Is there a better way to spend a week escaping from the cold of Colorado than to bolt to the warm weather of Ocala, Florida in order to evaluate two year old thoroughbred in training?  I was fortunate to spend nearly a week with a group of “Kenwood Racing folks” attending the March OBS two year old in training sale in early March.  The eight member group was headed by Robb Levinsky with input from both Kelly Breen and Adam Parker.  Of the six days, two days were devoted to the under tack show, two days to conformational analysis, and two days to the auction.  

Early in the mornings we started by meeting in the small grandstand to watch the two year olds work either 1/4 or 1/8th mile.  During the works each horse was evaluated according to how they moved and their gallop out.  While time was a consideration, it was not uppermost in consideration.  As an advisor Adam watched closely how each horse worked noting such things as their head position and their knee action.  In addition, he kept notes about their times for gallop outs.  We spent two full days watching nearly three hundred horses each day work one by one.  To watch those horses in the early morning chill was envigorating.

After two days of watching each horse breeze it became time to inspect our favorites as far as confirmation and walking.  As a group, still headed by Robb, we were advised by Adam and then joined by Belmont Stakes winning trainer Kelly Breen.  During the first of two days in the confirmational analysis step we looked at approximately 85 horses.  These horses were further narrowed down for further analysis a second day.  To narrow that group down required a strong knowledge and background in thoroughbred confirmation and how it relates to racing.  With a little background in running horses I found this analysis to be fascinating.  All horses were evaluated to the utmost detail!  Although the primary objective was to focus on the business of selecting horses for Kenwood, both Kelly and Adam were great about being open and conversational about their observations.  This was wonderful for anyone genuinely interested in learning how to evaluate these gorgeous thoroughbreds.  After the first day of inspecting horses confirmationally, the group of 85 was further narrowed down to perhaps 35 horses for even further analysis.  The second day reviewed the 35 horses and this group was further reduced to several prospects.   This small group were inspected by a veterinarian which even further reduced the prospects.  

With two days of breezing analysis and two days of confirmational analysis next came two days of the actual auction.  The OBS venue is splendid!  As far as Kenwood was concerned, it was Robb’s responsibility to purchase horses at value by demonstrating restraint when the bid was too high and action when appropriate.  The bottom line: Kenwood Racing purchased four two year olds in training at good value.  The purchases were made with great observation, inspection, and concern for value.  

After six days of wonderful weather and great comradery, I headed back into a snow storm with thoughts wondering if I had viewed the next graded stakes winner.  Let’s hope that it belongs to Kenwood Racing!

Mark Forney, pictured with Preacher