Belmont Stakes Weekend and its Unsung Hero
An advance notice that due to the nature of this past weekend’s dazzling array of stars, spectacular victories, and nail-biting finishes, this column wiill be venturing into a number of different places. Obviously, the Belmont Stakes took center stage, but as often happens in three-ring circuses, some of the most memorable acts are in the side rings. So sit back and enjoy all the shows, especially the in-depth look at one horse in particular, who made a major impact on this weekend’s biggest events and has a Belmont history of his own. ~ Steve Haskin
Belmont Stakes Weekend and its Unsung Hero
By Steve Haskin
Golden Tempo, with jockey Jose Ortiz aboard, wins the 2026 Belmont Stakes.
And so ends the 2026 Triple Crown. We are not here to judge its impact on the sport. The statistics speak for themselves, and it is pretty obvious who the star was. Cherie DeVaux, one-time assistant to Chad Brown, dominated the headlines and was on camera more often than Princess Diana. At least it seems that way.
The dilemma following the Belmont Stakes is finding new and fresh material to fill this space. Anyone who follows the expert handicappers can attest to the fact that none of them, at least to my knowledge, picked Golden Tempo to repeat his Kentucky Derby victory, with the majority of them completely tossing him and not even having him on their exotic tickets. The consensus was he that wasn’t going to get the ideal scenario and pace collapse he got in the Derby, which accordingly received extremely slow speed figures. But we have now seen on two straight occasions that Golden Tempo’s only objective is out-closing the opponent alongside him regardless of how fast they are going. In short, he is more interested in breaking hearts than clocks.
Before we continue, let’s just get the statistics of the Belmont out of the way for the realists and numbers guys. As it turned out, even on very fast track with record and near-record times all day, the pace of the Belmont was average, but still produced the same result as the Derby — a pace collapse and the deep closers again occupying the first three positions, while coming home slow, this time in :51 for the final half and just under :26 for the final quarter, while covering the 1 1/4 miles in what would have been the slowest Travers in 29 years.
But that aside, congratulations to Golden Tempo for doing what he had to do and getting the job done once again. And of course, congratulations to Cherie DeVaux for providing the sport with a storyline it desperately needed and making the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes historic events.
But what stood out the most to me was the number of sensational races over a three-day period and a lineup of stars that included just about every brilliant horse in the country. Fans were treated to races normally reserved for the Breeders’ Cup, with memorable performances on dirt and grass from seven furlongs to two miles.
So now that we have given a brief synopsis of the Belmont, the Triple Crown, and the showcase of stars, especially Friday and Saturday, where do we go from here?
We are going to go to one horse who actually dominated the entire weekend, but no one noticed. He is a Belmont Stakes winner himself and his timing was impeccable considering his biography, written by my longtime Blood-Horse colleague Lenny Shulman, was just released three days after the Kentucky Derby.
Yes, the unsung hero of the weekend was A.P. Indy, and I can’t remember any horse having a stronger impact on the sport in such a condensed period of time. We often mention Secretariat’s amazing influence in the classics, mainly the Kentucky Derby, but I feel it is necessary to discuss his grandson A.P. Indy’s impact on the entire weekend and even go back to his Belmont Stakes 34 years ago, which included one of the most unusual mornings I have ever experienced covering races.
But first, here is an amazing feat that I believe needs to be highlighted in this column.
A.P. Indy is in the pedigree of the first four finishers of the Belmont Stakes, the first six finishers of the Met Mile, the first two finishers of Friday’s Grade 1 Acorn Stakes, and the winner of the Grade 1 Woody Stephens Stakes.
Starting with the Belmont, A.P. Indy’s son Bernardini is the broodmare sire of Golden Tempo. Runner-up Commandment’s broodmare sire Orb is by A.P. Indy’s son Malibu Moon. Third-place finisher Renegade’s dam is out of a daughter of Bernardini. And fourth-place finisher Chief Wallabee’s sire Constitution is a great-great grandson of A.P. Indy through his son Pulpit and Pulpit’s son and famed stallion Tapit.
A.P. Indy — 1992 racing champion and 2003, 2006 North America leading sire.
Looking at the Met Mile, the brilliant four-length winner Nysos’ dam Zetta Z is by Bernardini. Runner-up Knightsbridge’s dam Tyburn Brook also is by Bernardini, who is rapidly becoming a major influence through his daughters. Speaking of which, third-place finisher Journalism’s dam Mopotism is out of a daughter of Bernardini. Fourth-place finisher Antiquarian’s sire Preservationist is a great grandson of A.P. Indy through his daughter Flying Passage and her daughter Flying Dixie. Fifth-place finisher Saudi Crown’s dam New Narration is a great-granddaughter of A.P. Indy through Pulpit and Tapit. And finally, sixth-place finisher Rated by Merit is inbred to A.P. Indy through his daughter Runup the Colors on bottom and Pulpit on top.
