THE MILITARY HAWK : Raspberry Road - Request to Emerald Downs

I try to provide fair and unbiased opinion about the Washington thoroughbred industry in everything that I do. I go out of my way to promote other people's stallions and horses in order to see this industry survive. (In fact, I am trying to convince the Governor of Washington to invade and annex Hermiston, Oregon and make it apart of Washington. I can't see Oregon calling our bluff and if they do we will happily give them Walla Walla in exchange).

But not this post. This is a selfish post. This post is about two things:

(1) Emerald Downs Request - My official request to Emerald Downs that every time a Brewer Thoroughbreds, LLC bred or owned horse is going to the gate that Thunderstruck by AC/DC is played:

Excellent

and

(2) Raspberry Road - Raspberry Road is the first horse that I bred to hit the track. He races in the 4th race on Saturday, a Maiden Special Weight race. After years and years of waiting, patience and extensive capital, the Brewer Thoroughbreds, LLC domination is set to begin! In all seriousness, I am very proud to see that he has been entered into a MSW race on Saturday. It means that a very good trainer and owners thinks that he has some talent.

Raspberry Road's first steps

Chilling with Marva Jean

To me, it is like proudly watching your kid go off to his first day of school (not that I would know).

He is against a salty group of first timers including two horses from Pegasus and a Doris Harwood first time starter by Harbor the Gold, so the race came up tough. My thoughts have always been that Raspberry Road will get better with age (just like Marva and Bellamy Road). Would be very happy with a top 3 finish in this race and to show a glimpse of talent that will bring him back next year. Also excited to see that one of my favorite jockeys, Ronald Richard, is on board.

I am more nervous for this race than any other race I have been involved in, even of horses that I have raced myself. You see, my goal from the very beginning has been to breed quality (not quantity) horses to sell and, hopefully, race in Washington. To improve the breed and show the world that Washington is still here. This is the start of that goal. I wish the very best to the Spooners and am glad he is in their and Dan Markle's capable hands.

There is also something special about putting new life on the earth and watching it grow (are these paternal instincts coming out in Will Brewer that have been dormant for decades? Never!)

I always thought that once you sold the horses that you bred that maybe you would lose that connection with them. I now know this is not the case. I have been going back and feeding him carrots all year at the barn. I couldn't be more excited than if I was a 100% owner of this horse.