by Gordon Waterstone

First, thanks for all the calls and texts Thursday morning checking on me since there was no Backstretch in Thursday’s HRU. It was a pre-planned, one-day hiatus given by Boss Dave, and it actually worked out really well since I was feeling a bit under the weather anyways. Plus, it ensured I would be home when the test of the national alert system went off.

The test was scheduled for 2:20 p.m., but unlike racetrack post times, where a 2:20 post means a race goes off no earlier than 2:30, there was no drag. In fact, the test went off at 2:18. I wasn’t at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale obviously, but I can only imagine what it was like when everybody’s phones went blaring at 2:18.

The sale continues to be strong through the first three days. That certainly holds true for my sponsors, Steve and Cindy Stewart’s Hunterton Sales Agency, who looks to have safely secured honors for selling the $800,000 sale-topper on Monday night. With 73 yearlings sold for $9,679,000, Hunterton tops the sale, with the $129,053 average third on that list.

A total of $144,000 was raised from the seven breedings offered at the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge reception Tuesday at Fasig-Tipton. As I noted in Wednesday’s Backstretch, there was a really nice gathering in the Kentucky Room. I can’t remember now if I saw Beth Yontz and Elizabeth Caldwell Tuesday afternoon or Monday night; that’s what happens when you don’t write things down as they happen.

And that’s what happens and why I sometimes forget to mention people. I do know for sure that on Tuesday the USTA’s Kyle Creditt came over for a restaurant recommendation. He said he thought about Tony’s or Jeff Ruby’s, but wanted elsewhere. I recommended the Merrick Inn. If you are in town and looking for dinner reservations this weekend, you better do it now as you’ll likely get shut out as Keeneland opens its race meet on Friday afternoon.

What’s nice this week is that Lexington’s public schools are closed for a fall break so there’s been no traffic. My journey to and from Red Mile has been a piece of cake. That included Thursday morning, which saw cooler, cloudy conditions. In fact, after maybe reaching 80 on Thursday, the highs the next few days are 74 on Friday and 59 on Saturday and Sunday. They’re calling for rain sometime Thursday night into the early Friday morning hours, but then it’ll be dry.

When I arrived at the track Thursday morning I headed straight for the breakfast tables, which were all empty. I learned that breakfast was going to be served in about 30 minutes, so I decided to walk around.

I made my way up to the top where I like to start and work my way back. Things were quiet, and once again there were no signs of Roxie anywhere. Although Tony Alagna has a ton of horses, I have yet to see him in the morning as he is out at his new farm. Alagna recently bought Kevin Thomas’s farm so he remains there while his staff of many takes care of the ones at Red Mile.

I started to walk back up and Johnny Mallia and Paul Kelley waved hello. I then ran into the USTA crew of Wendy Ross, Rich Johnston and Mark Hall. They had been out to the Kentucky Horse Park on Wednesday, where they spent some time with the standardbred residents in the Hall of Champions: Marion Marauder; Western Dreamer; Won The West; and Mr Muscleman. Ross also has her dog Stella in tow.

I stopped by Nancy Takter’s barn as I wanted to ask her about her star 2-year-old trotter Karl and where the name came from. Takter purchased Karl’s full sister, Mybffannee, for $435,000 from the Crawford Farms consignment on Tuesday afternoon. She told me Karl was named after Michelle Crawford’s sister-in-law. I am really looking forward to the match-up between the undefeated Karl and Mohawk Million winner T C I on Friday afternoon.

Marcus Johansson was there and, knowing I’m a Detroit Red Wings fan, said “Go Rangers!” I asked Johansson if he was a fan of Marcus Johansson, the hockey player who has played for several teams over his NHL career. He said of course he was a big fan, and his son, Marcus, used to wear No. 90, in honor of the NHL star.

I saw trainer Brian Brown sitting in his barn so I went over to say hello and wish him a belated happy birthday. Brown told me he’s purchased nine so far and is looking for a few more.

I then got back to the breakfast table and saw the bagels, but when I went to take one, I got yelled at by Cindy Solverson. “Hey, we’re not open yet. Come back!” I went over to sit down for a few minutes and the tables opened, and when I got back there, I had to stand in a long line. I had my bagel and then made my way to the grandstand as I wanted to stop in and say hello to Red Mile president Joe Costa.

As I walked through the parking lot, Thor Pete Solverson came by on a golf cart so I hitched a ride. I went in to say hello to Joe, and then made my way — walking the entire way — back to The Deck so I could watch the draw for the Kentucky Futurity.

As I was walking back, I saw Ex-Boss Kathy’s sister, Sally Bolon, along with her husband Rod and John and Janet Campbell. Sally had her dog, Bailey, in tow. Rod told me that he wasn’t going to be at the track this weekend as he decided to join Mike Wilder on his trek to Minnesota to see the Chiefs play the Vikings in hopes of getting a glimpse of Taylor Swift. In fact, Rod told me he bought Chiefs jerseys adorned with the name Swift on the back for both he and Wilder.

I got to The Deck and things were still a few minutes away from starting, so I sat in a nearby chair and Jimmy Takter came over and sat with me. Nancy Takter soon followed, and so too did Christina, who asked me, “How’s my friend doing?” I talked a little bit with Jimmy before the draw commenced for the Kentucky Futurity and the Filly Futurity. The draw show was hosted by Gabe Prewitt, with Trophy Gal Jenna Otten assisting. I watched after as Otten interviewed Nancy Takter and Prewitt chatted with Marcus Melander.

Once again best wishes to Murray Brown, who underwent a surgical procedure on Thursday to help his back issues. I knew something was up when Brown didn’t have any Facebook posts on Thursday. Continue to get better Murray, you were missed at Red Mile. Best wishes also to Communicators Hall of Famer and USHWA secretary Jerry Connors, as he recovers after taking a nasty fall several weeks ago.

I was afraid gas prices might rise Thursday morning, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. Prices still range from $3.32 to $3.59, those higher prices out by Fasig-Tipton. And again, apologies to Amy Hollar for not working her in. And thanks to HRU associate editor Debbie Little for checking things to make sure I don’t embarrass myself by writing something wrong. I’ll be back with you Saturday and Sunday mornings as we wrap things up in Lexington.