, I was lucky enough to snag two horses at auction who would both be immediately successful. Of course, I did not know that at the time. I was plenty nervous after spending $70K or $80K of my initial $200,000. That $120,000 remaining seemed pretty slim at the time. I wanted to leave myself as much as possible in reserves, hopefully to spare me the ignominy of bankruptcy. I remember figuring how long that money might last after entry fees and maintenance costs kept accruing.

But, as I said, it turned out that I was lucky.

After a bad first start, my 3yo colt Nightwing began to place regularly in the money. Predator, the massive, white 2yo colt, also became a consistent money earner. My financial worries were swept away forever when Nightwing won the United Arab Emirates Derby and brought home a check for $1,200,000.

Nightwing won $3.6 million that first season and Predator chipped in with $700k. I have never truly had much concern for finances since then.

The point?

Anyone can do it. Luck definitely plays a part. I bought War Machine at the auction for peanuts because no one else was bidding on him. Pure unadulterated luck. Anyone could have had him along with his Triple Crown and Eclipse Awards.

Of course, there is skill involved as well. Many stables are successful due to the adroit way they manage their stock and because of their eye for talent.

Just don't get discouraged and quit. Hang in there and ask questions. Sooner or later you are going to unearth a superstar. Then you'll fondly remember the good old days when you were worried about going belly up.

Acquisition announced

Candle of Life, a gray 3yo colt, has been acquired from Sam's Kingdom in a cash deal.

Originally bred by the Long Island Hayburners, Candle of Life is by Golden Grace out of For My Lady.

He currently sports a record of 5-1-1-0 with earnings of $62,675 and looks to be a 8-10 furlong racer with a liking for dirt surfaces, including mud.

We are very pleased with this purchase. We feel that Candle of Life may blossom into a reliable racer.

Arrivederci Firefighter - 3yo sold

With our stable brimming at full capacity, a transaction was necessary to make an open space. I like to operate with at least one open stall to allow for a little transactional flexibility.

Looking over the roster, it came down to either selling the 3yo colt Firefighter or the unraced 2yo filly Dragon Force.

Frankly, Firefighter looks to be the better prospect. He hasn't shown much yet in three career starts, but he is still immature and should improve. He is primarily a dirt sprinter and has a very nice sprinter-complimentary AR.

Our Italian friend Ettore, from Olmo Dorato was the purchaser and we wish them both the best of luck.

Dragon Force may still be shopped around a bit. She is by Crown Prince out of Dragon Flyer. We purchased her at auction out of respect for her dam, who also produced one of our current stable stars, Union Jack.

Horses are on the mend

Lady Katherine and King of the Sea have both been given a clean bill of health and are ready to commence racing.

Lady Katherine will probably race next weekend, while King of the Sea will most likely sit out one additional week.

In other news, we compared our current racing record to the results we had at this time last year.

In 2008 after 15 races, we had a record of 15-2-3-2 for an OTB% of 47%. In 2009 our record after 15 races is 15-3-6-2 for an OTB% of 73%. A nice improvement of which we are very proud.

Prior to the season, we stated that we would try to increase our success ratios by entering more appropriate races and giving our horses plenty of rest whenever possible. So far the strategy has worked out nicely.

Race Results for Weeks 9-10

Another relatively light week was headlined by the speedy sprinter Nova. Our two "big" boys, Big Easy and Big Slick both ran as well.

Nova ran in the Gr2 Distaff Handicap at 7 furlongs on dirt. She went off as the 8-5 favorite in spite of the fact that she was carrying the most weight at 123 lbs. Nova led virtually from wire-to-wire for the win, in track record time. Her toughest challenge came from the 4yo Bally Doyle mare Ab-Daledigaeth, who pushed Nova continuously before slipping 2 lengths back, finishing second at the finish. A few days ago, upon learning that AD was entering the Distaff Handicap, I invited Amanda to withdraw rather than face Nova, but she maintained that her mare was up to the challenge, and she was right. It was a grand effort by Ab-Daledigaeth.

