Tahitian Queen

entry for TQ at Beulah

2009-10-23T10:02:00.000-07:00

Horse name Tahitian Queen
Notes
Activity type Entry
Activity date 10-27-2009
Track Beulah
Surface Dirt
Distance 1 Mile 70 Yards
Race number 4
Purse $3,800
Claim price $2,500
Individual claim price $2,500
Race type Claiming
Post position 4
Jockey Olesiak J
Race entry http://www.drf.com/static/entries/27/eBEU27.html#4

Final Bills Paid

2009-09-03T11:00:00.000-07:00

Both the vet bill and monthly training statement for August arrived today. This should be it but we will wait another week to make sure there is nothing else out there. I have submitted a request for these invoices to be paid.

There was $13,960 in the account.

Vet bill= $356 this includes prep for two races etc
Monthly Training = $1,825
$50 per day = $1535 30 days in training and one out of training (after the meet)
farrier= $100
percentage of earning (10%) for second place finish= $150
pony to gate for two races= $40

Account= 11,779

We should begin the dispersal of the account soon.

TQ Sold

2009-09-01T08:05:00.000-07:00

Tahitian Queen has been sold and will likely race in Ohio. She should do well there.
The sales price was $1,500. Much less than we had hoped for but prices were driven down with horses selling for $1,000 (or less for those that can't really run).

We likey could have sold her for more three weeks ago but then we would not have had that final race. Shipping her to Chicago at the end of the week in hopes of finding a buyer would have incurred costs and we wouyld have ended up at about the same place. This seemed like the lesser of evils and now she will stay in training, whihc is where seems to be her happiest.

The account currently is at $13,960. We will wait for the August invoices to arrive, pay them, and then disperse the account.

DRF.com HORSE WATCH

Daily Racing Form has a free service that emails you when a horse you wish to follow is works, is entered, and after it races the results are emailed to you as well. This is a great way to watch horses you have an interest in and also to track horses that had a bad trip so that you can look at them as a wagering possibility next time they are entered.

Go to www.drf.com

Then at the top of the page just under the Daily Racimng Form log poinmt at TOOLS and a menu will drop down. Point to Watches and another menu drops down. Click pn Horse Watch. This will take you to a page where you can sign up for a free DRF membership. It is easy and they don't bombard you with spam. Having a membership also allows you to access stories and other information. Once you are in it will be evident how to add horses to the watch list. I have used this service for a number of years. It also offers a trainer list so you can get email notification any time a trainer you wish to follow enters a horse.

jm

Update

2009-08-30T17:47:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone enjoyed the experience. Two win pictures to hang on your wall and a summer of memories is a wonderful thing. We will need to settle the books when the bills come in.
Selling the filly has not been as easy as hope. Right now the best offer is $1,500. Tammy likely will take that. If we haul her back to Chicago and try to sell her we likely would end up with another $1,000 in bills by the time it was accomplished.

I will give you details on how to track TQ's activity, and any horse for that matter next time. It's a simple thing to do through http://www.drf.com/. You get email updates when horses are entered. It is a great handicapping tool for trip players as well as you know when horses are coming back.

The meet ended fairly well with attendance holding in there. Your groups can take partial credit for that!
jm

Tahitian Queen Rallies for Second

2009-08-29T14:45:00.001-07:00

Tahitian Queen was enjoying the beautiful day today as she came around a wide final turn and finished second. She made a fine effort. You have been a great group, and we will keep you updated on post-race information from today.

Also, here is a short video of some highlights from Tahitian Queen's last race of the meet.

Saturday's Race

2009-08-27T08:08:00.001-07:00

Tahitian Queen is listed at 7/2 on the morning line for Saturday's race. I wrote the program comments last night and have her as my second selection. The horse to beat is Nortern Winn. She finished second in TQ's race earlier this month off a big class drop. There is a decent amount of speed here so TQ should sit the trip. If Jose can keep her close enough it seems they could close. Cryptic Affais also beat TQ last time and Sneaky Irish Lass exits the same race but she just didn't fire.

Kevin Gorg will select TQ as the winner in his Minneapolis Star Tribune analysis. I too think she has a big chance here. It isn't easy to handicap objectively when you want to make something happen. If you have thoughts about the race please post a comment.

Account Status: after paying the vet bill from July the balance is at $11,036.67. There will be an August training bill as well as a vet bill. Eyeballing the math, you need TQ to run big here.

Thanks to those that were able to show up for the stable tour last night. Great to see all of you. Tammy apologizes for not being there but work called her away to Chicago. She saddles one there today and then flys back to saddle two here tonight.

TQ to Race Saturday

2009-08-26T11:03:00.000-07:00

Tahitian Queen is entered in the second race on Saturday's 10 race program. Jose Ferrer will be aboard.

This is a $10,000 N3L at six furlongs on the main track. There are a couple tough ones in here but she is a legit contender.

Taking it Day by Day

2009-08-19T10:45:00.000-07:00

On a rainy Wednesday morning, Tammy fills us in on a possible race..."we may be forced to run in her in a spot that may not fit her as well as I would like..."

Unfortunately, the race did not fill for Saturday. In the video above, Tammy discusses what needs to happen while we near the end of the meet.

We will keep you updated.

Once Again, No Go

2009-08-16T10:29:00.000-07:00

The race did not fill again today and it is not back as an extra on the overnight. The race is in the condition book for Aug. 22 going a route and on Aug. 28 going short. If the office hasn't been able to fill this race at all this week I don't see how they can get both of those to go so we may be forced to enter the route.

There is a chance that you get last chance stabbers entering N2L types into a race like that just to run one final time but passing the route in hopes that the sprint will fill could mean not having a race at all.

Normally having a horse with conditions is a good thing but it sure has not been here in August.

More Disappointing News

2009-08-15T10:36:00.000-07:00

The race for TQ again did not fill. It was called off when only three were entered. It is back again on the overnight for Friday. Entries will be taken tomorrow. We can only hope the racing office can hustle a few more horses into the race.

Feeding Time With Steve

2009-08-13T18:39:00.000-07:00

Above in this video, Steve talks to us about the feeding program in the Domenosky barn. Nice work Steve!

