SIM Series - Week 5 Episode 5

LAST WEEK ON SIM SERIES…

The SIM Community has spoken! Ara Davies sent her filly Time Delay to a Maiden Event at Milan Racecourse in Italy while Carolyn Eaton shipped her filly The White Album to the $75k Tara’s Touch in South Africa. Both will race Week 4 Friday. Meanwhile, the feud between Mary Weather and I rages on…

AND NOW...SIM Series – Week 5 Episode 5

“You can bid on the Gary Cooper dispersal auction yourself!” Mary says.

“Fine. Whatever.” I respond.

I walk back to my office as she leaves outside into the hot California heat, slamming the door. Hopefully, she’ll go do something productive. Gallop a horse! Go train one of my career maidens over the jumps! School a colt in the paddock or gates! Just do something more than what transpired this week. Nothing. Our disagreement worsened over the week, to the point where Mary decided to do the absolute minimum. I even had to ship my own horses!

I look through the Gary Cooper dispersal auction. There are so many great sires on horses that have yet to see the track. Pincay, Barbaro, Giacomo, Black Condor, Jet-Ski, Monaachi to name a few, with many horses turning 3 or 4 years old and never raced. It’s a bitter sweet collection of talent that makes me feel somewhat guilty for bidding on Midnight Satellite and My Boy George who’s actually a turf filly out of George Washington. I rummage through my old files and pull up Light Blue Satin, a 5 year-old mare out of Let There Be Light that Gary sent me about three racing seasons ago when I was still relatively new to the SIM. We debated on how good this filly would be and he asked me if I wanted a few more dirt routers to race. He had an abundance of them. I graciously turned him down back then, already swamped with enough horses at the time. I click through a few more of his horses as I check the SIM Forum for any Gary Cooper updates. None.

I’m interrupted by an unfamiliar voice.

“Wow! It’s nice and cool in here” She says. “You have a really nice office!”

I take a peek. “Channi?” I say surprisingly.

“I hope you don’t mind me dropping by like this,” she says. “Plato, I mean The Proven One is entered in a Maiden over at Inglewood Park for Week 5 Friday so I’m in town to oversee his race. I was sad that I couldn’t go to his last race. I mean he got walloped by two superstar speedsters!”

“That WAS a tough race!” I say.

“Maybe it was the lack of Timbits,” she continues. “Maybe they’re the culprit. I’ll have to consult my dietician about his weight and eating habits. He better not be waddling his way to the finish line!”

“Are you going to make any equipment changes?” I ask.

“I’m not sure,” she says quickly. “I mean I liked the way he ran. He was just outclassed. If anything, it might be blinkers or a figure-eight two races from now. I’m just bummed about him losing.”

“It’ll be-” She interrupts me.

“I mean, my week’s been so-so,” she says. “I had my first non Create A Horse homebred win and Blazing Gold won a steeplechasing stakes in Australia. That and that Birthday Candle baby buying spree that I went on last year turned up some major duds.”

She continues on about her steeplechasers as I slowly minimize my computer screen. I don’t want her to see which horses I’m bidding on or looking at, part of my ultra competitive nature. We share some Coke Zeros, which surprisingly doesn’t have the typical diet soda after taste. I tell her about a few places in Los Angeles she should visit and a few places she should avoid, like the surrounding areas of Inglewood Park! She laughs and mocks me about my week in Toronto and my CN Tower experience. Eventually, we exchange parting pleasantries and I wish her and Plato well in Week 5 Friday.

She leaves as Mary comes back in. They glare at each other briefly before moving on. “Oh, so you’re replacing me already!” Mary says.

“Mary,” I say sighing. “Can we squash this?”

“Apparently! You’ve squashed it by firing me! I quit!”

“That’s Channi Ruzzo,” I respond. “Look, I’m sorry for yelling at you last week, OK? I was just upset that we didn’t get anything at the Steward’s sale.”

I could see she was mulling over my apology. I extend my hand out. “Are we good?” I ask.

“I’m sorry too,” Mary says. “I know you really wanted that Stewards Bred. I’m sorry for saying all those means things.”

We embrace with a mini hug. “Oh,” she says tentatively. “Well, since we’re back on good terms again, I should probably mention that Mike Eaton called.”

“When?”

“Two days ago. He’s been calling and um, eventually left you a voice message.” She gives me her trademark smirk.

