SIM Series - Week 10 Episode 10

LAST WEEK ON SIM SERIES….

Bill Deitch’s Think Legendary finished 2nd in his debut while Janey Adams’ Freeburn respectively debuted in eighth. Meanwhile, Katy Turner’s All For Fun and Chris Simpson’s Acting Up get ready for their 3rd races….

AND NOW…SIM Series Week 10 Episode 10

“Hold on Scott,” Mary says as she answers her call waiting.

I continue driving towards Chuck Whittingham’s place. It’s 12pm now, but an hour ago I landed in Arlington, TX.

“Scott?” Mary says clicking back over.

“So what’d they say?” I ask.

“We can do the Nokia Theater or the Kodak depending on one last scheduling issue. But it’s definitely a go!” She says excitedly.

“That’s great,” I say. “You’re going to have to get a gown now!”

“I know. I can’t wait to get out of my training silks and cap! I wear these everyday!”

“I think I already have a suit in mind,” I add.

We close the conversation amicably as I pull up to Chuck Whittingham’s stable. He meets me out front with a beer in each of his hands as we begin walking towards his barns, specifically towards his dirt routing filly Hey Girl’s. He offers me a cold one and I accept.

“The SIM Community is a great group of people,” Chuck says. “I think it’ll be fun to have more interaction with them.” He takes a swig as my cell phone begins ringing. I let it go to voicemail.

“Possibly,” he continues. “I can learn what it takes to get a horse to the big races and keep her there.”

We eventually make it to Hey Girl’s barn. She’s not present, but her barn is exquisitely decorated, eerily similar to Chloe’s room from Beverly Hills Chihuahua! I can’t really see, but I think there’s a pink bow hanging on one of the walls and a Jackie O type outfit.

Hey Girl is a brown 15.2 hands filly out of Change the Past and a 200k earning mare named Pleasure. She is homebred.

“She’s got style and sass,” Chuck says. “Her horse trailer has 24-inch spinners.”

I look at him incredulously and laugh as he urges me to go outside and take a look. Goodness! It really does have 24-inch spinner rims! They’re chromed as well and the trailer windows are tinted in the darkest shade of black that is possible! There’s a Mercedes Benz emblem on the front of it as well!

“Told you she has style,” Chuck says proudly. “We’re going to ship it to Hipodromo Valenzuela, where she raced on Week 9 Monday.” He lowers his voice. “And finished fourth in the 100k Grade 3 Venezuelan Debutante” He begins to mumble something that I can’t make out.

Chuck is a relatively newer player, having started his addiction to the SIM on March 30th, 2007. He currently owns EIEIO Farm in England, dirt routing stallion Coup D’etat and a total of 242 horses.

“I ran her without equipment.” Chuck says. “I expected her to win, but the SIM will tell me where to race her now. She is well bred and I am hoping she can be a Grade 1 winner and eventually compete in the Louisville Oaks.”

We continue chatting about his competitiveness as we finish off our beers. I jokingly ask for Petron Silver Tequila and a lime. Chuck is up for it, but I back out, realizing that I have to drive. I thank him for the ONE beer that doesn’t really impair me since I’m 6ft and about 195lbs and this is a PG game (so kids, Don’t Drink and Drive, 55 Saves Life, and Say No to Drugs)… so I wish him the best as I leave. I’m planning on driving 315 miles northeast to Hot Springs, AR to meet Leonard Beagle and his turf routing filly Flyin’ Lion.

As I’m driving safely with my hands at exactly 10 and 2, I check my voicemail from earlier. It’s Chris Simpson.

“Hey Scott,” Chris says. “This is Chris Simpson and I’m picking Caldron in the Long Island Classic. I’m kidding…seriously Acting Up finished 2nd last out. I thought he could’ve won, but he doesn’t seem to have any speed so I’m starting to think about blinkers. Other than that, I’m happy with him so far. Thanks again bud, I’ll see you elimination week!”

I press “7” to erase the message as I continue driving extremely safely. I dial Katy Turner.

“We’re always doing this over the phone!” I say to her.

“I don’t mind,” she responds. “Anyways, I’m going to have to tinker with All For Fun a bit. I mean, I still think he has stakes potential, but he really needs to break his maiden first.”

