Toes Grabs and TVG

by JIM WELLS

MUCH ADO ABOUT TOE GRABS

A recent article in the Thoroughbred Times stated that Canterbury Park was among tracks in five states where toe grabs on horses had been banned.

Not true.

But on Friday night a law went into effect at Canterbury restricting the size of toe grabs on the front shoes of horses.

The rules committee of the Minnesota Racing Commission began working on the issue last autumn and passed the rule in March.

Specifically, the regulation is worded thusly:
"Toe grabs with a height greater than four millimeters worn on the front shoes of horses while flat racing on any track surface or condition are prohibited."

Minnesota previously did not have a rule covering toe grabs.

The rule now in effect was adopted from the model advised by Racing Commissioners International and is intended to prevent injuries to the tendons and ligaments of horses with large toe grabs. It is thought that toe grabs can create an imbalance in the horse that puts additional stress on the muscular structure. Some horsemen argue that the toe grabs actually prevent injuries of that type because they prevent horses from slipping.

Nonetheless, the law went into effect on Friday and generated some controversy among horsemen who said they hadn't been made aware of the rule until this week. In some cases horsemen had their horses re-shod with toe grabs in the last few days.

"The biggest complaint (from trainers) is that nobody knew about it,'' said Tom Metzen, president of the Minnesota HBPA. "And they weren't given enough time.''

Trainer Jerry Livingston said he wasn't affected because the rule was put into effect in New Mexico last year and he's kept the same shoes on his horses since.

"I'm not saying that the rule isn't right,'' said Livingston. "But it wasn't gone about right. I had no idea till Sunday about the rule. I feel bad for the guys with shoes on that don't meet the rules. The rule went into effect last July 1 in New Mexico, but they didn't start checking on it there until September.''

It wasn't certain how violations will be dealt with heading into Friday's card.

"We're leaving that up to the (racing) stewards,'' said Dick Krueger, executive director of the Minnesota Racing Commission.

Livingston wondered if some horses might be scratched from races.

"A number of horses were scratched at the Zia Park meet,'' he said. "And there was probably one a week at Sunland Park.

TVG TO TELEVISE CLAIMING CROWN

The 2008 Claiming Crown got a boost on Friday when it was made public that TVG will provide live coverage of the event on Aug. 2.

Management was optimistic about the arrangement it made with the network. TVG televised the Claiming Crown in Shakopee on two previous occasions and Canterbury benefited both times.

"It's not only the day of coverage but the promotion leading up to the Claiming Crown during the week prior,'' said Eric Halstrom, vice president of racing operations. "They'll have 10 promo spots a day pumping up the event.''

In addition, TVG will do its Saturday show from Canterbury. "They'll be showing all our races live, focusing the day on Canterbury. We're excited to have them, that's for sure,'' Halstrom added.

Canterbury will pay a fee to TVG for the telecast but Halstrom sees that as a good investment when previous returns are considered. TVG patrons typically wager about $20,000 daily on Canterbury racing. That number increased to $200,000 when TVG televised the card in the past. There is no way to determine how much additional is wagered at other internet sites by people watching the Claiming Crown on TVG, but Halstrom said he'll get some idea when he compares the total internet wagering to previous figures.

TVG is the official TV and interactive wagering partner of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.

TVG hosts Matt Carothers and Ken Rudulph will provide day-long coverage of the Claiming Crown and surrounding activities. "We are delighted to have TVG back in 2008 as the exclusive television provider of Claiming Crown,'' said event chairman Dan Metzger.

HR TV televised the Claiming Crown at Canterbury in 2005 with mixed reviews.

Canterbury president/CEO Randy Sampson was enthusiastic about the arrangement with TVG.
"Claiming Crown is the single, biggest day on our racing calendar, and we are pleased that TVG will be on hand to do its usual first-rate job of showcasing it to a national audience,'' Sampson said. ''Matt Carothers is a Minneapolis native who started his horse racing career at Canterbury Park in 1994, and our fans are always excited to see Matt return here with his TVG colleagues.''

Canterbury has presented all but two of the previous Claiming Crowns. Despite a financial loss for that privilege each time, management says that there are other benefits, additional recognition among horsemen and the national racing community as well as an introduction to many fans previously unfamiliar with the Minnesota track"We know it brings horsemen here, for all or part of the meet,'' Halstrom said. "And there are plenty of other things beside the bottom line. Last year we noticed that without the Claiming Crown there was some diminished ability to recruit (stables) and other parts of that process were more difficult too.''

