Otsego Farms - Home of Worthless Horses?

Captain Britain - Worthless?

I've tried to sell two horses in the past week and have had zero success.  Even extracting a bid from the Photo-Finish populace has proven elusive in the case of these two horses.

Captain Britain is a lightly raced 3yo, sired by Union Jack, and yet could garner only a single bid; and just $1000 to boot.  He has not burned up the tracks yet, but has had some success and currently sports a 7-1-0-2 record with earnings of $92,500.  This seems like a horse that would attract some attention, especially given how Union Jack has become a very desirable stud.  After getting just the one bid, I decided to keep him.

A nice young broodmare was also up for sale.  6yo Domino who is by War Machine out of Sharp Cat, received just one bid for $1000.  With a decent track record and superlative breeding, I thought this mare would certainly be worth the $50,000 reserve.  I've seen some mares used in breeding that are clearly inferior to Domino and yet, no one saw fit to pick this girl up.

Perhaps I am overstating Domino's value.  There are dozens of mares that retire every year, many of them becoming broodmares.  So, because there is such a ready supply available, any mare who was not a superstar is commonplace and valueless.

However Domino has a unique set of traits that lead me to believe she may in fact be a valuable commodity.  She is very strong on dirt surfaces, 5-5-5.  With a 92 top speed she is capable of producing sprinters and with a 69 stamina she is also capable of producing miler-to-classic racers.  I like her versatility and since I no longer have an issue with stalls for breeders, I'm gonna keep her.

Highs and Lows in Weeks 19-20

Results caused a full spectrum of emotions this weekend; from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows.

DISAPPOINTING: 

Crossbones was injured right out of the gate and was 15 lengths back in the blink of an eye.  On pure guts, he rallied late, but still finished 7th and well out of the money.  We are awaiting work from our Vets as to the severity of the injury.

Warp Factor Ten had stable hope running high with a Win and a Place in his first two races.  A 9th place finish this weekend though was like getting a bucket of ice water dumped on our heads.  With just under a month of rest, he looked sluggish right from the start.  He'll get at least 6 weeks off before his next race.

ACCEPTABLE:

Captain Britain was a hair's width from being sold a couple weeks ago.  He gave himself some breathing room with a gutsy 3rd place finish.

Mocha Milkshake is still a baby at heart.  He won't be mature for another year at least.  However, we couldn't pass on the opportunity to give him some experience in a miniscule 3-horse field.  Predictably, he finished 3rd, but didn't look out of place in the race.

Xtra Run is fast.  I'm still trying to figure out what her maximum distance may be.  Obviously 8F is a bit too far.  Her gate speed is improving a little bit, so I feel confident shortening her races to 6-7 furlongs.  I think she'll win her next race.

EXCELLENT:

You Know My Name raced for the first time against colts this weekend and fared very well.  She carried more weight than the winner, colt Zig Zag, but finished a strong 2nd in the Illinois Derby.  This Union Jack filly now has a career record of 8-4-1-0.

Jack the Ripper had a smashing debut in the 7.5F Christmas Stakes.  Going off as a prohibitive favorite at 1/2 odds, Rip ran away from the field, winning by 6 lengths. 

A slight miscalculation...

I don't really know what I was thinking.

I thought I had to choose between Nebula and Domino for my 10th and final broodmare spot.  I chose Nebula, and put Domino up for sale. Looking at my stable today, I counted my broodmares over and over, and even with the introduction of Nebula next year, I'll have just nine.  Hmmm.  Now where did that 10th broodmare go?

Looks like I could have kept Domino after all.

But after thinking about it, I've decided to sell her anyway.  I'm really looking for some fresh blood, and Domino herself being a product of War Machine, is anything but fresh blood.

She is currently listed on the sales page, but there is no guarantee she'll reach her reserve (she should, she's definitely worth a measly $50,000).  If she comes back due to an insufficient bid, I'll find her a home somewhere.

Since I do need a 10th broodmare, I'll have to start beating the bushes for something suitable.

Broodmare for sale

Domino, the 6yo chestnut mare by War Machine out of Sharp Cat is available on the sales page. She had a racing record of 24-3-5-6 with career earnings of $202,025.

Her AR looks like this:

Domino (2009), 15.3 hand chestnut filly

By War Machine out of Sharp Cat by Storm Cat

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 prefers hard dirt.

This horse prefers soft dirt.

This horse prefers mud.

This horse is ok 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 a sprinter.

Even though her AR stipulates sprinter, she may have the ability to produce milers, or even classic type racers because her stamina rating throughout her career was 69 .

I bred her to Machete and Yeager the past two seasons and got a couple very nice looking fillies.  Those AR's are available upon request.

Chance meeting. Part Two.

"Mike, you gotta get back into the horse racing business."

Mike took a sip of beer and gazed out at the field.  "Nah,  It's not gonna happen."

"I know you're doing consulting work for Sunshine Stables and that keeps you involved, but it's not the same as running your own stable Mike."

"I'm happy with the way things are now.  If Holli needs help, I give her a hand.  I don't need to be more involved than that."