“I know,” I say. “I’m really shocked!”

“Yeah,” Katy responds. “I was shocked and disappointed too that he finished sixth in his first start. I don’t know, maybe he needs to go longer. His half brother won at seven furlongs and his half sister has won stakes at a mile! He comes from a good family so hopefully he’ll get his act together.”

Our conversation eventually comes to an end as I continue driving. I finally make it into Hot Springs. Apparently, it’s the number one tourist destination in Arkansas.

I’m greeted by Leonard as I pull up. We exchange pleasantries.

“I hope to continue to represent fun and friendliness to others who are watching and playing,” Leonard says. “I’ve always been the type that wanted to support what I’m involved in. In fact, Chani is one of my chat buddies, so I especially root for her and Plato.”

We begin walking towards his patio. We set ourselves down outside in the setting sun as it’s now almost 7PM.

Leonard began his SIM Racing career on June 8th, 2007. He doesn’t own a farm yet and rests his nearly 240 horses in various farms throughout the world. Even as a newer player, Leo has won the Juvenile Turf Mile, the Barbados Triple Crown, and a SIMMY for Islands Horse of the Year. He currently stands Lionize, a turf routing champion and also the sire of his SIM Series horse Flyin’ Lion.

“She’s all heart,” Leo says. “She’d run through the rail if she thought it’d please me. I can see her fighting through a tight spot to get to the wire. She’s going to be in a maiden, Week 9 Friday over at Virginia Gallops. I’d be excited if she were to finish in the top 3 since her workout times don’t suggest much right now. But, we’ll see if she’s game and performs when it counts.”

We continue chatting about his filly. The conversation spills over to Murfreesboro, AR which has the only diamond mine in America. I imagine it’s nothing like the movie Blood Diamond! Leo continues on about how he doesn’t like it when others offer advice on how one SHOULD run their stables and ironically how his favorite thing is the people of the SIM. I totally agree.

We wrap up our conversation as I wish him good luck with Flyin’ Lion. I throw in a cheap plug about next week’s Elimination Episode as I’m hoping to get over 65 million votes worldwide. As I leave to catch my flight back to Long Beach, I make a note to make sure I come back one day to visit the diamond mine and Hot Springs more thoroughly. As I’m driving, I wonder what color gown Mary will be wearing next week. I’d hate to be in a suit that doesn’t compliment her color.

NEXT WEEK ON SIM SERIES…

Elimination Time! Two sprinters will be voted off the show! In fact, the poll will open soon in the FORUM, so get ready to cast your vote! (Standard TXT FORUM Message fees apply, depending on you simhorseracing.com carrier)

www.simhorseracing.com

SIM Series - Week 9 Episode 9

LAST WEEK ON SIM SERIES…

Carolyn Eaton’s The White Album finished first in spectacular fashion in the South African Fillies Nursery while posting an 83 speed figure. Meanwhile, Ara Davies’ Time Delay continues to finish second along with Chris Simpson’s Acting Up. Katy Turner’s All For Fun continues to struggle and Rockappella rocked the Routers’ debut by winning her maiden debut at a mile!

AND NOW…SIM Series Week 9 Episode 9

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN 9:00AM and 10:00AM…Pacific Daylight Time, in Long Beach, CA, in the dumpy offices of Scott Pho’s simhorseracing.com racing stable.

“An elimination episode for the Sprinters? That’s crazy!” Mary says as we sit in my conference room. She begins typing on her laptop.

“I know. It’s risky, but necessary. I always do what’s necessary!” I respond sternly as I pace around. “It needs to be done on Week 10! Got it?!”

“OK. OK. It’ll get it done,” Mary responds. “I’ll pick up all the stuff you need. I also set up the video conferencing equipment that you asked for so that you can interrogate Janey Adams and her horse Freeburn. It’s all Mac by the way,” she says mockingly.

“And what about Bill Buchanan and his horse Think Legendary?”

“You mean Bill Deitch? I set them up in Interrogation One,” Mary responds. “They’re waiting for you.”

“Sorry. Bill Deitch. Interrogation One? Thank you. I think,” I say. “I didn’t know you were so technologically savvy Mary.”

“Well. I only used to work at CTU before I became a horse trainer, Jack. I mean Kiefer. No! I mean Scott.”

