I glanced at them. I know he just won a state bred allowance/optional claiming race at Aqueduct. He could run in that same race again.

how far back are you going with the pp's? bond had him first then we switched to contessa in early dec.'06 ... and he improved significantly. but if you're saying is true there's no reason to worry about the claiming price.

Those races are tougher now.

This horse would probably not get claimed for 17.5.

You are probably right. They would probably have to wait to get back to Aqueduct in the winter to compete in those races.

Yeah, that's the problem.

The other problem is whether or not he could maintain his improved form from this past winter.

you & blackthroate are both right ... sad to admit ... i already told the other partner it'stime to accept the claiming option & i passed on some of the condition links i got out of this thread. but now... i gotta go to bed to get up for work tomorrow so i can pay for log jam's hay. again, thanks ... i will definitely return here to get good insight for whatever deicisions the horse game throws my way.

The only smart option with that horse is blow your 4L allowance at Finger, then jam him back in for 10k at finger. Run him down there throats until someone takes him and move on.

Right now, I don't think they WANT to lose the horse. That would appear to be why Contessa has him at the Lakes running for less $$$. He can earn a bit and then (with luck) get back to NY in the fall when the pickings get a bit slimmer. By then the $30k option may be a good one.
My guess is that he'll again be reasonably competitive at AQU where he's proven and where the overall level is lower. Purses are high in that $30k/NW2xNYB conditition so if you win and lose the horse for $30, you get back some decent money. Meanwhile, you may make a few bucks over the summer with him. He might even be egibible for a few NYB stakes at the Lakes where he wont run into the likes of Golden Commander or Dave.

Yes, I agree with everything you said.

Agree also, we had some very good NY breds last year, our decision is either race at FL and make some cash, race out of state at Monmouth Park or similar and then incur shipping charges and depend on outside trainers and grooms or have them sit in their stalls and make nothing.

Nce run by Log Jam in 4th today at the Lakes. Missed by a whisker...

didn't see it (at work)... but i read it... not as 'buteful' as i had hoped, but i'll take it.

Second place is absolutely perfect......20% of the purse and he keeps the condition. Five or six more of those would be tremendous.

you're right - i was just getting greedy .... ya see the other horse in the partnership is career oriented - her first year as a broodmare so i was hoping log jam could help cover her charges since her purse days are over.

I have a friend who bred a NY-bred who earned a nice sum among state-breds until he finally broke his maiden. Then he couldn't compete vs n1xs and went to Philly to earn his keep in claimers; no more breeders' award checks for Tracy.