news!

November 24, 2024 - This morning The Thunderer was enterer into a race to be run at Churchill Downs on Sunday, Dec 1.  The race is a starter allowance race for three year olds and older who have started for a claiming price of $50,000 or less or have broken their maiden in a maiden race and which have never won a race other than maidan, claiming, or waiver claiming.  The race is a mile and three sixteenths.  The purse for the race is $72,000, plus another $10,800 from the KTDF.  The race is the 3rd race on the card and is scheduled to start at 1:56 ET.

The Thunderer will be ridden by apprentice jockey Irving Moncada and will wear #3.

November 13, 2024 -  The Thunderer finished a very disappointing last of the eight horses in his race today.  He had openings on the rail, but just would not go through them.

November 6, 2024 - This morning The Thunderer was entered in a race to be run at Churchill Downs on Wednesday, November 13.  The race is a starter allowance race for three year old and older which have started for a claiming price of $50,000 or less or have broken their maiden in a maiden auction race and which have never won a race other than maiden, claiming, or waiver claiming.  The distance of the race is a mile and one-sixteenth.

The race is the 8th race on the card and post time for the race is 4:22 pm ET. There are seven other horse entered in the race and The Thunderer will likely break from post position #3.  He will be ridden by jockey Martin Garcia.

The purse for the race is a whopping $72,000, plus another $10,800 from the KTDF.

October 9, 2024 - Today we entered The Thunderer in a race to be run at Keeneland in Lexington, KY on Wednesday, October 16, but the race did not fill.  Tomorrow we will try to enter a different race.  Stay tuned!

October 4, 2024 - We plan to race The Thunderer at Keeneland either October 16, 17, or 18.  Stay tuned!

September 25, 2024 - We had to scratch The Thunderer from his race today, due to a sore shin.  We hope to race him at Keeneland in October.  Stay tuned!

September 18, 2024 - Today The Thunderer was entered in a race to be run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY on Wednesday, September 25.  The race is a starter allowance race for three year olds and older which have started for a claiming price of $50,000 or less OR which have broken their maiden in a maiden auction race and which have never won a race other than maiden, claiming, or waiver claiming race.

The purse for the race is $72,000 with another $10,800 added from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF) if the horse is a Kentucky-bred horse, which The Thunderer is.  He will break from post position #6 and will be ridden by jockey Jareth Loveberry.  The race is a mile and one-sixteenth on the dirt.  

There are ten other horses entered in the race at the moment and The Thunderer will break from post position #6 at this point.  The race is the 9th race on the card and is scheduled to go off at 4:54 pm ET. 

August 18, 2024 - The Thunderer ran in the 3rd race today at Ellis Park.  What a strange day it turned out to be!  Just as the 2nd race was ending, a hard thunderstorm hit the area.  The horses for our race, the 3rd, were just arriving in  the paddock area when power was lost at the racetrack.  After a delay of more than an hour, the power was finally restored, computers restarted, and race activities resumed.  The horses were kept in the paddock all that time.

Once the race was started, The Thunderer seemed to start okay, but by the start 

down the homestretch, it was apparent The Thunderer had had enougn and he finished last of the six horses in the race.

We will just ignore this race and move on!

August 11, 2024 - Thunderer has been made the morning line favorite in his race to be run at Ellis Park on Sunday, August 18.  His opening odds will be 2-1.  Game Keeper is the 2nd favorite at 5/2, and Copper Echo is the 3rd favorite at 3-1.  The Thunderer has come tough competition!

August 10, 2024 - Today The Thunderer was entered in a race to be run at Ellis Park in Henderson, Kentucky on Sunday, August 18.  The race is a starter allowance race for three year olds and older that have started for a claiming price of $50,000 or less or which have broken their maiden in a maiden auction race and have never won a race other than maiden, claiming, or waiver claiming. 

The race is a mile and an eighth on the dirt.  Six other horses were entered in the race.  The Thunderer will be ridden by Martin Garcia.  The purse for the race is $37,000, plus another $9,250 from the KTDF.  Post time for the race is scheduled for 12:49 PM CDT.

August 9, 2024 - The Thunderer worked out this morning at Churchill Downs.  HIs time for the four furlong work was  49.60 seconds which was the 22nd fastest of the 35 horses that worked out at the four furlong distance this morning at Churchill.

We are actively looking for a race in which we can enter The Thunderer.  Stay tuned!

July 18, 2024 - The Thunderer ran a huge race today but was beaten by about a foot.    We couldn't be more happy with the effort Thor (the God of THJUNDER and Lightning) put forth today.  He broke from the gate alertly and was soon in a head-to-head battle with the favorite, Camp Daddy, and the two battled for nearly a mile.  Thor finally won the battle and Camp Daddy threw in the towel.  But at the same time,  Weleka got a huge break when the jockey on Camp Daddy left the rail open, and Weleka took a short cut around the last turn ending up right beside Thor.  Those two battled down the homestretch only inches apart.  Unfortunately, Welaka was ahead of Thor just about a foot as they went past the finish line.

