First Time Owner: A Big Week with Bourbon Lane!
I feel like one of those callers on a sports radio show. Long-time listener -- First-time caller. For me, the listener part covers the more than four decades of following and loving thoroughbred horse racing. Now, finally, I got to make the call, and ... what a week it’s been as one of the investors in the 2016 Bourbon Lane 2yo Partnership! Within a matter of a few days, we learned of the successful purchase of the third, and final juvenile of the partnership, and then we had the thrill of seeing the first of our three make it to the races.
Paz the Bourbon (Mission Impazible--Kettle’s Sister, by More Than Ready) made her debut today in the second race at Belmont Park, and her performance has kept a smile on my face ever since. No, she didn’t win, but from a big picture standpoint, I don’t think I could be any happier even if she had finished first. Trained by Mark Hennig, and ridden by Joel Rosario, the good looking chestnut filly did not break sharply this afternoon, and quickly found herself cut off by the horse to her outside. This left her at the back of the pack, with a ton to do in the five-furlong affair for New York-bred fillies. Rather than rushing her up, Rosario per Hennig’s instructions in case she did not get off to a good start, let the filly relax and find her stride.
As the frontrunners set a solid pace up front, Paz the Bourbon found her groove on the outside some 13 lengths off the early lead. I’m not going to lie, the start was a bit painful to watch, but I did not have much time to worry about it, as I soon saw the red silks of Bourbon Lane beginning to pick up horses. She was still well back as the field of ten came spinning out of the turn, and was widest of all, but the talent that the partnership had suspected was there, came shining through in an excellent stretch run. She rallied strongly on the outside the entire length of the stretch, and easily passed everyone she needed to but one.
On the wire, she was a fast closing second, 1 ¼-lengths behind the winner, R Precious Stones (a firster out of Bustin Stones for Gary Contessa, and ridden by Jacqueline Davis – Congratulations to them!) I loved what I saw from the prolonged rally, and even more so when I checked the final time. The :58.25 for the five panels is definitely race horse time.
Not bad, not bad at all for my initial voyage as an owner. I know there will be plenty of downs to go along with the ups in this game, but so far, so good. More good news in that Paz looks like she has come out of the race well. To say that I am looking forward to her second career start would be an understatement. Maybe I can get to the next one in person. Thanks to all my friends who expressed well wishes and congratulations, before and after the race. Your support means a lot!
As for the other two members of the three-horse partnership … The third horse to join the group was purchased at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Two Year-Old in Training Sale on Monday. Hip #130 was purchased privately after failing to meet her reserve during the live bidding. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Harlan’s Holiday is out of the black type-placed Songandaprayer mare Pick and Pray. She will also head to Mark Hennig’s barn in New York. The new addition not only joins Paz the Bourbon, but also Bourbon Country (Harlan’s Holiday—Uninhibited Song, by Unbridled’s Song), a two-year-old Kentucky-bred colt, who trainer Eddie Kenneally has told me is doing very well at Keeneland. Onward and upward!
More photos of Paz courtesy of Heather Pettinger -- Thanks, Heather!