I bought a horse last night!

[HighPlainsGrifter]

Good luck, Roux! I hope she lives up to her... reputation.

The jokes write themselves, folks.

[Mikey]

Good luck in the race!!

[Roux]

Reputation races next Friday, and now Manhattan Twist races again on Saturday. Will be a mile distance, and I don't think he's run that far, not even on a training run. We'll see.

[Mikey]

How many horses do you own a piece of?

Have you ever bet on any of them (to win or lose)??

[Roux]

I now own micro shares in 9 horses, I think I've put all of them in this thread.

Improbable Luck
Intellectual
Malibu Bonnie '23 (not yet named by the owners)
Manhattan Twist
Miss American Pie
Reputation
Riddler
Saratoga Warrier
Stylishly '23 (not yet named by the owners)

Every time they have raced, I have made the same bet, $10 across the board. Or in other words, $10 to win, $10 to place, and $10 to show. I bet via https://1stbet.com/, and I can watch the races at that website as well.

I think the horses have raced 5 or 6 times so far. I started off with $200 in my account at https://1stbet.com/, and I now have $189.

This is fun to me. And I don't do much in terms of hobbies now. Don't golf, don't go to the casinos, I'd like to fish but I haven't been in awhile. Probably cooking is the closest thing that I have to an active hobby, and now this. I'm enjoying it, my mother had horses years ago and so I learned a bit about them back then.

Owning horses, including micro shares, is not something that you do with the expectation that you will make money. Same thing with betting on them. Sure, it is possible to make money if you get lucky. But don't count on it.

[Roux]

Just since I made that last post, I've received updates on the two horses that are racing later this week:

Manhattan Twist Race Overview

Manhattan Twist will try turf for the first time when he runs in the Central Park S.this Saturday at Aqueduct. Post time for the race is 3:40 p.m. ET. Trainer Todd Pletcher has tabbed champion jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. to pilot your son of Liam’s Map.

Following his disappointing effort last time out, Todd worked your colt on the turf and was happy with the way he took to the surface. If his pedigree is any indication, he should enjoy the added ground along with the grass. Should he be able to improve off of his debut effort, there is no reason why Manhattan Twist can’t contend for the win in this spot. Best of luck to all owners!

Click here to enter paddock lottery.

More on the competition (click here for past performances):

#1 McDiesel: Nearly led all the way last time out in the Awad S. against open company. This son of Twirling Candy cuts back to a flat mile in this spot. His figure will have to improve, but this one can play a factor in here.

#2 Sounds Like a Plan: Earned a 72 Beyer Speed Figure in his maiden-breaking victory in his last start. In that race he got loose on the lead and took the field gate to wire. Faces both winners and stakes company here for the first time.

#3 Fire Pit: Ships in from the Mid-Atlantic circuit off of a first-level allowance win. Was fifth in his only prior start against stakes company. Figures will need to improve for him to compete in here.

#4 Jack and Jim: Won on debut for Graham Motion, earning a 71 Beyer Speed Figure for his closing effort. Will get the speed to close into in this race, but it is a question if he will be good enough first time against stakes company.

#5 Davy Crockett: Has been on the board in all three lifetime starts. Will get a favorable pace scenario and should work out a nice stalking trip.

#6 Not For Hire: Was an impressive debut winner when he won by open lengths, earning a 70 Beyer Speed Figure. Pedigree suggests he should appreciate the stretch out to two turns. Should be a major threat to take the win in this race.

#8 Smooth Breeze: Was a fading fourth in Grade 2 company last time out on yielding turf. He gets a touch of class relief dropping into this overnight stake and will look to repeat his winning effort should he get firm ground.

#9 Early Adopter (GB): Had a problematic trip last out in the G2 Pilgrim S., where he checked hard at the 1/8th pole, which arguably cost him the win. Have to respect the Chad Brown/Flavien Prat combination, which has a 30% win rate at Aqueduct since 2023.

