[Kasept]

Have to run out for a few hours, so a more involved report will have to wait, but suffice to say it was a nearly perfect afternoon for Dee Tee and the start of Lloydobler's career. We had a great group on hand, a beautiful day at Aqueduct and as ideal a debut as a horse can have without winning. Our Smarty Jones colt handled almost everything he encountered like complete pro, starting with the drive from Belmont to the Big A and his 6 hour stay in the detention barn. He was composed and diffident in the Paddock, with a glistening coat that was dappled throughout. He entered and stood in the gate like it was his 20th start, and did close to everything C.C. Lopez asked.

The experience factors did come into play when he startled a tad as the grandstand came into view, (something he did when he worked on the Saratoga main track the first time this summer), and in his changing leads late in the race. Otherwise, he broke alertly, took lots of dirt and persevered past horses when asked. And obviously, as always, dug in PAST the wire around the clubhouse turn. Lopez was thrilled with Lloyd, and obviously Gary, Chuck and all the partners/supporters were as well. He came out of it fabulously, and as I had Tina write last night, was energetic and happy in his stall after the race. Gary reports this morning he is 100%, ate up and wondering why he doesn't have to go to the track today...

We'll see how he responds the next several day and how he works in the mornings coming out of the race, but there is another 6f MSW in three weeks (2/13) or a 1m MSW in four (2/20) that are obvious targets for a second start. In the meantime, thanks to Chuck and Gary for the great work that went into this very solid start to Lloydobler's career debut, and to everyone who came out in support of the handsome chestnut Saturday.