A Horse--Of Course!

Yes, Dunraven Pass is alive and well--mainly running in circles--but now with a jockey on his back. His leg is healed--two out of three screws have been removed--and he still could win the Triple Crown. Perhaps that is not likely--but it is not impossible! To see pictures, go to www.equinebusiness.biz. In the meantime, Merry Christmas!

Hope and Miracles!

There was no miracle the night Stay Alert ran--which means we still have a "Seeing the Pope" miracle available to use on Dunraven Pass! Stay Alert is being given away, along with Cape Town Bay. That means all our eggs are in the Dunraven Pass basket. Yes, that is our two year old in layup recovering from a broken leg. But there's hope--to read all about it, get news about my upcoming book, "ROSE COLORED HORSES -- A Year in the Life of a Crazed Horsewoman" and see a picture of Dunraven Pass, go to www.equinebusiness.biz.

Stay Alert--Maybe?

Stay Alert is running tonight; we wouldn't call what Cape Town Bay did on Saturday night running. He's being given away; Stay Alert should take note. While seeing the Pope didn't appear to help The Bay, perhaps it will matter with Stay Alert--or better yet--help Dunraven Pass's broken leg stay strong so that he will actually run someday. At least there is no shortage of things to hope--or pray--for in the horse world. As we noted while watching Secretariat yesterday, nothing is easy--and no pain, no gain. The good news is, I've learned how to attach pictures to the website. So, if you want to see a winning shot of Stay Alert, go to www.equinebusiness.biz. It is nice to be reminded about what it looks like to win!

Waiting on Miracles--Part Two

In my last post--almost a month ago--I inquired about whether miracles involving really slow horses happened since both Stay Alert and Cape Town Bay were running over the same weekend. Instead of miracously hitting the board, they matched their performances from the only other weekend they ran together--their first races--where they came in second last and last, respectively. They are running again--one on Saturday night, one sometime next week. Since each of their last races, I've been to Rome, I've seen the Pope--up close and at one of the many churches I saw, I'm pretty sure I prayed that our horses would bring joy to us, their owners, and to you, their fans. Will it matter? We'll know soon enough! For full details, go to www.equinebusiness.biz under the News Tab.

Miracles, Do They Happen?

Two horses are running--one tonight, one Saturday night. It will be a miracle if Stay Alert wins tonight; it would be less of a miracle if Cape Town Bay hits the board on Saturday, but a bit of a surprise, nonetheless. So, the question is: Will Eddie, the priest's, efforts at the Shrine of St. Assisi, Dad and Mom's efforts, as the patron saints of our horse ventures, and God just being God be enough for one or both of these big boys to win? The last time both of these ran on the same weekend--in June, 2009--they came in last and second last. It was after that incident that I asked Dad and Mom to be our patron saint; that Eddie visited Assisi and mentioned both by name; and that I reminded God that I encourage all my bettors to share their winnings with the church. By Saturday night we'll know whether any of the above made a difference! For all the details--and to help swell my website visitor numbers which always makes me feel better--go to www.equinebusiness.biz.

Stay Alert: Four Wins in One Year? Maybe!

Stay Alert will attempt to make history tomorrow night--at least history for the Heppermann barn. He's running again which means he could win his second race in a row--and his fourth for 2010. The only horse we've owned that won three races in one year is Stay Alert, so we obviously have never owned a horse that won four times in one year. If only he was running in something other than $5,000 claiming races, huh? But, he has found his niche--running with other slow horses--and sometimes he is the fastest of the slow group. Tomorrow night's race is brutal. But the handicappers have picked him as the third favorite. I'm hoping they were sober when they made these picks as I've now decided to believe they know something I don't! Regardless, we're going to find out whether this big gray beauty can beat a group of horses that have all won three races. He needs to--these are the kind of horses he'll need to run against going forward. So, stay alert, big boy--you'll need to!! For particulars and more color commentary, go to http://www.equinebusiness.biz/ under the News Tab.

Second is Better than Eighth!

