Skid Solo didn’t get any breaks with his race tomorrow at Longchamp; I chose a claimer over a Tierce handicap thinking it would be easier, but it won’t be. There are several black-type horses in the field, and we have a horrible draw in the 19 hole. We’ll have to really treat it as a comeback race and be careful not to ask for too much. With that draw, he will have to go behind and do what he can.
I’ve also finally got a look at Hard Way’s race, and nothing went right there. He looked pretty stressed out before the race, but putting him in the gate too early really did us in. He set a slow pace, but the eventual winner ran just on his heels or three-quarter length, which Hard Way can’t handle. We’ll toss this one out and start over. If he is well, there will be another chance for him at Longchamp near the end of the month, over 3,000 meters. In any case, I can see that the ear plugs will go back in and he MUST go in the gate last. Those two things will help us next time.
DerringBay, meanwhile, has come home in good shape and is eating up well. He was in hand today but will be ridden out tomorrow, and I’ll start looking for a race for him near the end of the month. Still waiting to see if Belle gets in Saturday at St. Cloud.