Racing Fans Left in Donegal's Wake

Dear Partners and Friends,

What a weekend. I mean Dear Lord, what a weekend.

You might say it began slowly as Puca got the kind of trip you expect breaking from the outside post. Junior Alvarado didn't have room to get over and his race was essentially done by the first turn. Junior also said that Puca didn't like the racing surface and we should get her back to Belmont (which she loves) as soon as possible. Done. She will leave for there Tuesday. We will let you know what Bill Mott decides her next spot should be. 

Our Saturday started off with a replay of the Oaks as Irish You Well got a horrible start and his race was essentially over.  

We then had hours of anticipation as we waited for the two big races: The Woodford Reserve and the Kentucky Derby.

I don't know what to say about Finnegan other than he was much the best. He literally circled the field in the ten path and still was able to run them down. 

Finn's next race is up in the air, but if he isn't too exhausted he could go to the million dollar Manhattan on Belmont Stakes Day June 6. Another Grade I at a mile and a quarter. Finn's best distance.

And the Derby. If you watch the video of the Derby below you will see how badly compromised ICE was getting hit/blocked/stopped twice late in the race. He still came running and I can't wait for the Belmont. Both Dale and Kent want to go to the Preakness but I respectfully disagree. That racetrack is very speed favoring and unfair and the one and only reason to go there is if you won the Kentucky Derby. I wish Mr. Zayat and his horse well at the Preakness and would love to be waiting in New York to play the spoiler on June 6.

Kent believes ICE could have finished third or fourth with a clean trip but no one was going to catch the leaders given how the race was completely void of speed. It proved to be the fourth slowest in forty years! Back to back years with horribletimes. Horses were running the Derby faster than this eighty years ago!

We thought Sandy's photo fit in quite nicely with the Onion article ;)

Finally, thanks to all of our partners and guests for being so helpful in making this the best Donegal Derby experience ever.

We will do our best to show you a great time in New York for the Belmont and will be asking you in the next few days if you will be coming, so get your ticket counts ready.

Can't begin to tell you how honored I am to work with all of you!

Jerry