DECEMBER
  We are nearing the joyous Christmas season and our hearts are full of thanksgiving for the past year and joy and anticipation of the holiday season. We had a couple of losses this past month, No Paradise lost her fetus (a colt by NoPanIntended) and we lost Loeki, who followed her heart to the Netherlands (home). We will all miss you Loeki for you gave so much of yourself to all the moms and babies here at the farm, but we know you'll visit again someday.
  The barren mares are under lights and starting to get ready for breeding season. The mares due in January and early February are coming in at night to the foaling barn to acclimatize (well, really to get their antibodies built up to the flora of the barn).The ground is covered with snow. The big tree on the hill is lit up with the star that one can see a couple of miles away. The matings have all been decided on and bookings made. Now we wait for Santa, and starting in January - the Equi-Stork!!
  I just checked the statistics and Angie is Number 4 in the Ontario Sires Stakes Breeders for earnings regardless of size (quite an accomplishment again this year); stands 4th in North America Breeders in the category of 50 or fewer starters, and is just a little under 10,000 short of a million dollars in earnings (and would be over if some of the earlier breedings had been done in her name) with 10 days to go.
  Last night STONEBRIDGE KISSES put in a tremendous last quarter again at The Meadowlands winning the Open Mares division in 1:52.1. She may just surprise us and be competitive in the aged mares class. When she set the new Canadian record on a Half-mile track earlier this year, I wondered if she might not have some talent that she's not yet shown We'll see. But here she is.
Stonebridge Kisses splits rivals late, in 1:52.1

OCTOBER 22nd

         First of all the Yearling Sale; I was very proud of the professional way the Class of 2004 was presented at The Forest City Yearling Sale. Stonebridge Farm had the highest average price for any consignment of 10 or more yearlings; had the
highest priced Pacing Yearling in STONEBRIDGE PRIMA;

and had the highest price Trotting Yearling in STONEBRIDGE LURE

    Perretti Farms bought Prima and Greg McNair bought Lure.

It was an exhausting time for Angie and the team but they did a fantastic job and the comments about their professionalism was gratifying. They deserved every one of the compliments. For sure there were disappointments as several of the yearlings brought much lower prices. Our hope is that the performance of the Graduates will bring those buyers back next year because they got such a bargain!

Part of the family came down for the sale and gave us encouragement.

Skip Spring came to see us, as did Jeff Langfelder (and left with STONEBRIDGE MADONA)

. Jack Moiseyeve came by to say hello and left with two yearlings, STONEBRIDGE RANGER, and STONEBRIDGE IDEAL.

Ben Wallace took home STONEBRIDGE FALCON, and in a touching, and I believe what could be the fairy-tale story of 2004-5 Paul Taylor came by, determined that he would take home the Western Hanover sister to the Camluck 2 year old that he has in STONEBRIDGE GRACE. I will layout all the yearlings and their new owners this weekend.

PEACEFUL WAY has the 3 hole to try and win the Breeders Crown tomorrow. We will keep our fingers crossed again. Joe and Barb Myers were by and rumour has it that they raised their hand for a couple of bids on LURE. Thanks Joe or Dave (whoever tried). She was worth going after.

OCTOBER 6th.

        STONEBRIDGE DIABLO  came from the outside to trot his mile in 1:58 and place second in his first OSS Gold Final last night. I was very impressed with his performance. Randy Waples placed him in a second position and left him there for the duration of the race, and although he pulled him in the stretch he was unable to catch Classic Lavec. Randy never touched him through-out the mile and he finished strong in second by 2 lengths. We haven't heard the last from him this year. He is a very nice gaited colt and will only get better as he gets his 4th start, I presume, in the next Gold Elimination.

We've had more visitors to the farm than we have ever had, with a daily stream of people to look at the yearlings, and some of them wanting to see the dams of the yearlings. It is a most pleasant experience to talk to people who love beautiful animals and interesting to see how everyone sees the animals through different lenses! Good thing that too, or they would all want the same individual I guess.

There is a lot of news to catch up on so I'll highlight some of it.

