I have always loved horses with dapples whether they are the traditional dappled grays of the old-fashioned rocking horse, or dapples on solid color horses. But what causes dapples? First, it's based on genetics, but nutrition and grooming also have a hand it in.
Dappling is the existence of irregular spots on the horse or pony's skin. On equines, dapples are circles of slightly different shade than the rest of the coat. And they are mysterious. They can appear, disappear and reappear at various stages of the animal's life. Your care can also contribute to the appearance of dapples.
Many gray horses have dapples at some point in their lives. They are typically not born with this marking, and many times aren't even born gray; they can be born with any base color, usually black, but also chestnut or brown. They gray as they get older, gradually developing those circular dapples, but they are usually short-lived. As the gray horse ages, the dapples fade, the hair whitens, and the dapple disappear completely.
Horses of other colors - browns, chestnuts, bays, blacks, duns and palominos - don't dapple predictably or intensely like grays do, but some do have the genetic disposition for dapples. Sometimes they last the entire year, sometimes only for the season after they lose their winter coat. Dapples can be difficult to see, and sometimes the light needs to reflect at just the specific angle for them to be visible. Good grooming and good health will accentuate them. If your horse or pony is healthy, and you groom him properly and regularly, but you still don't see dapples, then your equine simply doesn't have the genes in it's DNA to produce dapples.
A lot of people believe the appearance of dapples on a non-gray horse is an indication of good health. They are not wrong, but they are not entirely correct, either. Good nutrition is necessary for a healthy coat and skin, allowing dapples to appear in horses that are genetically disposed to them. In particular, your equine needs protein, a fat source, the trace minerals copper and zinc, and vitamin A for a good coat. Feeding your horse a diet of high-quality forage such as good pasture grass or hay that isn't old will give your horse most of these needed nutrients; a commercial grain will round out their diet.
Another measure to promote skin and coat health, and to bring out any dapples, is regular worming to rid your horse or pony of parasites. These parasites rob your horse of the nutrients that he absorbs from his/her feed. The result is a dull, drab coat that lacks any luster. Often in such cases, the equine won't be able to shed, or will shed unevenly. Make sure your mount gets plenty of water and exercise; both of these help deliver nutrients to the skin and coat.
I must add on that I am always amazed at the dappling on the ponies of Chincoteague and Assateague... They are an amazingly hardy breed!
Showing posts with label horses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label horses. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Monday, September 4, 2017
Replenishment
I had not realized how much mental stress I was under until Thursday, 31 August. I knew that I was unhappy with the current elected administration, and that I have had to increase my anti-depression medication accordingly. I knew that I was missing Rosie, the Irish Setter, whom I cared for for 10 years, until her death. I knew that I missed returning to Chincoteague and Assateague Islands this summer. I knew that I was sleeping more than normal, just to "escape" the usual day-to-day living events. Thursday was my eye-opener.
Beatrice, my room mate, gave me a Christmas gift - a certificate for two riders to take a hour trail ride together. Beatrice doesn't ride. My sister has been in poor health for the last year, and, so, I had no one to ride with. I called the company, explained I was an experienced rider, and was told I could have a three-hour trail ride as a single rider, instead of two one-hour rides. I went riding Thursday morning, having walked a dog, fed fish, fed two sets of cats, and having released hens and cleaned their coop and roost.
It was a 45 minute drive, and I was asked to arrive 30 minutes before we were scheduled to leave. Upon arrival, I was told that another group of four people were expected to join the wrangler, or guide, and me. I signed my release form, opted to not wear a riding helmet, and grabbed a saddle horn bag to put my drinking water and camera into. Then I settled down to wait.
When I pulled up, there was a large sorrel tied up to the railing. He looked like a guy who could easily carry my weight, and he had a saddle with short stirrups on. I thought he might be my ride. Then the wrangler came out, and saddled up a bay Appaloosa - roaning and black spots on his butt, with roaning also along his sides and neck. Then several folks started bringing out other mounts - multiple pintos, a bay, and a palomino. The people who were supposed to ride with me changed their minds at the last minute, so Richard, the wrangler, and I set out alone.
Richard was riding Outlaw, the bay Appaloosa. I was mounted on a 16 hand bay pinto gelding named King. King's legs had twice the bone of Outlaw's - and Outlaw was about 15 hands with a light, but strong, build. Outlaw also has a convex face; much more so than King's.
The stable complex is right beside highway 34, to the east of Estes Park. The three-hour trail ride took us to the very top of Crosier Mountain and back down (of course). Richard was pretty quiet, once he ascertained that I did, really, know how to ride... In several places, he launched into his guide spiel, what the elevation was, and what we were looking at; and he kept warning me about the closeness of tree trunks and rocky outcrops - that's his job. He also tried to point out the different types of trees, brush, flowers and wildlife we encountered - but, after telling him I could recognize them, and nicely asking him to only speak when needed, we both just enjoyed the ride.
We did see the tracks of two different mountain lions; one much larger than the other. We saw bear droppings (scat). There were hoof prints of elk and mule deer, too. The horses both shied at one point, and snorted, with their concentration on one distinct point, but neither Richard nor I could see what was bothering them, so we moved on quietly. About three-quarters of the way through the ride, we did hear the squall of a mountain lion, but it seemed to be more than a mile away. What else did we hear? The wind in the pines, birds singing, grasshoppers buzzing, insects ticking, the chatter of squirrels, the calls of hawks. We saw a bald eagle on the wing, and three red tail hawks; there were numerous chipmunks and squirrels, and an Abert's squirrel; there were meadow larks, nuthatches, sparrows, jays, a Stellar's jay, a few swallows, and a whole host of smaller birds on branches. Once, there was the sound of a distant airplane. But there were no sounds of any other vehicles - no cars, no trucks, no buses, no motorcycles, no ATVs. No telephones rang. Once, their was a quiet voice from Richard's radio - but that was the only non-organic sounds during those three delightful hours.
We traveled mostly up- and down-hill, so we were leaning forward in the saddle, or leaning back, and letting the horses have their heads over rocky, sometimes sliding ground. I was in heaven! I was able to stretch forward and stroke King's ears, and to reach back and pat the base of his tail. We trotted occasionally across an open meadow, and cantered across a beautiful stretch of glade openings among the pines. We looked down, from 8500 feet, to see highway 34 and the Big Thompson River. We had partly cloudy skies that morning, and we were all a little sweaty when we returned to the stable area - it was all of 73 degrees, but very dry...
I felt so relaxed and refreshed and just generally - replenished - after that ride. I had no idea how taut my nerves were... I highly recommend getting away for several hours - and doing whatever it is that makes you feel good. There is nothing better in life.
Beatrice, my room mate, gave me a Christmas gift - a certificate for two riders to take a hour trail ride together. Beatrice doesn't ride. My sister has been in poor health for the last year, and, so, I had no one to ride with. I called the company, explained I was an experienced rider, and was told I could have a three-hour trail ride as a single rider, instead of two one-hour rides. I went riding Thursday morning, having walked a dog, fed fish, fed two sets of cats, and having released hens and cleaned their coop and roost.
It was a 45 minute drive, and I was asked to arrive 30 minutes before we were scheduled to leave. Upon arrival, I was told that another group of four people were expected to join the wrangler, or guide, and me. I signed my release form, opted to not wear a riding helmet, and grabbed a saddle horn bag to put my drinking water and camera into. Then I settled down to wait.
When I pulled up, there was a large sorrel tied up to the railing. He looked like a guy who could easily carry my weight, and he had a saddle with short stirrups on. I thought he might be my ride. Then the wrangler came out, and saddled up a bay Appaloosa - roaning and black spots on his butt, with roaning also along his sides and neck. Then several folks started bringing out other mounts - multiple pintos, a bay, and a palomino. The people who were supposed to ride with me changed their minds at the last minute, so Richard, the wrangler, and I set out alone.
Richard was riding Outlaw, the bay Appaloosa. I was mounted on a 16 hand bay pinto gelding named King. King's legs had twice the bone of Outlaw's - and Outlaw was about 15 hands with a light, but strong, build. Outlaw also has a convex face; much more so than King's.
The stable complex is right beside highway 34, to the east of Estes Park. The three-hour trail ride took us to the very top of Crosier Mountain and back down (of course). Richard was pretty quiet, once he ascertained that I did, really, know how to ride... In several places, he launched into his guide spiel, what the elevation was, and what we were looking at; and he kept warning me about the closeness of tree trunks and rocky outcrops - that's his job. He also tried to point out the different types of trees, brush, flowers and wildlife we encountered - but, after telling him I could recognize them, and nicely asking him to only speak when needed, we both just enjoyed the ride.
We did see the tracks of two different mountain lions; one much larger than the other. We saw bear droppings (scat). There were hoof prints of elk and mule deer, too. The horses both shied at one point, and snorted, with their concentration on one distinct point, but neither Richard nor I could see what was bothering them, so we moved on quietly. About three-quarters of the way through the ride, we did hear the squall of a mountain lion, but it seemed to be more than a mile away. What else did we hear? The wind in the pines, birds singing, grasshoppers buzzing, insects ticking, the chatter of squirrels, the calls of hawks. We saw a bald eagle on the wing, and three red tail hawks; there were numerous chipmunks and squirrels, and an Abert's squirrel; there were meadow larks, nuthatches, sparrows, jays, a Stellar's jay, a few swallows, and a whole host of smaller birds on branches. Once, there was the sound of a distant airplane. But there were no sounds of any other vehicles - no cars, no trucks, no buses, no motorcycles, no ATVs. No telephones rang. Once, their was a quiet voice from Richard's radio - but that was the only non-organic sounds during those three delightful hours.