I smile and shake my head as we laugh at our childish acts. She leaves again, grabbing her cap as I begin dialing my voice mail to hear Mike Eaton’s message.

“Oh yeah, um,” she says stopping at the doorway. “Katy Turner’s All For Fun finished sixth and Chris Simpson’s Acting Up finished third too. They called two days ago as well.”

“Let’s never argue again, OK?” I say.

She nods, acknowledges my comments and leaves as I begin listening to Mike’s voicemail. It beeps.

“Scott! I don’t know what’s going on, but I’ve been trying to call you for days now. Did Mary tell you? She doesn’t sound well! Anyways, Make Me Clever won and I’m really relieved because I didn’t want to lose in a maiden, especially since she’s part of the Series now! I think she ran a pretty good race. She’s tired, but she came out healthy. The distance really-”

BEEP. It ended abruptly. I play it again and check to make sure I didn’t unplug it by accident. I play the next message.

“Hey man, your answering machine cut me off! Anyways, Make Me Clever’s a fast one. Very talented. I want her in a stakes, an allowance, whatever the SIM Community wants. Alright, I got to go check on my derby hopeful Change the Future. Call me man.”

I delete his messages and check the current poll for his filly. It’s a tight vote with only two votes separating the choices. I pick up the phone and call Mike’s number, hoping to straighten out the confusion of the week. I open up my browser again to check the Gary Cooper dispersal auction. I’ve already been out bid on Midnight Satellite since looking at him earlier.

NEXT WEEK ON SIM SERIES…

The competition heats up as the first cut in Week 9 is looming. Also, the final pairing of Katy Turner’s All For Fun and Chris Simpson’s Acting Up will go to the SIM Community’s Vote. Where will they race next?

www.simhorseracing.com

SIM Series - Week 4 Episode 4

LAST WEEK ON SIM SERIES:

Chris Simpson sent his dirt sprinting colt Acting Up to Brooklyn Raceway for 5 furlong Maiden Special Weight while Katy Turner shipped her turf sprinting colt All For Fun to Premium Park for a maiden event as well. Both will race Week 3 Friday. Meanwhile, the first SIM Vote is now official. How did it all turn out? We’ll see!

AND NOW…SIM Series Week 4 Episode 4

Long Beach. It’s home sweet home. I enter my office and surprisingly Mary Weather is already here looking over the auctions and the sales page. Last week, I asked her to monitor them in search of value horses that would boost my stable. I’m slightly upset at her though so she doesn’t bother to look at me or even say “Good Morning” as I walk in. On Monday, I specifically asked her to pay attention to the Steward’s Hourly Sale. I instructed her to immediately click buy when she saw one available regardless of price. Maybe I wasn’t clear enough, but needless to say we ended up with nothing! I yelled at her and she proceeded to rub it in when she told me about how she passed up on Be The Hunter, a Saga colt that worked a very respectable 5 furlongs in 58.89. She said, “There’s no value in spending 150k on any horse, especially a colt!” She then threw me the “You asked me to find value horses. Now you’re upset that I didn’t buy ONE! ONE colt for 150k?! What do you want then?” We eventually dropped it.

I walk by her and sit down in my office and begin looking over my stable. These days, my small operation has gone pretty hi-tech. From my computer, I can see my racing barn, training barn, the pasture, and the action packed breeding barn! I’m clicking on my racing barn as Mary walks in. I stare at her blankly and uncomfortably say, “Yes?”

“Carolyn Eaton is on line 1 Mr. Value Horse,” Mary says as she walks away.

I ignore her chide at me and shake my head. “Good morning Carolyn,” I say. “How does victory taste!”

“Fabulous!” She says. “It’s such sweet vindication to see that The White Album, or T.W.A. as I call her, is as talented as I thought! I mean, she won and put up a seventy speed figure, so that’s wonderful! How are you doing?”

“All is well,” I say. “Did she come out healthy?”

I’m interrupted by Mary as I tell Carolyn to hold on. She tells me Ara Davies is on line 2. I ask her to tell Ara that I will call her back in a jiff. “Ara?” Mary says as she turns her back to me and walks away “Mr. 150k Value Guy will call you back when he’s wants to.”

