REI Y18 FINAL REPORT


Tipping Our Hats – The Retirees
Oh my, what a ride it’s been with Simba. He’s such a special guy for us, and has been a symbolic image for NDM for several years now. He was taken on by prodding from SOPS that Isabelle not completely take a break back in the beginning of Y16, with the majority of NDM leased out for a few months he was a boy that kept Isabelle in the loop on the tracks while personal issues were giving some mental troubles. He was the first foundation stock Thoroughbred NDM worked with of our own since our four originals back in Y13. His success has paved the way for more and more fresh faces at NDM, giving us confidence that we can take a no-name and make them a barn name.

He was a rough experiment that turned into quite a gem, only placing out of the money once in his first year running. He took some patience during his five year old season, and built himself up to really become a formidable stallion this past season. With 11 HOTY wins to his name to date, he’s the most outstanding foundation horse we’ve had up to now. He is scheduled to attend Breeder’s, and Dubai next January, and then he’ll be fully retired to enjoy the fruits of his labors. We hope he will put up a lion sized fight for his competition, and wish him all the luck in the world. He’ll be a private stud for SS, we anticipate his first foal will be from Creekside after she has retired.

Eternally Smoldering has been a cornerstone for NDM in the turf routing department with a colt. He’s been very special to us, one of our first foals from our first breeding crop in Y14. Bred for us by BBS, we’ve been honored to pave the way for Dazzling Dame’s future foals, and uphold DW Flamekissed’s name on the tracks. When we first started running him we really didn’t quite know what we were doing, we were still so fresh in HOTY company it was good we had some knowledgeable voices advising us where to steer him.

He was our first juvenile Breeder’s Cup winner, our second of two wins to date. Capturing seven HOTY victories this year, he’ll be taking on three more competitions before his retirement: the World Turf Cup, Breeder’s, and Dubai next January. He has two foals arriving next season, one for BBS and one for us. It’s no surprise we selected our TTT champ HOF Impress The Moonlight to be the dam. It’s definitely going to be one highly anticipated foal!

Breaking Tradition – Specialty Racers
Isabelle is breaking tradition and pushing some boundaries by racing a Thoroughbred for a seven year old year. Yes, you read that right. Now we know the potential responses to this, but SOPS trainers also believe that Dancing Fool is capable and deserving of one more year. We’re prepping him with some solid undercards to finish out this year, then plan to give him a good three to four months running and see how he’s going. If he’s looking promising, we’ll keep him going, but if he doesn’t seem to have it, we’ll retire him. We’re not going to be greedy with him, if he goes well and reaches G1 status, he’ll retire on that 13th win.

Saying goodbye to Simba was proving a bit too much for Isabelle, so no one was surprised when she picked up Frankenstein out of the blue. He’ll be starting just as Simba did, an unknown as a four year old, but this time this boy is big, ugly, and hugely formidable for the routing distance. After everything Isabelle’s learned from Simba, she wants to keep trying some fresh new ideas, and this was the perfect pet project for her. Look out for Monster, he’ll be striking out January Y19!

Pendragon was a late starter due to his unique beginnings in life. He broke his maiden, but we’ll be softer for working with him early on in his 3YO season. Out of foundation lines, we’re looking at a nice, slow build for him to be a successful older runner for us in the future. From foundation lines, he’ll be one to keep an eye out for those sleeper surprises.

We are truly happy that Eternally Smoldering became a champion for your team! He's an excellent looking individual and we are highly excited to announce that we'll be welcoming a foal out of the Royal Assault daughter, Calamity Queen in Year 19.

ROUTER ROYALS
After bounding out front to score the Danthebluegrassman Stakes back in May, Stylishly Wild has been fighting for his place among the stars. He’s had a great G2 HOTY season, but we’re looking for a G1 year. He seems to enjoy that 8-10ish range best, so we’ll be letting him hang out there.

Who in the world would have thought that Englishman would be on the Router Royals list? Starting off this year with just two small wins to his name, Endo was not a household name – nor was he doing very much on the tracks. Then suddenly, boom! This boy took on a full season of HOTY racing with only one undercard – and took home the TC Preakness flowers! We’re a little sensitive to the knowledge his grade is still low compared to what his competition will be in Y19, so we may seek out some assistance in the best route to focus him on.

