Dynaformer, Dyna King, and Lentenor on the track:
Dynaformer, before his victory in the Jersey Derby (Grade II) at Garden State Racetrack, back on May 30, 1988:
Dyna King, in his last race of his career at Rillito Racetrack, back on February 10, 2007:
Lentenor, after his victory at Tampa Bay Downs,back on December 23, 2011:
A look at both races...
Lentenor
Lentenor returns to the track today in race #9 at Tampa Bay Downs, post time is about 4:10 for the Grade III Tampa Bay Stakes. This will be Lentenor's first race since his record setting performance back on December 23rd, when he set the track record on the same course and same distance, covering the 1 1/16 miles on the turf in 1:40.95. This will be Lentenor's third race in stakes company in his lightly raced career, having finished 7th in the Grade III Kent Stakes at Delaware Park on September 25, 2010 (a race I throw out due to the fact I believe he was racing with a undetected shoulder injury), and a 4th place finish in the Grade I Florida Derby back on March 20, 2010.
Today's race will have a full field of twelve,Luis Garcia gets the return mount on the Leigh Delacour trained Lentenor, they will be breaking from the unlucky outside post (#12) in the race.
What can I say? This field in this race is incredibly tough to predict and to handicap, it truly is a race that five or six colts can win. Will Lentenor overcome the outside post and return to the winner's circle? If Luis can get Lentenor up close in a stalking position by the first turn and keep him out of traffic problems, then I believe Lentenor has what it takes to come charging down the stretch and be right there for the victory. This race is impossible to handicap and I have given up trying. I will just sit back while watching the race unfold, hoping it is a safe race for all, and would love to see Lentenor in the winner's circle after the race. With that said, my top three in the race are Lentenor, Allie's Event, and Successful Mission. Two wildcards would be the Graham Motion trained Hoofit, and the Dale Romans trained colt Guys Reward. The class of the field is Duke of Mischief, with earning's over $1.7 million, the question will be if he can return to form on the turf, I am going to say not today, we shall see.
In light of what Dyna King has gone through and continues to go through, today's race for Lentenor puts everything into perspective for me. I just want a safe race for all, and of course would love to see Lentenor get his first stakes victory for Roy and Gretchen Jackson, Leigh and Arnaud Delacour, and of course, for Lentenor! I am sure Barbaro will be looking down cheering his baby brother on!
The field for today's race:
Tampa Bay Downs, Race #9, Post Time 4:10 PM
$150,000 Tampa Bay Stakes (Grade III), One And One Sixteenth Miles (Turf), Four Year Olds And Upward.
PP Horse Age/Sex Jockey Trainer M/L Odds
1. Roman Tiger 7/Gelding Angel Serpa Dennis Manning 12/1
2. Versailles Road 6/Gelding R.D. Allen, Jr. Ian Wilkes 12/1
3. Union Bowman 5/Horse Oriana Rossi Joesph Davis 20/1
4. Swift Warrior 4/Colt Mark Guidry John Terranova 15/1
5. El Commodore 5/Gelding Daniel Coa Gregory Griffith 30/1
6. Hoofit 5/Gelding Rosemary Homeister Graham Motion 8/1
7. Duke of Mischief 6/Horse Daniel Centeno David Fawkes 8/1
8. Successful Mission 6/Gelding Jeffery Sanchez Edward Plesa 9/2
9. Guys Reward 5/Horse Pable Morales Dale Romans 6/1
10. Moryba 6/Horse Luis Saez William Mott 3/1
11. Allie's Event 6/Gelding Scott Spieth Lori Smock 8/1
12. Lentenor 5/Horse Luis Garcia Leigh Delacour 8/1
The race will be shown live on HRTV, for those that don't have HRTV, here is a link to watch the race live (remember, post time is about 4:10 PM!):
Link : http://www.tampabaydowns.com/tampa-bay-downs-live-video.aspx
A replay of Lentenor's record setting race back on December 23rd:
Photos of Lentenor:
****UPDATED FEBRUARY 26, 2012****
Lentenor finishes 5th, just two lengths behind the winner, longshot Roman Tiger.
A good effort by Lentenor to stay up for 5th place. The outside post really hurt him today, since I believe he used up a little too much energy to get up to third going into the first turn. A perfect ride by Luis, he stalked perfectly in third for the whole race and was in a perfect position coming into the stretch. He just didn't have that burst of speed, he did well to hold onto 5th in this very evenly matched talented field of twelve. BTW, to show you how much the outside post hurt Lentenor, he traveled 52 feet more then the winner! That right there says it all!
Bravo to Lentenor for his game effort today, with a better post postition, he would have most likely got the win or have been very close.
Just click on the link below to see a replay of Lentenor's race. After clicking on the link, click on the 25th in the calender section, then click on race #9. You can view both the regular view or head-on view. Remember, Lentenor is on the far outside.
REPLAY OF LENTENOR'S RACE
REPLAY OF LENTENOR'S RACE
Dyna King/Gifted
I first heard of Dyna King back in December of 2010, after he had just been rescued from the Arizona desert. He was found in horrible shape, starving, emaciated, barely able to stand, let alone walk. He was rescued by Judy Glore, President of HEART of Tucson equine rescue. For those not familiar with Dyna King's story, here is a story I wrote about him on Bloodhorse back in December of 2010:
"In The Spirit Of Christmas"
Link: http://familyofbarbaro.blogspot.com/2011/03/in-spirit-of-christmas.html
He has been to hell and back, with his will to survive and all the love and support by Judy, the volunteers of HEART, and everyone that has helped with donations, Dyna King wants to live, and he knows he is loved by everyone that his story/life has touched. He has fought everyday to survive and was doing amazing for so long, but, a few months ago, that evil laminitis reared it's ugly head and Dyna King had major setbacks. With Judy's love and commitment to Dyna King every minute of everyday, he is improving one day at a time.