Our conversation ebbed and we watched infield practice for a few moments in silence.  Voices were raised behind us, and I heard snippets of the conversation, which was concerning the best boxing knockouts of all time.. 

I turned in my chair and joined the conversation.  "No offense Tommy.  Your KO of Pipino Cuevas was a thing of beauty, but I think the Mike Weaver knockout of Big John Tate was the best."

Tom Selleck after swallowing shrimp.

"Obviously you haven't seen the Rocky Marciano knockout of Jersey Joe Walcott," Al Kaline chimed in, dismissing me with a wave of his hand.  Selleck mumbled incoherently and nodded his head in agreement, unable to talk with his mouth full of shrimp cocktail.

"Hey Tom, the ocean called.  They're running out of shrimp", Kid Rock shouted.

Amid laughter, the boxing conversation continued and I turned back to Mike.  "I've got Mocha Milkshake going this weekend."

I bought this horse from Noble Farms for $200,000 a few seasons back.  His price was so affordable due to the "matures very slowly" line on his AR.

"I saw that."

"He's still not mature, but I've waited long enough."

Smiling, "Yes, you have."

"So, I can't convince you to get back into horseracing?"

Smugly, "No, you can't."

I gotta decide between these two...

Domino or Nebula?  Which one shall I keep as a broodmare?

There is one stall to be had.  It is currently occupied by Domino, but Nebula will be retiring after this season and if she stays on as a broodmare, it'll have to be at Domino's expense.  It's shaping up to be a tough decision.

My initial gut reaction was to keep Nebula.  She has had a better career and is capable of a little more distance.  Decision made, right? 

Wrong.  There is something staying my hand and I can't explain what it is.

Here are their racing stats on the third race of their respective 3yo seasons:

Domino 77  89  92  69  460

Nebula  80  91  92  68  987

Nebula has a better gate speed, better early speed and a much better kick rating.  In practice, she also had better performances at longer distances even though her stamina rating was lower.  Their top speeds were equal.  Overall. I'd give the nod to Nebula.

However, Nebula had a short performance peak, which she may pass along to her offspring.  Domino had an average peak which is obviously preferable.  In addition, Domino has thrown two really nice looking sprinters; fillies Brick House by Machete, and Tricky Woo by Yeager.  Both have good acceleration and good speed in addition to great surface flexibility.  I really like the look of these fillies so that is a point in Domino's favor.

With her great speed and high kick rating, I kinda feel that Nebula would produce superior foals.  But since I'm very satisfied with Domino's offspring thus far, I'm afraid to let her go.

I'm in particular hurry to make a decision.  It's just gotta be done before the end of the year.  I'll keep thinking...

A chance meeting with an old friend. Part One.

As I was stepping into my Luxury Suite at Comerica Park on October 13th, I could not help but notice a familiar figure walking along.  A tall chap with very good posture.  He had a slightly exaggerated swing of the right arm and a beer firmly clenched in his left hand.  A wide smile erupted on my face as I spotted the Otsego Farms sweatshirt he was wearing. 

I cupped my hands and called, "Hey Mike!"  He spun on his heel.  Any other man might have sloshed a bit of the brew, but not this fellow. 

Recognition dawned on his face.  "Weaver?"

I shook my head and smiled.  That is Mike Noble's pet name for me.  Webber... Weaver, It's a long story.  Mike Noble is the former owner of Noble Farms, a short-lived but successful thoroughbred racing stable.

He dodged and weaved through the crowd and stopped in front of me.  "Nice shirt," I said with another smile.

"This thing?  I 'm just about ready to throw it in the rag bin.  You here for the game?"

"No, I need the extra money so I'm here as a hot dog vender .  Jeez, whatdya think, Mo?"

Chuckling, Mike looked up and down the corridor.  "Where are you sitting?"

I jerked a thumb at the door to the Luxury Suite.  "Right here.  You wanna join me?"

"Nah, I've got some excellent seats myself."

I snatched the ticket stubs I saw peeking out of his front pocket.  "Dude, these are bleacher tickets!  C'mon, you can sit in the Suite with me.  Who are you here with?"

"Just a few guys I know."

"Well they won't miss you for a few minutes.  C'mon in."

Heads turned as we entered the Suite.  I made some quick introductions.  "Mike, I don't know if you ever met Al Kaline?"  I continued, pointing around the room.  "That's Steve Yzerman over there.  That derelict at the bar is Kid Rock.  The other guys are Tommy Hearns, Barry Sanders, and the tall fella is Tom Selleck."

After handshakes were exchanged and hello's spoken, Mike and I settled into a couple leather recliners.  The panoramic view of Comerica Park was stretched before us.  "Mike, you gotta get back into the horse racing business", I stated with no preamble.

Minor transactions

Some recent comings and goings at Otsego Farms...

Newcomer Spy Vs Spy has already bought herself a ticket out of town.  I was hoping she might be late to mature since she was sired by Memcay, but after seeing her AR, and testing her in a couple races, it was obvious that Endless Vista was where she belonged.