I ignore her again and go back to Carolyn. “She’s tired, but sound,” Carolyn says. “She’s likely in the top five turf sprint fillies of her crop. She managed to beat a really good filly named Seethe. I imagine there’s going to be a little rivalry developing here.”

“Have you seen the current voting poll?” I ask.

“Yep,” Carolyn happily says. “It looks like the 75k Tara’s Touch stakes in Week 4 Friday, right?”
I confirm her enthusiastic response. It’s almost like she wanted TWA to race in the Tara’s Touch. Luckily for her, the SIM community wanted the same. We chat a little more about her week of racing. We talk about a few horses she’s disappointed in and a few that she is excited about. All in all, her SIM Series experience has started out on the right foot. I eventually hang up with her and wish her luck as Mary is standing in my doorway again.

“Mike Eaton’s dirt sprinting filly Make Me Clever won her maiden debut,” Mary says. “And Channi Ruzzo’s dirt sprinting colt The Proven One finished fourth in a 75k stakes race.”

“Is that all?” I ask.

She gives me the look and walks away. I pick up my phone and dial Ara’s phone number. I shouldn’t provoke Mary anymore. “Good morning Ara!” I say.

“So what was all that about?” Ara asks.

“What was what all about?”

“Mr. 150k Value Guy?” Ara inquires. “Your Mary Weather doesn’t seem to like you today.”

“It’s a long story,” I respond. “So what’s up with Time Delay?”

“Well, she doesn’t like wet tracks and unfortunately it rained on race day so I was a little uncertain about her anyways. The good news is that because she came in second place, I was able to get some good information about what kind of equipment changes I should make.”

“Like what?” I ask.

“She had a sluggish start so next time out, she’s getting blinkers. Hopefully, it’ll help her get into the race a little faster.”

“Have you seen the voting poll?” I ask.

“The SIMsters are asking for a maiden in week four or five!” Ara says. “I think she’s still talented enough to start in another stakes race, but if they want a maiden, then maiden here we come!”

“What’s F5-ing?” I ask randomly.

“F5-ing?” Ara says. “That’s a secret!”

We chat for a little longer, especially about Ara’s multitude of second place finishes for the week. She says it was about half of her runners. I secretly fantasize about how excited I’d be if I was in her situation. The talent in Ara’s stable demands differently though, so I understand where she is coming from so to speak. She jokes that her horses must be angry at her and wanted to get her back for not giving them enough carrots. Imagine that, Ara’s stable of top talent, getting together in the barn for a secret meeting,with all-you-can-eat carrots, mints and hay being served, and ultimately after playing poker and getting punch drunk, they all decide that they’ll all finish second on purpose if they’re winning in the stretch! “Gotcha!” they would say in unison!

I keep Horse Gate to myself as I say goodbye to Ara. I make her promise me that she’ll tell me what F5-ing is one day. She doesn’t necessarily agree, but I take it as a yes. I gather my files and reports and walk back to where Mary is sitting, intent on amicably settling our dispute.

“Mary,” I say as she turns to me.

“What do you want Mr. Spend More than Half Your Bankroll on One Horse while Asking Your Assistant to Find You Value Horse Guy?” She says sarcastically.

“I’m going to check up on Seven Day Theory.” I say as I quickly change my mind. “Don’t buy any 150k horses while I’m gone.”

She blows off my smug comments and turns to her computer. I walk outside towards my racing barn where Seven Day Theory is resting. I need to give him a carrot or two and pet him. I don’t want a Horse Gate scandal on my hands either.

NEXT WEEK ON SIM SERIES:

The Routers have been finalized and the list will be released soon. Meanwhile, SIMsters will get to vote on where to send Mike Eaton’s Make Me Clever and Channi Ruzzo’s The Proven One (Plato). Where will they race next?

www.simhorseracing.com

SIM Series - Week 3 Episode 3

LAST WEEK ON SIM SERIES:

Mike Eaton sent his Dirt Sprinting filly Make Me Clever to a maiden event in Hipodromo Argentino while Channi Ruzzo sent her dirt sprinting colt The Proven One aka “Plato” to a 75k stakes race in Adolescent Acres in California. Meanwhile, a scheduling goof up forced me to stay in Toronto for the week as I anxiously await results. How did it all turn out? We’ll find out soon enough…

