Head Heart Hoof

[Cholly]

The result may have cost me a fiver, but I couldn’t help smiling after the Toboggan ended today at Aqueduct. In his 50th career start (that’s right—50th!) the gray 7yo Head Heart Hoof won his first attempt of a graded stakes. Too bad he’s a gelding—the breed could use some of his longevity genes.

The victory photo was a real Kodak Moment. Veteran Owner Michael Dubb was smiling to make you think it was his first trip ever to a winner’s circle; Rudy Rod was holding his little girl and had his best suit on.

[FantasticDan]

Love this gelding, and really pleased to see him get a graded win. :ThmbUp: And to think he's been in for cheap tags several times in his career! :blush:

[Broad Brush]

The result may have cost me a fiver, but I couldn’t help smiling after the Toboggan ended today at Aqueduct. In his 50th career start (that’s right—50th!) the gray 7yo Head Heart Hoof won his first attempt of a graded stakes. Too bad he’s a gelding—the breed could use some of his longevity genes.

The victory photo was a real Kodak Moment. Veteran Owner Michael Dubb was smiling to make you think it was his first trip ever to a winner’s circle; Rudy Rod was holding his little girl and had his best suit on.

I am so glad when people give props to tough old veterans like this
wonderful horse. He beat me too today but I was glad for him also.
I bet him way back in 2008 when he broke his maiden in his 2nd start.
He was working very slow in the morning but ran very fast in his first start.
I love horses who do this. He has not changed much--he still works 4f in
51 and change. He stills knows it counts only in the afternoon!!

[FantasticDan]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/76005/perseverance-pays-off-for-head-heart-hoof

He is trained by Rudy Rodriguez for Michael Dubb, Stuart Grant, and Gary Alsquith after being claimed for $35,000 while finishing second in an allowance/optional claiming race at Aqueduct in January 2012.

You could've got him for $4000 a couple years ago at Finger Lakes! :eek: :D

[andtheyreoff]

Really something- back in 2009, he was running last in a n/w3 $4,000 claimer at Finger Lakes: http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?BORP=P&STYLE=EQB&DAY=D&tid=FL&dt=06/30/2009&ctry=USA&race=5

Now, he's a graded stakes winner. Nice story.

[johnhannibalsmith]

Very cool indeed. You gotta be an optimist and stories like this make it easier.

[tzipi]

Really something- back in 2009, he was running last in a n/w3 $4,000 claimer at Finger Lakes: http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?BORP=P&STYLE=EQB&DAY=D&tid=FL&dt=06/30/2009&ctry=USA&race=5

Now, he's a graded stakes winner. Nice story.



Seth Benzel had Head Heart Hoof and he did nothing. Then he goes to Finger Lakes for David Margraf and he always finishes up the track in last place in $4,000 claimer races. Then Chris ENGLEHART claims him and 24 days later he steps him up in class and blows away the field in 21.8...44.5....56.8......1:10 final time :eek:

[PICSIX]

Seth Benzel had Head Heart Hoof and he did nothing. Then he goes to Finger Lakes for David Margraf and he always finishes up the track in last place in $4,000 claimer races. Then Chris ENGLEHART claims him and 24 days later he steps him up in class and blows away the field in 21.8...44.5....56.8......1:10 final time :eek:

TB-500?? :confused:

[tzipi]

TB-500?? :confused:


Not sure what that means.

[MightBeSosa]

Horse looked giant in the post parade. Must love them oats.

[FantasticDan]

Not sure what that means.It's a drug.

http://www.tb500.com/

[PICSIX]

It's a drug.

http://www.tb500.com/

Actually, it's a synthetic version of a peptide that occurs naturally in horses, humans, etc. I believe it is highly likely that it is a tool used by the "Super Trainers" because technically it's not illegal to use.

[PICSIX]

http://www.science20.com/news_releases/thymosin_beta4_molecule_prompts_damaged_cells_repa ir_themselves_after_heart_attack

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/united-kingdom/110609/hearts-repair-themselves-breakthrough-thymosin-be

[classhandicapper]

You can't fault the horse for who he's trained by, but the cynic in me makes it hard to root too hard for him because he's trained by Rudy.

[cj]

You can't fault the horse for who he's trained by, but the cynic in me makes it hard to root too hard for him because he's trained by Rudy.

I agree, it is tough to feel good about any of these "feel good" stories in any sport these days. You usually wind up just feeling like a sucker.

[bobbyt62]

anybody got his pp's (lifetime) showing the ups and downs ?

[tzipi]

anybody got his pp's (lifetime) showing the ups and downs ?

http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=7843668&registry=T

[tzipi]

You can't fault the horse for who he's trained by, but the cynic in me makes it hard to root too hard for him because he's trained by Rudy.

I really feel Rudy is just a training cover for Dutrow. Rudy who was Dutrow's barn jockey retires and right away knows how to train horses and win big time at all the same angles Dutrow did. I think Dutrow knew he was going to get in trouble with all his infractions and planned ahead. JMO though ;)

[bobbyt62]

hi tzipi, thanks for the link. i was looking for bris, or drf, or something with a better format, and also showing the claiming prices. but thanks for the effort.

[westny]

I really feel Rudy is just a training cover for Dutrow. Rudy who was Dutrow's barn jockey retires and right away knows how to train horses and win big time at all the same angles Dutrow did. I think Dutrow knew he was going to get in trouble with all his infractions and planned ahead. JMO though ;)


Rudy Rodriquez worked at nyra for at least 20 yrs. He started as a hotwalker.
His dream was to be a jockey but he was terrible, by his own admission.
He was Dutrow's ass't trainer for years before his BROTHER encouraged him to go out on his own as a trainer.

Seems YOU subscribe to the all too convenient "guilt by association" theory. So tell us, how many drug violations had Rodriquez been hit for ?

Rudy has top NY owners...why do they use Rudy if he is "such a moronic copy of Dutrow" according to you?

More idiotic internet blather and drivel... :sleeping: :sleeping: :sleeping: