On New Years Eve we sadly
Retired Thundering Brook from racing
We entered The Brookster in her 6th race this past New Years Eve, in a 6 furlong sprint on the dirt for Illinois Maiden Fillies at a claiming price of $15,000. As she had not really shown much this fall, this race was really do or die for her in determing whether we continue her in racing.
And we got a definitive answer as she finished last in a field of 12, although she had a reasonable excuse. Just look at her hoof in the picture left. That's a big chunk gouged out of it.
Prime jock Eddie Perez was out of action following a spill 2 days earlier (he will be just fine), so Trainer Block secured the riding services of Joel Campbell - who had never even seen the Brookster before. You can see from the video below that she pitched a fit in the starting gate. She was the first one loaded and she thrashed around so much in the gate that you can see Jockey Campbell had jumped off her and stood up in the gate to avoid the Brookster tossing him.
That's almost certainly where she injured her hoof. So racing on that gouge couldn't have been pleasant. When she 
got back to the barn she was visibly lame, but she will heal fully within a week or so. Even with this excuse, it was clear she isn't cut out to be a successful race horse. She is small, and more importantly, just doesn't seem to enjoy racing at all. She just doesn't seem to have the heart for it.
Race day turned up unbelievably warm for New Years Eve, in the low 50's in Chicago. A pelting rain had left the track a soggy mess. As our usual set of Racing Silks is down with General Charley in Florida, we had to break out the backup silks that had never been used before. And as you can see from photo right, it's going to take a little work to clean them back up.
We had a few Rabbits at the race this time as Steve & Jean Rabbit along with their son Scott made the trip. Rick was there along with his son Brett.
Although Joel broke the Brookster well, he reported that she was unsettled coming out of the gate and went to the back and stayed there. They were showered with mud the whole race by every horse in the field because they were all in front of her. Picture all the way to the bottom is of her being led to the barn for a bath.
As for Thundering Brook, she will stay at Hawthorne for a few days while her foot heals and then we will move her to a less expensive stable while we seek out the best owner for her. She is beautiful, sound, young and has an excellent disposition. She just isn't a viable race horse.
Although the dream didn't pan out
we had fun with our Brookster
We will do right by her and find her a loving home
Farewell Thundering Brook
