Oldies, But Goodies

This has been a maintenance weekend for me, catching up on some things, as well as prepping for not only Monday night’s Melbourne Cup, but also this week’s Breeders’ Cup which I will be attending for the first time. Much more on those two events to come, but I wanted to make a brief comment on something I observed while looking back over this week’s European races and updating my spreadsheet over at FilliesFirst.

Last Sunday, a 3-year-old Monsun colt named Dawn Twister won the listed Preis Badener Steher Cup at Baden-Baden in Germany, going 14-furlongs over a Heavy turf. What struck me was his damsire: Bold Forbes (b. 1973). Now, there’s not a name you see often that close up in a young horse. His Canadian-bred dam Dawn Side (b. 1988), who last raced in 1992, has produced at least 13 progeny, including a host of German black-type horses (German and Italy Group 1-placed Dayano, G2-placed Diamante, and G3 victress Divisa).

That same day, in the listed 8-furlong Premio Nearco at Capannelle in Italy, the third-place finisher was a 7-year-old Repriced horse (yes, horse not gelding) named Miles Gloriosus—whose damsire happens to be Foolish Pleasure (b. 1972). His unraced dam Treasure Coast hasn’t been nearly the producer as Dawn Side, although she did produce Fanfreluche Stakes runner-up No. One Gem. For some odd reason, though, it pleases me to know that a horse so closely related to my favorite horse is still running.

However, if we’re talking about oldies but goodies up-close in a pedigree, recent G1 Nearctic victress Serious Attitude merits special notice. By Mtoto, how often do we view Blenheim (yes, the 1930 Epsom Derby winner) within the first five generations of a 4-year-old filly?

Pieces on the Melbourne Cup forthcoming for both Hello Race Fans! and Raceday360, a post on the Breeders' Cup Euro invaders for HRF, and a handicapping analysis of the BC Juvenile Fillies for Thorofan, in addition to coverage here. Stay tuned!

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The Cox Plate

Another huge day upcoming Down Under on Saturday (late night Friday here), topped by A$3 million weight-for-age G1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley. As one of Australia’s top four G1 races (the others being the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup, as well as the Golden Slipper for juveniles), the Cox Plate has been run since 1922, and won some of the legendary names of Aussie turf: Phar Lap (twice), Kingston Town (thrice), Makybe Diva, and the incomparable Kiwi mare Sunline (twice). Just because I love to watch the replays again and again (teary-eyed each time), here's a video that shows both of Sunline's victories, some of the greatest racing you will ever see:



Last year’s winner So You Think—a High Chaparral colt trained by living legend Bart Cummings—is back for the repeat and favored. After nearly 10 months off following surgery for a trapped epiglottis, he returned at the end of August with three increasingly-impressive wins including the G1 Yalumba Stakes two weeks ago. Don’t think he won’t be ready to run on such “short” notice: Aussies run their horses into fitness, not like American trainers who pussy-foot around with huge layoffs and fast workouts, thinking their horses will “peak” with a big performance come race day. In fact, as noted in the article whose link is embedded above, if all goes according to plan in the Cox Plate, Cummings plans to not only run So You Think in the two-mile Melbourne Cup on November 2, but also the 10-furlong G1 Mackinnon—on October 30, THREE DAYS before the Melbourne Cup. Crazy you say? Think again. The 82-year-old trainer has won over 260 Group 1 races, including 12 Melbourne Cups, seven Caulfield Cups, four Golden Slippers and four Cox Plates. The man knows what he’s doing.

That said, I’m willing to go against So You Think, in favor of Gai Waterhouse’s cracking mare More Joyous—even if Gai’s bookmaker son Tom isn’t. A winner of 10 races in 13 starts including her last eight dating back to September 2009, this 4-year-old More Than Ready phenom (out of a Sunday Silence mare) is one powerful racehorse who’s proven recently that she doesn’t have to lead. The only query may be how she handles the unique Moonee Valley track, but she gets a five pound advantage over So You Think, as well as drops six pounds from her most recent victory in the G1 Toorak. If she goes with So You Think early, a speed duel could set up a surprise win by a closer like the other High Chaparral in here, Shoot Out. Tragically this week, Shoot Out’s regular jockey Stathi Katsidis was found dead by his fiancée, apparently after a 12-hour drinking binge with mates. Corey Brown takes the ride. Whobegotyou loves this track (with five wins in six starts), but not sure he wants the distance (he finished sixth in last year’s Cox Plate) or is even in the same class as the top two right now. However, for a bit of value in the exotics, consider the Kiwi-invader Wall Street and also Patinack Farm’s Trusting (Tale of the Cat) who’s never raced this far, but is out of a Zabeel mare named Legible who won the G2 Sandown Classic over 12 furlongs. He might very well be ready to peak.