News & Notes July 10

IOWANS BRING GOOD HORSES, BAD WEATHER WITH THEM

Rain and pea-size hail pelted the barns, the windows in the racing office and most of Canterbury Park on Thursday afternoon. The gauge at the vehicle shop measured an inch of rain in the span of about 10 minutes.

The storm sirens in Shakopee howled, warning of possible dangerous conditions, and guards circulated on the backside cautioning everyone to take shelter. A number of folks rushed into the racing office, drenched from head to toe. The computers in the racing office flickered, causing some employees to fear a power outage.

"You couldn't see the stable gate from the racing office,'' said stall superintendent Mark Stancato.
No one needed announce that the races were off the turf on Thursday night.

Stancato along with the July storm welcomed 58 newcomers to the barns, mostly from Iowa, with the possibility of another 15 coming from the same locale. They started arriving on Sunday and continued through Wednesday night.

Lynn Chleborad, who has trained at Canterbury previously, shipped the largest contingent north. There are 15 in her barn. Jim Warvell arrived with 13 horses from Indiana Downs. Bobby McMeans arrived with 10.

Shawn Payton, a former Mac Robertson assistant, will handle 12 horses for trainer Hector Magana, and Jeff Jones has eight on the grounds for Roger Brueggemann.

Stancato said there is the possibility that Carlos Ramirez will arrive this weekend with 15 horses, currently stabled at a farm in Iowa. Canterbury's custodian of the stalls says there are a handful of others hinting at arriving with a horse or two soon to get the lay of the land before the Claiming Crown on Aug. 2.

A FIRST FOR THE NESS BARN

Jamie Ness has won back-to-back training titles at Tampa Bay Downs. He saddled 38 winners to get the job done in 2007. Last winter, he sent out 68 winners, finished 35 wins in front of his nearest competitor and his horses banked nearly $1 million. The win total and the earnings were both records at the track.

Last week his barn accomplished another first. The stable won seven consecutive races. "We've never done that before,'' he said.

Six of the wins came at Canterbury and the seventh at Prairie Meadows. Of the barn's 15 starters, only two missed hitting the board.

Ness's surge helped him make up some ground on the two trainers in front of him. Ness has 27 wins heading into Thursday night's card, five fewer than Justin Evans and seven fewer than defending training champ Mac Robertson.

"I was about 15 back (of Robertson) at one point,'' Ness said. "And, with Prairie Meadows closing, it looks like the racing is getting tougher. Saturday and Sunday, especially Sunday, looks real strong. The competition makes everything better.''

This week Ness has two horses entered on Thursday, two on Friday, three on Saturday and two on Sunday. "I don't have that many this week,'' he said. He's also sending three others to Assiniboia Downs and Prairie Meadows.

Best Westerner is expected to be the odds-on favorite in the $50,000 Derby Trial in Winnipeg.

PIG ROAST BENEFIT TAKING SHAPE

Donations, services and helping hands are needed for a 6 p.m. benefit on July 23 to assist three Canterbury Park veterans who are in ill health: former trainer George Bango, farrier Gary Ladd and steward Hank Mills.

The menu (all you can eat for $5) will include pork sandwiches, beans and potato salad, and the entertainment will be provided by Dave Shepherd and his Easy Money Band. An auction is planned as well.

The HBPA will provide the pig, Canterbury Park will provide beverages, condiments and plates for the occasion.

A benefit last year raised $35,000 and helped another Canterbury regular with medical expenses.

Among the items that drew substantial bids at that event were a free month of training from Mac Robertson, gift certificates from the tack and feed stores.

"A hotel donated a room, a liquor store a jug of wine and there were various baskets to bid on,'' said Patrice Underwood in the HBPA office.

Underwood said that professional services from dentists, doctors or other professionals are encouraged as donations.

"This is more of a celebration of what these men have contributed over the years than anything,'' she added.

THE BRUNCH IS FREE

The HBPA general membership annual meeting and brunch will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in Longshots.

The meeting, which will include nominations for three spots on the board of directors, and the free brunch are open to anyone interested in attending. There are three positions open on the HBPA board, two for owners and one for a trainer. All are for three year terms.

