Perfect Bu!!

A New Beginning

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 02:50:00 +0000

Voicemail notification. Not unusual. Tap the screen. Its from the trainer, that's unusual. Trainers don't make outgoing calls when your weeks away from a workout and months away from entering a race. No, wait, that's just excitement bridled with concern. Nothing to fear. Listen to the message. Tone said it all. Fear knows. Great survival instinct, horrible emotion. No need to call. Called anyway.

In the movies, hardscrabble children would defy the practical adults. They would sell lemonade, paint fences, pull shenanigans and endure misadventure. The audience would find them a year later cheering their mighty steed towards a comeback victory. This isn't Hollywood.

Back in the Bluegrass, the dam of our intrepid hero is restless. She is set to deliver her fifth foal. If this one is to earn trophies of its own, to add to the family collection, it will have to do what only the gifted are capable. To prove centuries of breeding, to declare victory at the highest level, it will have to do what only the best ever achieve. The wind beckons. The ground prepares. The future waits. A new beginning dawns.

Dreams provide the destination we want. God provides the journey we need.

- Perfect Bull
Warrior Poet and Racehorse (retired)

The Suspense

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Thu, 20 May 2010 01:02:00 +0000

Perfect Bull ran well enough to finish third in the 10,000 Lakes Stakes at Canterbury Park last Saturday. While sprinting is not his preferred distance, he simply didn't put forth the winning effort. That happens. Which was not the least of what happened. On the jog back to be unsaddled, he was noticeably off. Close examination then and an ultrasound performed this morning (needed to wait a couple of days for the swelling to subside) confirmed our fears; the colt had pulled the suspensory ligament in his front right leg.

There goes the summer campaign. What begins now is more icing, stall rest, stem cell therapy, hand walking and limited exercise for probably six months. As the old adage goes, time heals all wounds. So Perfect Bull will be administered the best therapy available and provided ample time to recover before returning to training next spring. In reality, he's fine, just not able to compete for the time being. Perhaps the greater challenge will be keeping him mentally fit and happy as the colt thrives on physical activity. The silver lining to that dark cloud is that during his recovery he'll physically mature from a colt (those aged four or less) to a horse (aged five or more). That might be a reach for a positive spin. Nonetheless, as we travel the road to recovery and what may be next year, we'll enjoy the suspense.

Run Bull Run (just not for awhile)

We Have A Problem

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Fri, 14 May 2010 01:58:00 +0000

Canterbury Park celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year with free admission all summer long. The silver season begins this weekend and features the 10,000 Lakes Stakes on Saturday. The $35,000 six furlong main track sprint is for MN-breds age three and up, post time 4:42 pm.

This year’s field drew eleven entries, including Perfect Bull. This wasn’t the plan. The colt has won races going 7.5 on the grass to 8.5 on the dirt; a six furlong sprint wasn’t on the agenda. While he was entered for similar route races at another venue, they didn’t fill. Meanwhile, our regular jockey had made another commitment. Thus we either keep a horse in the barn that’s ready to run or enter him in race that’s probably not his aptitude, sprinting in this case. We opted for the later, without the services of the pilot that had guided him to six wins in twenty starts, and drew post eleven.

The replacement rider is Brittany Arterburn. The very first race this talented young jockey won was on a horse named We Have A Problem. The race analysis at Canterbury Park suggests that a change of rider and the outside post shouldn’t be a problem…….”PERFECT BULL is proven route horse. Regular rider Dean Butler rides another. The 11 post won’t help. So why can he win? Class.” One word says it all (hope the finish line is as obliging as the suggestion).

The Reason

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 01:00:00 +0000

Perfect Bull entered his seasonal debut off a five month lay-off and comfortably held second through blistering fractions until the stretch drive where he slowly gave way. The one mile turf event was completed in the official time of 1:34.53 which is at least more than a good second (or several lengths) faster than similar contests over the course; a testament to the quality of performance that day. The colt finished a respectable 4 1/4 lengths back in sixth position. He excited the race in great shape and looks to improve off the effort in his next start.