Also on Saturday, Cherie Devaux’s day began in exciting style when Englishman annihilated a deep and talented field, including 4-5 favorite Crude Velocity, in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens Stakes, romping by 5 3/4 lengths in a track record equaling 1:20 2/5 for the seven furlongs. That record was set by Darby Creek Road 48 years ago. Englishman’s sire Maxfield is out of the Bernardini mare Velvety.
The Friday headliner, the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes at 1 1/8 miles, was won in dominating fashion by Counting Stars, whose sire Honor A.P. is by A.P. Indy’s son Honor Code. The 4-5 runner-up was the undefeated Kentucky Oaks winner Always a Runner, whose dam Always Carina is by A.P. Indy’s son Malibu Moon.
We will come back to A.P. Indy shortly, but because we have mentioned some of the great performances of the weekend we would be remiss not not to include several others that have no connection to A.P. Indy’s bloodlines, but must be addressed.
We briefly mentioned Nysos’ stunning performance in the Met Mile, but by crushing such top stars as Knightsbridge. Journalism, Antiquarian, and Saudi Crown, the son of Nyquist now is in the running as the best horse in America. This looked to be one of the classiest and deepest Met Mile fields in years, but Nysos put himself in a different category by drawing away from the field in the stretch and continuing to increase his lead to the wire, while covering the mile in 1:34 4/5 under highweight of 126 pounds and giving five pounds to runner-up Knightsbridge, who had been brilliant all winter in Florida. And just as another plug, if you want to know the story behind Nysos, you can go back to our November 27, 2023 column when the colt had only two career starts, but stamped himself as something special even back then.
Nysos wins the 2026 Metropolitan Mile in a commanding performance.
We also have to mention the spectacular performance of Nitrogen in Friday’s Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes, in which she totally dismantled her opposition, winning off by 12 3/4 lengths in a near track record 1:46 4/5 for the 1 1/8 miles and earning a monster 114 Beyer speed figure.
While Nitrogen is a former grass star who turned into a superstar dirt horse, we have the total opposite in the Grade 1 Manhattan Stakes winner Deterministic, who readers may have forgotten was ranked No. 5 on our Derby Rankings in 2024 after his impressive victory in the Gotham Stakes. As I mentioned back then, ” He does things he shouldn’t be doing and he makes you take notice of him.” Well, after five consecutive graded stakes victories, three of them Grade 1, Deterministic definitely is doing things he wasn’t supposed to be doing, and people sure have taken notice of him. More on this remarkable horse later in the column.
Finally, there was the long-awaited showdown in the 6 1/2-furlong True North Stakes between the popular 2025 Sprint champion Book’em Danno and the Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Bentornato. With the latter being pressed through a blistering half in :43 2/5 and three-quaters in 1:07 4/5 by longshot Listenupshance, who was like a terrier hanging on to a pant leg, it appeared to set it up for Book’em Danno, who was sitting back in third and waiting to strike. But neither of the two leaders would crack and it looked as if Book’em Danno was struggling to catch up. But the champ kept digging in and finally began closing the gap, getting up in the closing strides to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:14 3/5, with a game Bentornato nosing out Listenupsgance for second.
Yes we have drifted off in several directions, but it is difficult to avoid when you have so many memorable races crammed into one weekend that was appropriately topped off with a rainbow that appeared following the Belmont. So now let’s get back to A.P. Indy and a little Belmont nostalgia.
Has Anyone Seen the Belmont Favorite?
It was more than three decades ago during my first assignment covering the Derby for the Daily Racing Form that the Run For the Roses was turned upside down by the whirlwind appearance of the French invader Arazi, who had left American racing fans awestruck by his breathtaking performance in the previous year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Now he was back at Churchill Downs, which was a story in itself. Arazi’s first morning on the track was a sight to behold as a mass of humanity followed him from his barn to the track. Here was this diminutive chestnut colt from France looking like Moses leading the Hebrews out of Egypt. When it was over I walked into A.P. Indy’s barn and saw his quirky and enigmatic trainer Neil Drysdale sitting at his desk. “You missed all the excitement,” I said. “Arazi was on the track.” He looked up and said with a straight face, “Oh, I missed it. I was too busy doing the crossword puzzle.”
But the big story was still to come. And that was the defection of A.P. Indy on the morning of the Derby due to a foot bruise that soon turned into a quarter crack. The Santa Anita Derby winner and America’s big hope was out of the race, ending the anticipation of a showdown between the two colts.
A.P. Indy still had a chance to make the Belmont Stakes if a special patch to protect the hoof did its job. That would be determined by how he performed in the 1 1/8-mile Peter Pan Stakes. When he romped by 5 1/2 lengths in a quick 1:47 2/5, it was a go for the Belmont. Now coming off four consecutive stakes victories, having also won the Hollywood Futurity and San Rafael Stakes, in addition to the Santa Anita Derby, A.P. Indy no doubt would be a heavy favorite over Preakness winner Pine Bluff and Derby runner-up Casual Lies. The Derby winner Lil E. Tee was out following a poor effort in the Preakness and A.P. Indy had already defeated Casual Lies handily in the Hollywood Futurity and Santa Anita Derby.