“Why’d you call me Jack?”

“Nothing.”

“Really. Jack? Kiefer?” I continue.

“Look Scott. I know it’s been a while, but before I became Mary Weather, I was Mary Lynn Rajskub, and before that I was Chloe O’Brien. I mean come on Jack, you’ve only called me 8,564 times for help on the CTU Database and systems and we’ve only known each other for years now. You saved my life in Season 5. Remember?” Mary says earnestly.

09:19.36

I look at Mary oddly. She called me Jack again, but didn’t stop to correct herself. I pace around, and put on my Flak Jacket in preparation for Bill Deitch’s interrogation. I notice for the first time that it actually does say “CTU” on the back. I also notice that there’s no reason to have a Flak Jacket in my dumpy office.

“I’m going to Interrogation One.” I say. “I want you to monitor Bill’s heart pressure. Here wear this earpiece. It’ll let us communicate.” I give it to her. “If his rates spike, let me know. I also want you to get Janey Adams on conference and get her prepped! Got it!”

“Alright.” Mary says as she goes back to typing while shaking her head in disapproval and disgust.

I make my way over to Bill Deitch. Him and his dirt router Think Legendary are sitting side by side inside Interrogation One.

“Let me see their files,” I say to the guard at his door.

Think Legendary is a finely bred, brown 15.1 hands colt out of Loki Dynasty and a $500k earning mare named Like Thinking. Loki Dynasty is also the sire of the SIM’s most recent undefeated Triple Crown Winner, Awake As I Am.

Bill Deitch is a relatively newer player, playing since January 2nd, 2007. He’s a winner of multiple Grade 1 races and owns about 115 horses. His dossier includes stallions like dirt sprinter Walking On Water and current stars City of God, Jacob’s Ladder, and Enchanted Rockstar.

I enter the room as both Bill and Think Legendary sit up. I begin pacing back and forth, trying to look mean.

“So Bill Deitch? Or is that really your name? You live forty-five minutes from Chicago and Wrigley Field where the Cubs play. Do you know Tony Almeida!” I ask.

He doesn’t answer and looks at me oddly but I can see that Think Legendary is starting to sweat.

“How about you!” I motion towards Think Legendary. “What are you smirking about! You’ve read my file and you know what I’m capable of! Now tell me what race and week you’re starting in!”

“Leave him alone!” Bill finally says. “He’s a classic introvert. He doesn’t like me or anybody else to hang out for very long. I think he might be a little insecure!”

“Then answer my question! Damn it!” I scream as I pound the table in front of them.

“Week 8!” Bill says. “Week 8, Friday at Futurity at a maiden mile. He’s running tonight at Week 8! No equipment!”

“Mary,” I say into my com unit inside my ear. “Did you get that? The plan is to go with Week 8 Friday.”

“And I think he’ll win! He’s a 900k Stewards Bred purchase. I wouldn’t send him out there if I didn’t think he’ll win,” Bill says.

“Good luck Bill,” I say as I walk out of Interrogation One. “You did the right thing by telling us.”

09:38.29

I walk swiftly over to the conference room where Mary is waiting. She’s already turned on the video conferencing and has Janey Adams and her horse Freeburn on the screens.

“Scott,” Mary says. “Janey says she wants Immunity, signed by the Steward in exchange for all her information.”

“Full immunity,” Janey chimes in via video conferencing. “For both of us.”

I look at Freeburn. She’s a black 16 hands regally bread turf router out of Stealth Ninja and Lucky Rainbow. I scan through Janey’s dossier as well. She’s a veteran player boasting a millionaire bankroll out of Indiana.

“Why are you doing this Janey?!” I ask sternly. “Freeburn’s career is at stake here. Why let the SIM take over his actions!”

“In all honesty.” She hesitates. “I have nice nice horses that are SIMMY winners. I have Steward’s Cup winners who never get much respect ever. I stand stallions like Historic, a $1.7 million dollar earning dirt router, Desert Force, a $2 million dollar earning dirt miler, Montstroked, a $1.4 million dollar earning turf miler and Spirited, a $1.49 million dollar earning turf sprinter. I’m also campaigning my current stars Scorpion King, Profile in Courage and Rocket Fuel yet they never get any media coverage or acknowledgement. I just want to be recognized. I want my name to be mentioned with the likes of Nalbone, Ferguson, Raisher, and Davies, to just name a few.”

