Updates

Brave Monarch’s gelding procedure went smoothly and his incision is healing as expected. He jogged for a few days to help keep the swelling down and resumed galloping yesterday at Fair Hill. Our plan remains to run back toward the end of May at at a Midatlantic venue. 


The Defense Rests worked four furlongs in 48:46 (4 of 22) on Thursday at Belmont. He followed that with a four furlong breeze in 48:81 (12 of 43) this morning. Mike caught him a few ticks faster.
Mike said he got a bit tired, but that is to be expected with the gaps in his training due to his feet issues and with it being only his second official half mile breeze since returning to New York. This can be looked at as a positive; we’d rather him get tired in his workouts and gain fitness from them than go out there and not break a sweat, and then be unprepared on raceday. Mike thought he finished up stronger in today’s breeze saying, “He’s a big, muscular horse. Those type take longer to get fit than smaller, more compact horses. He’s got ability, and his fitness level is increasing. We are about a month away from running.” 

Phosphorescent put in a strong two minute lick over the weekend and is scheduled to breeze a quarter mile this weekend in Ocala. David McKathan is very pleased with his coat condition, weight, and soundness. He remains on a weekly breeze schedule in anticipation of shipping back to Lupe next month 

Mr. Fantasy continues galloping daily at David McKathan’s farm in Ocala. Our team conferred and decided to ship Mr. Fantasy back to Mike Hushion next week. We feel this is a special horse and believe he is in the best position to succeed if in the hands of the trainer who knows him best as he gears up for his return to the races. He has started building a foundation on the farm, and will gallop for a few weeks at Belmont before breezing. The day rate on the track is more than on the farm, but we think this is an investment in his future.

Workout

The Defense Rests  worked out at Belmont going 4F in 48:81  12 of 43

Work Out

The Defense Rests  worked out at Belomont this morning going 4F  in 48.46  4of 22

Updates

The Defense Rests worked four furlongs in 50:60 (28 of 52) on Saturday at Belmont. Mike said, “He is moving forward. It’s been frustrating with his feet, but they look good and he is moving well and looks very sharp. He turns some heads on the track.” The Defense Rests remains on a weekly breeze schedule. If all goes well, we are looking at an early June return to the races at Belmont Park.

Phosphorescent is scheduled to begin speedwork by “two minute licking” or galloping a strong mile in about two minutes on Saturday on the farm in Ocala.

Mr. Fantasy is galloping six days a week on the farm in Ocala. He looks great and is moving well. Our team conferred and now plan to ship him back to Mike Hushion toward the end of this month. We want him in the barn of the person who knows him best. Upon arrival, he’ll gallop for a a few more weeks before starting speedwork.

Brave Monarch Runs 3rd

Graham said, "This was a decent race against a moderate bunch. I am lukewarm pleased with the effort. I thought he maybe made the lead a bit too early. Our colt was green in the stretch; when he did make the lead, he kind of put on the brakes. He did not switch leads until the 1/16th pole. Once he switched and saw the other horses come back at him, he surged again. He can beat these horses. He was also quite a handful in the paddock and wasn't entirely focused. We need to geld him."


Luis Garcia's comments to Graham's assistant were that he thought that this horse will only get better with added distance. We'd love to find something going 1 1/8 miles or even farther

Brave Monarch earned a 52 Beyer Speed Figure and was not claimed. He shipped back to Fair Hill and came out of the race in good shape. We plan to geld him within the next few days. He has been quite a handful around the barn and hasn't been 100% focused on his training. This horse is not a viable stallion prospect and we feel he will really benefit from this procedure. Gelding will keep him lighter and less bulkly, which in turn will keep sounder and increase the longevity of his racing career.




He will only miss a few days of training after the gelding takes place. The plan is to run back in May at a similar level. We have some options when it comes to venue. Delaware opens on April 30th, and the turf course at Parx is opening shortly as well. The Pimlico meet ends on May 21st.