First start off the lay-off, fast pace, and every other excuse offered by horsemen throughout the ages fails to trump the single immutable reason for not winning, the colt didn't run fast enough far enough. That's horse racing, we'll line up and do it again next month.

Every race has a winner, every season a champion. The colt crossed the finish line on the right side of reason enough times during his three-year old campaign that he was honored Saturday evening by the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association.

2009 Three-year Old Minnesota Bred Colt

Return of the Bull

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 01:55:00 +0000

Perfect Bull will be making his 4yr old debut on Saturday April 17 in the 8th race at Tampa Bay Downs; post time approximately 2:43pm Central. The one mile turf event is conditioned as an Allowance Optional Claiming for four-year olds and up that have never won three races other than maiden, claiming or state bred races, or a claiming price of $50k. While the colt has six victories on his resume, the first was of course the maiden win, followed by an allowance/optional claiming race where we entered for the $75k tag (won and saved the condition), two allowance scores and then the two state bred stakes races (MN Derby and MN Classic). Thus, four of the six wins fall under the category of maiden, claiming or state bred.

The colt enters the race with seven workouts since returning to the track in February. The latest move was a half-mile drill on Tuesday and Perfect Bull is doing excellent as always. Yet, optimism is often best tempered with caution. So the trainer had a blood test performed to analyze what might not be apparent. Everything was fine except for a liver enzyme was curiously elevated. Apparently then its either the weather or the colt's been nipping at the bottle. Would it expect that from the trainer, and its an established fact of the owners, yet the colt should really lay off the sauce.

The field of ten runners includes one other contestant that entered under the allowance conditions, the remaining are entered for the $50k tag. So do we have an allowance/stakes horse facing the less regarded claiming level competition or are we facing battle tested, salty veterans that have won out their conditions? Looks to be some of both as the morning line has us pegged as the fifth choice at 8-1.

Saturday evening, we will be honored at the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association Awards Banquet where we'll be receiving the MN Champion 3yr Old Colt trophy in recognition of the Perfect Bull’s exploits last year. All you citizens of Red Dog Nation, please raise a glass of your own favorite sauce as we celebrate the start of a new campaign and savor the success of a championship season. Cheers!

Horse of the Year - Settled

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:58:00 +0000

The result of the ballot count to award the Eclipse for 2009 Horse of the Year will be unveiled tonight. The virtual race is heralded as a contest between the outstanding mare Zenyatta and the brilliant filly Rachel Alexandra. Eligible voters casting a total of 232 votes hail from the National Turf Writers Association, Daily Racing Form, and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. While some may find interest in their conviction, it seems rather curious at best. These voters are not selected by either horsemen or fan, they simply chose to gather and express a majority of their opinion (learned as it may, or may not, be). Rather than acquiesce to that outcome, the sentiment of a rather select group of knowledgeable, lifelong horsemen was solicited to resolve the question at hand, Zenyatta or Rachel Alexandra?

The elder of the bunch, undoubtedly influenced by her father's statement "Rachel Alexandra beat the boys, Zenyatta conquered the men" suggested that Zenyatta is the most deserving of the crown.

The middle two unabashedly cheered "Rachel, Rachel, Rachel Alexandra", yet the declaration suspiciously rhymed with and was incorporated into the song they were presently singing.

The youngest, with wisdom found only in pure innocence, did not bother to be asked. He simply demanded, in a voice commanding that his words be accepted as fact, "Perfect Bull".

That settles that.

Hail the King

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 04:15:00 +0000

Minnesota Derby and Classic hero Perfect Bull returns to training this weekend. Fresh from his sabbatical, the offically now four year old returns to Tampa Bay Downs in the care of the Rhone Racing barn. The colt will begin with a month of gallops followed by a couple of works as a determination is made for the appropriate return engagement.

To commemorate the colt's new year campaign, slap some peanut butter on a slice of bread, smear a banana on another, mash both together then fry the contents in bacon fat until a golden brown, serve with a tall glass of buttermilk.

Elvis wouldn't of wanted it any other way; happy birthday King.

