Alex Brown 1 July 2009

Again, for this week’s update, I am going to highlight the ‘highlights’ from last week’s ‘tweets’ from Alex Brown Racing

On Tuesday I went to the OLEX auction, again. And I tweeted 52 updates from the auction. You can check out my picture after the sale. My rationale for doing this, the 52 updates, is to bring more transparency to all aspects of the horse industry.

There are glorious aspects (Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta dominating over the weekend) and less glorious aspects to the industry. I believe we shouldn’t ignore what we don’t like, if it persists as an element of our industry. Anyway my ‘tweets’ did lead to some discussion on Twitter regarding whether the updates were too much. And I know of at least one person who decided to no longer follow my updates: read for yourself.

When I next go to the auction, I will tweet aggressively.

Also on Tuesday Rachel Alexandra arrived at Belmont Park ahead of her race in the Mother Goose on Saturday. And fellow blogger, Green But Game, wrote about my Chantal Sutherland interview.

On Wednesday we learned that Rachel Alexandra was to face only four horses in the Mother Goose. No surprise there. Horses in her division are running for second money at this point. Rachel took her first trip around the Belmont Park oval and all was well.

The Ernie Paragallo abuse case, which was scheduled for Tuesday evening, was postponed. The current date is now 27 July.

On Thursday we learned that Chad Beckon is continuing to recover well from his injuries sustained in last Wednesday night’s tragic spill at Woodbine. He has moved out of the ICU unit. Woodbine trainer Greg De Gannes also had five hours of surgery on Wednesday. Greg has had ongoing health problems.

And fellow blogger, Triple Dead Heat, wrote a nice article on my recent interview with Knowledge @ Wharton.

On Friday IEAH Stables’ Michael Iavorone and Rick Dutrow (Big Brown’s connections) were in town at Woodbine, and left empty-handed. This meet gets tougher and tougher!

We learned that the prosecutors in the Ernie Paragallo abuse case are seeking a plea bargain deal. We also learned that Rene Douglas’ recovery has hit a bit of a bump. Here is his Facebook Group.

On Saturday I met actress Kelly Carlson. Kelly is interested in coming with me to an OLEX auction. Her company would certainly make the trip more enjoyable.

Two scratches were reported from Rachel Alexandra’s race, reducing the contest to a three-horse field.

We learned on Saturday that Olredlgetcha, who won the 2yo Stakes here not too long ago as a first-time-starter, had to be euthanized earlier in the week due to an infection. For Greg De Gannes, his trainer, a terrible week.

The highlight of racing at Woodbine on Saturday was the rematch between Sterwins and Rahy’s Attorney. We were not disappointed. We witnessed a terrific horse race. Rahy’s Attorney, under a masterful ride by Slade Callaghan, went gate to wire and set a new course record. A terrific prelude to what was to come next:Rachel Alexandra running in the Mother Goose at Belmont Park and Zenyattarunning in the Vanity at Hollywood Park .

Both fillies did not disappoint, and that is a major understatement. Rachel Alexandra was perhaps visually more impressive as she won her race in a Stakes’ record time and by a Stakes’ record winning distance (over 19 lengths).

Zenyatta did not look as impressive, but her move inside the eighth pole was strong, and she was carrying 129 pounds. Both races are on the ABR YouTube Group. One thing that did strike me though: I was at Woodbine watching these races and there was very little effort made to market these two races to the patrons of Woodbine. They were just two more races among the many races on many TV screens broadcasting races from across North America.

On Sunday we learned that Tour of the Cat, who has made more than $1 million in his career, was a vet scratch from a $6250 claiming race at Finger Lakes (at most racetracks a runner is checked before the race by a state vet). This was a quick wake-up call from the highs of racing we witnessed on Saturday.

We did however also learn that Siphon City, who was a Grade 2 Stakes winner in his career, was claimed out of a $5,000 claiming race and retired from racing in Florida. Very cool.

Woodbine’s feature race was the Bison City, the middle leg of the ‘Triple Tiara’ (Triple Crown for fillies at Woodbine). It was won by three ladies, Dance for Us, Barb Minshall (trainer) and Chantal Sutherland. Very appropriate. 

And Chantal just got the better of her colleague Emma Wilson in the tightest of photo finishes. A great race. 
 
On Monday it was posted on the ABR Facebook Group page that Frazee’s Folly, a retired member of the Top Bunk list  successfully completed his first dressage test  Cool. The ABR Top Five list of horses remained unchanged with the dominating performances of Rachel Alexandra (now comfortably at Saratoga) and Zenyatta. 

And all week I have been taking more pictures for the Woodbine Characters series. 

That’s it for this week!

ending horse slaughter: http://alexbrownracing.com
Knowledge@Wharton: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajg9Z-8nobQ 
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