I would like to print Judy's words from this week (via Facebook), on what Dyna King is facing and how wonderful so many people have been in helping with his plight. With that said, the following is by Judy Glore, President of HEART of Tucson equine rescue:
Dyna King/Gifted...
"This Saturday is the day for Gifted. Dr. Dryden will be here at one of our best barns in Tucson to help him with his feet. We have vets and farriers attending to see what the treatment will be for this boy. I can't believe this is coming true for Dyna King. I am so greatful to all the doctors that are helping him and most of all the flight is being donated by him on his frequent flyer miles. We could never afford this kind of treatment for him or the chance to save his life with out the help of all of you, and the vets who really care. THANK YOU EVERYONE that has had faith and stood by this boy.
Some one told me the other day that lots of great horses have been lost to this disease like Secretariat, Barbaro and many others, I said the doctors didn't know what they know now either. We don't ever give up hope we just push to save the ones we can now, and give them a good life of love, carrorts and laughter. We still have so much to learn and every horse that has died before them has taught us just one more thing that might be the key to saving many.
Night everyone, Saturday here is going to be the tell all for our beloved Dyna King. What a strong angel he is. A big thank you goes to Jen at Three Chimneys. She was able to make the call to Rood and Riddle that got them on board for Dyna King. This guy truly has some amazing angels around him. Four more days to go. Thank you everyone for hanging in with us here. We have been working so hard for this boy and your prayers and thoughts have helped us to push over that edge that we never thought would come for him. I just can't thank you all enough. I really believe that all of your thoughts and prayers have made this happen. God Bless you all and I hope and pray that all of you get the same blessings that Gifted has brought to us back to you ten fold. I know he would wish this for you as well.
Some one told me the other day that lots of great horses have been lost to this disease like Secretariat, Barbaro and many others, I said the doctors didn't know what they know now either. We don't ever give up hope we just push to save the ones we can now, and give them a good life of love, carrorts and laughter. We still have so much to learn and every horse that has died before them has taught us just one more thing that might be the key to saving many.
Night everyone, Saturday here is going to be the tell all for our beloved Dyna King. What a strong angel he is. A big thank you goes to Jen at Three Chimneys. She was able to make the call to Rood and Riddle that got them on board for Dyna King. This guy truly has some amazing angels around him. Four more days to go. Thank you everyone for hanging in with us here. We have been working so hard for this boy and your prayers and thoughts have helped us to push over that edge that we never thought would come for him. I just can't thank you all enough. I really believe that all of your thoughts and prayers have made this happen. God Bless you all and I hope and pray that all of you get the same blessings that Gifted has brought to us back to you ten fold. I know he would wish this for you as well.
I cried tonight when I had to leave him there and he whinnied at me and tried to call me back. This is like leaving your kid at the hospital and telling them you will be back first thing in the morning. All too familar for me.
He came off the trailer like we were going to the gates. He was so proud and walked out so well. He followed me like a puppy and loved meeting Mrs. Rogers the barn owner and his staff. Unreal is all I can say. He is in a stall with mattress floor. The place is a dream for horses.
Dyna King trusts us and knows we will only put him in a good situation. he is amazing that way especially since he came out of such horrific conditions. Horses are the most forgiving animal here on earth. We can never validate that trust with them. My spelling is horrible I need to go to bed, lol. Love you all and thank you for the prayers for Dyna King/Gifted.
A complete slideshow of photos taken yesterday of Dyna King/Gifted:
Judy, you are a true saint, and the love and hard work you dedicate everyday to Dyna King and all the others at your rescue are truly blessed to have you in their lives, thank you!
So, as we watch Lentenor's race today, I am asking everyone to also think of Dyna King, who at the same time, will be starting a race for his life. These two sons of Dynaformer mean the world to me, and I just pray they both win their respective races today, and everyday that follows in the future.
The ongoing care for Dyna King is expensive, and any donation you can make would help greatly! I thank you from the bottom of my heart for any donation you can make, every dollar helps, thank you!
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Links:
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To donate: http://heartoftucson.com/help.cfm
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HEART of Tucson's website: http://www.heartoftucson.org/
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HEART of Tucson's blog: http://www.heartoftucson.org/blog/
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HEART'S Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/94549935886/
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****UPDATED FEBRUARY 26, 2012****
Video of Dyna King/Gifted walking to his stall after receiving his treatment.
Here are photos taken on February 25, 2012 of Dyna King/Gifted getting treated by Dr. Dryden:
(All photos courtesy of Kim Reis, Heart of Tucson, thank you!)
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****UPDATED FEBRUARY 26, 2012****
Video of Dyna King/Gifted walking to his stall after receiving his treatment.
Here are photos taken on February 25, 2012 of Dyna King/Gifted getting treated by Dr. Dryden:
(All photos courtesy of Kim Reis, Heart of Tucson, thank you!)
Godspeed Dynaformer, Lentenor, and Dyna King...
