Off To The Races

And they're off!

The hopefully legendary career of Personal Good, champion racehorse, and myself, champion minority owner, gets underway on Monday in the 2nd at Gulfstream, a 6 furlong, 40k claimer for 3 year olds. All you can really hope for at a claimer of this level is to not get claimed and hope the horse runs well enough to move up into allowance company. Keep your fingers crossed. He gets the professional craftsmanship of Todd Pletcher's personal valet John Velazquez, so at least I know he's in good hands. Or I think he is. Where some jockeys have a style (Borel on the rail, Pat Day from 35 lengths back), Johnny likes to find the best horse and then ride him. But I do feel comfortable with him which is nearly as important as Personal Good feeling comfortable with him.

It should be noted that Patrick over at Handride has a piece of a horse named Powerful Storm going in the 12th at Turfway this afternoon. Patrick got involved in a partnership through Adena that allows the yous and mes of the world to own a piece of some regally bred horses such as Ghostzapper's half brother, Holy Knight. For anyone interested in getting involved and who might be a bit intimidated by some of the sale and stud prices that get thrown around, a partnership is a great way to get your feet wet. The Adena Racing Venture is a good place to go, as is West Point Thoroughbreds (yellow silks with black star that runs all over the place), and Cot Campbell at Dogwood Stables has them too. Its a lot of fun to have your own horse, but also a good time following the horses of the people you come across along the way. Good luck today, I'll be watching the ticker.