First Home Bred

[jfw]

I became a member here this past November when I wanted some opinions on my first yearling. She was just barely over 14 hands high and I wanted to know what experienced horsemen thought about that.

Well, I have since tried to sell her, but no one really wants a horse that small, so I kept her and she is now training well. She still is only about 14.2 and hasn't grown a fraction in over six months, but what can I do?

So I was real excited when she worked 3/8 last week in 36 and 3. It was her 2nd or 3rd work at that distance. Today, she worked her first 1/2 mile against a filly that the trainer really likes. They stayed together until the last eighth, then the other filly pulled away by a couple of lengths. My final time was 49 and 3 or 4.

Is this encouraging to anyone? I would be interested to know what everyone's thoughts are. The only thing that I was disappointed in was that she looked all out for that final eighth, and her last split was probably 13 and 1. The other, bigger 2 yr old filly looked like she was going easy.

I guess I should be happy that my filly is progressing well enough that we are talking about racing in 6 weeks or so.

[yukidragon]

good luck to you

[Mahubah]

How experienced was the other filly? That can make a big difference.

[FOS]

hi jfw

Which track did she work over?

Was the work considered a breeze or handily?

Respectfully

[bcassidy]

too early to tell. Enjoy the experience of racing a horse you bred. It won't matter if she wins a 5 k claimer or a stakes race the thrill will be the same. Good luck and just hope she stays sound so you can get her into a race. She will let you know what level she belongs at, so just pay attention and place her where she can be competitive. Way too early to tell what you have or don't have yet. Good luck and ask questions as you go but remember to enjoy it, there are many more setbacks than there are accomplishments so don't be disheartened.

[henthorn]

Ditto what bcassidy said. I've had horses that were very slow in the mornings who won first time out. I've had others I gave up on because of immaturity and lack of interest that developed into winners as they grew up. Just be patient and enjoy the process. She's young. If she gets sick of training or sore, give her time off. She sounds like she enjoys training, so you've already got a gutsy runner on your hands.

[henthorn]

Sorry, duplicate.

[jfw]

The horse shipped up from Ocala almost a month ago, she is now stabled at Thistledown. The other filly is at the same fitness level, they both were trying a 1/2 for the first time after a few works at 3/8.

I don't know if they called it a breeze or handily, but mine looked like she was being asked. Those stubby, little legs sure seemed like they were doing all they could do. But maybe when she gains more fitness she will be able to go 48 and change. I was kind of hoping for that today, since they have been galloping out a half I was thinking she was fit enough for that.

[jfw]

So if it is still too early to know what I got, when will I know? Is there a particular time that makes you think 'Hey, I think I got a decent one'?

Now I wasn't expecting her to go out and breeze a 48 flat, had she done that I wouldn't bother asking the question. Just because we are based out of Thistledown doesn't mean that we have to run there. The trainer has already shipped some 2 yr olds to Churchill, which he won. He also races at Mountaineer and the purses are nice there. I just would hate to think that after all this time and effort that I have spent, that all I am going to end up with is a Thistledown type horse.

I don't want to sound like I am complaining, because I am not. I am happy with her so far, it is just the excitement and that worry that is starting to build as we progress farther and farther. I have owned enough claimers in my day, but claiming a 5 yr old for 8000 is sure different than this breeding business that I am in now.

I just want to know when the time comes where someone says, "OK, you got a good one, now let's go make some money!" Ha Ha, if only it were that easy, huh? The suspense is killing me, I can't wait until her next workout.

[henthorn]

jfw, you just answered your own question. When the suspense disappears, and you don't feel like going across town to see her work out or run, it's time for considering a new home or career for her. Until then, you'll have to see how she performs in the afternoon, probably at Thistledown. If you try her in maiden company at Thistledown at the level your trainer thinks suits her, and she shows little interest, then you drop her into lower claiming races. On the other hand, if she totally toasts the competition, then you and your trainer look at additional options. It's better to see her win at Thistledown than to lose at Churchill. And her self-confidence plays a definite role in her development as a racehorse.

[louis finochio]

Post your fillys name and I'll check her pedigree, Thanks.

[jfw]

Louis,

I named her Quick Verdict. Her sire is Doneraile Court and her dam is Athena's Answer, so I figured that when a court returns an answer, it is in the form of a verdict. I thought it was kinda clever.

[bcassidy]

JFW--I love Doneraile Court. Is she dark bay or almost black and does she turn out ever so slightly from her front right ankle down? I have a Doneraile Court and I love her. I hear most of the slew's turn out on the front right a little. Good luck with her.

[jfw]

She is very dark, same color as her sire. I don't know about her turning out, maybe I am so worried about her stature that I don't notice, but she seems pretty straight to me.

Is your Doneraile Court of average size? I hear that he throws some smallish types, not to the extreme that mine is, but on average they are not real big. That is just what I was hearing down at the Keeneland sale this past September.

[bcassidy]

She was produced from a very big mare, well over 17h sired by unbridled and while she is not huge, she is definitely the smallest foal this mare has thrown. I would guess at full maturity she will be 16h. Good luck with yours, I named mine Cullingtree Road.