I’m moved by her reasoning and explanation. Being that good without anybody really knowing is like a tree falling down in the middle of the rain forest. Does anybody really hear it fall or care?

“Mary,” I say calmly. “Get me the Steward. Tell her we need her to sign an Immunity Agreement. Tell her that Janey is our only lead.”

I turn my attention back to Janey. “You got your immunity. Now spill it all or I will tear that immunity agreement up right here in front of you when the Steward faxes it back to me!”

“Freeburn’s running in Week 8, Friday.” She says excitedly. “Futurity Park at a mile over the turf. No equipment. It’s a maiden. She’s going to be a router and may not mature until later, but her works suggest she will be descent.”

I pull Mary out of the conference room. “Week 8 Friday again in Futurity.” I semi-whisper. “Something must be up. We need to get a team together and go down there to watch. I want you to run point from the office. I also need a car ready in 10 minutes.”

“What do you want me to do with Bill and Janey?” Mary asks.

“Let them go so that they can ship their horses,” I say. “We don’t want their handlers to think there’s anything wrong. We don’t want to tip them off. Got it!”

“OK. Yeah,” Mary says annoyingly. “I got it.”

I walk outside into the hot California sun, still wearing my CTU flak jacket. I grab my ray ban aviator sunglasses and my radar gun to time some workouts. Oddly, it has a holster. I see my car pull up, a Hyundai Genesis. Something tells me that it’s going to be a long day, possibly a full 24 hours. No eating. No changing clothes. No using the restroom.

09:59.57

NEXT TIME ON SIM Series…

More Routers debut as the Sprinters are finishing their races. Stay tuned for the Elimination Episode coming in Week 10!

www.simhorseracing.com

SIM Series - Week 8 Episode 8

LAST WEEK ON SIM SERIES…

Carolyn Eaton sent her regal filly The White Album to the Grade 2, 200k South African Fillies Nursery, while the SIM Community voted to send Ara Davies’ Time Delay to a Maiden mile turf event instead of a sprint. Both will race Week 7 Friday along with Chris Simpson’s Acting Up and Katy Turner’s All For Fun. Meanwhile, the debut of Volume 2, The Routers begins today…

AND NOW…SIM Series Week 8 Episode 8

“How’d you leave Buckingham out of your Trail?” Mary asks over the phone.

“Stupid huh?” I reply as I continue walking through the Tampa Airport in Florida. “Dude. Hindsight is always twenty-twenty.”

“At least he’s not running in the Baltimore Crown. Dude.” Mary replies.

“Dude. I know. What a break!” I say as I enter my rental car.

“Seriously, stop this ‘dude’ nonsense.”

“Dude-ette. I can’t talk anyways. Driving now.” I respond.

“Have fun with Jolene at Granite Creek,” she says as I end the phone call.

I leave the rental car terminal in a fury. It’s 3:30PM local time. I’m already late as my flight was delayed from Louisville. Today, I am meeting Jolene Danner, owner of Rockappella, a beautiful turf routing filly out of Frayed and Acappella, who is actually a $1.9 million dollar earning mare!

Jolene is not too shabby herself, sporting a veteran millionaire bankroll. She owns stallions like turf routing champion Acapulco and dirt sprinting champion Chris’ Missile to name a few. Her racing resume is even more impressive with multiple Stewards Cup victories not to mention wins in Los Campeones, the English Derby, Irish Derby, and the Dubai World Championships, specifically the Desert Duty Free with Acapulco. Even one win in any of those races would make my career nearly complete, let alone multiple wins!

Her farm is already equipped with the latest upgrades. I notice that is larger than life with barns popping up everywhere. If I didn’t know better, I might think that I was at a military base. As I’m exiting my car, I notice Jolene walking towards me with a horse in hand.

“Look who this is,” she says as she approaches me.

“The ‘Pella!” I say as I reach out to shake her hand. I notice she is wearing a SIMhorseracing.com cap.

“So how did you like Derby week in Louisville?” Jolene asks as she pets her majestic filly.

“I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to meet you,” I say. “But it was great.”

