You gotta love some trainers
 

Looking over the card for Tampa tomorrow and noticed this little nugget in the first race.

It seems George Stephens was so impressed with his filly's 8 beyer that she earned in a Maiden 8k race on Jan. 7, he got all giddy and bumped her up to a Maiden 45K for her next out, where she finished dead last and earned a 0 beyer. Back down to the 8k level and looking to top that career high beyer of 11 establised in 18 races thus far.

I guess George knows nobody really claims horses for 45k at Tampa and he felt safe that he wouldn't lose her coming of that strong effort on the 7th.

Seems there is a reason he won 4 races from 169 starts last year.

First claim ever for 45k happened yesterday by none other then the great Mike Dini.

That's unheard of...but, what else would you expect from a Chi town guy:rolleyes:

Trainer of the week goes to Marie Bates, who has the 0 for 7 maiden runner Robby's Break in the 1st at Tampa tomorrow. After 3 straight 0 beyers to begin his career in open maiden races, where he was beaten 34, 30 1/2 and 41 1/2 lengths respectively, Ms. Bates decides to risk this gelded son of Sunday Break in a maiden claimer for 25k in a turf route at Colonial. So inspired by his career top beyer of 18 and only being beaten 16 1/4 lengths, she then decides to enter him in an OPEN claimer for 8k, where he was soundly beaten 44 lengths. Figuring maybe open claimers might be a tough spot to break his maiden, she decides a dated nickel claimer would be a much easier spot to earn his diploma. But alas, that was too tough a spot as he was beaten 24 1/4 lengths.

Comes into this race tomorrow 2nd off a layoff and should be primed to run at least a 10 beyer.

There is absolutely zero reason for one red cent to be bet on this horse tomorrow in the win pool, but sadly, some fool will feel the need.

I know there are some great and intelligent trainers out there...but where to people like this come from?

They buy Janet Del Castillo's book in the Tampa Bay Downs gift shop and read it?

Speaking of Tampa tomorrow, where is Goncalves gone to? Didn't have a single mount Sunday and it doesn't look like he has one tomorrow either.

I'm thinking they are related Doug. That and they are sharing the same juice. Last year combined they were 0 for 72. They make Wasiluk look like Ness.

I don't know. Maybe Bigs or Rude have a better idea.

That is classic. Can't wait for next week's Trainer of the Week.

Early favorite is the previously mentioned Ms. Del Castillo, but you never know what surprise trainer move will pop up.

Speaking of Tampa, look at the first race on Thursday. My Sister Jess is in for 8K. She is a half sister to My Princess Jess(G2 winner, $500K) and out of a dam that is a half to champion Jewell Princess.
I know she hasn't done any running yet but look at the replay of her last race.

That horse's owner is a moron.

I posted about her before her debut race. Wicked Charm (half to English Channel)was entered in the same race, but ended up scratched. My Sister Jess doesn't seem to be much at all. I think had she shown any ability at all in her first two, they would have maybe runner her in a softer maiden 45k on the turf. The fact that Minikes is willing to lose her for 8k tells me everything I need to know.

He needs the $8K to pay the nanny.

:D

I can't recall any specific incident, but I am assuming he got days. He rode a winner Saturday and had a mount in the Sam Davis, then had no mounts on Sunday.

I think he got dumped pre-race early on Saturday, but he rode races after that, so I don't think he is hurt.

Edgar Perez should be getting more mounts than he is.

Janet Del Castillo is not eligible because she is a first ballet inductee into the You Gotta Love Some Trainers Hall of Fame.

Goncalves is probably the next Ramon Dominguez and Joel Rosario. He's a great rider.

Check out Ms. Bates runner in the 7th on Thursday.

His debut race was in a turf sprint overnight stakes race at Colonial last year. He ran last every step of the way (I know I'm shocked). She layed him off after that debut for 6 months before bringing him back in a 25k maiden claimer earlier this month. So inspired by only being beaten 12 1/2 lengths at odds of 103.90 to 1, she figures he has to be set for open maidens. Wow...