So all eyes turned to A.P. Indy, who was stabled in the special English-style stakes barn that was secluded and far more quiet than the other barns.
On June 2, four days before the Belmont, Drysdale had scheduled a work for A.P. Indy. But a torrential overnight downpour had turned the Belmont surface into the quintessential quagmire that was so bad, most of other Belmont horses had their works canceled.
But A.P. Indy needed to work long, having to go 1 1/2 miles in the Belmont, and I was interested to see what Drysdale would do. I went to the barn prior to his scheduled work time expecting to see Drysdale and find out what he had decided. But to my surprise, no Drysdale and no A.P. Indy. I looked for the colt’s groom and couldn’t find him either. Figuring Drysdale had gone out early and working the colt, I went to the track, but it was virtually deserted with only a few gallopers. I asked anyone who might know if they had seen Drysdale or A.P. Indy and no one had any idea where they were.
Assuming I had simply missed them, I returned to the barn. Still no trainer and no horse. Where could they possibly be? But I did see finally see his groom and asked where they were. His one-word response pretty much floored me: “Aqueduct.”
What in the world was that all about? Aqueduct was only about a 15 to 20-minute drive and the conditions had to be pretty much the same as Belmont. I now had a decision to make. Do I wait for them to get back or take a chance and drive to Aqueduct in the hope of catching the work, as much of a longshot as that was. I decided to risk it. Of course I forgot it was now rush hour and the Belt Parkway was at a virtual dead stop, and I feared I had blown it.
I finally made it to the Aqueduct backstretch and dashed to the track. Just as I arrived, here came A.P. Indy with Drysdale walking alongside with a smirk on his face. He said when he saw how hard it was raining he got up in the wee hours and just on the chance that it hadn’t rained as hard at Aqueduct, he drove there to check out the track and saw that it was much drier than Belmont and was being rated as good instead of the sloppy condition at Belmont. So he had A.P. Indy vanned there and was able to get in his six-furlong work.
It was a stroke of genius, as well as good luck, as A.P. Indy went on to win the Belmont and eventually the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Horse of the Year, and ultimately both his and Drysdale’s induction into the Hall of Fame.
A.P. Indy and jockey Eddie Delahoussaye in the winner’s circle following the 1992 Belmont Stakes.
A.P. Indy died on February 21, 2020 at the age of 31, but his influence just keeps getting stronger, as we saw this past weekend. His story needed to be told, and Shulman has done him proud. This was not your typical racehorse biography, but a true love affair between the author and his subject, who likely occupies more of Shulman’s heart than any living creature other than his many Labrador Retrievers.
DeVaux Makes History, But One Record Still Remembered
We saw Jena Antonucci become the first woman to train the winner of an American Triple Crown race when she captured the Belmont Stakes with Arcangelo in 2023. Then this year, Cherie DeVaux became the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner, adding the Belmont this past weekend.
But there is one record that still has not been equaled, and that brings us back to 1992. While most people remember that being the year of A.P. Indy and the great Pat Day winning his first Kentucky Derby, many have forgotten that Shelley Riley, trainer of the aforementioned Casual Lies, became the first woman to saddle a horse in all three Triple Crown races. Riley had purchased Casual Lies as a yearling for $7,500 out of the Keeneland January mixed sale and raced him back home on the Northern California fair circuit at the tiny Bay Meadows Fair and Santa Rosa before boldly taking him down to Southern California, where he placed in two Grade 1 stakes to A.P. Indy, in addition to going back up north to win the El Camino Real Derby.
At Churchill Downs, she was stabled in the same barn as Drysdale, who took her under his wing and mentored her in many areas. Shelley was very outgoing, witty, and exceptionally sharp and articulate. She was a natural and knew how to deal with the media as well as the problems she encountered leading up to the Derby, especially with bad hay. I even had her do a daily diary for the Racing Form, which was profound and brilliantly written.
Casual Lies, who Riley always referred to lovingly as “Stanley,” went on to finish second in the Derby, beaten only one length, and third in the Preakness after altering course in the stretch. Sent off as the 4-1 third choice in the Belmont, he finished fifth behind A.P. Indy, but came out of the race with a pretty nasty quarter crack. He would race another year and end his career with six victories in 18 starts for earnings of just under $800,000 before being sold to stand at stud in New Zealand. Like Shulman, Riley has gone on to write several books, including a biography of her beloved Stanley.
So let’s all celebrate the amazing achievement of Cherie DeVaux, as well as Jena Antonucci, but all the while remembering Shelley Riley, who carved her name in the history books at a time when female trainers were extremely rare, especially in stakes, never mind Triple Crown races.
