Good Riddance

Joaquin Memphis ($13.40) was a winner off the drop in class for Kasey K in the 9th yesterday, quite a surprise after his non-performing 66 length loss in his last. I didn't write about the race beforehand, partly because I didn't really know what to say. Certainly didn't want anyone to think I was touting him (didn't have a penny on him myself); but on the other hand, didn't, and couldn't, write anything that may have dissuaded anyone who might want to take him off our hands, as unlikely as that seemed at the time.

As it turned out, he was indeed claimed, and we couldn't be more pleased. Not that there's a thing wrong with the horse physically. But he's an extremely difficult animal with a mind and will of his own, and Bruce Brown struggled mightily to try and figure him out. He couldn't even get him to complete a timed workout in the A.M. Richard Violette, who we claimed him from for 30K, claimed him back for 16K, and maybe he knows the key and was chuckling to himself while he floundered for us, awaiting the chance to take him back on the cheap. I'll be looking for Violette to move him back up in class, and perhaps he's worth following.

The feeling is that we can chalk up yesterday's win to jockey Ramon Dominguez, who had to ride and prod him every step of the way after a halting start which appeared to spell doom. Joaquin Memphis earned $12,000 for the win; add in the claim proceeds, and not a bad day for a horse which I feared might have to be written off.