The G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup features a huge field of 15, and despite his post, I love Precedence who’s prepping here for the Melbourne Cup. Yet another High Chaparral colt Above Average looks to be rounding into form, though, and is a big chance. The other Moonee Valley race of keen interest is the G2 Schweppes, featuring my beloved Hot Danish and the undefeated mare Black Caviar, as well as the talented Melito. It’s all about the girls, and what a match-up! On this track, though, I wouldn’t be surprised to see 4-year-old colt True Persuasion give them a nice run for the money. Right now it looks like they will be running on a Dead 4 after some recent rain. Tune in to watch for free at Australianracing.com.

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Sadler’s Wells Day

Sure, stallions go through good years and bad years with crops of foals, but particularly in terms of producing outstanding turf routers, Sadler’s Wells certainly earned his retirement in 2008, leaving his sons such as Galileo, Montjeu and the red-hot High Chaparral to admirably continue to pump out champions.

Saturday, October 16 should go down as a very good day for Sadler’s Wells. At Newmarket, in the ENG-G1 Dewhurst, both impressive juvenile winner Frankel and runner-up Roderic O’Connor are by Galileo.



Down under, in the AUS-G1 Caulfield Cup—one of the top four premier races in Australia—the top three place-getters are by sons of Sadler’s Wells: winner Descarado and third-place finisher Monaco Consul by High Chaparral, and runner-up Harris Tweed by Montjeu.



At Woodbine, the G1 Pattison Canadian International was won by a Montjeu colt, Joshua Tree, while runner-up Mores Wells is by Sadler’s Wells himself and third-place finisher Redwood by High Chaparral.




Current G1 winners by sons of Sadler’s Wells:

High Chaparral:
2010 AUS-G1 Caulfield Cup winner Descarado
2010 AUS-G1 AJC Derby winner Shoot Out
2009 AUS-G1 Cox Plate winner So You Think
2009 AUS-G1 AAMI Victoria Derby winner Monaco Consul
2010 CAN-G1 Northern Dancer winner Redwood

Galileo:
2010 IRE-G1 Irish St. Leger winner Sans Frontieres
2010 IRE-G1 Irish Derby winner Cape Blanco
2010 ENG-G1 Juddmonte International winner Rip Van Winkle
2010 FR-G1 Prix de l’Opera winner Lily of the Valley
2009 IRE-G1 Irish St. Leger winner Alandi

Monjeu:
2010 ENG-G1 Coronation Cup winner Fame and Glory
2010 NZ-G1 Thorndon Mile winner Wall Street
2009 AUS-G1 Metropolitan winner Speed Gifted
2009 FR-G1 Criterium International winner Jan Vermeer
2009 GER-G1 Preis von Europa winner Jukebox Jury

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Wet Turf Saturday

What a terrific weekend for turf racing! It all begins Down Under this evening (Saturday there), with the G2 Caulfield Sprint, G2 Tristarc Stakes and the G1 Caulfield Cup. The weather in Melbourne has been horrific this week, and the track is rated Heavy, much to the joy of the mudlarks and wet-turf lovers like myself.

[Edited to add Eagle Falls and Arinos are now scratched from the Sprint]