Nonetheless, The Thunderer really gave a good accounting of himself today, and we couldn't be more impressed with him.  We can't wait until we get a chance to see him race again!

July 8, 2024 - The Thunderer was named the second favorite at odds of 3-1 in the morning line odds for his race at Ellis Park on Sunday, July 14, 2024.  Camp Daddy was named the favorite at odds of 5/2,  Huge Bigley was named the 3rd favorite at odds of 7/2.  It looks to be a very competitive race if the morning line are any indication!

July 7, 2024 - Today The Thunderer was entered into a race to be run at Ellis Park in Henderson, KY on Sunday, July 14.  The race is a starter allowance race for three year olds and older which have started for a claiming price of $20,000 or less in 2023 or 2024.  The race is a mile and an eighth on the dirt.  The purse for the race is $34,000 with $9,000 added from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund for the horses bred in Kentucky, which The Thunderer is.

The race is the 5th race on the card and post time for the race is 1:53 PM CDT.  The Thunderer will be ridden by jockey Raphael Bejarano and will be the #7 horse in the race.  There are nine other horses entered in the race at the moment.

June 29, 2024 - Today we entered The Thunderer in a race to be run at Ellis Park on July 6, but the race didn't fill and the Racing Secretary didn't bring the race back on the Overnight.  We will have to keep looking for a race for The Thunderer.

June 28, 2024 - The Thunderer was entered  into two races this morning, but neither race filled.  The races were to be run at Ellis Park in Henderson, KY on July 5.  Tomorrow we will enter a Starter Allowance race for three year olds and older that have started a race for a claiming price of $20,000 or less in 2023 or 2024.  The race is to be run on July 6.  Stay tuned.

June 21, 2024 - Today The Thunderer was enter in a race to be run at Churchill Downs, but not enough horses were entered into the race for the Racing Secretary to card it.  We are still looking for a race which would fit our needs and qualifications.  Stay tuned!

June 3, 2024 - We welcome two new members and one former member into our LLC.  We look forward to them being a valuable part of our family of horse owners!

May 26, 2024 - We claimed The Thunderer out of the 2nd race today at Churchill Downs for $20,000.  We had to win a 25-way shake for him!  He won the race today for his 4th straight win.  We are looking forward to him racing for us!

March 28, 2024 - Tap Valley finished a very disappointing last in the field of eight in his race today at Oaklawn Park.  Fortunately, he was claimed from us for $20,000, so maybe we live to race another day!  Stay tuned!

March 22, 2024 - Today we entered Tap Valley into a race to be run at Oaklawn Park on Thursday, March 28.  The race is a $20,000 maiden claiming race for 3yos and older who have started at Oaklawn since December 7, 2023, and have not finished 2nd, 3rd, or 4th.  The race is a six furlong race and the purse for the race is $32,000.  The race is the first race on the card and post time for the race is 12:30 pm CDT. 

February 23, 2024 - TV finished 5th is his race today. 

February 16, 2024 - Today Tap Valley was entered in a race to be run at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, AR on Friday, February 23, 2024.   The race is a $30,000 maiden claiming race going six furlongs.  Purse for the race is $38,000.  Post time for the 3rd race is 1:35 pm CDT.  Raphael Bejarano has been named to ride TV.

January 1, 2024 - Tap Valley worked out this morning at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, AR.  His time of 49.60 seconds for the half-mile (four furlong) work was the 15st fastest of the 36 horses that worked out at the four furlong distance this morning at Oaklawn.  The objective of the work was to continue to build a base for his fitness.  We hope to race TV in late-January.

December 22, 2023 - Tap Valley worked out this morning at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, AR.  His time of 50.8 seconds for the half-mile (four furlong) work was the 51st fastest of the 66 horses that worked out at the four furlong distance this morning at Oaklawn.  Keep in mind, TV just worked out quickly for three furlongs just last Friday, so the objective this morning was to stretch TV out a bit and continue to build a base for his fitness.

December 15, 2023 - Tap Valley (TV) worked out this morning at Oaklawn Park.  The time for his three furlong work was 37 seconds flat and his time was the 3rd fastest of the 11 horses that worked out at the three furlong distance this morning at Oaklawn.  Trainer Randy Morse said TV we really well and could have gone faster if they (the trainer and the rider) would have let him.  

This was TV's first work since returning for his layoff, which included a gelding.  TV will probably need another three or four weeks of training before he will be ready to race. 

October 16, 2023 - Tap Valley is enjoying some time off at Cedar Run farm in Pearcy, Arkansas.  He is recovering from some sore shins and other growing pains.  He will be put back into training at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas on November 1, when they open the track for training there.  Racing begins on December 8 at Oaklawn and we hope to be able to race then or very shortly thereafter.  Stay tuned for developments! 