Big Easy came back perhaps a bit early and responded sluggishly in finishing 6th in the 7 furlong San Carlos Handicap. The race was won, in world record time, by the 4yo male from Akuma no Heya, Mr Purler.

Big Slick, our 2yo colt by Troll Tower out of Charon looked very impressive finishing 2nd in a virtual dead-heat in the 5 furlong Crackerbarrel Stakes. The winner of the 20 horse field was Mardi Gras from Firstholme Racing. Big Slick led most of the way but was caught by Mardi Gras in the last furlong. They were neck and neck down the stretch and both finished with the same time of 0:57.82, but after checking the photo, the stewards awarded the win to Mardi Gras by a nose.

With this weeks results, Otsego Farms has a season record of 15-3-6-2, with earnings of $538,750. Record-wise, it's the best season start we've ever had.

Otsego Farms website to be discontinued

Finding that we can disseminate the same information much easier here on the blog, Otsego Farms has decided to suspend publication of our website.

The site will continue to exist but will not be updated unless we find the need to resume publication.

All information on our horses and their racing records can be found by scrolling down on the sidebar.

Highly touted colt to make debut

Big Slick, the promising 2yo colt acquired in a cash and breeding deal with Pointgiven Stables, will make his first start next weekend.

By Troll Tower out of Charon, this colt has all the attributes of an exceptional router. With surface adaptability, tremendous courage, incredible consistency, good acceleration, deep lungs, and great speed, Big Slick is an inspiring physical specimen.

However, as has been proven countless times, good breeding, a sound AR, and infinite potential mean nothing until tested on the track.

We have a significant amount of time and money invested in this fellow, so we are a bit nervous about his first race.

The actual race Big Slick will enter is still under consideration.

Race Results for Weeks 7-8

Stable stalwart Union Jack led a group of three horses into battle for Otsego Farms this weekend. Promising 3yo colt Kid Flash and 3yo project Firefighter also raced this week.

Union Jack went off as the 6/5 favorite in the 12 furlong San Luis Obispo Handicap. Retribution from Spartan Racing Stables jumped to the early lead and held it the entire race. Union Jack finished an easy second, 4 1/2 lengths off the lead and 5 lengths ahead of third place finisher Royal Memories from Nebraska Stables.

Union Jack appeared a little lethargic in the last couple furlongs, prompting us to wonder if he is uncomfortable at 12 furlongs. He has finished second in both of his races this year and currently has a record of 20-8-5-3.

Kid Flash finished second in a small field of four in the Stan Fox Stakes. He was the early pacesetter but slipped into 2nd midway into the race and cruised home from there. Dancin in the Dark from Rivendell was the winner. Kid's record moved to 10-1-3-4.

Looks like more seasoning is in store for our immature 3yo colt Firefighter. We were very disappointed in his 12th place finish in a 6 furlong allowance race. He will be shelved until mid-season at the earliest.

Overall, we have had very nice results this season with a record of 12-2-5-2. Neither Union Jack nor Nova has won a race yet this year, so we feel that we can improve on an already strong start.

Big Easy to join Otsego stud at season end

Our stud farm has a great distance stallion. Nightwing.

We also have a great classic distance stallion. War Machine.

We needed a great miler stallion, and we got one in Big Easy.

Bred by Snowbank and acquired via auction from Bonai Farms, Big Easy will fill the our miler stallion niche very well, thank you.

A lifetime record of 36-14-15-4 means that he has only finished off the board 3 times in his career. As shown below, his AR is also excellent.

He'll retire after this season and be available for a stud fee of $50,000.

