High Spirit, with an "M"

I just want to go on record and state that I did mention how well Spirit One worked around the track the other day. We don't have to dive into the particulars of whether or not I bet him, suffice it to say that the TSE opens in 22 hours and I really need the Nikkei 225 to do what I need it to do.

Einstein stumbled out of the gate and Spirit One took advantage of some rubbin' by Murtagh on Shea.

“Johnny (jockey Murtagh aboard Mount Nelson) had me in (trapped) all the way around,” said South-African jockey Shea after dismounting from Archipenko. “When it was time to go, I begged him (Murtagh) to let me go and he wouldn’t let me through.”

The replay and broadcast do not do the Million justice because when Dooley makes the call of Einstein making his move on the far turn, the crowd goes absolutely wild. He was definitely the fan favorite.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous and the turf was listed as good. The Secretariat GI, run an hour earlier, was completed 2/5 faster but with slower early fractions. Tizdejavu could not hang on and faded to third.

I don't know the final attendance figures, I am sure they are somewhere and easily accessible but it was the biggest crowd I have seen since I started going in 2003.


In what I thought was a gesture of pure class, Helen Pitts, while attending to Einstein, debriefing Albarado and receiving condolences from the fans, spotted Spirit One trotting up after his cool out and directed their attention toward the deserving winner. A page right out of Dutrow's book.

I missed the paddock and post parade for the Beverly D. I blame the Arlington concessions; in line for ten minutes for a beer and when I make it to the register they decide to change the register drawers...WTF?!?!?!? Another ten minutes at the next one, handled by what I am sure are wonderful people but who have absolutely no business working the bar.

The poor guy in front of me waited a good 45 seconds I would say and had to order it three times. A long island ice tea perhaps, a grasshopper? Oh no...a bottle of water.

The ticket windows moved like clockwork, so well done there.

The day was marred by one breakdown, in the seventh race, the Forward Pass. Noble Hero was on the lead when he went wrong. He walked on to the horse ambulance but I don't know what the extent of his injury was.

I was there when the gates opened and am tired so I'll leave you with one of the things that make me smile...

Vuja De

'That bizarre feeling that you have never seen or experienced this before, usually occurring during finals.'

I interviewed trainer Greg Fox today-I know, I know, worlds colliding.

For those of you who don't know, he trains the probable post time favorite for the Secretariat GI, Tizdejavu. He also trained Slew's Tizzy during the Triple Crown run last year. It was very much a spur of the moment sort of thing and the man was extremely gracious with his time and answers.

Arlington had their semi-regular Breakfast at Arlington thing, where Liane Davis(trainer) and track announcer John (The favorite obliges) Dooley, host an informal meet and greet if you will. They usually mike-up jockey James Graham as he works a horse or two and they have guest trainers and track execs chat with the public. If today's attendance is any indication of tomorrows crowd, Arlington could set an attendance record. Picture perfect weather; high 70's and sunny tomorrow-no humidity.

Guests this morning included the aforementioned Greg Fox, Archipenko jockey Kevin Shea and local trainer Anthony Granitz. Michael de Kock was supposed to be in attendance but he was unable to make it. The ESPN crew was also present, Jerry Bailey, Randy Moss and Jeanine Edwards-who is definitely NOT too skinny but that is another forum altogether.


Bailey's head, I swear.








Pat Day was providing star power to the silent auction of memorabilia to support the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America (I was immedieately outbid on Dreaming of Anna's bridle).

Greg Fox was answering questions from the hosts when I showed up so I missed the bulk of his set but I did catch his closing remarks where he mentioned his use of high tech equipment in his training regimen. Being moderately obsessed with equine exercise physiology, that got me thinking. Bailey et al walked right by me several times-I even caught a whiff of Ms.(?) Edwards' perfume-as if to mock me and dare me to ask them a question but I refused....dumb ass.

By the time I got home I was looking for something to do so I decided to track down Greg Fox and see if I could con him into speaking for 30 seconds with me. I imagined that I would have no luck in getting his information since my recent attempts at obtaining trainer contact info has proved fruitless; Area 51 has easier security clearance. To my utter amazement, the racing office was quite prompt and efficient in providing me with his number with nary a question as to my mental state. Silly, silly fools.

Greg Fox was more than cordial and did not disparage my obvious lack of qualifications. I imagined, for whatever reason, that we would discuss the finer points of training philosophy and dietary requirements to maintain the proper level of ATP vs ADP glycogen conversion rates without affecting the Krebs cycle...I have no idea what the hell I just wrote there, just go with it.

When he stated, very early on, that he did not believe in interval training per se, it defenestrated my entire list of questions; I was forced to ad lib. I pushed the TBA and he was genuinely interested. I was shocked, shocked I say, to hear that he had never read my blog but I let it slide.

The piece of equipment that I heard him describe during the breakfast was the E-Trakka, created by Andrew Stewart from Australia and a man that could use the business. It incorporates GPS technology into a tracking device that gives a trainer an exceptional tool to analyze a horse's workout. Fox credits it with providing him the information to give Tizdejavu a try on the grass.

While I did record the conversation there was no actual question and answer phase and the call steered more toward the honest and mundane exchange of two people sharing a passion. We did not discuss Tizdejavu outside of me wishing him bon chance in the race tomorrow, I figure he has answered enough questions about his horse in the press. He very kindly offered to take me around his operation if ever I found myself in Lexington and did much to butress my confidence in humanity.

My humble thanks to Mr. Greg Fox.

I finally managed to get a trainer to call me back and agree to tolerate my ass on the backstretch. It's not the Brooklyn Backstretch but it will do; I start Thursday. Thank you Michele Boyce.

My daughter was climbing all over me and cooing at every single horse that came along so these were the only worthwhile pictures I could get of Saturday's GI entrants.










That horse I posted about earlier this week, the one I thought started with an "M"?

Yeah, that was Spirit One.











I will be at Arlington all day tomorrow so if you see a guy with a hat on, come by and say hi....

E=MC2

Here is what the field is going to see at the wire in Saturday's GI Arlington Million.

Einstein stretched his legs this morning, galloping around the turf course; he looked good doing it too. I would imagine that the turf is still on the soft side of good but the weather is supposed to be great all week and Saturday is forecast to be sunny and in the high 70's.




The track was the busiest I have seen it and with only one loose horse incident to show for it, a situation that was swiftly brought to a successful conclusion.













There was a Wayne Catalano sighting and I overheard him bemoaning the fact that he could not find good help. If that poor man ever manages to get a competent team together, watch out. I think he might have a future in this game.

I'll be at Arlington all week so if anyone has anything they would like me to cover I will do what I can; so long as it does not involve me doing any actual work or, you know, talking to anyone.