The stable has been making a big shuffle with the closing of Oaklawn Park and the opening of Keeneland and Indiana Downs. Our goal at Hot Springs was to win more than 5 races (which is what we won in 2010) and over $100,000 in earnings. We won the same number of races, but didn’t quite make the $100,000 in earnings ($66,550).

We have run two horses at Keeneland finishing second and fourth. Our goal for April is to win over $100,000 in purses. With the opening of Indiana Downs on Monday the 18th, numerous races we entered with horses ready to run overfilled and our entries were excluded. Disappointing, but that will work its way out with the races being brought back. Last year at Indiana Downs we won 11 races, so the goal is to exceed that. We should also exceed purse earnings as purses are up from the meet in 2010.

Over the winter, the governor of Indiana has been trying to grab 57% of the horseman’s money (from the slot revenue) to help cover the state’s budget shortfalls. Right now it looks like we might come through the latest session with less than 10 to zero percent loss. As they say, it will all hit the fan this week as the session must come to a close April 29th. We will keep you posted.

In two weeks the Churchill Downs spring meet opens. If you are looking to buy or claim something the purses will be good.

I saw the 2011 Kentucky Derby winner today at Churchill. Get excited!