TIGER WOODS TO MISS TOURNAMENT

The 13th annual HBPA golf tournament is scheduled Monday at Shoreland Country Club in St. Peter. Registration is at 11:30 and the shotgun start at 12:30. Spots can be reserved by calling the HBPA office: 952 496-6442.

CURLIN TO MAKE TURF DEBUT SATURDAY AT BELMONT
(from NTRA Communications)

There are horses entered to run at Belmont Park in Saturday's Grade I, $500,000 Man o'War Stakes that are among the more accomplished anywhere.

And then there's Curlin.

The reigning Horse of the Year is trying the grass for the first time in the Man o'War, hoping to make the transition that will set him up for a trip to Paris for the Prix Foy and, ultimately, the Prix de L'arc de Triomphe at Longchamp Race Course on October 5.

Owner Jess Jackson and trainer Steve Asmussen are doing their utmost to make Curlin an international star. The 4-year-old Smart Strike colt has been expertly managed, winning each of his last five starts, including three of racing's biggest events: Belmont Park's Jockey Club Gold Cup, the Breeders' Cup Classic and the Dubai World Cup.

"The perfect plan for us - for me, for Curlin and for everybody associated with him - is to first establish his level of quality on the turf in the Man o'War, and not get ahead of ourselves," said Asmussen, as Curlin drew post 7 for Saturday. "We have to see if he can compete at the same level. If he can compete at his level on the turf and we get the race that we expect, we will map out how to win the Arc with him. I think that getting him over there immediately and getting him used to going right [on right-handed turns] would be the biggest obstacle that we face. If we establish that he's as good a horse on the turf as he is on the dirt, then we get him over there and get him relaxed, comfortable and confident, and doing right."

Curlin faces no slouches on Saturday. His return to New York has attracted some of racing's top turf stars, including two previous winners of the Breeders' Cup Turf. One of them is Better Talk Now. The 9-year-old won the Breeders' Cup Turf at Lone Star in 2004 and was beaten a half-length in the 2006 Turf by Red Rocks, who is also in Saturday's field.

The Man o'War was not originally scheduled for national television coverage, but after it was announced on Tuesday afternoon that Curlin would compete in the race, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association was able to quickly broker a deal with ESPN and the New York Racing Association. Thanks to that agreement, and additional support provided by Delaware Park, the Man o'War will now be televised live on ESPNEWS Saturday, with an expected post time of 4:15 p.m. (central)

Hopetown Hero Tries For Five In A Row

Hopetown Hero is aiming for his fifth consecutive victory in race two on Saturday afternoon.

A fetching 4-year-old gelding by Orientate out of the Southern Halo daughter Hopetown, Hopetown Hero has made this year a memorable one for his trainer, Manuel Uriza, and his Phoenix based real estate broker owner, Karen Petersen.

Manuel Uriza, is the grandson of trainer Laz Barrera, who guided Affirmed to his Triple Crown Victory in 1978.

Uriza, like his grandfather, is not interested in personal fame and glory. He is an artist and horses are his canvas.

Uriza keeps a small, tightly run stable where he can literally have his hands and eyes on the progress of his charges all of the time. He listens very carefully to his good instincts and what the horses tell him.

"My goal is to take a horse and make him better", said Uriza. His true love is working with "babies". "If you botch them up when they are young, you have only yourself to blame," Uriza states frankly.

Hopetown Hero is a prime example of Uriza's artistry. Besides becoming stronger and sounder since entering Uriza's tutelage, he has become a happy and relaxed horse. He developed his big heart early this year, but became a "bully" prior to entering Uriza's Stable. With all of the individual attention Hopetown Hero has received from Uriza and his morning exercise rider, jockey Jocelyn Kenney, he has become a "big lap dog" “He is very smart and is willing to learn almost anything," said Uriza.

Success holds true with another horse Karen Petersen owns, Mr. Playwright. Mr. Playwright won a stunning 30-1 victory in a tough mile turf allowance race on June 19. Mr. Playwright was trained by Uriza his freshman season and did quite well in allowance and stakes races.
Playwright was shuffled through several barns until Ms. Petersen claimed him this past spring and gave him back to Uriza. Once back in Uriza's care, Playwright was back to his old winning form.