Before any posted scratches, only 9 will contest the 5.5 furlong Sprint, with top-weight Eagle Falls second-up off a 4-month break. Before that, he had unsuccessfully contested the G1 Golden Shaheen in Dubai and the G1 International Sprint in Singapore. Last out he finished third behind the sensational Hay List in the G1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley. In two previous starts at Caulfield he’s never placed, finishing fourth in last year’s Sprint, and he appears to prefer firmer turf, so I’ll pass on him. The 3-year-old Darley runner Soul loves the wet going, with two wins in two attempts on the Heavy including a win in the G2 Danehill Stakes last out where he beat Buffering—who subsequently won the G2 Roman Consul Stakes. The only query about him is his youth and inexperience against wily older horses; this will be only his fifth lifetime start and all of them since June. As a bettor, you can never discount the trainer-jockey combo of Peter Moody-Luke Nolen, so the mare Set for Fame will be on my tickets first up off a break, an angle that’s worked well for her. A bit of a concern about the wet track for her too, though. The other mudlarks in here are Keano (who hasn’t won since last year’s listed Myer Q.T.C. Lightning Handicap) and General Truce (who I’m also considering for the exotics, off his third-place finish behind Soul in the Danehill and recent third behind Black Caviar). This race is a big jump in class for Dissolved off a listed race win, but this son of Lonhro is out of a half-sister to the great multi-G1 winner Grand Armee. Dubleanny is also worthy of a look, with five wins in seven starts, but only one in a listed race—although that was on Heavy. She’s beaten Doubtful Jack who’s a useful sprinter.

[DAMN! Hot Danish is scratched from the Tristarc, as is Palacio de Cristal]

The 7-furlong Tristarc is all about Hot Danish. Period. One of the best racing mares in the world. She finished second to Typhoon Tracey in this race last year, but there are no competitors of that caliber to challenge her today, and she relishes every type of racing surface so the Heavy isn’t a concern. The Shamardal filly No Evidence Needed is in good form, with recent runner-up performances behind Response in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke and Palacio de Cristal (who also goes here) in the G2 Blazer Stakes. Gai Waterhouse’s Montana Flyer loves the wet going, but hasn’t been in best of form this preparation; her last win was in the G3 Millie Fox back in February. The only other one I might consider is the Moody-Nolen mare Live In Sin who likes the wet and appears to be rounding into form.

[Scratches from the Cup are Master O'Reilly, Zabrasive, Jessicabeel and Drunken Sailor]

The Caulfield Cup is shaping up as one helluva race. Shocking, Metal Bender and Alcopop all look fit and capable of winning on Heavy. However, I’m most drawn to Gai Waterhouse’s two chances. Herculian Prince just bowls out of the barriers and keeps on going; by the New Zealand staying sire Yamanin Vital, he is bred to run all day. However, I must confess my gut says it’s the High Chaparral colt Descarado who will pop a huge upset here. Turn in later tonight to see for yourself; you can watch the races live online (after free registration) here at Australianracing.com

On Saturday at Woodbine, it’s Pattison Canadian International Day! You can view my analysis of the International at ThoroFan. Beginning at 4:00 p.m., ESPN2 will also cover the G1 Nearctic for turf sprinters, and the G1 E.P. Taylor for filly and mare turfsters.

Ken McPeek sends out Bridgetown who won the G3 Summer Stakes at Woodbine last September before finishing runner-up behind Pounced in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. He’s posted two wins this year, including one of yielding turf at Saratoga. Local horse Field Commission won this race last year—and hasn’t won since in seven attempts. He’s strong coming off a break and the blinkers go back on. Grand Adventure should like soft going; he shortens up off an eighth-place finish in the G1 Woodbine Mile where he led before tiring late. Bogue Chitto ran second last year in this race, but has been struggling. Ditto for Signature Red (who looked quite a monster in the spring, but definitely not since returning for a short spell) and Fatal Bullet. A local who I do consider a potential threat is Woodbourne, off his third-place finish behind Court Vision in the G1 Woodbine Mile—but only with firm turf. The best Euro invader appears to be Balthazaar’s Gift, last out winner of the ENG-G1 Park Stakes; with recent form vs. the likes of Starspangledbanner, Equiano and Goldikova, his class looks far superior to the locals (but notice no Lasix for him). The 4-year-old filly Serious Attitude has raced in many of the same events as Balthazaar’s Gift, with less success, but will race with Lasix and gets the services of Garrett Gomez who has the ability to (almost literally) carry a horse over the line. I like her chances. Amico Fritz threw a real clunker last out in the FR-G1 Prix de l’Abbaye, but that was an extremely odd-run race over a very soft track, and he cleanly beat the winner of that race Gilt Edge Girl just prior in the GER-G2 Golden Peitsche. He’s won six races this year in 11 starts—with Mike Smith aboard, I’m not sure I’d back him, though. Like to see Chantal Sutherland on Woodbourne come out ahead.