Stonebridge Diablo won his Gold elimination at Mohawk easily with a very impressive effort, under wraps in 1:59 and a piece. He has the 5 hole tomorrow night in the Final, and I personally like his chances. I talked to Randy Waples last night who has a great deal of confidence in him and expects him to be very, very competitive. His Yankee Paco sister Stonebridge Volare (who is in the FCYS) is a very racy filly that because she's by Paco, isn't going to bring what she is really worth. She will make a race horse, I have no doubt.

Stonebridge Romeo won his qualifier at Montreal yesterday by 12 lengths in 1:59.2 and confirms that he has the speed, and now seems to be able to handle the gate without breaking. His trainer, Mr. Gilchrist was here to look at the yearlings and feels that he will be competitive in the OSS this fall as they round off, and his recent performance supports that. I note that he is in a conditioned race in Montreal this week and depending on how he does, I suspect they will decide whether he finishes off in the Gold or Grassroots division, and whether they enter him in the Canadian Breeders Championship. His full brother Stonebridge Ranger is a stunning athletic colt, who at this time is much more impressive than his brother was last year. We'll see if the buyers agree in a couple of weeks.

Peaceful Way won the SBOA Final Championship impressively, tying again her track record and bringing her earnings to date to just under $1.5 million. Not bad for a $30,000 yearling! Her Yankee Paco sister Stonebridge Lure has been getting a lot of "runway time". (You'll know what I mean if you've been to the farm to see the yearlings paraded in the arena). She has that racy look, with good barrel length, longer leg than her sister, and that same "eye" and competitive spirit. Her brother,He Rocks, has been entered in a sale to dissolve a partnership and that will allow his future to be clearly laid out by the successful partner. He has been a disappointment to the owners so far. He has the early speed, and beautiful gait but has broken stride at the head of the stretch. He is meant to be a good horse and I hope that he will be given that chance as a 3 year old.

Another carload of viewers has pulled up by the barn and so we'll go to talk horses and dreams with them. It"s an absolutely gorgeous day here and so we'll enjoy it as much as they will.

Note:

Between meetings, hospital, visitors to the farm and many other things I have just not been able to keep this current. However I will get Jim to do the DRAW FOR THE PUTTER this week end and we'll then find the right time to announce it. Thanks to all of those who played!

Peaceful Way tied the track record at Mohawk last night, by the way, winning her elimination of the SBOA by 5 or 6 lengths going away. We'll try and update you all this week end.

SEPTEMBER 4TH

The last two days have been busy days here at the farm.

Thursday night, as I've noted Peaceful Way won her Gold Final easily in Record Time with Chris at the helm and he drove her flawlessly. Joe Myers was so very relieved, as were Angie and Barb. She now gets ready for the Simcoe next Thursday.Any thought that she might be tried against the boys this year was dashed when Tom Ridge set a new World Record of 1:50.2 at the World Trotting Derby. What looked like an average bunch of colts has suddenly turned into a stellar group of the top four. We'll stay with the fillies!!!

Also on Thursday, Stonebridge Romeo (Angus Hall X Armbro Nuzzle) finally showed his stuff by first not breaking, and then winning his qualifier at Rideau Carleton by 27 lengths in 2:02. flat. (The other qualifiers went in 2:04.4 and 2:05 with aged trotters just to give context on the same qualifier sheet). So it looks like he's got the speed if he can just stay flat. How many owners of trotters have made that statement? Also Stonebridge Kisses (Artiscape X Twointhemorning) won in 1:53.4 by 8 lengths at Flamboro - a very nice mile against the likes of Weeping Wanabe! Kisses holds the aged mare Canadian Record over a half-mile track - 1:53.3!!) We have an Angus Hall full brother to Romeo, a Yankee Paco 1/2 sister to Peaceful Way, and an Island Fantasy 1/2 sister to Kisses for sale this year. Check them out on the Yearling Page if you wish.

Friday Angie had the videos completed on the yearlings. Wonderful job Angie - they were simply stunning (yes you were too, but I was thinking about the yearlings). We had the Grandchildren here along with the nieces who watched in awe as these beautiful creatures strutted their stuff.