August 30, 2023 - Tap Valley raced at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Wednesday, August 30.   He was beaten by about two inches for 3rd place, finishing in 4th place instead.  He made $1,700 for his effort, but the payoff for 3rd place was twice that amount.  That is a cost to us of about $850 per inch!

The race was a maiden special weight race for two year olds going five and one-half furlongs on the dirt.  The purse for the race is $34,000.  Tap Valley was ridden very well by jockey Declan Cannon.

August 24, 2023 - Today we entered Tap Valley in a race to be run at Horseshoe Indianapolis in Shelbyville, Indiana on Wednesday, August 30.  The race is a maiden special weight race for two year olds going five and one-half furlongs on the dirt.  The purse for the race is $34,000.  Tap Valley will be ridden by jockey Declan Cannon.

There are seven other horses entered in the race, five of which are first-time starters.    Tap Velley will likely break from post position number four.  Post time for the 3rd race is scheduled for 3:38 EDT.

This will be Tap Valley's second race and his first race for us as his owners. 

August 21, 2023 - On August 24, we will enter Tap Valley in a race to be run at Horseshoe Indiana on Wednesday, August 30, 2023.

August 19, 2023 - Today Tap Valley was entered in a race to be run at Ellis Park on Saturday, August 26, but the race was not used by the racing officials. 

August 12, 2023 - Tap Valley worked out this morning at Churchill Downs.  His time for the four furlong work was 49.40 seconds which was the 50th fastest of the 103 horses that worked out at the four furlong distance at Churchill this morning.  The main purpose of the workout was to get TV to relax a bit while racing.

We believe he is now ready to race and will look for a race in this to enter him.  Stay tuned!

August 4, 2023 - Tap Valley worked out this morning at Churchill Downs, He worked four furlongs, in company, in 47.40 seconds which was the 2nd fastest of the 38 horses that worked out at the four furlong distance this morning at Churchill Downs.

July 23, 2023 - Tap Valley (TV) worked out this morning at Churchill Downs.  His four furlong time was the 32nd fastest of the 45 horses that worked out at the four furlong distance this morning at Churchill.  

HIs time was faster than expected given that he has been off for a while with sore shins.  Jockey Martin Garcia, who rode him this morning, said TV went well this morning.

July 10, 2023 - We claimed a two year old (2yo) colt named Tap Valley out of the 1st race at Ellis Park today.  The claiming price was $40,000.   We had to win a 6-way shake for him and he was the only horse claimed out of the race.

Tap Valley finished 3rd in the race after leading most of the race and tiring a bit down the stretch. This was his first race of his career.

Tap Valley was sired by Tapwrit (who won the Belmont Stakes in 2017) who was sired by Tapit.  He is out of the Super Saver mare Cashconsiderations.  It is to early to tell when Tap Valley will run his first race for us.  Stay tuned!

May 5, 2023 - After a very frustrating meet at Oaklawn Park this year where their new "preferential claim" process made it nearly impossible to claim a horse, we moved our money to Churchill Downs and are getting things in place to begin claiming activities there.  We hope to claim a horse there soon!  Stay tuned!

We may move our focus from Arkansas to Kentucky now where we may have a better chance of getting a horse claimedl Keeneland opens the first week of April.    Stay tuned!

February 1, 2023 - We are beginning to raise money for our next racing effort.  We hope to finish our fund-raising effort by the end of February.  We then begin to look for a horse to claim, probably at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas.  If you are interested in becoming a horse owner, please contact us at ChieftainStables@aol.com. 

September 1, 2022 - Tillis is just too sore to continue to train and race.  Therefore, we have agree to turn ownership of Tillis over to our trainer, Randy Morse, who wants to give Tillis some time off to see if the time will cure TIllis' issues.

July 4, 2022 - We entered or tried to enter Tillis in races at Churchill Downs before the meet ended on July 4, but to no avail.  We now have to look at races at Ellis Park in Henderson, KY Horseshoe (formerly Indiana Grand).

April 20, 2022 - Last night, Tillis was transported from Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, AR, to his new home at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY, arriving early this morning.  Trainer Randy Morse has begun to move his horses out of Oaklawn Park as the racing me..et there nears it finish on May 8.  The move now will give Tillis some time to adjust to a new track, barn, and atmosphere before he races in Kentucky and/or Indiana.

April 7, 2022 - We claimed Tillis out of the 4th race today at Oaklawn Park.  The claiming price was $30,000.  Tillis is a four-year-old gelding by Kantharos and is out of the Ghostzapper mare, Ghost Locket.  Tillis has won 2 of his 11 races and finished 3rd 3 times.  He finished a close-up 4th today, but the race was on the dirt track at Oaklawn Park.  We plan on running him on the turf tracks at Churchill Downs in May and June.

April 3, 2022 - Riverboat Gambler finished 5th in his race today at Oaklawn Park, but more importantly, he was claimed from us for $10,000.  RG led the first part of the race, but faded a bit around the turn and down the stretch.  We will now start the process to acquire another horse.

