Black Caviar's Half-brother Jimmy

November 20, 2013

Dear Readers,

                I was reading a LinkedIn comment and discovered Black Caviar’s half-brother, who was bought by BC3 Thoroughbred for $5,000,000 at the Australian Easter yearling sales in April of this year, was fighting for his life after being bitten by a white-tailed spider.

                Like so many people around the world, I’m enamored with Black Caviar, and thus curious about her half-brother. I can relate on several levels with this story. I came very close to losing Casual Lies to an injection site abscess, and though he survived, he was never quite the same. Also, if you’ve read my book about Casual Lies, you will know he was truly a horse with two names. The world knew him as Stanley as well as Casual Lies.  Black Caviar’s half-brother is affectionately known as Jimmy, and by all reports he has a terrific personality and has earned the love of all those who work with him.

                All trainers are familiar with laminitis, but before I talk about this condition, I want to say something about the arachnid that constituted the causal part of Jimmy’s life threatening circumstances.   

                Everywhere we go in this world there are critters that can harm us. But it seems to me, with all due respect, Australia has more than its fair share. Either on the landmass or in the waters in and around Australia, there are things that can sting, bite, kick, trample, tear you apart, eat chunks of your body or completely consume you, leaving no trace behind.

                But of all the oogly boogly’s that walk, fly or swim on this planet, snakes and spider’s scare me the most. Hang on, let me clarify, I don’t like snakes, I have great respect for snakes and I avoid them. However I must confess I have a curiosity about snakes, and if I can do so safely I will look at them. Spiders on the other hand, give me the creeps, I have no desire to look at them or observe them. If there is one on my ceiling at night, I can’t turn off the light as long as it’s still there. My imagination has it prepared to attack me in my sleep. So I get up carefully, watching it at all times, lest the eight legged warrior drops down from his perch on high to commence hostilities. Once I’m clear of the combat zone, I go get the vacuum, the one with the magic spider wand and suck him right off the ceiling. I then put the vacuum in the garage, in case it survived the suction, I wouldn’t want to think it might crawl out and seek revenge.

                Medium in size, the white-tailed spider is recognizable for the white patch at the end of its body. It doesn’t spin a web and wait for its dinner; it actively seeks out its prey. So this eight legged hunter goes on walkabout every evening, searching out its sustenance. On these walkabouts it gets into the homes of Australians and into their stuff—cloths, beds and so forth. When surprised—it bites.

                Though necrosis and ulcers have been attributed to the white-tail spider, research does not confirm this, and in-fact quite the opposite is true. The bite can be nasty and certainly could result in an infection, but on its own should not threaten a life, particularly the life of an animal as big as Jimmy. The reports are that the treatment, used to avoid infection, triggered an allergic reaction and this has caused the complications that have resulted in Jimmy being afflicted with a debilitating case of laminitis.

                Laminitis—there is a very good article about Laminitis (founder) and its causes and the damage that can result once it’s started. I urge you to do a web search and read about it. The long and the short, is that if there is irreversible damage to Jimmy’s hoofs, his racing career is over before it started. I’m sure at this point the number one outcome is the preservation of his life. If the damage is too severe, he won’t be able to survive without unbearable pain. My prayers are with Jimmy recovering a pain free life. I will be keeping a close watch on the news sources that are reporting on his progress. The latest news reports I have seen, advise he is stabilizing.

Take care,

Shelley Riley

Author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure

www.shelleyriley.com

Sue Grafton, Rick Pitino and Me

November 18, 2013

Dear Readers,

            I know it’s been awhile since I’ve posted, but as you know I was in Kentucky for the 32^nd Annual Kentucky Book Fair in Frankfort, Kentucky. I was there for nearly a week and I must say even with the snow that greeted me on the first day, Lexington and surrounding areas can still make my heart sing.

            Pam Blatz-Murff and I attended the sales at Keeneland, and truly it was a walk down memory lane. I do so love the horses, the people, the smells and excitement of a bloodstock sale. With weanlings, broodmares, stallion prospects and horses of racing age on offer, there really was something for everyone.

            Together Pam and I visited Ashford Stud and Castleton Lyons, along with the Kentucky Horse Park, and I even looked at some real estate in the area. You never know, moving to Kentucky may be in my future.    