Today a warm, humid, but beautiful day dawned and brought several visitors. We had the distinct pleasure of hosting the wonderfully gracious couple Wendy and Skip Spring, who are up here to hopefully see their immortal Bunny Lake win the final of the Roses Are Red where she is the favorite after that extraordinary mile last week. We spent the morning looking at some of the yearlings, turned out a few, and exchanged stories. What a simply wonderful couple - and what a credit to horse racing!!

SEPTEMBER 1ST

Enough promotion already! Tomorrow night Peaceful Way races from the 2 hole in he Final of the Gold Series at Rideau Carleton. The real good filly Miss Michelle H races from the 5 hole. Let's hope that all goes well. Athena (Grinfromeartoear X Stonebridge First) won her first lifetime start in Dresden on Sunday. Good for you John and Linda Yakes. May you win a million with that filly that you "stole" out of the sale for $10,000! Nobody deserves it more than you two do. These two really do care about their charges that they have responsibility for, and you can be sure they never ruin a horse! Diablo (Angus Hall X Velvia) was 3rd in his first lifetime start in the GrassRoots in Sarnia. Quite an auspicious start. Now don't all of you out there who I tried to convince that you should ignore his OCD, that we would pay for their removal, and that he was a natural athlete wished you had listened to us and bid on him? Ron Waples Jr. didn't let that stop him and he got a real bargain too. Galaxy (Apaches Fame X One Fine Cam) won his division of the Flamboros Breeders Stake against an impressive field in 1:53.4. I hope that means he's back and healthy. You'll remember that he was a late scratch due to sickness from the Confederation Cup. This time would have won it for him! And lastly Orion (Camluck X No Paradise) won his maiden in Alberta 1:59.4 by 3 lengths.

Bart and Jane Glass were here on Monday to review all the yearlings, and re-assess the foals to see how the matings planned two years ago panned out. There are a couple of disappointments, that tell us we need to consider different matings, but most of them were more than rewarding with ratings in the high 8's. (Nobody gets a 9 from Bart!!). I'll get some pictures of them and give you our comments on them sometime when I can get to it.

Bart and Jane Glass are two of the finest human beings on the earth. They just don't know how to be anything but gracious, and their integrity is in their bones! Angie and I learn so much from Bart from pasture, to feeding, to care, to trimming, to mating etc. etc. And he is a story-teller 'par excellence' .I can't get enough time with him. It's like going to school!

s.

AUGUST 27TH;

 Peaceful Way had entered last night OSS Gold Eliminations at Rideau Carleton after faltering in the Hambletonian Oaks very badly. It turned out she was sick, and had been coming down with it probably the week before in the Elimination. Dave brought her back to Canada, got her treated and she scoped clean, and was her old self again. You'll remember that she had come off the Del Miller where she reeled off a blistering 1:52.3 to set a new Seasonal Record, without being urged, and then barely pulled off her win in the Oaks elim. The test that she was back, and had not lost her form occurred last night at Ottawa when she won, going away, by 3 lengths in a new track record of 1:56.0 tying the Canadian 5/8 mile track record of several years standing - and that without urging apparently. Seasoned veterans tell me that a 1:56 over Rideau Carleton is equivalent to her 1:52.3 mile at the Meadowlands. Officially the difference listed in the Trotting Guide rates the two tracks as 2:00 and 1:56.3 and that does compute, doesn't it?

Dressed To Thrill (Camluck X Lingerie) qualified yesterday at Windsor. This is a filly that I bought a share in for Angie that has the breeding and the conformation that we would like on our farm, and we hope has the performance to match .A very active week is shaping up with several of our offspring entered. I'll update as they appear. I should note that Stonebridge Diablo (Angus Hall X Armbro Nuzzle) was third his his first start in the Grassroots at Sarnia yesterday as well!!

AUGUST 23rd:

The Confederation Cup was a thriller for most yesterday, but a real disappointment for the connections of Stonebridge Galaxy who was scratched because of illness. He just doesn't seem to be the same colt as he was when he finished up his 2 year old year.

