Post by Isabelle on Apr 18, 2014 22:01:10 GMT -5
Hi everyone, I was seeking comments on my horses as we approach the mid-season time so I can better work on their weaknesses and accentuate their strengths. Any input would be much appreciated, especially for those who have judged races they are in. Even if you just like to comment on one horse, I would appreciate as varied opinions as possible. 
Gallant Knight: z13.invisionfree.com/Ivory_Storms_Stables/index.php?showtopic=41&st=0&#last
I really feel as if I've been letting Knight down here this year. I got him from Snowy who raced him in his second and third year, and now that he is four I think he should be doing better than he is. I have yet to come off with a win with him, and although he had a very tiny racing season the previous year I've tried to give him a consistent racing schedule. Generally he is in competition with Ivory for entering races, since they both have the same grade five dirt and furlong preferences. I don't like to race them too often together though. In general I'm happy he is doing well in the races he is in overall being second and third, but being a four year old and to only have one win he is often faced with two year olds or three year olds with just a few wins, and I see those horses beating him!
I was expecting a few first places this year, even to break him into grade four, as he is in his third racing year now. Unless he just doesn't have what it takes to win, should I retire him after this year? He has a decent pedigree, I'm just at a loss why he is overlooked for first place, I feel like I'm letting Snowy down.
Ivory Storms: z13.invisionfree.com/Ivory_Storms_Stables/index.php?showtopic=1
Very similar to Knight here, Ivory is usually on opposing rounds with the other stallion. Very similarly, he just has a single win and is consistently placed out of first despite my attempts at consistent racing. He is raced a bit less, so I do not have the same feelings as I do with Knight, as he is still three and needs more time and training. My biggest challenge is finding races for him, as often with Knight he is racing with younger horses who have more wins and place over him. I have entered him into more advanced races that I probably shouldn't have, and I'm wondering now if that has hurt him. I had tried to do that to give him stiffer competition, since he has no pedigree, but perhaps that has been a mistake?
Lookin' Back Lucky: z13.invisionfree.com/Ivory_Storms_Stables/index.php?showtopic=2
By far my successful baby, and I don't want to get him down the wrong path! I have scheduled him for the second two of the turf triple crown divisions, hoping with some time off and special workouts he has a chance at a placement in one or both of those. He just won a stakes race, so I was hoping with that win under his belt and his consistent race regime with about three weeks off here he would be in good challenger shape for the TTC.
Maliah: z13.invisionfree.com/Ivory_Storms_Stables/index.php?showtopic=3
This little lady is either up or she is down. I have gotten comments about her not seeming to like colts much, however her past few races I believe included some colts, so maybe she is overcoming that? I have her scheduled into a race now that I'm waiting the results for, and like Lucky I am planning to give her some time off and some special workouts for the second two of the tiara races. With fillies only I was hoping she would have a decent shot at a placement in one of those, and if she wins the race she is scheduled in for this week she'd be bumped up to Grade Four. Not sure to try and keep her into filly only categories or see if she could branch out more into the regular divisions.
Desert Amber: z13.invisionfree.com/Ivory_Storms_Stables/index.php?showtopic=4
One win away from Grade Four now (wow!) Amber has sure come out this season. Last season I had no competition for her, this year she seems to be taking much after Lucky in terms of consistent placements. I don't have any special races for her in mind at the moment, just plans to continue things as usual unless she perhaps needs a break, or more of a challenge in a race I'm not aware of?
Tiger Heart: z13.invisionfree.com/Ivory_Storms_Stables/index.php?showtopic=51&st=0&#last
Little prospect baby did 4, 3, 2, 1 in his races! Just getting better and better here I'm wondering whether to let him be until his maiden race next year, continue showing him frequently, or give him a break and just do a few more. I want him prepared for next year but I don't want to press my luck. Also comments for his future and starting racing next season would be much appreciated, he'll be my first bred baby I take to the racing circuit (courtesy of Kirsten 
)
Lastly . .
Lastly my overall stable impression, things I can improve on and things I am doing well. I'm trying to have a fairly balanced stable, I do not have sprinters (no Frosty if you're reading this, you may NOT get any ideas
) but I have a fairly even dirt/turf ratio. I don't know if I'm under or over racing, or should maybe let everyone have a month off for a break at some point, I don't want to go from a good pace to having way overraced horses who are tired out, likewise I don't want to take a break and find out that it was too long and now my horses are not up to the competition! I suppose that is the balance everyone faces.
