Derby Bound -- an occasional & semi-interactive Racing Breed Dynasty

[PilotMan]

I can never get the damn demo to work. Never loads the demogame. I have been interested in this game, so I am following along here to see how it plays.

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Originally Posted by PilotMan

I can never get the damn demo to work. Never loads the demogame. I have been interested in this game, so I am following along here to see how it plays.

I think there was something on their message board about a vista compatibility patch/workaround/fix/something or other (don't have Vista so never looked) if that's what you're running.

Glad to have you follow along, feel free to ask if you have any questions!

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9/25/2006:

SCHEDULING: None.

RACES: Vegas Fun, 4yo+, 7.0F on dirt (good), $32,500 claiming. He is the 5-1 third choice breaking from the rail in a field of 8. Shortening up and dropping a rung or so, despite the slightly off track I hope to get a better read of him on dirt at this level.

Yeesh. Hangs back along the rail and gave just a hint of making a move in the backstretch but it was more of a fakeout. Fades back to last showing very little. I think I might have made a mistake with this claim.

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FOFC STABLE STATUS -- OCTOBER 2006

Record: 41 starts, 10 win, 5 place, 6 show (ranked 39th) (last 57th)
Purse money won: $185,260 (ranked 92nd) (last 101st)
Current bankroll: $77,785 (last $68,490)
Trainer: Ubaldo Diaz

Devil Key -- 4yo chestnut filly. Bought for $24K. Energy is 98.
2006 record: 9 starts, 4 win, 1 place, 0 show. $54,020 in earnings.
Last: 5.5F on dirt (wet) $25,000 claiming, finished 4th.

Ain't Armor -- 3yo bay filly. Bought for $8K. Energy is 100.
2006 record: 8 starts, 2 win, 1 place, 2 show. $22,920 in earnings.
Last: 8.5F on dirt, claiming $10,000, finished 1st.

Seattle Back -- 3yo gray colt. Claimed for $40K. Energy is 96.
2006 record: 8 starts, 3 win, 1 place, 2 show. $64,660 in earnings.
Last: 6.0F on dirt (wet), NW1X Allowance, finished 4th.

Storm Sue -- 4yo black filly. Claimed for $32,500. Energy is 97.
2006 record: 8 starts, 3 win, 2 place, 2 show. $71,600 in earnings. ($23,040 with FOFC)
Last: 6.0F on dirt, $40,000 claiming, finished 1st.

Vegas Fun -- 5yo chestnut horse. Claimed for $25,000. Energy is 96.
2006 record: 6 starts, 0 win, 0 place, 0 show. $0 earnings.
Last: 7.0F on dirt (wet), $32,500 claiming, finished 8th.

Musical Trail -- 3yo bay colt. Claimed for $16,000. Energy is 98.
2006 record: 3 starts, 2 win, 0 place, 0 show. $24,480 earnings ($13,200 with FOFC).
Last: 7.0F on dirt, $20,000 claiming, finished 1st.

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10/2/2006:

SCHEDULING: Devil Key is ready. I don't recall her in a ton of trouble last out but the form says she was checked in the backstretch and blocked on the turn. I've got two choices for her in the near future, a $20K claimer at 6.5F which she would figure to be a favorite in, or a $16K starter allowance at a mile. I'm not sure about the distance but at least I wouldn't have to worry about a claim, plus it would give me another look at her running at a $25K'ish level. Let's give it a shot.

Storm Sue comes off of a strong win at 6F for $40,000. I think she should be able to handle allowance company. Of course the condition book doesn't want to cooperate, with the only NW1X on dirt being almost four weeks off. I do see a race this week at 8.5F with NW2X conditions. Still wondering about her ability at a route I enter her here with fingers crossed.

Musical Trail destroyed the rest at $20,000 last out. It's a big jump to go to allowance company, but I do find a $16,000 starter allowance next week and slot him there.

RACES: Devil Key, 3yo+(F), 8.0F on dirt, $16,000 StAlw. She is the 3-1 second choice coming from post 3 in a field of 9.

Twice Jones, the 9-5 favorite runs off from the field from the break and is never headed. Devil Key sits midpack along the rail but doesn't seem to have much of a push and slowly fades, finishing a dull 6th. So as is always the key with this game, did I learn anything here? I guess I could say she definitely seems to prefer sprints, and $20,000 claiming might be her ceiling. She came out of the race healthy and had no trouble. Puzzling.

Storm Sue, 3yo+(F), 8.5F on dirt, NW2X allowance. She is the 5-1 second choice and breaks from post 8 in a field of 9. The favorite, 4-5 Daring Starlet won a grade 2 handicap two back at an incredible 115 speed rating. That was on turf, I can only hope that she's not as good on dirt. This is a tough race and I'm surprised to be so low.

Daring Starlet is beat by a neck in an exciting four horse drive down the stretch. Storm Sue didn't even have a good vantage point to watch, after seeing her move be matched by the four horses around her in midpack and fading to last in the final furlong. I didn't expect her to win the race. I did think she'd like the distance better than she seemed to. 6.5 to 7 furlongs is probably her very best distance, maybe a mile.

Ain't Armor, 3yo+(F), 8.0F on dirt, $12,500 claiming. She is the 7-1 fourth pick and breaks from post 7 in the 8 horse field. Not much respect for her win last out, but the two favorites both handled their maiden claming fields with ease.

Along with most of the field she hangs back as three horses get 12 lengths in front. Blocked as she is nearing the turn, she swings three wide and makes a decent run to get up to third but is nosed out at the wire and finishes fourth.

All in all, a disappointing week. We've only got about six-seven weeks to go in the year and I'd like to be at six figures going into the auctions.

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10/9/2006:

NOTES: Our jockey Nadine Cromer is back from her injury.

SCHEDULING:
Before we start to give up on Seattle Back at the allowance level let's give him a shot on the grass, since his sire has some success on the turf (56th overall, but 32nd on turf). There's an NW1X at 1 1/16 on grass Sunday, he's there.

Vegas Fun. This really looks like a losing bet, and as the song goes I'm wondering whether to hold' em or fold 'em. I claimed him at $25K but I don't think he's in danger of being taken at that level, or at $20K for that matter. Unfortunately I can't find a race quickly at $20K. There are races at $16,000 though. A purse and a claim would minimize the loss. There is a $16K race on Wednesday and he's in.

RACES:
Vegas Fun, 3yo+, 6.5F on dirt, $16,000 claiming. He is the 4-1 second choice and breaks from post 3 in a field of 10. Hopefully this will wake him up. What will suck is a bad finish combined with no claim.

And suck it is. Finishes 9th with no highlights. How the hell did this horse win at $32,500 four months ago and now gets trounced at 16? A check at the stable after the race gives the explanation -- a bowed tendon will have Vegas Fun out until next April.