We traveled mostly up- and down-hill, so we were leaning forward in the saddle, or leaning back, and letting the horses have their heads over rocky, sometimes sliding ground. I was in heaven! I was able to stretch forward and stroke King's ears, and to reach back and pat the base of his tail. We trotted occasionally across an open meadow, and cantered across a beautiful stretch of glade openings among the pines. We looked down, from 8500 feet, to see highway 34 and the Big Thompson River. We had partly cloudy skies that morning, and we were all a little sweaty when we returned to the stable area - it was all of 73 degrees, but very dry...
I felt so relaxed and refreshed and just generally - replenished - after that ride. I had no idea how taut my nerves were... I highly recommend getting away for several hours - and doing whatever it is that makes you feel good. There is nothing better in life.
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Black-chinned Hummingbirds
We had a late-May snow storm, here in Boulder, that began Wednesday night and lasted until late Thursday night. It began with rain and pea-sized hail, then turned to rain. At 6 in the morning, the precipitation turned into large fluffy snowflakes, but within an hour it was sleet. Our temperature throughout the day never rose above 31 degrees (F), and the clouds dropped a continuous fall of snow, sleet and rain. We ended up with a little over five inches of snow; Ward had 38 inches, and Nederland had 28 inches.
With the three bird feeders filled in the tree below us, and the small free-standing feeder we have on the balcony (besides the water bowl), we watched our feathered friends, along with the squirrels happily munch away all day. The usual visitors to our balcony are sparrows and finches - and we have pieces of sunflower seeds in their feeder. (The thistle feeder, and the nuts, berries and seed mixtures are used in the tree hanging feeders.) Also on the outer corners of the balcony are two solar-powered glass sculptures. A blue, green and clear glass owl (Wendell) is on the north side, and, in front of my desk window is Penny the penguin. Her body is blue,head black, face white - and she wears a red winter scarf and Santa hat.
At 5 p.m. in the midst of the snowstorm, with a temperature of 31 degrees, I was astounded to see a single hummingbird trying to feed from Penny's scarf and hat. I have always known there are hummingbirds in Colorado - as a matter of fact, there are 11 types that are usually found here in the summer. I have seen them in the suburbs, in neighborhoods where I house sit, and through open spaces and up in the mountains. In the two years I have lived in this apartment, I have not seen a hummingbird here. The hummer returned Friday morning, seeking nectar, again.
After taking clients to the Denver International Airport yesterday, I stopped and purchased a hummingbird feeder on the way home. I mixed up the sugar water, and hung the feeder, almost next to my window. By the time I had walked from the balcony to my bedroom, and sat down at my desk, a hummingbird had appeared and was eating. I was thrilled! I kept seeing a single hummingbird all afternoon, and up until 7:30 yesterday evening.
I was awakened at 5:25 this morning by Nedi, who was in the windowsill and chittering. The hummingbird spent almost five minutes sipping nectar. It has made multiple visits since then. Less than ten minutes ago, a male and female appeared and ate together... I looked them up in my birder's guide, and found that they are black-chinned hummingbirds.
Then, too this morning, Beatrice, my room mate, called me into her bedroom, where we could see three deer feeding on the hill behind the apartments. I took photos, but two had left by the time I returned. I am now sitting at my desk, awaiting the return of the hummers, so I can "capture" them with my camera....
And, don't forget - The Preakness Stakes will be run this afternoon at Pimlico Racetrack, outside of Baltimore, Maryland. Always Dreaming will be following his quest to become a Triple Crown Champion. There was a heavy rain early this morning on the track, so we will have to see what the footing is like this afternoon/evening...
With the three bird feeders filled in the tree below us, and the small free-standing feeder we have on the balcony (besides the water bowl), we watched our feathered friends, along with the squirrels happily munch away all day. The usual visitors to our balcony are sparrows and finches - and we have pieces of sunflower seeds in their feeder. (The thistle feeder, and the nuts, berries and seed mixtures are used in the tree hanging feeders.) Also on the outer corners of the balcony are two solar-powered glass sculptures. A blue, green and clear glass owl (Wendell) is on the north side, and, in front of my desk window is Penny the penguin. Her body is blue,head black, face white - and she wears a red winter scarf and Santa hat.
At 5 p.m. in the midst of the snowstorm, with a temperature of 31 degrees, I was astounded to see a single hummingbird trying to feed from Penny's scarf and hat. I have always known there are hummingbirds in Colorado - as a matter of fact, there are 11 types that are usually found here in the summer. I have seen them in the suburbs, in neighborhoods where I house sit, and through open spaces and up in the mountains. In the two years I have lived in this apartment, I have not seen a hummingbird here. The hummer returned Friday morning, seeking nectar, again.
After taking clients to the Denver International Airport yesterday, I stopped and purchased a hummingbird feeder on the way home. I mixed up the sugar water, and hung the feeder, almost next to my window. By the time I had walked from the balcony to my bedroom, and sat down at my desk, a hummingbird had appeared and was eating. I was thrilled! I kept seeing a single hummingbird all afternoon, and up until 7:30 yesterday evening.
I was awakened at 5:25 this morning by Nedi, who was in the windowsill and chittering. The hummingbird spent almost five minutes sipping nectar. It has made multiple visits since then. Less than ten minutes ago, a male and female appeared and ate together... I looked them up in my birder's guide, and found that they are black-chinned hummingbirds.
Then, too this morning, Beatrice, my room mate, called me into her bedroom, where we could see three deer feeding on the hill behind the apartments. I took photos, but two had left by the time I returned. I am now sitting at my desk, awaiting the return of the hummers, so I can "capture" them with my camera....
And, don't forget - The Preakness Stakes will be run this afternoon at Pimlico Racetrack, outside of Baltimore, Maryland. Always Dreaming will be following his quest to become a Triple Crown Champion. There was a heavy rain early this morning on the track, so we will have to see what the footing is like this afternoon/evening...
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Looking At the Kentucky Derby
First, one major item that I forgot to reference about this years running of the Grand National Steeplechase at Aintree - there were no major injuries during or after the race. There were bumps, bruises, and scrapes - but no torn ligaments, no broken bones. All forty entries checked out fine the day after the race. - Hooray!
We're now a little less than 4 weeks away from the Kentucky Derby - the "holy of holies" of three-year-old thoroughbred racing in the United States. Only twenty horses will be allowed to start in the race, and the entrants are now scored on a point system for finishing in certain graded stakes races. First, the horse must be nominated, and pay entry fees to stay nominated, up until March. Of course, a horse may qualify with entry fees and points, but not run due to other factors - lameness, illness, or injury. In fact, if the horse does not feel "right" to the jockey, the jockey can ask to withdraw the horse after the race warm up and before entering the starting gate, or the veterinarian at the starting gate may keep a horse from participating. If a trainer is not happy with the way the horse is exercising, he may be scratched. In any event, here is a listing of the top 25 horses with their point earnings - horses with the same amount of points are listed alphabetically by name:
1 Girvin 150
2 Gormley 125
3 Irap 113
4 Irish War Cry 110
5 Always Dreaming 100
6 Thunder Snow 100
7 Gunnevera 84
8 Practical Joke 74
9 J Boys Echo 63
10 State of Honor 62
11 Tapwrit 54
12 Fast and Accurate 50
13 Hence 50
14 Malagacy 50
15 Battalion Runner 40
16 Battle of Midway 40
17 Cloud Computing 40
18 McCraken 40
19 Patch 40
20 Untrapped 34
21 Classic Empire 32
22 Local Hero 30
23 Royal Mo 30
24 Iliad 20
25 Master Plan 20
I still think the Derby is wide open this year....
We're now a little less than 4 weeks away from the Kentucky Derby - the "holy of holies" of three-year-old thoroughbred racing in the United States. Only twenty horses will be allowed to start in the race, and the entrants are now scored on a point system for finishing in certain graded stakes races. First, the horse must be nominated, and pay entry fees to stay nominated, up until March. Of course, a horse may qualify with entry fees and points, but not run due to other factors - lameness, illness, or injury. In fact, if the horse does not feel "right" to the jockey, the jockey can ask to withdraw the horse after the race warm up and before entering the starting gate, or the veterinarian at the starting gate may keep a horse from participating. If a trainer is not happy with the way the horse is exercising, he may be scratched. In any event, here is a listing of the top 25 horses with their point earnings - horses with the same amount of points are listed alphabetically by name:
1 Girvin 150
2 Gormley 125
3 Irap 113
4 Irish War Cry 110
5 Always Dreaming 100
6 Thunder Snow 100
7 Gunnevera 84
8 Practical Joke 74
9 J Boys Echo 63
10 State of Honor 62
11 Tapwrit 54
12 Fast and Accurate 50
13 Hence 50
14 Malagacy 50
15 Battalion Runner 40
16 Battle of Midway 40
17 Cloud Computing 40
18 McCraken 40
19 Patch 40
20 Untrapped 34
21 Classic Empire 32
22 Local Hero 30
23 Royal Mo 30
24 Iliad 20
25 Master Plan 20
I still think the Derby is wide open this year....
Friday, April 7, 2017
Going Over Fences - Photos
I volunteered and worked for over 20 years at a horse barn where we bred, trained, and showed horses. Horses that were bred and trained for three-day eventing - dressage, cross country, and stadium jumping. I loved the sport and still do... and there are many ways to ride and jump: you can participate in a point-to-point, in steeplechasing, in cross-country events, riding across country, trail riding, - you name it. Of course, it's best to know what you're doing, and to have taken lessons - and balance is extremely important, too. The biggest thing to remember is: The more you ride, the more you fall. Here are a few photos of jumping and just riding....
The best view ever - from the back of a horse
In eventing, the more skilled you and your horse are, the harder the obstacles...