February 12, 2022 - Riverboat Gambler (RG) finished 7th in his race today at Oaklawn Park, although he was just nipped for 5th place by two other horses that passed RG right at the finish line.  RG gave a pretty good accounting of himself considering he was racing with just two weeks rest.  We will probably give him a little time off and race him again in early- to mid-March.  Stay tuned!

February 3, 2022 - The race in which Riverboat Gambler was schedule to run in at Oaklawn Park on Sunday, February 6, 2022, has been canceled due to inclement weather.  We will have to wait and see when we can reenter Riverboat Gambler to run again.  Stay tuned! 

January 31, 2022 - We entered Riverboat Gambler in a race to be run at Oaklawn Park on Saturday, February 5.  The race was not used by the Racing Secretary, but it was brought back on the Overnight.  Therefore, tomorrow we will enter the race again, this time for Sunday, February 6.  Stay tuned!

January 29, 2022 - We claimed Riverboat Gambler out of the 2nd race at Oaklawn Park for $20,000.  He finished next to last in the race, after taking a bad step shortly after leaving the starting gate.  He is a 7-year-old gelding by Justin Phillips and is out of a Candy Ride mare.  He has lots of conditions left and we may run him back as early as next Saturday, since he was not used hard at all today.  Stay tuned!

January 23, 2022 - Euro Me ran in the 3rd race today at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, AR today, but she was claimed from us for $16,000.  Actually, there were three claims in on her.  Euro Me ran a very good race for us today. She broke alertly, but then quickly settled near the back of the pack, even being in last place for stride or two.  At the end of the backstretch run, she had moved up to join three other horses that were chasing the four horses who were jointly leading the race.  Around the turn Euro Me pulled up outside of the front-runners, and took the lead of the race at the head of the stretch.  She looked like a winner most of the way down the stretch, only to be caught and passed by the eventual winner, Dutch Treat.  We hated to lose Euro Me, as she was a real nice mare to be around.  She is also very good looking and can run a bit!

Having lost our horse in the 3rd race, we then tried to get back in the game by submitting a claim for a horse, Eskenforit, in the 7th race.  The claiming price for him was $20,000.  As luck would have it, he won the race in impressive fashion, but we lost a 6-way shake for him.  We would really have liked to have had him!

We now will be looking for another horse to claim so we can go racing again.  Stay tuned!

January 18, 2022 -Today Euro Me was entered in a race to be run at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas on Sunday, January 23.  The race is a $16,000 claiming race for Arkansas-bred fillies and mares that have never won three races (Euro Me has won four races) OR that have not won a race since August 23, 2021 (Euro Me's last win was on May 31, 2021).  The race is a six furlong race with a purse of $27,000.  There are eleven horses entered in the race and Euro Me will likely wear the #10 saddle blanket in the race.  She will be ridden by apprentice jockey John Hiraldo. The race is the 3rd race on the card and post time is scheduled for 1:26 pm CST.

December 19, 2021 - We claimed Euro Me for $16,000 today at Oaklawn Park.  She is a soon-to-be 7-year old Arkansas-bred mare.  She should be very competitive in the strong Arkansas-bred program.  We had to win a 3-way shake for her.   Look for her to race for us in mid- to late January.  See the Euro Me page for more information about her.

December 10, 2021 - We tried to claim Well Spent out of the 3rd race at Oaklawn Park today $32,000.  She won the race, but we lost a 3-way shake for her.  We will try to claim a horse again soon!  Stay tuned!

November 28, 2021 - We tried to claim Ournationonparade for $40,000 out of the 5th race at Churchill Downs today, but lost an 8-way shake for him.  We will try to claim a horse at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas when the begin racing there on December 3, 2021, since this is the last day of racing at Churchill Downs this year.  Stay tuned!

November 26, 2021 -   We tried to claim My Favorite Uncle for $30,000 out of the 1st race today at Churchill Downs, but lost a 5-way shake for him.

We then tried to claim Hombrazo out of the 6th race, but 34 claims were submitted for him, a near record for claim submitted for a single horse at Churchill.  Of course, he won the race easily and we lost the shake.  We will try again on Sunday to claim a horse.  Stay tuned!!

September 17. 2021 - Englander finished 9th in his race today, but was claimed from us for $20,000.  We are now in the regrouping and refunding phase and are looking for new partners in our ownership group.  If you are interested in being a thoroughbred horse owner, please contact us at the address below.

September 14, 2021 -  Englander was entered today into a race to be run on Friday, September 17 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY.  The race is a mile on the dirt and is for three year olds and older that have never won two races lifetime.   There are eleven other horses entered in the race.  Englander will be ridden by jockey Miguel Mena.  The purse for the race is $50,000.  Post time is 3:36 EDT.  Stay turned!  