On the other hand, I heard from Dave Tingley who hopes that Peaceful Way has recovered from the illness that hampered her in the Hambletonian Oaks. He has entered her into the OSS Gold Eliminations in Ottawa on Thursday. This is the first time she has been on a 5/8 mile track, if I remember correctly. If anybody can prep her for such an endeavor, it is Dave who, for the record, did bring a leading 2 year old trotter back to successful racing as a 3 year old. Best of luck Dave and Joe. She has drawn the 5 hole and is the 1/2 early morning favorite. (See STONEBRIDGE IN THE NEWS above)

We were coming back from dinner last night and Angie noticed one of the mares lying down in the field in a group of 10 mares. She sensed something wrong, although I didn't, and we stopped. Yankee Topps was having some colic and so we brought her back to the main stable, had Dr. Henderson over to see her and put her on the monitor over night. This was the mare that is a sister to Muscles Yankee that we bought from Austria and is 7 months in foal to Angus Hall. Pretty precious cargo!  She did well and went back to her pasture mates this morning.

AUGUST 20TH:

Throughout the year, the most exciting and enjoyable day, apart from the nights when we foal newborns, is the day when the yearlings are video taped for the DVD's and the sale. I always ask Joanne Flick, my assistant at the office, to book me off that day as "very important meeting". This year was no exception. Some of you may know that I have had a little problem that has kept me pretty close to London and home these past few weeks, and so I planned to get on the "Mule" (a cart that we use to get to the back paddocks) and go out to the paddock where the video is shot, and "direct"!!

The week before, the paddock was cut twice, the fences all touched up with white paint and extra help secured to wash, lead, and provide the "perimeter" for the action shots. On the Sunday, all the yearlings were brought in by Loeki and her staff and given a bath. The previous week, the farrier had visited to trim and shoe the front feet of the yearlings, and Loeki had supervised the trimming of the ears, mustaches and manes.

The forecast was for a sunny day (20% chance of rain) and on the Thursday before I relished the thought of the day. EXCEPT, a Minister of the Crown had decided that Monday was the day that was convenient to Government to hold a critical meeting and I was needed to attend. I was not a happy camper as I got into the car Monday morning driving away from where I wanted to be, and going to Toronto, which was the last place I wanted to be!!

When I finally got back into the car (with difficulty, and after no thanks!) I called Angie to see how the day had gone. She reported that the crew had arrived early that morning to get ready, and the film crew had arrived at about 11.00 to set up in the paddock with the sun at just the right angle to catch the sheen on the coats, and not to throw shadows over the shoulders or stifles. Most (but not all) of the yearlings did quite well. Some of them were too rambunctious and wanted to canter and gallop, rather than trot or pace. Jim Gillies had been over to take still shots for the ads and home page. Indeed, some of them will have to be re-done because they were just too wound up to give conformation and athletic runs that would allow the potential buyer to assess them properly. Nobody has a better eye for that than my Angie and she put down a list of four that have to be done again. (I asked if it couldn't be more so that I could be there next time - but I got that "get serious, man" look from Angie and shut up). Everybody was exhausted and I just wanted to see the results. I waited till the next day!!

One of the reasons I wanted to be there was that comparing the ability of the yearlings against each other is best done if you see them in a continuum .I have seen the initial results though on film and they are a very impressive lot. Some more than others of course, but really a spectacular lot. The fillies are the best group of fillies we have ever sent to sale, that I can say.

It was a great relief to see the next morning that there were no serious injuries to the yearlings or staff (other than very sore muscles from running!).

Now to Peaceful Way.  Seems she had a real Respiratory Infection the week of the Hambletonian Oaks. That would certainly explain her performance. She's to enter the Gold eliminations at Rideau Carleton, and I can only hope that she is healthy and ready.

