Tims Update 7
Posted November 29, 2008Update 217: Enough already with the cold wind. After a breezy Monday, Tim told me that the wind would stop for Tuesday, unfortunately during training hours the wind continued. It was cold. Rosa and JOJO went to the track first set. Both fillies have had slight temperatures but seemed fine this morning. King Congaree stood in the front of his stall with his tongue hanging out. He is such a character. Veiled Reference was spinning around her stall waiting for Tim to take her to the track. She is feeling great. Tap Softly was quietly sticking her head out of her stall looking for some attention so I took a few minutes to talk to her. Rajasthan was about to go to the track with Tim and I'm sure in the brisk breeze he was a joy to ride. He can be a handful. Wonder was quietly standing in his stall waiting his turn to go out. He is such a gentleman. Time is getting shorter for Our Hearthrob. I believe Tim has picked a race out in the beginning of March if all goes well. She had a work on Saturday out of the gate and handled it like a professional. Anyway, all is well but I believe we are all waiting for spring to get here.
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Update 216: What a sunny Tuesday we have today. Sunday Tim and Marty went to see Donut who has now moved to a nearby farm. She was out in the porta pad and happy as a clam. The incision in her side is slowly filling in while continuing to drain out any infection that may still be in there. She has certainly come a long way. Thank all of you for your prayers for Donut. Things at the barn continue to go forward as usual. King Congaree is breezing nicely and is behaving like a gentleman. I took Luke to the track on Saturday and he truely enjoyed it. He loves to work. Truimphant has grown tall and should be going to the races in a very short while. Our Hearthrob worked again on Saturday and may have just a few more breezes before she makes her debut. She worked a great half with Triumphant and at the head of the lane when it looked as though Triumphant would draw away, Tim encouraged her and she dug in and came back strongly. Ms MVP is back with us and training everyday. She is such a lovey girl. Tim has yet to pick a name for Rosa yet. She is doing great and the owners wife hopes she can make it to the races sometime this year. JoJo seems as calm as ever in the barn. She is a quiet girl and not often do you hear a peep out of her. Anyway, that's about all I know, If I should get an update from Tim I'll let you know.
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Update 215: Yesterday (Thursday) Tim took a trip to New Bolten to see Donut. Her caregiver (Brooke) has been spoiling her with loads of carrotts and apples. She looks great. The hole in her side is decreasing and most of the adema from the operation is gone. Her eyes looked bright and she was eating everything. It is such a relief to know that the infection is out of her body. What a tough filly to fight it for so long. Tim has reported that Ms MVP came back today after her short winter break. It's great to have her back. Nothing running this weekend but I believe next Wednesday Tim will be racing. We'll see how the weather cooperates.
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Update 214: What a beautiful Monday. I don't have any news from the barn but I do have just a little news about Donut. I spoke with the vet and he said that they removed about 5 inches of rib and were able to get all of the infection out. Her temperature has come down to normal and she is bright and eating. This was on Friday so I hope that she has continued to do well. Tim should be back within the next two days and maybe we can find out some more information. Until then, hope Nicanor came out of his race ok.
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Update 213: The snow and rain of yesterday have given way to an icey yet sunny Thursday. Not really a lot to report on. Who's Happy went to New Bolten to check out her airway and she is fine. She went home to take a break for the winter. The docters from New Bolten also came out to scan the abscess in Donut's Lung and it has not diminished. The vets and the owner are thinking about what can be done next but as Tim is away in Scotland for a week, I don't know what the outcome of these discussions were. I hope that whatever is done, it helps her get over this infection. The horses at the farm are stumbling around carefully on a nice layer of ice. Hopefully the sun will warm the ground up enough to get rid of this hazzard. Anyway, if I should hear any news from the barn, I will let you know.
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Update 212: What a sunny Friday. I managed to go to the local pub to watch Sky Heat win the first race at Laurel today. Reports from Mike say that she has come out of it fine and was not claimed so she will be coming home to us. Donut and Luke are enjoying the afternoon out in the paddock at Fair Hill. The sun should work wonders for Donut. Tomorrow there will be more clipping. I'm not sure which two are about to lose their hair, but they will probably feel much better for it. Tim reports that Our Hearthrob is moving well and still is pointed towards the races. No other news for now.
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Update 211: Yet another crisp and sunny Wednesday morning. Reports are that Donut continues to kick up her heels much to everyone's delight. It is great to see her feeling well. Her temperature is still holding at 101 and she is eating like a horse! JoJo and King Congaree are back in full training. King Congaree blends in well with the snow we have on the ground. A new grey fireball has come in named Tap Softly. She is really a firecracker and almost as white as Congaree. Sky Heat is in on Friday at Laurel and we hope she will improve on her previous effort. Anyway, no other news from the trainer today.