Cape Town Bay proved he can run with the slow ones! He came in second. And while he was many lengths behind the bad horse who dropped in and stole the race, The Bay was clearly the best of the rest of them. And he looked good doing it, I think. To read all about it, look for the UPDATE under the news tab: www.equinebusiness.biz.

Try, Try Again

Cape Town Bay is going for win number two--again--and this time he just may pull it off. In horse racing, you don't necessarily have to be fast--just faster than all the other horses that show up on a particular day. If the Bay is in good humor, shows up and remembers to breathe, then he may win number 2 this Friday, 4th race at Penn National. Somebody's horse has to win! If you want to see what I sent out to the Horse Alert folks, go to the web, under the News tab: www.equinebusiness.biz. You help swell my hits when you do that--so thanks!! If we hit the board, there will be a new post on Saturday; if not, be grateful I spare you the sorry details. Till later--hopefully Saturday--take care.

Is a Fifth Win This Year in our Future? Tomorrow?

Cape Town has a chance to equal the most wins we've ever had in a year--five--when he runs tomorrow night at Penn National. Can he pull it off? Will we love him more if he does? Any less if he doesn't? We'll know more by 7:30 tomorrow night. He will be a double-digit long shot, which appeared to motivate him the last--and only--time he unexpectedly won. To know more about tomorrow's race, go out to www.equinebusiness.biz under the News tab.

Stay Alert--True to his Name!!

Holy, moley cow--Stay Alert won last night! I didn't send out any alerts, I didn't update my blog, I didn't bet for anyone--and that big, beautiful gray horse pulled it off anyhow. Maybe even the lucky ear bobs didn't matter. What a relief! He led all the way, beating all the older horses. As a result, he joined the ranks of the only other horses we've owned that have won three or more races: Shiloh Bound and Trick Lantern. You go, Big Boy!! Another factoid, Stay Alert is the first horse we've owned to win three races in one year. What a dude--a gelded dude, but a dude, nonetheless. To read more--and learn about Dunraven Pass' broken leg that now has three screws in it (ugh), go to the website, www.equinebusiness.biz under the news tab. Keep the faith!

Cape Town Bay--Tonight's Your Night

Cape Town Bay can win two in a row tonight--the only horse in this field of three year olds who have won one race that can make such a claim. That said, the handicappers think six out of the ten horses in the race are better than The Bay. If he wins, he'll have as many Winner's Circle pictures as Stay Alert since Stay Alert's sixth place finish last week clearly didn't add to to his collection. It only earned him trash talking in his future. But Dunraven Pass, our two year old, is still looking good. And why not--it is 2010!!

For all the details, go to www.equinebusiness.biz under the News tab.

Horses Running Amok

Stay Alert is running again. Yes, it has only been two weeks. But, he came in 5th after getting a five week layoff, so we're thinking a two week layoff ought to net at least a 2nd place finish! Also, slow horses running with other slow horses run often, since they don't seem to work all that hard during a race. So, Stay Alert will have another chance to redeem himself and stay true to his name this coming Saturday. Perhaps wonders will never cease. I'm happy to make room for that fourth Winner's Circle picture in 2010. You go, big boy! For all the scoop, go to www.equinebusiness.biz under the News Tab.

Winning--It is Pure Joy

We won! Holy, moley cow, Cape Town Bay dug in and beat all the other slower horses. Even if it was just a $7500 claiming race, he looked like a million dollars! His bills are paid now for a couple of months, he has joined the ranks of all the other horses we bought as yearlings that made it to the Winner's Circle, and he has earned a soft spot in my heart--at least until the next race. At this rate, I'll have to mention him in the next book! To read more, go to the News Tab on the website, www.equinebusiness.biz. I updated the July 1 entry. Yeah! This winning is way better than fourth.

Somebody has to Win!

Go Cape Town Bay. Somebody has to win. Show those other horses what-for! Yes, you are slow, but these other guys are too. The beauty of a $7500 claiming race full of three year olds who have never won is--somebody has to win. We would be happy if it were you! To read all about The Bay's race, Stay Alert's race and Dunraven Pass who is on track to be the next Triple Crown winner, go to www.equinebusiness.biz under the News tab. Have a good July 4th!

