"Weeheeheehee!" (eng. "Thank You")

If there was ever any sign that you are headed in the right direction, then this would be it. Recently I received this thank you card (two actually, because they ran out of space on the first) from Woodbury University in appreciation for the Ambassador Program they had at the track on February the 8th. I was told that similar cards were given to Chantal Sutherland and Gerry Olguin, then asked to hand deliver one to trainer Frank Monteleone.

When stopping by Mr. Montelone's barn to hand him the card I heard a rather interesting horse sound. I've been around Thoroughbreds for a while and have never heard it before. It sounded like a delightful "Weeheeheehee" and came promptly when Mr. Monteleone passed in front of a particular stall. To a human it almost sounded like a child calling to their father. I had a suspicion who had made the sound and it was confirmed when "Yournamehere" poked her head out and beckoned for affection. Frank complied by giving the filly a hug. She responded by placing her chin upon his shoulder.

As a thoroughbred owner finding your trainer is one of the most difficult challenges you will undertake in the process of gaining entry to the winner's circle. Many trainers are very knowledgeable. There are books written on training and grooming, spelling it all out step by step. But finding a responsible and honest trainer is much more difficult. That can't be taught, nor can it be enforced. There are trainers out there who will stable horses that should be retired just to get the day rate out of their owners. Others will inject cobra venom into their horses’ joints so they won't feel the pain when they run.

Even after knowledge, responsibility, and integrity, there's still something more that separates the good trainers from the great trainers. What I saw in Mr. Monteleone’s barn was just that: passionate affection. An unhappy horse begrudgingly drags its hooves around in a circle. A happy horse trains well in the morning and runs better in the afternoon. I could see that in "Yournamehere" by her actions. Animals tell the truth. They see no reward in lying. No amount of coaxing can get a horse to do what she did. It just confirms that Mr. Monteleone, while a relatively unknown claiming trainer, does right by his horses and they love him for it. From the looks of the card above, the Ambassador Program does right by the thoroughbred fans and it is appreciated.

Perseverance!