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Update 210: Monday has given way to much warmer temperatures, given the frigid weather of the weekend. Coming back from a short weekend in Florida didn't seem too bad being that it was 34 degrees out. Saar Treaty ran a great race on Sunday. Boy it is tough in Florida. Tim Hills spoke with Tim and was very happy with her efforts and hopes to find her a nice allowance race to run in. Mike left me a birthday message on Saturday saying that Powdered Donut was quite fresh walking in the barn. She was almost being naughty which everyone enjoyed seeing. Hopefully she is getting the better of her lung infection. Most of the weekend Tim spent inside the barn shed row, but with the warmer weather on Sunday he was able to take several sets to the track. The on again off again snow of today should not have any real affect on the track tomorrow unless the temperatures drop drastically tonight. Anyway, I don't believe Tim has anything to run this week. Just the usual training going on, but it anything interesting happens, I'll let you know.
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Update 209: What a frigid Thursday. Just a quick update from Tim. Nongoma ran a great race at Penn National the other day finishing a good third. She has come home no worse for wear. Hopefully she will gain some confidence and we can continue to improve her form. Our Hearthrob got a tattoo yesterday. Unfortunately for the owner she got a generic tattoo and not a heart with Mike written in it. She took it like a woman. The dentist Mark was in this morning looking at King Congaree and Veiled Reference. Both made it through their visit with flying colors. We need some help from our friends out there. Rosetta does not have a proper name and the time has come for us to register a name with the Jockey Club. She is by a stallion named Trust N Luck out of a mare named My Testarossa. Please submit any names that you think might work for her. She is a cute chestnut with a lot of spunk. See what you can come up with.
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Penny
Update 208: Today is a bright and crispy Wednesday. Last night I was in charge of Donut's medication (which I report she took like a woman) and I spent a few minutes to give her a pep talk. Please bear with me as I share with you some of my thoughts. On my desk at work there is a fortune cookie that says, It is not in your character to give up. This could not be more accurate in my case. My character is to give everything when things are important to me. My fiery personality has gotten me into some trouble at times. I will not give up even when the belief is that I have tried everything. Keep searching for another answer. In the past year and a half, I have learned some important life lessons. Sometimes the decision to give up is made for you and there is nothing you can do. There comes a point when it is necessary to let go. There is something about horses that cuts through all of crap of life and goes directly to the heart like a dagger. Horses for me are like a band-aid on my soul at the most needed times. We have given Donut all of the medication she can have and now this is my choice. I will go to see her everyday and love on her and give her hugs and kisses. The pep talks and her time with Luke will continue. There are a few things in my life that the time has finally come to let go of, but Donut is not one of them.
More later when I hear from Tim
Update 207: Today is a pretty good Tuesday. Who's Happy and Sky Heat both returned from Philadelphia Park in good shape. Happy may get a break we're not sure but we think that she did not care for the hard racetrack. Tim had hoped to turn around Sky Heat and improve upon her race record but he's not sure how to make that happen. We will continue to try a few more things. Powdered Donut was turned out with Luke this morning in the big paddock. Tim said that there were legs flying but in the end Luke had his way and he and Powdered Donut were fast friends. Hopefully Donut will continue to improve. The veterinarians have decided to change her antibiotic in hopes of getting the infection in her lungs under control. So far nothing is working that great! She was happy this morning and tossing her head. Lets hope the new plan works. Tim is on his way to Penn National with Nongoma as we speak. I have not heard what the race looks like but wish her luck!!
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Update 206: All I can say about this Monday morning is at least the sun is out. Tim is currently on the backside of Philadelphia Park freezing his rear off. Sky Heat and Who's Happy are running today. The only saving grace is that Tim says they are both in great spots and hopefully they will run well to make it all worth it. I have heard no other update from the barn this morning. Hopefully all went well.
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Update 205: Although a bit of a cold wind blows today at least the sun is out. Tim had quite a surprise yesterday when Sean Massey stopped in to see his Veiled Reference. Normally Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow before we see Sean. It was a very pleasant visit and we are always happy to see Sean. Another return to the barn is Hlatikulu (JoJo). She is a little filly by Cetawayo who ran for Tim a couple times last year and showed some real promise. It's great to have her back. Boodeville who is a five year old gelding by Malibu Moon continues to be a grump at feed time. He is really quite a joy to be around and only thinks he's mean when food is near. He did cause me a bit of trouble last week when his hair needed to come off and the tranquilizer did not take effect. The second dose did him in and I was able to make him look presentable. Anyway, of course all of the horses turned another year older on January 1st. Here's to a great year for Double Trouble Stables.