Stay Alert--What's your deal?

Stay Alert has a chance to retake his top spot between our two underwhelming, underperforming three year olds this Saturday night. If he'll just come in third, he would best Cape Town Bay's sad performance last week by one. How hard can that be? Perhaps hard since Stay Alert appears to believe he has options other than being a race horse. He is right, actually. He could be volunteered for the Afghan Calvary. I doubt that is what he has in mind. To prevent such an outcome, he needs to buck up, stay alert, get it done and hit the board. I promise to think more positive thoughts if he does!

There is positive news, though. The book is done; a publisher would be nice. And Dunraven Pass, our two year old, still thinks he is the next Triple Crown Winner. So do we--at least until that first breeze. You heard it hear first! For more details about Stay Alert's race on Saturday night, go to www.equinebusiness.biz under the News Tab. Here's hoping for fun updates by noon Monday!

The Bay Runs Again!

Cape Town Bay is running--and with luck, we just may hit the board. It is 2010, after all. If he wins Friday night at Penn National, I'll say nice things about him on June 21st--the last diary entry for my book. If he doesn't, I just may call my friends in high places and volunteer him for the Afghanstan Calvary. After a horse is gelded, that's about the only good threat left.

This is a rather sorry group of horses, so if the stars are aligned, The Bay actually decides to run--and all the "ifs" that I talk about on the website come true, we have as good a chance to win as anybody. On the other hand, since there are 8 horses in the race, there are 7 reasons he might not. We'll know for sure by 10:00 p.m. Friday night. If you want all the details, go out to the web at www.equinebusiness.biz and look under the News tab. In the meantime, positive thoughts are always appreciated!!

Hitting the Board is better than Not!!

Cape Town Bay hit the board--barely--but he hit the board! And since he was actually surging--instead of dying--at the end, there is some hope he just may come in second, perhaps even first some day. We'll have to wait another three weeks to find out, but it will be nice to have hope during those three weeks. Better still, with his winnings, he has paid his expenses for those three weeks, and he has provided at least two pages worth of optimistic musings for the book. Have I said recently that hope springs eternal?

Two horses have run and lost since I've last blogged--but who really wants to hear about that? Blessedly, hope always springs eternal; therefore, another horse is running this Thursday, May 20--this time Cape Town Bay. I've learned in my near two months abscence from this blog that it is bad luck not to write about my horses before they run. Perhaps Cape Town Bay's flipping palate played a part in his last race when he came in 7th--apparently ahead of other horses with similar maladies; and may be Stay Alert simply is not an allowance horse. But it is clear that both like for their fan base to know they are running before they run--otherwise they just can't be bothered.

I've have great excuses as to why I've been so quiet--a complete crash of my system in April and a seven day road trip with my sister, Jeanie, from Houston to Maine just last week. While I lost 15 pages of my book when my system crashed, both experiences have provided lots of good book material. With luck, I will wrap up the book on June 21--exactly a year after I started. With additional luck, I'll have at least two more wins to talk about, while looking to the future with our newest horse, Dunraven Pass. He is two--and is officially our Derby 2011 hopeful. You heard it hear first!

To read more about tomorrow night's race--and the seven day road trip, which was clearly the most interesting yet, go out to our website at www.equinebusiness.biz under the news tab.

If Cape Town Bay is the horse we hope he is, there'll be update before noon Friday!!

Two In A Row!!

We won! We won! Holy, moley cow, Stay Alert won again--and this time without any lolligagging. All our dinner guests cheered him home; everyone who bet got richer; the ear bobs did their job--and have been put away lovingly until the next time; God, St. Francis of Assisi and all the priests who are either betting, eating at my house or visiting the applicable shines in Italy and mentioning my horses by name have all been thanked; and the Heppermann's are grinning from ear to ear. We've no idea what we'll do next with our big, beautiful grey horse--but for at least the next few weeks, I've got great book material!! For all the details, go to website: http://www.equinebusiness.biz. Let me say again, thank you, God!