French Quarter is a colt that Isabelle has scratched her head over too many times to count. He was yo-yoing his consistency so much that she popped him out of the triple crowns and put him into the CTC instead, where he placed second and two thirds. Going into Breeder’s this year with one win left to be G1, Isabelle is still scratching her head, having not a clue how he became so talented, and why he needed to mess with her head so much. He’ll be taking on the turf division next year!

With other two million dollars in winnings in her career, Wings Of Angels is our strongest turf female router at this time. Up until November she hadn’t placed out of the money this year, and after her two disappointing places we’re breaking her until Breeder’s. We don’t know what will happen, but you will see this mare going forward strongly next season! Her relations through our own Gallant Knight have proven how successful her pedigree is.

Coming out tentatively, Frosted Sunrise built himself up over the year and has ended with quite an amazing season! Five HOTY wins, we’re sending him to Breeders and he’ll be our potential TTC contender next season. His half sister Italian Beauty is building up for a nice Y19 year, and his other half sister Pandora just became a Hall of Famer.

A real fighter, Mircalla has been battling hard. She has spent almost half of her HOTY starts out of the money, and placed in a good chunk of others. She pinched an undercard win recently to scoot her to G4 entering into the Breeder’s season. We’re proud of her for being ready to take on a challenge, even if she fails she comes back stronger the next round!

An example of having high hopes exceeding results, Superstition went out there with us expecting him to deliver. He did come through for us, but more in the undercard division. He did face up to his challengers and take home a HOTY win in A Lot To Live Up Stakes, so we know he has the abilities. We’ve modified our expectations, but still believe he deserves a spot among HOTY company, and a place in the CTC next season.

MILER MAGNATES
Fantasy Island has been a bit of project pony for us. After picking her up from Valkyrie’s downsizing at the beginning of Y17, she took off as an undercard rocket. Then she sort of . . . waned off once we put her up against the strong mares. She’s held her own, but she just hasn’t quite made it where we’d like her to be. She’ll be coming around for a six year old year, and you better believe you’ll be seeing her name out there in those big open mare turf divisions. We’re extremely grateful to VS for all the extra care and guidance they’ve given while we’ve trained Tacy, and look forward to making them proud next season. Tacy will break December to come out fresh in January.

After bounding out front to score the Danthebluegrassman Stakes back in May, Stylishly Wild has been fighting for his place among the stars. He’s had a great G2 HOTY season, but we’re looking for a G1 year. He seems to enjoy that 8-10ish range best, so that’s where he’ll stay.

Oooh look at Authentic Aura! Despite her disappointing results in the TT, she remains a force on the lady’s parade. Being two wins away from G1, we have no hesitation getting her going on those G2+ tracks right away and watching her soar from there.

SPRINTER STARS
We are still on the fence about Blue Heroine racing next year. She is heading for Breeder’s for one more race in Y18, and that may be a deciding factor for us. None can deny the talent she has after a solid HOTY season. She picked up four wins, which is a bit less than we hoped, but enough for us to maybe feel like she’s had her time. We’ll be looking for advice about her after her results from Breeder’s comes in. If she does continue on, she’ll be going turf sprinting divisions.

Although she hasn’t attained full HOTY status quite yet, Liberated Treasure is deserving of being on the sprinter stars list. She won a leg of the TST last season, and made it to G1 this year. With her recent win the Gazelle Stakes at BSD, she’ll have a lot of HOTY experience under her to take on Y19’s dirt sprinter mare division.

Another of our ‘almost there’ string, Pied Piper won the open La Coneja Stakes in July. Since then he hasn’t won a HOTY, but he’s been running that big circuit ever since. It will definitely be a sprinter breakout year for NDM in Y19 as he will join the ranks in taking on the HOTY dirt male division.

Our precious little chestnut Creekside has proven you don’t have to be huge to make a big name for yourself. Pulling out two seconds and a third in the TST, she captured the Evangeline Sprint and the Mopotism Stakes. We’re eager to see what will come soon for her, we plan for a BSD HOTY race December W4 to end her season.

Delightful Pyne is going to have plenty on his plate come Y19! We’re sending him to Breeder’s this year, and have plans to prep him for the dirt sprinter crown. He might not quite be at full HOTY level yet, but we feel he’s earned a spot as a rising sprinter star.

Coming into our string later this year, Time Out Of Mind will be staying with us. We’ve renamed him Quizzical, and he’s taken off very well! He will be breaking, as having reached G3 as a juvenile we don’t want to push him too hard. We want to be sure we train him well, and not get too greedy with visions of success.