Tammy D and Desert Storm

2009-08-13T14:29:00.000-07:00

Although there has been no races for Tahitian Queen, Tammy has kept busy with Desert Storm, the camel. On Sunday, Canterbury Park's popular Extreme Race day, the four camels loaded into the gate seconds before they flew open. Contrary to popular belief, Tammy's camel was not the fastest. On the rail, Desert Storm (50-1) morning line, loped along half-heartedly and came in third. Maybe Desert Storm needed some blinkers? We always have next year. Good job Tammy!

Race Doesn't Fill

2009-08-13T09:33:00.000-07:00

11:37AM - Just heard that the race did not fill. This is disappointing and puts a damper on the plans to run twice before the end of the meet.

2:07PM - I met with your trainer at noon. "There's nothing we can do about it. Hopefully the race will go on Thursday," she said. "Otherwise it is open company and I am not too thrilled about that."
Seven thoroughbred races were used for Sunday. Field size was ok except for two six horse fields, one being an allowance with four trainers handling the six horses. Unfortunately a couple more horses could not be hustled into TQ's race or it would have been used as it was in the book and the allowance was an extra.
jm

Getting Ready for Sunday

2009-08-11T10:15:00.000-07:00

Reply To A Question

2009-08-07T14:12:00.000-07:00

There were a few questions in response to the earlier post. I answered a couple of them in the comments section but will yake this one from ko here:

ko's query: You ask for our comments but I am curious what Canterbury management/ownership thinks about this experience, and any similar feedback. I know that Canterbury got some decent press exposure about this "club". Any direct feedback from the several media stories? And I'm sure most of us know some devoted fans of live racing and/or simulcast regulars who heard about this ownership club and I wonder if they have commented to you or managment. Has Canterbury been contacted by other horse tracks about this experience? What are Tammy's thoughts about participating in this experience? How about Barry? Have other trainers/owners commented? Is Canterbury thinking of doing it on an yearly basis or never again or is it simply too early to tell?

REPLY: Thanks ko. First I will say that this was a leap of faith by management as well as this group. When I first presented the idea there was skepticism. But I am usually afforded enough rope here to hang myself so we moved forward. The idea was to expose a new group to horse ownership at a reasonable price and see where it took us. I had never planned to get the kind of media coverage we received. Once this great group of people formed and I saw what was developing on opening night it was easy to pitch the story to media outlets looking for something unique about Canterbury.

We have received a lot of positive feedback from the regular customers as well as from other horsemen. Your enthusiasm is contagious. I think other owners and trainers asee this approach as a possibility for them.

I can't speak for Tammy but I think she has enjoyed this. You have been a great group of owners: thrilled, win or lose, and inquisitive.

I would guess that this is something we may try again next year in some format.

Finally, I really have had fun with this experiment. Winning sure helps, but this group has been so much fun to visit with and discuss racing and TQ. It has been a highlight of the race meet.
jm

Getting Current and Looking Ahead

2009-08-07T09:13:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe that summer, and the Minnesota racing season, is headed to the wire already. It does not seem that long ago that you were crowding the winners’ circle on opening night. I hope this has been and enjoyable journey for each of you.

Let’s accomplish a couple of things here. The current account balance will be reviewed. I also would like you to submit questions through the comments section. There are certainly things that you want to know that we have yet to cover here. Ask and the staff here will attempt to find answers.

We also need to schedule another backside tour. Wednesdays are the best day as there is no racing so the pace is more relaxed. There is a Monday visit on the 24th in the works. That is a slow day with the track closed and Tammy usually takes that day off, in the morning at least.
Tentatively planned for Saturday, Aug. 22 is a new owners seminar where people would have a chance to meet trainers. The plan is to introduce potential owners to trainers in hopes that they can find horses to race here on 2010. This is a joint effort between the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association and the HBPA. If it comes together I will for sure let you know.

Last time we looked at the horsemen account the balance was $13,104.92. That was July 17.
There is a July vet bill that Tammy is reviewing yet so I will not include that here but it is around $600.

TQ raced on August 1 and finishing 4th. The account was credited with 5% of the purse or $450. The fund for aiding retired horses received $1. The jock fee for Jose Ferrer was $55.

August 1 Account balance: $13,498.92

The July training bill totaled $1,820. Included in the bill was 31 days of training at $50 per day. TQ was reshod on July 9 for $100. On race day she was accompanied to the gate by a pony; $20. She finished second on July 9. Tammy received %10 or $150. That brings the total to $1,820.

Current balance: $11,678.92.

As we have discussed all along, it is not easy to make money with a lower level horse. So it had better be an enjoyable experience. Factoring in the vet bill the balance is about $11,000. There will be another month of training to cover as well as the August vet bill. If we are lucky, TQ will run twice yet. A win would be great to bolster the account. Of course, just about every owner is saying that as well.

Tammy will be looking for a buyer for TQ over the next few weeks. There is no telling what she is worth really. Running through the conditions is good when you have her but not so good when you are trying to sell. But she should be worth about half what we paid I would guess.

Entries for the Aug. 16 race will be taken next Thursday. It is doubtful anything else will pop up before then.

Right Back to Work for Tahitian Queen

2009-08-02T12:09:00.000-07:00

In this video taped Sunday morning, Jeff interviews Tammy and Tahitian Queen. What is up next for TQ? According to Tammy, a short rest and an extended training strategy.

That's Racing....

2009-08-01T12:16:00.000-07:00

That sure wasn't TQ's best effort.

"She ran even again," Tammy said after the race. "She is cheating a bit I think. She doesn't finish like she did before. We will try something different with her next time."

We will delve into what that 'something different' is later this week.

Proceeds from the race are 5% of $7,500 or $375.

The bills will arrive this week and we will review them soon.

More to come....

Tammy Introduces Steve and Talks Tahitian Queen: Race this Saturday

2009-07-29T10:18:00.000-07:00

In the video above, Steve gets a little camera shy before Tammy discusses running Tahitian Queen this Saturday. Luckily, the race went through and TQ is scheduled to run in the 2nd race on Saturday against seven fillies and mares which have never won three races. The $7,500 race is 6 1/2 furlongs and Jose Ferrer will ride. It looks like TQ is fiesty and ready to run. Good luck everyone and hopefully see you Saturday!