#10 Super Swift: Stretches out to two turns following a runner-up finish in the Atlantic Beach S. just two weeks ago. Has a tough post, but his 75 Beyer Speed Figure earned in his last start would best this field.

Reputation Race Overview

Reputation will make her highly anticipated debut this Friday at Gulfstream Park. She is set to run in the sixth race, a maiden special weight event for 2-year-old fillies going six furlongs on the dirt. Martin Vasquez has been tabbed for the ride by trainer Gustavo Delgado. Post time in 3:03 p.m. ET.

Your daughter of Bolt d’Oro has continued to impress the whole team with the way she trains in the mornings. She comes in sporting a superb work tab, and has gotten much better with her gate issues. The team expects her to run well in this spot at first asking and we are extremely excited to finally be debuting her. Good luck to all owners!

Click here to enter paddock lottery.

More on the competition (click here for past performances):

#1 Luna Louska: Reputation’s stablemate, this daughter of Complexity sports several fast workouts coming in to this start. Progeny of her sire have been very precocious and it would not be a shock should she win on debut.

#3 Henry Gondoroff: Mark Casse sends out this six-figure yearling by Liam’s Map. This filly has a steady work tab, but the distance may be a tad short for her.

#4 Rojo Rita: The dominant duo of Saffie Joseph, Jr. and Edgard Zayas team up here with this daughter of Volatile. The aformentioned team has a win rate of 26% from 704 starters since 2023. Also to be noted is the barn’s 25% win rate with juveniles. Could be a debut winner.

#5 Young and Pretty: A homebred by sensational freshman sire McKinzie, this filly doesn’t have the flashiest work tab, and may need a start in here.

#6 Cloe: By top freshman sire Tiz The Law, this filly makes her debut for a barn that strikes at 12% with first-time starters.

#7 Aranciata: This daughter of Good Magic cuts back in distance and switches back to the dirt for trainer Jorge Delgado. She has not shown too much, but third time could always be the charm.

#8 Snitch Dorada: A $45,000 West Virginia-bred, this Jose D’Angelo trainee has a decent work tab. However, the barn strikes at only 10% with first time starters.

#9 Preciseness: Comes in here having not run since May, a race where she was beaten soundly. Have to respect the owner-trainer combination, who gives Joe Bravo the nod here.

[Roux]

Reputation has her first race today!








She has shown some nice speed during workouts, but can she do it in a race, with the distractions of more horses and all the people at the track? We'll see this afternoon.

I'd love to be at the track today to see her run. Look at her go:

[Roux]

Improbable Luck Update

Due to wet weather in Louisville, Improbable Luck’s work for this week—which otherwise would have been today—was pushed back. Subsequently, he came up with a leg infection (common in muddy conditions) and fever. The barn does not seem overly concerned about it at this time, and he’s being treated now for the infection. We will follow up as warranted, but hopefully this should just be a minor blip.

Alas, the horse that started this off, Improbable Luck, now has an infection. Hopefully won't be in the sick bay for long. Here he is recently in front of the twin spires of Churchill Downs:

[Roux]

Well Reputation made the board, came in 3rd.

There was a late scratch and the horses were in the gate for a long time. Reputation (2) got off to a bad start:




Ran well and caught up to the lead pack:




But couldn't catch up to the winner, finishing in 3rd:




Aside from the rough start, she ran well. Can't complain about a 3rd place finish in her first race.

[Roux]

Here's the race recap they sent the owners:

Reputation Race Recap

Reputation was an encouraging third after what was an educational debut this afternoon at Gulfstream Park. Click for the replay. Your filly handled herself with class during the entire process, particularly when her stablemate, the #1 Luna Louska, was a late scratch.

That scratch of course meant that Reputation had to break from the rail, which is never optimal for a firster, particularly one who has had some well-documented issues with the gate.