Stay Alert--Two in a Row??

Stay Alert is running--again! Yes, it is soon, but Mike, the PA trainer said he was ready and maybe could compete at this new level. On paper most all the horses look faster. And so his odds are long but his jockey believes he can go faster longer than he has before, and we're going to find out. After all, it is 2010.

And there are other reasons we might win--unrelated to horse racing. First, I am betting for those who have money in the Heppermann bank, including for the two who were first time bettors last time that brought home a victory. Then, we're having nine people over for dinner on Saturday night, including our parish priest. While I had expected the dinner conversation to compete with Kentucky basketball, now it will clearly be a multi-sport/multi-screen event. This raises some questions: Will the dinner guests revolt if we put the race on our big screen TV while Kentucky is playing? If so, can all 9 of us crowd around our little computer screen to see the race? Will it help that our parish priest is watching with us? And that our associate pastor one of those new, lucky bettors? Will there be holdover blessings from Eddie the priest's visit to St. Francis of Assisi--wherein he mentioned both Stay Alert and Cape Town Bay by name? Are Dad and Mom, the patron saints of our horse venture, still focused? Are the lucky earbobs still lucky? Is it still our year? Our decade? Most importantly, will Stay Alert stay alert? We'll know more by 8:10 Saturday night. For full details, go to the website under the news tab for the latest Horse Alert at http://jheppermann.blogspot.com . Cheers!

Stay Alert Stayed Alert!!

Stay Alert Won! And he is still our horse. Holy Moley Cow. I haven't said that in a very long time. It feels very good. Yes, it was only a $7500 claiming race, but a win is a win--11 other owners are shaking their heads today saying "Will our horse ever win a race?" But not the Heppermanns!! We're dusting off picture frames. And with our continued good luck, we'll eventually figure out how to post the video on You Tube or our website or somewhere. What a deal. This is better than second--and way better than last. Was it the lucky earrings? The two new people who gave me money so I would bet for them? The lucky Irish e-mail somebody sent me a couple of days earlier that I forwarded to two indulgent family members? Or maybe it was just our turn. And now I've got good book material for at least another month. There is nothing like watching your horse win--and I don't have to rely on just memory any more. Thank you, God!!

Stay Alert--Time to Get a Win

Yikes! Stay Alert is running on Thursday, March 4. Here's hoping he is still our horse on March 5. I'm still a bit shell shocked from losing BAt; I don't think I can stand losing two horses in two weeks. We moved Stay Alert up in class, thinking he would go unnoticed. We were wrong--he is the second favorite. Can't those handicappers tell that he is a five furlong horse in a six furlong world? We horse owners are a greedy group--we want to run in cheap claiming races but we don't want our horses to be claimed--unless they aren't hitting the board, of course. Then they can't get claimed fast enough. I'm still trying to figure out how to get a horse now running in $7500 claiming races up to the allowance ranks without anybody noticing inbetween. If I could figure that out, I wouldn't have to sell my book--which will be desperate for a good ending if I lose Stay Alert tomorrow night. Did I ever mention what a tough business this was? To see the Horse Alert that went out, go to http://equinebusiness.biz/ under the News Tab. Hopefully the next post here will say we won--and still have a horse. Till then, your positive thoughts are appreciated!

Farewell to BAt!

BAt came in second again--which is good--but he was claimed--which is sad. For those new to this game, that means that someone else now owns him. The problem with owning a horse that can only compete at the claiming level is you never know when you may lose your horse at the end of a race. Nobody claims your horse when you want them to--i.e., when they are consistently coming in last. But when your horse is hitting the board, you know it is simply a matter of time. I had hoped we would get to keep BAt until he earned that capital T--but I guess not. As per usual, two more steps and the race would have been ours. Darn. Shoot. Shucks. It is probably worth repeating: Darn. Shoot. Shucks.

To learn more about the highs and lows of owning BAt, go to the website under the News Tab: http://www.equinebusiness.biz/. The long and short of it all is, I'll miss BAt. A lot. Darn. Shoot. Shucks.

