Mending Fences euthanized at Pimlico

This Saturday at Pimlico, in the race after the Barbaro Stakes, the Dixie Stakes, a 5 year old stallion, born April 17, 2002, twisted his ankle, dislocated it, and as he came down, his bones came through his flesh. He had to be euthanized. Mending Fences was the son of Forestry (Storm Cat) and Mended Heart. He had 26 starts in his life, and had won 5 of his last 7 races. His lifetime earnings were $231,400. He was his own sire's top race earner this 2007. His mom and dad, Linette and Rob Miller of Palm Beach, were very proud of him. Linette said, "It has become quite the family affair. We are becoming known in this community as the group of screaming women in the crowd, cheering for our horses." Her husband said, "Mending Fences has really come into his own this year. If he has a good year the rest of this year, ultimately he will be a stallion." Mending Fences never earned that privilege, fatally injuring himself in a turf race. He's related to Violet through one of my favorite lines: Wild Risk, Wild Violet, Wood Violet. They also share a little Traffic Court, as well as the usual suspects through Mending Fences' Secretariat line.

Violet's cousin, Curlin, wins 2007 Preakness Stakes!

This past Saturday was the Preakness Stakes held at Pimlico. And what an exciting day! Street Sense was strong the entire race, as was Hard Spun, but in the last strides, the very last stride in fact, Curlin won by a whisker of a nose. Curlin has had 5 starts, 4 wins, and a third in his career. His trainer flew him home to Kentucky on Sunday and said of him, "He definitely knows he ran." Curlin was a bit tuckered out after winning. Street Sense's trainer said, "These 3 horses ran their guts out the last 2 races." He doesn't think that Street Sense will go to the Belmont now, but reflected on the loss by saying, "Winning isn't everything in this game. You don't want anybody to get beat, but there's got to be a winner." Violet is related to Curlin multiple ways, including the following: Case Ace, Nasrullah, Count Fleet, Nearctic, Blue Larkspur, Princequillo, Turn-To, Discovery, Whisk Broom, Sir Gallahad, and Bull Dog. On Preakness day, Michael Matz' horse won the Barbaro Stakes, a race which was originally the Sir Barton Stakes, but renamed to honor Barbaro. Michael Matz was Barbaro's trainer, and the Jackson's handed him the award, so it was a bittersweet moment. The day was marred though, immediately after that race, by a horse who broke his ankle, punctured his flesh, and had to be euthanized in The Dixie Stakes. Mending Fences perished that day, much like Barbaro from last year.