AND NOW…SIM Series – Week 3 Episode 3

I awoke early Saturday and after having a light breakfast of Frosted Flakes, orange juice and a boiled egg, I immediately started my drive over to Brampton to meet Chris Simpson and his dirt sprinting colt Acting Up. I was happy to be on the road. I spent the week visiting places like the Hockey Hall of Fame, Royal Ontario Museum, Centre Island, The CN Tower (which Channi has never been past the first floor), and the Distillery District, which I believe I visited on Thursday. The locals at Mill St. Brew Pub and Tappo Wine Bar were simultaneously friendly and hostile. They called me a “homer” for not wanting to drink that much, so I took it upon myself to represent the USA in all its glory and drank, err um soda pops all night with the locals. Mary Weather spent all day Friday trying to call me, but needless to say I wasn’t taking ANY phone calls yesterday.

I pull up to Chris Simpson’s place and notice that he lives in an apartment. Oddly enough, it did not offer horse parking, so I’m not sure where he manages to house his 200+ horses. I’m guessing he uses other people’s farms like Mike. I ring the bell from outside so that he can “buzz” me in.

Chris started his racing career on February 25th, 2008. Compared to the other owners, he is the newest player by far as he is in his 3rd full racing season, fresh off his Junior Player Status. The Dare to Dream (DTD) Program has helped him build a small stable foundation with horses like his dirt router Child Goddess. Like many players his horses are many, but his stars are few.

As we walk into his apartment, Chris begins to express his joy about our return to racing. “Break is so long,” he says. “I can’t wait to enter my horses, especially the claimers since those races fill so quickly. Good thing races split themselves now.”

I bring up my “walk barefoot 50 miles in the snow” story and tell him that when I started my stable back in umm March 2007, the DTD Program didn’t even exist, races filled up as soon as the clock hit 12AM Pacific Time, we only raced once a week, there weren’t as many tracks and circuits and without SIMperior you couldn’t even view when your horse ran last without clicking on each one individually. YES! All 200 or 300 or however many in your stable! He’s not amused or entertained at all with my story. I stop lamenting and ask him what he expects from being on SIM Series.

“I’d hope to learn more about racing,” he says. “Especially how to handle them. There are so many great people in the SIM.”

We continue chatting about random SIM stuff, agreeing and disagreeing on the new features. As he brings them up, I secretly compare them to my “barefoot 50 miles in the snow” sob story. He mentions auto shipping. I remember forgetting to ship let alone even knowing when to ship and having to pull up the SIM map to see how far Cyprus Racecourse really was from California! (Trust me, it’s very far!) He mentions Horse Cemeteries. Though cryptic, I remember Ara Davies campaigning for them while she cremated many of her fallen racers and not being able to give them proper burials. He mentions the Pasture. I remember my farm (Hill Valley Equestrian Center) all mixed up where current racers grazed with retired ones. He mentions the SIMperior Edge and the wealth of information. I remember posting multiple repetitive/smart/dumb/good/accusing questions about stuff including one of the longest forum postings (I believe 159 responses over 11 pages), about the Horse Whisperer (a new addition at the time), ROI (Return On Investment) and whether or not it was an unfair advantage for SIMperior members. I ponder the silliness of it as we continue chatting about SIM 4.0. Oh, the plight of a newbie!

Eventually, I get around to asking about his dirt sprinter Acting Up. He’s a sturdy brown 15.1 hand colt out of Inspired Skye and a mare named Behaving Badly. Acting Up is also a $50,000 Steward Bred auction purchase.

“I expect him to be a small stakes winner,” Chris says. “At the worst, an allowance horse. I’ve entered him in a Maiden Special Weight at Brooklyn Raceway for Week 3 Friday.”

I look at the entry and notice he’s equipping him with lasix, a tongue tie, and hind bandages already. So far only four other horses are entered. We chit chat for a while longer and try to handicap the race. I eventually make my way out as my flight time nears. My semi-vacation in Toronto is quickly coming to a close as I prepare to fly south towards New Orleans, Louisiana to meet Katy Turner and her turf sprinting colt All For Fun.

I'm finally dozing off as Mary Weather calls me and I finally pick up. After complaining about my lack of attention to her previous calls, she tells me the results from Week 1 Friday. Carolyn Eaton’s blue-blooded filly The White Album wins her maiden debut with a 70 speed figure over a talented field. Mean while, at Canada’s Child’s Play Park, Ara Davies’ Time Delay finished 2nd while posting a 55 speed figure in the slop. Both horses perform well. I make an entry into my Blackberry for Week 4; “Call Ara and Carolyn RE: Results and SIM voting.”

