Claiming tales

After enjoying all the great Black Type Bugler articles submitted by my fellow players, I thought I’d give it a try and give back to this great community.

I’m going to write about my experiences as a thoroughbred owner. Though I was only involved in the claiming aspect of the “sport of kings”, it provided some of the most thrilling, disappointing and entertaining times I’ve ever had.

If my initial try is viewed favorably, I’ll continue until I’m out of material or asked to “stop, please stop”.

Some friends of mine (horseplayers, naturally) were already partners in October Moon Stable in 1995, racing on the New York circuit (Aqueduct, Belmont, Saratoga).  They had just privately sold their best performer to date for $75,000 – Placid Fund, who had won 3 straight allowance races (NW1, NW2, NW3). All the partners received their initial investments back, and new partners were being sought for $5,000 stakes.  My friend Joe C convinced me to join, and I was now a thoroughbred owner !

Of the best horses October Moon had while I was there, Private Plan was a mean old son of a gun who would take a bite out of you if you got too close.  As a matter of fact, Private Plan was stabled in a special stall away from normal stable traffic, and was in the process of tearing it down, slowly but surely.  He did bring that attitude to the track, winning back to back $50,000 claiming races at a mile, both with purses of $31,000.  They were his best performances for us and we lost him in a subsequent $35,000 claimer.

Gerda was a honey of a filly, as gentle as Private Plan was mean.  She loved being petted and being fed carrots.  She was primarily a grass runner of moderate success.  However, her best day was on a sloppy track at Saratoga, where she splashed home in front by 8 lengths at 18-1. She was the only winner I ever had at the Spa, and retains a special place in my heart. She won twice more for us, at Aqueduct in November of ‘96, and at Belmont in June of ‘97, thereby completing a triple of sorts by winning at each of the major New York tracks.

As usual, there’s always a downside in this game. We had a maiden named Wild Society, who ran poorly first out, and was injured.  After recuperating, she was entered in a basement maiden claimer at Belmont.  The local track commentator Jan ??? asked us about our filly in the paddock; we told her she was back in condition and ready to roll.  Jan gave a quick rundown of the perceived contenders each race, and we got a mention in her spot.  Well, Wild Society was not back in condition, racing well back in the pack and finishing either last or next to last.  She never raced again.

October Moon struggled after Gerda’s win in November ‘96. We had one cheap claiming winner (Tangelo Park) in February ‘97. In April, Late Guest won for us at Aqueduct.  He was an old veteran, and one of the partners felt he was due for the win that day.  He backed it up with a straight $3,000 win bet – though he had to sweat it out as Late Guest closed late to just get up at the wire.

I and my friends got out of October Moon in ‘97; it was time to concentrate on our other stable, Old Yorkville Farm.  The rest of my stories will center there.  For now, happy racing and may all your entries be winning ones.