Several of our 2003 yearlings are now showing up and being qualified. Stonebridge Athena (Grinfromeartoear X Stonebridge First) qualified last night at Sarnia. Stonebridge Diablo (Angus Hall X Armbro Nuzzle) did likewise this morning at Mohawk. Stonebridge Fame (Apaches Fame X One Fine Cam) has done so and is in an overnight at Mohawk this Tuesday. Seventh Evan (Apaches Fame X Twointhemorning) has drawn the 2 hole at Flamboro in the Gold Series Final. He Rocks (Angus Hall X Royal Bait) has been put back in training and will be qualified if he does well at the schoolers. Stonebridge Trophy (Camluck X Fran Seelster) is being treated for his severe respiratory infection, and is back on the track in training. Stonebridge Galaxy has drawn the 3 hole in the Confederation Cup eliminations, first division, at Flamboro on Sunday. It will be an interesting week-end and week and I'll keep you up to date.

AUGUST 9TH

Seventh Evan (Apaches Fame X Twointhemorning) and Stonebridge Fame (Apaches Fame x One Fine Cam) made their debut at Woodbine tonight and raced well considering it was their first real test and raced in races that went 1:53 and 1:54 and when the Gold Series eliminations of 3 year olds went in 1:52!

I see that Stonebridge Romeo (Angus Hall X Armbro Nuzzle) will start tomorrow in a gold elimination in his first start. That's quite a way to start out one's career.

We've not heard anything reportable about Peaceful Way - but we'll let you know when we have some idea of the problem.

AUGUST 8TH

We started the day bright and early, getting out to the airport to catch our plane to the Meadowlands. Angie and I were filled with anticipation, and anxiety, as we thought about the upcoming race that would surely stamp this remarkable filly for what we believe she is, by winning the Oaks. At the same time, we realized that she had not performed to her usual self in the elimination. We had no real explanation of why she hadn't, but we all put it down to the heat, dehydration etc (there was no real evidence of her tying up, but that was a possibility). The sun was shining and the flight uneventful. The Meadowlands was decked out and the air was one of celebration and anticipation. The first few races were full of surprises and the race immediately before was a shocker! Rainbow Blue, probably the best pacing filly any of us has ever seen, broke and the very worthy Kikikatie won. I was down at the paddock, talking to Dave Tngley and John Campbell, and Angie was stroking Peaceful Way and the thought occurred to me that this may be a portend of things to come. She (Rainbow Blue) had gone off at low odds and was the "sure" winner. Angie was concerned that Peaceful Way let her pat her, because in the past, she had not liked anyone touching her and was very much a "leave me alone, I know what I'm doing" kind of filly before a race. Pat and Jim Bullock, Glen Brown, Dean Hoffman, Tom Crouch and others all wished us well, but I noted to Jim and Pat what had just happened to Rainbow Blue and hoped it wasn't our fate too. She left the gate well, settled into 5th place and then started up the outside to take the lead. But she didn't "blow by them" as she usually did, getting to the head just after the half in 56.2. I expected her to "attack the wind' after that, and you could see that she didn't have it. As she came off the turn at the head of the stretch, she was passed by Silver Springs, and as if she was angry over that, broke. It was all over at that time. The rest of the afternoon was passed with good company and interesting races including the Hambletonian win by Windsongs Legacy, but you can imagine that a little bit of the joy of being there was missing. But it was a wonderful day, in all, and the company of Bart Glass, Robert Kaufman and their beautiful wives, and Jeff Langfelder (whose Metropolitan won in a dramatic race), and others made it very pleasant and stimulating.

We woke up to just a grand and sunny day here at Stonebridge today. We had three of the yearlings out in the paddock to get some action photos for the advertisements this month. Jim Gillies was over to take the photos and the painful memories of yesterday were replaced with the warmth of sunshine, the beauty of these magnificent animals, the sweet smell of grass paddocks and the love of each other and the family. We are so grateful for all of these blessings!

AUGUST 3RD

The waiting is over!!