As I land at Louis Armstrong Int’l Airport around 5PM, I take in the scenery that is New Orleans. The airport, just like many across the country is decorated with scenes and traditions that are local to the area. I gather my carry on and walk towards the car rental counter. It’s hard to admit, but I’m wearing the same jeans that I’ve worn all week. I made an attempt to dry clean them in the hotel at Toronto, however I realized that it would leave me pants-less for a day. Nobody appreciates a guy walking around public in his boxers! Luckily, I was able to purchase some souvenir t-shirts (amongst other things!) and at least have clean shirts to wear!

I arrive at Katy’s place and notice that she runs her stable without a farm, just like Mike, Channi, and Chris. Her place has a classic feel to it, definitely not suitable for horses. It’s an upgraded rendition of an older home, very New Orleans-ish. As I arrive, I remember my last trip to this historic town. I spent most of it walking around with my college roommates and friends, drinking and flashing my chest for beads. Well, my memory is rather vague, so maybe it was the other way around. Nonetheless it was a great trip, filled with fantastic memories including the wonderful smell of the streets!

I shake hands with Katy while noticing her tired demeanor. She looks strangely at my “CN Tower” T-Shirt which I’m now embarrassed about. Her condition is similar to my current tiredness. However, she has probably been up all night bidding on TBS horses or finding races for her approximately 175 horses, NOT flying across the country and over borders! Her school work keeps her busy as well, not to mention the occasional hurricane that she has to evacuate from!

Katy is also a winner of the Year 21 Steward’s Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf with Divine Comedy and winner of other Grade/Group I races like the English and Irish 1000 Guineas. Her millionaire bankroll and veteran player status is undeniable.

I make myself comfortable in her living room as she begins to speak. “SIM Series seems like a good way to involve myself a bit more in the SIM Community.” She says. “I mean, I spend as much time as I can on the SIM anyways. I’m addicted. What can I say?”

It’s a chilling revelation, one that undoubtedly can be shared by many SIMsters including yours truly. The SIM is like heroine with out the chance of OD-ing!

“I expect All For Fun to be a fairly solid stakes winner over turf,” Katy continues. “He might not be Steward’s Cup potential, but he should be a fun colt to campaign.”

All For Fun is a 16.3 hands chocolate colt out of Knightsbridge Road and Only For A Moment, a Green Dash mare. He is homebred by Katy. I inquire about his whereabouts.

“He’s currently entered at Premium Park in Kentucky. It’s a maiden event for a small 15k purse. I generally don’t start my horses in stakes races.” She says while sighing. “I don’t know. He’s kind of a goofball, so I’m just hoping for a win.”

Her tiredness is undoubtedly showing now, even through her smiles and smirks. I try to speed things up to accommodate her, but we continue chatting. Selfishly, I am itching to go home to Long Beach as well. She tells me about her seldom used turf router stallion Phantom Flames and how surprised she is when someone actually sends him a mare. She speaks fondly of her current crop of stars like Solaro, a turf sprinter/miler and Shady Place, another turf winner. I can see the addiction rolling off her words. It’s a mixture of passion and intensity and a need to schlep around aimlessly in the SIM chatting and wandering, checking out other people’s horses. She is definitely down with O.P.H.!

We eventually get to our farewells. I wish her the utmost luck with All For Fun. Her colt is talented and will get a chance to prove it in Week 3 Friday. Likewise, Chris Simpson’s dirt sprinting colt Acting Up will also debut in Week 3 Friday.

I leave with the sense that the SIM is in good hands. The six players that I’ve met over the last 3 weeks are unique in every way. They run their stables differently. They treat their horses differently. They have different demeanors and styles. In the end they only share one thing in common. Win.

