Post by *Ripley* on Jan 9, 2013 1:23:15 GMT -5
November Week Three:
It has been a long, exciting season for most stables racing at Green Horse Fields and The Wire. Among the highlights of Year Twelve, there was the return of myself and Witch Creek Stable. I can never be more proud of what my fantastic team has accomplished between January and November. It has been an unbelievable ride and still Year Twelve is not over yet. I cannot express enough gratitude to my staff which has seen the gain of four impressive people. A former jockey, Maggie Reynolds, a South American champion Reese Balling Jones and my beloved grooms Connor and Justin Santiago. Justin is the newest member of the jock squad, riding Dazzling Dame to a second place finish in the Flower Bowl. Not bad for a first ride. And most importantly, to my new found best friend and assistant trainer, Brookson Wells. Without him Frozen Motion and Ashes to Ashes would never have developed into anything close to what they are at this moment. And neither would Witch Creek.
I am writing now because I do not think I will have time to even breathe come Year Thirteen. Twenty-one horses on the racing string is a lot, not to mention births of the Year Thirteen crop. I am so proud to even mention the number 21 and the fact that there will be a Year Thirteen crop. Today has been a day of reflection for me. A year ago there was no Battle Brook, there was no training or owning position, there was no hope for Connor and Justin, Maggie and Reese were not settled and Brooks had been chasing a dream that many told him would not come true. And I was lost from the world I love. Racing is in my blood. From the first starter in Touch Up to the Breeders Cup Classic ride on El Sol del Mar that put Battle Brook officially on the map to now. Racing still is my greatest passion.
So I want to do justice for my horses because they are my passion as well as filling you in on their current status.
Screaming Mimi is currently racing quite nicely for Witch Creek Stable. The black mare will obviously be retired after her final race in the Breeders Cup Mile. She has been training spectacularly and is currently nominated for the Dubai World Championships. Her training could not be progressing more forwardly and she will be ready to run the races of her life in December.
Frozen Motion has never looked better and is absolutely refreshed. He is the true Iron Horse of Witch Creek, running from January to November with barely a month off in between. He will get a fine rest after whichever race I choose for him in the Breeders Cup and will come back firing. There has not been a more impressive horse to myself than him, a winner from seven furlongs to a mile and a half.
Ashes to Ashes has been looking superb in the mornings and is rolling along in his starts. He is one victory away from being a grade two runner. He is becoming much more focused and the plan is to run him in higher graded stakes come Year Thirteen. He may or may not run in the Breeders Cup, but his workouts and recent races suggest he may be prepared to enter on a pinch.
Fiery Touch is about as stunning and well-off as she has ever been. She is fired up and ready to rock and roll. No word if she will go to the Dubai World Cup off of her second place finish in the Dubai Filly Cup. I have yet to decide. I want more time with her. Her gallops and feeding habits have been as fantastic as ever. Truly the most impressively developed horse in the bunch. She looks almost colt-like in her physique.
Dazzling Dame just completed a workout with Mastermind and is as on top of her game as it gets. Truly the most shocking filly of the year. Most electrifying. She is nearly at the level of grade one Infinite Warcry already and has only been running for half the year. Her jockey and herself are getting along beautifully, the most well-partnered pair in our string. A tough start in the Filly and Mare Turf awaits, but she will be prepared, mark my words.
Mastermind deserves one word: stunning. If I could have videotaped the workout he just produced, I would have. It would have been useful to put fear back into our competition. While he has not won a race of late on the track, he managed to notch a victory over Dame in a workout and in hand. The colt is blooming like none other, but to get him to focus he has been equipped with blinkers. Cat and mouse games will not be allowed for now, until he remembers to turn back on the switch after turning it off. I am extremely pleased with his development and cannot wait for the Breeders Cup.
GS Royal Crown is absolutely fired up and rearing to go. He has been the steady eddy of our two year old string and his workout with Freeze was about as intense as it gets. Maggie is once again raving about his potential. Though he could be in possession of the ability to go long, all of us at Witch Creek feel that at this point in time he is more equipped to run the mile races. Look for him to stretch out toward the end of Year Thirteen.
Bella Luna has been rock solid all year long though it took a while for her to get back to the winner's circle. She was a bit of a late summer filly and she rocketed to three straight wins. She has a tall task ahead in the Fillies Turf, but she has South American jock Reese battling alongside. She has yet to finish out of the top two since the match up. And surprise: this is Witch Creek's top hope for the Turf Triple Crown!