“You were busy,” she replies. “Getting ignored by Ara and Carolyn.” She begins laughing. “Ara and I are great friends by the way. We always hang out in our box together at major events often consuming cheese, Chinese, and champagne.”

I reluctantly start laughing with her as she Ch-Ch-chides me.

“No really,” she says seriously now. “It’s going to be fun. Hopefully the SIM will learn something from campaigning a horse like her. I expect her to be a champion. I mean, winning is EVERYTHING!”

She breaks into an evil laugh. I take a step back. Even Rockappella looks kind of scared.

“I envision a win!” She continues. “She’s going to start in a Maiden in Week 7 Friday. And win. I’m starting her with hind bandages and a tongue tie like I always do, but after that it’ll be up to her to WIN!”

She continues talking about the SIM as we walk Rockappella back to her barn. She mentions bad stallions and how she hates them with the fury of 1,000,000 suns. She also laments about the ending of Battlestar Galactica and how Fridays are just not the same anymore. We eventually make it inside as she shows me the guest room. As we walk in, my phone rings.

“What’s up Mary?” I say.

“I’m sending a video over to your phone,” she replies.

“You’re doing what?”

“Just check it out,” Mary says as she hangs up.

I click through my Blackberry and pull it up. It’s rather hard to see on my 2x2 inch screen. Jolene squeezes in next to me as it begins playing. It’s Channi Ruzzo, watching The Proven One, aka Plato winning his maiden at Inglewood.

Channi jumps up and down, nearly climbing over the rail as Plato crosses the finish line first. She’s screams Whoop! Whoop! Whoop! All the while pumping her fist like Arsenio Hall.

I’m not sure who’s filming but it cuts to Channi up close, in a video interview environment. I can tell she’s still at Inglewood Park somewhere. Jolene asks me to turn the volume up and I comply.

“He ran just the way I wanted him too, taking an easy win in the stretch,” Channi says. “Hopefully he’ll do the same in Week 8 Friday when he runs in an NW2 at Inglewood again. But going back to his win, I couldn’t ask for more, really. I mean I’m going to be moving him a lot slower than I wanted to, but I’m sure he’ll just pick up the pace and run better when he has more experience under his girth. Can you say girth in this show?”

I’m not sure who it is, but another female voice cuts in and asks a question.

“Anything confuse you about him yet?” The voice asks.

“Nothing yet,” Channi says. “Now that he’s back on his imported Timbits diet he’s seemed to have settle down quite nicely. Thank goodness they aren’t considered contraband. Who knew doughnut holes would be the key to success. Lydia Martin, my stable nutritionist, she got it right. He needed more, not less.”

“Let’s change the subject,” the voice says. “Any thoughts about the other owners or horses?”

She hesitates for a second. “That Mike Eaton,” she says as her face and voice becomes stern. “He really grinds my gears. Like I’m going to run Plato in a claimer so that he can claim him! But that’s okay. I don’t see him sending his filly after Plato anytime soon. But seriously, he should think before opening that mouth of his. I mean. It’s CLASS not sass that wins. Yeah you heard me.”

The video suddenly cuts to Mike Eaton. He’s in a similar video interview environment, but definitely not at Inglewood Park.

Mike begins laughing. “She talks way too much. I mean her horse is good but obviously she should have picked a better spot to start him off and work from the ground up. Instead she’s doing the opposite.”

The same female voice cuts in.

“Tell me about Make Me Clever,” the voice says.

“Make Me Clever did fine. She came in second, but she gave it a good effort. She should be a stakes winner by this year, if not next. I just need to figure out which distance she likes better. She should bounce back in the 50k Denver Debutante in Week 8 Monday. Yeah you heard me,” He says mockingly.

The video ends as abruptly as it started.

“That’s odd,” Jolene says, as she looks as shocked as I am. “Mike Eaton bugs ME a lot. Constantly talking when I’m signed in on AIM or facebook.”

I shrug at her comment and shake my head, unsure of what to say. I begin dialing Mary Weather as Jolene motions to me that she’s going to check on one of her horses. After a few rings it goes to her voice mail. I don’t leave a message. I try calling again but with no success. I try the office phone number, but it yields nothing. Apparently, Mary has gone dark! I continue calling, impatiently trying to get an answer about the video. All I keep hearing is Mary’s voicemail.