Wow this is really long . . . like I said if you want to just pick a horse, otherwise you ROCK if you answer all of them!
Gallant Knight: z13.invisionfree.com/Ivory_Storms_Stables/index.php?showtopic=41&st=0&#last
I really feel as if I've been letting Knight down here this year. I got him from Snowy who raced him in his second and third year, and now that he is four I think he should be doing better than he is. I have yet to come off with a win with him, and although he had a very tiny racing season the previous year I've tried to give him a consistent racing schedule. Generally he is in competition with Ivory for entering races, since they both have the same grade five dirt and furlong preferences. I don't like to race them too often together though. In general I'm happy he is doing well in the races he is in overall being second and third, but being a four year old and to only have one win he is often faced with two year olds or three year olds with just a few wins, and I see those horses beating him!
I was expecting a few first places this year, even to break him into grade four, as he is in his third racing year now. Unless he just doesn't have what it takes to win, should I retire him after this year? He has a decent pedigree, I'm just at a loss why he is overlooked for first place, I feel like I'm letting Snowy down.
Ivory Storms: z13.invisionfree.com/Ivory_Storms_Stables/index.php?showtopic=1
Very similar to Knight here, Ivory is usually on opposing rounds with the other stallion. Very similarly, he just has a single win and is consistently placed out of first despite my attempts at consistent racing. He is raced a bit less, so I do not have the same feelings as I do with Knight, as he is still three and needs more time and training. My biggest challenge is finding races for him, as often with Knight he is racing with younger horses who have more wins and place over him. I have entered him into more advanced races that I probably shouldn't have, and I'm wondering now if that has hurt him. I had tried to do that to give him stiffer competition, since he has no pedigree, but perhaps that has been a mistake?
Lookin' Back Lucky: z13.invisionfree.com/Ivory_Storms_Stables/index.php?showtopic=2
By far my successful baby, and I don't want to get him down the wrong path! I have scheduled him for the second two of the turf triple crown divisions, hoping with some time off and special workouts he has a chance at a placement in one or both of those. He just won a stakes race, so I was hoping with that win under his belt and his consistent race regime with about three weeks off here he would be in good challenger shape for the TTC.
Maliah: z13.invisionfree.com/Ivory_Storms_Stables/index.php?showtopic=3
This little lady is either up or she is down. I have gotten comments about her not seeming to like colts much, however her past few races I believe included some colts, so maybe she is overcoming that? I have her scheduled into a race now that I'm waiting the results for, and like Lucky I am planning to give her some time off and some special workouts for the second two of the tiara races. With fillies only I was hoping she would have a decent shot at a placement in one of those, and if she wins the race she is scheduled in for this week she'd be bumped up to Grade Four. Not sure to try and keep her into filly only categories or see if she could branch out more into the regular divisions.
Desert Amber: z13.invisionfree.com/Ivory_Storms_Stables/index.php?showtopic=4
One win away from Grade Four now (wow!) Amber has sure come out this season. Last season I had no competition for her, this year she seems to be taking much after Lucky in terms of consistent placements. I don't have any special races for her in mind at the moment, just plans to continue things as usual unless she perhaps needs a break, or more of a challenge in a race I'm not aware of?
Tiger Heart: z13.invisionfree.com/Ivory_Storms_Stables/index.php?showtopic=51&st=0&#last
Little prospect baby did 4, 3, 2, 1 in his races! Just getting better and better here
I'm wondering whether to let him be until his maiden race next year, continue showing him frequently, or give him a break and just do a few more. I want him prepared for next year but I don't want to press my luck. Also comments for his future and starting racing next season would be much appreciated, he'll be my first bred baby I take to the racing circuit (courtesy of Kirsten 
)Lastly . .
Lastly my overall stable impression, things I can improve on and things I am doing well. I'm trying to have a fairly balanced stable, I do not have sprinters (no Frosty if you're reading this, you may NOT get any ideas
) but I have a fairly even dirt/turf ratio. I don't know if I'm under or over racing, or should maybe let everyone have a month off for a break at some point, I don't want to go from a good pace to having way overraced horses who are tired out, likewise I don't want to take a break and find out that it was too long and now my horses are not up to the competition! I suppose that is the balance everyone faces.Wow this is really long . . . like I said if you want to just pick a horse, otherwise you ROCK if you answer all of them!