The field has been drawn for Saturday's $500,000 Final of the Hambletonian Oaks with Peaceful Way the early morning line favourite from post three. The field will line up at the Meadowlands as follows:
Hambletonian Oaks Final
1. Have You Ever ? Ron Pierce - 8-1
2. Self Indulgent ? David Miller ? 10-1
3. Peaceful Way – John Campbell – 8-5
4. Silver Springs ? George Brennan - 12-1
5. Ivy Swinger ? Stephane Bouchard - 12-1
6. Housethatruthbuilt ? Brian Sears - 7-2
7. Ladylind ? Cat Manzi - 20-1
8. Mystical Sunshine ? Mike Lachance - 9-2
9. Funny Malentine ? Trevor Ritchie - 15-1
10. Tag A Victory ? Stephen Smith - 15-1

August 2nd

          Today we heard about the analysis of the races on Saturday. You know by now that Peaceful Way "eked out" a win. John Campbell said she never took the bit and the reins never tightened - just not the same horse of two weeks ago. Then after the race she had a minor "tying up", and that may explain it all. The combination of the heat, and the retention barn, may have contributed to it. All other systems seem all right and so Dave will carefully monitor her over the week and hopefully she will be okay for Saturday. Tomorrow is the draw, and that will determine a lot, of course.

           The TOP TEN POLL was just announced by the USTA and she's #4 this week, up from #5 last week.
Hambletonian/Breeders Crown
Monday, August 2, 2004 - Standardbred Poll
Rank/Name/1st Pl. Votes AGS 04 Record 04 Earnings Pvs
1. Rainbow Blue (25) 3pf 12-12-0-0 $322,195 2
2. Four Starzzz Shark (9) 6ph 11-9-1-0 $766,945 1
3. Quik Pulse Mindale 3pc 8-8-0-0 $321,165 4
4. Peaceful Way 3tf 4-3-0-0 $203,750 5
5. Stroke Play 4tm 8-6-1-0 $368,436 3
6. HP Paque (1) 7th 6-4-0-1 $526,400 -
7. Tom Ridge 3tc 4-2-2-0 $176,171 -
8. Windsong's Legacy 3tc 6-4-1-1 $345,486 6
9. Fool's Goal 9tg 11-5-1-1 $309,460 7
10. Windylane Hanover 5tm 11-5-5-0 $317,193

July 31st. 
It was a nailbiter, but Peaceful Way won by a head her division of the Hambletonian Oaks Eliminations. She was forced to race on the outside without cover all the way and when the 3/4 mark came in 125.2 (the half reached in 55.3) I was very anxious that she might have exhausted herself, and was just hoping that she made it to the wire on stride to make the final. She did that and more, winning, as I said. here she is:

July 30th

   As you know Peaceful Way has been characterized by Dave Tingley like "a pitcher that throws him an unexpected pitch every day"This week, she has been a different filly, having benefited from her gastric ulcer treatment, and has eaten her food, is gaining weight, and on the track has been training very, very well. Joe Myers doesn't know whether to be delighted or worried. After all when one gets used to a difficult daily progress turning into spectacular performances on the weekend, and she suddenly comes around, the superstitious get nervous! And Joe IS superstitious! However I choose to believe that this is a reflection of a healthier and more contented animal because she feels better, and that her performance should only be better.

The morning line of 6/5 is certainly not shared by Dave Brower who believes the post will be against her and that Housethatruthbuilt is the favorite. (Dave also bypassed Peaceful Way, if I remember right, when she reeled off her two Stakes Record miles in the Del Miller. I just hope his "luck" continues).

Housethatruthbuilt, a Muscles Yankee filly (named after Yankee Stadium) is a very legitimate contender, and a half sister to Master Lavec who won over $500,000 and was voted 2 year old trotting colt of the year while winning the Breeders Crown at 2. She was a $50,000 filly from the Speed in Action mare, Super Shann, who's been the only producer in this family for 3 generations!

The field has two royally bred fillies in it, including Ivy Swinger, the Malabar Man filly out of Jungle Queen, who won over $200,000, and is a sister to the great Duenna who won over $1,100,000, and is a producer herself. The other is Gildone, who is another Muscles Yankee, out of the Pine Chip mare, Miss Pine Chip, who is a half sister to Super Arnie, and the dam of Livorno. This is a family that we know well, because we owned a beautiful, and fast mare called Patrice Seelster, who died Christmas Day here on our farm, in foal to Balanced Image, of colic. .We still have her shoes and picture on our wall. As a matter of fact, Angie and I looked at her sister in the sale in Lexington, went into the arena to buy her, and found her suddenly knocked down for $10,000. Dr. John Hayes bought her, renamed her For The Luva Moni and she went on to win over $500,000 and is still racing, I think!