Get to the Point

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:43:00 +0000

“Breed the best to the best and hope for the best.” Sage advice tempered with the reality that Mother Nature yields to the vagaries of Lady Luck. The best is also relative. So when your broodmare ban is comprised entirely of one pedigree challenged Iowa-bred and your wallet isn’t anywhere thick enough to afford a season to the six figure stallions, where to begin?

By the end of January 2006 we had worn the pages off the Stallion Register. We had also called what seemed to be every viable stud farm in Kentucky. Our Iowa-bred mare was just weeks away from delivering her first foal to the cover of Holy Bull. Yet that’s a different story, this is about the second mating. The selection process was proving arduous.

Having a young mare carrying her first foal, big dreams and a modest wallet led us to the decision to pursue a foal-share. Under this type of arrangement, the mare owner shares the resulting foal with the stallion owner in lieu of paying the stud fee. The offspring is then generally sold as a yearling at public auction with the proceeds split between the two parties on a predetermined basis. We had secured a few offers, debated the terms, reviewed pedigrees and considered conformation.

One of the stallions was an imposing physical specimen that had been an exceptionally gifted racehorse, garnering Horse of the Year honors. However, his luster as a stallion had begun to wane with the approach of the 2006 breeding season. While the general consensus was that his offspring, likely to be imparted with his massive size, would need time to mature, his first crop of two-year olds nonetheless failed to produce a single stakes winner. Yet as the dust gathered on the foal-share contract we had yet to sign, one stakes performer led to a stakes winner. The maturing now three-year olds were beginning to hit their best stride. The stallion, Point Given, still commanded a $50,000 fee and was possibly on the verge of a break-out year. It was now February and well into the fourteen day acceptance period of the contract dated January 27th. So we grabbed the nearest pen, signed the document and raced to the post office.

Now all we had to do was wait for the mare to deliver her first foal, haul her to Kentucky, get her in-foal to that stallion, wait another painstaking eleven months and few odd days to see the result, followed by another year and a half until the auctioneer’s hammer would fall on the then yearling walking through the sales ring. We would also be responsible for all of the board and vet bills before splitting the sales proceeds with the stallion owner.

The hoped for breakout year proved to be exciting, although not quite thrilling, as Point Given would be the sire of four Graded stakes winners, including a Grade 1 two-year old from his second crop, with nine stakes winners overall. By some statistical measures, the stallion had continued to impress, yet his foals were not commercially appealing. By the time the product of the foal-share, a well made solid chestnut filly, reached the sales ring, the stallion was being regarded as a breed to race stallion (ie limited market appeal). The display board at Keeneland echoed that sentiment, reading a modest $15,000 after the hammer fell. Far cry from a successful venture after splitting the proceeds and factoring in the costs for raising the filly.

Or was it? After a brief discussion with the buyer’s agent we said our goodbyes to the filly believing she was bound for South America. So we entertained ourselves with the notion that we had just sold what would become the Champion 2yo Filly in Argentina or Uruguay or Brazil, or wherever we found geographical cause to raise a consolatory glass of bourbon. Yet somewhere between then and now the travel plans changed. The filly would up in a completely different location and has proved to be something of racehorse.

By any measure our broodmare band of one had a successful 2009 with the exploits of Perfect Moment’s first two foals of racing age. The first, Perfect Bull, was crowned Champion 3yo Colt in Minnesota. The other, having won both a Listed and Group II stakes, is the Highest Rated 2yo Filly in Russia; they named her Perfect Point.

Postcards from Paradise

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:27:00 +0000

Perfect Bull concluded his sophomore year with an appearance at Churchill Downs on November 15th in the Commonwealth Turf Stakes. He looked absolutely fantastic in the paddock, an opinion shared by fans from as far away as Australia. A nation that is no stranger to horse racing, the good folks Down Under bring their island continent to a virtual standstill during the annual running of the Melbourne Cup. The race has been contested on the first Tuesday of November since 1861 and has been observed as a public holiday since 1877. (In America we can't have a manger on public display yet in Australia exists a public holiday declared for the racing of horses. Who's upside down?)