            As for the book fair, it was a remarkable experience. I met so many lovely people, including Sue Grafton and Rick Pitino. I found myself seated with the authors of thrillers, rather than those who had written horse related books or memoirs. In discussion with my tablemates, we decided the title made my memoir appear to be a Dick Francis type book. Casual Lies? Picture of a race horse on the cover. Yep I get it. I was just thrilled the memoir had been selected by the selection committee to be included in the fair.

            No matter where I sat, there were hundreds of people stopping by and I sold almost all the books I had on offer. Several people made the trip to see and speak to me specifically, which was a good feeling. Two in particular, wanted to share with me how they'd  bet on Casual Lies in the Kentucky Derby, and had won large exactas, and tri-fecta’s. They were still thrilled all these years later, as was I.

 

            I’m also excited to announce Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure will now be available in the gift shop at the Kentucky Horse Park. I’ve been to the Horse Park and it’s an amazing facility and the gift shop is filled to bursting with quality horse related items. I’m thrilled the memoir about my remarkable horse will be among them. A few signed copies should be available there within the next few days, just in time for Christmas and Holiday buying. You can get all the information you need at their website www.kyhorsepark.com I urge you to check out the website it is interesting and a great resource for anyone who loves all aspects of the horse industry.

            You can also get personalized signed copies by contacting me through my website, and I will include my new bookmark with each copy sold.

Take care,

Shelley Riley

www.shelleyriley.com

Secret Compass - Tragedy

November 2, 2013

Dear Readers,

            The first race, what a tragedy, it tears my heart out. I think I’m going to give up on handicapping the rest of the races. The wind has gone out of my sails and the joy is gone for now. I will watch all the pageantry and admire the participants.

            My ardent wish is the rest of the day goes without mishap.

Take care,

Shelley Riley

www.shelleyriley.com 

Xpressbet Breeders’ Cup Sprint

November 2, 2013

Dear Readers,

       Time is almost up. Here’s my picks for;

Xpressbet Breeders’ Cup Sprint

1                    Justin Phillip – Will stay close to the leaders.

2                   The Lumber Guy – I can’t see him making an impact today.

3                   Gentlemen’s Bet – Can’t get behind this horse.

4                   Majestic Stride – He’s fast. Maybe?

5                   Sum of the Parts – Big race last out, but what about the rest of his races?

6                   Bahamian Squall – Not today.

7                    Private Zone – He’s definitely going to get hooked on the front end, but he has always been tenacious.

8                   Fast Bullet – He’ll definitely add to the cavalry charge on the front end.

9                   Secret Circle – He’s had an easy tightner and he can stalk all that speed.  And…he’s a classy dude.

10               Wine Police – I don’t know what to think of this horse; did you see who he ran fourth to? Might be fun, for a flutter, to bet a combo on him

11                 Trinniberg – Yikes, don’t think so.

12               Laugh Track – Can’t get behind this horse today. 

And my picks?

1        Secret Circle

2       Justin Phillip

3       Private Zone

4       Wine Police

 
           This is definitely a tough race, as are all of them.

Take care,

Shelley Riley

www.shelleyriley.com

Author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure, check it out, it’s a unique look behind the scenes of horseracing.

Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint

November 2, 2013

Dear Readers,

            I didn’t get very far in my handicapping last night. Many hours passed watching political news and then I woke up and it was midnight. So here I am with my coffee ready to peruse today’s entries.

            I posted the first two races for today yesterday, and if I do say so myself, I did okay on my picks for Fridays races. So here goes, I’ll try to hurry.

The Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint

1                    Renee’s Titan – Would be surprising.

2                    Book Review – This filly is truly a come from behind seven furlong specialist. If they slow down a fraction on the front end, she’ll catch them.

3                   Starship Truffles – I can’t get behind this filly.

4                   Dance Card – I really like this filly in this race.

5                   Teddy’s Promise – She’ll be up there keeping them honest.

6                   Ismene – More speed. But is she the fastest?

7                    Summer Applause – Not today.

8                   Dance To Bristol – She’s definitely a stalker and this race should set up well for her if she came off that last race in good order. She may have run second, but she didn’t look good towards the end.

9                   Judy The Beauty – Hard to overlook.

10               Great Hot – She’ll be stalking them.

11                Groupie Doll – She’s been getting ready in the last three races.

12               Sweet LuLu – You can’t ignore this three-year-old. 

So who do I pick? 

1                    Dance Card

2                   Book Review

3                   Dance to Bristol      

 

This race is going to be really fun to watch. I love the speedy ones. I won’t get through all the races for today, I realize that. But the it will still be a treat to see all the beautiful horses run.

