Jan 2017

Welcome 2017, the year of the Rooster! We start the year full of optimism and renewed enthusiasm and we look forward to a fantastic year of racing. 2016 ended on a high note as Pyscho Sister finished up with two impressive wins and a third in her final three starts. She returned to the racetrack on Jan 13 for her 2017 debut and to kick off the year of racing for Royal Victory Thoroughbreds. She was quickly followed by Super Buddy, making his career debut on Jan 15 at Gulfstream Park in Florida.

It was Friday the 13th and like many other horseplayers and sports junkies, I admit to holding some of superstitious behavior from time to time; however, I was unsure about the lure or legend of Friday the 13th pertaining to this horse race. Her name Pyscho Sister seems fitting enough for Friday the 13th since Alfred Hitchcock, the Director for the movie Psycho, was born on Friday the 13th; thus, it seems like a positive spin for our filly. Perhaps it would be more important if I wore the right shirt, right hat and watched the race from my good luck spot.

Superstitions aside, the past performances from Daily Racing Form showed evidence this was going to be her toughest group of foes to date and would require her best career effort for a chance to win. Making matters even harder was her far outside post and the required early fuel to assume her customary lead into that first turn. Her morning line odds of 6-1 were slightly down to 9-2 as we approached post time. It's Go Time! All the fillies and mares loaded up and once the gates flew open, Pyscho Sister broke sharply and predictably bolted to the front into the clubhouse turn.

As Pyscho Sister cleared the quarter and then half-mile poles with the overwhelming race favorite looming just outside her, the clock confirmed she was moving noticeably sharper than her previous races. Oh no, hang tough girl! She sped through the final turn on the lead but was losing ground as the race favorite drew up alongside the resilient Pyscho Sister. She finally and begrudgingly yielded the lead with just a furlong to go. Not a win but still a strong and competitive effort! Her final time was a full second faster than her previous best but given the difficult competition and hot pace, she finished 3 lengths behind the winner. She is back in training at Golden Gate Fields and will seek to return to the Winners Circle next time out on a day other than Friday the 13th!

His morning line odds were 15-1 but as we moved closer to post-time, his odds continually drifted up and until they reached 42-1. What the heck? What’s wrong with him? Why is he so cold on the board? Our primary goal for this race was to gain some valuable experience and hopefully see a flash of talent but 42-1 is just plain insulting! Clearly, Super Buddy was getting no respect from the pari-mutuel bettors. Is this what Rodney Dangerfield feels like? Heck, maybe they are right and we’re just in over our heads. Too late now. He’s going to run today. On the plus side, we were fortunate to have Hall of Fame jockey, Edgar Prado to ride and his experience should help Super Buddy navigate through this challenging situation.

As he walked to the front side of the track for the post-parade, Super Buddy looked playful, not unlike a little kid going to playground for the first time. Happy, yet loose and even a bit goofy but also looking fit and sharp. He drew the number six post, a good middling spot to start for a firster. We all hope to avoid the rail for that first start as first time starters can get squeezed backward quickly if they don’t start sharply. The horses loaded and it was post-time. Deep breath! C’mon Buddy, show us something. Deep breath! And they’re off! Buddy got off to a good and clean start! They sprint quickly down the backside as Edgar Prado nudged him into a stalking position just a few lengths behind the leader. He’s fourth, no fifth, back to fourth again. Yikes. This is exciting but can he keep up? Will he finish well or just fade?

Meanwhile, across the country in sunny Florida, Super Buddy was preparing for his career debut against a full field in a maiden allowance race at Gulfstream Park, including seven well-bred first time starters. Those few moments prior to any thoroughbred's career debut is typically one of the most nerve-racking moments that any owner and trainer will experience. After so much training, care and patience over the past 8 months, we finally get to see if our colt has talent and hope and upside potential in the face of real competition. Gulp. Mixed feeling of gut wrenching and excitement overtakes other emotions! Many of Super Buddy’s competition had been purchased for more than $150,000 and several world famous trainers were saddling their hopefuls in this race. Ok, this is a big test. Super Buddy had been training well but will it transfer to his performance in the race?

As they rounded the far turn, one of his high priced competitors darted in and took a decisive lead although Super Buddy wasn’t done just yet. It was clear that Super Buddy would not win but he still carried on towards the early race leaders under encouragement from Edgar Prado. In the final furlong he drifted left, a little more left and yet a little more left at each urging. For a moment, it looked like he may finish second but in that final jump, he was caught by a very fast moving colt while remaining clear by a length for third. It was a huge race as he finished only about five lengths behind the winner! This was so exciting as he passed his first initial test impressively in showing us a glimpse of his talent!

Jan 2017

New: Jan 2017

"And We're Off in 2017!"

Updates:

Time for a snooze after a big race!

Super Buddy in 4th around the turn