While a cloudy sky persisted, nothing would diminish our breathtaking view beneath the storied Twin Spires. Connections, no matter how loose the association, often afford privileges. As it was, the colt was stabled in the barn of an old friend of our trainers while at Churchill Downs. That trainer's wife happened to be one of the track's liaisons. Connecting the dots eventually placed our seats where the Queen of England rested hers during her last visit. So from the comfort of our private balcony normally reserved for persons with titles other than Mr., we watched our color-bearer break beautifully out of the gate. Then the colt proceeded to run as what could best be described as uncomfortably. While he broke from an outside post and was widest of all going to into the turn, he obviously put himself in that predicament. One may reasonably believe that in making his 20th start, the colt would handle the raced day conditions and pace situations. Then again, perhaps by reacting to whatever what was bothering him the way he has shown to do is what has allowed him to stay iron-built sound through those 20 starts.

The colt crossed the finish line 9th of 10. The eventual winner had broke from the rail, sailed around the course and set a new stakes record. Tough company, yet its arguable that Perfect Bull actually beat more accomplished runners when finishing 5th during his previous effort in the Oklahoma Derby. Of course, every race is a challenge endured through grit and determination born of flesh and blood; these work horses aren't machines. So whether the colt needed, or wanted, a break either physically or mentally from the rigors of training and competition, we certainly did. Perfect Bull is presently enjoying a planned sixty day reprieve on a farm in Florida with his own private acre to gallop, buck and graze upon. Reports are that he's loving it, yet we're not expecting a postcard.

Logical

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:08:00 +0000

From the learned Thoroughbred racing aficionados at the Daily Racing Form...

"Other logical contenders in this sixth running of the Commonwealth include the uncoupled Kiaran McLaughlin duo of Florentino, winner of the Jefferson Cup here in June, and Street Move, entered off back-to-back wins in New Jersey; Major Marvel, fourth as the pacesetter in the Bryan Station; and Perfect Bull, a standout Minnesota-bred."

No bull about it, that makes perfect sense.

Back to the Bluegrass

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:20:00 +0000

Perfect Bull has been entered in the $100,000 Commonwealth Turf Stakes (Grade 3) to be run this Sunday at Churchill Downs in Louisville KY. Post time for the feature event, carded as race nine, is 4:37pm. The colt will be breaking from post eight in a field of ten for the 8.5 furlong contest.

In preparation for the race, Perfect Bull worked five furlongs last Sunday, recording a bullet move in 1:00.10 (fastest of 49 at the distance) and signaling his eagerness. The colt vanned to Louisville from his Oklahoma City barn on Wednesday and has settled in nicely. Arriving a couple days early will allow him to work over the track and become familiar with his new surroundings.

The connections will enjoy the privilege of experiencing race day from the Aristides Room with its private balcony overlooking the finish line and the famed Twin Spires as well as complimentary food and open bar. Its quite the change from our first visits to Kentucky, when dining at a Waffle House and a misunderstanding at a distillery benchmarked the days. Chasing our Bluegrass dream has provided a strange, wonderful journey. We highly encourage you to make such a trip. Your life will thank you.

Never Forget

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:00:00 +0000

Remington Park proved to be a very gracious host as they treated the connections of the Derby horses to a terrific day of racing from the comfort of a spacious suite filled with fine food and drink. As post time grew near, you could feel the anticipation grow in the room.

Perfect Bull looked great in the parade to the post. To be sure, so did most of the other fine colts in the race; you could tell this was going to be a very difficult contest. Bull broke well out of the gate as usual, but wasn't as keen or eager to get to the front as he had shown in his other races, settling into the back of the pack for the 1 1/8 mile race.

As they turned for home and with a wall of horses in front of him, the jockey had no option but to swing wide out of the turn and tapped Bull to accelerate down the home stretch. He passed a few horses but he left himself too much ground to make up at the end of the race and finished in 5th place, a little over 4 lengths behind the winner, Fiddlers Afleet.

Although defeated, the colt showed that even on an off-day he can compete at this level as he finished in front of such accomplished horses as Kelly Leak (who defeated Kentucky Derby winner Mine that Bird in the $800k Sunland Derby) and Duke of Mischief (who had won the $250k Iowa Derby and raced against the great filly Rachel Alexandra this summer).