From Father to Son, From Dirt to Grass
Chris Clement, whose death last year shocked the racing world, passed down several very talented horses to his son Miguel, who has proven to be an exceptional trainer in his own right. But, boy, would Chris love to have seen what a major star Deterministic has developed into under the care of his son.
As we explained earlier, this was a leading Kentucky Derby contender in 2024, who looked like a major star in the making, but didn’t find his true calling until he was put on the grass. He was already a solid consistent grass horse when Chris passed away late last May at age 59. Two weeks later, Miguel, suddenly now in charge of one of the biggest stables in the country, won his first Grade 1 stakes when Deterministic captured the Manhattan.
Deterministic captures the Manhattan Stakes for the second consecutive year.
But what made this son of Liam’s Map so special early on in his career and even as a yearling? As I previously wrote in the 2024 Derby Rankings, every year his breeders, Tom Hinkle, his brother Henry, and Tom’s daughter Anne would assess the yearlings and individually place a value on them and then take the average. They budgeted Deterministic, who had always done everything the right way, at $150,000. When it came time for the sale they put a $199,000 reserve on him. But they noticed he was being shown a lot. Yes, he was by an exciting young stallion, out of a great female family, but buyers were attracted to him for other reasons. He moved so well, almost with cat-like agility; he looked great physically; he had a terrific mind; and like in that year’s Gotham Stakes he made you notice him.
The Hinkles began to think they had something more than they bargained for. As Anne said, “When a yearling is shown that often they often become sour by sales time, but he was so professional right to the end.” He wound up selling for $625,000, which was $426,000 over his reserve. He has used all his attributes to overcome bone bruising and surgery to remove an ankle chip at 2 and burst onto the Derby scene late, making his presence felt immediately, winning the Gotham in only his third lifetime start and off a seven-month layoff.
For Chris Clement to run him in that spot on a sloppy track in a big field, you can bet he was seeing roses in the gloom of Aqueduct. What was impressive other than winning was how professional he looked, especially his maneuverability and agility and always appearing to be in control every step of the way like a seasoned pro. He displayed excellent mechanics, keeping his legs under him perfectly and maintained a straight course down the stretch. As I wrote in conclusion, “Once again the history books are open for a new chapter to be written.”
That new chapter was indeed written, but not the one they had originally hoped for. Determinstic has now won seven races, all graded stakes on grass, in his last nine starts, with two seconds. Since Miguel took over, he has won four consecutive stakes, three of them Grade 1. And in winning the Manhattan again, he stretched out to 1 3/16 miles for the first time.
The Manhattan might have been a bit overlooked with all the sensational dirt races run over the weekend, but it was special in so many different ways.
A Crown Made of Gold
Sure, you can pick apart the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes from a statistical standpoint, between the slow final times and closing fractions and the pace meltdowns. And the Belmont field looked like a bit of a mess turning for home. But Golden Tempo did what he had to and beat everyone at their own game, and no doubt has improved since the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby. I still can’t help but think of Cherie’s comment after his career debut when she said how surprised she was that he had won going six furlongs when all she was hoping for was to see him making up ground down the stretch.
By out-closing such powerful Grade 1-winning closers as Renegade in the Derby and Commandment in the Belmont, there is no doubt that Golden Tempo has come into his own and matured from a stretch-running machine to a stretch-running winning machine.
To me, however, the Belmont and the Met Mile were special for their one common denominator, and that was A.P. Indy, who brought back memories of the first Kentucky Derby and Belmont I covered for the Daily Racing Form. It was those memories of all the special horses and people I encountered and their numerous behind-the-scenes storylines that would dictate how I covered racing over the next 35 years.
Ed Sabol, who founded NFL Films starting with a single camera and brought professional football to life, said it best: “Tell me a fact, and I’ll learn. Tell me a truth, and I’ll believe. But tell me a story, and it will live in my heart forever.”
Photos courtesy of New York Racing Association, Lee P. Thomas, Skip Dickstein and Coglianese Photo/Angelo Lieto
Racing historian, author, and award-winning retired journalist for the Daily Racing Form and The Blood-Horse, Steve Haskin was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame’s Media Roll of Honor in 2016. Known for his racing knowledge and insightful prose, he has been an exclusive contributor to Secretariat.com since 2020.
Vlad Cerin said he was quite surprised, at Kennyten ‘s smashing 7 1/2 length debut win, the fastest 5 furlong race since Nyquist, out here. Drain the Clock/Goldencents, looks like sprinting may be his game, he’s looking at the Best Pal….his good three year old A P (not sure the rest of his name)….will return in a turf stakes—there’s nothing else, at Del Mar for him….
Englishman got a 2…on the Ragozin Sheets, which is phenomenal …..Golden Tempo got a 9…….
Give GT credit for being a racehorse, but that group is real slow. Englishman is physicaloy imposing in addition to being fast. Baffert is smart to want no part of him.