So now we are pinning our hopes on Stay Alert and Cape Town Bay. I think maybe we should consider getting another horse!

Is BAt ready for a Capital T?

BAt is running on Wednesday at Penn National--provided Pennsylvania doesn't get another foot of snow. He's ready, we're ready, the picture frame is ready--it is time. Third and second felt really good after coming up empty for a year--and hitting the board always makes me happy and grateful. But we're ready for sheer joy! To get the full scoop, go to the website under the News Tab: http://www.equinebusiness.biz.

Because I've been shoveling snow--no, not as much as several of you--but 7 inches twice in one week--my upper arms are looking very toned. While I have a bad case of helmet hair, I've burned enough calories to justify having a glass of wine in the middle of the day. But I'd give all this up for 70 degrees and sunshine. Where is that global warming when you need it??

Fun Facts To Know

I'm guessing that everyone who finds this blog gets here through my Horse Alerts or Face Book--and therefore knows all there is to know. In case that isn't true, as promised, here are the Fun Facts to Know:

Horses—we currently have three: BAt, Stay Alert and Cape Town Bay. BAt and Stay Alert are at Penn National with our PA trainer, Mike Salvaggio; Cape Town Bay should be back in training any day now. He’ll stay with Walter. Over the last 10 years, we’ve owned 18; we have 19 Winner’s Circle pictures; we have six picture frames available for such pictures. These frames have been collecting dust since October, 2008. I dusted them over the weekend. While we hope January was not a bellwether month for the stock market for 2010, we certainly do hope January was a bellwether month for the Heppermann stables.

Horse Owners—there are 10 of us who have some interest in these three horses. We had one brave soul join us last year; we had several more throw in the towel. Yes, it was a brutal year. However, with brutal years come tax deductions.

Horse Alert folks—there are 213 of you! You come from 24 states and 5 countries. Most of you live in Kentucky with the next largest contingent coming from Texas and then Missouri. Folks living in Italy (thanks to Eddie the priest), Dubai, South Africa, Switzerland and France have helped add an international flair to these missives. I don’t know our average age, height or weight, but based on anecdotal evidence, we’re all good looking, smart and young—or at least young at heart.

Folks with money in the Heppermann Bank: 5—with much healthier balances than just a week ago!

Websites: We have one: http://www.equinebusiness.biz. It was developed for us by Susan Weiss (one of you) and her crew at Net Tango. Under the various tabs, there are Winner Circle type pictures out there of Trick Lantern, Back Alley Tales, Nobodyknowsbut Ed and Shiloh—in that order. We average about 50 visitors a month—some of whom send us legitimate “Contact Submission” forms looking for equine-related services. There is another group that sends us “Contact Submission” forms requesting stuff in foreign languages. Amongst the stuff I can’t read, I usually can pick out words like Viagra, porn or sex. So far, I’ve not responded to those I can’t read.

Blogs: I have one: http://jheppermann.blogspot.com. I started this after I started writing my book, thinking someone might “discover” me and offer to someday publish my book. There are 14 of you who have signed up to be “followers.” I had hoped that “followers” would be notified whenever I put something out there (which corresponds exactly with when I send out Horse Alerts), but since I am one of those followers, I know that isn’t true. So, I don’t know what the purpose of being a “follower” is. I do know it makes me happy when new people sign up. Maybe that’s the purpose. I’m also guessing that one or more of you could tell me how I can find out how many people are actually looking at it. So far, no one has “discovered” me.

Face book Page: I have one—mainly to get grandbaby pictures, but I have also posted pictures of horses out there. No Winner’s Circle pictures, of course, since those six frames are still in their plastic wrappers, but, someday soon. Thirty-six of you are “Friends.” I have forty more “Face book Friends” of which maybe two or three appear interested in the horses. In the hope that all will eventually buy the book, I continue to put a notice out on Face book when I have a horse running—and link my Face book Page to my blog and website. If nothing else, this is a high-tech operation.

