SEEING EYE TO EYE

Background:

The last time, I reported on a Residency Challenge was nearly a year ago. Our first challenge, was a one race event, against The “New” Red River Residency and the Article was titled “David vs. Goliath”. At the time, we were a newly formed club of relative newbie’s. Going up against a crew of talented veterans. We shockingly, somehow we were able to come out on top! The challenge eventually led to a merger of the two clubs. The merger has turned out to be a blessing for all concerned! Fast forward… It is amazing “the difference a year will make”. The experience, The “New” Red River brought to the table, has proved invaluable and made us all better players for it. Along the way, we have also added a number of new members of varied experience. I truly believe this combination of experience & enthusiasm, will prove to much to overcome.

This Year’s Challenge:

The challenge this year, against Empire State Racing has been expanded to 12 races and is featuring our Regional local breds against their’s. The challenge is scheduled to take place week(4764). With the 6 dirt races, taking place at Upper New York(ESR’s home track) and the 6 turf races, taking place at California(one of our home tracks). With this format, there is some self-sacrifice for the residents forced to ship. Not only in Sim “Bux” and Bp’s, but also by being taken out of their local bred regions. Accepting the challenge was 100% unanimous! So the self-sacrifice is commendable and demonstrates the dedication, the residents have for the residency! The challenge races and rules are as follows:

* Each Residency will be allowed 10 entries per race,
* All entries for TESTBARN Residency must come from our (8) tracks, CA,WA,OR,AZ,TX,OK,LA,AR

* All entries for Empire State Residency must come from their North Eastern Americas Region- 5 tracks, NJ , PA , DE , CT , NH , ME , MA , VT , NY, CAN, and MD

* MSW horses can be raced or unraced
* Allowance race preference to horses that have started, maidens will be allowed to fill spots if desired

Here are all the races:

2yo Colt MSW Dirt 6f
2yo Filly MSW Dirt 6f
2yo Colt MSW Turf 6.5f
2yo Filly MSW Turf 6.5f

2yo Colt Alw Dirt 6.5f
2yo Filly Alw Dirt 6.5f
2yo Colt Alw Turf 7f
2yo Filly Alw Turf 7f

3+ Open 7f Dirt
3+ Open 8f Dirt
3+ Open 7.5 Turf
3+ Open 9f Turf

Momentum:

Not taking anything away from Empire State Racing. The Testbarn Residency is on a heck of a roll, having just completed the final phase of it’s initial “LIKEN IT LOCAL” STAKES SERIES. A Local Bred Stakes Series Vs. The “Sim” and having won 5 of the 8 races. This is just a small portion of our 40+ race season. When not competing against other residencies, we are honing our skills against one another. In addition to the extensive racing schedule, we have many contests of various types & durations. With prizes ranging from the standard prize horses & credits to pieces of Horse Racing “Memorabilia”.

Outlook:

Personally, I don’t like bragging or underestimating an opponent. Especially when that opponent includes some noteworthy sim trainers as part of that team. But, I am going to go out on a limb and predict a resounding win, for our team. Call it foolhardy, irresponsible, blind faith in my team or out right stupidity. In any of the cases, I am confident and stand by my statement. “At the very least we will be competing on even terms this time around”, or “Seeing eye to eye” Stay tuned for the results.

Learn More:

You can learn more about both Residencies to see what they have going on and ask questions, by taking a visit. Both Residencies are currently accepting new members and look forward to your visit!

The Testbarn Residency
The “Memorabilia” Residency
@ www.testbarnresidency.com

Empire State Racing
@ www.trotter1.webs.com/