August 15, 2021 - Englander was entered today into a race to be run at Ellis Park in Henderson, KY on Saturday, August 21.  The race is a $30, 000 claiming race for three years old and older that have never won two races lifetime and they are going six and one-half furlongs on the dirt.  Five other horses were entered in the race.  The purse for the race is $19,500 and post time for the race is 1:46 pm CDT.  Englander likely will break from post position #6 and will be ridden by jockey Miguel Mena.  E has been assigned morning line odds of 3-1, making him the second favorite in the race.

June 27, 2021 - Englander raced today at Ellis Park in Henderson, KY.  The race was an allowance race going a mile on the turf.  Englander broke well, then settled about 4th going into and around the first turn.  He gained 3rd place down the backstretch and into the final turn.  He appeared to be in great position to start a run down the homestretch., but when asked to run by jockey Miguel Mena, Englander was empty and faded to 7th place before the wire.  It was a very hot and humid day, so maybe the heat was too much for E.  

June 24, 2021 -  This morning Englander was entered in a race to be run at Ellis Park in Henderson, KY on Sunday, June 27.  The race is an allowance race for three year olds and older that have never won a race other than maiden, claiming, or starter OR that have never won two races.  The race is a mile on the turf with a purse of $52,000.  The race is the 7th race on the card and post time is 3:40 CDT.  Englander will be the #9 horse of nine in the field and will be ridden by jockey Miguel Mena.  Englander has been assigned morning line odds of 6-1.

May 28,  2021 - Englander (E) ran a very good race today at Churchill Downs.  He was in an allowance race and led most of the race, only to be caught and passed by three horses just before the wire.  He still finished just about two lengths behind the winner.  The race was run on the dirt track at Churchill instead of on the turf track as originally scheduled, due to rainy weather.  E was ridden well by jockey Miguel Mena and E posted a lifetime-best Beyers number on the dirt.  

May 23, 2021 - This morning we entered Englander in a race to be run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY on Friday, May28.  The race is an allowance race for horses that have not won a race other than maiden, claiming, or starter OR that have never won two races.  The race is a mile in distance on the turf track at Churchill Downs.  The race is the 4th race on the card and is scheduled to go off at 2::13 pm EDT.  Englander will be ridden by jockey Miguel Mena and will wearing #6.  The purse for the race is a huge $102,000!  There are seven other horses entered if the race is run on the turf.  Three more horses are entered if the race is rained off the turf and run on the dirt track instead.

April 25, 2021 - We have a horse!  We claimed Englander from the 3rd race today at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, AR.  We were the only people to submit a claim for Englander, and were the only people submit a claim on any of the horses in the race.  The claiming price was $40,000.  Englander led much of the race, only to be passed by three horses near the end of the race.  The race was a $50,000 - $40,000 claiming race for horse that had never won two races.  More information about Englander will be added to the website soon!  

March 10, 2021 - Today, two more people joined our group!  That brings the number of people in Chieftain Stables III, LLC to 22 members!  Welcome folks!  We are still accepting new members until we run our first race with our newly-acquired horse, once we get one claimed. 

February 23, 2021 - We are ramping up our efforts to acquire another horse and go racing.   We currently have 20 members in our group, including six new members.  We plan to attempt to acquire a horse through the claiming process at Oaklawn Park in the next very few weeks!  If you are interested in joining our group, please contact us!

August 23, 2020 - One Last Strike was moved from Churchill Downs to Second Strike, a non-profit organization caring for and finding homes for retired race horses.  We will do all we can to ensure OLS finds a good forever home!  Please check back for updates!

August 12, 2020 - Sadly, today we decided to retire One Last Strike.  He has developed a chronic ankle problem and rather risk major injury to him, we retired him.  We are now looking for a home for him.  OLS was so much fun and excitement for us and we will miss him!

July 29, 2020 - One Last Strike was made the pre-race favorite at odds of 8/5.   The next closest rival is #3 Perfect Beam at 4-1, followed by #5 Love Your Buttons at 9/2, and #1 Surge Pricing at 5-1.  The other four turf entries are at odds of 10-1 or higher.  One Last Strike is in a good spot if he will run the race of which he is capable!

July 26, 2020 -  One Last Strike was entered this morning in a race to be run at Ellis Park in Henderson, KY on Saturday, August 1.  The race is a mile on the turf and the claiming price for the race is $10,000.  OLS is the #2 horse in the race and there are seven other horses entered in the race, plus one more if the race is rained off the turf onto the dirt track.  The purse for the race is $10,500. OLS will once again be ridden by Miguel Mena.  The race is the 3rd race on the card and post time is scheduled for 1:46 pm CDT.   

July 1, 2020 - One Last Strike ran in a race today at Indiana Grand in Shellbyville, IN and finished 2nd!   He actually took the lead down the stretch and it looked like he was going to win the race, only to tire right at the end and get caught in the last couple of strides before the finish line.  He got beat by about four feet.