The E.P. Taylor is nearly all Euros, topped by FR-G1 Prix Ganay runner-up Shalanaya who finished in that race over six lengths ahead of Chinchon who runs in the International. Two disappointing runs recently leave a chink in her armor, though. Lahaleeb won this race last year, but has run extremely poor in all five of her subsequent starts. Akarlina and Reggane have good form against one another and other top horses, but I’m inclined to favor the Luca Cumani filly Contredanse who has some local connections: she’s a full-sister to G2 Nassau winner Callwood Dancer who ran runner-up to Folk Opera in the 2008 E.P. Taylor. The local hopes rest on Roger Attfield’s Mekong Melody (who finished a well-beaten last of 10 in the G2 Ballston Spa at Saratoga recently) and especially Miss Keller, who was a late-closing third in the Ballston Spa and then won the G2 Canadian in preparation for this.

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If “Secretariat” Can’t Save Us

For all the hype and aggressive marketing, Disney’s “Secretariat” underperformed its opening weekend, taking in a mere $12.6 million and finishing third behind the Facebook movie “The Social Network” ($15.5 million) and the romantic comedy-tragedy “Life As We Know It” ($14.6 million).

Do you fault Disney’s marketing plan, focusing on faith-based groups and Middle America? Disney marketing president MT Carney recently told The Hollywood Reporter: “We always knew it was going to play better in the center of the country than elsewhere. We did hugely well in the smaller towns and didn't do so well in New York and L.A. But we knew that would be the case.”

Really? Because there are no horse-racing fans or tracks in the major coastal cities—a natural audience for a film rooted in the sport’s history? Besides, aren’t those socially-conservative small-town folks the ones who usually look down their noses at horse-racing and its environs as of interest only to a bunch of degenerate gamblers and low-life characters?

Or is the film itself flawed by its very story-telling and packaging as an “inspirational drama” lacking any real conflict or depth? As one “Middle America” (St. Louis Suburban Journals) critic noted, its “trials and tribulations are strained through the always-sunny Disney prism, leaving us with a movie content with simply skimming the surface and piling on lots of feel-good moments.”

Whatever its issues—and the movie may very well gather steam and yet make back its $35 million cost (and then some)—how about we admit, as fans of the sport, that if a movie about the great Secretariat—one of the most iconic names in modern sport—can’t capture the public’s interest, there’s no hope for horse racing to grow without a radically new campaign and aggressive reforms by those who run it?

I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but we need to reshape how racing meets are conducted (“less is more” should be the mantra), with careful planning in terms of when the highest-caliber stakes races are run (appropriately spaced in date and so post times don’t overlap), and with less restricted, more open company races. And how about more access to information for fans and handicappers? The list is long—probably too long, to be honest.

Its days like this that give me pause as to why I’m so emotionally invested in the sport, an anachronism in a world that has forever forgotten its agrarian roots and seemingly moved on without me and my fellow horse racing enthusiasts. And if the story of Big Red can't inspire passion for the sport, all is lost, my friends.

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What's Old Is New Again?

What a day to be alive! A spectacularly blue sky with bright shining orb present, glorious autumn colors on the trees, no young minds to shape (or twist) via titillating lectures—and it’s opening day at Keeneland! Time for a freshly-brewed pot of hazelnut coffee and firing up the trusty old laptop (whose tab button recently stopped functioning).

One old warrior I’ll be interested to see running today is 8-year-old Santana Strings in race 4. You may ask yourself; didn’t that G2 Amsterdam Stakes winner retire to stud a few years ago? You’d be right, but apparently standing for $2,500 at Pin Oak Lane Farm in New Freedom, Pennsylvania isn’t as economically feasible as running in (and winning) a $4,000 claimer at Fort Erie last out. Today he’s in for a $7,500 tag for Steve Asmussen who also is listed as his owner.

Is this to be a new trend, an unfortunate result of the economic downturn, bringing less than successful stallions back to the track? If so, be forewarned that another may soon make an appearance—G3 Canadian Turf Stakes winner Twilight Meteor. Retired last fall, he stood at Saratoga Glen Farm earlier this year, but is no longer there. He’s recorded five 4-furlong works at Calder since September 9.