Musical Trail, 3yo+, 8.0F on dirt, $16,000 StAlw. He is the 9-5 favorite of the 8 horse field breaking from post 2. The public sees this as a two horse race between Musical Trail and Just Won Dave, the 2-1 second choice.

He hugs the rail in a three way battle for the lead early but draws off by 3 1/2 lengths at the half pole. Just Won Dave moves into second but cannot get any closer as Musical Trail wins by 4, running a very nice 102 figure.

Seattle Back, 3yo+, 8.5F on grass (good), NW1X allowance. He is the 6-1 fourth choice in a field of 8 coming from the 3 hole. Interested to see how he'll do on the grass but I wish it was a firm course since with the rain you're never sure if it's the weather or the surface when you try something new.

He stalks the pacesetter through the first turn, sticks a neck out front as they head down the backstretch, wears down the rival as they enter the stretch but is charged down by the 3-2 favorite and after a good stretch drive ends up second by a length, running a 92. Not bad. Worth another grass try next out.

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10/16/2006:

NOTES: Any ideas what to do about Vegas Fun? We're currently out $25,000 on him with no earnings, plus a couple months training -- let's say $30K in the hole. I can sell him right now for $8,000. Our option is to give him six months recovery for his injury which will put him a third of the way into his 6yo season and hope for the best, which will cost us roughly another $12,000. Suggestions welcome, though I lean towards just taking the bath now.

SCHEDULING: Ain't Armor is ready. Had traffic but still didn't show anything at $12,500 so I feel fine dropping her back down to $10K and find a race at 1 1/16 miles next week.

RACES: None.

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10/23/2006:

SCHEDULING: Devil Key has been out of the money at $25K and at $16K StAlw. I think that $20,000 appears to be her level for now and find a 6F race this Saturday.

Musical Trail made a quick recovery from his big 102 rating at $16K StAlw 10 days ago. I'd like to bump him up to NW1X but there's nothing that's not on turf for a few weeks. There is another starter allowance this week though so might as well try and score another purse there.

RACES:
Musical Trail, 3yo+, 8.0F on dirt, $16,000 StAlw. He is the co-second choice at 3-1, breaking from post 7 in a 10 horse field. There are two other strong 3yo's in this race -- 8-5 favorite Hong Kong Setter just won by 8 lengths at $32,500, and 3-1 Zone Bert destroyed a group of $20,000 claimers by 20, running a 101. This will be a good test.

Musical Trail sits behind the front pack to the turn, swings wide to make a bid around the turn but hangs and ends up fourth. Could be the race was too soon after the last one, he didn't have a push down the stretch. The two horses mentioned above finish 1-2.

Ain't Armor, 3yo+(F), 8.5F on dirt, $10,000 claiming. She is the 5-2 favorite of the 10 horse field coming from post 4.

As is her habit, she sits back and saves ground early. And around the turn. And down the stretch. Huh? Finishes a badly beaten eighth. I cross my fingers and check the stable......damn. Bowed tendon. Out until May.

Devil Key, 3yo+(F), 6.0F on dirt, $20,000 claiming. She is the 7-2 third choice coming from post 9 of 10. After these last couple injuries I just want her to finish healthy.

She is five wide going into the turn but soon heads inside, makes a run through traffic but ends up fifth.

This has not been a good week.

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FOFC STABLE STATUS -- NOVEMBER 2006

Record: 50 starts, 11 win, 6 place, 6 show (ranked 38th) (last 39th)
Purse money won: $211,780 (ranked 89th) (last 92nd)
Current bankroll: $95,305 (last $77,785)
Trainer: Ubaldo Diaz

Devil Key -- 4yo chestnut filly. Bought for $24K. Energy is 94.
2006 record: 11 starts, 4 win, 1 place, 0 show. $54,680 in earnings.
Last: 6.0F on dirt, $20,000 claiming, finished 5th.

Ain't Armor -- 3yo bay filly. Bought for $8K. INJURED, OUT UNTIL MAY.
2006 record: 10 starts, 2 win, 1 place, 2 show. $23,820 in earnings.
Last: 8.5F on dirt, claiming $10,000, finished 8th.

Seattle Back -- 3yo gray colt. Claimed for $40K. Energy is 97.
2006 record: 9 starts, 3 win, 2 place, 2 show. $72,460 in earnings.
Last: 8.0F on grass (wet), NW1X Allowance, finished 2nd.

Storm Sue -- 4yo black filly. Claimed for $32,500. Energy is 98.
2006 record: 9 starts, 3 win, 2 place, 2 show. $71,600 in earnings. ($23,040 with FOFC)
Last: 8.5F on grass, NW2X Allowance, finished 9th.

Vegas Fun -- 5yo chestnut horse. Claimed for $25,000. INJURED, OUT UNTIL APRIL.
2006 record: 7 starts, 0 win, 0 place, 0 show. $0 earnings.
Last: 6.5F on dirt, $16,000 claiming, finished 9th.

Musical Trail -- 3yo bay colt. Claimed for $16,000. Energy is 94.
2006 record: 5 starts, 3 win, 0 place, 0 show. $41,640 earnings ($30,360 with FOFC).
Last: 8.0F on dirt, $16,000 StAlw, finished 4th.

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10/31/2006:

NOTES: Four racing weeks left in the year.

I have no problems keeping Ain't Armor through her injury. She is still young and could have a good career as a low-level claimer.

SCHEDULING: Storm Sue is ready. She was way over her head last out running at NW2X. I'd also like to dial her back to no more than a mile in distance. There is a NW1X at 7 furlongs this Sunday, and she's in.

RACES: Storm Sue, 3yo+(F), 7.0F on dirt, NW1X Alw. She is the 8-5 favorite breaking from post 3 in a field of 7. This will probably be her final race this year.

The 6 horse is able to get a lead by herself, and despite a strong run that makes up ground Storm Sue settles for a solid place. I think she has positioned herself as a high claiming/low allowance sprinter. That's a nice asset for our stable going into next year.

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11/6/2006:

SCHEDULING: Seattle Back is looking for a NW1X on grass. There aren't any left unfortunately, so we find one at a mile on dirt the last week of racing.

RACES: None. Having a third of your stable hurt cuts down on the starts, no?

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11/13/2006:

Nothing to do.

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11/20/2006:

NOTES: Last racing week of the year and our last chance to get purse money going into the yearling sales.

SCHEDULING: With just one week, we don't have the luxury of being picky about races. Devil Key comes off a 5th at $20K, there is a 8.5F race at $16K that I think she'll be safe in. Musical Trail lost that $16K starter race last out. I would like to at least test him at a NW1X level, and there's one on Thursday.

RACES: Musical Trail, 3yo+, 8.5F on dirt, NW1X Alw. He is an 8-1 outsider breaking from post 3 in a closely bunched field of 10. I just want to see him be competitive here more than anything else. I'd be thrilled with a show.