That four foot difference was the difference between $13,200 going to the winner and second place share of the $22,000 pot at $4,400.  That is about $2,000 per foot difference!  That is a tough pill to swallow right now, but about everything else was positive.

It was extremely hot and humid in Shelbyville, IN today, a combination of weather factors that OLS has not dealt well with in the past.  I was very concerned that the van ride and the weather conditions might sap OLS before he even got to the starting line. But OLS sure looked good and ready to go in the paddock, during the post parade and during the warm-up.  He was on his toes and he ears was up.  He looked very comfortable.  

He broke  quickly from the gate and took the lead away from the gate, but jockey Miguel Mena let OLS settle on the rail in about 5th place going into the first turn, letting the big favorite , Valdolobo, at 3/5 take the lead.  OLS moved in right behind Valdolobo around the first turn and just followed him all the way down the backstretch.  OLS had two longshots, Venetian and Memorable, just outside him going down the backstretch, but I wasn't too worried about them.  Starting down the homestretch, OLS got bottled up just a little bit behind Valdolobo and the latter started to fade just a bit.  Miguel tried to take OLS just outside of Valdolobo, but the eventual winner, Stock Trade was not beside OLS and Stock Trade's jockey Sanjur wouldn't let OLS out.  Miguel then had OLS dive to the inside and down the rail.  OLS then spurted ahead just a bit and looked like a winner with 100 yards to go, but Sanjur found a little extra in Stock Trade and caught and passed OLS just before the wire.

A lot of times we owners complain about the ride our jockeys give our horses, but I thought Miguel rode OLS extremely well today.  He saved ground by keeping OLS close to the rail all the way around the racecourse, while keeping OLS in perfect position to strike. 

I think we found the right level for OLS for now.  He obviously was competitive at this level today, and he should improve off the race today.  Also of note, was that no horses were claimed from the race today, supporting the idea that people are not buying a lot of horses right now with the pandemic having such negative effects on the financial aspects of horse racing.

June 26, 2020 - One Last Strike's morning line (opening) odds were set at 6-1 making him tied for the 4th favorite in the race.  As expected, #5 Valdolobo was made the prerace favorite at 3-1, followed by #9 Sun Lover at 7/2, Stock Trade at 9/2, and then Ecru and One Last Strike at 6-1.

June 25, 2020 - This morning we entered One Last Strike in a race to be run at Indian Grand on Wednesday, July 1.  The race is a $25,000 claiming race for horses that have never won three races or three year olds.  The race is a mile and one-sixteenth on the turf.  Ten horses have been entered in the race, including one for the Main Track Only (MTO).  OLS will likely break from post position #2 and will be ridden by jockey Miguel Mena.  The race is the 6th race on the card and post time is scheduled for 4:40 pm EDT.  The purse for the race is $22,000.  

June 24, 2020 - One Last Strike worked out this morning at Churchill Downs. He worked five furlongs in 1:02.2.  His time was the 12th fastest of the 17 horses that worked out at the five furlong distance this morning at Churchill Downs.  Tomorrow we will enter OLS in a race to be run at Indiana Grand on Wednesday, July 1.

June 18, 2020 - Today we had to scratch One Last Strike out of his race at Churchill Downs because he was on the Also-Eligible list and we did not get enough notification of a late scratch in the race to get OLS ready to race.  We are now looking at a race at Indiana Grand on Wednesday, July 1.  See Upcoming Races for details.

June 14, 2020 - This morning One Last Strike breezed (workout) at Churchill Downs.  He worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds.  His time was the 29th fastest of the 95 horses that worked out at the four furlong distance this morning at Churchill.  The good news is that OLS seemed to be over the abscess in one of his feet and he seemed to come from the workout in good shape.  We will have to wait until the 18th to see if we draw into the race in which we are entered, but are on the Also-Eligible list.

June 12, 2020 - Today we entered One Last Strike in a race to be run at Churchill Downs on Thursday, June 18.  Unfortunately, OLS drew the #12 position which is on the Also-Eligible list.  They will only allow ten horses to run in this particular race, so we will have to have some horses scratch out of the race in order to have a chance to get into the race.  That isn't likely.  The race is for three year olds and older which have never won three races or three year olds.  The race is a mile on the turf and the race is a $40,000 claiming race.  The purse for the race is $38,000.   Check back on the 18th to see if OLS was able to run in the race!

May 24, 2020 - One Last Strike came up with an abscess in one foot this morning and we had to scratch him from his race today.  Stay turned for updates as we move through this setback.

May 22, 2020 - One Last Strike was made the second highest odds on the morning line for his race on Sunday at 20-1.  Obviously, the track handicapper doesn't think much of OLS at the moment.  Hopefully, OLS will prove him wrong!  As expect though, War Film was made the favorite at 3-1, followed by Cashanova and Spanned at 4-1.  A full field of 12 is expected to go postward.  Stay tuned!