And he gave us an experience we will never forget.

Interview with Trainer and Jockey

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 03:07:00 +0000

Link to the video.

Feature Race

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:15:00 +0000

Perfect Bull has been entered in the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby, to be run on Sunday Oct. 11 at Remington Park. The colt will break from post two as the field of eight contests the mile and one-eighth distance in its twenty-first renewal. Carded as race nine, the approx. post time is 5:06pm (sign-up at twinspires.com for a live video feed or find on HRTV, channel 404 on the DISHnetwork).

Having recorded his first career victory at the Oklahoma City oval last fall as a 2yo, Perfect Bull has been stabled there once again since his victorious Minnesota campaign. A Minnesota-bred winning the Oklahoma Derby is not without precedent as fellow MN-bred Wally's Choice won the event in 2004. The family tree also boasts a victor as Perfect Bull's broodmare sire (father of his mother), Dazzling Falls, won the event in 1995. Looking for history to repeat, Perfect Bull enters the race ready to make history of his own.

Additional news, insights and ramblings may be found at..
This Week's Feature Race
Oklahoma Derby Week
Remington Park
Canterbury Park blogspot

Working it out.

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:23:00 +0000

Perfect Bull recorded his final official workout Sunday morning in preparation for the $400k Oklahoma Derby. The track was sloppy from overnight rains, causing trainer Bernell Rhone to proceed with caution. While the rider guided him through an easy (read sloooow) five furlong breeze, Perfect Bull finished the work impressively, getting the final quarter in :24 flat and his gallop-out was strong as usual. The colt will walk Monday, jog Tuesday, a long gallop on Wednesday, then alternating between jogs and gallops leading up to race day. The exercise regiment is intended to keep the big colt mellow and relaxed. With the upcoming race contested at nine furlongs (mile and one-eighth) it will test his ability to stay relaxed down the backstretch then demand the stamina to endure the drive through the homestretch.

The nominations for the Oklahoma Derby number 31 and include Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, yet that colt is pointed elsewhere while several other key contenders have recently run or are not expected to make the trip. As the entry for the race is Friday, the remaining connections have just a few short days to work it out.

Remington Park press release: Oklahoma Deby one week away, field taking shape.

Possibilities

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:22:00 +0000

Perfect Bull possible for Oklahoma Derby
By Mary Rampellini (courtesy of Daily Racing Form)

Perfect Bull, who has won route stakes in two of his last three starts, is being considered for the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park on Oct. 11, trainer Bernell Rhone said. The horse won the $60,000 Minnesota-bred Derby and the $50,000 Minnesota Classic Championship in August before finishing second in the $75,000 Prairie Meadows Derby in his last start on Sept. 19.

"It may be a little ambitious for him, but he's a nice colt," Rhone said. "The Oklahoma Derby is going to get some starch, I would think. But he's home-based here."

The other option for Perfect Bull would be the $125,000 Bryan Station at a mile on turf at Keeneland on Oct. 18, Rhone said. The horse is a multiple allowance winner on the grass. Perfect Bull is a son of Holy Bull and he races for Red Dog Stables.

Rhone, a high school teacher turned trainer, won the 1,000th race of his career Sept. 27 at Remington, with Cooltime. His first career winner came back in 1977 at Marquis Downs. At the time, Rhone was a high school counselor who spent his summers racing at small meets in western Canada.

"I did that for several years," he said.

Rhone then turned to training full time and currently splits his year between Remington, Tampa Bay Downs, and Canterbury Park, where he was the leading trainer in 1996. Among the best horses he has trained is Dontbotherknocking, who won eight stakes and $724,127.

Rhone has a 27-horse stable at Remington. Other stakes performers for the barn include Heza Wild Guy, who was third last out in the $150,000 DeBartolo Memorial at Remington. He is being pointed to a statebred stakes in Indiana, Rhone said.

