Both Talking Blues and Strings and Arrows have bounced back from their last starts, and we’re looking for them to be racing again in the next week or two.

There’s a race in the condition book for Talking Blues on February 7th, and one for Strings and Arrows on February 11th.  In each case, it’ll be at the same level as their last outings, non-winners-of-two for Talking Blues, and NY-bred maiden special for Strings and Arrows. Entries for both races will be taken later this week.

The new Castle Village Farm 2010 claiming partnership is actively looking for a horse, with hot New York trainer Bruce Brown.  There’s still time for new partners to get involved, and to become part of the search for our horse. All claiming partners get regular updates on each day’s card at Aqueduct, evaluating possible horses to claim. Just check our New Partnership Opportunities.

Talking Blues wheels right back from his convincing 5 1/2 length maiden win on New Year’s day and is entered in the 5th race at Aqueduct on Sunday, January 17th.  It’s a field of nine going a mile and 70 yards in a non-winners-of-two-lifetime claimer. Once again, Rosie Napravnik will ride for trainer Bruce Brown and Castle Village Farm.

Castle Village Farm’s four-year-old colt Strings and Arrows (Bowman’s Band-Herb’s Prospect) returns to the races on Saturday, January 16th, in the 4th race at Aqueduct.  It’s a maiden special weight for older New York-bred horses, at 5 1/2 furlongs. Rosie Napravnik will ride for trainer Leah Gyarmati.

Strings and Arrows has been away since injuring his ankle while finishing third at Belmont last June. He’s had a series of excellent works leading up to this race and we expect him to be among the contenders.

Castle Village Farm’s four-year-old NY-bred colt Strings and Arrows, who missed seven months with a bone chip, is ready to return to racing next Saturday, January 16th.  Trainer Leah Gyarmati gave Strings and Arrows a brisk five-furlong breeze out of the gate Saturday morning, Jan. 9th, and pronounced him ready to go.  We’ll be entering on Wednesday for the Saturday race, a 5 1/2 furlong NY-bred maiden special weight.

Castle Village Farm trainer Bruce Brown, who saddled Talking Blues to a 5 1/2-length victory on New Year’s Day, is off to a flying start in 2010.  In the first three days of racing at Aqueduct in the new year, Bruce had six starters, with three wins — including Talking Blues — and three more in-the-money finishes.  That’s a 50% win percentage and 100% in the money. Pretty good start for the year!

Talking Blues, Castle Village Farm’s gray gelding, won the 6th race at Aqueduct on New Year’s Day, to celebrate his fourth birthday.  Under a heady ride from Rosie Napravnik, Talking Blues rated in fourth, on the rail a couple of lengths off the pace, then swung out on the far turn and galloped past the competition, winning by 5 1/2 lengths at the finish line. The race was Talking Blues’ maiden win, and came in his first try since switching to trainer Bruce Brown’s barn, and in front of a big crowd of CVF partners at the track on the holiday. Congratulations to all involved!