Reputation spotted the field a couple of lengths at the break, but did well from there to rush up into third as the well-backed eventual dominant winner seized command. The bay continued to respond willingly to encouragement to maintain her place behind splits of :22.19 and :46.40. She tipped wide for the stretch drive and looked like she might collar #8 Snitch Dorada for second, but Reputation would not switch over to her correct lead and had to settle for third. She galloped out well past the wire.

The romping winner was obviously very well meant and extremely speedy, and conversely Reputation wants to go longer than this and mostly likely try turf at some point.

Jockey Miguel Vasquez noted that Reputation has a long stride that will be better suited to farther distances.

All in all, while we always hope to win first out, we still believe Reputation did plenty to feel good about today and are excited to see her continue to step forward with more ground to work with and that experience under her belt.

We’ll let the Delgado barn get her back home, monitor how she bounces out of this one and pick out the right next spot.

[Ken]

Improbable Luck Update

Due to wet weather in Louisville, Improbable Luck’s work for this week—which otherwise would have been today—was pushed back. Subsequently, he came up with a leg infection (common in muddy conditions) and fever. The barn does not seem overly concerned about it at this time, and he’s being treated now for the infection. We will follow up as warranted, but hopefully this should just be a minor blip.

Alas, the horse that started this off, Improbable Luck, now has an infection. Hopefully won't be in the sick bay for long. Here he is recently in front of the twin spires of Churchill Downs:

[Sudden Sam]

Well Reputation made the board, came in 3rd.

Aside from the rough start, she ran well. Can't complain about a 3rd place finish in her first race.

Congrats, Chip.

[88BuckeyeGrad]

When I was a small child, my parents took me to Bob Evans Farm in Rio Grande, Ohio for Farm Days. It used to be a big deal. They would put chickens in mailboxes and shove them back out with toilet plungers to see how far they would fly. Lots of candy made from sorghum. Important and entertaining stuff like that.

Well… I was leaning up against a fence, minding my own business (and likely trying to figure out how to get sorghum candy off my teeth without tasting it), when a goddamned horse walked it’s stupid ass up behind me and chomped a seriously large bite of hair off the top of my dome. I’ve hated that species of animal with unending disdain since that day forward. Fuck all horses.

I watch them run and occasionally bet on the outcome. But I won’t be friends with them. And I don’t want to be around them. If I bought one, it would be solely for the delight of one day driving it to a glue factory. Not a fan.

[StrawMan]

Fuck all horses.

"That's an idea I can get behind."

Sin,

Filthy's Neighbor Roland

[Roux]

It is race day for Manhattan Twist!




It is Manhattan Twist's third race (1st and 5th), and his first time on the turf. Also his first stakes race, so this is a step up in class.

We'll see this afternoon if he can hang with the higher competition. Geaux Manhattan Twist!

[StrawMan]

Good luck, Roux.

[Roux]

Improbable Luck is having a rough time. Come on horse, get well soon.

Improbable Luck Update

Improbable Luck hasn’t been able to fully fend off the leg infection he has been battling. The Lukas barn reported he was improving a week ago and thought he was only going to need a few more days before getting back into the swing of things, but that has not happened as quickly as we hoped or expected. After conferring with Wayne, we opted to send him to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington as a precaution.

Dr. Liz Elzer and Dr. Larry Bramlage are overseeing Improbable Luck. Their evaluation confirmed cellulitis in his left hind leg. They were able to pull a culture fairly quickly in order to pinpoint which antibiotic will be most effective.

For now, everything is under control. He is minimally off at a trot, but we will keep him at the clinic at least overnight to get to the bottom of this infection and hopefully get it knocked out as quickly as possible.

We will remain in contact with the veterinarian’s and pass along any information as it comes to us.

[Roux]

Some welcome news on Improbable Luck.

Improbable Luck Update

Improbable Luck continues to trend in the right direction. He still has some swelling in his leg, but his blood tests are improving. For now he will remain at the clinic so that he can continue to be monitored. He'll have a couple more days of antibiotics with the goal to take him off of those by Wednesday. Then they'll watch him for a few more days after that to be sure there's no recurrence of the infection.