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Update 204: Quite a rainy and cold Wednesday. I believe all of the horses stayed in the barn to train this morning. It is well into the afternoon and we are still getting loads of rain. Anyway, just a quick update. Luke had work to do yesterday and took Who's Happy to the track. He loves to work and especially likes the fillies. Luke jogged around for about half a mile and then cantered for another half mile before releasing Happy who was having a normal gallop. She is so tough but Luke doesn't mind. Ah, if only his feet were better. He will get a few days off now for his hard work. The race did not go for Who's Happy on Friday and Tim reports that they brought it back for Sunday but they so far only have three entries. Hopefully something will go for her. Powdered Donut is still recovering with her temperature going up and down unexpectedly. She seems quiet but happy and hopefully she will come through this trauma. Horses are really so delicate. If I hear of anymore news from Tim I will write again.
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Update 203: Just a quick update to clear up a little misunderstanding. Who's Happy has not been bred. She is not yet finished racing. When I was writing about Who's Happy and Lilly and the older sister Raging Rapids, the mare (Enraged) is an awfully nice mare. Hopefully we will have Happy around for awhile yet. King Congaree was his usual boisterous self while I tried to give him a clip this weekend. He has so much hair that I could not finish it and will have to do the second half one day this week. Tim and I had dinner with Mike and his dad last week where upon we watched the latest video of Our Hearthrob breezing. Oh please Tim can you get her to the races!!! There is a stakes race in Florida for Saar Treaty in the middle of January, we will have to see if she makes it into the race (based on earnings). Tim will be flying down with the owner if she gets in to watch her run. We hear that she is doing great!!! I'm sure she much prefers the 82 degree weather. I stopped briefly this morning to give a few hugs and kisses. Triumphant was giving me his look so I stopped to see him. What a ham! Anyway, Donut continues to improve and hopefully she is not the upswing.
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Update 202: Thanks to all of you for a wonderful 2008 and we are looking forward to an even better 2009. I do apologize for all of the junk mail that appears on the sight, it does get the better of me. Linda, to answer your question, on race day the horse is fed a breakfast as normal. All of the horses eat breakfast at about 5:30 a.m. everyday so we keep that as normal as possible. Their dinner feed is given upon returning from the races no matter what time of night it is and the only feed they actually miss will be the lunch feed. Just a quick update on the horses. Lilly will be making her debut on Sunday at Philadelphia Park. She is of course the sister to Who's Happy so we are excited for her. She is as tough as her sisters and we hope she can run like them (both are stakes horses). Who's Happy after running last week has now passed the $300,000 mark. What a nice broodmare the owner's have. I believe she was bred to Not For Love this year so I can't wait to see this baby. Truimphant is surely making his way to the races. He looks so much like a racehorse now. His personality is really shining through and he seems very happy within himself. Our Hearthrob (bubble gum) is progressing nicely and the owner has now got a brand new set of silks for her. The excitement continues. There will be a few horses returning very shortly. King Congaree will be coming back. Tim went to see him the other day and says that he has grown even more and is so white now. Veiled Reference is coming back to us and her foot seems to be healed enough to stand training. It will be great to have her back in the barn. Anyway, hope the holidays were great for everyone. P.S. - Powdered Donut has progressed enough now to be turned out in a small porta pad now. She is doing great! Thanks for the prayers.
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Update 201: Tim has just called and Who's Happy ran a great fourth. She came flying at the end and it was a photo finish for third. He also said that she has come out of it fine with now problems.
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Update 200: Just a quick update on this grey Thursday morning. Donut came back to us from New Bolten last night. She is taking medicine every 6 hours. I am happy to report that although she has lost a little weight, she is bright eyed. Tim and I stopped by at about 10 last night to check on her. Temperature wise she is holding steady at 100 degrees. It's so good to have her back. Truimphant was giving me a sorry look this morning as if I could possibly walk by without giving him a pat. What a ham!!! He is breezing well but I have not heard what the plan is for him just yet. Binkley is doing his part to keep the mouse population under control. Never underestimate the power of a good cat!!! Tim will have a busy next week with both Who's Happy and Lilly slated to run. Glancing over the calender for next week there are at least two other days he's running but I can't report where or with whom. I'll try to corner him and get some info out of him.
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Update 199: What a rainy Thursday. The last time I spoke with Tim he was madly trying to get horses breezed because of the impending rain. The steady rain can only mean that he has been wet all morning. Days like today make it easier to sit in an office . Powdered Donut has taken a turn for the worse and is at New Bolten with Pneumonia. Keep your finger's crossed for her. Who's Happy has come out of her race just fine and I believe there is a race at the end of December for her. There are several new babies in the barn that Tim and Robbie are working with. This time of year the turf horses go home and babies come in. Bubble Gum and Triumphant continue to do well and make their way towards the races. Luke is still at Fair Hill and will probably have a busy schedule with Who's Happy for the next couple of weeks. He seems to be enjoying his time there and doesn't seem to be missing the farm at all. Anyway, after freezing our rears off ( I only wish that was actually posible) at the December Mixed Sale at Timonium, the weather has at least given us a break in temperatures. Sunday was such a cold and windy day that the horses were difficult and hands were freezing. I'm not sure how all of the Consignors, Owners, Buyers, and Help made it through the bitter cold. Sales results were just a little bit down from last year . We had expected it to be. Anyway, nothing else currently to report. Hope all of you are well.