Looks Like August 1

2009-07-24T07:27:00.000-07:00

There was a question asked about the N3L for $15,000 on the turf that was available for Sunday. I spoke with Tammy about the race and she felt it would not be a place where your filly could win. With the meet well past the mid-way point, entering where you can win becomes more important.

With the $7,500 N3L sprint likely to go on Aug. 1 it seemed prudent to wait for that. No guarantees of course but she would fit well there just like last time.

The turf race did go for Sunday and came up tough. There are horses dropping from allowance races, which is often the case this time of the meet.

Entries for Aug. 1 will be taken Wednesday.

Best of luck to all on Claiming Crown Day. Tammy has one entered, All Joking Aside, in the $75,000 Rapid Transit. He is the true dirt speed. Why not a wire to wire win?

No Race Thursday - Saturday

2009-07-19T14:08:00.000-07:00

The extra race for Thursday did not fill and was not back on the overnight for Friday. With the Claiming Crown on Saturday and the race card already set, there were no extras offered. The Saturday overnight will be out on Wednesday afternoon and we will see if there are any races for TQ.

An Extra + Account Overview

2009-07-17T11:59:00.000-07:00

An 'extra' appeared on yesterday's overnight that fits Tahitian Queen. Same condition as last time. This race is for Thursday.
Tammy is likely to enter here although the race may not go.

Here is a look at the bills for June plus the winnings from the second-place finish on July 9. Although June was not a winning month the good finish in July helped a lot. Hopefully another start and an in-the-money finish are in store soon....jm

June 11 balance: $13,367.92

June 25 race – 4th place finish 5% of purse = $420
-$1.00 fund to assist retired race horses
-$55.00 jockey fee for Jose Ferrer
$13,731.92

July 4 Tammy Domenosky training for June -$1,520
30 days at $50 per day + $20 for pont to gate on race day
July 4 Vet Omeprazole powder (used to prevent ulcers) -66.00
$12,145.92

Vet bill for July Blue Sky Equine -$465.00
6/1 $35 dewormer

On June 12 TQ ‘tied-up’ and was treated with the medications below. A definition of tying-up provided by Dr. Valberg of the U of M was found online: Tying up, the most common muscle problem in horses has also been called azoturia, paralytic myoglobinuria and chronic exertional rhabdomyolysis. Clinical signs include sweating, stiffness and reluctance to move forward. Tying up is not a single disease, but a collection of clinical signs that may have different causes in different in each horse. Specific causes for tying up have recently been identified and more are on the research horizon. For the complete article go to: http://www.showhorsepromotions.com/tyingup.htm

6/12 $20 banamine injection (used to alleviate pain)
$15 Lasix
$18 Vitamin E with Selenium
$25 Robaxin Injection - muscle relaxer
$18 Dexamethasone anti-inflammatory agent

6/17 $60 Adequan and equine joint supplement
6/18 $35 Lasix and Banamine for workout
6/23 $207 Adequan, Carbazachrome, Naquazone (for muscles and joints), and various vitamins and magnesium suflite
6/24 $12 pre-race bute injection
6/25 $20 pre-race Lasix

$11,680.92

7/9 2nd place finish 20% of purse $1,500
-$1.00 fund to assist retired horses
-$75.00 jockey fee to Jose Ferrer

Balance
$13,104.92

Next Race: Beginning of August

2009-07-16T14:17:00.000-07:00

"There was a race that was in the book for Saturday the 18th," Tammy explains, "however it did not go. I di not put her in there, they had only three horses, and called it off..."

A Quick Look at Thursday's Race

2009-07-12T13:14:00.000-07:00

Back To Work

2009-07-10T09:08:00.000-07:00

Tammy was hard at work this morning preparing for a Friday night of racing. There is little time to lament when there are more than 30 horses to tend to every day. Asked about Tahitian Queen’s race she said. “I was a little down about it last night but I am over it now. We’ll get ‘em next time.”

“She came out of the race alright and cleaned up her grain. That’s a good thing. She will just walk a few days and then she’ll go back to the track on Sunday or Monday to jog.”

Tahitian Queen challenged the leader but just didn’t go by. She did dig in to hang around for second which is twice as good financially compared to third. “Maybe she needs different blinkers,” Tammy said. “She seems to want to see more. But then maybe she would just back right out.”

These are issues trainers must tackle in a game where success or failure is measured by a few feet or inches. Expect Tammy to experiment in the mornings with different blinkers.

Tammy joins Paul Allen and Kevin Gorg on The Racing Roundtable on Playin' In The Park aired Saturday at 11AM on channel 45. If you miss it you can also view it online beginning Sunday at http://www.canterburypark.com/LiveRacing/RaceReplays/tabid/107/Default.aspx

Not a Win but a Good Effort

2009-07-09T20:38:00.000-07:00

TQ ran well when she could have packed it in. Jose was not happy that she wouldn't go by in the stretch. He rode her well; asked her to go when she needed to and had her where she needed to be. She just did not kick in. Second isn't all bad. I asked Tammy what's next and she indicated it is right back at this level.

We will summarize the account soon now that the June bills are arriving.

I hope everyone enjoyed their evening at the track. Two wins, a second and a fourth is very good!
jm

What happens after a horse races?

2009-07-09T14:34:00.000-07:00

Someone in a previous blog post brought up some great questions, "What happens after a horse races? How does one determine which horses go to the test barn? What happens in the test barn?" These questions have been answered below by your trainer Tammy Domenosky, steward Noble Hay Jr., and assistant commission veternarian Christy Klatt.

Tahitian Queen Before a Race

2009-07-08T11:33:00.000-07:00

In the video above, Tammy discusses Tahitian Queen's daily routine before a race in terms of feeding, cooling, shoes, and the test barn.

Looking Ahead for Thursday

2009-07-05T10:55:00.000-07:00

On a sunny Sunday, Tammy discusses Tahitian Queen's future race this Thursday. In the video she analyzes competition, why Tahitian Queen fits in this race, and why she did not put her in the $15,000.

Rachel Blount's story is now online on the Minneapolis Star Tribune website.