Captain Britain was recently put on the market with a modest reserve of $10,000.  I felt that was a fair request for a 3yo colt sired by Union Jack who has a win in just 6 career races.  Photo Finish owners thought otherwise as the Captain attracted just one bid.  The $1000 offered by Josh Kayll isn't going to get the job done.  Rather than negotiate, we'll just keep Captain Britain and see if he can make good in his second chance. 

Coming in to Otsego Farms is the 3yo colt School Boy Heart.  He is a sprinter/miler type who has pretty good speed, but is still immature.  He is by Thief of Hearts; himself a late-maturing type.  We feel that SBH can pay his way, perhaps a bit more, after he grows up a little.  He sat out there on the sales page for a couple days without a bid, so we contacted our friends at Sunshine Stables and arranged a private purchase.

Refractor alters strategy, wins Melbourne Cup

 Foxie swoons as she realizes her $500,000 WIN bet on Alphabet isn't going to pay off.

With the jockey under strict orders to force the pace, Refractor did everything asked of him and responded with a big GR1 win at the Melbourne Cup.

Otsego owner Jim Webber was trackside and jubilant after the race.  "We knew that Two Thousand would get a lot of attention.  There were experts who picked him based on his class alone; they figured he could do anything.  But with just a couple weeks rest and going at an unfamiliar distance, we knew he was ripe for the picking."

After a brief interruption to accept congratulations from Finlay LaFleur of FDL Lodge, Webber continued, "Normally Refractor will stay back and conserve energy for a late charge.  However, this time we wanted to take the race right to Two Thousand, who's a notorious front-runner.  We figured we we'd rip his balls right off and break his heart.  Oh Jeez can I say that on TV?" After a brief apology Webber went on, "It worked, 'cause once we passed him, you could see the fire go out of his eyes."

"What I didn't expect though was Majestic Rooney being there at the end.  I'm not gonna lie....I could tell that Refractor was gassed and I was concerned.  That front-running strategy took something out of him.  But he showed his tremendous heart at the end in winning that race after Rooney had the lead late."

Sunshine Stables 4yo Pluto finished 3rd, and up-and-coming stayer Alphabet from Foxies Lodge finished 4th.  Also notable was the 5th place finish by 47-1 longshot Zagreb out of JD Kayll Race Club.

Connections at Otsego Farms are targeting the 16F Gold Cup for Refractors next race.

Undeniable urge to sell a horse... again.

I have a fever.  Just like producer Bruce Dickinson, (yes, the Bruce Dickinson) who said "Guess what?  I got a fever.  And the only prescription is more cowbell."  Instead of cowbell, I have the fever to sell a horse.

Every once in a while, I get this itch.  It's overpowering and unexplainable.  I'm going through it right now.  I've been scanning my roster on a daily basis, trying to find a sacrificial lamb to satisfy my primal urge to sell.  In reality, I've got a couple underachievers who are starting to get under my skin.

Captain Britain isn't doing himself any favors by throwing out PSR's in the 75-85 range.  He'll have his 6th start this weekend and he better improve.

Nebula has produced fairly well in her career at Otsego Farms.  With a current record of 16-3-3-4 and steady PSR's in the 90's, you'd think she would be safe.  But this will be her last year racing and I'm not sure that I want to keep her as a broodmare (although that is still under consideration).  I prefer mares with a little better stamina, so if she goes, that will be the reason.

I picked up Art of Seduction as pure speculation.  His high stamina was in direct contrast to his reputation as a sprinter.  I've stretched him out and his PSR has improved with every race, but I'm not sure if he'll ever pan out.  His grace period is about to expire.

I'm trying to not be hasty, but when I get in this mood, something usually happens.

Warp Factor Ten, Nighthawk to debut

Colts Nighthawk (Nightwing x Flawless) and Warp Factor Ten (Run Missy Run x Nova) will both make their first appearance this weekend, highlighting a big week of racing at Otsego Farms.

"I try to find a reasonable field for their first race", Otsego owner Jim Webber responded when asked why it took so long to get the first 2yo's on the track.  "I prefer to insulate my young horses from the chaos of a 20-horse field for as long as possible."

Miler Nighthawk will run in the 5F J.F. Meynink Stakes in a 8-horse field, while Warp Factor Ten will compete in the 5F JFK stakes in a 9-horse field.  "We haven't figured out yet if WFT is a sprinter or a stayer.  Hopefully this race will shed some light", Webber said.

4yo colt Machine Gun will shoot for his third straight win in the $1,000,000 Santa Anita Handicap.  Webber commented, "He's going 10F for the first time, so we're anxious to see how he does."  Machine Gun will face off against another War Machine product, Southern Belle (out of Southern Charm) in what should be an interesting sidebar to this race.

In a race that was discussed at length in the PF Forum, Methy Bus takes on top-flight competition in the 12F Caulfield Cup.  Two Thousand, Druido Supremo, Run On Sentence, and Molecular represent the main obstacles to overcome.  Notable was the late scratch by Isca's Dawn causing Webber to comment, "One less thing to worry about, you know?"