Didn't get the show, but I was happy with the race. He broke midpack but was blocked on the rail while trying to run down the entire backstretch, angled out wide through the far turn while still running and ended up a decent fifth. I think he deserves another shot at this level next year.

Seattle Back, 3yo+, 8.0F on dirt, NW1X Alw. He is the 6-1 third choice behind co-favorites at 2-1, coming from post 4 in a nine horse field with the co-favorites directly inside of him. Again, I think grass is his better surface so I'd be happy with being in the money here.

Breaking alertly he settles along the rail behind co-favorite Waki Leader. Then the problems start as that one runs out of steam as rivals advance on the outside, completely hemming Seattle Back in as he tries to make a move down the backstretch. Things open up briefly around the turn but he seems to have spent his energy, though a late burst comes down the stretch to no avail as he is boxed in again and ends up fifth, but only 4 lengths behind the winner. I think he would have won that with a clean trip.

Finally, Devil Key, 3yo+(F), 8.5F on dirt, $16,000 claiming. She is the 4-1 second choice from post 4 of 10.

The heavy favorite makes like Secretariat at the Belmont and leaves the field in her dust. Despite being forced wide around the far turn Devil Key makes a run and gains four on the place horse but can't quite get there and settles for the show.

And that wraps up the 2006 racing season for FOFC Stables. Next event on the calendar is the Mixed Yearling Sale on December 10th. We'll be looking for a miracle Derby horse there.

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11/27/2006:

NOTES: I've decided to sell Vegas Fun for $6,000. A bad choice all around:
Bought: $25,000
Earnings: $0
Training cost: $4,500
Sold: $6,000
Net loss: $23,500.

End season bankroll: $104,425
End season record: 54 starts, 11 win, 7 place, 7 show (45th place)
End season earnings: $223,900 (91st place)

END SEASON RECAP:
Devil Key, 12 starts, 4 win, 1 place, 1 show -- $56,660 earnings.
Training cost: $18,000
Net earnings: $38,660.
Solid mid-level claimer, best on dirt in the 6.0-8.0F range.

Ain't Armor, 10 starts, 2 win, 1 place, 2 show -- $23,820 earnings.
Training cost: $18,000
Net earnings: $5,820.
Injured until May, should be useful bottom level claimer.

Seattle Back, 10 starts, 3 win, 2 place, 2 show -- $73,630 earnings.
Claiming price: $40,000
Training cost: $15,000
Net earnings: $18,630
Low allowance/high claimer coming into prime. Might prefer grass.

Storm Sue, 10 starts, 3 win, 2 place, 2 show -- $79,400 earnings ($30,840 with FOFC)
Claiming price: $32,500
Training cost: $9,000
Net earnings: -$10,660
Low allowance/high claiming filly should easily be in the black by this time next year.

Musical Trail, 6 starts, 3 win, 0 place, 0 show -- $42,810 earnings ($31,530 with FOFC)
Claiming price: $16,000
Training cost: $9,000
Net earnings: $6,530
Looking like a mid level claimer, which is just fine.

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12/9/2006:

There are two yearling sales annually in the world of The Racing Breed, about three weeks apart in December: The Mixed Yearling sale is tomorrow followed by the Select Yearling sale.

The one thing to always keep in mind with yearlings is that they are likely to not race much during their 2yo campaign, so the training costs will probably outweigh the earnings for that first year. If you're a big stable that's not a big thing, but a small one like ours needs to remember that.

After the training bill at the beginning of the month, FOFC Stables has a bankroll of $96,925.

I would like to add two yearlings, one colt and one filly, plus one other runner from the Horses of Racing Age auction which comes back around at the beginning of January. This would give us 8 horses in our stable, and at $1,500/horse our monthly training cost will be $12,000. Leaving $30,000 in our bankroll should give us enough stability to overcome even a slow start, so we've got roughly $67,000 to spend on three horses.

$67,000 is a low total for the Select Yearlings, so we're pretty much avoiding that sale -- we will be focusing on the Mixed Yearling sale, where the breeding might not measure up to the stock at the other sale (meaning some lower prices); but breeding doesn't always make the champion, so it is quite possible to find a future star.

The problem from a dynasty aspect is that there's like 400 horses in this thing. What I'm going to try is just to list some candidates I like as I go through the catalog, and then see how the auction goes.

The catalog will show you three generations of the sire/dam of a yearling, plus the stud fee for the sire. It will also list some information about the dam's race history, plus up to three of that dams most successful progeny.

With cheaper sires such as you see in the Mixed sale, I focus a lot on the female sides. I will be focusing on dams that have three successful foals already. I'll be looking at both how much those foals raced to get an idea of the health of the line, and the success levels. Yearlings who are half brothers or sisters to grade winning horses are likely to sell for out of our range, but you never know.

Next post I'll list candidates.

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YEARLING CANDIDATES:

Hip 19, chestnut colt by Dayjur (fee $5,000) out of a Groovy mare. Dam was an allowance level sprinter and multiple 2yo winner. Her three foals listed all have won over $100K in purse money in claiming races.

Hip 74, chestnut colt by Gold Fever (fee $5,000) out of a Farma Way mare. Dam was a G3 stakes winner, primarily a sprinter, won on turf but not as a 2yo. One of her foals has won two graded sprints, while another has won three of four starts through its 3yo season.

Hip 113, black filly by Vying Victor (fee $4,000) out of a Dynaformer mare. Dam was a stakes winning router, with multiple wins on turf and as a 2yo. Two of her foals (both fillies) have won well over $100K in claimers while the third is one for one as a 3yo.

Hip 138, chestnut filly by Explosive Red (fee $1,000) out of a Devil's Bag mare. Dam was a claiming router with no wins on turf or as a 2yo. She has two foals over $100K in claiming earnings with the third being 5 of 6 in the money as a 3yo. (bought for $4,000)

Hip 160, brown colt by Rythym (fee $3,500) out of a Seeking the Gold mare. Dam was an allowance winning sprinter with multiple 2yo wins. She has one foal that was G1 placed, and another who placed in a minor stakes, both at 8.5F, along with a 2yo who won 3 of her 7 starts.

Hip 163, bay colt by Explosive Red (fee $1,000) out of a Gate Dancer mare. Dam was a claiming level sprinter with no 2yo wins. Two foals seem hard-knocking sorts that have made it over $100K, while the third has 5 of 7 starts in the money at 3. (bought for $3,000)

Hip 213, chestnut colt by Zarbyev (fee $2,500) out of a Gone West mare. Dam was a claiming level sprinter with a win on turf and multiple 2yo wins. She has one foal that has won a stake sprint and placed in two others (two on turf, one on dirt). The other two listed appear to be serviceable claimers.