Tahitian Queen Entered to Race Next Thursday

2009-07-04T12:59:00.000-07:00

Tahitian Queen has been entered to run in the 6th race on Thursday. Jose Ferrer will ride. See the overnights by clicking on this link: Overnight

This race is a six furlong sprint for $7,500 claimers which have never won three races. There are eight fillies running in this race including Tahitian Queen. Within the field of eight Tahitian Queen drew the number 2 post position.

A Quick Word With Tammy

2009-07-03T09:59:00.000-07:00

Today on the backside, Tammy discussed what's next for Tahitian Queen.

Condition Book Three

2009-07-02T20:47:00.001-07:00

The latest condition book was issued today and is available online HERE.

Have a look and add youur comments. We will try to get some input from Tammy tomorrow regarding race possibilites.
jm

Star Tribune story to run Tuesday, July 7

2009-07-01T12:07:00.000-07:00

Star Tribune beat reporter Rachel Blount was here last week for TQ's race. She interviewed a few members of the group as well as Tammy. Look for Rachel's story to run on the front page of the sports section on Tuesday, July 7.

Tammy D talks Tahitian Queen

2009-06-28T13:56:00.000-07:00

Jeff discusses Tahitian Queen and her race Thursday, The Claiming Crown, and what is next for TQ.

Race Three For TQ: Highlights

2009-06-26T17:14:00.000-07:00

Here is a short video of the paddock and race Thursday.

Channel 12 News story

2009-06-26T16:46:00.001-07:00

Shannon Slatton from Channel 12 News was here last night and filed this story.

Channel 12 story

More on Yesterday's Race

2009-06-26T11:43:00.000-07:00

I spoke with Tammy this morning. It appears that Tahitian Queen came back fine from the race. "She was a little tired but she cleaned up all her grain right away which is a good thing," Tammy said.

As mentioned earlier, Jose said she was a little green, which is another way of saying she was not totally focused. "She is the kind of horse that likes to look at everything, especially in the morning," Tammy said. "There were a couple of holes she could have gone through and didn't. That may just be a young horse. I wasn't disappointed in her at all. She was still running at the end. There were some good horses in the race, especially the winner."

We can begin the discussion of what to do next. Provided she recovers quickly from this effort it would not be unrealistic to see her in two weeks. If you have specific questions for Tammy regrading the race, post a comment and we will get answers tomorrow.

jm

She Tried....

2009-06-25T21:05:00.000-07:00

Not at all a bad effort by TQ tonight. She ran well at a higher level on a new surface.
Jockey Jose Ferrer said that she was a bit green and that with the experience she should run better next time.

I know there will be some disappointment but your filly ran her best tonight.

If you have thoughts or questions, please post a comment so we can start a discussion.
jm

Changing Leads

2009-06-25T16:17:00.000-07:00

In this video, trainer Troy Bethke discusses why and how horses 'change leads.'

Also, view the video below for more....

Hope that is helpful, and good luck with Tahitian Queen today!

Tammy Domenosky: Your Questions, Answered

2009-06-24T13:11:00.000-07:00

A Look At Thursday's Race

2009-06-21T13:55:00.000-07:00

Thursday’s race will be a good test for Tahitian Queen. You will get a chance to see if she takes to the turf. She has a running style that fits this course, an off the pace attack approach. But her breeding is not overly strong for turf. Her sire, Western Playboy, is a 4% turf debut sire. The dam sire, Meadowlake, is 5%.

I looked at the BRIS past performances. Their Prime Power number, which combines several factors to determine the top contenders, has TQ ranked on top. Great, but the unknown is the new surface combined with the added distance.

The morning line is 10 – 1.

There are powerhouse trainers in here this time. Mac Robertson has a pair entered. David Van Winkle has a class dropper. And Tammy also has another horse entered that will be trying the turf for the first time. That filly appears to be working very well.

When your trainer has 32 horses, eventually she will have to have more than one horse in a race to keep everyone happy. There are not many chances to run on the turf in a conditioned claimer.

While the race is tough, she fits here and should do well for you if she likes turf. Mac’s horse Prophesy figures to be the favorite and Martin Lozano has a runner that is in good form.
We will talk with Tammy Wednesday and post some video

JM

Post time is 8:24 P.M for Thursday

2009-06-20T11:51:00.000-07:00

Tahitian Queen will be running Thursday in Race 4, post time at 8:24 P.M.

Race 4 is a seven and one half furlongs on the turf for $15,000 claimers. The race is for fillies and mares three years old and upward which have never won three races. Jose Ferrer will ride.

The race has attracted a field of eleven with Tahitian Queen drawing post #5.

You can find the overnight here:

http://www.canterburypark.com/Portals/0/LiveRacing/Overnight%20&%20Extras/0625ON.pdf

Horses will be in the paddock around 8:00 P.M.

Good luck!

bc

Tahitian Queen and her Daily Routine

2009-06-19T15:18:00.000-07:00

Tammy Domenosky discusses Tahitian Queen and her daily activities, “Daily stuff is just maintenance, to keep a horse moving. You don’t want to ever over-work her, and you want to keep her happy,” she says.

bc

Tahitian Queen Works in 48.40

2009-06-18T10:08:00.001-07:00

Tahitian Queen worked four furlongs this morning in 48.40 seconds.

"She galloped out really well and came back just fine," trainer Tammy Domenosky said. "We will enter Saturday for the Thursday turf race and that one should fill."

Below you can watch the Kare 11 piece that aired Wednesday night on the 10 P.M news. It is also going to air tonight at 10 P.M.

Thank you to David Schwartz and Randy Shaver of Kare 11 for taking an interest in the Tahitian Queen story.

Upcoming Race for Thursday...

2009-06-17T14:02:00.000-07:00

The race for Saturday, the $7,500N3L, did not fill. That is not a surprise based on the earlier discussion we had. It drew two or three entries. Now the plan is to enter Saturday for a Thursday turf race. The race is a $15,000 claiming race and 7 1/2 furlongs long. Stay
tuned for more information. . .

Also, as you know, KARE11 came to the backside today to tape the story on Tahitian Queen Stables. The story will be airing tonight at 10:00 P.M. on channel 11. Be sure to tune in! If you miss it, the story will be featured on kare11’s website; (http://www.kare11.com/) and we will hopefully get it up and running on the blog. Thank you to all that were able to come help out today with the story and congratulations! I’m excited to watch.

bc

No Race On Friday

2009-06-14T12:13:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, the $15,000N3L did not attract enough entries to be used. By all reports the race only drew one entry other than TQ. That was the fear as there just aren’t that many true $15,000 claimers here.