Twitter: Yes, I do that too. 7 folks follow my Twitters. One is my son—he is a courtesy follower since I signed up to follow his Twitters; the remaining six want to sell me something. I don’t know any of them. I deleted the guy who wanted to have sex with me. I didn’t know him either.

The Book: I’m on page 194. It is about the highs and lows of being a horse owner, with musings along the way. It has kept me entertained over the last few months. Perhaps some day it will entertain you as well!

Now you know what I know. It would help my psyche if none of you would suggest that I write a book, develop a webpage, start a blog or Twitter! That said, thanks for your interest—you make it more fun!

Jo Ann

Stay Alert--Almost

Second. Stay Alert was alert for 5 furlongs--in a 6 furlong race. Blessedly, this was good enough to get second but not good enough to hold onto the 4 length lead he had coming down the stretch. Ouch! Good enough to pay his expenses, but not exciting enough to end the book on a high note! So, we'll keep going--here, on Facebook, on Twitter, on the web, in the book.

I'm like most writers--in constant need of some kind of reassurance that somebody is reading me somewhere. Unfortunately, in the last week I've had folks suggest I write a book, start a blog, twitter, put information out on Facebook and get a webpage. Since I already do all of those things, I'm in a true tizzy. So--instead of giving up--I'm going to give you more information!! Coming soon--"Fun Facts to Know."

In the meantime, to read more of the highs and lows of Stay Alert's race, go to http://www.equinebusiness.biz. Yes, I'll know--and it will make me smile.

P.S. Do any of you know how I can tell how many folks are actually reading this blog?

Stay Alert--Please stay alert!

Stay Alert is running tomorrow, Friday, January 29. If he stays alert, he just may hit the board. If he decides he only wants to run 4 furlongs--and the jockey is unsuccessful in convincing him otherwise, darn. While no one has reported any applicable dreams and I've not received any pertinent "lucky" e-mails, I intend to do my part--wear matching earrings. If he hits the board, I'll update this blog by Monday noon. To read the facts, commentary about the race--and additional musings/whinings from me--go to the website, http://www.equinebusiness.biz under the news tab.

Since this blog is supposed to be about what it is like to be writing a book about owning horses, I should ask: Did you know I was writing a book? Apparently not everyone who reads my Horse Alerts (which you can find on the website) knows this, notwithstanding I mention it in almost every Alert e-mail. So, while it was nice to hear that someone enjoyed reading about my horses--right after that someone asked that I stop sending them Alerts, when that someone suggested I write a book, it called into question just how closely they had read anything I had written. Yes, I am obsessing over this. I'm thinking I would get over it if Stay Alert would stay alert!

BAt gets a capital A!

BAt came in second Friday night--so I'll start capitalizing his letter A. And he almost got a capital t. He was way, way behind--and then, after going 8 wide at the top of the stretch--to get around all those horse in front of him--he missed first place by one-half length. Gut wrenching--and exhilarating all at the same time. This is far more fun than last or 5th or even 3rd. And the fact that he has now paid his expenses for a month doesn't hurt either! For full details, go to the web, http://www.equinebusiness.biz. If we keep this up, just maybe my book will have a happy ending after all!

It's 2010--Go Bat!

Bat is running tomorrow at Penn National. None of the horses appear to be destined for greatness, but even at this level, someone has to win. Therefore, in keeping with my new-found optimism, I think he has an excellent chance of hitting the board, perhaps even winning. If he does, I'll go back to capitalizing all the letters in his name again. All of the omens seem to be in order, including wild dreams and money-bags e-mails. For full details, go to http://www.equinebusiness.biz/ and look under the New tab. If we hit the board, I'll let you know. If I haven't updated this post by noon Monday, don't ask!

Here's To a Better 2010

Stay Alert came in third on Saturday—not worthy of an exclamation point, but way better than a “boo, hiss.” To read more about Stay Alert and even Bat, go to our website, www.equinebusiness.biz, (yes, that's a plug) and look under the news tab. And while the news isn't good enough to end my book, I will happily start page 171. I'm thinking it will be fun to write about stuff other than food posioning and second-last place finishes. Now, if I only knew if anyone ever reads these!