Kennyten debuted, a two year old—he defeated Bob’s 1-5 debuter by eight lengths, :56 4/5 smoking! (Santa Anita)….the Flightline colt ran well for 2nd, at Churchill, he was well beaten today…got a bit tired late, it’s a debut…
Flightline gets first winner in Japan !
Damian…..came running, from between horses, beautiful stride! Going away handily…..good looker!…I’d say Flightline had a good day….
It’s never too early to start looking at this year’s crop of 2yr. colts coming down the pike.
Greenwell, by Flightline, out of Cambodia, by War Front, will debut in the 5th race at Churchill on Friday, 6-12. Flightline needs no introduction, however it should be noted that his dam, Cambodia was a three-time G2 winning router on turf and finished 3rd in the BC Filly & Mare Turf, at 9 furlongs. On 5-31, Greenwell, worked 5 furlongs in a bullet 59.20 (1/26), so it appears he’s well cranked for his first outing. He’s listed as the 2nd favorite on the M/L, at 4-1.
The favorite, Never Sleep, by City of Light, out of an Uncle Mo mare, is listed at 7/2. Judging by his recent bullet work (1/17) going 4 furlongs in 46.00 flat, he appears to be a real speed merchant.
This race should be an impressive speed duel between two fast colts. I’ll go with Greenwell for the win.
Steve
Just wanted to let you know, I remember Pearl Necklace very well. She was one of my favorites during her career and was pleased when she was bred to Secretariat, my all time favorite horse. So, I guess that makes me a member of the 5%. I also remember Precisionist-believe had he been born in Man O’War’s year, it would have been very interesting who was remembered then. I remember Love Sign, Taisez Voux, Broad Brush and the ill fated Caesar’s Wish among many others.
Lots of familiar names there and great memories. Glad you’re in the 5%.
It’s not a bad club to be in. First issue of the Bloodhorse had a picture of Crystal Water, Cascapadia, Caucasus, and the amazing Ancient Title coming out of the far turn with Crystal Water winning that race, the Hollywood Gold Cup. Classic California breeding. Miss those great races at Hollywood Park.
I was on the apron, for that 1977 Hollywood Gold Cup, had Caucasus, remember Harry Henson’s call…(“Cascapedia the FILLY!”)….I remember Fernando Toro swinging his fist, in disappointment, as Caucasus was beaten two necks, and I also went down to Del Mar in my ‘yy VE Bug, to put a tennee on Ancient Title, at 7-1, and he won by seven lengths, breaking the track record by more than a full second….’Title’s greatest race …
Thanks for the shout out to Cascapedia and ancient title 2 of my all time faves ! What a roll crystal water was on in 77. !
I got to feed Ancient Title sugar cubes, and his trainer did not allow that, as a rule, because ‘Title could bite! Whittingham also fed Title, he liked him too….after his loss, in the 1977 Carelton Burke, on turf…I saw how sweaty Title was, he tried and tried! A bit g, gangly miler type who just kept on going …
Damascus and Wild Applause, out of Northern Dancer, produced a son named Eastern Echo who had a brief but brilliant career for Paul Mellon’s Rokeby Stable (three starts, undefeated, including The Gr. I Futurity). Sent to stud at Lane’s End, he produced many quite respectable horses and provided me with a glorious opportunity to meet A.P. Indy.
I taught for thirty-five years at Eastern Michigan University and our school newspaper is The Eastern Echo. On a whim, I called Lane’s End and was floored by their invitation to
come meet Echo. A few weeks later my wife and I drove to Kentucky where Susan Lane treated us like royalty, introduced us to Eastern Echo and before we left had Indy’s handler take him out of his stall to parade for us. We left with the gifts of Eastern Echo’s halter and the vivid memories of one who might have been and one who was most certainly an equine superstar. Mr. Haskin you are a brilliant writer and we thank you for sharing your stories.
Thank you Ray. That was such a great story. As you may know it was Damascus who was my first favorite racehorse and opened the door to horse racing for me. I remember Eastern Echo well
Great post, Ray!
Happy to read this morning that White Abarrio will go to stud at Gainesway next year.
That is fantastic to hear, and seems like a good fit. I hope he will stay put there, or at least somewhere in the US!
OK, so I have a question. Since the Belmont was run at 1 1/4 mile, will we ever know if Golden Tempo has the stamina for 1 1/2 mile? I am guessing that the Breeders Cup against older horses will give a clue to this question. I doubt that GT will run as a 4 year old. Steve, thanks for the AP Indy article. Would be great for you to look at all the lines of Seattle Slew and how they compare.
Another great column, Steve. I was at Gulfstream to see A. P. Indy’s Breeders’ Cup win. He was a favorite of mine and I was glad to see him grow his legacy at stud, as well. Flightline has his first colt starting at Churchill on Saturday. It will be interesting to follow his progeny.