Now Tammy will enter TQ on Wednesday for the $7,500N3L sprint. That is listed as race 2 in the condition book. In general, these races take preference over the substitute races and the extras should they attract the same number of entries.

As discussed here earlier, this same race was run here on Thursday night, taken as an extra. The chance that it fills probably is not a slam dunk as some of those fillies would likely have to run right back. If it does not go then hopefully the racing secretary brings it back on the overnight as an extra for the next day.

As disappointing as this is, it is part of being an owner. Sometimes an extra gets written and used that makes it difficult for a race you have been aiming at to make it on the sheet. That may become the case here. Stay tuned.....

Owner Information etc...

2009-06-13T08:13:00.000-07:00

The poll we conducted indicated that the majority of you wanted to try the $15,000 level and that may be what happens. The condition book is forcing our hand somewhat. Horses can go off form in a hurry and you only get so many chances so you hate to waste a race but maybe this filly can tackle tougher.

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) has a website with a lot of information for new owners. When you have a chance take a look click here TOBA.

The horse that TQ beat last time, Monarchie, returns to the races today in the 2nd. Check the charts to see how she did later this afternoon.

Moving Forward

2009-06-12T10:32:00.000-07:00

Entries will be taken on Sunday for next Friday’s races. The plan is to enter the $15,000N3L sprint and see if it goes. If not then Tammy would enter TQ in the Saturday $7,500N3L sprint. As covered earlier this week, that same race was run last night and might not fill in just eight days.

On the bright side, there were no monsters at the $7,500 level last night. The filly that won, Ma Barker, fits that level well and got a great trip and ride by Juan Rivera. Your filly will fit right in with that group. The $15,000 bunch is a different level of animals. But sometimes races come up light. Keep an eye on the entries Sunday afternoon.

Question and Answer with Tammy

2009-06-10T11:47:00.001-07:00

Here is a look at the Tahitian Queen Stables horsemen account.

The current balance is $13,367.92

The last update was on May 21 when the balance was $12,889. Below is a summary of the transactions.

May 28 : $100 to groom Jose Marquez for the opening night win $12,789

May 30 : Tahitian Queen wins $4,200 added for purse $16,989

May 30: $1 deducted for the start; contribute to horse retirement fund $16,988May 30 : - $420 jockey fee 10% to Jose Ferrer $16,568

May 30: we forgot to do this last time and Tammy picked up the bill. The owner traditionally buys a photo for the groom, jockey, and trainer
-$27
$16,541

June 7: -$2,800 Tammy Domenosky May training invoice. Summary of bill: Day rate $50 per day (31 days) $1,550
Patch quarter crack on 5/1 - $250 TQ had a quarter crack in her hoof that needed to be patched and glued. Not uncommon in horses (remember Big Brown). Click here for more information on quarter cracks. Next time you are in the paddock take a look at horses hooves as they pass by. You will occasionally see what looks like a patch on the hoof.

Pony to gate for first start -$25 this is the fee for the pony person to assist the horse during pre-race warm up and to get the horse to the starting gate.
10% of earnings from first win to Tammy -$420
Pony to gate for second start -$25
10% of earnings from second win to Tammy -$420
New horseshoes -$110
Total of - $2,800 for May $13,741

June 7: -$373.08 vet bill to Blue Sky Equine this bill includes prerace medication such as Lasix and Bute. TQ also was dewormed in early May. She received lasix on the morning of her workout as well.
Adequan was also administered. Adequan is an equine joint supplement.TQ received Omeprazole which is an equine ulcer medication. Studies have shown that nearly 90% of race horses experience ulcers or gastric problems.
$13,367.92

The groom, Jose Marquez, should also be tipped again. He did a good job getting the filly to the paddock, saddled, and out of the walking ring without incident.

These are the economic realities of owning a racehorse. We knew coming in that the emphasis was on learning and having fun and with luck maybe winning a race or two and breaking even. So far this has gone well. It is not easy to break even, much less make money with a cheap horse. But you have already done something, twice actually, that many owners won’t taste even once this summer: WINNING. Look in your DRF and find horses that went zero for 2008. There are a lot of them.

You have a long summer in front of you yet. TQ just needs to find a race. Tammy believes she belongs at the $7,500 level. The jump up to N3L is big already. The problem we have right now is that the $7,500N3L that is in the condition book for June 20 was written as an extra race last week and is being run on Thursday (tomorrow) with nine fillies and mares. To make the race go on June 20, some of those may need to run right back. The other option is to enter the $15,000N3L that is in the book for June 19. Tammy may have to enter that race and then try to get out of it and re enter for the $7,500 if it looks like it might be used. That the $15,000 race fills is no certainty either.

As handicappers we often see horses entered in races where they do not belong and we wonder what the connections are thinking. That is not always owners/trainers living in a fantasy world. It often is a by-product of having nowhere else to run. Sometimes sprinters end up in routes or confirmed routers are entered in short races.

A trainer I deal with often occasionally enters a filly against the boys. I point it out in my program comments as being sneaky or some such thing. He always pulls me aside and explains that he doesn’t want to run in that race but his target is down the line and he needs to get a race into his filly and the right race never fills.

So that is where you are now. Potential races in the book but no guarantee they will fill. Such is the life of a racehorse owner.

What To Do

2009-06-03T11:28:00.001-07:00

You will find a poll posted to the left. Tammy was interested in what the group thought about which level to race TQ.

To answer a few of the questions asked in the comments section: Jumping to a higher class level would reduce the chance of a claim. If you raced for $15,000NW3 the chance of getting claimed is very low. And if someone wanted to give you $15,000 for TQ I would take it and run.

With that jump in class comes more purse money: $10,500 compared to $7,500. That also attracts tougher company. Allowance company has much more money but you would run into the best horses here.

The question of turf was raised. We don't see many conditioned (NW3) races on the grass so you would have to face very good fillies on the lawn. There is no advantage to racing against the boys either as the field is deeper and the purse money is the same.

