A Split Decision

Dear Partners and Friends,

Do we have action or what? So many horses running in so many big races!

Many of you have understandably been eager to know where PUCA and ROCK SHANDY will race next. It would have been wonderful to have them both race at the same place on April 4 but as the guardian of the purse, I concluded the best interest of all partners serves by splitting them up.

PUCA will run at Aqueduct in the Gazelle on April 4 (known locally as Wood Day). This is a Grade II paying $300,000 going a mile and an eighth. Bill Mott believes this races gives PUCA her best chance that day and I, along with most of our team, agree.

ROCK SHANDY is very likely to run in the Blue Grass Stakes on April 4 at Keeneland. This is a Million Dollar race also going a mile and an eighth. There is still a slight chance Shandy could stay home and run in the Santa Anita Derby. This is basically a three horse field (and some scrap horses), but the three are: Dortmund, Propsect Park and turf specialist Bolo, who ran well on the dirt last out. We could avoid travel and ride Victor Espinoza if we stayed at Santa Anita but we would have to beat one of those three outstanding horses. It may be a soft pace and we might be on the lead. Still leaning towards Blue Grass, but won't make the final call until Monday.

We will have encampments at both races, whatever they turn out to be, so let us know Monday if you will attend one after we send you the final decisons.

Meanwhile, KEEN ICE runs tomorrow here in New Orleans in the Louisiana Derby. A fourth place finish or better should put ICE in the Derby. This race got tougher with a couple of surprise late entrants, including Todd Pletcher's STANFORD. The race is $750,000, going a mile and an eighth and ICE is salivating at the extra distance. Remember ICE exploded at Churchill Downs last year so we know he likes that surface. Now we just have to get him there!

This was Ice getting a bath this a.m. after a head turning move on the racetrack. We let him stretch his legs for an eighth in the stretch which he did in 11:80 and out in 25:00. Very strong gallop out. Exercise rider Fastino pronounced him ready to go.

DUNBRODY is in his stall whinnying "Hey, what about me?!" Yeah, we hear you BRODY...just relax and we will turn you loose soon around two turns in your effort to shock the world ultimately in the Belmont Stakes. Hopefully you will have to beat your own stablemates if you get there ;).

A special thanks to Keith Mason and Larry Connolly who hosted a really fun and first rate "Learn more about Donegal Racing night" in Atlanta Wednesday night. We are going to be doing these around the country and will have more to say on this topic soon.

Keep DANNY BOY in your thoughts as he recovers from his surgery, which went well. The first thirty days are tricky for this fragile repair.

Jerry