Workout

The Defense Rests  worked out at Belmont yesterday going 4F in 50:06  55of 94

Brave Monarch Race Analysis

Brave Monarch takes on 9 rivals in the 25k maiden claiming race going 1 1/16 miles on the turf this afternoon at Pimlico. He's trained well since his debut and we are looking forward another solid performance. He should improve having a race under his belt. We'll look to be a few lengths off the early pace before closing in on them late. Our colt will benefit from a hot pace up front being a closer.


Fire Ruler tries the turf for the first time for trainer Mike Trombetta. A son of Roman Ruler, he was 2nd last time out in his first try around two turns. He has the highest last race Beyer of any horse in the field (52). Even though he returns in two weeks, if he takes to the turf, he is a very logical contender.

Maddy's Ravens is another horse trying the turf for the first time after a few decent tries at this level over the dirt. He should be close to the pace early and could try to take them gate to wire. He'll likely have company on the lead if Beaver Creek shows speed again.

Overall, this is a pretty weak field. We like our chances in here

Updates

The Defense Rests worked three furlongs in 38:37 (7 of 7) on Monday morning at Belmont. The area of his foot that was bothering him last week is much better. We are hopeful that he continues moving forward without these chronic foot issues flaring up. He remains equipped with glue on shoes and a fiberglass patch to help support his left front foot. The plan is to keep him on a weekly breeze schedule. A half mile breeze is likely next week.

Phosphorescent continues galloping daily and is on schedule to start light speedwork next week on the farm. David McKathan reintroduces speedwork by “two minute licking” his horses or galloping them a very strong mile in about two minutes. The move is quicker than a routine gallop, but a notch below a full out breeze. The following week, our gelding will breeze a quarter mile with a strong three furlong gallop out. A May return to Lupe remains our plan.


Mr. Fantasy is mixing jogging and light galloping each morning on the farm in Ocala. David McKathan will gradually increase the intensity of his training over the coming weeks. If all goes well, he’ll resume light speedwork next month in anticipation of shipping back to Mike’s barn in June.

Workout

The Defense Rests  worked out at Belmont yesterday going 3F in 38:87   7 of 7

Race Information

Brave Monarch drew into the 25k maiden claiming race going 1 1/16 miles on the turf on Friday, April 15th at Pimlico. He's been training steadily and is scheduled to ship from Palm Meadows to Graham's Fair Hill base today. He will then ship over to Pimlico the morning of the race. We've been installed the 7-5 morning line favorite.
Brave Monarch worked five furlongs on the turf in 1.04:80 (11 of 12) on Friday in preparation for the race.

RaceDay

Brave Monarch is entered at Pimlico on Friday April 15th in the 10th Race  PP 5 with L.Garcia up

Workout

Brave Monarch worked out at Palm Meadows ( Turf ) going 5F in 1:04:80   11 of 11

Updates

Brave Monarch is scheduled to ship back to Graham Motion’s base at Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland next week after one more breeze at Palm Meadows. His race target remains the 25k maiden claiming race going 1 1/16 miles on the turf on Friday, April 15th at Pimlico

The Defense Rests’ foot flared up again earlier this week. There is a small area on his sole that is a bit tender. However, Mike and his blacksmith believe that we won’t miss too much time and that this will be a quick fix. He continues training daily and should be back on the worktab next week

Phosphorescent continues galloping each morning on the farm and is right on schedule to resume speedwork in 1-2 weeks. Terry Finley was out to see him over the weekend and said, “He looks great and held good muscle tone during his time off. Lupe did a great job with him last year, and we are looking forward to another successful turf campaign this summer.”

Mr. Fantasy is back jogging each morning on the farm in Ocala. David McKathan reports that he is moving soundly and that his ankles aren’t carrying any heat or swelling. So far so good. A few weeks of jogging and he’ll be back galloping and rebuilding a fitness foundation

Freud - Six Zeroes Filly born 3/14/11

Workout

Brave Monarch worked out at Palm Meadows going 4F (Dirt) in 49:85  21 of 34