This coming week will be my very first trip to the Breeders Bowl as a participant. (As a trainer, not as a runner!) I’ve actually watched from afar for the past couple of years as a journalist but couldn’t come up with an entry. It sure feels different from this side of the fence!

I actually have a chance to have two entries into the Breeders Bowl Classic. Wouldn’t you know it, I have two highly ranked horses and they would have to run against one another! The two entries are GRACEPOINTE PRAYER and TRIPLE A PRAYER. I’ll tell you a bit more about them later.

We actually arrived in New Jersey at Monmouth Park earlier this week. I wanted both horses to get accustomed to the surroundings and the crowds a bit. They both ran in the World cup four weeks ago so that was an excellent prep for the circus that this week promises to be. I must admit, that I knew that by arriving early I could get a little “socializing” in before the stress really sets in the end of the week. Besides, my wife talked me into driving up to New York City one evening for dinner and a show. We ended up eating at Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill which was incredible. I had the PAN ROASTED LEG OF VENISONwith Crushed Blackberry-Ancho Chile Sauce. Wow, my mouth waters just thinking about it again! I would have been happy with that meal and headed back to Jersey but we had tickets to Grease. It was really good but I was really beat. I was also about out of money, man is that city EXPENSIVE!

We ran into Keely one evening and shared a beverage. That girl is everywhere! It seems like every time you turn around you bump into her. She is really excited about her two year old PYRALIS who I got to see in a near miss at the World Cup. She has a couple more possible entries but isn’t sure they will get in.

I understand that the big parties really start in earnest this weekend. It is hard to think about anything but the race itself. GRACEPOINTE PRAYER is in for sure with a number three ranking in the Classic Division. He just finished third in the World Cup but was only RTG. I have every indication that he will be Sharp next week as he has been training great. He has that cloud of beating ERMINGTON PEGASUS over his head but more about that later in the week.

TRIPLE A PRAYER is another story entirely. He just won the World Cup Nine and is the number seven ranked three year old but I’m not sure if he will squeak in or not. He is really coming into his own right now and I see a lot of GRACEPOINTE in him. It would be his first time at a mile and a quarter but I think he is more than ready.

As a first timer, I can’t tell you how excited I am! Let’s face it, this is what we all aim for, the Triple Crown Races and the Breeders Bowl. Earlier this year I realized that I might have a chance to get a horse or two in and really started scheduling to get here. The past couple of weeks have been constant looking at the schedule and rankings and hoping that the two horses wouldn’t come up Sharp ahead of time. Everything looks as if it is working out just the way I wanted. Now I just have to keep them trained up and watch the entries. Oh yeah, and attend a few parties this weekend!

I’ll check back in later in the week as we draw a little closer to the entries. I’ll be watching to see who else shows up and add a few insights on our road to the Breeders Bowl!

Good luck to all!