Smokie - a bad boy and sick as well

[geowarrior]

Citi Smoke (one of the horses I own a share in) is in the 8th race at Fair Grounds on Sunday February 11th. It's a 1&1/16 mile turf allowance. He's stretching out from his previous mile distance but I don't think that will be a problem at all. It's an 8 horse race and Smokie has previously beaten three of them, so he must have a bit of a chance. There are several horses entered for main track only. All of the MTO entries are pretty good and the race would get considerably more competitive if it were to come off the turf. Interesting jockey change for Smokie, he'll be ridden for the first time by Robbie Albarado.

For Ben and anyone else who wants to see the post-race video replay, it's www.fairgroundsracecourse.com, race 8 Sunday 11th February, and Smokie has post position 4 (and he's gray - usually in last place after the start, likes to close dramatically at the end if he's in a good mood).

[henthorn]

Oh boy, sounds like fun!

[jagger]

Best of luck to you and Smokie!!

[Toccet02]

Do well, come back sound and happy, make a little money!
OR--
Blow em away, Smokie, if you're in the mood!
Best of luck
T

[galleria10]

Good luck, I'll be watching and praying a safe trip and return.

[geowarrior]

Smokie was well placed but very badly behaved for most of the race, then fell back at the end. Hard to tell if he was just a bad boy or whether he wasn't fast enough, although the first and second placed horses were both horses that Smokie had beaten before. It's possible he didn't get the extra 1/16th mile, although I'd be surprised if that were the case. Not a good show by Smokie, but let's hope he's o.k. for another day.

Haven't heard yet if he came out of the race in shape but will update when I know something.

[geowarrior]

Smokie was scoped after the race and there was a lot of thick mucus in his lungs (3 on a scale of 1 to 5).

The jockey (Robbie Albarado) said that Smokie was very headstrong and not relaxed until the final turn, when he made an impressive move and the jockey thought he was really going to explode, but of course he faded instead. Albarado thought that Smokie expended too much energy with his behavior earlier in the race, but now having found that his lungs are choked up there is probably a dual explanation for his lack of spark in the finish.

Smokie had been scoped after his last workout last weekend, and his lungs were clear then, but the vet said that this thick mucus was brought up from deep in Smokie's lungs with the exertion of the race.

Anyway, Smokie will be treated for his problem, and he did behave well in paddock and gate, and also broke quite well. Albarado did like the way he felt once he settled down, so in good health and with increasing maturity, Smokie will live to fight another day.

[henthorn]

Great news! Thanks for the update.

[BenB]

Give him time for getting sound again, he needs also time for maturing
The trainer should train him on relaxing in the race, because he won,t win with the headstrung behavior.
Luts of lucks next time out.

[geowarrior]

Smokie came out of his race ok but was quieter than usual. Not too surprising given the state of his lungs. However, a good thing is that he's showing no sign of fever. He should be fine in the long run.

[geowarrior]

Smokie breezed this weekend with Oriental Rose, he did fine but probably needs a little more time. However he is well on the road to recovery.

[ratherrapid]

another small sign that you've got a decent trainer geo. they're both back! keep us posted!