NEXT WEEK ON SIM SERIES:

Volume 1, The Sprinters is creeping towards its first elimination vote! Which four do you want to continue following? Also, two more owners and their routers will make their debut. Find out what happens next time on SIM Series...

www.simhorseracing.com

SIM Series - Week 7 Episode 7

LAST WEEK ON SIM SERIES...

The SIM Community sent Chris Simpson's Acting Up to a 6 1/2 furlong maiden at Baltimore Racecourse while Katy Turner's All For Fun will remain equipmentless in a narrow vote! How will they do? Meanwhile, Derby week is in full effect...

AND NOW...SIM Series - Week 7 Episode 7

Derby week. I arrive at Louisville International Airport, no doubt amongst thousands of other SIMsters. Most are coming to enjoy the ambiance, the folklore, and to party, while a select few are coming with their dreams and hopes pinned to one three-year old colt. I even heard through the grapevine that one owner drove all the way down from South Carolina, dragging his colt inside an old trailer, while driving with a broken ankle. I don’t know. It might just be an urban legend!

I arrive at Louisville Downs, my Infield Level entrance ticket in the back pocket of my jeans. I walk quickly and reach into my front pocket and pull out my Triple Crown Trail entrants, written on a small index card. I’m so close every year and hopefully I’ll break through and actually finish in the top three! Luckily, six of my eight picks are running in the Derby, so hopefully they’ll finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th in no particular order! I know selfish. I couldn’t decide on my favorite, which ultimately stopped me from calling the SIMcast. The Steward might be upset if she hears, “Hola (I pronounce it “Hole-Ah btw”), mi nombre es Escott Pho and I like all six of my Triple Crown Trail picks!”

I walk through Louisville Downs’ historic entrance, gazing at the Twin Spires that inevitably screams “Triple Crown!” I’m supposed to meet up with other SIMsters in the infield. On my way there, I run into Mike Eaton.”

“Mike, what’s up!” I say as I notice blinkers in his hands.

“Sorry Scott. I gotta run. These,” he says pointing to the blinkers while still walking “Are late.”

I eventually make it to the infield. After wandering around some and wading through the massive collection of partiers I finally find the SIMsters as somebody taps me from behind.

I turn around to see who it is. “Carolyn! Nice hat! Enjoying the festivities?” I say.

“Of course! And thank you,” She says.

“Have you seen the poll?” I ask.

“It looks like the people are leaning towards the South African Nursery, a Grade two in Week 7! I don’t know she had a bad start last time out, so I might be adding a shadow roll.”

“Shadow roll!” A voice from afar says.

“Ara!” We say nearly simultaneously. I never noticed, but Ara kind of looks like Nina Meyers from the first season of 24. Damn it!

“I thought with Caldron in the Derby you didn’t want to watch?” Carolyn asks. .

“I know,” Ara says. “I was playing those bar video games. The one with those cool puzzles, but I needed some air. You guys talking SIM Series?”

“Yeah. I was telling Scott how I would’ve skipped the Maiden in Week 1 and went straight for the Tara’s Touch,” Carolyn says as she mockingly glares at me.

I try to respond, but Ara beats me to it. “At least your horse doesn’t have seconditis.” She says. “Time Delay obviously has a ton of speed and she’s almost at the front but not quite. I’m thinking blinkers will help her.”

“She’s definitely stakes quality though,” Carolyn says.

“Maybe its cause Night Shade her sire is not bred to sprint.” Ara responds. “He’s been producing some ridiculously fast babies though. Those of us with Night Shades out of routers are still scratching our heads and trying to figure this one out.”

“Maybe she wants a mile or seven furlongs,” Carolyn says.

“I guess the SIM Community will decide, but they’re really undecided right now. It’s too close to call. I definitely think that it’s a distance issue though.” Ara says.

“You haven’t given up on her have you? Cause I still believe that The White Album is going to be spectacular!” Carolyn retorts.

“No way!” Ara says. “My goals remain the same. She’s a future stakes winner.”

