When Rumsey and I had our first child, everyone told us “Time really goes by fast, now that you have a child.” They were right. However, the only thing that makes time go by faster is having a Website to keep updated.

I see it has been almost a month since I have written anything. There is nothing like winning a stakes to get the pen rolling again.

Yes, we won a stakes at Colonial Downs.

Call June a transition month. Several horses made their first start. Several horses made their last start. And several horses simply started.

Dumbarton Farms’ Dandy Band, making her first start, and Allen Murray’s Celtic Music, making her first start out of town, both made the trip to Colonial Downs. Both will need a little more experience and perhaps a drop in class for their next race.

MOM Stables’ Derwin’s Pulpit finished second in her maiden trip to Colonial Downs. Sheldon Russell had the mount and was well placed straight out of the gate. Swinging for home she made a move on the outside and was just second best. She will return Sunday for another crack at breaking her maiden.

Cary Jackson’s Conceit hasn’t found his groove since winning at Pimlico in May. The Britiss-bred Royal Applause gelding ran on a hard turf course at Delaware Park going 7 1/2-furlongs. The footing was OK, the distance was too far. I then sent him to Colonial Downs, to go 5 1/2-furlongs on a soft course. The distance was good., but Sheldon didn’t think he liked the soft going.

Arnold Hefts’ Dressy Devil made his final start at Penn National. The big, pretty gray son of Devil's Bag has started his new career as a show horse. He won some races for us and deserves a new career.

Sylvia Hefts’ Eighttofasttocatch made his next start at Philadelphia Park. It's hard to complain when all you get beat is a neck. It's easy to complain when you finish fifth. Four noses. It was a very good effort for the 5-year-old son of Maryland's leading stallion Not For Love.

Noreen McCrossen's Heart Striker made her final start at Penn National. Finishing fifth in a field of eight, we decided the Lion Hearted mare would be better suited as a children’s hunter/pleasure horse. Thanks to Kim Clarke she has a good home.

Bill and Vicki Postons’ Aba Dabbler made her first start at Penn National finishing third in a maiden special weight. Craig Gibbs saved all the ground keeping her on the rail the whole trip. She was our first 2-year-old starter of the year. We have many more just about ready to make their debuts.

Then there is Frisky Thunder. He had already made two trips from Laurel Park to Colonial Downs this summer. Braeburn Farm's veteran by Thunder Rumble seems to enjoy his van rides, along with his companion, GG. Frisky's stall mate, play mate, traveling companion, friend, buddy – the 2-year-old pygmy goat seems to enjoy the traveling just as much as Frisky Thunder. The Virginia-bred homebred home made his third trip in seven weeks.

I guess I should back up a little. In my last article, Frisky had made his first start of the year finishing second by a nose in the John D. Marsh. Well he went back down I-95 to compete in the open Da Hoss Stakes June 12. Sheldon had a commitment in this race so we substituted for Horacio Karamanos. Frisky had a perfect trip and came up a neck and a half length short, finishing third. This was his second start on the year and first going long in open company since being laid up for the winter.

So now back to the Daniel Van Clief Stakes. Two weeks later he was back on the road. This time with two races under his belt, competing with Virginia-breds and Sheldon back in the saddle. Going off as the third choice in a field of six, Frisky broke sharply and was wrestled back to fifth around the first turn. The two favorites went out early while Sheldon was in no hurry, running last around the final turn. Heading for home Sheldon asked and Frisky powered up on the outside and drove past everyone to win by a length. A well deserved rest and he will be on the road again next month.

That about does it for now. Like I said earlier we have several 2-year-olds getting ready to make their debuts. I will try to keep things more updated in the coming weeks. Between the barn, different tracks, kids and their summer activities, my triathlons and the farm it's not easy sometimes. I guess I just need to win more stakes – amazing how they motivate you.

Next week is the Fasig-Tipton July Yearling sale. We have orders to fill. Call me if you want me to shop for you.