Hopetown Hero broke his maiden at Tampa for $50,000 in 2006. He went downhill from there. He had a dismal 2007. In late ’07 he came down with pneumonia, which lingered into ‘08 and Hopetown Hero almost died. Petersen bought the skinny, still coughing 4-year-old "for a song" in late January of this year.

Says Petersen, " I had not owned race horses in almost twenty years. I have been battling a life threatening disease myself, so I felt compassion and camaraderie with this withered horse, win or lose, I felt an obligation to buy him." "And he had that Seabiscut look to his eyes...so willful!"
Petersen loves nicknames. Hopetown Hero became known as "LeBron" to Karen and his caretakers. ( He does not know how to play basketball. yet...)

His first out this season, after over a two and one half month layoff at Turf Paradise, he finished second by a nose, after forgetting to get out of the starting gate. His next three races were all victory romps! "He loves to run and he loves to win," boasts Petersen.

In his fourth consecutive win and his first start at Canterbury on June 22, he struggled a bit at the top of the stretch, yet held on to get his picture taken in the winners’ circle once more.
What next for Hopetown Hero? Nominated to the Claiming Crown he would likely sprint, while his stable mate Mr. Playwright may try the Claiming Crown Emerald on the grass. Uriza and Petersen are looking to make it six in a row for Hopetown Hero if they can beat a salty bunch here on Saturday.

Hopetown Hero's future? "We are not going to race him into the ground", states Uriza emphatically. "When I think it is time to retire him we will turn him out and let him run and play for a while, then he will come back to the racetrack as my training pony.”

"Right now, we want five wins in a row. If we get that we will probably shoot for six victories. Will we look for seven? We will let Hopetown Hero tell us what he wants to do. He is a very social, communicative individual", says Uriza.

(submitted story)

The Winning-est Thoroughbred in North America

The 7-year-old Chickster has won eight times from 10 starts in 2008 and has more wins this year than any other thoroughbred on the continent. Chickster is owned by S E J Stables and is trained by Justin Evans. Pictured to the right is Chickster with Evans and his crew.

Evans won with this speedy horse once in 2006. Justin claimed him again in 2008, won again but lost him via the claiming box. Two starts and two wins later he was back in Evans’ barn and on his way to Shakopee where he has won four consecutive races. “I’ve won with him six times,” Evans said.

Chickster is entered in Friday’s seventh race, a $17,000 N1X allowance race. Other than a $5,000 starter allowance win here on June 15, all of Chickster’s wins, and he has 17 total, have come in claiming sprints. This is a big jump up the class ladder but his early speed should be an advantage. “He is used to going 21 and change,” Evans said this morning. “The others aren’t. But this will be a difficult race.” Chickster drew the rail for the 5 ½ furlong race, will be ridden by Dean Butler, and is the 2-1 morning line favorite.
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Bob Johnson One Win Away From 1,000

Quarter Horse trainer Bob Johnson has 999 career victories. Johnson, a fixture at Canterbury for several years, is sixth in all-time wins at Canterbury and fifth in earnings.

New Trainers on the Grounds

With the Prairie Meadows thoroughbred meet concluded and options limited there during the mixed meet, a few trainers have shipped strings to Shakopee. Lynn Chleborad, Hector Magana, Roger Brueggemann, and Bobby McMeans each have between eight and fifteen horses stabled here. Also arriving from Indiana is Jim Warvell, a favorite with the horseplayers as he is usually good for a few long priced winners each season.

Hay, Oats and Water: Reggie the Regal

By Sheila Williams

When I retired from my position at Canterbury, I decided I was taking someone with me. I found him in the bottom rung of Canterbury Park’s claiming ranks. Although saddled by Quarter Horseman Jerry Livingston, he belonged to another owner/trainer.

A beautiful, tall bay, he was just four years old, and could not get out of his own way. His past performances suggested a wind problem at best, a fracture at worst.

And yet here he was in the paddock, deeply dappled, straight and strong as Mr. Allen would say. He ran last again.

I went to Mr. Livingston’s barn and asked if I could buy him. He talked to the owner, and I gave him the mighty sum of $1,000.

Since I had nowhere to put him, Bernell Rhone let him stay in his shed row, while I decided what to do with a thoroughbred that couldn’t run.

A friend of mine found a jumper woman in Stillwater. The gelding was very sound, he had a good mind, and he liked Mentos.

They called him Reggie. I don’t even remember his registered name—he was that bad.