Hip 248, bay filly by Signal Tap (fee $2,500) out of a Stutz Blackhawk mare. Dam was a claiming level sprinter with wins on the turf and as a 2yo. Two of her foals have earned over $200K with no stakes placings, which suggest allowance level to me.

Hip 267, chestnut filly by Gold Case (fee $7,500) out of an Eastern Echo mare. Dam was a stakes winning sprinter with wins both on turf and at two. All siblings have won upwards of $100K, with one being G3 placed at 7F.

Hip 297, chestnut filly by Ide (fee $2,500) out of a State Dinner mare. Dam was a claiming level router with multiple turf wins but none at two. Foals look to be durable claiming types with one winning over $200K. (bought for $8,000)

Hip 322, chestnut colt (what's with all the chestnuts?) by Olympio (fee $8,500) out of a Phone Trick mare. Dam was an allowance winning sprinter on the dirt with a 2yo win. She only has two foals listed, but both are over $100K.

Hip 329, bay filly by Cartwright (fee $2,500) out of a Kris S. mare. Dam was a claiming router with multiple grass wins and one as a 2yo. Another with just two foals shown, both seem fairly solid. I'm more intrigued by the sire who seems (just as I go through the catalog) to have some success at claiming levels.

Hip 342, black colt by Rare Brick (fee $2,000) out of a Irish Tower mare. Dam is yet another claiming sprinter with wins on turf and at two. One foal over $200K and another just hit $100K. (bought for $13,000)

Hip 382, black filly by War Deputy (fee $2,500) out of a Private Terms mare. Dam was a claiming miler with multiple wins on turf. One two foals listed, one of which is 1 of 2 as a two year old. The other has two stakes placings in turf sprints, one at G3 level.

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I'll refer to the horses listed above in the auction plus add any interesting situations that arise.

MIXED YEARLING AUCTION:

Bid for hip 19 goes to $25K and I drop.
Hip 74 starts at $130,000.
We drop out of the hip 113 bidding at $30,000.
Hip 138 starts at just $4,000. One bid and she's our first yearling.

Just as an aside to show the level FOFC Stables are aspiring to (and where we're at now!): Hip 140 is a filly by Cee's Tizzy ($15K fee) out of a G2 winning Seattle Slew mare. Her one sibling has won two G1 races and placed in another in the 7f to 1 1/8 mile range and this filly sells for $350,000.

More auction later.

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AUCTION, CTD:

I soured somewhat on hip 160 because the sire was at the bottom of the juvenile earnings list. I want the chance of being ready at 2. Passed at $20,000.

Hip 163 opens up at $3,000 and I'm the only bidder. Yearling two.

Being that we've got two horses for a grand total of $7,000 (both out of the same cheap sire, I just noticed), I'm willing to bring another one (or even two at that rate) in. As long as they can win a race or two they should be able to earn their training costs (eventually).

Hip 185 by A.P. Indy ($300K fee) goes for $475,000.

Despite the fact that hip 213 starts at just $5,000, I'm going to pass. The horse I'm most interested in is hip 267, and I want to save my money in case she's affordable.

Ditto with hip 248 who goes for just $2,000.

Damn. Hip 267 starts at $35,000. We bid but are kicked up to $55,000. Too rich.

Hip 297 starts at $2,000. I decide to bid to $8,000, which gets us another filly.

Hip 322 goes to $40,000 and we're out.

Hip 329 sells at $6,000. Not interested in another filly.

Hip 342 is ours for $13,000.

Hip 387 goes for $8,000.

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FOFC STABLE YEARLINGS: (Names are needed!)

Filly: Explosive Red -- Pat's L. by Devil's Bag. $4,000. -- Lynch Barkeep

Colt: Explosive Red -- Cry T. by Gate Dancer. $3,000. -- Diseased Yak

Filly: Ide -- Forty Reply by State Dinner. $8,000. -- Nobody Likes Bing

Colt: Rare Brick -- Pass Again by Irish Tower. $13,000. -- Irish Bricks Again

We spent just $28,000 on four yearlings. Not bad at all. So, we need names. I know that already suggested toward the beginning of the thread were Diseased Yak and Lynch Barkeep49.

Any other suggestions? We have to name before the end of the year. It's one of the few bits of personalization we have in this game and dammit, we're making use of it!

[duckman]

Glue Factory
You Can't Put Your Finger There
Nobody Likes Bing Crosby

[ntndeacon]

Eplosive Loose Bag for $4000 filly
Crying Trout Dancer for the $3000 colt
Ide reply by Trout for the $8000 filly
Irish Bricks Again for the $13000 colt

[Coffee Warlord]

Colts: Lynch Barkeep, and Diseased Yak
Fillys: Trout Option, and Rust Bucket

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Sweet! I took a name from each of you. Nobody Likes Bing Crosby was too long, but Nobody Likes Bing is wonderful as well. I wanted to call one Elmer for the glue factory reference, but I had ran out of colts and thought that it is one thing to name the horse after its suspected destiny, but to do that to a GIRL horse is taking it one step too far. Elmer will have his day.

So here are our new babies!

Filly: Explosive Red -- Pat's L. by Devil's Bag. $4,000. -- Lynch Barkeep

Colt: Explosive Red -- Cry T. by Gate Dancer. $3,000. -- Diseased Yak

Filly: Ide -- Forty Reply by State Dinner. $8,000. -- Nobody Likes Bing

Colt: Rare Brick -- Pass Again by Irish Tower. $13,000. -- Irish Bricks Again

We'll skip the Select Yearling sale and head towards the Horses of Racing Age auction at the beginning of the year.

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1/2/2007:

HORSES OF RACING AGE AUCTION: We've got around $35K to spend, so it's likely to be just one horse unless we get lucky. What I'm looking for is a decent claimer who appears durable enough to race regularly and tends to want to compete, whether at a lower or mid level. I don't think we've got any chance at a high claimer.

We're also looking strictly at colts. Once Ain't Armor comes back we'll have three females and two males, so I want to even that up here.

We're restricted enough that I'm not going to go through the catalog much in advance, and will just look at colts that are starting in our range. I'll call out ones we bid on.

Sweep House is a 5yo horse that has been finishing just out of the money at $20,000. I figure a bid of $10,000 is more than reasonable and he's ours.

No other eligible horses come along. Let's see what our stable looks like for 2007.

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1/9/2007:

FOFC STABLE RECAP - JANUARY 2007

Bankroll: $51,425
Trainer: Ubaldo Diaz

Energy for all non-injured horses is 100.
Devil Key -- 5yo chestnut mare. Bought for $24,000. 2006 net: $38,660.
Lifetime record: 25 starts, 4 win, 2 place, 8 show, $94,580.

