Race 60

RACEDAY dawns! It's rainy, damp & cold. The Main Track is a bog. We drew the outside post - in a 5 furlong sprint no less. Dangit! Uncle B is in the race as well - having beat us in the last 2 races. Double Dangit! We "Hooked A Bear" with a new horse named Wora we'd never seen before - installed as the M/L Favourite. Triple Dangit!

So What Does Our Warhorse Do?

HE GOES OUT AND SETS THE TRACK RECORD!

You're Damn Right You Read That Correctly!

Our Novgorod The Great, this October 9, 2022, sets the TRACK RECORD for 5 Furlongs on the Tapeta surface running a girdle rippling 55.48 - and did I tell you... IN THE RAIN and FROM THE OUTSIDE POST!

He easily dispatches, with authority, - the other hapless ponys in this race, finishing 2 lengths in front of the 2 betting Favourites in the field! Jockey Luca Pacini hasn't flown that fast since he left Italy on the Concorde bound for America!

Only Money Rabbit, (Jean) and Clocker Rabbit, (Family Irritant Steve), were able to watch it in person. And what a show they saw.

So Here's How It Went Down.

We are the last one loaded in the gate. When the gate springs open we are off like a shot. We sit on the outside of Uncle B who makes the lead on the rail. In third, off our right shoulder, is newcomer and Favourite Wora stalking us as he sets up for a big run down the lane. He's already counting the Money. None of the other mules matter, cuz they don't have a chance of being on the Board.

The Fractions Are Insane. 21.8 For The Quarter With 43.8 For The Half!

Uncle B, still on the lead, turns for home. Luca shakes the reins, gives our boy his head and Uncle B is on the lead no more. Wora's jock, already practicing his smile for the Winners Circle photo, presses the "Let's Go" button on his mule, only to discover that he's losing ground to our boy.

As for Uncle B and Wora, they're exhausted, gasping for breath, as they watch Novgorod's ass disappear in front of them. Suddenly, it dawns upon them both that....

NOVGOROD HAD CUT OUT THEIR HEARTS FROM THEIR CHESTS & LEFT THEM BEATING USELESSLY ON THE TRACK BY THE 16TH POLE.

Their defeat was so crushing and so complete, they may never race again - especially as they now are without Hearts.

As The Princess Kathy is screaming at the TV from our home, I'm struck by how professional Novgorod looked running this race. Not a wasted move, producing another gear when asked, and not allowing anyone to even think about coming by him. That's 8 races with 4 wins - 2 seconds - and 2 thirds. HE HAS YET TO FINISH OFF THE BOARD!

Photo top right is of our boy ripping down the lane. Photo mid-left is Master Groom Roberta nailing the Winners Circle photo to the Wall Of Victories back at the barn in Ocala - under the watchful gaze of our Novgorod. Photo medley mid-right shows Novgorod being annoyed by Clocker Rabbit. Join the Club!

Thanks go to Trainer Jimmy Gulick who had this boy READY. In a phone call afterwards to give me his Race Recap, he told me a couple stories - one that I shan't repeat - but the other apparently had Novgorod talking to Jimmy on the way back to Ocala, informing him that he doesn't like to be away from his home that long.

Thanks to his Barn staff starting with Master Horsewoman Roberta and all the others who care for this beast day in and day out. Also, let us not forget thanks to Chris Block who pulled this diamond out of the rough and suggested we buy him! We love you all!

STAY TUNED FOR WHATEVER IS NEXT!