Look forward to reading your column every week. It is a great way to start off my day (coffee with Steve). Even though I don’t comment that much. Please know that your magnificent writing provides a lot of joy and knowledge to your readers, especially this guy. Thank you, my friend.
I appreciate it Dewey. Thank you!
Mind Your Biscuits, age 13, has passed away in Japan where he was standing,
No much information other than hechad bred a mare and suddenly went downhill and died.
Condolences to all the connections.
Cherie Devaux khas honored on Time Magazine’s top 100 people in sports.
Congratulations!
Sad to hear the news about the loss of “Bisquits”. I followed this horse largely because of his name. I loved Mind Your Bisquits.
I did as well.
I too was a big fan of his. He was a gritty horse who outran his humble sprinters’ pedigree in the nine furlong Lukas Classic. And already he is the sire of Derma Sotogake, who won the UAE Derby, en route to a sixth place finish in the Kentucky Derby and second in the Breeders Cup Classic. He will be missed.
Oh, Mind Your Biscuits, loved his name, and him.
I just read that The Lion in Winter suffered an injury and was euthanized.
Not a good week so far.
I read that about Lion in Winter.
So tragic.
Thanks for this one, Steve. I don’t think I even had a horse for the Derby after AP Indy was out that year, and the Belmont was total redemption for the series. I thought Eddie Delahoussaye was so cool. I loved just about everything about AP Indy, but I especially liked that he got the amber Slew eyes.
Last Saturday was a sad and difficult day for us personally. We said goodbye to our very own boss mare, Sadie. She was our version of Miss Piggy: glamorous, ravenous, noisy, loving, and stylish in every way. She was Appendix QH registered, with the fabulous athlete Never Bend just off her papers, and a surprising amount of Man O’ War blood farther back in her distaff pedigree. Three Bars sireline, of course. No wonder she insisted on being treated like royalty! I am relieved that she is no longer afraid to lie down to sleep, that she is not going to fall and get hurt, and that any pain has been alleviated. I am also heartbroken; I keep thinking about the last time she nickered to me at breakfast. I hope I don’t have to do this again for a long time.
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to watch racing. However, I’m glad I did, if only to see the extraordinary performances of the day. It’s hard to single one out, but Deterministic was the one who put a smile back on my face.
Congratulations to the victors and the gritty competitors they faced. It seemed like a banner day for Saratoga!
Love to you all out there.
Condolences for the loss 9f your mare.
I am so sorry.
Im so sorry. Time to think of all the good memories.
Sorry about your loss, Katy. Sadie was lucky to have you as her owner and life long friend. Hold on to those memories that will warm your heart.
Katy, I am so sorry for your loss. A horse like Sadie is a true companion in every sense of the word.
Thanks, everyone. I really appreciate the kind words.
I am sorry that I made this too much about me, but I appreciate the balm to my soul and for everyone’s generosity in allowing me to misuse this venerable space. ❤️
Wonderful.
Thank you, Steve, for another forever story.
Thanks very much.
Katy, no need to apologize.
We are family here, at least that is the way I think of it.
We laugh, cry, reminisce and share the highs and lows of the sport and sometimes our own sorrows and joys.
Steve and Secretariat dot com are such gracious hosts.
I have been down the same road as you with your mare far more times than I can to remember
Our horses and our dogs and other pets are members of our family and when we lose one it hurts deeply and we grieve.
As Barbaro’s owner said “to love is to grieve”.
Hugs my friend.
I will be thinking of you.
Steve, I’m profoundly impresed after reading this great column. You’ve outdone yourself!!
Thank you very much Beth.
Thank you Steve, for another great column and another great year on the Derby trail. It wouldn’t be as entertaining or informative without your knowledge and talent.Wishing you and yours all the best.
Thank you so much Kevin. Thats very kind of you.
It was a late Fall afternoon, and I watched AP Indy win his debut, head low, coming down the outside, I think it was six and a half furlongs, at the old Oak Tree meet….track was drying out and slowish…he won by (I think) a half length, all four of us said “There’s your Derby Winner”….well he didn’t make the Derby, but we were sort of right!…there was a special aura about A P Indy….who won the Belmont and Classic over older….he had the stamina!
Speaking of debut runners …. Churchill Downs race five on Saturday will present the first foal from the book of Flightline—anticipation not unlike Secretariat, in the late ’70s….
Hi Steve,
Awesome closing article to another tremendous season of coverage by you. As the sport seems to be fading in the public’s eyes, it’s professionals like you that paint the picture of that special feeling that the sport brings to diehards like myself. Thanks again for all you do.
Best,
Hammer
Thank you so much Hammer. That means a lot.
Wonderful column that clipped right along seamlessly from vignette to vignette.
I enjoyed it thoroughly and was especially interested in learning that Lenny had just written a book about A.P. Indy. That led me to the University of Kentucky Press, which might be an excellent fit for my book on Sam Hildreth (7 chapters and counting). Do you know if Lenny worked with a specific editor, and/or can you recommend any particular contact there?