The jumper woman asked if Reggie had a “flag tail”. Jumping people don’t want horses that run with their tails straight out like a sailing ship’s flag during a regatta.

So we watched the race replays, and thank God, no flag tail. Off he went to Stillwater to learn how to jump a bale of hay.

The jump woman really liked Reggie and gave me and my friend $5,000 for him. We split the money. And just like the day I made—and won—my first bet, I thought, "How long has this game been going on? "

I kept in touch with Reggie through the jumper woman. Within weeks, the hay bale became short fence blocks, then higher hedges.

By spring Reggie was sold to a jump man. For $50,000.

I have looked for another Reggie, but have not found one. But Reggie’s are out there, every day at every track.

I feel good about Reggie. Our short relationship was eight years ago, and he is not yet even approaching his prime in his new jumping career.

An animal person myself, we heard that Trevor Denman was a supporter of the United Pegasus Foundation. Do not make the mistake of thinking The United Pegasus Foundation is the other Pegasus Foundation, which is a group of people who think we are “guardians” of animals, not owners. I will write about that nonsense and group of dweebs on another occasion.

Anyway, during my time at Canterbury, Trevor called the races and signed autographs to raise money for this California foundation that saves and rehabilitates racehorses. There was never a fund-raiser I thought so worthy of doing.

The wise guys at the bar donated. Our employees donated. The Sampson’s donated and the horsemen and women donated. There are a few owners who sit in the Turf Club at Canterbury and watch their horses run at places like Santa Anita and Belmont Park. They did not donate. You know who you are and a pox on you.

A lot of people write about the “final owner.” I could regale you with horror stories of the champions who have gone to slaughter.

But if you are a horse owner who has a Reggie right now, give me a call. I will give you a $1,000 for him.

M. A. Rosco Previews July 4th Dachshund Dash

from Canterbury Park Media Relations

Canterbury Park held its annual Dachshund Dash on Friday, July 4. Fox 9's M. A. Rosco was out to preview the event and chat with the connections of six of the competitors. To view the story, click here.

Fourth of July Weeknd In Review

by Jim Wells

The economy is down, gasoline and grocery prices are up, numbers for Las Vegas are way down but the debt-load in the Mecca of gaming is way up and crushing investors.

Race tracks across the country are reporting declines in attendance and wagering. A graph on the stock market many days resembles the steepest descent of the Wild Thing at Valley Fair.

It makes sense, then, to inhale deeply and not get overly bent out of shape when the bad news hits Canterbury Park, right?

Hold your two-year-olds and your negative expectations right there. Canterbury reached the halfway point of the season this weekend and looks to be holding its own. The numbers are almost static in comparison to last year, normally not a welcome business forecast, but in this economy it seems like manna from heaven.

When you consider that the several big days remain on the racing calendar _ Claiming Crown, Festival of Champions, Extreme Day _ the season as a whole has a positive appearance.

Eric Halstrom, Canterbury's vice president of racing operations, put it this way: "I'd say that I'm cautiously optimistic.''

There is reason for his outlook.

Take July 3, for example. Canterbury played host to 14,237 patrons, not counting as many as 13,000 young ones. "There are different theories on how many kids there were,'' Halstrom said, "but I think one for every adult or so. That puts it close to 30,000.''

On and off track wagering flirted with the $1 million mark. The actual figure was $937,000. "It was our best Thursday ever, easily,'' said Halstrom.

The July 3 promotion, which includes fireworks, has become a boon to Canterbury since its inception three years ago, so much so that it's already included as one of those day that improves the overall yearly picture for attendance and income.

"Before the start of the meet we say that we have three big days - opening day, Claiming Crown and now July 3,'' said Halstrom. "Maybe Extreme Day. To have a Thursday night be one of the best is really great.''

July 3 has become another example of horsemen and management working together. For years, horsemen understandably opposed the idea of fireworks and the effect on the horses from heavy pyrotechnics in proxmity to the stables. Management proposed pizza for the grooms and earplugs for the horses. Not the perfect solution, of course, but there was only one minor incident reported Thursday night, on a par with daily activity in the stables.

Fourth of July attendance was 8,100, down from 10,500 last year. "Maybe those other 2,000 were here on Thursday night,'' Halstrom offered. Saturday's attendance and handle were up slightly from the comparable date a year ago. A full comparison of the July 4 segment of the season is difficult because it included an extra day last year. Halstrom made his comments before Sunday's card, but the comparable day last year was way down.