Wow, Revenge Of The Angels has gone above and beyond our expectations! We had originally believed she’d be a slow starter, only undercarding, but she’s hit it out of the park. She seems to be the first racer we’ve had that really loves the mile range, so we’ll be focusing her a lot there. We’re not sure if she might enjoy the TT, or perhaps the Green Mile, but either way she’ll be seen in a lot of prep races come Y19.

Another sprinter diva, Windfallen has taken home the roses many times this year, and is also a G3 runner! Placing fourth just once this season, she’s an absolute doll to work with. We feel she deserves a change at Breeders this year, and we’re going one up and entering her against the colts. Most of her wins are in open divisions, so we’re not afraid to let her go head to head with the best juveniles out there.

THE DRIFTERS
We’re excited about having Indy with us! Dark Intentions has a few choice undercard races for the remainder of this year, he hasn’t won a race for a year now but we haven’t lost hope he’ll snag one very soon. Depending on his first few races of Y19, we might take on a bolder, more vigorous stance for him in some HOTY if he grades up quickly. If not, we’ll keep him working at the level he needs to have a full, successful season for his final year racing. Although he’s been on turf for a while, we might switch things up and see how his hooves like the dirt.

Look out, because Seize The Throne just might be a pop out star for Y19. He shuffled ownership a bit when he first started out, and became an extended lease to us that ended up as an ownership. He’s only placed out of the money once this year, and he’s taken on some HOTY seconds and thirds in open company with horses such as Black Thriller! He’s currently wrapping up his year so he’ll have a break before Y19 opens.

Jumping from the lowest G3 to G1 this season, Don’t Count Me Out has been trucking along in her sire’s The Underdog, underdog’s style. We’ve gotten encouragement for her to come back next year, so we’ll be doing so! She is pointed for Breeder’s to give her a springboard for Y19.

Several are aware of the difficulties Italian Beauty gave us in Y17. We are happy to say this season she’s straightened herself out, and is one win away from G1! We aren’t concerned about her now, and will giving her a full HOTY card next year.

Justa Little Cutie has seemed to charm the judges this year, as she’s G1 now! We’re so proud of her, coming from fairly untested but nicely bred parents, she kept us on our toes. She’s been mostly an undercard lady, but occasionally she’d pop up and win a HOTY for us! She is break until next season, and we are so looking forward to seeing her blossom out to be the biggest and best lil’ cutie she can!

Well, we’re still eyeing up miss Nutcracker Suite here. We believe she still wants to keep running, but she’s chugging along a bit slower than her compatriots. We’re not sure she’s close enough to G1 to fully commit to a full HOTY season for Y19, but that depends on her remaining two races for Y18. With three router wins spaced quite far this year, we don’t want to overwhelm her. She has placed in several open mare divisions, so we’re confident she’s still up for the run.

Our IRS Firebird baby Phoenix Inferno is heading for some fiery turf HOTY competition! He’s one win from G1, but he is most likely breaking the rest of this year unless there is a small race we think he might pop in that last win with. We put him in some open races to prep him, but come January he’s hitting those turf tracks. He’ll be taking on the expectations that Eternally Smoldering will be leaving.

We’re trying to play it safer with Arrow’s Away. He brilliantly took home the Novizio Derby in September, among other HOTY races this season, but his racing grade is still quite tender for his age. So we’ll focus on a mixture of small grade specific HOTY with undercards next year to give him some more time to mature up. We have a feeling he’ll be our five year old dirt router star in Y20.

SHE FINALLY DID IT! After over a year and a half of pretty full HOTY exposure Classy Lady at long last won one! Her last win was a GHF Cup in late October, and we’re so thankful this girl finally was able to get herself that first weighted win. She had been our TT hopeful for this season but she couldn’t quite get together enough to be able to go up against the hard hitters. Next season we’re not sure what will happen – but we know Classy Lady will go into it with her brattiness intact.

Virtuoso has been very consistent for us since he began on the tracks. We believe he’ll pull another good year in Y19 for us similar to this one, which will leave them a option for a HOTY 5 year old season. He made a surprise victory in the open Hawthorne Gold Cup this year, and he’s breaking the rest of this season to start fresh next year, unless a small HOTY races lures us into entering him.

With a boatload of back HOTY class to start off her classic season, Sierra maybe one to look for in the longer distance division. She’s definitely got it down for undercards, but she’s not quite hitting it just yet in the bigger divisions. We’ll be keeping a watch on her.

