Coming off a Win in his last race, our Novgorod the Great was in a little deeper this time but....
OUR WAR HORSE STILL DELIVERED ANOTHER VICTORY!!
In a thrilling race this July 23rd at Gulfstream Park, our steed took the lead at the head of the Stretch and held on with authority from a furious charge of horses - winning defiantly by a head! We were in the 4th on the card in an Allowance Optional Claiming (AOC) at 5.5 furlongs on the artificial Tapeta surface. The purse was a luscious $51,000!
Luca Panici was again aboard our hero - this time adorned in the shocking yellow and magenta colors of Princess Kathy Racing. We had drawn the 4 hole in this field of eight and left the gate as the 2-1 favourite, proving the crowd was damn smarter than the Morning line Oddsmaker who had us at 6-1. IDIOT!
Click Here For Video Of Mom's Predictions- Click Here For Video Of The Paddock
- Click Here For Video Of Mom & Rick Watching The Race
- Click Here For Video Of Winners Circle Excitement
- Click Here For The Winners Circle Photo
- Click Here For Official Result
- Click Here For Video Of Race Broadcast At The Track
- Click Here For Video Of Head On View Of Race
- Click Here For The Days Indian Charlie Edition
Mom and I were Trackside at GulfStream, anxiously awaiting the race in the air-conditioned Top Palm Restaurant noted for their scrumptious Buffet. Mom was betting heavy - wagering a whopping $10 on the nose of our Boy and was rewarded handsomely. (Come Sunday she will repent her scandalous vices at Church)
Princess Kathy herself was watching from our home, while assorted Rabbits across the country tuned in on TVG to watch.
Trainer Jimmy Gulick had vanned our boy down to Miama, leaving at midnight Friday for the 5 hour trek from Ocala - as he wanted Novgorod to travel in the cooler air of nightime. Master Groom Roberta and team had him ready and he looked magnificent when he pranced into The Paddock.
In the Winners Circle, Luca gave his race recap to Jimmy. One of the things he said was that as he and the WarHorse went into the turn, he was pulling back on Novgorod to rate him and save as much as he could for the Stretch Drive. When he pulled him back he said Novgorod uttered a "Uhhh" and Luca said it worried him. But when he asked him at the head of the Stretch, Novgorod poured the coals to it and got it done.
Jimmy reports that it looks like Novgorod came through fine. Let's keep it that way. Next race will be posted on the Website as soon as the Condition Book for August is published.
Finally, I'm getting tired of all the Track Announcers mispronouncing our Mule's name. His name is not NovOgrod - but NovGorod. I think Founder Rabbit needs to give that announcer a Dressing Down and get him to get his name right.
You'd Think A Horse That Has 3 Wins - 2 Seconds & 1 Third Out Of 6 Races Would Get Some Respect!
What Is He, Rodney Dangerfield?