The entire live season shows a decline on simulcast wagering of about five percent and on live racing of about 10 percent. However, out-of-state handle is up about 10 percent. "Last year those two numbers (on-track and out-of-state) were close to the same,'' said Halstrom. "So we're right about breaking even in handle.''

Halstrom is wagering (imagine that at a racetrack) that attendance for the season will beat last year's record average daily figure of 5,476.

There are a couple of reasons for such optimism. The track didn't have a good August last year and should easily beat the figures for that month. Canterbury also didn't stage the Claiming Crown in 2007, and that event will increase wagering and attendance totals for 2008.

Now, the pressing thought is this: The pizza bill for the backside on Thursday night was $1,300.

How would you like to fork over a tip on that delivery!

GRADE III NORTHLAND FUTURITY STAKES

Bob Petersen had a lot more faith in his horse than the patrons did Sunday, and that turned into a good payday for him and his wife, Julie.

With the veteran Jerry Winters in the saddle, Holland North, out of the Ed Ross Hardy barn, outhustled nine rivals to win the $61,000 race, a result that left Bob Petersen breathless. “I’m shaking,’’ he said.

Understandably. The Petersens won the last race at Canterbury on Saturday night with The Inclindenator, then jumped in the car and headed to Prairie Meadows where they had a horse in the last race there.

“It’s all about getting out of the gate in quarter horse racing,’’ Bob said. “Our horse didn’t break in Iowa and ran dead last.’’

Not the case on Sunday.

Holland North took the lion’s share of the pot, out dueling Make Out Artist, another Hardy trainee, with a finishing time of 17.998. Check Out Kaelie finished third.

Oh, yes, Bob did bet on his horse.


GARCIA HOPEFUL

Jesse Garcia continues to mend after being unseated leaving the gate in a race the week before last. He was diagnosed with a hairline fracture of the right clavicle. He tried riding last Thursday but made it through only one race before taking off his horses for the day in excruciating pain.

Garcia said Sunday he hopes to get an MRI early this week. “My goal is to be back for the Claiming Crown if not sooner,’’ he said. Garcia said he has two mounts and possibly three for the Claiming Crown on Aug. 2.


SOMETIMES EVEN CHICANERY’S NOT ENOUGH

HBPA president Tom Metzen had a horse named Ty Two in the fifth race on Sunday, and was desperate to get him back in the winner’s circle.
Ty Two ran six times at Fonner Park over the winter with three wins and three seconds. He won his maiden appearance at Canterbury on May 18 but was out of the money in two subsequent races.

So, on Sunday, Metzen conjured up an idea. The leader of Canterbury Park’s horsemen was wearing a Fonner Park cap as he entered the saddling paddock. “Maybe this will fool the horse,’’ Metzen said. “If the thinks he’s back at Fonner, he might win again.’’ Alas, no such luck. Ty Two ran out of the money once more.

Maybe next time a hat that says “If Horses Don’t Pull their Own Weight, They pull Grain Wagons.’’ Something along that line.

A PICTURE’S WORTH ???????

The silent auction that benefited the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund wasn’t exactly silent Sunday afternoon. One of the more interesting bidding matches was for the painting of Secretariat winning the Triple Crown races, signed by artist Fred Stone and the horse’s rider, Ron Turcotte.

The first intense segment of wagering took place between Dave Yost, the cook in the jockey’s room, and trainer Bobbie Grissom. First, Yost made a bid, and then Grissom right behind. It went back and forth several times. Then jockey Jesse Garcia jumped in. With five minutes left in the bidding, Yost dropped out with the latest bid, by Grissom, at $1,950.

One of Grissom’s clients, Bob Lindgren of Prior Lake, is a tax man. “He said I can deduct anything I pay more than the picture’s worth,’’ she said.

A wise-cracking bystander chimed in. “Yeah, I’d say it’s worth five bucks, Bobbie.’’

The tension mounted during the wagering and it appeared that Grissom had won. With seconds remaining an emissary for trainer Shawn Talbot jumped in with a bid for $2,150. Grissom jumped at a chance to counter, but the bell for the seventh race went off, ending the bidding.

“Oh, well, I tried,’’ she said.