Burch Training: How's It Going?

After Sunday night's breezes we'd say "very well". The 12 yr. olds breezed 9 or 10 times in July with the best work coming on 7/29 when Aylward went 4 x 2.4f without rest between heats as fast as the farm track would allow(probably slightly sub :13s). The prior breeze, same sequence, Nob had reported Al was "flat", but Sunday's work was energetic. Stone cold legs afterward.

Groovin' Wind breezed a continuous 1 1/16 mile, which at the farm is a lot of 2 minute gallop with two 2.4 all out heats in the middle. Very nice work for Wind also!

But, what's this. Just as we're about to post what nice July with moderate temps, low humidity, well...ok, ground is a little hard from lack of rain... had to complain about something; there we are Monday night gathering in the horses for pre-work feeding and in the distance, to the RR consternation, a horse head is severly bobbing at the walk. It's Aylward. Looks like an abscess type bob, but, could be broken bone after that hard work yesterday. As they walk closer, I'm reminded of the below passage from Burch's book:

"Hilaleah, February 1951, workouts for Preakness winner Bold (Jimminy-Little Rebel x John P. Grier), trained by Preston Burch:

3 7 furlongs in 1:31

6 6 furlongs in 1:17 1/5

10 7 furlongs in 1:34

13 5 furlongs in 1:06 (3f in :37)

16 2f in :25

19 Because of bruised feet, Bold was shipped to Aiken. His shoes were pulled off and he was galloped up to about 2 miles a day, going the reverse way on the deep, 5f sandy training track. On March 19 he resumed breezing."

Bold died of a lightening strike in his paddock shortly after the Preakness. So much for the Jimminy line of horses.

Indeed, Al was diagnosed with a bruise in the heel area of both front feet, bitten by hard ground, and two breezes in four days right after shoeing. But, Tues. morn on Bute he was walking without a limp. Common sense dictates a couple of days off, we'll see.

Some morning photos:
Pre-horse: (left click to see the cute shot of the deer #5 at the right)Maybe I should race pigeons:
Last night's training: with 2 horses off we were looking an easy night, but as we're shoeing Art, this:

The damaged hoof from the springtime has grown down. Nothing to nail to on the right rear, and a big equilox job. We now have to rush to get it all in before dark:
Art:
7/28/07 Sat. Burch Day 3: 6 x 2f riderless at 85% speed + short walk under tack
7/29/07 Sun: Burch Day 1: Off
7/30/07 Mon. Burch Day 2 riderless 2 x 4f WU + 1 mile continuous at about :16/f + 10 min walk under tack.