And Saratoga Warrier had a fast workout this morning, 2nd fastest out of 64 horses running is nice.

[Roux]

Time to name this horse. At $500,000, he is the most expensive one in the Roux stable, and is being trained by Bob Baffert. So on paper, he has the most potential.

My covid brain hasn't come up with anything yet, but perhaps y'all might have some ideas. And no, I'm not submitting Glue For Roux or anything like that.

[Roux]

I submitted Now's The Time.

Of course that's a play on the name of his sire. We'll see soon enough.

[Diego in Seattle]

I would have gone with Frau Bluher.

[Roux]

Good news about Improbable Luck (avatar horse)

Improbable Luck Update

Improbable Luck continues to improve at Rood & Riddle. They stopped antibiotics yesterday and, so far, so good. He’ll stay at the clinic for a couple more days to make sure nothing changes, and after that he’ll be discharged. We will be sending him to a farm for some down time once he leaves the clinic. An illness like this will certainly have taken something out of him, so it’s much better to allow him to recuperate and strengthen back up a bit before returning to the track. This is a move that should also benefit him just given how he was training before the setback—a little time to mature and reset should do him good.

[HighPlainsGrifter]

Well, now. That luck was improbable!

[Roux]

Saratoga Warrier is racing again on Sunday. He won his last race:




But that was then and this is now. This race has stronger competition and also includes the runner up from the last race, Gimme Gimme. Let's find out.

[Roux]

I submitted Now's The Time.

That didn't make the final 8 names to vote on, oh well.




I like Black Tie Optional. Would be fun if he could live up to the name.

[Roux]

Saratoga Warrier 7th race at Aqueduct, now at 10-1 odds.

In other words, he's over his head

We'll see in about a half hour.......

[Roux]

5th place.

Saratoga Warrior Race Recap

Saratoga Warrior was off the board today at Aqueduct.

Out-footed early—as expected—and squeezed out of a spot somewhat, he seemed to be uncorking a wide move heading for home. Saratoga Warrior began to lug in while struggling with his lead changes in upper stretch, however, and never got going from there.

We knew the competition was going to be a bit tough, and the distance a bit sharp, and both of those things proved to be the case. We’ll plan to look for some class relief and/or added distance for Saratoga Warrior next time. Trainer Danny Gargan has always felt he wanted more ground, and jockey Luis Rivera, Jr. concurred after today’s race. More options should continue to become available heading into the new year as more horses break their maidens and begin looking for conditions for winners.

[mvscal]

5th place.

Saratoga Warrior Race Recap

Saratoga Warrior was off the board today at Aqueduct.

Out-footed early—as expected—and squeezed out of a spot somewhat, he seemed to be uncorking a wide move heading for home. Saratoga Warrior began to lug in while struggling with his lead changes in upper stretch, however, and never got going from there.

We knew the competition was going to be a bit tough, and the distance a bit sharp, and both of those things proved to be the case. We’ll plan to look for some class relief and/or added distance for Saratoga Warrior next time. Trainer Danny Gargan has always felt he wanted more ground, and jockey Luis Rivera, Jr. concurred after today’s race. More options should continue to become available heading into the new year as more horses break their maidens and begin looking for conditions for winners.

Maybe you could hedge by buying shares of Elmer's Glue.

[Roux]

Reputation Entry Update

Reputation is officially in for next Sunday at Gulfstream Park. She'll be the #11 in a field of 12 carded as the day's fifth race (they actually got 24 entries for the condition and split it into two races--the other division is Race 10). Post time is 2:19 p.m. ET. Hall of Famer John Velazquez, who of course piloted MyRacehorse's Straight No Chaser to a Breeders' Cup Sprint win last month, will be in the irons.

Now it is Reputation's turn to race again. It will be her second race, she came in 3rd in her first race.

She's got a great jockey this time, wish I could be at the track on Sunday to watch her run.

[Roux]

In an owners' vote of 764 to 763, this half million dollar horse trained by Baffert is now Black Tie Optional.