Take care,

Shelley Riley

www.shelleyriley.com

Breeders’ Cup - Filly and Mare Turf

November 1, 2013

Dear Readers,

      Well so far so good. I’m watching the telecast and looking at tomorrow’s card in-between today’s races.

Next up the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf

1                    Dank – Hard to argue with that last race.

2                   Romantica – Nice mare, but when she throws a clunker, it’s not pretty.

3                   Tiz Flirtatious – Likes to stalk the pace.

4                   Alterite – Another stalker, with speed holding does she get up in time?

5                   Lady of Shamrock – Not off that last race.

6                   Marketing Mix – Always knocking on the door.

7                    Laughing – Likes to roll on the front end. I like this filly to be in front.

8                   Emollient – Hit or miss, never-the-less she can run near the front or come from behind. Adaptable.

9                   Qushchi – Nice mare, but I can’t pick her.

10               Kitten’s Dumpling – Seems to be getting better with racing.  

And I choose:

1                    Laughing

2                   Dank

3                   Marketing Mix

 

I’ll press on to the next race. 

Take care,

Shelley Riley

www.shelleyriley.com

Breeders’ Cup - Juvenile Fillies Division

November 1, 2013

Dear Readers’

           Looking through Friday’s card was hard enough, as you know I didn’t post the last race until around ten o’clock last night. Of course I kept getting interrupted by the cutest bunch of ghouls and goblins, and this was much to Nigel’s delight. As you know Nigel’s a rescued retired greyhound. He’s big, over eighty-five pounds, and he is an excellent burglar deterrent, that is unless the burglars are two and half feet tall. Nigel loves kids. He will drag me across the street in front of traffic to get a pat from a child.

            At one point I opened the door to what looked like an entire pre-school class. There must have been ten of them. When they spotted Nigel, they swarmed the open door. Dropping their candy buckets, they surrounded Nigel. I had lost all control and frankly I was a little worried about all those kids on face level with a dog who has a mouthful of sharp teeth. No matter how gentle the dog, trust kills.

            I was trying to regain control in my entry way while waiting for the parents to step up and retrieve their darlings. Nigel was in heaven, he watched them all walk away with a yearning that was obvious. After that incident, despite Nigel’s gentle response, I put him in the backyard for the remainder of the evening’s trick-or-treaters.

            So here I am, trying to resist the remains of last night’s candy, and looking at nine fields of amazingly talented horses. Frankly I’m unsure I can get through the entire card in the manner in which I approached it yesterday. So I will start with those races I’m the most interested in.

The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Division

1                    Artemis Agrotera – This filly that looked like a world beater in her first race, came back and appeared composed and well within herself winning the Frizette Stakes. Beating an unlucky Sweet Reason.

2                   Rosalind – Beaten by another good filly in the Darley Alcibiades, My Conquestadory. She was running green and lugging in down the lane; she should improve off that race.

3                   Designer Legs – nice filly, but not one I would pick in this race.

4                   Secret Compass – This should be very interesting to see this filly and She’s A Tiger hook up again.

5                   Ria Antonia – Not one I could support in this race.

6                   Concave – She’s got speed, but can stalk. She will keep them honest.

7                    Untapable – In the G3 Pocahontas this filly fought her rider, and showed very little interest in running down the leaders in the stretch. Her jockey really earned her paycheck. And yet she won. She might not have liked the dirt in her face and she certainly needs more seasoning. She might win today, but I can’t pick her off the Pocahontas win. Not when you have horses that show they really want to win.

8                   Scandalous Act – Oh my, this filly does like the front end. Granted she’s been running against easier company, but she’s going to make the other front runners hump up to take the lead away from her. If they don’t she could get real brave on the front end. Who knows—definitely in with a chance.

9                   Sweet Reason – This filly got left so badly in the Frizette, and then swerved so sharply that she looked like she was out of the race completely. But oh no, she wanted to win and she almost got to the winner in the late stages. She could easily win this race.

10               She’s A Tiger – You have to respect this filly, and you have to admire her style. After all who doesn’t love a front runner who hangs on so tenaciously? But with the speed in this race, I think she could very well get caught, if she even makes the lead at all. 

So who would I put $2.00 on?

1                    Sweet Reason

2                   Artemis Agrotera

      3                   Concave

   Would love to see Jeff Bondes’ horse, She’s A Tiger, win. And she might, I hope so.

 

Take care,

Shelley Riley

www.shelleyriley.com