Every day, between 10 to 25 thoroughbred tracks are open for business. Each with eight to ten races and six to twelve competitors in each race. It is a long and laborious process to get a horse into the starting gate. Here is the story of one.
Paula’s a Star was a $120,000 purchase at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and was immediately sent to Sandhurst Thoroughbreds. She showed some precocity and was an early shipper to Tom Morley’s barn at Belmont. She had her first timed workout on April, 13, 2024 and after six official works, was ready to make her race debut. Running in April and May with two year olds is considered early and races are usually short distances, 4.5 to 5 furlongs. Paula’s a Star is by Tapiture out of a Pioneerof the Nile mare, so we looked for a little more distance. Three times we tried to enter her for debut for races facing fillies at 5.5 furlongs. Three times the race didn’t fill. We entered a race going 5.5 furlongs on May 27, 2024, but we had to race against colts.
Paula raced well against the boys in her debut, gaining 2 lengths in the stretch to finish 3rd, beat 3 lengths for all the money. Due to a misprint in the on track program, the folks setting the starting gate placed the gate at the 5 furlong mark. Despite all our best efforts, we ended up racing at 5 furlongs. Good effort, we’ll reload and point to the Saratoga meet. At least we would have but for the micro fractures in Paula’s hock. Six weeks at a lay up farm before returning to the stable, then she popped a splint in her left front leg. Wait for that to heal, she had to start over. Six works later, Paula’s a Star was ready to enter the starting gate on February 8, 2025 as the 2 horse at Aqueduct.
Thankfully, Paula’s a Star is worth the wait as she wired the field, winning easily. Quite a process to have a horse in the starting gate on a winter afternoon in New York.
Stable Update:
Son of Birch completed his 30 day vacation and has posted 3 published works. Hopefully, we can find a race in mid-March.
Paula’s a Star came out of her winning effort well and has a couple more works under her belt. We are also looking for a race in mid-March.
Spanker ‘23 is now known as Immense Guilt. She is building a sound foundation toward a racing career at Sandhurst Thoroughbred’s. She is a bit slow developing and may not make to New York until September.
Bobby’s Honour is our home bred yearling. Santa Rey Stable bought the mare Union Prayer,in the 2023 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale and she foaled Bobby’s Honour on March 13, 2024. Bobby is large with good confirmation. The dream lives on.
Union Prayer has a change in plans. Originally we were planning to send her to Sequel Stallion Farm New York to have he foal in order to have a NY bred. After looking at the stallion options in New York, we decided to keep Union Prayer in Kentucky. Union Prayer is currently in foal again to Greatest Honour with a due date of March 21, 2025. She will be bred back to Greatest Honour for the 3rd time sometime in April.
Vow Saver is our broodmare currently in New York at Sequel. Currently in foal to Maximus Mischief, Vow Saver is due to drop her foal on March 24. She will be bred back to Sequel stallion Mullion. Mullion’s first crop is just dropping this year. He was a Juddmont runner who raced twice before retiring with an injury. Mullion is a full brother to 2021 Kentucky Derby winner (via DQ) Mandaloun. So hoping there is some lightning in a bottle.
thanks for sharing the journey.
Brian