A Horse-y Blog

Home again, for a few hours, before heading back to Boo's.  I'll grab Rosie this afternoon and we'll have a doggie day care afternoon while I read my book in the back yard....  And I hope to remember that Tuesday is Nedi's birthday; he and Lovey will get a nice dinner for a special day.
  The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company has announced that the Spring Round-up of ponies will be held April 11 and 12 on Assateague Island, as usual.  Pony Penning is held annually on the last Wednesday and Thursday in the month of July.  This year the Pony Swim from Assateague to Chincoteague will be held on 30 July, the Pony Auction will happen on 31 July, and the Swim Back to Assateague will occur on 1 August.
  It's only five weeks away from the Kentucky Derby... Time flies.  Most folks remember Barbaro, the gorgeous bay colt by Dynaformer, who won the 2006 Kentucky Derby, but who shattered a leg  in the 2006 Preakness, and was later euthanized.  Barbaro's full brother, Nicanor, became a father for the first time last week, when Kansas Kitty gave birth to a beautiful chestnut filly.  Nicanor stands at Shamrock Farm in Maryland for a fee of $2500.  Lentenor, Barbaro's 6 year-old full brother, began standing at the Indiana Stallion Station for a fee of $2000 in February of this year.  I'm looking forward to seeing their get on the track.
  There were three Derbies run yesterday - the United Arab Emirates, the Florida and the Louisiana - and two Oaks races - the Fair Grounds and Gulf Stream.  I wish I had been able to see all five races in person.
In the fillies races - the Oaks - both winners were superb.  In the Gulf Stream Oaks, In Tune out-dueled House Rules by a head, with Bobby Flay's home-bred America in third. At the Fair Grounds Oaks, Untapable was unstoppable under Rosie Napravnik, and will probably be the bettors top choice in the Kentucky Oaks.  Fiftyshadesofgold finished second, under Mike Smith, with Unbridled Forever in third and Mary Rita in fourth.  In the Louisiana Derby, Rosie Napravnik, again, rode the winner, a small dark bay/brown colt named Vicar's in Trouble.  Mike Smith rode the second-place finisher, Intense Holiday, with Commanding Curve running in third place.  In the Florida Derby, Constitution had a solid win over Wildcat Red.  Betting favorite Cairo Prince finished fourth behind General a Rod. And in the United Arab Emirates Derby, Toast of New York won handily over Asmar, with Emirate's Flyer in third and Giovanni Boldini in fourth.
  I guess I'll be starting out with a new case of Derby Fever soon....