With the season almost complete, I've looked at each of my racers and graded them on how they've performed this year.
All of them, with the exception of Big Easy and Nova will be returning as racers next season.
Grades are as follows:
BIG EASY (9-2-1-3 $300,000) - We knew when we acquired him that this would be his last season before retiring to stud, so we weren't expecting miracles. We hoped however, that he would perform competently and with dignity. He has definitely done that.
GRADE: B
DOOMSDAY (9-2-4-3 $310,000) - After a sub-par 2008, we thought he might not even be racing at Otsego Farms this year. He has come through with flying colors though by hitting the board in every race. Based on his resurgence, another racing season beckons for Doomsday in 2010.
GRADE: A
KING OF THE SEA (6-2-2-0 $340,000) - King was beset by injury and chronic soreness in 2009. In spite of that, he performed at a high level in most races. He'll be back in 2010, but will be limited to 6 hand-picked races.
GRADE: B
NOVA (8-3-1-1 $547,500) - Nova had another solid season with all 100+ power-speed numbers with the exception of one at 99. She stretched out to 8.5 and 9 furlongs and performed very well at the longer distances. Retiring at season end to become a broodmare.
GRADE: B+
SITIO ESTRATEGICO (4-1-1-1 $67,800) - Mid-season pickup who performed well in four races. A Grade 3 router who can perform well if placed appropriately. Racing again in 2010.
GRADE: B
UNION JACK (10-3-4-2 $1,415,000) - Jack was his usual solid self in 2009. While not a match for the very top horses, he can handle almost anyone else. He'll be competing again next season as a 5yo.
GRADE: A
CANDLE OF LIFE (6-0-0-3 $28,000) - This horse has ability, we're convinced of that. He's not Grade 1 material, but we think he can pay his way, therefore he'll be back next season.
GRADE: C-
KID FLASH (7-2-2-2 $272,900) - The Kid was very consistent in 2009. He may move up to an occasional Grade 1 race in 2010 after showing good speed that topped out at a 113 PSR. Has been in-the-money in 11 of his last 12 races.
GRADE: B+
SEVEN MEMORY (3-1-0-1 $48,500) - We liked this fellow so much, that we sold stable favorite Lady Katherine to make room for him. He is illustriously bred, by Memcay out of Deja vu and has shown speed and courage in his brief stay at Otsego. He'll be back.
GRADE: B+
STOWAWAY (3-2-1-0 $92,400) - Another mid-season acquisition that looks to good to be true. This horse has great talent and we were very surprised at being able to get him so economically. We see him as a Grade 1 sprinter/miler next season.
GRADE: A
BIG SLICK (6-0-2-1 $47,200) - This horse came into the season with a "can't miss" tag on him. He looked superb in his first race, finishing 2nd in a field of 19. He was injured in his next race and has not been the same since. Our trainers say he has the tools, so we'll give him a long rest and he'll come back as a 3yo in March 2010.
GRADE: D
MISTER FANTASTIC (1-0-0-0 $0) - We gave this late maturing colt one start, just to see where he was at. It was all we needed to decide to shelve him until 2010. We hope he'll surprise us next season.
GRADE: Incomplete
All of them, with the exception of Big Easy and Nova will be returning as racers next season.
Grades are as follows:
BIG EASY (9-2-1-3 $300,000) - We knew when we acquired him that this would be his last season before retiring to stud, so we weren't expecting miracles. We hoped however, that he would perform competently and with dignity. He has definitely done that.
GRADE: B
DOOMSDAY (9-2-4-3 $310,000) - After a sub-par 2008, we thought he might not even be racing at Otsego Farms this year. He has come through with flying colors though by hitting the board in every race. Based on his resurgence, another racing season beckons for Doomsday in 2010.
GRADE: A
KING OF THE SEA (6-2-2-0 $340,000) - King was beset by injury and chronic soreness in 2009. In spite of that, he performed at a high level in most races. He'll be back in 2010, but will be limited to 6 hand-picked races.
GRADE: B
NOVA (8-3-1-1 $547,500) - Nova had another solid season with all 100+ power-speed numbers with the exception of one at 99. She stretched out to 8.5 and 9 furlongs and performed very well at the longer distances. Retiring at season end to become a broodmare.
GRADE: B+
SITIO ESTRATEGICO (4-1-1-1 $67,800) - Mid-season pickup who performed well in four races. A Grade 3 router who can perform well if placed appropriately. Racing again in 2010.
GRADE: B
UNION JACK (10-3-4-2 $1,415,000) - Jack was his usual solid self in 2009. While not a match for the very top horses, he can handle almost anyone else. He'll be competing again next season as a 5yo.
GRADE: A
CANDLE OF LIFE (6-0-0-3 $28,000) - This horse has ability, we're convinced of that. He's not Grade 1 material, but we think he can pay his way, therefore he'll be back next season.
GRADE: C-
KID FLASH (7-2-2-2 $272,900) - The Kid was very consistent in 2009. He may move up to an occasional Grade 1 race in 2010 after showing good speed that topped out at a 113 PSR. Has been in-the-money in 11 of his last 12 races.
GRADE: B+
SEVEN MEMORY (3-1-0-1 $48,500) - We liked this fellow so much, that we sold stable favorite Lady Katherine to make room for him. He is illustriously bred, by Memcay out of Deja vu and has shown speed and courage in his brief stay at Otsego. He'll be back.
GRADE: B+
STOWAWAY (3-2-1-0 $92,400) - Another mid-season acquisition that looks to good to be true. This horse has great talent and we were very surprised at being able to get him so economically. We see him as a Grade 1 sprinter/miler next season.
GRADE: A
BIG SLICK (6-0-2-1 $47,200) - This horse came into the season with a "can't miss" tag on him. He looked superb in his first race, finishing 2nd in a field of 19. He was injured in his next race and has not been the same since. Our trainers say he has the tools, so we'll give him a long rest and he'll come back as a 3yo in March 2010.
GRADE: D
MISTER FANTASTIC (1-0-0-0 $0) - We gave this late maturing colt one start, just to see where he was at. It was all we needed to decide to shelve him until 2010. We hope he'll surprise us next season.
GRADE: Incomplete
3 comments:
Such a hard taskmaster! Very good read as usual though!
Was I overly hard on someone Mandie? I tried to be objective and base the grades on what I expected....
Maybe just a little hard on Nova? A-? for effort?
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