Without stamina there is no classic winner. Of course, speed with stamina is the target, but tough mix to find. Nobody ever said the task was easy. Too much of one with not enough of the other = ordinary.

Our program for breeding homebreds focuses on stamina for classic distance, Any sprinter is a mistake, though welcome. 2 yo’s are later developing. Makes for slow summer, more 3&ups. Regrettably fewer races written long but that’s the mark of quality which is our target.

After 14 starts 5 yo g Black Apple tells us he’s ready to retire to Shortleaf Farm to join 10 other old warriors there. Beautiful white Arky bred ran well. Sound and healthy for us to enjoy at home.

Arky bred BLACK APPLE to try the turf at Colonial Downs next Sat.

QUIETSIDE returns to training tomorrow. Freshened since KY OAKS for fall racing in NY and OP next season. JENKIN as well. 2 yo’s ramping up at Ellis and Saratoga. FOUNTAIN LAKE in Curlin Stake in Saratoga 7/24.

The Blame Game involving the Kerrville flash flood is disgusting. Urban writers and “experts” who can’t find the Hill Country or the Guadalupe on a map blaming locals for an act of God. Shame.

Big day at CD Sat, 6 stakes with HOY and KY Derby winner in action. Our Kavanaugh and Fountain Lake on undercard going 1 1/8. Fits their Peds. Quietside and Jenkin return to training 7/1. SAR next with young stock for summer/fall and OP in Dec. 👏.

D. Wayne is blessed to have lovely wife Laurie by his side. Wayne and BAS have made a fine team for 20+ years. A credit to our industry.

Black Apples effort to try turf at Indy spoiled by monsoon rain. Still, he’s such a white beauty it’s fun to see him in action. He likes slop but has had racing cancelled twice this year mid program with him saddled in the paddock ready to run.

Is where the mark of many a truly good race horse is revealed. Looking forward to a great race on Saturday. Can’t wait to see the new Belmont when complete. The Belmont track is, IMO, the best and most honest course in America.

to enter. And he won, just beating the great filly Derby winner Genuine Risk. He was 50-1 and paid $108. Then on to win the Travers, JC Gold Cup and be named Champion. Then to Gainsway for syndication. The Belmont.

At dinner in January 45 years ago (80) Joe Cantey and Doc Lavin and I agreed that our maiden Temp Hill was worth about $50k. Noms for Triple Crown were closed. Then he won, won and won and then the AR Derby. No Derby or Preakness but a $15000 fee.

It’s always fun to watch horses Shortleaf bred or acquired over the years in action. Last weekend saw six such horses racing at four different tracks win 2 and place in 3. Only one off the board.

Nov.-May. Yearlings to TC. May-June. 2 YO’s to track with nnOrtiz and Schultz. AR Breds prepping for OP 26 with Prather. Racing stable to CD, and Monmouth with eastern track options. Quietside and Jenkin up in June. Busy summer/fall season ahead.

Our KY and AR broodmares have all delivered healthy foals. 11 fillies, 3 colts. Now visiting our stallions Plainsman in KY, Caddo and Whelen Springs in AR, Outside studs who fit. Always fun to watch the little guys develop into racehorses.

After a year in training and nine races (9-3-3-2) against the best 3 yo fillies in America it’s time for a break for Quietside. Vets declare her free of any serious issue. We’ll give her a brief holiday for some TLC and resume training in about 6 weeks. See you in Saratoga.

The end of OP is when we assess the results of the season and make the transfer of stock to summer barns in KY and Monmouth. Some to Shortleaf Farm for vacation and rehab as needed. 2 YOS under review for moving to track to prepare for racing. Quietside next start under review.

Quietsides Oaks provided our first ticket to CD since Prairie Bayou in 93 Derby. Goodness, what a difference 32 years makes. Derby week is a zoo but CD hospitality is outstanding. From comp transportation, seating, food/drink, quality service galore by nice people was the ticket.

Monsoon passed. Suns out. Track from fast to sloppy. Who knows how 3 yo fillies will handle the slop.

Interesting time at the track now. Severe weather alert. Crowd packed under shelter. Our family under a tarp in our seats. Heavy rain. Strong wind. Wonder how CD will handle this?.