Every time we took a breath and thought that finally the winter had broken and spring was on its way then we got another chilly blast to remind us that March in New York can be beautiful and swiftly followed by harsh winter conditions again.
March was a good month however for the horses as they seemed to continue their form from February and consistently ran well! we had several placings and wins but perhaps the most satisfactory was Handy Stan who we claimed out of a maiden 25,000 for long time supporter Robert Murray. We came back in the same race a month later and Stan won by 11 lengths. As the horse appeared to have come out of his race absolutely bouncing out of his skin we decided to go back 8 days later and have a crack at a second race which Stan, although a little leg weary toward the end, also won, this time by 2 lengths. He is a New York bred who has run some good races previously but seems to be putting it all together now and having beaten open company claimers last time I believe deserves a shot at a state bred allowance race which he will aim for on the 26th April.
Media Kid is the first horse I have had for Zilla racing Stables and having claimed the horse for 35,000 i was pleasantly pleased by his debut for the barn when he ran a solid third on a dead rail in a starter allowance race. Between his first and second start for the barn however he really started to blossom and put on weight and with this he seemed to start moving better and better and so we came back nicely in 21 days and reverted to the turf which is a surface he is bred to appreciate. I am delighted to say The Kid won for Zilla Racing stables and our association could not have got off to a better start.
Maggie’s Lad also won for us and was claimed which was slightly heart wrenching to have a horse who was named for you and your girlfriend to be taken but I was delighted for Winter Park partners that he was able to win first time off a 6 month layoff.
Maggie (human Maggie) and I went to the Adena Springs sale of two year olds in Florida and then onto the beach for a couple of days as it seemed like the time to take 48 hours away and try and relax and refresh a little. Sadly when we got to the beach in Florida it was so cold that Maggie managed to get sick!!! How typical that two people who had worked through the New York winter and needed just the briefest spell of good weather and mental break had to choose the coldest days in March to do it! We did however have a lovely time and I have to admit I was soundly beaten on the crazy golf course, much to my utter dismay!
April will be a busy month with the OBS sale and moving barns at Belmont and plenty of race course action but hopefully the horses continue to run well and win plenty of races and the stable grows in quality and quantity!
Tom Morley