He has potential, will be fun to see if he can live up to it.

[Carson]

1,527 "owners"?

Nice ponzi scheme you've joined.

[Roux]

Not sure where you're getting ponzi scheme from. The owners are not asked to get other people to join in.

We own micro shares of a horse. Similar to how people own shares of a company.

There is a chance - a small one - that you can make your money back and make a profit. My friend who owns a share of Seize the Grey is an example. I think he paid $127 for one share, he's now gotten about 10x that back, and is expected to get about $1000 a year for awhile as the horse makes money thru stud fees.

That is the exception, though. I'm not doing it with the expectation of making money, I like horses and enjoy watching them race. This is entertainment to me, even if they don't win.

You really should understand that concept. Think of it like watching Auburn football.

[mvscal]

Think of it like watching Auburn football.

That's cold.

[Roux]

Reputation
Owner Update

Good Luck Reputation!

Reputation is set to have her turf and two-turn test in today's fifth race at Gulfstream Park. She has been quoted as the 3-1 morning-line favorite. Post time is 2:19 p.m. ET. There are no scratches.

Race day! Come on Reputation!

[Adelpiero]

He two years old and is being trained by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas.

congrats, lukas is a shit bag, so the horse will either die on the track or not run a lick.

[Adelpiero]

watched the race, to be fair, got a mediocre trip, into afast fractions, and still beat 6 horses, when it looked like it could fade to last.

update this thread, i'll watch for it,

[Roux]

Forgot the Roux stable had a race today. My phone buzzed and when I looked, the message said it was almost post time. Miss American Pie came in 3rd on a rainy, muddy track. It was her first race and I can't complain about a 3rd place finish in the money.

Miss American Pie Race Recap

Miss American Pie was a promising third on debut this afternoon at Aqueduct.

She carried herself very professionally before the race, and broke decently well, but was allowed by jockey Joel Rosario to find her stride rather than rushing up in contention. She showed some good cruising speed to advance into a midpack spot down the backside behind strong splits, moved up willingly on the turn and strode out nicely down the center of the track in the lane to prove clearly third best on the day.

While the top two went quick, they were both well-meant runners and likely benefitted from the conditions—it would’ve been tough to make up much more ground over that sloppy surface than Miss American Pie did in the stretch.

We’re certainly pleased with that effort for a first showing, and considering that Miss American Pie didn’t have a ton of works before this unveiling, would only expect her to step forward from here.

[Roux]

Improbable Luck Update

Improbable Luck returned to the work tab for the first time in 58 days following his leg infection. He covered four furlongs in :50.40 on Sunday at Oaklawn Park in an easy fashion due to it being his first work back. As long as everything continues in good order, we imagine he'll pick things up pretty quick in the Lukas barn.

Good news on the first horse in the Roux stable. Still feeling good about him.

[Rootbeer]

Is it normal for horses to get injured this often? I've never had a seat this close to the process but it seems like your cars are in the shop more than they're on the road, bro.

[Roux]

Damnit. But I'm grateful that they are taking care of the horse. Get well soon, Twist.

Manhattan Twist Update

Manhattan Twist was evaluated earlier this week by Dr. Phillip Hammock in Ocala.

Radiographs of both front ankles revealed stress remodeling (I.e. bone bruising), which was more significant in the left—exactly in line with what Team Pletcher observed.

X-rays were also taken of both knees, and a small bone chip/fragment was found in his left knee. While this chip is not clinical at this time, since Manhattan Twist is already going to have time off for the bone bruising, Dr. Hammock recommends going ahead and cleaning up the knee now so as to get that taken care of and avoid an issue down the road.

This is undoubtedly the proper course of action, so we will go ahead and schedule Manhattan Twist for surgery.

Manhattan Twist will likely get 60-90 days of stall rest and turnout before he can resume training. Our aim would be to have him back for a summer campaign, and hopefully he returns at his best as a fresh and more mature horse.