Tangled, Strange and Poignant

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 01:31:00 +0000

When the dam of Perfect Bull, Perfect Moment, broke her maiden (aka won her first race) in the final 2yo race of 2002 for IA-bred fillies, the second place finisher was Soup For Lunch, piloted by Perry Compton. Thus, the following year Soup For Lunch had the opportunity to race once again against maidens. She would not only prove up to the task, she would eventually win other races including the IA Breeders Oaks (Perfect Moment had been sidelined then eventually retired by then) on her way to being named Champion 3yo Filly in IA, wresting the title from Perfect Moment. The difference in earnings between those two outstanding fillies being attributed to the maiden victory by Soup For Lunch during her three-year old campaign. Vanquished as a 2yo, victorious as a 3yo, by the margin of a neck. (To be is to run. Without racing, these horses would never be. With racing, sometimes they run their last. Champion Soup For Lunch died doing what she was born to do, running.)

Perry Compton, who had piloted Soup For Lunch the previous year, unexpectedly inherited the mount on Perfect Moment the following Spring. (The scheduled jockey's brother died that day in an automobile accident; may God's grace give them peace.) Being defeated by Perfect Moment during the Fall proved eventful as together they won that race and provided the jockey with his 3000th victory. Now you know the rest of the tangled, strange, and poignant story.

Fact Check

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:10:00 +0000

(Editor's note: Measure twice, cut once. Look before you leap. Think it through. All sage advice, too often ignored. The previous post fell under the 'cut twice' chagrin of a carpenter. A harmless misremembering of date and numbers since corrected. A reminder to check your facts.)

Perfect Bull lined up in the outside post on a speed favoring track for the Prairie Meadows Derby. With speed to his inside he faced a tactical disadvantage. Yet the MN-bred colt proved his blossoming talent pressing the pace five wide into the first turn. By the far turn he ranged up still three wide, collared the front runners and took command. With lung busting, heart pounding and legs shaking cheers, the Red Dog Stables contingent witnessed the colt draw clear by open lengths in the stretch. Victory appeared to be a forgone conclusion. While Perfect Bull ran one of the best races of his career, he would cross the wire in second place as another promising runner put forth the winning move in deep stretch.

A review of the 3yr Old Division shows the following: Perfect Bull defeated Theregoesjojo, who defeated Quality Road, who won the Florida Derby and set the world record at six and one-half furlongs before defeat in the $1Million Travers to Summer Bird, who was previously beaten in the Kentucky Derby by Mine That Bird, himself beaten in the West Virginia Derby by Soul Warrior, who earlier had won over Karama, the colt that prevailed in the Prairie Meadows Derby over Perfect Bull. The results of that round robin reveals that Perfect Bull belongs on the varsity squad of the division. That's a fact.

Thousands of Trips

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 06:45:00 +0000

On 11 May 2003, jockey Perry Compton was sitting on 2999 career victories. He entered the starting gate at Prairie Meadows that evening astride a promising filly.

To date, trainer Bernell Rhone has himself saddled 999 winners. This Saturday the trainer will cinch up an accomplished colt at that very same racetrack in search of his own milestone achievement. That colt is Perfect Bull, his dam being Perfect Moment, the same filly that provided the jockey with his 3000th trip to the winner's circle six years ago.

Saddle and Boots

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:53:00 +0000

Perfect Bull will be contesting the $75k Prairie Meadows Derby this Saturday, September 19 in Altoona IA. A field of seven is entered for the One Mile and One-Sixteenth event for three year olds. Carded as the evening's fifth race, post time is 8:17 pm (past performances).

The colt traveled to Remington Park in Oklahoma City after the Canterbury Park meet concluded and has settled in nicely. He bounced out of his previous effort in excellent condition and recorded an easy five furlong breeze last Sunday. Perfect Bull will be making the trip to Prairie Meadows on Thursday with a jog over the main track scheduled for Friday.

While the field contains solid contenders, Perfect Bull boasts the most wins, best speed figures going a route, and arguably best racing form. Yet the favoritism is going to the competitors sporting well-heeled connections. Your MN-bred invader with the ND-connections is offered as the fourth choice on the morning line at juicy odds of 5-1.

Although we slide into the heels of our boots like everyone else, they might just get a little more dusty and have been known to serve as a beer mug on occasion. Pull up your boots proud citizens of Red Dog Nation, we have a horse to saddle.