The two continue to speak as I stand there awkwardly smiling at each one of them as they converse. It’s a familiar position I guess, two women conversing and not paying attention to me. It’s a position that I’m used to now! I slowly and slyly turn my attention to the other SIMsters around the area, hoping that the two didn’t notice me peaking around the corner. There’s a lot of familiar, yet unfamiliar faces, no doubt a product of clicking around the Forum too much. I eventually “excuse” myself from Ara and Carolyn’s conversation and make my way to the main tent where most are gathering. It’s a lively atmosphere, with SIMsters and friends of SIMsters and a bunch of random people running around, drinking, partying, and getting sloppy. It’s like college all over again.

I look around for any familiar faces as it begins to lightly sprinkle. I check the boards. The track is still in “Good” condition. I grab a drink and begin mingling, unable to tell SIMsters apart from non-SIMsters. Regardless, today, a three-year old colt will race himself into the history books.

NEXT TIME ON SIM SERIES...

Drama develops between Channi Ruzzo and Mike Eaton! Both of their horses have broken their maidens. Will anything else break between the two? We'll find out...

www.simhorseracing.com

SIM Series - Volume 2 Preview

The madness continues as six more owners and their horses begin their SIM Series journey in Week 7. The ROUTERS!

The format will basically follow Volume 1, the Sprinters. Two horses will debut each week (7,8, and 9). The owners will get to choose their debut race. After that, it will be up to you, the SIM Community to vote on where to race them next. After Week 16, you'll vote on the top 4 that you still want to follow!

Don't forget, the first cut for Volume 1 is coming up in Week 9 or 10!

And now without further delay, say hi to the "cast" for Volume 2, the Routers!

Dirt Routers:

Turf Routers:

Stay tuned tomorrow for Episode 7!

www.simhorseracing.com

SIM Series - Week 6 Episode 6

LAST WEEK ON SIM SERIES

Channi Ruzzo’s The Proven One aka Plato was sent to a Maiden Special Weight at Inglewood Park while Mike Eaton’s filly Make Me Clever went to the $75,000 “Carnival Stakes” at Illinois Raceway. The results are pending. Meanwhile the SIM charges forward…

AND NOW…SIM Series Week 6 Episode 6

A buzzing comes through my fax machine. I pick it up and see it’s from the Steward. “Year 24 Hall of Fame Inductees” it reads. I comb through some familiar names. Loki Dynasty, Atlas, Change the Stars, Tickle, Derby Dancer, Elusive Pegasus, Tejano’s Pride, and One For the Ages. I check the Search and pull up a few of them. They’re a collection of the SIM’s great past and a place that every owner hopes to see one day.

I read further and see “Dave Shields” and “Robin Tan.” I have yet to interact with Robin, however the recently retired Dave has contributed greatly to the SIM. In fact, he’s probably contributed to every new stable since Season 18, when he gave me Moog, a dirt router that gave me my first SIM win and Black Sun, a Saturn baby that I continue to race for no good reason. I’m sure later this season, he’ll join Moog in the pasture. Mary reminded me to vote for the Hall of Fame, but I remember thinking that Dave would undoubtedly be voted in, so I decided not to.

I grab my files and leave for lunch. Mary is off today. Actually, she picked up another part time job at another stable. She trains horses for a living and unfortunately, my stable isn’t her only client. Regardless, I usually eat lunch alone anyways. I prefer the quietness.

As I’m driving towards The Brite Spot, a family owned Mexican Restaurant, I get a phone call from Chris Simpson. His colt Acting Up, finished 3rd in his debut.

“Show?” I say.

“Yeah, I was a little disappointed. I was really hoping for a win.” He says as he begins to break up. “There, some, very nice, in the race. Two that beat him worked well into the race.”

“Any equipment changes?” I ask. “Hello? Hello?”

I end the phone call as I pull up to The Brite Spot. The sign on the building is dilapidated, but even from afar, its still visible that “Brite” has always been spelled incorrectly. I walk inside and say hi to Laura, the owner’s niece who works there. I order my usual, a carne asada burrito, wet with red chile sauce, and an orange bang, which is a whipped orange drink that probably has more sugar than one should consume.

“Hello?” I say into my Blackberry again. “Chris! Yeah, it’s ok. No, I was asking about equipment changes.”

“No. No changes for now. I don’t think there is any need to make any changes.” Chris says.