Ain't Armor (INJURED UNTIL MAY) -- 4 yo bay filly. Bought for $8,000. 2006 net: $5,820.
Lifetime record: 11 starts, 2 win, 1 place, 2 show, $24,330

Seattle Back -- 4yo gray colt. Claimed for $40,000. 2006 net: $18,630.
Lifetime record: 10 starts, 3 win, 2 place, 2 show, $73,630

Storm Sue -- 5yo black filly. Claimed for $32,500. 2006 net: ($10,660)
Lifetime record: 16 starts, 6 win, 5 place, 3 show, $126,420

Musical Trail -- 4yo bay colt. Claimed for $16,000. 2006 net: $6,530
Lifetime record: 6 starts, 3 win, 0 place, 0 show, $42,810

Irish Bricks Again -- 2yo black colt. Bought for $13,000. Unraced.

Nobody Likes Bing -- 2yo chestnut filly. Bought for $8,000. Unraced.

Lynch Barkeep -- 2yo chestnut filly. Bought for $4,000. Unraced.

Diseased Yak -- 2yo bay colt. Bought for $3,000. Unraced.

Sweep House -- 5yo bay horse. Bought for $10,000. 2006 net: N/A
Lifetime record: 18 starts, 1 win, 2 place, 1 show, $28,110

[path12]

1/9/2007 continued:

SCHEDULING: Since all the horses in training are at 100% (except for Ain't Armor), we'll just enter them at a level that makes sense from last year, but I won't bother detailing my thinking until we see where their form is after the first race.

The two year olds won't start training until March.

RACES:
We start 2007 with Devil Key, 4yo+(F), 6.0F on dirt (sloppy), $16,000 claiming. Starting her at a level where she had decent success last year, she is one of 3-1 co-favorites coming from post 6 in an 8 horse field.

She is unhurried and hangs near the back of a tight field. No traffic problems for her, and she makes a strong move at the top of the stretch to win with an 82 rating. 1 for 1. Nice.

Musical Trail, 4yo+, 8.0F on dirt (muddy), $40,000 claiming. He is a 13-1 outsider dropping down from a dull race against better at NW1X, though there was traffic. Breaks from post 8 of 9.

He runs above his odds, but despite moving up on the second group of horses is never a threat and finishes fifth. I'm still trying to find his spot, he won for fun at $20K last year. $32.5 ought to be pretty close to where he fits best.

Storm Sue, 4yo+(F), 6.5F on dirt, NWX2 Alw. The longest shot on the board at 27-1, she comes from post 2 in a 10 horse race. There wasn't a NWX1 available and I'm not ready to have her go back to claiming yet, so I thought I'd see if this distance suited her better (she tired badly last time at this level).

Despite being last for much of the race she stays close enough that she never falls off the screen and makes a dandy move late, though ends bunched up in a 7 horse tangle at the wire four lengths back of the winner, placing sixth. Not bad at all though, with a little room at the end she could have easily gotten fourth. She should be a danger at NWX1.

Sweep House, 4yo+, 6.5F on dirt, $12,500 claiming. He is the 2-1 second choice coming from post 4 of 10. Want to find out where we should run him.

He never threatens the favorite, but runs a solid second the entire race, tiring slightly at the end yet holding off two charging rivals. This looks just about right for him.

Four starts, 1 win, 1 place. I'll take it.

[chesapeake]

I just found this and am enjoying it so far. Hopefully one of these yearlings pans out.

Sergey Brin would like to know if he could buy Nobody Likes Bing.

[path12]

Originally Posted by chesapeake

I just found this and am enjoying it so far. Hopefully one of these yearlings pans out.

Sergey Brin would like to know if he could buy Nobody Likes Bing.

Man, we could use the endorsement money.

[path12]

1/15/2007:

SCHEDULING: None.

RACES:
Seattle Back, 4yo+, 8.5F on grass, NWX1 Alw. In a competitive field he is the 4-1 fourth choice breaking from post 7 of 8. He showed some ability in his first grass start, hopefully that will carry over and he can graduate from this level. I believe we're still waiting on our first allowance winner.

He pressed the pace from the outside and was caught four wide on the first turn. Continued to press the pace but could find no racing room inside and was carried three wide on the far turn where he started to run out of gas and faded sharply through the stretch to end up 7th. I'm not sure whether he might have needed a race or if the pace was just too hot. The fractions were 48.0 and 111.3 with the final being 141.4. Hmm.

[path12]

1/22/2007:

NOTES: Seattle Back has a minor illness. That helps to explain his race. It'll likely be an additional couple weeks to his normal recovery time.

SCHEDULING:
Devil Key is ready off her win last out at $16K. She did get a win at $20K last summer, but since then this seems to be her niche. Unfortunately, there's not a race at $16K except for one scheduled for males. I think we'll try her against the boys there.

Musical Trail appeared outclassed at $40,000. He is still eligible for a $16,000 StAlw and there happens to be one next week. It's a better fit, I'm currently thinking that $25,000 might be his correct claim level but this way I don't have to risk the claim but we get another piece of data on this guy.

RACES:
None.

Crap. I THOUGHT none. Forwarded a week and find that Devil Key was scheduled for this week. Dear Racing Breed developers: Could you please find some sort of way that the game will FRIGGIN' LET ME KNOW WHEN MY HORSES ARE GONNA RACE?!!!???? Love, path.

Anyway, she went off at 8-5. The running line: 10 - 2 3/4 7 - 2 1/4 4 - 1 1/2 2 - ns. Trouble notes: Blocked in stretch - Blocked far turn. Against the boys. I'm pretty happy with that race. WISH I WOULD HAVE SEEN IT.

[chesapeake]

I forgot to mention that I also have great memories of Longacres as a kid. My Uncle Orville and a couple of his buddies used to buy cheap claimers and try to win enough money to pay for their feed. The only winner I remember him having was Barbaric George, who had some sort of trouble getting out of the gate but ran everybody down and won comfortably.

I always loved that name until the country elected him President.

[path12]

1/29/2007:

SCHEDULING: Storm Sue has not been competitive at NWX2 but has been at NWX1, luckily we find one of those to enter her into next week.

Sweep House placed in his stable debut at $12,500. The only race at that level in the near term is at a mile. He might find that a bit far, but we should at least try it.

RACES:
Musical Trail, 4yo+, 8.5F on dirt, $16,000 StAlw. He is a heavy 3-2 favorite breaking from post 7 in a field of 10.

He broke well and settled in fourth around the first turn, swung three wide going into the far turn and moved on the leader down the stretch, fading at the very end after a stiff drive to take the place, running a 92. Solid race, the winner was lightly raced but coming off two big wins. My hopes of him becoming an allowance runner have faded.

Sweep House, 4yo+, 8.0F on dirt (muddy), $12,500 claiming. He is the 5-1 second choice behind a favorite who has won his two races by a total of 41 lengths (last running a 94), and whom at this price I have to put a claim in for. Sweep House is breaking from the inside of an 8 horse field.

