Proud Moment

Tweet Champion filly Proud Spell pictured left after winning the 128th running of the Alabama Stakes (G1) on Saturday. The much maligned 20 year old Gabe Saez held off a gallant charge by the Sheikh's very talented Music Note in the battle of the meet so far. The five horse race was instantly became a classic as the duel for supremacy in the 3yo filly division may have been decided. Will we see the rematch at Santa Anita on Breeders Cup Friday? Doubtful, but let's hope so.

We brought some tremendous summer weather east with us from Buffalo and had another nice day on the Porch yesterday for some excellent racing at the Spa. My handicapping lull rebounded hitting back to back trifectas in the 3rd and 4th races on Sunday. The place is just magical and it was definitely buzzing with a large crowd on another giveaway day. The Space Gal secured our long sleeve tees later in the day, avoiding the spinners, after the 6th race, nice work!

Here are some of the photos from the weekend:

A pumped up Gabe Saez after winning the Alabama!

Trainer Larry Jones leading the winner-to-be in the paddock.

One of the artists emerged from the Yaddo ended up next to Sea Hero in the paddock for some painting duty. He really shouldn't be making fun of those people in front of him...

Eddie Maple made an appearance at JB's bachelor party at the Top of the Stretch.

The Maven sporting his favorite tee, while his better half Casey tries hitting her third Pick-Six of the year.

Music Note being handled in the paddock prior to the big race.

Some old fashioned gate schooling at the Oklahoma Training Track on Sunday morning.

Nick Zito-trainee and Haskell runner-up Coal Play who took it to Big Brown, with NPZ himself in the background.


Cooling down after a workout.

Godolphin's Numaany (#1, JJ up) and Tizbig (#3) both stumble out of the gate, and rebound to complete the exacta (1/3) in the 3rd!

Persistently ($9.90) broke her maiden in the 2nd, a 2yo filly race, with Alan Garcia in the irons (he won the first two races of the day).

We left after the eighth, picking up our traditional pie from D'Andreas for the long ride home....back in a week for another big day Saturday......