The thought of Claiming Crown is enticing. Anytime you win two in a row like that you think of bigger things. I just don't think she would be able to handle the pace demand and class of the Claiming Crown. We have not seen her winning Beyer yet but it would need to be on the 80s to compete in Claiming Crown.

In the end it really should be Tammy's decision but she understands that you don't want to lose your horse right now. Everyone got into this group to have some fun and learn about ownership. I think we have accomplished the fun part of the equation already. We still have a lot to learn.

So the options seem to be:
$7,500 claiming non winners of 3 lifetime
$15,000 claiming non winners of 3 lifetime
Allowance

Looking ahead

2009-05-31T12:28:00.000-07:00

With the end of the month upon us, we will have a look at your horseman account as soon as the bills arrive. Yesterday the purse was $7,000 so $4,200 (60 %) went into the account and $420 went out to pay the rider. Tammy will also receive her 10% and that will be reflected in the end of the month statement and will be paid from the account. The groom, Jose Marquez, should also be taken care of again. He has done a nice job with this filly especially in the paddock. She seems a bit high strung and he has kept her calm and focused throughout.

It is best to find a trainer that you trust to make the decisions about where and when a horse races. But it might be interesting to have input from the group on the next race. The next logical step is a non winners of three claiming race. This filly is good at the $7,500 claiming level but there are $15,000 races in the condition book. The $15,000 races at the non winner of two level have not filled though. Look for a poll posted here mid-week where you can weigh in on what level you would try this filly at.

I spoke with the track photographer and the best route to getting a win picture, if you choose, is to simply stop by her office during racing hours. We have the same arrangement as last time for pricing. DVDs of the race are also available. They are priced at $10. If you also want the first win you can get both for $15.

Tahitian Queen - Another Win

2009-05-30T13:05:00.000-07:00

Congratulations once again, Tahitian Queen Stables. Winning never gets old. Thanks for sharing the excitement with your family and friends.
That was a workman-like effort by the filly. She just wore the leader down.
Thanks to everyone in Tammy's barn and to jockey Jose Ferrer.
Two videos from today's race are below.

A Parade of Winning Owners Enter the Winners' Circle

TQ Before and After the Race

Identifying A Horse

2009-05-29T13:41:00.000-07:00

In the paddock before each race, identifier Tom Hagdone can be seen looking under the upper lip of each horse. Tammy explains why in this video.

The Upcoming Race

2009-05-28T09:49:00.000-07:00

This morning Tammy talked about Saturday's race and why this was the best place to run.

Saturday, May 30
Race 1 Post Time 1:30pm
Tahitian Queen 2-1 morning line

Horses will be in the paddock at about 1:10.

Tahitian Queen Entered For Saturday

2009-05-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

Tahitian Queen has been entered to run in the first race on Saturday. See the entries HERE. Jose Ferrer will ride.

The race is a six furlong sprint for $7,500 claimers that have not won twice, the logical place to spot her. It is a field of six fillies.

Anytime you enter a claiming race there is a chance that you will lose your horse to another owner.
If you handicap a lot, you will encounter horses that are habitually entered where they have no chance to compete. One aspect of being a successful trainer is entering your horses where they have a chance win. This is why Tammy chose this spot for Tahitian Queen. She won a maiden claiming race and this is the logical progression.

For those of you not familiar with how claiming works, here is an explanation. I went to Claims Clerk Carmen Bish for the details.

Any horse entered in a claiming race can be purchased from that race by a licensed owner or trainer with sufficient funds on account.

The owner, trainer, or authorized agent must complete the claim slip and enter it in the claims box located in the horsemens' book keepr office no later than 15 minutes prior to the race. That office is located on office level of the grandstand.

The claim slip must be completed accurately or the claim is void. The box that the slips are dropped into is sync'd with the tote system and locks itself at exactly 15 minutes to post.

If there is only one claim, that person becomes the new owner of the horse once the starting gate opens. The purse money earned plus the claiming price go to the former owners. If there are multiple claims for the same horse, a shake is held to determine the new owner.

The horse's papers are then transferred to the new owner.

If you are awake later this evening be sure to listen to Dark Star on WCCO 830AM. Randy Sampson, track president, will join Dark at 9:30pm and then at midnight Kevin Gorg and I will join in for A Night At The Races.

A Race Maybe This Weekend

2009-05-26T10:29:00.000-07:00

First, let's congratulate Tammy on winning the Honor the Hero Turf Express on Memorial Day with a horse, Moralist, she claimed for $10,000 this past October. The owners, Miracle Logistics led by Bill Kroska, had Tammy claim their first horse last summer at Canterbury and doubled their stable in the fall at Hawthorne. Bill was a Canterbury College member in 2008, got interested in the ownership side of the business, and brought his business partners into the game with him. They all attended CBY College this year. Congrats to all involved.

As for Tahitian Queen: Tammy is looking at a race Saturday. Entries for Saturday's races will be taken Wednesday. This would likely be a $7,500 non-winners of two races lifetime claiming race. Keep an eye on Canterbury's Live Racing page for entries and on this page for an update. Also look for more video on Thursday afternoon.
jm

Playin' In The Park

2009-05-24T12:15:00.001-07:00

Tahitian Queen was featured on Playin' In The Park, Canterbury's weekly magazine show that airs on channel 45 Saturday's at 11am.

The show is archived on Canterbury's Race Replays page each week.

More Info

2009-05-22T12:44:00.001-07:00

Several good questions have arisen in the comments to the previous post and I will address them here.

The life of a racehorse owner always seems to involve bills. When May comes to a conclusion we will receive one from Tammy for the day rate ($50 per) as well as any feed supplements and also a charge for 10% of the purse for the win. There will also be a vet bill for race day medications and any supplements that must be administered by the vet.

More about those that work with the horses on a daily basis: most grooms are paid a weekly flat rate by the trainer. The trainer also pays those who gallop and exercise the horses in the morning. The second level of the barns on Canterbury’s backside contain dorm rooms where grooms and hotwalkers live. Canterbury does not charge for those living quarters either.

Canterbury owns the stalls and allots them to trainers at no charge. We do not have a full stable area so anyone that wanted stalls was given what they asked for. But at some tracks where the demand is high or there are fewer stalls, the racing secretary looks through the horses and assigns stalls. It is not rare for a trainer to ask for 15 stalls at a track and only be granted 10.

