From Michael…
The last few days at Old Friends were just amazing. On Saturday, Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) visited with her daughter, Mary Shannon, and her friend, Gail Dady. Senator Landrieu is a great advocate for all animals and she’s going to send her top aide to Old Friends within the next month to help develop federal legislation, generate funding ideas and work on ways to help these great athletes during their racing careers and…after. She is completely committed to working with many of the tracks, breeding farms and retirement facilities to assure a better sport for all concerned. We’ll keep you posted on her ideas. Also, she’s going to try to come to the Breeders’ Cup and attend our Halterpalooza Party on Nov. 7. I hope everyone gets to meet her because she’s a remarkable person.
The farrier school came this week and trimmed all of our retirees. This is a particularly good class and the horses look great. Just as they were finishing up, Kent Desormeaux showed up to see his favorite horse, The Wicked North. Within a few minutes, Kent was giving The Wicked North a bath. After that, grabbing a handful of mane, he climbed aboard and rode our great Eclipse Award-winner all over the farm. I don’t think his Dr. would have approved but the visitors on tour loved it.
Viv and her Facebook pals are doing an incredible job raising money for the fencing, waterer and run-in shed so we can develop more room for more retirees…Thanks to everyone.
Joanne and Mark Pepper are doing a great job at the Old Friends Bobby Frankel Division at Cabin Creek. If you’re near Saratoga Springs, stop by to visit Will’s Way, Thunder Rumble, Crusader Sword and, of course, Zippy Chippy.