Well, we anxiously wait the next 24 hours, and can only hope that all goes well..

Standardbred Canada is currently running a poll, as to who is the leading 3 year old trotter in North America. Here are the results so far.

Cantab Hall	119 votes	14.9%
Cash Hall	140 votes	17.6%
Eilean Donon	53 votes	6.6%
Peaceful Way	327 votes	41%
Tom Ridge	53 votes	6.6%
Windsongs Legacy	105 votes	13.2%

Total Votes: 797

I should also note that Peaceful Way was #5 on the Top Ten Poll from the USTA this week, (the only 3 year old tf).

What about the field?

I'll get to that tomorrow.

July 26th

What a difference a week makes. Remember a week ago the internet pages were peppered with speculation as to whether Peaceful Way would race against the boys in the Hambletonian, and frankly, our minds were undecided as to what to do. We have dissected here our thinking on this and of course stand by the decision that Joe and Dave made. But that doesn't stop us from wondering every day  -- what if we had?

The update today on Peaceful Way is that she ate all her food allotment, was her usual self, and uncharacteristically behaved on the track at Showplace where she was jogged. As Dave noted, it is almost disconcerting that things are going so well with her!! Crazy thinking, I know, but as one approaches such an auspicious start even the most rational being begins to be superstitious. The good point is that she is eating well and gaining weight. Nothing, apart from limb integrity, is more vital to a performance than proper nutrition and peak condition. One surely can't achieve that with active ulcers and weight loss.

The speculation continues regarding the colts that will compete in the Hambo. But more relevant to us (and her) are the fillies whose names will be dropped in the box tomorrow morning. We're betting that three divisions will have to be raced, accounting for 24 to 30 entrants. This is of less concern that the post position and we'll know all of that by this time tomorrow.

July 24th

   Saturday dawned in New Jersey and Arva about the same. There was torrential rain last night, resulting in sloppy tracks in the Meadowlands, and freshly watered paddocks in Arva.  But in the night, the skies cleared and this morning was sunny and warm (cool when the sun went behind the clouds) and with a nice breeze blowing. Peaceful Way had a good night. She's eating now with the help of her Gastro-Guard, and jogged today, according to Dave Tingley, "just as she should". She's feeling as relaxed as she can get (which is not very much, according to Dave) and he's happy with her. We talked and as we watch these colts get ready for the Hambo, some quasi-regrets (naturally) settle in. Frankly, it's hard to know who is going to show up to the race with their act together.

Last night there was action at the Meadowlands amongst the colts and the fillies that may have some impact on the race. Amongst the fillies Muscle Toy went in 1:55.3 and Gildone came second in 1:56.0 over a sloppy track. They'll probably pay in to the Oaks. Three Little Words won her race in 1:54.3, but it was the stretch drive by Olympics that was the most impressive to me. She did not race an impressive race till the last 3/8 of the mile, where she turned in a last quarter of 28.1 to finish third in 1:54.4. John Campbell was driving.

The boys were not spectacular (and rumor is that even those that didn't prep last night are continuing to have their troubles) But there was one very impressive performance by Eilean Donan, who only 2 weeks after a hernia repair won in 1:54 flat by 2 and 3/4 lengths, last quarter in 28.1, over a still sloppy track. I think he's going to be a factor in the Hambo - maybe the surprise!

Dave and Joe are, of course pre-occupied by War Paint in the Breeders Crown eliminations tonight at the Meadowlands. We wish them LUCK!

July 22nd

Ronnie Gurfein and Bob McIntosh will sleep better tonight - Joe Myers announced for us that Peaceful Way will compete in the Oaks, rather than in the Hambletonian against the boys. She was a genuine threat to win the big one but stewardship of the filly won out over the prestige and money, as it should.