Helmet cam shot of a cross-country jump
Jumping works because of a complete trust between horse and rider
There are many types of obstacles
A fall at the steeplechase course in Aintree, England *
A point-to-point fall and crash *
And sometimes your horse feels good and just bucks from excess energy...
** The horses and riders in these two fall survived with bumps and bruises,
thankfully with no serious injuries **
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Dressage - Horse Ballet
First, you need a mount (any equine) with good conformation for ease of movement.
Second, you need an excellent instructor.
Third, you need to practice, practice, practice.
Fourth, any mistake is the rider's, not the horse.
Thank yous are always welcome.
Friday, November 4, 2016
Photos of Today's Breeders Cup Winners
All photos by Anne Eberhardt:
Oscar Performance (son of Kitten's Joy and Devine Actress) wins the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf race.
Tamarkuz (son of Speightstown and Without You Babe) wins the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile Race.
New Money Honey (daughter of Medaglia d'Oro and Weekend Whim) defeats Coasted in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf race.
Beholder (daughter of Henny Hughes and Leslie's Lady), nearest the camera, beats Songbird by a nostril in her final race, the Breeders Cup Distaff.
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Colors of Horses Do, Sometimes, Change
Long ago, I had a bay roan mare. She had produced seven foals before she became mine. No matter what color stallion she was bred to, she had always dropped a foal that shed out it's baby coat to be a black horse. I wanted a black baby from this Quarter horse mare. She was taken to five different stallions, ans stayed for three months each time, but she never got pregnant. The vet finally shook his head and told me she was barren, and was too old to have another foal. When our black thoroughbred stallion "came of age" the vet wanted a mare who had been bred before, and who wouldn't fight, for the young stud to practice on and to learn his breeding manners. My old mare was chosen. And she became pregnant, to everyone's great surprise. Since she had produced black offspring in the past, and since this stallion was black, I planned for a black baby. Stupid me. She threw a blood bay with a dorsal stripe.... but I loved him dearly.
The coat color of horses can change over the years, and can vary greatly between seasons. During the winter, my bay roan mare's body turned almost white, with her black mane and tail and legs, but with a red face and white jaws. In the summer, she was a copper and white mixed body with a black mane, tail and legs, and a copper face.
Our stallion was born a gun metal grey, but when his baby coat departed, he was gleaming black. The chestnut filly that I purchased as a buy-back from the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company is slowly becoming a sorrel, with a much lighter mane and tail than her body color.
One of the most spectacular changes can be seen in the following photos of Mystic Warrior. His sire is a black Friesian; his dam, seen in one of the photos is a leopard Appaloosa. Look how his coat changed as he's aged...
The coat color of horses can change over the years, and can vary greatly between seasons. During the winter, my bay roan mare's body turned almost white, with her black mane and tail and legs, but with a red face and white jaws. In the summer, she was a copper and white mixed body with a black mane, tail and legs, and a copper face.
Our stallion was born a gun metal grey, but when his baby coat departed, he was gleaming black. The chestnut filly that I purchased as a buy-back from the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company is slowly becoming a sorrel, with a much lighter mane and tail than her body color.
One of the most spectacular changes can be seen in the following photos of Mystic Warrior. His sire is a black Friesian; his dam, seen in one of the photos is a leopard Appaloosa. Look how his coat changed as he's aged...
Friday, August 26, 2016
Pets, Photos, and Tunkan Hoksila
It's been a busy day, and this is my first chance to sit down and blog... There were a lot of small planes in the skies today, which meant that Cooper had to chase them all - as far as he could see and hear them in the fenced back yard. Even Lola, his cohort in crime, got tired of bolting from the living room, charging onto the deck and then leaping out into space to hit the ground running - and come face-to-face with a six-foot solid board fence...Both Pounce and Tipsi, the two cats, were bored with the commotions after only an hour. They would heave huge sighs each time the dogs charged out to chase the plane... Lola doesn't do it on her own - she just goes to back up Cooper. She pooped out this afternoon, and Cooper was plane chasing on his own.... Dogs - they are forever hopeful.
Walked both Rosie and Charlie this morning. Rosie is doing great for a big dog who's almost 14 and a half years old. Her hind legs still give her trouble, and will, for the rest of her life, but otherwise, she's in great health. Eats well, has an interest in what's happening around her, is very sociable - she's just not steady on her feet any longer... Charlie is a handful. She's part Pug, and I'd swear the other half is whippet. She has, almost, a Pug's face - but definitely has the head, neck, chest, back and tail of a large Pug. Then she has these really thin, long, stilt-like legs... She's an orange and brown brindle, and is cute as a bug. Bouncy, happy, always eager to go - and she loves her toys.
Finally finished cropping and captioning all eleven albums - 1,544 photos - from my vacation. I am so glad that is over! I feel I can relax again, now that that "job" is done. I hate finding photos and not being able to remember when, or where, I took them. I have to admit that I like the Snapfish albums, and the ability they give one to crop the photos and to caption them... I thought I had taken about 1,500 photos all together. I was wrong. I took over 1,800, and then friends shared their photos from different perspectives with me. I've weeded these 1,544 photos out of over 3,000 photos... I'll start sharing a few of the best of the best here on this page soon.
One really awful thing happened on Assateague Island while I was on the Eastern Shore for my vacation. On Friday, the 29th of July, after night had fallen, there was a hit-and-run accident with a car or truck that ended in death. One of the stallions on the Maryland end of Assateague was struck by a vehicle. The impact crushed both of the horse's hind legs, and threw him into a ditch beside the road. Tunkan Hoksila did not die immediately - he lived for another two hours, or more, awaiting a licensed veterinarian to assess the damage to his body, and then be euthanized. Since it was obviously a vehicular accident, the Maryland State Patrol and the US Park Service were involved in the investigation. Several campers were also there on the scene. Poor Tunkan Hoksila!
Walked both Rosie and Charlie this morning. Rosie is doing great for a big dog who's almost 14 and a half years old. Her hind legs still give her trouble, and will, for the rest of her life, but otherwise, she's in great health. Eats well, has an interest in what's happening around her, is very sociable - she's just not steady on her feet any longer... Charlie is a handful. She's part Pug, and I'd swear the other half is whippet. She has, almost, a Pug's face - but definitely has the head, neck, chest, back and tail of a large Pug. Then she has these really thin, long, stilt-like legs... She's an orange and brown brindle, and is cute as a bug. Bouncy, happy, always eager to go - and she loves her toys.
Finally finished cropping and captioning all eleven albums - 1,544 photos - from my vacation. I am so glad that is over! I feel I can relax again, now that that "job" is done. I hate finding photos and not being able to remember when, or where, I took them. I have to admit that I like the Snapfish albums, and the ability they give one to crop the photos and to caption them... I thought I had taken about 1,500 photos all together. I was wrong. I took over 1,800, and then friends shared their photos from different perspectives with me. I've weeded these 1,544 photos out of over 3,000 photos... I'll start sharing a few of the best of the best here on this page soon.
One really awful thing happened on Assateague Island while I was on the Eastern Shore for my vacation. On Friday, the 29th of July, after night had fallen, there was a hit-and-run accident with a car or truck that ended in death. One of the stallions on the Maryland end of Assateague was struck by a vehicle. The impact crushed both of the horse's hind legs, and threw him into a ditch beside the road. Tunkan Hoksila did not die immediately - he lived for another two hours, or more, awaiting a licensed veterinarian to assess the damage to his body, and then be euthanized. Since it was obviously a vehicular accident, the Maryland State Patrol and the US Park Service were involved in the investigation. Several campers were also there on the scene. Poor Tunkan Hoksila!
And he would have had a chance to sire foals in the near future, too. Now his bloodline won't be continued. Three colts, all sired by Yankee, had been born so far this year on the Maryland end of Assateague. The day after Tunkan Hoksila died, the final expectant mare gave birth to a filly (also sired by Yankee).... The circle of life does continue.
Sunday, July 17, 2016
A Mixed Bag
This will be my last post before returning from vacation, the second day of August, so I decided to present one of my usual mixed bag set of photos and thoughts....
After a "drought" in foal deliveries since June 22, Witch Kraft dropped her filly Friday on Assateague. She's a beautiful chestnut pinto and her sire is Wild Thing.
And, for the first time since 1972, a Misty descendant was born on Beebe Ranch on Chincoteague. Billy Beebe was proud to announce the birth of a filly to Nightmist's Little Angel. The black pinto has been named Angel's Stormy Drizzle.
Friday was the annual Tube to Work Day in Boulder Creek, in Boulder. More than 500 people turned out to ride the rapids in inner tubes on the way to work this year....
A promising young Thoroughbred stallion was killed by a lightning strike in his paddock on Thursday. The storm "came out of nowhere" and none of the 8 weather broadcasts forecast any rain or thunder and lightning storms.
Our local fire, the Cold Springs wildfire, is now 100% contained. There are still smouldering areas, but no new fire outbreaks are expected. The two campers who did not extinguish their small campfire caused over $3 million in damages, including the loss of 8 homes, 7 out buildings, several pets, and an untold number of wildlife. The fire-fighting costs exceed $5 million.
There have been many headlines stating that Tim Tebow will be speaking at the Republican National Convention, and that he will be campaigning for Donald Trump. Tim Tebow was very shocked to learn this via the media. Tim Tebow will not be appearing at the RNC in Cleveland. Tim Tebow does not endorse Donald Trump's racism and bigotry.
Beatrice, my room mate - apartment sharer - friend, will take care of my kits while I'm in Virginia. I'll return to Boulder late on August 1 - but I have 13 glorious days on Chincoteague and Assateague. I'm taking three boat cruises; I'll be climbing up the lighthouse; I'll see and record the Pony Auction; I'll see friends and family; I'll visit the beach, and walk the trails. And I will relax. See you next month!