In the G3 Phoenix Stakes, G1 Carter Handicap winner Warrior’s Reward looks to get back on track by shortening up after his recent fourth-place finish in the G1 Forego. Not sure Polytrack is his thing, though, so (depending how the track is playing) looking at Hollywood Hit who’s beaten some quality sprinters (Fatal Bullet, El Brujo, Field Commission, Signature Red) at Woodbine this year. Others to watch include Ron Ellis shipping in Canonize who’s worked well since returning from a four-month break, and longshot Super Robusto for Wayne Catalano, who’s best races have been over the synthetics.

Seven 2-year-old fillies will attempt 8.5 furlongs for the first time in the G1 Alcibiades (Poof Too is scratched). Well, that’s not exactly true as Ken McPeek-trained Harlan’s Ruby has two turf races at Saratoga over the distance to sustain her chances. The gorgeous grey Wickedly Perfect—runner-up to Tell a Kelly in the G1 Darley Debutante—has to prove she can get the distance, as does Dos Lunas who threw an impressive bullet-work here recently. Both look very strong. Wonderlandbynight won the G3 Arlington-Washington Lassie, the Ontario Debutante—and her other two races (one by disqualification). To her inside is Lassie runner-up Jordy Y who could very well upset her rival today.

For all the excitement with Keeneland’s opening—and host of quality stakes field this long weekend—I must say I’m disappointed they decided to stay discontinued with the highly-engaging online contest they use to offer. Not to knock Keeneland too much because as track websites go, theirs is undoubtedly one of the best in terms of information offered to the fan and horseplayer alike, including the insightful clocker’s comments. However, free online contests are a tremendous marketing vehicle, to generate interest in their current meet and to help educate novice handicappers who will put their money into wagering for years to come. I know that Monmouth’s “Survival at the Shore” contest was the only thing that kept me interested racing there when New Jersey-bred maidens and claimers got to be too much to handle. Yea, I finished 691st out of 6270 players, but I’m damn proud of that $610 bankroll, and 27 winners!

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The Must-See BC Race

Of all the upcoming Breeders’ Cup races, the one that promises to outshine them all in terms of pure competitiveness is the Distaff...sorry, Ladies’ Classic (once again, I must protest what a dim-witted move it was to change this race’s name).

Don’t get me wrong, I’m as excited as anyone to see Zenyatta in the Classic, but, honestly, if the best male handicap horses are Blame, Richard’s Kid, and Quality Road—and no dominating 3-year-old (and I include Lookin At Lucky in that criticism particularly after taking the easy route by running in the G2 Indiana Derby this past weekend)—well, I’m just not that impressed. Honestly, barring a muddy track (god forbid!), Zenyatta looks to be the closest thing possible to a “sure thing”—although Goldikova in the Mile is pretty damn close too.

On the Distaff side, though, now there is some real competition, with a capital “C.” Life at Ten, Unrivaled Belle, and Persistently (who ran 1-2-3 in the G1 Beldame) have each enjoyed success this year vs. Rachel Alexandra and against one another, while Malibu Prayer and Devil May Care could certainly pull off an upset given the right conditions. However, it’s the 3-year-old fillies that are just dynamic! Switch gave Zenyatta a hell of a race in the G1 Lady’s Secret, while Blind Luck and Havre de Grace have engaged in a battle royale in all three of their recent meetings, with Blind Luck winning the 8.5 furlong G2 Delaware Oaks (over a sloppy track) by a nose and the 10 furlong G1 Alabama by a neck, while Havre de Grace (with a 10 pound weight advantage) gamely held off Blind Luck—by a neck—in the 8.5 furlong G2 Cotillion.

The wild card element that no one can predict—the race will be run under lights, and, frankly, how each horse reacts to those conditions is unknown.