NEXT WEEK on SIM Series:

The pressure is on as all 6 six owners will have debuted their horses. After Week 3 Friday, YOU will decide what to do! Where will you send Ara Davies’ Time Delay and Carolyn Eaton’s The White Album? STAY TUNED…the first poll will be opening soon!

www.simhorseracing.com

SIM Series - Week 2 Episode 2

LAST WEEK ON SIM SERIES:

Hall of Fame trainer Ara Davies has sent her filly Time Delay to the “75k Dark Fantasy Stakes” in Canada. Meanwhile, at Tosca Stables Texas, Carolyn Eaton has shipped her filly The White Album to South Africa for a 4 furlong Maiden Special Weight. Both will race on Week 1 Friday. Will both win? We’ll find out!

AND NOW…SIM Series Week 2 Episode 2

“You haven’t figured it out?” I said to Mary Weather. “Then what did Ara mean by F5-ing?”

I turn and look at Mary and notice that it’s already 8:30AM. She stares back at me with that friendly smirk that she always has. Her cap was on perfectly and her outfit immaculately pressed and clean. I’m always wondering how she stays so neat while running my stable. It’s also awkward that I never see her with any goggles or a whip for the matter. Maybe she trains without them. Maybe she’s a naked trainer. I don’t know. She’s new to my stable. “Maybe you should ask a horse whisperer,” she replies regarding the F5-ing.

I take note of her recommendation as I leave my office. Call Clark Hoss when I get back! I love Clark. He always seems to know something about the horses in my stable. Nonetheless, today, I need to catch a flight to Cumberland, Rhode Island to meet Mike Eaton (no relation to Carolyn) and his dirt sprinter Make Me Clever. From there I’ll trek to Toronto and chat with Channi Ruzzo and her dirt sprinter The Proven One. I start driving to John Wayne Airport in Orange County since Jet Blue doesn’t fly to Rhode Island. Bummer.

I arrive at Logan Airport around 7PM local time. My flights to the East Coast always seem so fast these days. I remember when a six hour flight couldn’t be condensed into three sentences. These days, the planes are so fast it’s like teleporting Star Trek style. Beam me up Scotty!

I finally reach Mike’s home and I realize that I’m not in California anymore. There’s actually more trees than buildings. It’s a bustling town of approximately 31,000. In Long Beach, I think 31,000 people live on just my block alone!

Mike is waiting outside already. He’s wearing a hooded sweater and jeans. I find it odd that he runs a stable with out a farm. Despite that, Mike stands multiple stallions including Grade/Group 1 dirt winner Democracy out of Saga and Dethroned, an Heir To The Throne mare. He’s rather new to racing, a SIMster since July 8th, 2007.

I shake his hand and I’m impressed that he didn’t give me the “sloppy fish”. I hardly meet any 16 year olds that have his demeanor. We exchange pleasantries. OK, actually, we exchange the cupped handshake and half hug that guys give each other. We also exchange “What’s up(s),” “How you doing(s),” a “Sweet,” and finally a “Crank that Soulja Boy,” which kind of weirds me out. I’m guessing he’s joking.

We go inside and I notice that he runs his stable from his living room. “Troublemaker” by Weezer is playing on his computer.

“I used to spend twenty-five hours a week running my stable,” Mike says. “But since my computer broke, I’m down to ten. I actually have a normal teenage social life again. Next week I think I’m going to Sadie Hawkins.” He smirks and nods.

I’m 29 and he’s 16, so I have to think back a few years to remember Sadie Hawkins. I quickly change the subject and ask him where Make Me Clever resides.

“She’s in Venezuela right now. I entered her in a five furlong maiden event at Hipodromo Argentino for Week 2 Monday.”

Make Me Clever is a beautiful 16.1 hand black filly out of Inspired Strike and Clever Girl, a Lost mare. She’s actually homebred by Mike. I ask him how he breeds without a farm.

“For now I use farms that are owned by other players. You don’t need permission to use a farm, you just have to ship your horse there and pay the fees.” He says and continues. “You know, I expect Make Me Clever to eventually be a stakes winner. I hate sprinters so I can’t wait for the SIM Community to tell me what to do with her. They probably know what’s best for her anyways. Why did SIM Series let us choose the first race anyways?”

He continues to ramble about how he doesn’t like dirt sprinters and only likes to race dirt routers, how he manages his 300 horses, how he enjoys the competitiveness of the SIM, and how Ara Davies reminds him of his Aunt Janet. I’m assuming Janet’s last name is Eaton as well. We hang out for another hour or so. I tell him that I remember when Weezer became cool back in 1994 when I was fourteen. He tells me I’m old.

