Happy New Year.

We welcomed 2011 with a bang winning our first race of the year on the first day of the year. Lady In The Money got the money for N R S Stable, dominating $5,000 claimers on New Year’s Day. Sent off the favorite in the field of seven, the 5-year-old mare stalked the pace, switched out and then sauntered to a nearly 4-length victory.

My man Sheldon Russell guided her to the win and yes, we’ll have bigger wins along the way, but it was rewarding and refreshing to see Sheldon return to the winner’s circle after an extended stay on the sidelines. He’s a good friend and a good rider and he’s back. Now, if I could just convince him to do an Ironman Triathlon ...

Lady In The Money was claimed out of the race by trainer John Hartsell Jr. It’s always tough to see a productive horse leave your barn but you have to play the claiming game and we played it like Miles Davis played a trumpet. We haltered her on August 20 for $5,000 when she finished last of six; she won three races, finished second, third and fourth in six starts for us. We’ll take it.

Lady In The Money continued the stable's recent skein. We've won four races and picked up three seconds from our last 10 starts.

As for New Year’s resolutions. Well, let’s just say we have 49 wins to go.