Happy to send you a few chapters to peruse if you’re interested.
I dont know who Lenny worked with. I will ask him. There was a classic book on Hildreth years ago that led to one of my favorite columns I wrote on Dick Mandella.
The Dick Mandella column was absolutely wonderful! Believe me, I have ingested every word of the book you mean. It’s called The Spell of the Turf and was published in the 1920s.
You didn’t offer to read any chapters, but I’ll email you the introduction. It’s only 2,000 words. Thanks in advance!
I just read your email and then had dinner. Of course I will read it.
Bless you!
Steve,
Thank You for the very comprehensive recap of the “last weekend” of the Belmont at Saratoga. It has been great, but looking forward to getting back to the “Big Sandy” and the 1 1/2 mile Belmont.
As far as the Belmont nothing to take away from the winner , Golden Tempo (GT) and congrats to him and his connections but I feel Renegade was not at his best. I saw it in the post parade and he just seemed too relaxed and not up on his toes. But something was not right with him. He was shortening stride at the end of the race. Maybe he had a bad night of sleep. Cherie did a great job getting GT ready for the race and it showed. I thought Commandment had GT in the middle of the stretch but GT was resilient.
The Met Mile was a horse players dream with the countries top milers coming together for this huge race but it was Nysos who really showed his ” brilliance” . Very powerful race and he showed his versatility. It will be interesting to see whether Baffert chooses the Whitney or the Pacific Classic for his next start. He will be tough in either one.
Englishman what can you say about his performance other than …. PHENOMENAL !!!
He is a one turn wonder……. at least at Saratoga.
And lastly Deterministic, another great performance and good to see he is in great hands when it comes to turf racing ( I love the photo you have of him in this column with those ears pinned back shows me he knows he is in a race). I am glad he was given a chance to run on the turf and not run into the ground on “dry” dirt race track ( he is a mud loving fool though ). The Breeders Cup Turf could turn out be great race this year when he and Burnham Square take on the European contingent. I hope they all stay healthy !!!
Thanks Steve for another great column and have a great week.
Steve you deserve an award for this piece!
I just got it. The Derek Manthey Award. Thank you Derek
Kudos to one of the best story tellers ever. I’ll remember your last paragraph for a good long time.
Thank you Robin. I wish I had said it. 😊
Steve, reading this column was like going to the candy store and coming home with a bag full of treats. I really enjoyed it, especially Neil Drysdale’s “crossword puzzle” comment. And thanks for mentioning Shelley Riley and Casual Lies. I remember them well.
On a side note, do you know by chance how Golden Tempo got his name?
Thank you very much. I appreciate the kind words. Ive asked someone about the name.
Thanks for asking! Will be curious to learn the answer.
Excellent article, Mr. Pedigree Lover. The game needs more Steve Haskins in it.
Lol. Thank you. The game has passed me by. Ive just managed to stay out of the pasture. Its a social media game now. YouTube in, print out.
After I analyzed what I thought were all the angles, it came down to something very simple. Golden Tempo is the one that likes a mile and a quarter. Golden Tempo is now 2 for 2 at that distance. Also, he was making a big move in the stretch of the Louisiana Derby at a mile and three sixteenths. I think that if he would have had another sixteenth of a mile, he would have run down Emerging Market that day.
Sure, these guys are on the slow side. But Golden Tempo is the best of them at a mile and a quarter.
Cherie Devaux says that Golden Tempo will return to Saratoga for the Jim Dandy and the Travers 4 weeks later. The mile and an eighth Jim Dandy may be the spot to beat Golden Tempo as that distance could be too short for him. But he should be tough stuff in the Travers at his favorite distance of a mile and a quarter.
I seem to remember Steve Haskin pointing out several times that Golden Tempo was making a big move in that Louisiana Derby to only get beat a length.
I still say that there isn’t that much between these 3-year-olds. Golden Tempo only beat Renegade by a neck at Churchill and Commandment by about a length and a half at Saratoga. Yes, Golden Tempo appeared to be pulling away from Commandment in the Belmont. But I would argue that it was because Commandment was way wide on the far turn and running a distance that might not be his best.
I’ll skip the Haskell. I dislike Monmouth more than I even dislike Gulfstream. But I will jump back in on Jim Dandy and Travers Days. My feeling being that I’m going to pick the right 3-year-old in one of these big races. I went 0 for 3 in the Triple Crown races and also had the wrong 3-year-old filly in the Kentucky Oaks. But it was a lot of fun.
Nitrogen looked big and strong. If Mark Casse can keep her looking like that all year, she might not get beat in 2026.