Ability Report for horse 406

Big Easy, 15.2 hand chestnut colt
By Easy Goer out of Forresta by Alydar

This horse will mature at the average rate, probably will not peak until after the Derby.
This horse will have a very short peak time, perhaps only a single racing season.
This horse will be near peak potential for the for the Derby.
This horse prefers hard dirt.
This horse is good on soft dirt.
This horse is good in mud.
This horse prefers hard turf.
This horse prefers soft turf.
This horse shows average fight if challenged at the wire.
This horse is of average soundness.
This horse obeys its jockey and is flexible in its pacing.
This horse tends to drift out in curves.
This horse just keeps going after it has the lead. It just doesn't let up.
This horse isn't at all bothered by crowds and bumping.
This horse is very consistent, lives up to its potential most times.
This horse recovers fairly quickly between races.
This horse can carry alot of weight and still run well, no problem with handicaps.
This horse always comes from midpack.
This horse accelerates like a bullet!
This horse breaks well out of the gate.
This horse has average speed.
Handles 5f to 1 1/8, best distance 1mi.

Race Results for Weeks 5-6

It was a very light week for Otsego Farms with just two racers in competition.

King of the Sea made his season debut in the Gr2 San Antonio Handicap. It was a small, but select field with just three entries which included the fine 4yo Beamington from Olmo Dorato and the 4yo Sendintheclowns from Bally Doyle.

Beamington jumped into the early lead and held it the entire race. King of the Sea was running very comfortably and economically in second for most of the contest. We felt he had a push in him at the end, but it just didn't happen. He just hung on to finish ahead of a charging Sendintheclowns. It was discovered that KOTS suffered an injury during the race, which undoubtedly affected him in the last couple furlongs. He'll need around 15 days to recover before training can recommence. Looks like a mid-March return to the track at the earliest.

The Theo Marks Quality Handicap is a Gr2 race, and as such was not originally on Doomsday's calendar. However, it's modest $150,000 purse led us to believe the field wouldn't be overly competitive. Our strategy for the 5yo Doomsday this season is to place him strategically in Gr3 and Gr4 races to maximize his chances. This then, at Gr2 was a bit of a leap.

The announced field was much tougher than we anticipated, headlined by the superb filly Jewel Mint from DVO Stable. Additionally, stiff competition was expected from Establos Del Castillo's,With Imagine, who beat Doomsday last week, and Peaken on Patrol from Firstholme Racing.

Doomsday jumped to the early lead, but was reeled in by Jewel Mint midway through the race. Just as we were beginning to hope that Doomsday could hang on for a second place finish, Jewel Mint began to falter. Doomsday, who has good stamina, was able to move past the fading filly and steam to victory by 2 lengths. Just a tremendous victory for the veteran male, who moves his 2009 record to 2-1-1-0.

It looks like weeks 7-8 may also be lightly raced by our stable as well. At first glance, it's possible that we may have no entries at all. We'll have to look again and reconsider a couple races.

Genuine affection for a virtual horse?

Is it possible?

These horses are not real flesh and blood. And yet they seem as real to me as the dog that is sitting by my feet right now.

Looking at these horses every day, thinking about their strengths and weaknesses, pondering the race schedule looking for the perfect race, it all adds up to a real attachment.

Whenever a horse comes into my stable and becomes part of my team, I mentally adopt them. However, just like it would be in real life, my affection for some horses is greater than for it is for others.

I poured my heart and soul in War Machine. He'll always be my favorite. I'll never be able to think of anything equine without him coming to mind.

Nightwing also enjoys special status. He was just so darn gutsy. Even though he was not the most physically gifted horse of his time, you couldn't help but love him. His amazing, seemingly impossible, comeback win over Dubai Gold in the Fountain of Youth Stakes in the 2004 season (Race 465. It's worth watching, trust me) is still my favorite race of all time.

Nova was my first homebred and as such, is also a favorite. Being a fast son-of-a-gun and as pretty as a picture doesn't hurt either. She'll stay on in perpetuity as a broodmare when her racing days are over.

Another who is weaving his way into my heart is Union Jack. Talented, courageous, and with a name that just clicks with me for some reason, I really like this guy.

Shattered Record was a very competitive filly who also became a favorite of mine. She has a very impressive physical presence that cannot be ignored.

I generally become pretty attached to all the horses that I own. But these five however.... they are special.

So, can you have genuine affection for a virtual horse?

Yep.