On July 25th, 3 weeks after our first victory, Red Rabbit Racing experienced
ECSTASY & AGONY
We had entered our 5 yr old mare, Salt Syn, in a 35k claiming race over 5 furlongs on the turf. Given her last performance over the same distance against many of the same mules, the crowd had made her the even money choice over her 10 other rivals.
Both the Daily Racing Form's Wizard and the Chicago Sun-Times had picked Salt to win - with the Sun-Times listing her as the "Best Pick Of The Day!"
We were a bit concerned about putting her back in a claiming race as we were not anxious to lose her. We debated over it and decided that this was the company she would be the most competitive in - and she did not disappoint!
She left the gate smartly and jockey Eddie Perez rated her along the rail in 3rd position, just behind the leaders.
As they turned for home, Eddie spied an opening to the outside, switched Salt into that seam and asked her for what she had left.
THE CROWD SAW HER ANSWER AS SHE JUST EXPLODED DOWN THE STRETCH!
She won by a length over her nearest competitor - who was not gaining on her as they came to the wire. All of us were screaming as she crossed the finish line as we couldn't believe our Salt had won us 2 races in a row!
Trainer Chris Block joined us as we were forming up in the Winner's Circle and I asked if he could find out if we kept her - as we were all dreading a claim. He called the Racing Office and tersely reported to us, "I think we lost her."
As Salt was being led into the Winners Circle, track announcer John Dooley announced to the entire crowd that a single claim had been put in for her by trainer Frank Kirby, who ironically enough, we had claimed Salt from in June of 2006.
Talk about a change of emotion. We went from the high of celebrating a victory to the low of realizing that as soon as they took the picture she would be leaving us immediately, as someone else now owned her.
Real heartache. But that is the Horse Racing game. We knew the possible outcomes and we will roll with the punches.
There are several links below to the day's events
CLICK HERE FOR OFFICIAL RACE RESULT
CLICK HERE FOR OFFICIAL ARLINGTON PARK WINNERS CIRCLE PHOTO
CLICK HERE FOR OFFICIAL TRACK PHOTOS
CLICK HERE FOR SALT SYN'S LIFETIME PAST PERFORMANCES
So, with money in the bank thanks to Salt's triumphs, we are now looking for our next horse. Whomever that is, they will have to go quite a way to better our Salt Syn. She showed nothing but class, courage, perseverance - and oh yeah baby -
A TON OF SPEED.
THANK YOU SALT SYN