The feed, hay and bedding are also paid for by the trainer. You can see where much of that day rate goes. The trainer is also responsible for carrying workers comp insurance. So having horses ready to run well, and receiving that 10% cut of owners’ share of the purse is where a trainer really gets paid.

The Account etc

2009-05-21T11:44:00.000-07:00

Winners’ Circle Photos
I will send an email to each member of Tahitian Queen Stable about ordering a winners’ circle photo from last Friday. Because of the expected quantity, we will get a very good price. I still do not have all 60 email addresses so if you read this and do not receive an email, please contact me so that I can add you to the list.

Update
Tahitian Queen walked again today but Tammy plans to send her to the track tomorrow. The race took a lot out of the filly and she does have a bruise on her front leg, so some extra downtime was decided upon by the trainer. Tammy is looking at races the following week. In the condition book (found here) I notice both a sprint and route for $7,500 claiming fillies that have not won twice. We will check in with Tammy soon to see what she has in mind.

The Account
Here is a rundown of the Tahitian Queen Stable horsemen account.

60 members @ $250 each= $15,000
Licensed owner 10% + $600 = $15,600
Purchase of horse - $6000 = $9600
MRC license -$50 = $9550
Winners share of purse +$4200 = $13,750
Jockey fee -$420 = $13,330
$1 per start for horse retirement -$1 = $13,329
Shipping from Chicago to MN -$240 = $13,089
April training bill (4 days @ $50 per) - $200 = $12,889

The purse last Friday was $7,000. The winner receives 60% or $4,200. The jock receives 10% of that or $420. Each owner or ownership group contributes $1 per start to a fund that is used to support organizations that help place retired racehorses. That dollar is matched by Canterbury Park. Last year the horsemen and Canterbury donated $12,000 or which went to Second Chance Ranch and the Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue.

I also suggest, in light of the victory, that the ownership group tips the groom who cares for Tahitian Queen each day. He obviously did a good job as she ran her best race ever. Please post comments below so that we can come to a consensus.
Soon we will have an inside look at what grooms do seven days a week.

Each month we will receive training and vet bills. Tammy charges $50 per day plus 10% of purse money for any top three finish, which for Friday would be $420. There are additional items such as supplements and shoeing. When the May bill arrives in early June we will have a chance to break it down for educational purposes. Those bills are paid out of the account just as the April bill was. We had a $240 bill in April for the shipping of Tahitian Queen to Canterbury as well as $200 for four days of training. Those were paid today out of the account.

Your group is off to a great start. As I have emphasized to many, it is not rare for a horse or an owner to go an entire meet without a win and this filly got you to the winners’ circle on day one! There is still a lot to learn along the way and we will continue with new items soon.

From the Trainer and Jockey

2009-05-19T06:22:00.000-07:00

May 16

2009-05-16T09:07:00.000-07:00

Tahitian Queen Wins !!!

2009-05-15T18:56:00.000-07:00

I want to congratulate all of you involved in Tahitian Queen Stables.

What a way to start the season. This is what horse ownership is all about. It won't happen every time..... but this time was special.

Tammy and her crew did a fantastic job with this filly. Jose rode to perfection.

I will detail how everything works regarding the purse money and various expenses very soon.

The winner, Tahitian Queen Stables, gets 60% of the purse. Tammy will receive 10% of that as will Jose. We should also tip the groom as he cares for this girl seven days a week. We will discuss all of that soon.

Congrats again. I am thrilled for all of you.

The Paddock

2009-05-14T09:55:00.000-07:00

Many of you have checked the entries for Friday’s race and have found that Tahitian Queen is the morning line favorite at 7/2. That is enough to get anyone’s hopes up. This can be a humbling game so I am a proponent of keeping expectations low. I did the program comments for Friday and have her as my third choice. This does not mean I don’t think she can win. In fact I think she is a top contender in this group. The blinkers go back on and we have a trainer change. I expect the horse to improve in Tammy’s barn.

What we all hope for is a safe trip for Tahitian Queen and Jose Ferrer.

This will be a fun experience win or lose.

The third race is scheduled to go at 7:56. Horses should begin arriving in the paddock just after race 2 is complete. Tahitian Queen Stables members that would like to come to the paddock should meet near the paddock entrance gate around that time. That gate is located right where the jockeys come out to enter the walking ring. I will be there to help direct traffic and get everyone in. We have a very large group involved here, perhaps one of the largest to make a trip to the paddock.

Paddock protocol:
Tahitian Queen will be wearing the red saddle towel assigned to program number one. You will see a placard on the ground with a 1 on it just as you enter the gate. That is where Jose Ferrer will go when he comes up out of the jock’s room. We will congregate in that area. There is a gravel path that leads from the gate to the saddling area. Be sure to keep that path clear so that the valets and racing officials can move back and forth to complete their tasks.

We need to make sure we don’t frighten the horses as well. As I mentioned before, this is a large group, unlike any that these horses have seen. So we just need to be cognizant of the athletes.
Always keep in mind: Horses always have the right of way. We don’t exit the paddock until the last horse makes her way out of the walking ring en route to the track. The number one rule is to use common sense.

I will be heading to a SAM machine after that. You can watch the race from the terrace that hangs over the track apron. There is a section reserved for horsemen and owners. Feel free to sit there or any lucky spot you might have.

Watch the first couple of races and see where the winning owners enter after the race for the winners’ circle photo. Should Tahitian Queen win, we would all crowd in there for a photo right after the race.

I look forward to seeing you here on Friday night. If you have questions, it is likely others have the same ones. Please feel free to post them using the comments link below. I will respond so all can see. Or email me if you want.
jm

Tahitian Queen To Race Friday, May 15

2009-05-12T11:11:00.000-07:00

Entries for opening night were drawn today just before noon.

Tahitian Queen will be running in race 3, a 5 1/2 furlong sprint for $10,000 maiden claimers. Jose Ferrer will ride.

The race attracted a field of eight with Tahitian Queen drawing the rail.

You can find the 'overnight' HERE.

The overnight is issued by the racing office after entries are complete. It lists the races that will be used as well as post positions, jockeys, owners, and trainers. Any equipment changes are also listed.

Here is video from today's post position draw.

