FINALLY It's Race Day

Race Day. After 130 long days, Fox Valley Nala (the unofficial daughter of In Over My Head since I only bought a partial ownership after Mo won us a suitcase full of cash in the Windy City Pace) is making her first lifetime start at Maywood Park in a $7,000 ICF 2 year old filly event tonight. We almost got a chance to see a double header, as Showtime Shark was scheduled to make his first lifetime start today as well, but he is a little bit dinged up (nothing major thankfully), so we had to scratch him for today. The youngster has had a bit of a rough go of it early. In two qualifiers, he has been impeded BOTH times. In both situations, he managed to stay pacing (including last week when he had to sweep about 8 wide around the breaker). Impressive composure for the rookie. We really have high hopes for him. He’s smart and fast…usually a good combination.

While we may not be able to watch Showtime together tonight, Greg, Danny and I are heading down to the old South Beloit betting parlor to take in the races and win lots of money (or donate to the purse account). Race day used to mean a longer trek. As a kid when staying with Grandma and Grandpa, we’d meet Greg in mid afternoon and load up the car with sandwiches and coolers of Coke before heading down to Sportsmen’s Park. It was such a cool experience. Rolling into the track in the big city of Chicago with Grandpa and Greg made you feel like a big deal, especially on the occasions when the horse would win and we’d get to head down to the winner circle. Now, with all of the off track betting, those trips are always necessary. Even though we won’t end up at the track itself tonight, it is still Race Day. I’m just glad it is finally here…it’s been too damn long.

And this wouldn’t be an update without some news on the Champ. He is enjoying his time up in Mineral Point, but from what I’m told, he’d rather be in training than running around in a paddock. He’s very full of himself and while he’s living the easy life right now, the easy life isn’t what makes In Over My Head tick. His leg continues to heal wonderfully. When I was up last time I got a chance to feel it myself. I’m not a vet, but it basically felt exactly the same as his healthy leg…I’m pretty sure that’s good news!

Over the last few weeks, I have really been drawn to Shark Gesture. As far as I’m concerned, he is, at this point in his career, as good as any free for aller in the past 10 years. I’m not saying he could go on a crazy win streak against the likes of Mr. Big, Artistic Fella, Art Official, Real Desire, Four Starzzz Shark, Holborn Hanover and so on, but in his current form he could race with and beat ANYONE on any given night. So, I pick up the mail yesterday and guess who is on the front cover of Hoof Beats: Shark Gesture. I start to read the article and come to realize that during his four year old season, he tore his suspensory. I had no idea that happened to him. After a year or so of trying a 2nd career in the breeding shed, they brought him back to the track and he became an even greater racehorse than he already was. I tell you what, it is stories like that that help keep me positive. Now, I’m not saying Mo will come back and be Shark Gesture, all we want is for him to come back the way he was and if Shark Gesture is any kind of proxy, he can. Unfortunately for In Over My Head, he doesn’t get to spend his time away from the track going on ‘dates’ with a bunch of mares. Sorry buddy, if you come back strong, we promise to find you some pretty ladies to breed with.