Although she didn’t win in her comeback race of the year, and the first on a polytrack surface, Check The Label was an unlucky second, playing catch-up in the Doubledogdare Stakes (Grade III). Beaten only a neck after having to thread her way through other horses and finishing (as usual) like a train. It was wonderful to see her back on the track and enjoying it. And by the way, the winner was breaking the track and Stakes records!

This is how far she was beaten!

Photo: Mathea Kelley

Meanwhile, back at Fair Hill Emily Cuda and her father Al came to visit their favorites. Emily loves to visit Better Talk Now and her father loves to visit everyone, especially Check The Label and of course he was disappointed she wasn’t there today but I’m sure he’ll come again when she is. Anyway, he was kept very busy seeing all the others he follows. He was at the Wood Memorial to see Toby’s Corner so he was excited to see him in person. Toby wasn’t co-operating though! His usual stance is hind end to the door facing the back of the stall! He knows that way he’s not going to be bothered. He did dain to turn his head though to see who was interested! Dianne Cotter’s granddaughter Hillary is a three day eventer and riding at Fair Hill this weekend and she went to see him after I had left so hopefully he was more co-operative!

Oh, and I nearly forgot Trevor! Sixteen year old Trevor McCarthy (ex jockey Mike McCarthy’s son) had his first ride today in public. He’s been galloping for Graham during weekends and school vacations for the last three years. He rode Sillium in an ARCA race. Sillium was the perfect first mount for him as he is so well behaved and does whatever you want him to do! He broke well and Trevor was able to settle him back and stay on the rail all the way around. He came with his run but couldn’t stay on the rail so he moved around one horse to complete his run. He finished a good second by a length and was catching the winner all the time. You could see Trevor was getting tired at the end but he stuck to his task. Well done Trev and well done Sillium as this was his first try on the turf.{jcomments on}