After a "drought" in foal deliveries since June 22, Witch Kraft dropped her filly Friday on Assateague. She's a beautiful chestnut pinto and her sire is Wild Thing.
And, for the first time since 1972, a Misty descendant was born on Beebe Ranch on Chincoteague. Billy Beebe was proud to announce the birth of a filly to Nightmist's Little Angel. The black pinto has been named Angel's Stormy Drizzle.
Friday was the annual Tube to Work Day in Boulder Creek, in Boulder. More than 500 people turned out to ride the rapids in inner tubes on the way to work this year....
A promising young Thoroughbred stallion was killed by a lightning strike in his paddock on Thursday. The storm "came out of nowhere" and none of the 8 weather broadcasts forecast any rain or thunder and lightning storms.
Our local fire, the Cold Springs wildfire, is now 100% contained. There are still smouldering areas, but no new fire outbreaks are expected. The two campers who did not extinguish their small campfire caused over $3 million in damages, including the loss of 8 homes, 7 out buildings, several pets, and an untold number of wildlife. The fire-fighting costs exceed $5 million.
There have been many headlines stating that Tim Tebow will be speaking at the Republican National Convention, and that he will be campaigning for Donald Trump. Tim Tebow was very shocked to learn this via the media. Tim Tebow will not be appearing at the RNC in Cleveland. Tim Tebow does not endorse Donald Trump's racism and bigotry.
Beatrice, my room mate - apartment sharer - friend, will take care of my kits while I'm in Virginia. I'll return to Boulder late on August 1 - but I have 13 glorious days on Chincoteague and Assateague. I'm taking three boat cruises; I'll be climbing up the lighthouse; I'll see and record the Pony Auction; I'll see friends and family; I'll visit the beach, and walk the trails. And I will relax. See you next month!
Witch Kraft and her filly sired by Wild Thing - thanks to DSC Photography
Angel's Stormy Drizzle, a 6th generation Misty descendant
Billy Beebe with Clarence "Grandpa" Beebe's branding iron
Squirrel
Black Star and filly by Wild Thing - thanks to DSC Photography
This notice from Beached Paws Photography in Maryland
Tube to Work Day in Boulder, Colorado had more than 500 participants this year
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Colorado Scenery
Near Grant
Storm Mountain sunset from Old Flowers Road
Sky Corral Lodge
Back scratch
Near Steamboat Springs
Shrine Ridge, near Vail
Pendleton Ridge
Riding near the Wyoming border
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Odds and Ends
We're half-way through February in a new year, Thoroughbred foals are being born all over the country, horse racing enthusiasts are starting to talk about the Kentucky Derby and the Triple Crown in the United States, and the British Triple Crown in the United Kingdom. I am looking forward to Saturday, the 20th, when Ziconic will make his racing debut. Unlike his elder brother, Cozmic One, Ziconic seems to realize that racing, and going under the wire first, is the name of the game in his current life. Cozmic One, the oldest son of Zenyatta (by Bernardini), has raced twice but not with his Mom's need to win. In his first race, he finished last in a field of six; in his second race, he was seventh of nine contenders. Cozmic One doesn't seem to be able to focus on his job. Ziconic, the younger brother, by Tapit, seems to enjoy racing much more. I'm looking forward to his race on Saturday. Zenyatta, herself, is due some time in March with a second foal by War Front. This foal is eagerly awaited, as her last foal (also by War Front) died from injuries in a paddock accident. I hope her progeny can continue her winning ways.
One of my four granddaughters, a pre-teen, has just won the National Cheerleading Team title with her squad. She is certainly making her parents and grandparents proud. I only wish my husband could be here to express his encouragement to her and the other participants.
I can start collecting my retirement pay from working at Shands Teaching Hospital at the University of Florida in a few months. They have given me the choice of a lump-sum payment, or a monthly stipend for the rest of my life. The lump-sum payment is enticing, but I'd lose 30% of it due to federal taxes, and then there are state taxes, too. I'm pretty sure I'll choose the monthly stipend over the lump-sum.
I had to laugh this morning - I have on my calendar that, beginning tomorrow, I walk the DD dogs every morning for at least an hour. Another woman is house-sitting, but she is recovering from a back and hip injury, so I'm to walk two of the dogs while she walks one. I sent an e-mail to both the dog owners and to the house-sitter earlier today, asking for confirmation that the trip was still going to be taken, and stating the dates. I also asked the house-sitter at what time she wished to walk the dogs each morning. The house-sitter called me back, almost immediately, and said she'd visited the people and critters (3 dogs, 1 cat) yesterday, and that I had the dates wrong. The family was returning on the 25th, not the 23rd... I read her my three letters from the owner, which designated the dates each time - she looked her original contact notes and found she'd made a mistake - I was correct. Then she asked if I could meet her to walk the dogs at 7 each morning, in order to avoid the middle school students. I told her that I could, but that I would have to arrive later on the weekend days. She asked why, and I told her the first buses that ran by my house on the weekend came by at 7:30 - there was an earlier one, but it heads east, while the dogs' home is west of me. She was completely taken aback by the fact that I don't have a car. She wanted to know how I got around, and I told her, by bus or by foot. She was also amazed that I don't own a smart phone....
I guess I live to the beat of a different drummer in more ways than one.
One of my four granddaughters, a pre-teen, has just won the National Cheerleading Team title with her squad. She is certainly making her parents and grandparents proud. I only wish my husband could be here to express his encouragement to her and the other participants.
I can start collecting my retirement pay from working at Shands Teaching Hospital at the University of Florida in a few months. They have given me the choice of a lump-sum payment, or a monthly stipend for the rest of my life. The lump-sum payment is enticing, but I'd lose 30% of it due to federal taxes, and then there are state taxes, too. I'm pretty sure I'll choose the monthly stipend over the lump-sum.
I had to laugh this morning - I have on my calendar that, beginning tomorrow, I walk the DD dogs every morning for at least an hour. Another woman is house-sitting, but she is recovering from a back and hip injury, so I'm to walk two of the dogs while she walks one. I sent an e-mail to both the dog owners and to the house-sitter earlier today, asking for confirmation that the trip was still going to be taken, and stating the dates. I also asked the house-sitter at what time she wished to walk the dogs each morning. The house-sitter called me back, almost immediately, and said she'd visited the people and critters (3 dogs, 1 cat) yesterday, and that I had the dates wrong. The family was returning on the 25th, not the 23rd... I read her my three letters from the owner, which designated the dates each time - she looked her original contact notes and found she'd made a mistake - I was correct. Then she asked if I could meet her to walk the dogs at 7 each morning, in order to avoid the middle school students. I told her that I could, but that I would have to arrive later on the weekend days. She asked why, and I told her the first buses that ran by my house on the weekend came by at 7:30 - there was an earlier one, but it heads east, while the dogs' home is west of me. She was completely taken aback by the fact that I don't have a car. She wanted to know how I got around, and I told her, by bus or by foot. She was also amazed that I don't own a smart phone....
I guess I live to the beat of a different drummer in more ways than one.
Friday, February 12, 2016
Random Thoughts
While I was blase regarding the Broncos win in Super Bowl 50, the following morning, I could not get Queen's song, "We Are the Champions," out of my mind. And I would have loved to have been at the Broncos' World Champions parade in Denver this past Tuesday - but I don't like crowds anymore - and it was estimated that over one million people were along the parade route and at the Civic Center Park to celebrate the win. Just looking at the huge amounts of humanity shown by the television news helicopter there was enough to convince me not to go.
The Super Bowl advertisements were a disappointing lot this year.... I did like Helen Mirren's Budweiser commercial; I loved the Audi R8 ad; and I liked Christopher Walken's sock puppet. I had hoped to see another fantastic Clydesdale commercial from Anheiser Busch, but was greatly disappointed there - a few seconds close-up of the horses mouthing their driving bits did not pass my love test. Most of the ads this year were not humorous and some were just plain stupid. At least that good defensive game was worth watching.
I'm still having very vivid dreams, thanks to my anti-depression medication. Yesterday morning I awoke totally convinced that I was living in my grandparents' house on Peterson Street on Chincoteague Island. I stretched in bed, and then bounced up, ready to go out and ride my bike to the beach. I was very disconcerted to look out my bedroom window and see the outlines of the Rocky Mountains. I felt cheated, also. Having awakened in an excellent mood, and being ready to go out and enjoy the sea air, the smell of morning marsh mud, and a delectable view - I was hit by the realization that a Chinook wind was blowing down from the mountains and that the island was 2,000 miles to the east.
This morning I dreamed that I was in a huge house - part sales emporium, part haunted mansion - and I was trying to find all of the pets that I'd ever had in my life... Collecting the hamsters, the bunnies, the chickens, the horses and the dogs was easy. The cats kept running off to explore other movements of other creatures that were hidden in distant rooms. It seemed like an effort in futility just before I woke up. So, does the gathering of my pets mean that I'm too clingy? Does it mean, as one psychiatrist said, that I'm too attached to objects? Am I too attached to animals and not to humans? I don't know and I don't care. It's just good to "see" all my critters happy and healthy...
The Super Bowl advertisements were a disappointing lot this year.... I did like Helen Mirren's Budweiser commercial; I loved the Audi R8 ad; and I liked Christopher Walken's sock puppet. I had hoped to see another fantastic Clydesdale commercial from Anheiser Busch, but was greatly disappointed there - a few seconds close-up of the horses mouthing their driving bits did not pass my love test. Most of the ads this year were not humorous and some were just plain stupid. At least that good defensive game was worth watching.