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

“It looks, maiden,” he says as he begins breaking up again. “Week 6, 7 maiden. It’s been a, week. I won two, just paying the bills. Three fillies, Dare to Dream, not performing like-”

The conversation comes to an abrupt halt. I put my phone down and open the Long Beach Press Telegram’s sports page. I begin reading, but before long, I notice a familiar face walking in. It’s Clark Hoss. I never noticed until now, but he looks like Cal Worthington of Worthington Ford, here in Long Beach (Trust me, Youtube or Google him). He used to have these commercials wearing an extremely similar cowboy hat and shirt while walking with “his dog Spot” down his aisle of cars with the jingle “If you want a new car, go see Cal. He’s the greatest one by far, go see Cal. If you want your payments low and you want to save some dough, go see Cal, go see Cal, go see Cal!” The irony was that “his dog Spot” was usually a tiger or a pig, not to mention the other various animals he used in his commercials like an elephant!

“Clark,” I say motioning him over. “What brings you out here?”

“Good afternoon, Scott Pho!” He says loudly as he sits down. Oddly, he always uses my entire name.

“Good afternoon sir.”

“Today is a good day for listening and whispering!” He continues. “Let’s take a look at you Scott Pho!”

He puts his hand on my cheek, pushing my face left and right and checking me out. I squirm a little to get away from him. “What are you doing Clark?” I say as a waitress brings my burrito.

“You’re like a duck in water and the sun coming up in the east all at once!” He says. “You eat carne asada burritos like the sun always sets in the west, like your life depended on it, like Darth Vader is a bad mofo, like the winner of the Stewards Crown Juvenile is cursed and never wins the Derby, OK?”

I’m confused by now, but he continues.

“Enjoy your time at the track, and please do listen to what your horses say!” Clark yells excitedly.

He stands up and leaves without saying goodbye, muttering something that I can’t make out. I want to yell “AMEN!” but I don’t want the other patrons to think I’m nuts. I watch him leave and ironically get into his Ford F-150, no doubt going down to Worthington Ford to either stand in for Cal or do his duty as the “Car Whisperer.”

I try to begin eating as my phone starts buzzing again. It’s Katy Turner.
“Good afternoon Katy Turner!” I yell. “How’s your colt All For Fun doing!”

“Why are you yelling like that?” She asks.

“Sorry.”

“Anyways, he’s healthy, but I’m a little puzzled about his performance. His workouts weren’t absolutely spectacular, but they were comparable to his half sister Loyalty and she won first time out.”

“What happened out there?”

“Maybe he wasn’t fully fit,” Katy says. “Either that, or he’s too immature and needs some time to grow up a little. Maybe it’s the jockey. I don’t know. I’m really puzzled about this.”

“Maybe some equipment will help,” I say as I begin cutting my burrito into smaller pieces.

“It might. I’ll guess we’ll have to see what the SIM Community thinks. They’re going to have to vote on it. I’m going to run him in a Week 6 or 7 Maiden for sure though.”

We continue chatting about her week of racing as I quietly sneak morsels of carne asada and rice and beans into my mouth. I don’t want Katy to know that I’m eating, though I’m sure she can hear me chewing. She tells me about her two stakes wins and continues on about All For Fun’s complexities. I quote Clark Hoss and tell her that she should always listen to her horse. She’s not sure what I mean by that and neither am I. We eventually exchange goodbyes and hang up.

I finally dig into my burrito, chewing quickly, forgetting all table manners for a few moments. I turn the sports page to page two and begin reading the morning briefs. There’s an article about Tim Brown, the great former Raiders (Los Angeles when he was playing) and Notre Dame wide receiver. He’s being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. I think about Dave Shields and his many contributions that have led him to his induction. There’s no SIM Ceremony. No article in the paper. No Hall of Fame Ring. No acceptance speech. There’s just the gratitude of many SIMsters who have benefited from him playing the game.


NEXT WEEK ON SIM SERIES:

The spotlight shifts back the Ara Davies Time Delay and Carolyn Eaton’s The White Album as the first cut is still looming. Where will you send them? Also, Volume 2 rosters will be revealed. Who will be on it and how will the horses do? Find out next time on SIM Series.

www.simhorseracing.com