He beats the rest of the field by 7 lengths for the place, but is 16 behind the winner (whom we lost out on the claim for).

[path12]

2/5/2007:

NOTES: I'm going to just glance through the PP's the next couple of weeks for a possible claim.

SCHEDULING: None.

RACES:
Storm Sue, 4yo+(F), 7.0F on dirt, NWX1 Alw. She is an 11-1 outsider in the field of 10, breaking from post 4.

Three wide throughout, she vies for the lead down the backstretch and the turn, starts to fade but then makes a strong move at the quarter pole along with the favorite Chippewa Hills, who then shakes Storm Sue at the 1/16 pole. So another place (four in a row!), we're just missing right now.

At least place money pays for feed.

[path12]

2/12/2007:

SCHEDULING: None.

RACES: None.

[path12]

2/19/2007:

SCHEDULING:
Devil Key comes off her good race at $16K against the boys last out. I find a race for $20K that is back to fillies/mares on Friday and she's in.

Musical Trail is also coming off a good place effort last out in a $16K StAlw. No starters on the horizon so we'll try him at $25,000 and see how he fits. It's only 6F and he's been going at a mile so we'll also get a read on his sprinting ability.

Sweep House has two places in two starts at $12,500. He's not shown enough to move him up the ladder, but he's competitive enough here to not want to drop him either. There's a 1 1/4 mile race coming up and we'll see how long he wants to go.

RACES:
Musical Trail, 4yo+, 6.0F on dirt, $25,000 claiming. He is the 4-5 favorite breaking from post 4 in a field of 8.

He settles toward the rear of the field for the first quarter, then starts to move as they head into the turn -- he's blocked through part of the far turn but finds a gap and shoots through to take the race by four comfortable lengths, running a 93. I'd be fine moving him up to $32,500 based on that race, and the shorter distance didn't seem to faze him a bit other than early.

Devil Key, 4yo+(F), 6.0F on dirt, $20,000 claiming. She breaks from the 2 hole in this field of eight, and enters the gate co-second choice at 4-1 behind a 6-5 favorite.

She drops way back behind a speed duel in the front, way too far back to contend. She does rally for fourth but is well beaten and was never a threat. Back to $16K we go.

Sweep House, 4yo+, 10.0F on dirt, $12,500 claiming. Goes to the gate the co-favorite at 9-2 in a wide open field of 10. Could be an interesting race.

And it was. He was one of three vying for the early lead into the first turn where he drew off by four, holding the lead down the backstretch even as two rivals slowly closed the gap. He was passed at the quarter pole but fought back down the stretch to narrow the gap to a head in an exciting drive to the wire. It's nice to have a claimer who can get these longer distance races, the cheaper the level the more horses you find with distance limitations.

CLAIMS: We luck out. The horse I mentioned on 1/29 that we tried to claim but missed out on ran again at a bonehead AI level of $16,000. (actually, I think the AI does a damn good job overall, but there are misses like this -- but bear in mind there are misses like that in real life as well). This dynasty is a bit more challenging than I thought going in, so although house rules might apply in an easier setup, I happily snatch him up this time. We are going to clean up on the starter allowances with this guy, though we'll try higher as well. His last race? 101 speed rating.

Our newest addition to the FOFC Stables:
Proper Blues - 4yo brown colt. Top Account - Whata Answer by Buckaroo
Lifetime record: 4 starts, 4 wins, 0 place, 0 show -- $34,800 earned.
2007 record after claim: 2 starts, 2 wins, 0 place, 0 show -- $19,800
Claimed for $16,000 2/22/2007

[path12]

Originally Posted by chesapeake

I forgot to mention that I also have great memories of Longacres as a kid. My Uncle Orville and a couple of his buddies used to buy cheap claimers and try to win enough money to pay for their feed. The only winner I remember him having was Barbaric George, who had some sort of trouble getting out of the gate but ran everybody down and won comfortably.

I was thinking about this. For some reason it seemed like Longacres had quite a few horses with Barbaric in the name; but then one of the big local sires back then was Son of Briartic, so I might be mixing those up.

[path12]

2/26/2009:

NOTES: The 2yo in Training sale is this week, and we'll see the first workouts come up next week. I'll scan this sale but since we've already got five yearlings I'd rather spend money on horses I know can earn us some cash right now.

SCHEDULING:
Storm Sue comes off a place at NWX1. There are none of those on the horizon that are suitable for either surface or distance. She's proven that NWX2 isn't for her, so we find a $40K claimer a couple of weeks out.

RACES:
None.

Made no bids on the 2yo sale.

[path12]

3/1/2007:

FOFC STABLE RECAP - MARCH 2007

Bankroll: $70,295 (last $51,425)
Trainer: Ubaldo Diaz -- 12% win pct. Purse ranking: 8th.

2007 Record: 12 starts, 2 win, 6 place, 0 show (47th)
2007 Earnings: $54,370 (71st)

Energy level in parentheses after name.

Devil Key (95) -- 5yo chestnut mare. Bought for $24,000. 2006 net: $38,660.
Lifetime record: 25 starts, 4 win, 2 place, 8 show, $94,580.
2007 record: 3 starts, 1 win, 1 place, 0 show, $15,720

Ain't Armor (0 - INJURED UNTIL MAY) -- 4 yo bay filly. Bought for $8,000. 2006 net: $5,820.
Lifetime record: 11 starts, 2 win, 1 place, 2 show, $24,330
2007 record: None.

Seattle Back (98 - slight illness) -- 4yo gray colt. Claimed for $40,000. 2006 net: $18,630.
Lifetime record: 10 starts, 3 win, 2 place, 2 show, $73,630
2007 record: 1 starts, 0 win, 0 place, 0 show, $0

Storm Sue (98) -- 5yo black filly. Claimed for $32,500. 2006 net: ($10,660)
Lifetime record: 16 starts, 6 win, 5 place, 3 show, $126,420
2007 record: 2 starts, 0 win, 1 place, 0 show, $7,800

Musical Trail (96) -- 4yo bay colt. Claimed for $16,000. 2006 net: $6,530
Lifetime record: 6 starts, 3 win, 0 place, 0 show, $42,810
2007 record: 3 starts, 1 win, 1 place, 0 show, $21,850

Irish Bricks Again (100) -- 2yo black colt. Bought for $13,000. Unraced.

Nobody Likes Bing (100) -- 2yo chestnut filly. Bought for $8,000. Unraced.

Lynch Barkeep (100) -- 2yo chestnut filly. Bought for $4,000. Unraced.

Diseased Yak (100) -- 2yo bay colt. Bought for $3,000. Unraced.