Joe Myers just announced to the press that Peaceful Way will compete in the Hambletonian Oaks, rather than in the Hambletonian. For someone, like Joe (well frankly anyone in this sport) who dreams of having a horse to enter into the greatest test of trotting skills in North America, it was a difficult, but in my opinion, a wise decision. If you have been reading these notes, you will have seen the arguments for and against entering in against the boys. I have no doubt she would have been competitive, and if she made it to the final, may very well have gone off as a co-favorite. But she has had only three starts as a three year old, and to think of the possibility that with a front-end speed duel with Cash Hall and Cantab Hall, followed up by an assault by Tom Ridge and Windsong Legacy, knowing just how competitive she is (she wouldn't give up until fully exhausted, you can be assured of that), was just too much to risk. As Bart Glass has said to me in the past "We don't create these marvelous animals. We are only given them to help them reach their potential, and we're judged on how well we discharge that stewardship". Joe Myers is doing just that. Having said that, we'll all wish that we could have justified the alternative. What a great thing it would have been to see!1 But then - maybe we will see it down the road. There are opportunities in Kentucky in the fall and maybe, just maybe ----. In the meantime, Dave preps her for the elimination of the Hambletonian Oaks and we go into that "cross your fingers" time again. She's eating well now and that's a real plus.Let's hope we draw well. I'll keep you posted.

JULY 18th

       I just had the most delightful conversation with Joe Myers and then with Dave Tingley. The concern that Dave expresses, and his care for this filly is palpable! You can guess, of course what the conversation was about. We are all glowing in the performance of Peaceful Way, harmony reigns and consensus is reached amongst us (at least) that she is the best 3 year old filly in North America today, and conceivably the best overall 3 year old trotter, whether they carry the "Y" chromosome or not. The Stanley Dancer settled nothing, in our opinion. Cantab Hall is (was) a very good trotter, but failed completely in his first real test. Was this due to an inter current illness, or did we see the real mettle of this performer, or did he just have a bad day? Windsong Legacy is legitimate, no doubt. He had a tough trip, but still didn't go as fast as the Del Miller winner (Peaceful Way). Tom Ridge was competitive, but he's not an impressive horse right now - he's always born out in the stretch, so that isn't what unimpressed me I don't think - it's just that he didn't look put together in his effort. And Cash Hall -what can I say? He broke at the start and we never did see his form. He's got real raw talent - no doubt- but will he be able to hold it together for the Hambletonian? His 1:52.4 time from his earlier race was very impressive and I have no doubt that he will, sooner or later, show himself to be the dominant trotting colt of this class of 2004 - but for the purposes of this discussion - the "sooner or later" is the operative phrase.

Why all this conjecture on the colts when we have a filly? Well Dave and Joe have a decision to make in the next 7 days - to decide whether to try against the colts or not in the Hambletonian, rather than in the Oaks. Theirs' is not an easy decision, the more one dissects the issues that make up the "factual components' of that decision. Then, add to that, that she was gastro-scoped and had some gastric ulceration that may explain why she wasn't eating this past week and lost weight between the elimination and the final. With treatment will she be even better than she was?

So what are the factors to consider?

Putting a filly this young in against the colts could "beat her up" and hurt her chances for the rest of the season. She only has an even chance of beating them, even though every time she has competed on a card in a stakes race when the colts have been competing in another race under the same conditions, she has raced faster then they have by 2/5 to 2 seconds. Face to face is different, and undoubtedly they would gang up on her.

She is only 2/5 of a second slower than the World Record set by Continentalvictory in 1996, and she seemed to be capable of doing that on a good day. A win in the Oaks and a World Record would do as much for her reputation in history as winning the Hambletonian - or would it?

The Hambletonian comes once - and once only -and you can never visit the opportunity again.

If she stays sound there are other potential opportunities to test her against the colts.

1 million dollars versus 500,000 dollars!!

I simply don't know for sure, although my bias probably comes through in the way I have posed the questions. Ultimately, it's Dave and Joe who will make the decision, and I'm confident they'll make the right decision.

JULY 16 - End of evening celebration. 
Photos by Monica Thors

BARB &JOE MYERS: DAVE &JOHN        THE DEL MILLER TROPHY

Just thought I'd let you see the end of the race.