I'm still having very vivid dreams, thanks to my anti-depression medication. Yesterday morning I awoke totally convinced that I was living in my grandparents' house on Peterson Street on Chincoteague Island. I stretched in bed, and then bounced up, ready to go out and ride my bike to the beach. I was very disconcerted to look out my bedroom window and see the outlines of the Rocky Mountains. I felt cheated, also. Having awakened in an excellent mood, and being ready to go out and enjoy the sea air, the smell of morning marsh mud, and a delectable view - I was hit by the realization that a Chinook wind was blowing down from the mountains and that the island was 2,000 miles to the east.
This morning I dreamed that I was in a huge house - part sales emporium, part haunted mansion - and I was trying to find all of the pets that I'd ever had in my life... Collecting the hamsters, the bunnies, the chickens, the horses and the dogs was easy. The cats kept running off to explore other movements of other creatures that were hidden in distant rooms. It seemed like an effort in futility just before I woke up. So, does the gathering of my pets mean that I'm too clingy? Does it mean, as one psychiatrist said, that I'm too attached to objects? Am I too attached to animals and not to humans? I don't know and I don't care. It's just good to "see" all my critters happy and healthy...
Sunday, November 1, 2015
American Pharoah Triumphant
I'll write about the other fantastic races of the Breeders Cup later today, or tomorrow, but today I'm going to sing the praises of American Pharoah. The three-year-old bay colt is moving from the racing barn at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington today to Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Versailles, Kentucky. He will no longer be a race horse; he will be a sire. He'll be galloped and exercised, but not honed to perfection for specific race dates. Hopefully, he will prove as successful at stud as he was on the race course.
American Pharoah was born on 2 February 2012. Ahmed Zayat owned and raced both of his parents - Pioneer of the Nile, a dark bay stallion, born in 2006, and Littleprincessemma, a chestnut mare also born in 2006. He is a bay horse with a very faint, tiny star on his forehead whorl - and that star might just be my imagination from his close-up photos; it just might be the skin visible through his whorl. Otherwise, the colt is without any markings - except, of course, his racing tattoo.
Bob Baffert asked to be his trainer, and was given into his care. American Pharoah was named through an on-line contest. Justin Zayat loved the name, and sent it in to the Jockey Club. It was accepted, but Justin was not aware that the word Pharoah was misspelled - which causes my spell-check program a lot of grief. The colt's debut race was not something to be remembered - he was wearing blinkers, he acted up, and he finished fifth. But Bob Baffert saw something in the way he ran.
His next race entry was a Grade 1; his blinkers were off, and the tale of success began. He was the early favorite to win the Breeders Cup Juvenile in 2014, but a bruised foot kept him out of training and he missed the race. He was still named Two Year Old Colt of the year.
He was undefeated as a three-year-old heading into the Kentucky Derby, where he was the betting favorite. He won the Derby; he won the Preakness; and then he won the Belmont Stakes, too. America had the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years. I remember seeing Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed win the Triple Crown, but I don't think I was as excited with any of their wins as I was with American Pharoah's. Maybe it was because there was such a long drought between Triple Crown Champions; maybe it was because there had been discussion of changing the Triple Crown races and racing dates; maybe it was because Mom had brought me up on tales of Man o'War, and visiting him in Berlin, Maryland; maybe because it was a family-owned and celebrated horse - I don't know. All I know was I felt excited and electrified when the plain bay colt won the Triple Crown.
It was announced that he would be retired at the end of his three-year-old racing season to stand at stud. That was quite acceptable in my eyes. And I was delighted to hear that Ahmed Zayat and his family had decided to race American Pharoah a few more times for the American (and horse racing) public. I was ecstatic when the Pharoah won the Haskell Invitational. I was devastated when he finished second in the Travers Stakes, having been worn down by Frosted in a speed duel, and then bested by Keen Ice. There are all kinds of excuses for that race - the colt was tired from the Triple Crown campaign; he'd galloped much faster than planned the day before the race in front of a racing crowd in the afternoon; the speed duel with Frosted.... It just wasn't a day that American Pharoah would win. It was horse racing.
Then there was all the hyperbole of the press for the Breeders Cup Classic race. Could the colt do it? Could he win the Triple Crown and the Breeders Cup Classic? Did he have the guts - after all, he'd lost the last time out? Could he beat Beholder, even though he had a one pound allowance? Could he beat Honor Code? Since Frosted and Keen Ice were also entered, would they try to tag-team him, as they did in the Travers? And what about Gleneagles? He was shipping in from Ireland, a Classic-winner against older horses in Europe. Then there were the hard-pounding Tonalist, Hard Aces and Effinex also in the mix.
Bob Battaglia made American Pharoah the odds-on betting choice for the race. He stayed the betting favorite until the betting windows closed. American Pharoah led the race from the first jump out of the starting gate until the finish line, one and one-quarter miles later. The plain bay colt went out a winner, and in grand style. He raced eleven times, won nine of his starts, finished second once, and was fifth in his first race ever. It doesn't quite equal Man o'War's 20 starts with 19 wins and 1 second, but in this day and age, it's one heck of a record.
I salute you, American Pharoah! And now we have to wait three years to see what your two-year-old sons and daughters will do on the track....
American Pharoah was born on 2 February 2012. Ahmed Zayat owned and raced both of his parents - Pioneer of the Nile, a dark bay stallion, born in 2006, and Littleprincessemma, a chestnut mare also born in 2006. He is a bay horse with a very faint, tiny star on his forehead whorl - and that star might just be my imagination from his close-up photos; it just might be the skin visible through his whorl. Otherwise, the colt is without any markings - except, of course, his racing tattoo.
Bob Baffert asked to be his trainer, and was given into his care. American Pharoah was named through an on-line contest. Justin Zayat loved the name, and sent it in to the Jockey Club. It was accepted, but Justin was not aware that the word Pharoah was misspelled - which causes my spell-check program a lot of grief. The colt's debut race was not something to be remembered - he was wearing blinkers, he acted up, and he finished fifth. But Bob Baffert saw something in the way he ran.
His next race entry was a Grade 1; his blinkers were off, and the tale of success began. He was the early favorite to win the Breeders Cup Juvenile in 2014, but a bruised foot kept him out of training and he missed the race. He was still named Two Year Old Colt of the year.
He was undefeated as a three-year-old heading into the Kentucky Derby, where he was the betting favorite. He won the Derby; he won the Preakness; and then he won the Belmont Stakes, too. America had the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years. I remember seeing Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed win the Triple Crown, but I don't think I was as excited with any of their wins as I was with American Pharoah's. Maybe it was because there was such a long drought between Triple Crown Champions; maybe it was because there had been discussion of changing the Triple Crown races and racing dates; maybe it was because Mom had brought me up on tales of Man o'War, and visiting him in Berlin, Maryland; maybe because it was a family-owned and celebrated horse - I don't know. All I know was I felt excited and electrified when the plain bay colt won the Triple Crown.
It was announced that he would be retired at the end of his three-year-old racing season to stand at stud. That was quite acceptable in my eyes. And I was delighted to hear that Ahmed Zayat and his family had decided to race American Pharoah a few more times for the American (and horse racing) public. I was ecstatic when the Pharoah won the Haskell Invitational. I was devastated when he finished second in the Travers Stakes, having been worn down by Frosted in a speed duel, and then bested by Keen Ice. There are all kinds of excuses for that race - the colt was tired from the Triple Crown campaign; he'd galloped much faster than planned the day before the race in front of a racing crowd in the afternoon; the speed duel with Frosted.... It just wasn't a day that American Pharoah would win. It was horse racing.
Then there was all the hyperbole of the press for the Breeders Cup Classic race. Could the colt do it? Could he win the Triple Crown and the Breeders Cup Classic? Did he have the guts - after all, he'd lost the last time out? Could he beat Beholder, even though he had a one pound allowance? Could he beat Honor Code? Since Frosted and Keen Ice were also entered, would they try to tag-team him, as they did in the Travers? And what about Gleneagles? He was shipping in from Ireland, a Classic-winner against older horses in Europe. Then there were the hard-pounding Tonalist, Hard Aces and Effinex also in the mix.
Bob Battaglia made American Pharoah the odds-on betting choice for the race. He stayed the betting favorite until the betting windows closed. American Pharoah led the race from the first jump out of the starting gate until the finish line, one and one-quarter miles later. The plain bay colt went out a winner, and in grand style. He raced eleven times, won nine of his starts, finished second once, and was fifth in his first race ever. It doesn't quite equal Man o'War's 20 starts with 19 wins and 1 second, but in this day and age, it's one heck of a record.
I salute you, American Pharoah! And now we have to wait three years to see what your two-year-old sons and daughters will do on the track....
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Within The Law
California Chrome has a bruised foot and will not race at Royal Ascot tomorrow. This was to be his first race since finishing second in the Dubai World Cup. Will he stay in England to race? Or will he be shipped back to the United States?
Ahmed Zayat has said that American Pharoah will now be training for the Breeders Cup races at the end of October. Hopefully the Triple Crown champion will get in at least three more races before his retirement to stud duty in January 2016.
