A Crazed Backstretch with Gordon on Thursday morning

It was only fitting this Thursday morning that my first stop in The Red Mile backstretch was to see the colt trotter Crazed, since I am feeling a bit crazed after a long, long day yesterday with being at the track in the morning, a short stop in the office, back to the track for the races, out to Fasig Tipton for the sale—and let’s not forget all the socializing done throughout.

I saw trainer Frank Antonacci and congratulated him on his winning with Highscore Kemp again yesterday, giving the $300,000 yearling purchase of last year her second straight victory in Lexington. He had just come back to the barn with Crazed after a jog around the track, so of course I asked how the trotter was doing two days before Saturday’s Kentucky Futurity.

Frank told me he trained Crazed in about 2:00 on Monday and things are good and he’s looking forward to Saturday. Ray Schnittker was sitting at a table in Frank’s barn so I asked Frank if he “consoled” Ray on Deweycheatumnhowe drawing the outside post 10 while Crazed drew post four, and he laughed and said that the posts don’t matter and that “The Red Mile is the fairest track anywhere” regarding starting spots. And remember, Dewey won from post 10 in the Canadian Trotting Classic, one week after Crazed beat him in the eliminations.

We talked about last night’s sale that went pretty good and I asked Frank if he bought anything. He said he had looked at several trotters and was interested, but that he eventually only left with a $50,000 Rocknroll Hanover.

Good ole Waterstone stuck his head out of the stall when he saw me, and cocked his head sideways so I could rub his neck. At least we get along. Who knows what the future will hold for him, but I still think there is some talent in there and he will once again find the winner’s circle.

Keeping the morning busy, I then went to Fred Grant’s barn where Brent MacGrath had brought Somebeachsomewhere in for a training session. I gave Brent some copies of last week’s Horseman which had the picture of the 1:46.4 mile on the cover, and then watched as he took the pacer to the track for his first trip. There was once again an entourage around the colt and several cameras were once again clicking away.

I wrapped up my jaunt around the backstretch and headed to the car and stopped a few moments to chat with Kentucky Horseman’s Association executive director Bill Napier and veteran Bluegrass horseman Jack Gray, and then also walked by another Kentucky stalwart, Bob Stewart. Then I asked Randy in the parking lot to try and save me a good parking spot when I return. Randy’s been a bit flustered this year as the parking area he oversees in front of the grandstand was moved back, costing him what he told me was 18 parking spots. So it’s a bit tougher to get a spot up front, but he always does his best for me.

And finally, I was contemplating filling the car’s gas tank, but it’s still got more than a quarter of a tank since I filled it the Sunday before the Grand Circuit stand opened. Not a whole lot of driving I guess. But since gas was $3.44 when I went to the track and then $3.41 on the way out, I’m going to gamble and wait for another drop.

« Back