What do we make of Journalism? I’m not a fan of the horse, but I liked him on Saturday. Yes, he was beaten by a superior Nysos. I was hoping that Nysos might be flat after 4 months off and returning from a race in Saudi Arabia. I was wrong. But I think that we can throw out Journalism’s race on Saturday. The track was playing to speed. Journalism looked to be running hard but mostly spinning his wheels. But the fact is that Journalism stands at 0 for 4 against older horses. That makes me wonder about Sovereignty. Maybe we see Journalism meet up again with Sovereignty in the Stephen Foster at Churchill three weeks from now. The price could be right on Journalism that day. I love Sovereignty, but after his comeback race against Journalism and White Abarrio at Oaklawn, is taking another 10 week break before the Stephen Foster. Seems a little weird to me. But who am I to question the great Bill Mott?
Journalism has been poorly managed to start his 4yo season, not to mention poorly ridden in the Oaklawn Handicap. He’s got a Grade 1 win with his name on it this year. When and where to be determined.
Journalism just hasn’t improved since early in his 3yo season. Even his Preakness loses some luster with Gosger’s lack of accomplishment. The Oaklawn race also establishes doubt about what we can expect from Sovereignty going forward. I know it wasn’t an ideal trip, but his stride didn’t look good to me. We’ll see, maybe.I wish a more ambitious campaign was planned for Nysos, who seems to be the most exciting older horse. If there is one really exciting horse out there, it’s Englishman. Unfortunately, we’ll probably only see him 3 more times.
Thanks so much Steve for another beautiful and truly brilliant article ! 🙏🏻one last shout out to Seattle Slew I was at Hollywood park in 1977 when the Slew came to the west coast I was there at 8 am to get a great spot it was a sea of yellow shirts as the huge crowd chanted slew slew slew truly one of the most exciting things I’ve ever witnessed. Love to see Seattle Slews legacy continue AP Indy Tapit and hopefully Flightline 🙏🏻
When you have horse like Slew with so so breeding and cost $17,500 you have to figure he was a freak who would not be a leading stallion. But what a dynasty he built at stud.
I love the Little Racehorse That Could stories. There’s Slew, and of course Chrome comes to mind.
Sunday Silence is one of my favorites, got no respect, but had the last laugh by founding a dynasty.
Thank you, Steve, for educating us, entertaining us, and warming our hearts. What a depth of knowledge you have!
Thanks so much Mary.
Hi Steve
You certainly covered a lot of ground bringing the curtain down on this year’s Triple Crown races. The contents of which can be summarized in one word, “brilliant”.
Golden Tempo’s dam, Carrumba, carries on the influential breeding success of the Phipps Stable, and extends though out the tail-female side of GT’s pedigree.
Per Cherie DeVaux, GT will be pointed to the Jim Dandy (8-1), and then on to the Travers (8-29). Will she point him to the BC Classic? Stay tuned.
Thank you for providing another brilliant article for all your loyal followers.
I appreciate it Bill. Thank you.
Steve, that was like three or four great columns rolled into one! Jaw-dropping stats about A.P. Indy’s influence on the breed. Neil Drysdale and his crossword puzzle and checking out the track at Aqueduct. A reminder about Shelley Riley. Listenupshance hanging on like a terrier on a pants leg. And so much more! Thank you.
Thank you very much David. One great thing about racing, you never know what is going to spark a memory. The brain is the ultimate storage for seemingly forgotten stories. And just a name or a moment can restore them back to life.
So many fast times, on the Saturday dirt surface….all except for The Belmont! 2:03 3/5 is slow, on a usual track, but Saturday had a faster than average surface, this crop is weak! Golden Tempo is a true ten furlong type….. I’m not sure how he will fare against his elders….!
I agree, about Nysos, and am not sure about the run up distance, on that chute…I think it’s shorter than a normal run up…
Nysos excellent final time pales in comparison to how push button his race was. Looks like the Breeders Cup Classic winner, if the 10f distance can be negotiated. Speed out the gate, get to position along the rail and move when asked. Lots to like.
Interesting conundrum, in that Nysos has the brilliance, but maybe not the stamina, whilst Golden Tempo hasn’t the brilliance, and does have the stamina….
Thank you Steve for this most interesting post and the AP Indy connection.
I was over the moon that Golden Tempo won. Cherie was screaming so loud from the stands that some are saying the colt must of heard her and resonded with that burst of speed. Someone else commented that Golden Tempo looked Commandment in the eye and said “”not today” and sped away. Now I know in reality neither thing happened but it just makes for feel good!
Read earlier today that a shiek approached Daisy after the race and offered 20 million for him on the spot. She told him Golden Tempo was not for sale that he would be going home to Clairbirne at the end of racing career.
Then there was the rainbow that appeared after the race.
Golden Tempo comes across as just the sweetest, kindest horse. Hope you have had a chance to meet him.
Just all in all a great day for horse racing and I love the closer,always have.
Tempo is going to Lane’s End for his stud career. I was surprised. I thought sure it would be Claiborne.
Guess we will know soon enough where he lands.