Psymin and I loaded up Saturday morning and ventured off to Retama Race Park.  We left a little after 8am and got to the track a little after 12pm noon.  Once I got him settled in, I headed to the airport to pick up Jarrod who was flying home from 2 weeks in PA.

After we got something to eat, we went back to the track to spend time with Justice and watch Psymin as he settled in.


Here we see the grandstands of Retama Race Park. It was pretty easy to find as well as easy to find my way to the backside.


These are the barns where the horses actively training and racing are stabled. Justice's horses are located in Barn 3.


Here is a picture of the shed row for Justice's string. Psymin is on the end stall. Next to him is a gelding pony horse. He'll be bonding with him real soon! The next horse is Justice's 3yo filly, SSHR SWEETCHEEKS. After her is Dan and Everetta Woods' filly (which we also saw run her very first race Saturday night) ONE MORE TYME EW. Next to her are 2 other horses, both owned by Dan and Everetta - CLUNK, a winning gelding, and then THE TUNISIAN PRINCE, a winning bay stallion.

Justice indicated that Psymin was going to need better manners. I thought to myself...I thought he was a good mannered stallion! I guess he will be getting a good schooling in his training!
Here is Justice having a little meet and greet session with Psymin.


Here I am with my sweet boy! Doesn't he look so innocent?

Saturday evening, the 29th, was the first live race meet at Retama. ONE MORE TYME EW was going to be running in her very first race. She had a full card with 11 horses being entered. We got to watch the race day process from beginning to end. It was very informative. We got to see the vets come and check the horse. We watch all the little bits and pieces of race preparation. The filly had a great run out for her first time. She was in mixed company and came away with a 5th. Only 1 filly outran her so it looks like she has a great future ahead.

On Sunday Psymin got to go on the hot walker there at the track. He was opposite Prince and surprisingly to me, behaved very well. Him and Justice had a come-to-Jesus session in the morning. I think she has his number now. He walked to the hot walker quietly and like a gentleman. When Justice stopped, he stopped. When she walked, he walked. He got spooked out one time on the walker but after that, he got used to the noises it made as it stopped and started. That will become part of his every day routine.

Sometime in the next week he will get his very first pair of shoes. He can't go onto the track until he has them. I doubt I will be there for that extravaganza but I hope it goes well!!


With that, I said good bye to my little boy and made the trek home.

I think it really hit me, that he was gone, was when I got back to the farm. My friend Kriten's colt had been moved up to Psymin's stall/paddock. At first glance, I saw Psymin standing there. Then I realized, no, that's not Psymin. I think then is when reality set in and made me feel a little heavy hearted.

I hope to go visit in 2 weeks. Hopefully by that time I will get to see him working on the track. He needs to get his shoes and tattoo done as well. I don't think he wants ink!!