With siblings going crazy strong this year, Valiant was the one a bit left behind in the upper division. Bellona, Gala Royale, and Gallantry have been formidable competition, so Leo has had to take a step back a few times. He still reached G4 for us this season, but we’re tentatively keeping him in a mixture of races to better build him. We’ll see what happens next season, but there is no doubt that talent is in his blood!

STILL SHUFFLING
Ghost is pretty much a ghost to the winner’s circle. We’re not ready to call it a day for him, but he’s quite painstaking. Every barn has their problem child, so we’ve taken it upon ourselves to let him break for the rest of the year and start fresh when he’s four. We expect he’ll move up Y19, and if not . . . it’s no more carrots for him.

With two gentle wins this past year, juvenile Flitcraft is taking his time. He’s not working badly, but he hasn’t quite captured the success as the rest of our crop. That’s okay, he can take his time if he needs to, we’re working out where he might fit best. Since he’s the first of both of his parents to race for us, we’re figuring out what his style is becoming.

Just Rewards seems to be capable at her full range of extended furlongs, one of her wins was the Demosielle Stakes in late June. That was the last win from this year, it feels like she’s ripening for a nice victory soon. She’ll be trying one more race in early December, then take a rest until Y19.

Having some early success prompted us to put Wired into HOTY company, for which he promptly failed at. We’ve spent the rest of this year juggling him back into better performances, but he hasn’t had a win in over six months. We’re not exactly positive how he’ll run next season, as he seems to enjoy the milerish range, but he did win a 6F race.

LESSONS LEARNING
Oh my, Maleficent! Such a lady and so close to G1! A later start horse we acquired from MA when she wasn’t blooming, Mandy has churned out six wins this year. She seems to be leaning towards turf, but we will keep things open for her as she runs a mostly sprinting focused HOTY season Y19.

We might go crazy and jump into a HOTY season for Super Cat! Although he’s shy of being G1 by a couple of wins, he’s done so well staying in first and second that it seems he’s just eager for a challenge! In fact, 18 of his 25 starts have been first or second! He’s quick, he’s sharp, and he’s our favored KC Racing homebred (he’s also our only KC Racing homebred, but that will change soon *spoiler*).

We were quite saddened with Coco’s early results this season. After blazing through four HOTY wins as a juvenile, Chocolatier felt out the back door. Literally. To fifth placements. So we had to scrap running him in the TSC in favor of undercards to get him working again. We’re not sure what the trouble was, but he did pick up some GHF Cup wins later this season, and he is G2 now. We’re contemplating if he can go out for a full HOTY year, or if he’ll need to perk up to G1 first before hitting those tracks.

Lux Aeterna is, despite his quirks, a favorite. We tossed him into the TTSC just for the hell of it – he’d been placing mostly firsts and seconds in undercards, so we expected he wanted more. We got black results from the crown races, but we’re not sorry. It was fun competing him, and those races certainly didn’t hurt him. We’re expecting a mixed season for his four year old year, followed by a potential HOTY five year old season if he’s up for it.

Not having had a win for a while, Miss Abilene seems to be due for a stronger season. We’re hoping she gets that in Y19. She hasn’t done badly at all, she hasn’t placed below second in an undercard all year, but she hasn’t been able to catch her HOTY competitors. She’ll be racing this December and may break in early January depending on how her places result.

We are welcome Truly Something officially to our string! A beloved HOF The True Nut foal, Sully has strengthened with us the past few months. We’re planning a solid year next season of some bread-and-butter undercarding with well placed but bold HOTY attempts.

Twilight Reign pulled in a Daisy Stakes victory in the TTST this season! We’re so proud of her. Although she is borderline HOTY at this time, we feel safer keeping her more to the softer tracks until her grade has improved.

For a wild card entry, we gave Waldemar a surface supreme so he could take a try in the TSC. It wasn’t surprising he placed last each leg, but the experience really paid off! He came off a single win last year and we picked him up from the MA closing sale as a reclaim. He’s bounced off a new platform and we’re excited for him next season! He made six wins this year, including the Evita Argentina Stakes.

Quiet but stable, Amun-Ra is a nice colt to have. He’s handling himself quite well on the tracks, and we’re looking forward to a nice 3YO year with him. His half sister Evanescence is poised for a stand out Y19 season.

Our teeniest filly is having some struggles to cross the finish line first, but she’s got a great heart, and Sonny’s Gem is proving it well. She’s only placed out of the money three times to date, being plucky and attentive she’s not one to be left behind. We’ll see what comes for her in the softer G5 division soon.