I have been watching the slow dismissal of jurors in the trial of the Aurora Theater shootings with interest. Why do people believe that societal rules and a judge's orders do not apply to them alone? It's like watching traffic in Boulder - many pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers of vehicles simply do not believe that traffic laws are meant to be followed by their privileged selves. As I was driving on a four-lane road, with 4-foot-wide bike lanes on either side, I had to pass a bicyclist "in" the bike lane. I was in the right hand lane, with the bicyclist to my right. Another vehicle was staying beside me in the inside lane, so I couldn't move to the left. The bicyclist was riding hands-free, on the white line that divides the bike lane from the traffic lane. I slowed down and crept as far to the left as I could, however the car to my left was driving on the centerline, and I had another vehicle trying to drive up my tail-pipe - so I could not give the bicyclist the 3-foot clearance decreed by the law. I passed much closer to the bicyclist, praying the whole time, that he wouldn't hit a rock or pebble, and crash into the car I was driving. He didn't fall or weave any closer, but he did yell at me, and pound his fist along the side of the car as we/it passed him. He had a clear, clean recently swept 4-foot-wide bike lane to make full use of. There were no other bikes in sight. So why ride on the painted dividing line? Why ride, in traffic, without either (or both) hands on the handlebars? (When I ride my bike, I ride as close to the cement curb and pavement join as possible to avoid being close to vehicular traffic, and I actually stop at Stop signs. - Am I really that strange?)
I readily admit that when I'm on the highway I "go with the flow" and sometimes find myself flying along at 10 or more miles per hour above the speed limit. I have jay walked across a street during low traffic times. If there is absolutely no one in sight, I might slow down and roll through an intersection while on my bike. I always yield to pedestrians. I stop at all zebra crossings and blinking lights, if pedestrians or bicycles are present. I believe that speed limits are posted for a good reason - traffic usage, intersections, hills and curves, and road access.
I just can't understand deciding that rules and regulations that were designed to protect us should be totally ignored - other than an occasional red light traffic stop. Does that mean I'm stuffy and always think within the box? Does it mean that I believe that societal rules are good for all? Does it mean that I agree with all rules and regulations that we live with in today's world? NO. But I do believe that certain rules and regulations were developed and set into place to save us from ourselves, and to save us from others. Maybe my parents were extremely good explaining things when I was a child; maybe I have a well-developed since of logical progression; maybe I'm just a hide-bound fool. What ever drives me, I know that I like to be within the law....
Ahmed Zayat has said that American Pharoah will now be training for the Breeders Cup races at the end of October. Hopefully the Triple Crown champion will get in at least three more races before his retirement to stud duty in January 2016.
I have been watching the slow dismissal of jurors in the trial of the Aurora Theater shootings with interest. Why do people believe that societal rules and a judge's orders do not apply to them alone? It's like watching traffic in Boulder - many pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers of vehicles simply do not believe that traffic laws are meant to be followed by their privileged selves. As I was driving on a four-lane road, with 4-foot-wide bike lanes on either side, I had to pass a bicyclist "in" the bike lane. I was in the right hand lane, with the bicyclist to my right. Another vehicle was staying beside me in the inside lane, so I couldn't move to the left. The bicyclist was riding hands-free, on the white line that divides the bike lane from the traffic lane. I slowed down and crept as far to the left as I could, however the car to my left was driving on the centerline, and I had another vehicle trying to drive up my tail-pipe - so I could not give the bicyclist the 3-foot clearance decreed by the law. I passed much closer to the bicyclist, praying the whole time, that he wouldn't hit a rock or pebble, and crash into the car I was driving. He didn't fall or weave any closer, but he did yell at me, and pound his fist along the side of the car as we/it passed him. He had a clear, clean recently swept 4-foot-wide bike lane to make full use of. There were no other bikes in sight. So why ride on the painted dividing line? Why ride, in traffic, without either (or both) hands on the handlebars? (When I ride my bike, I ride as close to the cement curb and pavement join as possible to avoid being close to vehicular traffic, and I actually stop at Stop signs. - Am I really that strange?)
I readily admit that when I'm on the highway I "go with the flow" and sometimes find myself flying along at 10 or more miles per hour above the speed limit. I have jay walked across a street during low traffic times. If there is absolutely no one in sight, I might slow down and roll through an intersection while on my bike. I always yield to pedestrians. I stop at all zebra crossings and blinking lights, if pedestrians or bicycles are present. I believe that speed limits are posted for a good reason - traffic usage, intersections, hills and curves, and road access.
I just can't understand deciding that rules and regulations that were designed to protect us should be totally ignored - other than an occasional red light traffic stop. Does that mean I'm stuffy and always think within the box? Does it mean that I believe that societal rules are good for all? Does it mean that I agree with all rules and regulations that we live with in today's world? NO. But I do believe that certain rules and regulations were developed and set into place to save us from ourselves, and to save us from others. Maybe my parents were extremely good explaining things when I was a child; maybe I have a well-developed since of logical progression; maybe I'm just a hide-bound fool. What ever drives me, I know that I like to be within the law....
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Horses - Thoroughbreds in Particular
In six days, the world will know whether or not there is a new Triple Crown Champion in the United States. It would be nice. The last Triple Crown winner was chestnut, Florida-bred Affirmed in 1978, which was 37 years ago. In those 37 years, there have been 13 colts who won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, but could not win the one-and-a-half mile Belmont Stakes in New York. American Pharoah is the current champion-in-waiting, and I would positively love it, if he wins. He has the Hyperion breeding that I love very much. And Fred Hooper was a Florida breeder, who started combining the Hyperion lines - my love to you and Hoop Jr., sir.
It seems that there will be nine opponents facing American Pahroah in the Belmont - and he has raced against eight of them in either the Derby or the Preakness. The lone new horse next Saturday will be The Truth Or Else, whom American Pharaoh defeated earlier in the year. Of course, American Pharaoh is the betting favorite. Here are the names of the other contenders: Frosted, Tale of Verve, Carpe Diem, Frammento, Materiality, Madefromlucky, Keen Ice, Mubtaahij, and The Truth Or Else. Post positions will be drawn on Wednesday for the race on 6 June.
The other horses, who have achieved winning the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, but not the Belmont (since 1978) are: 1979 - Spectacular Bid, 1981 - Pleasant Colony, 1987 - Alysheba, 1989 - Sunday Silence, 1997 - Silver Charm, 1998 - Real Quiet, 1999 - Charismatic, 2002 - War Emblem, 2003 - Funny Cide, 2004 - Smarty Jones, 2008 - Big Brown, 2012 - I'll Have Another (did not compete in the Belmont), and 2014 - California Chrome.
Speaking of California Chrome, his owners have him stabled at Royal Ascot, where he is scheduled to run in the Prince of Wales Stakes on 17 June. Jockey Frankie Dettori took Chrome out for a spin the other day, to see if he'd like to race him. I heaven't yet heard Frankie's decision.
Also, Zenyatta, the Queen of Racing, is back in foal. She has produced two colts and a filly, Cozmic One and Ziconic, and the ill-fated Z Princess, who died from a paddock accident at the age of one. She wasn't bred last year; but this year, she was bred back to War Front, who sired her last foal, the filly. According to the veterinarians, she is now 40 days pregnant. Hip, hip, hooray!
Besides the Belmont Stakes, the Epsom Derby is being run on 6 June, in England. Their Derby race is 12 furlongs, plus 30 feet (1.5 miles plus 30 feet) - or 30 feet further than the Belmont Stakes; and their colts carry 126 pounds. There are 17 colts that are currently registered for the run. Alphabetically, they are: Best of Times, Carbon Dating, Elm Park, Epicuris, Giovanni Canaletto, Gleneagles, Golden Horn, Great Glen, Hans Holbein, Jack Hobbs, Kilimanjaro, Moheet, Prince Gagarin, Rocky Rider, Rogue Runner, Storm the Stars, and Zawraq. At the moment, Golden Horn is the betting favorite.
It seems that there will be nine opponents facing American Pahroah in the Belmont - and he has raced against eight of them in either the Derby or the Preakness. The lone new horse next Saturday will be The Truth Or Else, whom American Pharaoh defeated earlier in the year. Of course, American Pharaoh is the betting favorite. Here are the names of the other contenders: Frosted, Tale of Verve, Carpe Diem, Frammento, Materiality, Madefromlucky, Keen Ice, Mubtaahij, and The Truth Or Else. Post positions will be drawn on Wednesday for the race on 6 June.
The other horses, who have achieved winning the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, but not the Belmont (since 1978) are: 1979 - Spectacular Bid, 1981 - Pleasant Colony, 1987 - Alysheba, 1989 - Sunday Silence, 1997 - Silver Charm, 1998 - Real Quiet, 1999 - Charismatic, 2002 - War Emblem, 2003 - Funny Cide, 2004 - Smarty Jones, 2008 - Big Brown, 2012 - I'll Have Another (did not compete in the Belmont), and 2014 - California Chrome.
Speaking of California Chrome, his owners have him stabled at Royal Ascot, where he is scheduled to run in the Prince of Wales Stakes on 17 June. Jockey Frankie Dettori took Chrome out for a spin the other day, to see if he'd like to race him. I heaven't yet heard Frankie's decision.
Also, Zenyatta, the Queen of Racing, is back in foal. She has produced two colts and a filly, Cozmic One and Ziconic, and the ill-fated Z Princess, who died from a paddock accident at the age of one. She wasn't bred last year; but this year, she was bred back to War Front, who sired her last foal, the filly. According to the veterinarians, she is now 40 days pregnant. Hip, hip, hooray!
Besides the Belmont Stakes, the Epsom Derby is being run on 6 June, in England. Their Derby race is 12 furlongs, plus 30 feet (1.5 miles plus 30 feet) - or 30 feet further than the Belmont Stakes; and their colts carry 126 pounds. There are 17 colts that are currently registered for the run. Alphabetically, they are: Best of Times, Carbon Dating, Elm Park, Epicuris, Giovanni Canaletto, Gleneagles, Golden Horn, Great Glen, Hans Holbein, Jack Hobbs, Kilimanjaro, Moheet, Prince Gagarin, Rocky Rider, Rogue Runner, Storm the Stars, and Zawraq. At the moment, Golden Horn is the betting favorite.