Red Herring is beyond ready to face the massive challenge awaiting him in the Youth Challenge. He is ready to rock and roll if his morning and afternoon gallops have anything to show. He is the only horse training twice in one day. He simply cannot stand still and is really on the muscle. We expect a big performance from the Arizona Colt.
Wish Upon A Star is still plugging along, looks glorious in her gallops and is starting to understand what racing is all about. She is easily the most good looking filly of the bunch and will meet up to expectations. One win away from making grade four.
Van Guard and Indian Darling are looking eager for their returns. Indian Darling participates in the morning gallops with half-brother to Fiery Touch, Flashpoint and nearly out-works him every time. People may be surprised to see how grown up Indian Darling has become. The bay daughter of Native Flame has grown nearly a hand since the Stable Face Off. Expect for her to start December Week Four at The Wire.
Van Guard has finally grown up and returned to Witch Creek for good. The powerful son of Native Flame looks to get back to where he was after his maiden victory and is set to make his third start with Witch Creek December Week Three in the Green Horse Dirt.
Secrets out: Jabberwock is no longer a secret anymore. The speedy son of Native Flame broke his maiden second time out and looks to have a brilliant future ahead of him. He will make his next start in the Hickory Hill Derby. Reese Balling Jones stated recently that this is potentially the best horse she has ridden in her life. And from what I've seen of him... I'd have to agree that he may be one of the best I've seen.
Worst kept secret: Hokum was a gift from Intrepid Racing and he may be one of the most sparkling prospects placed into my hands. He is ridden by Justin Santiago and he blew the socks off of most of us while working out with older horse, Jabberwock. Not the nicest of the two year olds, but his talent is beyond extraordinary. Hokum may be the Triple Crown contender for Witch Creek... depending on what he does on the track.
Training has begun: The Devil's Hourglass, Prima Donna, new filly Paranormal Hunter, Supernatural, Alucard and Flashpoint have all entered galloping and breezing work. Paranormal Hunter breezed recently with Van Guard over our dirt track and looks to be something special. The rest have been unbelievably cooperative... except for The Devil's Touch's daughter... but even I expected that. Jockeys have already been assigned to these two year olds. Justin Santiago will ride Prima Donna, Reese Jones will ride Supernatural, I will ride Hourglass, Brooks will ride Flashpoint, Maggie will ride Paranormal Hunter and Alucard. More serious training will begin. Do not expect our two year olds to race until late January-early February.
Our studs and mares:
Clint Westerly, our breeding manager, informed me of some recent happenings that he wants us to share with the public.
Positively Precious, ex stud at Stride of Perfection, covered his first three mares at Witch Creek. These mares include Finale Slew, dam of Crescential, Jazzman, Intuition, and Alucard and granddam of Screaming Mimi, Enchantress, grade five filly, and maiden filly Candid Silver. Their foals will be born early Year Thirteen. His book his closed to the public this year and next.
Sweeto Cheeto, has covered Screaming Mimi and Ebony Gold Lady, dam of twins Infinite Warcry and Dazzling Dame. Their foals will arrive mid-season. His last covering for Year Twelve will be turf champion mare Sillenia who will obviously foal later in Year Thirteen season.
DW Flamekissed is being privately offered. A reserve was given out to Oak Hill Farm and it has not been declared as to which mare it will go to. He is sire of recent grade one winner Wild Kiss, victress of the Flower Bowl and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
Popcorn Blitz has covered Ashanti, dam of Ashes to Ashes and is open for two more spots. Rumor has it that "Mare on Fire" may possibly pay the son of Speed Demon and Starbucks a visit at the end of Year Twelve.
El Sol del Mar is in foal once again to Barely A Moment, her competitor on the track. Barely A Moment defeated our chestnut hall of famer in the Dubai World Cup. She later went on to defeat him in the Year Six Breeders Cup Classic. The foal will be born early in Year Thirteen.
The Devil's Touch and Royal Assault will both be bred to outside stallions. The Devil has been covered by True Enough, but under precautions she will stay with Witch Creek until the foal is born. The Devil has attempted to kill her last two foals and it will do no good if a young life is lost. It is uncertain if The Devil and the foal will be then transported to SOPS or if she will stay home. It depends on her reaction to the foal.
Royal Assault will be covered by turf stallion Worldbreaker and the foal, like The Devil's, will race in Stride of Perfection's name.
That is all the news I have to share for now. I'm eager for the remaining six weeks of racing and especially, the Breeders Cup.
Happy Racing,
Ripley Marsh