May 21, 2020 - This morning we entered One Last Strike (OLS) into a race to be run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY on Sunday, May 24.  The race is a claiming race for horses that have not won three races lifetime (OLS has won two) OR three year old horses (OLS is 6).  OLS has been entered for a claiming price of $40,000.  The race is a mile and one-sixteenth on the turf.  The purse for the race is $38,000.  OLS will wear #5 and will be ridden by jockey Miguel Mena.  The race is the 3rd race on Sunday's card and post time is scheduled for 2:00 pm EDT.

May 19, 2020 - One Last Strike arrived at Churchill Downs about 9 am EDT after vanning overnight from Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, AR.  We hope to race OLS at Churchill on Sunday, May 24.  Stay tuned! 

May 15, 2020 - One Last Strike is scheduled to van to Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY from Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, AR on Tuesday, May 19, arriving Churchill Downs early Wednesday morning, May 20.  We plan to enter OLS in a race to be run at Churchill on Sunday, May, 24.

May 4, 2020 - Thankfully, today Churchill Downs announced that they will begin racing on May 15.  However, they are only going to let horses ship in from other tracks on a staggered basis.  Horses from Oaklawn Park, where One Last Strike is currently stabled, won't be allowed to ship in to Churchill Downs until at least May 17.

The plan of action is now to keep OLS in training at Oaklawn Park until he can be shipped into Churchill Downs.  Hopefully, that will happen very close to May 17, if not before.  We see a race for OLS at Churchill Downs for OLS on May 24.  A lot of things must fall into place for that to happen, but that is our goal at this point.  Stay tuned!

May 3, 2020 - With racing at Oaklawn Park now over for the year,  the real concern is now where to race.  Lone Star Park west of Ft. Worth, TX will start letting horses into their stable area May 4, but no date has been set for any racing to begin there.  We would prefer to move to our home base at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY, but no opening dates for either the barn area or live racing have yet to be announced.  We are in a tough spot!  We need to get to a track with a turf course, as One Last Strike has shown he does not run  well on a fast, dry dirt track.

April 25, 2020 - One Last Strike finished 7th in a field of 12 today in his race at Oaklawn Park.  He broke from post position 12 after barely drawing into the field.   Because of his outside post position, he was forced to take back on th break and tried to save some ground around the first turn.  Going down the backstretch, he faded to last place.  He was behind a lot of horses and just didn't seem to like all the dirt hitting his face.  Finally, the rail opened up for him and he made real good progress going into the final turn and around it.  He passed five horses in that short time and was gaining quickly on the lead pack.  However, once OLS started down the homestretch, he seemed to back off again, maybe because of the incoming dirt again.  We just don't think the dirt is the right surface for him.

April 10, 2020 - One Last Strike finished 5th in a field of 11 horses today at Oaklawn Park.  OLS broke from post position and was ridden by jockey Orlando Mojica.  OLS broke okay, but lost ground going around the first turn and soon drifted back to last place starting down the back stretch.  He stayed near the back of the pack until starting into the final turn.  He was then that he seemed to break into a very fast stride and he started making progress on the field.  He passed about six horses on the turn and made good headway down the homestretch. Unfortunately, he couldn't sustain his run and ended up in 5th place about ten lengths behind the winner.  

March 7, 2020 - One Last Strike finished last in a field of eight in his race at Oaklawn Park today.  We aren't sure what happened to OLS, but he just wasn't himself today.  He was hot and very unruly in the paddock, which is very unusual for him.  It was very crowded and noisy in the paddock today, which is an inside paddock.  Even the morning before the race, he seemed irritated and touchy.  

The jockey, Stewart Elliott, said after the race that OLS did not seem to like dirt being thrown in his face during the race, a race during which OLS was behind more horses than usual.  We have to keep in mind that OLS normally runs on the turf, and has seldom raced on a fast dirt surface like it was for the race today.  

For whatever the reason, OLS did not run well today.  We will reevaluate him in the upcoming days and decide what our next move with him will be.  Please stay tuned!

March 4, 2020 - One Last Strike's has been entered in a race to be run at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas on Saturday, March 7.  The race is a starter allowance race for horses three years old and older that have started for a claiming price of $50,000 or less OR broke their maiden in a state-bred race AND have never won a race other than maiden or claiming.  Post time for the race, which is the 3rd race on the card, is 2:08 pm CST.  Eight horses are entered in the race and OLS will likely break from post position #6 and will be ridden by jockey Stewart Elliott.  The purse for the race is $52,000.

February 28 , 2020  - As posted earlier, we scratched One Last Strike from the 9th race today at Oaklawn Park.  We just felt the race was too tough for him.  The race results probably proved us correct as the winner ran a spectacular race, with what was probably a 90+ Beyers for his effort.  That is quite a bit better than OLS has ever run.  On Wednesday, March 4, we will enter OLS in a $50,000 Starter Allowance race to be run at Oaklawn Park on Saturday, March 7.  Stay tuned for further developments!