Saturday, May 16, 2015
The Preakness - and Results of the Black-Eyed Susan
Well, I didn't do very well in picking the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes yesterday. But I didn't entirely wipe out, either. Longshot Keen Pauline went to the lead early in the race and stayed there. Include Betty was running last for most of the race, then came roaring up in the stretch to finish second. Ahh Chocolate finished in third, after running in fifth place for the majority of the race. Danessa Deluxe managed to get fourth. Keen Pauline paid $32.80 for a $2 win bet; Include Betty paid $5.40 for a $2 place bet; and Ahh Chocolate paid $4.40 for a $2 show bet. The $2 perfecta paid $211; the $2 trifecta paid $1,356; and the $2 superfecta paid $3,253.80.
The NBC Sports Network will show live Preakness day races, the NBC will take over, then after-race coverage will be by NBC Sports again. There are eight horses contesting the Preakness Stakes today; all are three-year-olds, all carry 126 pounds over the one mile and three sixteenths. The purse is worth $1.5 million. Five of the eight entries ran in the Kentucky Derby, and they will be facing fresh opponents, who did not race two weeks ago. Here are a list of post positions, horse's name, finish place in the Kentucky Derby, jockey, morning line betting odds and sire:
1 American Pharoah (1st) Victor Espinoza 4 to 5 Pioneerof the Nile
2 Dortmund (3rd) Martin Garcia 7 to 2 Big Brown
3 Mr. Z (13th) Corey Nakatani 20 to 1 Malibu Moon
4 Danzig Moon (5th) Julian Leparoux 15 to 1 Malibu Moon
5 Tale of Verve Joel Rosario 30 to 1 Tale of Ekati
6 Badhisattva Trevor McCarthy 20 to 1 Student Council
7 Divining Rod Javier Castellano 12 to 1 Tapit
8 Firing Line (2nd) Gary Stevens 4 to 1 Line of David
Six of the eight colts were born and bred in Kentucky; Danzig Moon was bred in Ontario, Canada, and Badhisattva was bred in California. There are three chestnut colts and five bays running. The chestnuts are: Dortmund, Mr. Z, and Badhisattva.
It would be great to have a Triple Crown champion this year - but can American Pharoah win from the first post position, and with Dortmund in the second slot? Will D Wayne Lukas surprise us with Mr. Z? How much did the Kentucky Derby take out of the five colts? My feelings (which are much good any more) are: Badhisattva in first; Firing Line in second; and Divining Rod in third. - But then, of course, American Pharoah might be able to "Wow!" all of us.
The NBC Sports Network will show live Preakness day races, the NBC will take over, then after-race coverage will be by NBC Sports again. There are eight horses contesting the Preakness Stakes today; all are three-year-olds, all carry 126 pounds over the one mile and three sixteenths. The purse is worth $1.5 million. Five of the eight entries ran in the Kentucky Derby, and they will be facing fresh opponents, who did not race two weeks ago. Here are a list of post positions, horse's name, finish place in the Kentucky Derby, jockey, morning line betting odds and sire:
1 American Pharoah (1st) Victor Espinoza 4 to 5 Pioneerof the Nile
2 Dortmund (3rd) Martin Garcia 7 to 2 Big Brown
3 Mr. Z (13th) Corey Nakatani 20 to 1 Malibu Moon
4 Danzig Moon (5th) Julian Leparoux 15 to 1 Malibu Moon
5 Tale of Verve Joel Rosario 30 to 1 Tale of Ekati
6 Badhisattva Trevor McCarthy 20 to 1 Student Council
7 Divining Rod Javier Castellano 12 to 1 Tapit
8 Firing Line (2nd) Gary Stevens 4 to 1 Line of David
Six of the eight colts were born and bred in Kentucky; Danzig Moon was bred in Ontario, Canada, and Badhisattva was bred in California. There are three chestnut colts and five bays running. The chestnuts are: Dortmund, Mr. Z, and Badhisattva.
It would be great to have a Triple Crown champion this year - but can American Pharoah win from the first post position, and with Dortmund in the second slot? Will D Wayne Lukas surprise us with Mr. Z? How much did the Kentucky Derby take out of the five colts? My feelings (which are much good any more) are: Badhisattva in first; Firing Line in second; and Divining Rod in third. - But then, of course, American Pharoah might be able to "Wow!" all of us.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
My Kentucky Derby Picks
After yesterday afternoon's draw, I blogged the post positions, names of horses, names of jockeys, and the morning line betting odds for the Kentucky Derby. Besides the top twenty colts in the starting gate, there are two others prepared to step into the gate in case of other entrants having to scratch out of the race. The race is one and one-quarter miles, and all colts will carry 126 pounds. As usual, I'll give the odd-ball views of the race, and then pedigrees and my choices...
Of the twenty colts starting, one is a gelding (War Story); two are ridglings, meaning only one testicle has descended - Upstart and Far Right; and the rest are whole males. Of the twenty colts, two are greys or roans - El Kabeir and Frosted; six are chestnuts - Carpe Diem, Dortmund, International Star, War Story, Mr. Z, and Far Right; the other colts are bays and dark browns. Three of the runners are sons of past Kentucky Derby winners: Ocho Ocho Ocho is the son of Street Sense; Dortmund is the son of Big Brown; and International Star is the son of Fusaichi Pegasus. Spendthrift Farm sires comprise seven entries: Notional is the sire of Far Right; Malibu Moon has three sons entered - Mr. Z, Stanford, and Danzig Moon; Line of David is the sire of Firing Line; Temple City fathered Bolo; and Warrior's Reward is the sire of Tencendur. All of the colts are related to my favorite three sires. The colts were all bred in Kentucky, with a few exceptions: Tencendur, Upstart, and International Star were New York bred; El Kabeir was bred in Florida; Danzig Moon is a registered Ontario, Canada bred; and Mubtaahij is the Irish-bred colt with the Arab owner with the South African trainer and with the jockey from Belgium. If I were going on good looks alone, I'd pick American Pharoah, Itsaknockout, Frosted, Stanford, Firing Line and Danzig Moon. Trainer D Wayne Lukas says that Mr. Z has a natural affinity with the Churchill Downs track.
Mubtaahij is the only horse in the field that has raced one and a quarter miles before, and he won his races. He has also defeated older horses. But he's now racing in a different country, and without his usual feed (which isn't approved in the United States), on a different track. Will he be able to continue his winning ways? American Pharoah hasn't raced at CD before, but he has won, convincingly, on both a muddy and a fast track. The morning odds have only three colts listed at less than 12 to 1 odds: American Pharoah, Dortmund, and Carpe Diem.
As I stated yesterday, there are a multitude of items to consider in handicapping and betting on a race - the horses past race history, the pedigree of the horse, the jockey, the post position, riding and racing strategy, the "feel" of the course to the horse, how the horse itself feels, how the horse reacts to the crowd and the hoopla surrounding a Triple Crown race, etc., etc, etc.... If I were just choosing my bets based on pedigree, my first pick would be Mubtaahij, followed by Ocho Ocho Ocho, Dortmund, International Star, Frosted and Itsaknockout. Without seeing the colts before the race, just based on my research (and my own feelings) I think that Firing Line will give Gary Stevens a winning ride. I believe that Dortmund, American Pharoah, and Carpe Diem will be burnt out with an eighth of a mile left. I think Frosted will be in second place, with El Kabeir and Keen Ice battling for third. - Of course, my picks might change after seeing the colts on race day.
Television coverage: NBC Sports Network will televise 3 hours of racing on Friday, 1 May, including the Kentucky Oaks from 3 o'clock to 6 o'clock (EDT).
Derby Day coverage, on May 2, will begin at 12 noon (EDT) on the NBC Sports Network and run until 4 o'clock (EDT), at which time coverage will switch to local NBC channels from 4 until 7 (EDT), with a wrap-up of events on NBC Sports Network from 7 through 7:30 (EDT).
**** Here's hoping for injury free races on both days! And good luck, if you are betting! ****
Of the twenty colts starting, one is a gelding (War Story); two are ridglings, meaning only one testicle has descended - Upstart and Far Right; and the rest are whole males. Of the twenty colts, two are greys or roans - El Kabeir and Frosted; six are chestnuts - Carpe Diem, Dortmund, International Star, War Story, Mr. Z, and Far Right; the other colts are bays and dark browns. Three of the runners are sons of past Kentucky Derby winners: Ocho Ocho Ocho is the son of Street Sense; Dortmund is the son of Big Brown; and International Star is the son of Fusaichi Pegasus. Spendthrift Farm sires comprise seven entries: Notional is the sire of Far Right; Malibu Moon has three sons entered - Mr. Z, Stanford, and Danzig Moon; Line of David is the sire of Firing Line; Temple City fathered Bolo; and Warrior's Reward is the sire of Tencendur. All of the colts are related to my favorite three sires. The colts were all bred in Kentucky, with a few exceptions: Tencendur, Upstart, and International Star were New York bred; El Kabeir was bred in Florida; Danzig Moon is a registered Ontario, Canada bred; and Mubtaahij is the Irish-bred colt with the Arab owner with the South African trainer and with the jockey from Belgium. If I were going on good looks alone, I'd pick American Pharoah, Itsaknockout, Frosted, Stanford, Firing Line and Danzig Moon. Trainer D Wayne Lukas says that Mr. Z has a natural affinity with the Churchill Downs track.
Mubtaahij is the only horse in the field that has raced one and a quarter miles before, and he won his races. He has also defeated older horses. But he's now racing in a different country, and without his usual feed (which isn't approved in the United States), on a different track. Will he be able to continue his winning ways? American Pharoah hasn't raced at CD before, but he has won, convincingly, on both a muddy and a fast track. The morning odds have only three colts listed at less than 12 to 1 odds: American Pharoah, Dortmund, and Carpe Diem.