Note that Tahitian Queen will race in blinkers. That is listed at the bottom of race 3 on the overnight. As indicated in an earlier post, she was equipped with blinkers early in her career but did not wear them her past two starts. She worked with the blinkers and since this will be an equipment change, it must be declared at the time of the entry.

Still Planning On Entering Tuesday

2009-05-10T12:34:00.000-07:00

Tammy still plans to enter Tahitian Queen on Tuesday for Friday's opening night card. If the race goes, expect the filly to go to the track Wednesday morning for a strong gallop.

In general, the racing office takes entries until 10:30am and holds the post position draw shortly after. That is a soft 10:30 entry closing time however and the racing secretary will continue to hustle trainers to enter horses in order to get larger fields if need be.

As Tuesday is the draw for opening night expect the process to take longer than the norm. Sometime mid-afternoon you should find entries online. You will find a link on the Canterbury Park Live Racing page.

Each horse has a set of papers that travels with him or her to each track. The papers, issued by the Jockey Club, provide a description of the horse, the breeding ,and list the owner and horse's races on the back.

Proper licensing paperwork was submitted to the Minnesota Racing Commission along with a $50 check to cover the fee. The partnership name is Tahitian Queen Stables.

The papers are now in the racing office. Peggy Davis, the clerk of course, organizes the papers by trainer in her files in the racing office located in the Adminstration Building in the stable area. The Thursday workout in 1:03 should appear on the workout tab soon.

This partnership was formed to provide an educational experience for those that wanted to know more about being a race horse owner but were not quite ready to dive in alone. The response has been tremendous and frankly, i underestimated the appeal. It appears that we have met (or exceeded) the goal. I will have all of that information this week. We also wil take a longer look at some of the bills that will occur on a regular basis and hope to have a video interview with jockey Jose Ferrer this week as well.
jm

Tammy Discusses The Work and Blinkers

2009-05-08T13:26:00.000-07:00

Tahitian Queen worked on Thursday with jockey Jose Ferrer aboard. Trainer Tammy Domenosky discusses the workout, why the filly was equipped with blinkers, and the possibility of racing opening night.

Tammy mentions that the workout went in 103 which means one minute and three seconds for the five furlongs. Each morning, on the press box level of the grandstand, two clockers time the workouts and report them to the racing office and to Equibase which keeps all official data. When a horse is going to have an official timed work, the rider reports the horse's name to the timer's stand located just inside the backside gap where the horses enter the track. The name, distance and a description of the rider is radioed to the clockers in the grandstand. They use stop watches to clock the work.

Here is a link to the CONDITION BOOK page. Click on TB race index and you will see a PDF that lists race conditions and dates. On page two of that PDF look under Fillies and Mares Three, Four and Five Year Olds. Look for M10000 and read across, you'll see the May 15 race under short, which means a sprint, and May 17 under long, which means a route.

Tammy is concerned that the long race might not 'fill' this early in the meet. Not filling means that there are not enough horses entered for the race so the racing secretary, Doug Schoepf, opts not to use that race. With many horses coming off layoffs, it is not unusual for the longer races to come up short on entries as trainers enter in the sprints.

Because of this, if Tahitian Queen is entered, it would likely be for Friday, May 15. Then we just hope that race fills.

Back to the condition book page and click on Condition Book One. Go to page two and you will find the race, a 5 1/2 furlong maiden claiming race, listed as S1. The first nine races are the ones that would have first chance to be used. If one of those does not fill then S1 could be used.

Entries for Opening Night will be taken on Tuesday.

Workout May 7

2009-05-07T14:36:00.000-07:00

Tahitian Queen worked five furlongs today in 1:03 breezing under jockey Jose Ferrer.

Look for an interview on Friday with trainer Tammy Domenosky.

(editor's note: As photographer Robert Capa said: "If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough." I apologize for the rough video taken from the grandstand this morning. Next time the camera will be closer. )

Get In The Game

2009-05-02T12:31:00.000-07:00

Watching morning workouts, bringing friends and family into the paddock as your horse is saddled, making a trip to the winners' circle after your horse wins - all of this makes racehorse ownership fun and exciting. But how do you get into the game?

Canterbury Park has formed a partnership that will introduce you to racehorse ownership. How do trainers make decisions? How much does owning a racehorse cost? These questions and more will be answered when you join the partnership.

We have a trainer and have acquired a thoroughbred filly. Watch the video and then read on to find out how you can get involved.

Your total investment for the summer is $250. You and the other partners will share the cost of owning Tahitian Queen with no further financial investment. We are seeking a maximum of 60 partners. The partner money will be deposited into a horsemen's account, along with any purse winnings, and will be used to cover the initial cost of the horse, training fees, and any other costs that arise. At the end of the summer, should there be an account balance, it will be divided proportionately.

Canterbury Park is interested in introducing new owners to the game because they are the lifeblood of the sport. We also understand that ownership requires a financial investment and that potential owners have many questions. We hope that by joining this partnership, you will find the answers and gain experience that will help you some day start your own partnership or race horses of your own.

Canterbury Park will not own any part of Tahitian Queen. We are simply starting the partnership, putting new owners together, and facilitating. We found a willing horseowner to serve as the majority owner and also contribute financially to get this partnership started. He will serve as the licensed owner. Since all new partners will have less than 5% ownership, they are not required to be licensed by the Minnesota Racing Commission.

We view this as a learning experience for you and want you see what goes on behind the scenes as an owner. We will provide online video interviews with trainer Tammy Domenosky on a regular basis. We also plan to offer video of workouts and morning training online. We will explain all the expenses and you will always have an opportunity to ask questions as you learn about ownership. Much of this will be accomplished here on this website.

Canterbury Park will provide you with a season admission pass for 2009 as a partnership perk. We also will organize backside tours for you and provide an opportunity to visit the stable and meet the horse and trainer. On race days we will provide admission passes for your family and friends so they can experience the excitement as well.

We are looking forward to working with this partnership. I believe it is a great way to introduce you to the game without asking for a large financial commitment and through the wonders of modern technology will make it easy to communicate and see the daily life of a racehorse as never before. If you want to become a partner or have additional questions please contact me at cbypark@canterburypark.com

Jeff Maday
Canterbury Park