Belmont 7th--hard luck maidens
John Greenhaw
Senior Member
Race 7
MDN $80k 3 & up 6f
This race features some very well bred young colts who have had one or more problems that have kept them on and off the track.
#7 MONARCH MAKER, 12-1
Dogwood Stable colt is a strapping young runner who was, last winter, on the TAP "A" team. By Empire Maker/Ship's Cat, by Forest Wildcat, he was a $170k FTFEB purchase, which doesn't sound like much given the crazy prices paid this week at Keeneland, nevertheless he was well meant. Made his debut last January at GP going 7f where he was bet down to damned near even money. In that race, he was zipping along real well when his lungs exploded (bled through lasix) and track onlookers said it was as bad of episode they had ever seen. Thereafter, he was given several months off and put through a litany of tests to try and determine the cause of his bleeding. None was found and he has been brought along slowly and has scoped clean after every work down at Aiken. Returned to the track in August up in the Spa , but not with TAP anymore but instead went to Gary Contessa, who, FWIW, will not send a horse out unless he is absolutely certain that the stead is ready and completely healthy. Aug 25th work at Spa was an eye-popper, going 5f in 1:00 2 and followed that up with a 6f handily work going 1:14 2 to ensure health and fitness. Jersey Joe Bravo gets the call for the cut-back to 6f in today's event and Contessa barn think he will rate from the outside and be a major player turning for home.
#7 wps
and exotic box with 3/5/7/8
GOOD LUCK TO ALL!
MDN $80k 3 & up 6f
This race features some very well bred young colts who have had one or more problems that have kept them on and off the track.
#7 MONARCH MAKER, 12-1
Dogwood Stable colt is a strapping young runner who was, last winter, on the TAP "A" team. By Empire Maker/Ship's Cat, by Forest Wildcat, he was a $170k FTFEB purchase, which doesn't sound like much given the crazy prices paid this week at Keeneland, nevertheless he was well meant. Made his debut last January at GP going 7f where he was bet down to damned near even money. In that race, he was zipping along real well when his lungs exploded (bled through lasix) and track onlookers said it was as bad of episode they had ever seen. Thereafter, he was given several months off and put through a litany of tests to try and determine the cause of his bleeding. None was found and he has been brought along slowly and has scoped clean after every work down at Aiken. Returned to the track in August up in the Spa , but not with TAP anymore but instead went to Gary Contessa, who, FWIW, will not send a horse out unless he is absolutely certain that the stead is ready and completely healthy. Aug 25th work at Spa was an eye-popper, going 5f in 1:00 2 and followed that up with a 6f handily work going 1:14 2 to ensure health and fitness. Jersey Joe Bravo gets the call for the cut-back to 6f in today's event and Contessa barn think he will rate from the outside and be a major player turning for home.
#7 wps
and exotic box with 3/5/7/8
GOOD LUCK TO ALL!
Comments
Btw, what's the status on Morse?
Thanks for asking!
Morse shipped up to Belmont back in the summer and was working very well. The Pletcher team liked his agile quickness and thought he would carry his speed a good distance of ground. Then, inexplicably, he began falling when going from a gallop to a jog. In mid-August, he was shipped down to Lexington and examined by Rood & Riddle, who found that he was positive for ataxia(clumsiness) which was caused by a sudden growth spurt and pinched the spinal cord. He underwent a procedure known as a "Seattle Slew" implant which placed a threaded cylinder between the two affected vertebrae. He is just fine but will undergo some bone remodeling in the healing process. We expect him to go back under tack in December and be ready for his three year old campaign sometime in early 2014, probably down at PMM with TAP, but things could change depending on his recovery.
If he comes back working like he did before this set back, we may be looking at a "Saturday" type of runner? Also, he was never going to be a TC type due to the late foal date.
Sounds like somebody might be giving him too much booze in the barn.