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It is after all a business of "ups & "downs" so RV finds himself on the down side after this one. Both are very good trainers and being on the backstretch at Saratoga the past several years I have watched both at work and this it was I see in the morning.

RV always carrying his binoc's and stopwatch and hanging on the rail watching his horses. Seemed to be ok with owners coming around but had a feeling if it was his choice he would do without them. Seemed to be very much in control of his stock and workers.

Got in quite an argument with an owner one morning on the condition of the track surface and was pushing RV to go to NYRA and demand action for horses were coming back very sore from the am workouts over the rock hard main and turf courses. Seemd RV was not going to do much and the owner walked away spewing a few choice words for all to hear.

KM on the other hand huddles with the masses around the snack shack while his brother and others tend to the morning works. Pleasant and soft spoken and willing to talk it up with anyone. When his big guns work he will walk away with them from the track and reappear within a half hour or so to watch his next set while mingling. Two very different styles/approach to the morning.

RV had West Point and a few other high caliber outfits, while KM has to deal with the Darley outfit as his primary bread and butter.

What might be the most interesting part of the equation is the stable VET. KM from what I am told has the best in the business...cutting edge if you get my drift, while RV has the normal run of the mill VET. I would guess that West Point is going to get some very nice VET treatment now for their horses. Should be interesting as the weeks unfold on how the transfer of stock progress on the track..

engine ONE