I politely thank him for his hospitality and wish him the best for Make Me Clever in Week 2 Monday. I leave for my hotel. I need some sleep before driving the approximate 400 miles to Toronto, Canada to meet Channi Ruzzo and her dirt sprinter The Proven One.

The CN Tower is obviously visible as I’m driving into Toronto. It’s reminiscent of the Space Needle in Seattle. The view from the top must be spectacular. From what I understand, it’s the highest free standing structure in the world. I wonder if Channi has ever been up there.

I drive through downtown heading north towards the rural areas. It’s been about six hours since I left my hotel in Cumberland. I spent most of the morning thinking about how odd it is that Weezer has withstood the test of time. I mean, they’ve released two major hit albums each 15 years apart. Nirvana, Pearl Jam, The Smashing Pumpkins, Stone Temple Pilots, Soundgarden…none of those bands can say the same! Even rappers like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dog have lost popularity! Anyways, it’s been a weary drive and I’m coked up on caffeine and energy drinks. It’s a rather interesting mix while on the road.

I arrive at Channi’s place and notice that she does not have a full operating farm either. Her home is large, but not enough to house her 250+ horses. As I’m walking up, Channi comes running out. “Oh my! Scott?” She asks. “I can’t believe The Proven One got chosen! Can we call him by his barn name? Plato! Please if you don’t mind.”

She begins jumping up and down and slightly hugs me while happily shrieking into my left ear. I start jumping up and down in rhythm with her, no doubt a product of my caffeine cocktail. I’m not even sure what or why we’re celebrating. She backs off and fixes herself ever so slightly.

“I’m cool,” she blurts excitedly as we begin walking into her home. “I AM really. I’m just so excited. I never get picked for anything! Not even dodge ball!”

When we get inside, I immediately notice her trophy case. It’s almost fully dedicated to her now retired mare Wishing Starfire, a Grade/Group I winning Steeplechaser. Newspaper clippings adorn the walls along with the trophies that she’s collected. There’s also clippings for Blazing Gold and Ryaflight, two of her current stakes winning ‘Chasers. It’s a wonderful display.

“So what’s it like to meet Ara?” Channi asks as she sits down with her notebook computer “She absolutely intimidates me.”

I tell her Ara’s cool as she continues to click away. I can see that she’s continuing her bidding efforts for the recent Trial By Summer (TBS) Auction.

“I don’t know.” Channi continues. “I think she eats people like me for breakfast. I’m so glad Plato isn’t going to be racing against her horse!”

I inquire about The Proven One’s barn name. Why is it that Channi calls him Plato?

“I really like Greek names. Plato is a gift.” She says. “He has prospects galore and I stole him away for real cheap. Plato, the philosopher was a student of Socrates and he helped lay the foundations of Western philosophy. While I don't expect Plato to philosophize about anything ala Mr. Ed style, I surely do hope that he'll help lay the foundations of my stable.”

The Proven One, or Plato as Channi fondly refers to him by, is a $20,000 Steward Bred purchase. Undoubtedly, he IS a steal as most Steward Breds are sold for six to seven figures! He’s sired by One Proves and out of a Villain mare by the name of Innocent. He’s a 17 hand chocolate colt. I ask Channi where he’s currently located.

“Plato is entered at Adolescent Acres in California for Week 2 Friday. I’m going to start him in a 75k stakes race. I hope his handlers and my jockey Laura Flanagan remember NOT to feed him any more donut holes!”

We chat for a bit longer as I have some water. Both Channi and Mike Eaton are impressive newer players with bustling stables to run. They’re horses are primed and ready. I mope around a bit as the caffeine high wears away. Channi continues to monitor her bidding efforts. She's also researching stallions in the Stud Book. Eventually we get to saying our goodbyes.

I leave her home weary and tired from two days of travel and eating in hotels in back to back weeks. I call my airline to change my flight. I decide against going back to Long Beach as I look over my schedule. Next week I’ll visit Chris Simpson and his dirt sprinting colt Acting Up in Brampton, Canada which is actually about 10 miles from here! Somehow I missed that! Then I’ll travel to New Orleans, Louisiana to meet Katy Turner and her turf sprinting colt All For Fun.

I make arrangements to stay in Toronto and book a hotel for the week. The CN Tower sounds like a fun place to visit tomorrow.

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