It's time to round the 3/8 pole....

If you haven't spun past our home page, odds are this might come as a surprise--earlier this year (2008), Jennifer and I decided to close the store in favor of pursuing other paths that were right there in front of us. While that doesn't have an impact on the Baxter family's stables, it does have an impact on the Pony Page, which obviously is no longer being updated at this location (and trust me, a lot's happened since the final posting last spring!). Since my travels have increased somewhere in the 500% neighborhood, keeping on top of the Pony Page has been pretty tough; as a result, it's been retired, with possible resurection down the road someday.

If/when the page relaunches, I'll announce it on my blog:

alwaysupward.blogspot.com

In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled at the Keeneland Yearling Sale this September. You just never know who you might bump into there, toting her Nikon along (especially since we have a horse likely to list on day one or day two).

Thanks to everyone who love our "babies" as much as we do. Your enthusiasm will always be one of the best parts about being in this business!

Warmly,

Cinda




April 15, 2007
The latest news from Baxter Family Stables....

The Big T (Yup...Dad made the list!)
Being selected by Thoroghbred Times Today as the “Breeder of the Week” on March 28th was a pretty big, honkin’ deal (in the humble opinion of his very proud daughter). Considered one of the two most trusted and influential publications in the racing industry, when the Times speaks, people listen. Congratulations, Dad!

Forty Niner‘s Son (sire: Forty Niner / dam: Cindazanno)
Our pride and joy is back to his winning ways, with his first 2007 win in the San Luis Rey Handicap (Gr 2) on March 24th at Santa Anita (watch the video). This was a big test after some well deserved time off—1 1/2 miles is a long way to run, turf or otherwise. According to Dad, who’s in the midst of planning the 2007 campaign with Neil, “We feel this is the best he has been for a year and a half.”

(For those of you wondering why Garret Gomez is wearing blue instead of our signature red silks, it’s because he gained a little weight...and couldn’t fit into the silks. Trust me, next race, you’ll see him back in red again.)

Ancient Tale (sire: Tale of the Cat / dam: Good Cents)
3-year-old dark bay filly currently training with Cathy Walsch in California is about to begin her racing career, making her debut in a maiden special weight race at Hollywood. In Dad’s words, everyone is “really looking forward to her future races.”

Film Fortune (sire: Indy Film / dam: So Fortunate)
He’s been dealing with some muscle issues, but is coming along just fine, on the mend. Look for more on him a bit later in the season.

Fortunate Victory (sire: Victory Gallop / dam: So Fortunate)
This dark bay colt is half brother to Film Fortune (above) continues to train under Hall of Famer, Jack VanBerg, based out of Holllywood Park. He’s got the heart to do big things; we’re learning to be patient on the road to them.

Son of Pegasus (sire: Fusaichi Pegasus / dam: Cindazanno)
Sometimes, too much of a good thing can be a concern. This monster of a horse grew so big, so fast, that we decided to take things a little slow to be safe (think: boys in junior high that suddenly sprout to six feet tall). No problems exist, and we want to keep it that way. When ready, he’ll resume training with Neil Drysdale, the same trainer who had such incredible success with his father, Fusaichi Pegasus. Everyone agrees, this horse has a bright future ahead.

Yield to the Storm (sire: High Yield / dam: Cindy’s Hero)
This dark bay colt has resumed training with Dave Hofmans at Santa Anita, having just come off a hiatus. Expect to see him run at Hollywood late in the season.

Causing a Storm (sire: Giant’s Causeway / dam: Cindazanno)
This half sister to Fourty Niner’s Son and Son of Pegasus (both shown above) has Dad seriously excited. And I do mean SERIOUSLY excited. “If hopes can be any higher than mine,” he shares, “it would be dangerous!”

Heart to Win (sire: Millennium Wind / dam: My Sensation)
Bay filly, currently running in Grand Island, Nebraska at Fonner Park. Dave Anderson is trainer.



Yearling news:

Cindy’s Vindication (sire: Vindication / dam: Cindy’s Hero)
This yearling filly is in Grand Island, raising a lot of hopes. According to Dad, she’s the horse that’s going to win the Del Mar Debutante and the Kentucky Oaks next year. Period.



Foal news:

Cindazanno‘s ’07 filly (sire: Empire Maker)
Currently on the horse farm in Kentucky.

Cindy’s Hero ’07 filly (sire: Ghostzapper)
Currently on the horse farm in Grand Island.



From the Breeding Shed:

Cindazanno (sire: Alleged / dam: Venus Bound)
Bred back to Empire Maker (Winner, Belmont Stakes, Florida Derby and Wood Memorial, 2003), currently on the horse farm in Kentucky.

Cindy’s Hero (sire: Sea Hero / dam: Cindazanno)
Bred back to Ghostzapper (Horse of the Year, 2004), currently living on the horse farm in Nebraska with her filly (see above).

So Fortunate (sire: Garthorn / dam: Delicate Vine)
Bred to El Corredor (sire of Dominican, slated for this year’s Kentucky Derby), currently on the horse farm in Kentucky.

Deputy’s Hero (sire: Deputy Minister / dam: Cindy’s Hero)
Bred to Stormy Atlantic (sire of Stormello, slated to run in this year’s Kentucky Derby), currently on the horse farm in Grand Island.


Career Change:

Viva’s Gentle Girl (sire: Gentlemen <Argentina> / dam: Viva)
Chestnut filly, currently in residence on the family cattle ranch, where she’s happily running on the open prairie.


In The Sale Ring:

Unnamed ’06 colt (sire: Fusaichi Pegasus / dam: Cindazanno)
Will be listed in Keeneland Yearling Sale this fall.

Nijinsky Ballet (sire: Rahy / dam: Star of the Ballet, out of Nijinsky)
Listed in April 24th sale in Florida.

So Gone (sire: Came Home / dam: So Fortunate)
Will be listed in the Kenneland Yearling Sale this fall.
Above: Fourty Niner’s Son at Hollywood Park, July 2, ‘06
Photos © Cinda Baxter 2006. All rights reserved.
Above: Film Fortune in his stall
Below: His morning work out
Photos © Cinda Baxter 2006. All rights reserved.
Read Cinda’s Journal and see photos from our trip to the 2006 Breeders Cup by clicking here.
Photos © Cinda Baxter 2006. All rights reserved.
Above: Son of Pegasus in L.A., before heading to the horse farm
Photo © Tom Baxter 2006. All rights reserved.