Edited to add: as one commenter rightly noted, Blind Luck's win in last December's Hollywood Starlet did, in fact, take place under the lights at Hollywood Park, so maybe how she will handle Churchill's lights isn't quite such as mystery. I stand corrected :-)

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Tumultuous Days of Autumn

Where to begin? To say this week has been a busy one news-wise for horse racing would be an understatement. Beginning last weekend with the death of jockey Mark Anthony Villa at Zia Park, it’s been a mostly unsettling week. The announcement of Real Quiet’s tragic accident was quickly overshadowed by Rachel Alexandra’s retirement. Kingmambo has been pensioned, Officer sent to Korea, General Quarters injured and Grand Couturier retired. Andy Beyer threw down the gauntlet regarding Zenyatta’s place in history. The hype regarding Disney’s “Secretariat” movie is ramping up, with previews seemingly everywhere. The individual stories leading up to this weekend’s bi-coastal Grade 1 extravaganza (not to mention Midwest showcase races) are enough to chuck even the most devoted horse player and fan into a tizzy. Frankly, it’s all been a bit overwhelming.

Much ink has already been spilt on Rachel Alexandra’s retirement, and, honestly, there’s not much more I can add to the discussion that I haven’t already voiced. I’m particularly drawn to the comments her former trainer Hal Wiggins conveyed in an interview with BloodHorse’s Jason Shandler on Thursday, as perhaps more than anyone else he has enough insight into the filly’s psyche to voice an intelligent opinion of the situation. I wholehearted agree that her 2010 campaign “was kind of off kilter” and respect his belief that last year’s Woodward “gutted her.” Certainly, as an adoring fan, I don’t want to believe my heroine so fallible, but there it is, and admittedly it is as plausible as any other excuse for her less-than-stellar yet perfectly fine performances this year. The never-to-be-answered question—would she beat Zenyatta—will long be argued, I suspect, even decades or more from now. And perhaps it’s best that the question will never be resolved on the track. Let’s just be satisfied that we have been blessed to live in an age of tremendous racing mares that have, I would argue, saved thoroughbred racing from total irrelevance.

I do want to address Grand Couturier’s retirement as he’s not likely to garner his just accolades elsewhere. Being a turf horse in a nation that reveres dirt (and, by default, faux dirt) racing, he never captured the hearts of fans like Einstein or Better Talk Now, but this British-born, French-raced expatriate found a beloved home on New York grass. He won back-to-back editions of the G1 Sword Dancer at Saratoga, defeating the great English Channel by three-lengths under the guidance of Calvin Borel in 2007—a year when English Channel won the G1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, G1 United Nations and G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf en route to his Eclipse award for Champion Turf Male. Unfortunately, this race isn’t available on YouTube, but in 2008, Grand Couturier beat the venerable 9-year-old Better Talk Now, also by three lengths, in a race where we witnessed a patent Presious Passion run and Grand Couturier perfectly skimming the rail around the final turn, only to be checked severely by the front-runner. Young Alan Garcia’s talents were on full display as he recovered and rallied to win impressively.



At his peak, Grand Couturier was a gutsy performer that excelled the longer the race, winning or placing near every time he ran 12 furlongs. Whether he’ll find a place at stud in the U.S. is up in the air, but I sincerely hope so. A son of sprint-miler Grand Lodge, his stamina came through his damline, with his damsire Sadler’s Wells and the presence further back of Epsom Derby winner and Arc runner-up Sir Ivor. He’s a direct damline descendent of the great champion Vagrancy as well as a host of other graded-stakes winning fillies—and his second dam Radiant is a daughter of Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure. Ah ha! You may say, there’s her interest in promoting Grand Couturier as a stallion, and you’d be right. With Scenic, Maudlin, Foligno and Marfa dead, and Kiri’s Clown enjoying retirement at Old Friends, there aren’t many Foolish Pleasure lines continuing to produce. There’s Blevic in Australia, and Smarty Jones, of course. Actually, there are close connections between Grand Couturier and the latter, as the dam of Smarty’s sire Elusive Quality, Touch of Greatness, is a half-sister to Grand Couturier’s second dam Radiant, in addition to Smarty's second dam Don't Worry Bout Me being a daughter of Foolish Pleasure. So, good luck to the grand old Grand Couturier, and may he have the opportunity to produce great offspring for years to come.

Finally, with autumn’s arrival with a vengeance this week, and cooler temperatures anticipated here this weekend (bordering on freezing overnight), I’m very much looking forward to curling up with Maryjean Wall’s new book How Kentucky Became Southern: A Tale of Outlaws, Horse Thieves, Gamblers, and Breeders (The University Press of Kentucky, 2010) which is getting rave reviews. Hopefully you’ll get a chance to enjoy it as well.

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