As I stated yesterday, there are a multitude of items to consider in handicapping and betting on a race - the horses past race history, the pedigree of the horse, the jockey, the post position, riding and racing strategy, the "feel" of the course to the horse, how the horse itself feels, how the horse reacts to the crowd and the hoopla surrounding a Triple Crown race, etc., etc, etc.... If I were just choosing my bets based on pedigree, my first pick would be Mubtaahij, followed by Ocho Ocho Ocho, Dortmund, International Star, Frosted and Itsaknockout. Without seeing the colts before the race, just based on my research (and my own feelings) I think that Firing Line will give Gary Stevens a winning ride. I believe that Dortmund, American Pharoah, and Carpe Diem will be burnt out with an eighth of a mile left. I think Frosted will be in second place, with El Kabeir and Keen Ice battling for third. - Of course, my picks might change after seeing the colts on race day.
Television coverage: NBC Sports Network will televise 3 hours of racing on Friday, 1 May, including the Kentucky Oaks from 3 o'clock to 6 o'clock (EDT).
Derby Day coverage, on May 2, will begin at 12 noon (EDT) on the NBC Sports Network and run until 4 o'clock (EDT), at which time coverage will switch to local NBC channels from 4 until 7 (EDT), with a wrap-up of events on NBC Sports Network from 7 through 7:30 (EDT).
**** Here's hoping for injury free races on both days! And good luck, if you are betting! ****
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Looking Ahead to Next Weekend
Six days from now, the best three-year-old fillies in the Americas will contest the 141st running of the Kentucky Oaks. Besides being a celebration of girls in racing, in recent years Oaks day has become a rallying point for the fight against breast cancer; Oaks Day is now Think Pink Day, also. Hats will be the rage for Friday and Saturday - but my personal concentration is on the horses. Final nominations have not yet been made, and the Oaks is not known for having a full starting gate, like the Derby. However, these are the fillies that are the top twenty holding points for inclusion into the Oaks: (1) Condo Commando, (2) I'm a Chatterbug, (3) Stellar Wind, (4) Birdatthewire, (5) Lovely Maria, (6) Include Betty, (7) Oceanwave, (8) Angela Renee, (9) Sarah Sis, (10) Maybellene, (11) Eskingformoney, (12) Puca, (13) Shook Up, (14) Luminance, (15) Forever Unbridled, (16) Achiever's Legacy, (17) Money'soncharlotte, (18) Danessa Deluxe, (19) Callback, and (20) Wonder Gal. The Kentucky Oaks will be run on Friday, 1 May, and will be aired live on the NBC Sports Network. All of the girls will carry 121 pounds in the race that covers one and one-eighth miles.
Seven days from now, the boys will meet in the Kentucky Derby. All twenty stalls in the starting gate are expected to be full for the mile and a quarter race. Each colt will carry 126 pounds. Other than Mubtaahij, none of the three-year-olds have ever raced this far. This morning, it was announced that Madefromlucky, who was in 20th place in the points ranking, will not run in the Derby, but will be pointed at the Peter Pan Stakes, instead. Here is a listing of the top twenty-one colts listed for the Derby, as of this morning. I list one horse on the bubble, as he has been working for the Derby, and if another horse is scratched, he'll make the cut, and will likely run... (1) International Star, (2) Dortmund, (3) Carpe Diem, (4) American Pharoah, (5) Frosted, (6) Mubtaahij, (7) Materiality, (8) El Kabeir, (9) Upstart, (10) Far Right, (11) Itsaknockout, (12) Firing Line, (13) Danzig Moon, (14) War Story, (15) Tencendur, (16) Stanford, (17) Mr. Z, (18) Ocho Ocho Ocho, (19) Bolo, (20) Keen Ice, and, on the bubble, (21) Frammento.
As entries for the races are announced, along with post positions, I'll make further comments, along with presenting the morning line betting odds set by Mike Battaglia.
Seven days from now, the boys will meet in the Kentucky Derby. All twenty stalls in the starting gate are expected to be full for the mile and a quarter race. Each colt will carry 126 pounds. Other than Mubtaahij, none of the three-year-olds have ever raced this far. This morning, it was announced that Madefromlucky, who was in 20th place in the points ranking, will not run in the Derby, but will be pointed at the Peter Pan Stakes, instead. Here is a listing of the top twenty-one colts listed for the Derby, as of this morning. I list one horse on the bubble, as he has been working for the Derby, and if another horse is scratched, he'll make the cut, and will likely run... (1) International Star, (2) Dortmund, (3) Carpe Diem, (4) American Pharoah, (5) Frosted, (6) Mubtaahij, (7) Materiality, (8) El Kabeir, (9) Upstart, (10) Far Right, (11) Itsaknockout, (12) Firing Line, (13) Danzig Moon, (14) War Story, (15) Tencendur, (16) Stanford, (17) Mr. Z, (18) Ocho Ocho Ocho, (19) Bolo, (20) Keen Ice, and, on the bubble, (21) Frammento.
As entries for the races are announced, along with post positions, I'll make further comments, along with presenting the morning line betting odds set by Mike Battaglia.
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Fire, Gunfire, & Horses
I was awakened by the beeping of a neighbor's smoke detector at 4:30 this morning; that was followed by the arrival of our local fire truck, with men in fire suits and axes running up and down the hall. They couldn't tell me where the smoke was coming from - either unit 110, or unit 111 - just down the hall from me. The alarm woke up Rodney, the man who raises birds next to me, and he called 911. The fire department was certainly prompt; there were three units here within 5 minutes. I heard Rodney turn on his exhaust fans and his Hepa filter unit next door, before the fire trucks arrived. I turned on my two exhaust fans and cracked the rear window. I heard the windows and patio doors of several neighbors open for fresh air. Once I heard the men talking in the hall, I poked my head out, and asked where it was. The fireman I asked said it was one of the two apartments, and that they thought the sprinkler system had put the fire out, as the smoke was subsiding and the smoke alarm had stopped sounding. I laughed - which got a strange look - and told them that we don't have a sprinkler system or fire extinguishers; all we have are the smoke detectors... They finally left about 5:30, and it was almost time to get up, so I just stayed up. I'll need a nap to be sensible for the jury meeting tonight.
Boulder made the headlines yesterday when one of our deputies shot a man who was holding another man hostage. The hostage had a gun being held at the back of his head, and the deputy shot and killed the gun-holder at the beginning of the Doudy Draw trail head in Eldorado Springs Canyon. The car the men were sitting in had been reported as car-jacked, and the cell phone of the man being held at gun point was traced there. I'm glad I didn't have to make that decision.
The Ocala Breeders Sale, which I used to attend each year, had a record-breaking day yesterday, when a grey filly by Tapit was sold for $1.9 million. She was a pin-hook; a promising younger horse purchased because the buyer could see potential. The filly was purchased as a yearling for $335,000. That meant a profit of over $1.5 million, subtracting the cost of feeding and handling. Wow.
The Kentucky Derby will probably be considered a wide-open race for all twenty entries, until someone crosses the finish line ahead of the others on May 2nd. Besides the American top contenders there is a very interesting colt named Mubtaahij, a son of Dubawi. The colt himself is Irish-bred, he is owned by an Arab sheikh, he is trained by a South African, and his jockey is from Belgium. He is a handsome bay colt with three white socks. He won the last two legs of the United Arab Emirates Triple Crown races in Dubai. The American colts have never raced a full mile and a quarter; this colt has already won twice at that distance. As a two-year-old, Mubtaahij defeated horses that were aged two, three and four years - he's already defeated his elders. But, this is his first time racing in the United States and his regular feed is not approved for use in the US by the Food and Drug Administration. How will he perform without his normal food and in another country? Will he prove himself to be a super star? And, one other thing to consider: Mubtaahij will run without the use of Lasix, which every other entry will be using.... Hmmmmm. Interesting. Very interesting.
Boulder made the headlines yesterday when one of our deputies shot a man who was holding another man hostage. The hostage had a gun being held at the back of his head, and the deputy shot and killed the gun-holder at the beginning of the Doudy Draw trail head in Eldorado Springs Canyon. The car the men were sitting in had been reported as car-jacked, and the cell phone of the man being held at gun point was traced there. I'm glad I didn't have to make that decision.
The Ocala Breeders Sale, which I used to attend each year, had a record-breaking day yesterday, when a grey filly by Tapit was sold for $1.9 million. She was a pin-hook; a promising younger horse purchased because the buyer could see potential. The filly was purchased as a yearling for $335,000. That meant a profit of over $1.5 million, subtracting the cost of feeding and handling. Wow.
The Kentucky Derby will probably be considered a wide-open race for all twenty entries, until someone crosses the finish line ahead of the others on May 2nd. Besides the American top contenders there is a very interesting colt named Mubtaahij, a son of Dubawi. The colt himself is Irish-bred, he is owned by an Arab sheikh, he is trained by a South African, and his jockey is from Belgium. He is a handsome bay colt with three white socks. He won the last two legs of the United Arab Emirates Triple Crown races in Dubai. The American colts have never raced a full mile and a quarter; this colt has already won twice at that distance. As a two-year-old, Mubtaahij defeated horses that were aged two, three and four years - he's already defeated his elders. But, this is his first time racing in the United States and his regular feed is not approved for use in the US by the Food and Drug Administration. How will he perform without his normal food and in another country? Will he prove himself to be a super star? And, one other thing to consider: Mubtaahij will run without the use of Lasix, which every other entry will be using.... Hmmmmm. Interesting. Very interesting.
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