Post by Ripley on Sept 16, 2015 13:40:42 GMT -5
Good Witch or Bad Witch
Which Witch Will We Witness??
It has been a most unusual season. Since Year Twelve, Witch Creek Stable has been THE prolific barn. It's been a murderer's row, a who's who, a foundation barn. In Year Fifteen, however, Witch Creek has basically gone into the witness protection program. The juveniles and older horses haven't exactly been standouts.
In fact, Witch Creek is actually having to fall back on their old ways. The sheer brilliance of Hokum, Mastermind, Bella Luna, Cross My Heart and Paranormal Hunter carried Witch Creek to momentous victories. Before and after that sensational crop, Witch Creek is more like the city brawler--duking it out for every single victory and bringing toughness and heart to every match.
We caught up with Ripley Marsh and poked the beast, if you will. She was surprisingly willing to discuss a quiet season for Witch Creek.
IV: So Ripley Marsh... How have you been? How's your son Keller?
RM: I've been well. Busy as usual. Keller's doing great. He's babbling and crawling all over the place. He's an active boy. A couple more months and he'll be walking and keeping me company at the barn.
IV: You aren't afraid of him getting trampled?
RM: Of course not. I wouldn't let him in with the horses, obviously. He'll be protected.
IV: How are you feeling going into this year's Breeders' Cup?
RM: Good. The barn's shaping up nicely on the older horse and three year old front. Saintly Touch, Spotlight Pride, Taboo and Sun King are making an excellent van guard. We've already got races picked out for them in the Breeders' Cup and I think we might surprise a few people.
IV: I think they've learned not to underestimate you by now.
RM: Maybe.
IV: So tell me about your next year three year olds. Any super horses? Do you feel like you'll be well represented in the early races?
RM: I think we'll be in the mix. How's that for a diplomatic answer? I know we'll be in the Turf Triple Crown with Notorious. Enrapture, Awestruck and Firestorm will be going for the Triple Crown births.
IV: No Uno Momento? I'm stunned.
RM: Oh he'll be in the Triple Crown I'm sure. He just won't be under my training. Nick Landing and I are conducting an experimental trade. He's going to take Uno Momento and Fire It Up and I'm taking in Flying Fashion and Proteus Prince.
IV: Wow! That's some trade. You're giving up one of the prospective favorites for the Triple Crown?
RM: I'm not giving him up. It's a lease and it's going to give Intrepid Racing time to get to know Uno. He is eventually going to stand stud with them. I go to them for my long distance horses and I think he will get the best out there versus with me.
IV: You doubt your breeding abilities?
RM: Absolutely not. My freshmen sires are topping the charts. It wouldn't be fair to Uno for me to keep him and breed him to a limited book of mares. Intrepid has more to offer his stud career.
IV: Do you think you'll regret losing him at three?
RM: If he beats me in the Derby sure, maybe a little, but overall no. I've got others I'd like to focus on. Particularly Enrapture. Before Uno was planned, Ennie was going to be my Triple Crown horse. She has the perfect pedigree and attitude to get the job done.
IV: What about the others? Swing Dancer? Firestorm? Coveted Faith?
RM: We have huge plans for Swing Dancer. We're going to try to slow down her early speed because being on the front end in this crop isn't where you want to be. She's going to go to the Sprinter Tiara. Maybe if she's up to it we'll hit some early races for the classic Tiara. The best decision I ever made was reclaiming her for myself.
Firestorm is our big gun. I'm so high on him right now. I seriously cannot wait to run him next year. There's so many place a horse like him can take us. He could be good enough for the Triple Crown or we could back off and hit the Red Mile. It all depends on how he transitions from two to three. He's training more forwardly and he's got a pedigree to die for, being a half-sibling to Canadian Triple Crown winner Anodyne.
The last filly, Coveted Faith, is a bit of a conundrum. She's made all her starts, save one, on turf and runs well every single time. Heck in twelve starts this season, she's only been out of the money once. I've been high on her since we got her. She could be a Bella Luna type where the lightbulb goes on at three. For the moment she's our filly for the Turf Triple Tiara, but we might experiment with dirt again and see how she fits there.
IV: That leaves Flying Fashion...
RM: Yes. I'm actually ending up with him only because Intrepid has others to focus on. Fusillade, Swing Dancer's half-brother, is quite a lot of competition from a stable mate perspective. I find it funny that I'm ending up with a Flying Colours foal, but I like this colt. He's a nice, quality horse. I can't wait to start training him. He actually just arrived with Proteus Prince and once he's settled we'll get him on track.
IV: So you think you'll have a good year next year?
RM: I'm certain of it. My horses are tough and they'll keep getting better with more running. I won't trade places right now with anyone.
