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)
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