Friday Morning Notes - March 7

- Gary Contessa has started twice as many horses as anyone else at the Big A; a staggering 351 going into Thursday's action. And his latest turnaround project is Rite Moment, a 13 length winner in the Limit Stakes. Since being bought privately by Winning Move Stable, this four-year old has three dominating wins in four races, plus a second in the Correction Handicap. Whatsmore, Thursday's effort was the filly's first try around two turns. It wasn't the greatest field in the world though, and Jermaine Bridgmohan had to get after Rite Moment and ride her out to the finish. I wouldn't be surprised to see her go back to sprinting.

Rite Moment is by Vicar, and when you see the sire's name in the Form with no accompanying stud fee, it likely means that that horse has departed us, either for the great stallion farm in the sky, or perhaps for some third world country where it could be subject to byzantine laws and religious indoctrination. In Vicar's case, he was dispatched to the KRA Stud and Training Farm on Jeju Island in South Korea, and we hope he's adopted well. All you ever wanted to know about racing in Korea is contained here.

- Nice one for Shug at Gulfstream yesterday. His filly Rejoicing, having been defeated by a mere 41 lengths in her first two career races, was 6-1 in the morning line. However, she went off as the 3-1 second choice and won off by three lengths; what a great game. This four-year old is your typical Phipps-bred; by Forestry, out of Pennant Champion, a daughter of Personal Ensign, and therefore a half or full sister to Miner's Mark, My Flag, Our Emblem, etc.,

- With our wedding reception on Sunday, there's obviously a lot of activity, little of it related to racing, and not much time for me to spend here. I'd love to find some to discuss the Fair Grounds races a bit, and perhaps I'll be able to do so later this evening or in the morning. Or maybe not! Here at the Big A, the Gotham came up as a deep and competitive affair. I know that Giant Moon is getting the headlines, but colts like Saratoga Russell, Roman Emperor, Ling Ling Qi, and Visionaire hold much promise as well. Unfortunately, it's supposed to pour later today into tomorrow. And since there's no Polytrack at the Big A, that's not good.