Glimmerglass
Mar. 13, 2008, 01:26 PM
[4/2/08 See update at bottom]
Since no one else will likely mention it I just have to :) Props to getting the heads up from Patricia
This weekend (3/15) is the Warrenton Hunt Point to Point at the Airlie Race Course (Virginia) and it marks the return - and the maiden timber start - of a great old horse that I've been a fan of for years: Rochester
Last seen running for his 5th time at Keeneland in the Fifth Third Elkhorn Stakes (G3-t) in 2006 at the age of 10 the George Strawbridge Jr. runner had a legion of fans. Multiple graded stakes winner he has since retiring from racing for a second career as a point to point runner for Augustin Stables. Some of those looks back:
2004 "Epicentre Rumbles to Elkhorn Victory" (http://bloodhorse.com/articleindex/article.asp?id=22089)
The 8-year-old Rochester, ridden by Cornelio Velasquez, rallied from ninth place in the 1 1/2-mile turf race to be second, a neck in front of Art Variety.
2005 photos when Rochester won the G3 Sycamore for the 3rd time with Gary Steven's up (http://www.racehorsephoto.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=t-2-2005-10-07-7)
TB Times 10-7-05 "Rochester ends long drought with third Sycamore win" (http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2005/October/07/Rochester-ends-long-drought-with-third-Sycamore-win.aspx)
"I can't explain it. He's a bit of a freak I guess," trainer Jonathan Sheppard said. "Some horses are like people. He's made his own rules, really. He's been running well in big races but he hadn't actually won one in quite a while, so I'm very happy for his reputation to be able to have a good win like this, particularly at a big track like Keeneland."
"I wish they were all that fun to ride," Gary Stevens said. "He's nine years old and has just about as much experience here as I do. He was happy with his position today and picked it up on his own. He made my job easy."
He is starting in the 8th PP of the Sixth Race (http://www.centralentryoffice.com/overnight.aspx?MeetId=War&MeetYear=2008): Novice Timber. About 3 miles over Timber - at approx 3:00 PM EST.
Now 12-yrs old but wise as they get he hopefully will do well. If anyone goes to the race be sure to wish him well.
Another runner is likely a big favorite: Straight Gin the former Marylou Whitney/Nick Zito Preakness runner. Lightly used in point to point racing (his 4th career after flat racing, dressage, and show jumping) he appears in Race 7 (The Springs Valley) in PP #7 an Open Timber race. Distance of About 3 miles over Timber - going off at abount 3:30 PM EST.
Since no one else will likely mention it I just have to :) Props to getting the heads up from Patricia
This weekend (3/15) is the Warrenton Hunt Point to Point at the Airlie Race Course (Virginia) and it marks the return - and the maiden timber start - of a great old horse that I've been a fan of for years: Rochester
Last seen running for his 5th time at Keeneland in the Fifth Third Elkhorn Stakes (G3-t) in 2006 at the age of 10 the George Strawbridge Jr. runner had a legion of fans. Multiple graded stakes winner he has since retiring from racing for a second career as a point to point runner for Augustin Stables. Some of those looks back:
2004 "Epicentre Rumbles to Elkhorn Victory" (http://bloodhorse.com/articleindex/article.asp?id=22089)
The 8-year-old Rochester, ridden by Cornelio Velasquez, rallied from ninth place in the 1 1/2-mile turf race to be second, a neck in front of Art Variety.
2005 photos when Rochester won the G3 Sycamore for the 3rd time with Gary Steven's up (http://www.racehorsephoto.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=t-2-2005-10-07-7)
TB Times 10-7-05 "Rochester ends long drought with third Sycamore win" (http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2005/October/07/Rochester-ends-long-drought-with-third-Sycamore-win.aspx)
"I can't explain it. He's a bit of a freak I guess," trainer Jonathan Sheppard said. "Some horses are like people. He's made his own rules, really. He's been running well in big races but he hadn't actually won one in quite a while, so I'm very happy for his reputation to be able to have a good win like this, particularly at a big track like Keeneland."
"I wish they were all that fun to ride," Gary Stevens said. "He's nine years old and has just about as much experience here as I do. He was happy with his position today and picked it up on his own. He made my job easy."
He is starting in the 8th PP of the Sixth Race (http://www.centralentryoffice.com/overnight.aspx?MeetId=War&MeetYear=2008): Novice Timber. About 3 miles over Timber - at approx 3:00 PM EST.
Now 12-yrs old but wise as they get he hopefully will do well. If anyone goes to the race be sure to wish him well.
Another runner is likely a big favorite: Straight Gin the former Marylou Whitney/Nick Zito Preakness runner. Lightly used in point to point racing (his 4th career after flat racing, dressage, and show jumping) he appears in Race 7 (The Springs Valley) in PP #7 an Open Timber race. Distance of About 3 miles over Timber - going off at abount 3:30 PM EST.