Championship Season

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:45:00 +0000

Sometimes life follows the script, such was the case in the MN Classic. Last year's winner and confirmed front-end speed employed his usual tactics, opening up by one length as the field rounded the first turn. The defender had won the previous edition by thirteen-and-one-half lengths, yet this year's competition included Perfect Bull. Jockey Dean Butler had a measured hold on the MN Derby Champion and that lead was allowed at their discretion. They moved up on even terms through the backstretch, put away their rival by mid-stretch and drew off by an increasing five-and-one-half lengths.

On the heels of victorious performances this year at Canterbury Park, Perfect Bull was named MN Champion Three Year Old Colt.

Replay of the MN Classic.

Poised

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:18:00 +0000

Perfect Bull has been installed as the 7/5 morning line favorite for the $50k MN Classic this Sunday on the Minnesota Festival of Champions card. The mile and one sixteenth race for 3yo and up will be contested on the main course as race five, post time 3:23 pm.

The colt will attempt to vanquish older horses for the third time this season, having proved the victor in both previous encounters. He returned in excellent condition after his MN Derby win and is poised to put forth another competitive effort.

Chance

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:36:00 +0000

From the backside of Canterbury Park, trainer Bernell Rhone provides candid commentary on future plans for MN Derby hero Perfect Bull. Later today we'll know which race the colt will be contesting on MN Festival of Champions Day which is slated for this Sunday. As Bernell states in the interview, after that we'll point for the $75k Prairie Meadows Derby on Sept. 19. From there, the thought is to gun for the $400k Oklahoma Derby on Oct. 11. While that would be a step up into stiffer competition, the big colt has earned his chance.

Video of the interview with trainer Bernell Rhone.

Paper Rock Scissor

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 20:21:00 +0000

Pre-race kudos laid out in print (paper or virtual) are politely welcomed. Yet during the race, pace and traffic will often put horse and rider between a rock and a hard place. Should the duo rise to the challenge, grab a scissor and add the snipets to the scrapbook. Commentary on Potential Early Favorites for Championship Day Races

Meanwhile, back at the barn, Perfect Bull continues to play games of his own. Fine ball handling skills, although rather predictable at Paper Rock Scissors.

Standing There

noreply@blogger.com (Perfect Bull) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:28:00 +0000

There she was, standing there. After a few hours drive, a couple years of searching, and a lifetime of dreaming, we had found her. The summer of 2001 and the filly was barely 14 months old, staring back at me from her stall and looking exactly how I had imagined a young racehorse. I took her out of the barn, never imagining where she would take us.

Our adventure had begun. Something different than ever before. An unknown excitement. What name should we give this next chapter in our life? The answer arrived almost before the question. A favored song is a common inspiration for a name, and this one was born from the lyrics of ‘New Sensation’ by INXS. The opening verse heralds…

I got a new sensation
In perfect moments

So impossible to refuse

The rhythm of those words invokes an image of a sensational horse race. Turning for home, a harmony of motion powers down the stretch, carrying a dream, chasing a destination. With a final stride the wire arrives and victory is declared in an everlasting perfect moment. So impossible to refuse. Our filly had her name, Perfect Moment.

While she found marked success on the racetrack including victories in stakes competition, she would provide many perfect moments off the track as well. The trials and tribulations of campaigning a Thoroughbred, places visited and friends made, and the greatest perfect moments of all, the opportunity and pleasure of sharing one’s passion.

When the filly’s racing career ended the journey was still beginning. By then family and friends had joined the calling. Together we engaged in the joyous task of selecting a proper stallion for her first mating (and wisely summoned noted experts for the planning). Several of us traveled to Kentucky and inspected her mate, Champion and Horse of the Year Holy Bull.

A long wait later the following year Perfect Moment produced a healthy, good looking bay colt. Three years hence, and through trials and tribulations of his own, the colt named Perfect Bull racing in the silks of Red Dog Stables provided another perfect moment in winning the $60,000 Minnesota Derby.

The greatest part of it all was family and friends, standing there.

- Chad