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Update 198: Quite a blustery Sunday morning. Tim is on his way to Philadelphia Park with Who's Happy. She should be running at about 3 pm. The good thing about Happy is that nothing bothers her. Not the wind, or the cold are issues for her. She is one tough cookie. I can't say the same for Tim and Mike. They will both be suffering. Powdered Donut is doing great and recovering from her high temperature. She is beginning to eat more and is happier. What a relief it is, so much can happen to a horse in a very short amount of time. Our Hearthrob is remaining sound and hopefully will make her way to the races early next year. Triumphant continues on the right track. He breezed last week from the gate and Tim says that he did it well. We have heard from Tim Hills who has Saar Treaty in Florida and she is doing just great. He will work her next week and find a race! How exciting. I'm quite sure she is enjoying the sunshine in Florida. Luke went to the track yesterday with Happy and he loves all of the action. What a great pony. He will be hard to replace.
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Update 197: Today is a bit of a dreary Monday but at least the temperature is above 40degrees. Lilly got a reprieve on her Maiden voyage to the races. Thankfully the owners were not keen to run her on an off track. Vicar's Tune did not run well on the dirt and will be going home for a break. He has jogged up fine and is sound and happy. One of the new girls (Denali) ran on Saturday at Laurel Park and finished a great second. She broke from the gate and went straight to the front only to be nabbed in the last few strides of the race. What a game filly! Bubble Gum breezed on Sunday with Triumphant and she has come out of it in great shape. I gave her a clip and she looks much taller! Onward to the races with her, how exciting. Powdered Donut is still clinging to a temperature but both Tim and Chuck are determined to keep a watchful eye on her. Luke shipped back to Fair Hill this morning to give Tim some help with Who's Happy and Sky Heat. Sky Heat is a filly owned by Matt Haney and she can be a hot tomale. (Did I spell that right?) Anyway, Luke is just the man for the job. I'm glad he's back!
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Update 196: What a beautiful Saturday Morning. I have to apologize for the lack of updates lately. The junk mail on this site becomes overwelming at times. Anyway, just a few things are in the works lately. Mrs. MVP has gone home for a much deserved break for the rest of the year. She has shown lots of heart in every race . Saar Treaty continues to train and will be leaving today to go to Florida. She is doing great and she needs to run on the turf . All of her hair is off and she was none too happy to have it clipped. Timothy Hills who is a friend of ours will be taking care of Saar for us. He is a great trainer and we couldn't be any happier with the arrangements. Ah, if only we could go to Florida with our PA breds. I'm not sure the owners would go for that one. Sweet Ginger Brown left yesterday for Turfway Park where is will be able to run on the artificial surface. The dirt is just not her cup of tea. Hopefully she will run well. We have been having some trouble getting Who's Happy in another race. The person writing the races seems to only be writing short races and Happy needs to go long. She was meant to run tomorrow( or Monday) at Philadelphia Park but I believe Tim said he didn't think the race would go. The owners want to take her home for a break. She would probably be happy with that! Vicar's Tune is running on the dirt at Philadelphia Park today. His owner wanted to try him on the dirt before giving him the winter off. He is still such a joy to be around and tortures me everynight while I'm trying to water off. What a gem. Powdered Donut went to New Bolten to have Dr. Dean Richardson work on some rough stuff in her ankles. She is recovering at Fair Hill but seems to be having a hard time with a high temperature. Tim and Dr. Chuck are keeping a close eye on her. Lilly is running for the first time tomorrow at Philadelphia Park. It should be quite interesting seeing her run but I hope we don't get the wet weather they are calling for. I really don't like running a baby on a rough track the first time out. I am probably more bothered than Lilly, nothing seems to bother her. Well, we shipped Lucky in to Fair Hill a couple days ago to see if he could be a pony. This is the little horse that was left at the sales grounds that I ended up taking home. He is so lovey but has a major stifle issue for which we have tried everything. We thought we had found him a good home but when the people demanded the jockey club papers (?) he suddenly ended up back with us. I was afraid he would end up somewhere I wouldn't like so we brought him home. Lucky was a very good companion to several horses and wasn't bad at standing. He actually stood by the gate and then watched a horse break from the gate, with the bell, and he stayed calm the whole time. Tim assures me that he never knew what the gate was for. Maybe he was right. Anyway, Who's Happy enjoyed her company to the track and back. Luke also went to Fair Hill and Meghan took him to the track several times. What a rock solid pony. He enjoyed his day out. I better stop gabbing now.
More Later
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