February 23, 2020 - Since we have made a decision not to run One Last Strike on the 28th,  OLS worked out this morning at Oaklawn.  He worked four furlongs in 51 seconds.  His time was the 87th fastest of the 105 horses that worked out at the four furlong distance this morning at Oaklawn.  This was just a "maintenance" workout for OLS to keep him fit and stretched out for his next race.  

February 22, 2020 - Today we entered One Last Strike (OLS) in an allowance race to be run at Oaklawn Park on February 28.  However, the race came up real tough and we will most likely scratch OLS out of the race and look for an easier spot, possibly a starter allowance race on March 7.  

February 16, 2020 - One Last Strike worked out this morning at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, AR.  He worked four furlongs (half mile) in 49.80 seconds.  His time was the 76th fastest of the 153 horses that worked out at the four furlong distance this morning at Oaklawn.

This was just a "maintenance" workout for OLS as he is dead fit after his race there on January.  The workout should nicely set-up for his next race, possibly on January 28 at Oaklawn.  Stay tuned for 

February 14, 2020 - This morning we entered One Last Strike in a race to be run at Oaklawn Park on February 17.  The race had come up on the Overnight, but only four or five horses were entered into the race.  Therefore, the race "didn't fill" and the race won't be run.   Right now, the plan is to enter OLS in an allowance race to be run at Oaklawn on Friday, February 28.  Entry day for that race is Saturday, February 22.  Stay tuned!!

January 31, 2020 - One Last Strike (OLS) finished a very competitive 4th place today in his race at Oaklawn Park.  He lost a photo finish for 3rd place by an inch or two and was about three quarters of a length behind the 2nd place finisher.  The conditions for the race are stated below in the January 25 news item.

The weather was beginning to clear up after several cold and damp days in Hot Springs.  The track was pretty dry by the time our race came up and the sun was trying to break through the clouds.  The track condition was listed as "good" and was changed to "fast" just one race later.

OLS was very well behaved both in the paddock and during the race warm-up activities, even though he had never raced at Oaklawn before.  The paddock at Oaklawn is indoors and can be loud, tight, and nerve-wracking for horses and people.  Our trainer and his staff always have our horses looking exceptionally good and acting like they know what they are doing.

After loading into the starting gate just a little reluctantly, OLS broke very quickly from his #11 starting post.  Jockey Stewart Elliott and trainer Randy Morse agreed before the race that it might be best to hurry OLS a bit at the start of the race to avoid being caught wide on the first turn, which often happens to horses racing in two-turn races at Oaklawn.   OLS settled into 2nd place alongside #1 Cabertoss into and around the first turn, trailing front-runner #3 Colombard.  OLS stayed close to the front down the backstretch and was joined by #4 Starrng John Wain and #12 Lngtermrelationship.  Colombard threw in the towel on the final turn, and Starring John Wain did too, a short time later.  Cabertoss took control of the race coming out of the final turn, which left OLS and Lngtermrelationship battling neck and neck for 2nd.  #6 Jay Vee Bee came swooping by those two down the stretch and finished 2nd, about 3/4 length ahead of OLS and Lngtermrelationship.  It looked like OLS had finished 3rd in the race, but a photo taken at the wire showed OLS had his head up at the wire and Lngtermrelationship had his head down at the wire, beating OLS to the wire by mere inches.  OLS earned $2,500 for his effort today.  He looked and acted great today and he ran really hard for us.  We are very proud of OLS and the entire training and ownership connections.

January 29, 2020 - The morning line is out for our race Friday and One Last Strike is the 2nd favorite in the race at 7/2.  Lngtermrelationship is the favorite at 3-1.

January 25 - Today One Last Strike was entered in a race to be run at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas on Friday, January 31.  The race is a starter allowance race for horses that have started for a claiming price of $50,000 or less and that have never won a race other than maiden or claiming.  The race is a mile on the dirt and the post time for the race is 4:14 CST.  The race is the 7th on the card.  OLS will be ridden by jockey Stewart Elliott and will wear #11 in the race.

January 14 - One Last Strike worked out this morning at Oaklawn Park.  He worked five furlongs in 62.20 seconds on a track listed as "good".  His time was 10th fastest of the 51 horses that had worked out at the five furlong distance at Oaklawn at that point.  We expect that OLS will work one or two more times before his targeted race on Friday, January 31 at Oaklawn.

January 5 - One Last Strike worked out this morning at Oaklawn Park.  He worked four furlongs in 51.40 seconds.  His time was the 85th fastest of the 111 horses that worked out at the four furlong distance this morning at Oaklawn.  This was OLS' first workout since being moved in late December from Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky to Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. This work was more to get OLS used to the track at Oaklawn as opposed to trying for speed.  He had never worked or raced on the Oaklawn track before.   OLS will probably work out two or three more times before his targeted race on Friday, January 31, at Oaklawn.