Sweep House (95) -- 5yo bay horse. Bought for $10,000. 2006 net: N/A
Lifetime record: 18 starts, 1 win, 2 place, 1 show, $28,110
2007 record: 3 starts, 0 win, 3 place, 0 show, $9,000

Proper Blues (98) -- 4 yo brown colt. Claimed for $16,000.
Lifetime record (at claim): 4 starts, 4 win, 0 place, 0 show, $34,800
2007 record at claim: 2 starts, 2 win, 0 place, 0 show, $19,800
FOFC record: None.

[path12]

3/5/2007:

NOTES: Though Seattle Back is back up to 99 energy following his illness, he had a sluggish work last week, 6F in 113.4, so I'll give him one more week before scheduling him. That should allow him a couple more works to sharpen back up.

SCHEDULING: Proper Blues is ready for his first race under the FOFC silks. He's blown lesser competition away, so let's first try him under starter allowance company to begin to figure out how good he actually is. There is a $16,000 StAlw in a week and a half at 8.5F. That should be a good place to start.

RACES:
Storm Sue, 4yo+(F), 8.0F on dirt, $40,000 claiming. She breaks from the inside as the 7-2 third choice in a field of seven. When we first claimed her I thought she would love more distance. So far it's turned out that she did want more distance than she had been racing at (5 - 5.5F), but not necessarily a route. So that's a long way to say I'm nervous about the distance, but not the company.

She breaks smartly and settles fifth along the rail in traffic sitting closely off the leader. She slowly closes and is blocked mid-turn during the first part of her drive, but she finds a gap in the stretch and wins handily by 2 1/2 lengths. She didn't look to have any problem at the distance.

[path12]

3/12/2007:

NOTES: Forgot to mention Storm Sue ran a 93. I'm trying to add the speed rating more.

SCHEDULING:
Trying to discover Seattle Back's turf ability has proven a challenge, between lack of available races and his apparently fragile health. There are no good (read NWX1/high claiming turf route) races on the horizon. So we can run him on dirt or try and find a race elsewhere. In this case I'm sticking to my original rule of no shipping out except for stakes races, so we find an NWX1 on the dirt this Friday and will bring him back there.

My base assumption for Musical Trail is that since he just won by daylight in a $25,000 claimer at 4-5 odds, he is not safe to run at that level right now. The problem is to figure out where to put him: 8.5F at either NWX1 or $50K? That seems too high. $32.5K at a turf sprint doesn't thrill me either (I get no sense he would like grass). Finally a couple weeks out there is a mile on dirt at $32,500 and we enter him there.

(While I'm thinking of surfaces, I'd like to share the totally off-game fact that the synthetic surfaces in racing have messed up my handicapping something fierce.)

2 year old report. We have the first workouts! None of them appear to be future Derby contenders, which is not that surprising since none of them cost over $13,000. Irish Bricks Again looks most likely to race first, his two works were 102.1 at 5F in the mud and 37.3 at 3F. One of the compelling yet maddening things about Racing Breed is that you get no indications of whether/where/when to schedule anything, just the past performances, workouts and condition. I'm unsure on how I feel about that. On one hand, it's cool to try and figure out everything on your own; on the other it would be nice if your trainer could tell you something, anything about how your horses are, you know, training.

I digress.

RACES:
Proper Blues, 4yo+, 8.5F on dirt, $16,000 StAlw. As the 6-5 favorite breaking from the rail in a 10-horse field, and with speed ratings that only one other horse can even approach, he looks like an overlay even at those meager odds. All of which makes me nervous for the race.

He duels for the lead early against the 6 horse, puts that rival away at the end of the first turn and never looks back, opening up a 10 length lead at the half. The 2-1 second choice closed to within 2 at the end but nobody else was near them and Proper Blues runs a respectable 93 and stays unbeaten.

Seattle Back, 4yo+, 8.5F on dirt, NWX1 Alw. Despite having valid excuses for the past two races (horrible trip and illness), the results are what the bettors see and he goes off as a 12-1 outsider breaking from post 7 of 10. I think he has the potential to surprise, but he might also need this race.

He breaks well and settles fourth, moving up along the backstretch to challenge the second place horse and then making a big move to break free from him and move on the leader. The move stalls though and he cannot get closer than 3 lengths, eventually finishing third while running a 94. It's around what I expected.

[path12]

3/19/2007:

SCHEDULING: Has become fairly routine for both Devil Key and Sweep House, both of whom are ready. Find a $16,000 sprint for the former and a $12,500 race for the latter -- or as close as we can get. We find suitable races for both.

RACES:
Sweep House, 4yo+, 7.0F on dirt, $16.000 claiming. He is the co 9-2 third choice breaking from the outside of an 8 horse field. There were no $12.5K's for him, but three places at that level suggests competitiveness here.

He duels with the 7-2 second choice through a quick half in 46.2, but cannot sustain in the stretch and fades to fifth with a rating of 69.

Musical Trail, 4yo+, 8.0F on dirt, $32,500 claiming. He is the 2-1 favorite breaking from post 4 in the 10 horse field.

He settles midpack down the backstretch, swings three wide around the turn and accelerates in the stretch, engaging the pacesetter at the sixteenth pole and then drawing off for a comfortable 2 length win at a 95 rating. Plus no claim!

[path12]

3/26/2007:

SCHEDULING: Proper Blues is ready. We might as well find out if he can hang with the non-claimers and find a NW1X for next week at 8.5F.

Out of the 2 year olds, Irish Bricks Again is possibly ready for a maiden claiming try -- under 50 seconds at 4F twice, and one work at 5F suggest he is at least strong enough for a 4.5F race. We find a $25,000 claimer at that distance and enter him just to see what happens.

RACES:

Devil Key, 4yo+(F), 7.0F on dirt, $16,000 claiming. She breaks from post 6 in a field of 10 as the 2-1 favorite.

She breaks well and settles in third, three back behind a 46.3 pace, moves forward and splits the frontrunners in the early stretch and draws off by 1 1/2 lengths, putting up a figure of 72.

[path12]

4/2/2007:

SCHEDULING: Seattle Back did well enough in his first race back from injury on dirt (94 rating at 8.5F) to remind me not to overly focused on his grass potential -- when a race comes up we'll toss him in then. What does concern me is the fact that he's had six or seven NW1X races without a win to show for it, despite being generally quite competitive. If this happens again we'll drop him to high claiming -- he's four and we should maximize his earnings. But one more NW1X this Wednesday. (EDIT: Turns out I've already got Proper Blues entered here. I don't want to have them both in the same race and there's not another good NW1X soon, so in keeping with my thoughts above we're putting him in a $50,000 claimer. It's a sprint though so I'm not all that sure about this one either.

Storm Sue comes off a solid win at $40K. As a 5 year old she's a hard claim to make at that price (though certainly possible) so I'll run her back at the same level and distance this Sunday.

