Killer arrives in Japan. Which race to enter?

A View to a Kill is in Japan and very fresh with over 2 months of rest. Owner Jim Webber has Killer entered in both the Japan Cup and the Japan Cup Dirt, and is agonizing over the choice.

"My gut feeling was that the 10.5 furlong Japan Cup Dirt was preferential. Killer seems to be a little more comfortable on dirt, and frankly, I expected a fractionally softer field." Webber shrugged his shoulders, took a sip of his Kirin Lager, then continued, "However, he likes the 12 furlong distance of the Japan Cup better, so I entered him there as well until I make up my mind."

When asked about the competition in both races, Webber commented, "Pick your poison. You got Heat Seeker on the turf and Regal Son on the dirt. Not to mention horses like Color of Fame, Retribution, Trigun, Princess Royale, Sligeach, and Smart Habit sprinkled in for good measure. It's gonna be tough sailing either way."

As he was pressed by reporters on the direction he was leaning, Webber finished his beer, looking impatiently in both directions and said, "I'm on the fence at the moment. Where the heck is LaFleur with that next round?"

Hope springs eternal....

Another racing season is about to begin and I can't help looking through rose-colored glasses.

I have waited patiently for a home-bred War Machine colt and I'll finally have one racing this year when the 17 hand dark brown sprinter Ultron springs into action.

In the first two War Machine crops, I had just one foal each season. Rogue, the filly out of Dragon Flyer, and Domino, the filly out of Sharp Cat. Rogue has been a solid contributor and looks to have a strong campaign in 2012. Domino had just 6 races as a 2yo, compiling a steady mark of 6-1-1-1.

Finally, in the third War Machine crop in 2010, this strapping colt was born out of Otsego's beloved and mercurial mare, Nova. With such noteworthy parents, we feel Ultron is a good bet to be a fast, front-running contender.

He'll train for awhile yet, even though he is ready to race now. We have an aversion to 20-horse fields and unfortunately, those are simply a fact of life for 2yo's early in the season.

Keep your eyes open for this one though. The blood doesn't get any bluer, and his name is TIGHT.

2012 Foal Roundup. Results: Magical.

Seven foals. The biggest yearly crop, by far, in the history of Otsego Farms. Five colts and 2 fillies. Three milers, two classic, and two distance.

Azrael (2012), 16.1 hand bay colt
By Nightwing out of Affirm Gal by Affirmation

This horse will mature quickly and be at peak performance early (2-3).
This horse will have a very short peak time, perhaps only a single racing season.
This horse is good on hard dirt.
This horse is good on soft dirt.
This horse is ok in mud.
This horse prefers hard turf.
This horse prefers soft turf.
This horse is of average soundness.
This horse has average ratability.
This horse looks like it can run at classic distances.


Captain Britain (2012), 16.1 hand bay colt
By Union Jack out of Flawless by War Chant

This horse will mature quickly and be at peak performance early (2-3).
This horse will have an average performance peak, at least two racing seasons.
This horse dislikes hard dirt.
This horse dislikes soft dirt.
This horse is poor in mud.
This horse prefers hard turf.
This horse is good on soft turf.
This horse has physical problems that may lead to alot of injury downtime.
This horse obeys its jockey and is flexible in its pacing.
This horse likes a lot of distance.


Deep Magic (2012), 16.1 hand chestnut colt
By War Machine out of Isca's Revenge by Revenge

This horse will mature quickly and be at peak performance early (2-3).
This horse will have a very short peak time, perhaps only a single racing season.
This horse prefers hard dirt.
This horse is ok on soft dirt.
This horse is poor in mud.
This horse is good on hard turf.
This horse is ok on soft turf.
This horse is very hardy and unlikely to fall victim to injuries.
This horse has average ratability.
This horse appears to be primarily a miler.


Kit Fisto (2012), 17.2 hand chestnut colt
By War Machine out of In Spirit by Bellbuster

This horse will mature quickly and be at peak performance early (2-3).
This horse will have an average performance peak, at least two racing seasons.
This horse is ok on hard dirt.
This horse is good on soft dirt.
This horse is good in mud.
This horse is good on hard turf.
This horse prefers soft turf.
This horse is very hardy and unlikely to fall victim to injuries.
This horse has average ratability.
This horse likes a lot of distance.

Moondragon (2012), 17.3 hand brown filly
By Moet out of Monsoon by Storm Cat

This horse will mature quickly and be at peak performance early (2-3).
This horse will have a very short peak time, perhaps only a single racing season.
This horse is good on hard dirt.
This horse dislikes soft dirt.
This horse is ok in mud.
This horse is ok on hard turf.
This horse is good on soft turf.
This horse has physical problems that may lead to alot of injury downtime.
This horse has average ratability.
This horse appears to be primarily a miler.


Quasar (2012), 16.3 hand dark brown colt
By Revenge out of Nova by Housebuster

This horse will mature quickly and be at peak performance early (2-3).
This horse will have a very short peak time, perhaps only a single racing season.
This horse prefers hard dirt.
This horse is good on soft dirt.
This horse is ok in mud.
This horse is poor on hard turf.
This horse is poor on soft turf.
This horse is of average soundness.
This horse has average ratability.
This horse appears to be primarily a miler.


You Know My Name (2012), 17.2 hand light gray filly
By Union Jack out of Shattered Record by Black Shatter

This horse will mature quickly and be at peak performance early (2-3).
This horse will have an average performance peak, at least two racing seasons.
This horse is good on hard dirt.
This horse is ok on soft dirt.
This horse is good in mud.
This horse is ok on hard turf.
This horse is poor on soft turf.
This horse is very hardy and unlikely to fall victim to injuries.
This horse has average ratability.
This horse looks like it can run at classic distances.