RACES:

Proper Blues, 4yo+, 8.5F on dirt, NWX1 Alw. He is an 8-1 outsider on the rail in the field of 8. It's a big jump, will be interesting to see.

He breaks sharply and duels with the seven horse through a half in 47.1, slowly giving ground through the turn but hanging a close fourth until the final furlong where he tires and ends up 11 lengths back in fifth, running a 78. Wasn't a bad race, worth another shot at this level I think.

Irish Bricks Again, 2yo, 4.5F on dirt, $25,000 claiming. He breaks from outside post 10 as the 3-1 second choice. Exciting to see your horse's debut, especially at a low level where you don't expect him to be a world beater. Can he show a flash of ability?

Yes! He jumps out by 3 at the start and holds that through the turn and a half at 46.4! He's challenged strongly in the stretch and is just nosed at the finish, running a 72 and just missing a debut maiden win.

And then the bad news. Irish Bricks Again was claimed for $25,000 by Pate Stables. AAAAAARRRGHHH!!!

The ledger for Irish Bricks Again:
Bought: $13,000
Earnings: $3,400
Training cost: $2,000
Sold: $25,000
Net profit: $6,600.

Seattle Back, 4yo+, 6.0F on dirt, $50,000 claiming. He is a 10-1 outsider coming from post 5 of 7. I'm so pissed about the last race I expect nothing but suckage here.

Which it isn't. He sits two back of the leader early, moves to within a neck of that one by the top of the stretch but the leader then draws off by five, though Seattle Back holds the rest of the field clear by 3 1/2 on his way to a rating of 95 and the place. Still not quite getting over the hump, but you don't sneeze at a payday.

Storm Sue, 4yo+(F), 8.0F on dirt, $40,000 claiming. She is the 6-5 favorite breaking from the 5 hole. Her main rival is 3-2 Ebony Dancer in post 9.

She settles midpack to the half, then moves to second around the turn, two back of the leader. Gamely digs in down the stretch but cannot make up ground and ends up third by two lengths. Ebony Dancer finished fourth.

[Tasan]

Just wanted to say I'm reading this. I love reading the horse racing dynasties, but I can never figure the games out themself.

[chesapeake]

I'm glad this is back on! Sucks about Irish getting claimed.

[path12]

4/9/2007:

NOTES: Still a bit hacked about losing Irish Bricks Again. That really surprised me. I'm not above scouring 2yo claiming races now to see if we find any steals.

SCHEDULING: Musical Trail is coming off of solid wins at $25 and $32,500 claiming. We'll keep climbing the ladder and find a $40,000 race for him this Wednesday.

Sweep House faded at $16K after racing up front. Since there is nothing in the near future at either $12 or $10K, we stick him in another race at the same $16,000 level going in a couple of weeks.

RACES:

Musical Trail, 4yo+, 8.0F on dirt, $40,000 claiming. He is the 2-1 favorite in the seven horse field coming from post 4.

Unhurried early, he is sitting fifth on the rail about 8 back after a quick half in 45.2. He moves up coming into the stretch but is caught in traffic and cannot find his way clear, finishing fifth, eight lengths behind the winner after a troubled stretch drive, running an 89 after three straight races in the 90's. He would not have won that race because the winner got too far a lead but certainly would have been in the hunt for the place without the traffic. It's a decent level for another try.

[QuikSand]

I have played through about 15 years in my only career in this game. Have never kept a really deep stable, I tend to buy a number of yearlings at the December auction, but dispose of them as soon as it's clear they aren't going to be serious stakes horses. Heh, now I sell half my crop before their first race, on the weaknesses of their works alone.

So far, I have had three colts make the Derby field, but only one in single digit odds and he was no threat. Got a third in the Secretariat (Belmont) just by passing tired rivals. Had one sprinter who made second in the Breeder's Cup Sprint, and have a turf-loving filly who has some shot in the F&M Turf this year, I think.

I basically plow into each December with $1-2m in cash, blow more than half of it on new colts, and see what we can do from there. Scared money don't make money, yo.

Good luck to you, too.

[path12]

4/16/2007:

SCHEDULING: Proper Blues ran a decent race to the stretch while making a huge class jump last out. I'd like to find something from 6F to a mile at around $40,000 -- a notch or two below the last NW1X. But the racing secretary isn't kind, and we settle for another 8.5F NW1X and hope for improvement his second time out against this company.

Devil Key has pretty conclusively proven herself to be a $16,000 claimer, she has two wins and a place in her last three starts at that level. However, in her last two starts at $20,000 she has run midpack. I think I'd rather run for the win and schedule her for another $16K, though stretching from 7F to a mile.

You can't protect your cheap 2 year olds, so I look to see if any are ready to try a race. Lynch Barkeep has two four furlong and one five furlong works which suggest a horse strong enough to race (I need to see at least one five furlong workout before trying a horse in a race. If they're staying at 3F it appears to be a sign that the horse isn't ready to go yet. Every 2yo I can remember who I've started with just a fast 3F work has faded horribly). Anyway, I find another $25,000 maiden claimer at 4.5F next week sometime and put her down for it.

RACES:

Devil Key, 4yo+(F), 8.0F on dirt, $16,000 claiming. She is the 9-2 second choice in a contentious group of 10 coming from post 4.

There has to be a problem with her. A very dull race, she breaks toward the rear and never really does anything, ending up well back in 8th while running just a 57. A check of the stables says she came out of the race just fine. Hmmmm.

[path12]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

I have played through about 15 years in my only career in this game. Have never kept a really deep stable, I tend to buy a number of yearlings at the December auction, but dispose of them as soon as it's clear they aren't going to be serious stakes horses. Heh, now I sell half my crop before their first race, on the weaknesses of their works alone.

So far, I have had three colts make the Derby field, but only one in single digit odds and he was no threat. Got a third in the Secretariat (Belmont) just by passing tired rivals. Had one sprinter who made second in the Breeder's Cup Sprint, and have a turf-loving filly who has some shot in the F&M Turf this year, I think.

I basically plow into each December with $1-2m in cash, blow more than half of it on new colts, and see what we can do from there. Scared money don't make money, yo.

Good luck to you, too.

I've got two long-term (7-8 years each) careers, and both of them have full 40 horse stables with usually 7-10 spots opening up at the end of each year. I find I suck pretty bad with picking 2 year olds generally. I've only had one Derby horse who finished sixth, but my pride is a horse I picked up in a Horses of Racing Age sale and ended up Horse and Sprinter of the Year, winning the Breeders Cup Distaff.

It's way cool to get a good horse.

[RedHawk00]

Have not read dynasties in a while, but i will catch up with this one today because I too as a kid loved Longacres, spent many an afternoon watching the races, hanging out at the stables with my buddy & his dad. His dad owned some horses, good times as a kid. That place holds a special place in my heart.