Females Dominate Headlines in New York
Once again we have to find storylines in the face of tragedy, which has plagued the Saratoga meet on its two biggest weekends. Hopefully we can provide a diversion with several iconic names from the past, while saluting the females of the sport, both human and equine. ~ Steve Haskin
Females Dominate Headlines in New York
By Steve Haskin
This week’s column will focus on the females who were in the news this week or made an impact on the racing, highlighted by Jena Antonucci, Mary Hirsch, Ruffian, Secretariat’s daughters, Gallorette, and Better Than Honour.
The more we see of Jena Antonucci the more we are convinced that she is much more than a small-time trainer who simply got lucky by being handed an extremely gifted colt named Arcangelo, who despite being by the brilliant Arrogate, sold for a paltry $35,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale. Following Arcangelo’s victory in the Belmont Stakes, in which Antonucci became the first female trainer to win a classic, she demonstrated her acute knowledge of all aspects of racing and of horses in general, was a great ambassador for the sport, and had enough confidence in herself and her horse to ignore the critics who questioned her decision to run Arcangelo in the Travers off an 11-week layoff.
By winning the Travers, Antonucci brought to light one of the most unsung heroes in the history of racing, Mary Hirsch, the daughter of the great Max Hirsch. Mary not only became the first and only female trainer to win the Travers back in 1938, she fought the system and the prejudice of the times by becoming the first female to take out a trainer’s license in 1934. Three years later she became the first female to saddle a horse in the Kentucky Derby. Hirsch won the Travers with a horse named Thanksgiving, who originally was trained by her father. As a 2-year-old while stabled at Saratoga Thanksgiving was ether struck or jolted by lightning and was found on the ground unconscious, but fortunately survived. His owner Anne Corning then developed s close friendship with Mary and asked her if she would train the colt as a 3-year-old.
If you want to know why Mary Hirsch was never heard from after that, she married racing executive Charles McLennan in 1940 and retired from training to become a housewife and mother.
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Looking at several pedigree notes of interest from this past weekend, a salute to the broodmare Better Than Honour, who not only is the third dam of Belmont winner Arcangelo, she produced back-to-back Belmont winners Jazil and Rags to Riches in 2006 and 2007. She most likely would have had three straight if her son, the Japanese invader Casino Drive, hadn’t injured himself Belmont week after romping by almost six lengths in the Peter Pan Stakes in a swift 1:47 4/5 and then having Big Brown eased up in the Belmont with 38-1 shot Da’ Tara winning wire-to-wire.
A shout out also goes to Best in Show, the fifth dam of both Arcangelo and Personal Ensign Stakes winner Idiomatic.
An even bigger shout out goes to the legendary Gallorette, considered the most remarkable filly to ever race in the United States, having run against males, including Hall of Famers, Stymie, Assault, and Armed, in an amazing 42 stakes, winning the Met Mile, Whitney, and Brooklyn and Carter Handicaps among others. Gallorette is the sixth dam of Gun Runner, who sired Grade 1 Forego winner Gunite, Grade 1 Ballerina winner Echo Zulu, and Grade 1 Travers runner-up Disarm all on Saturday’s Saratoga card and all for owner Ron Winchell, who owned Gun Runner.
Finally, remember Meadow Star, the undefeated 2-year-old filly champion with six graded stakes wins, four of them Grade 1, and victories at 3 in the Grade 1 Acorn and Mother Goose? Well, she is the third dam of Arcangelo’s sire Arrogate who also won the Travers, shattering the 37-year-old track record.
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Ruffian Returns to Her Place of Birth
After being interred in the Belmont Park infield for nearly 50 years, the remains of the legendary Ruffian have been removed and relocated to her birthplace at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky. She will rest alongside the great fillies and broodmares in Claiborne’s history and a number of male champions in the farm’s Marchmont cemetery. The move was made by the New York Racing Association, which is clearing the way for the construction of a new synthetic racing surface.
It was in the fall of 1973, when Secretariat ruled the racing world, that an imposing almost black yearling filly owned by Stuart Janney was sent from Claiborne Farm to trainer Frank Whiteley at the Camden training center in South Carolina.
Whiteley had already fallen in love with the Reviewer filly when he first saw her as a yearling at Claiborne Farm, shortly before she was sent to him at Camden.
When I visited the training center in June, 2000, it had been deserted for almost two months. Whiteley by then had a 176-acre farm about seven miles outside Camden. The stillness and quiet of the Camden barn area was interrupted by the occasional song of a wood thrush. Whiteley drove up a narrow dirt road and pointed out a barn just ahead and slightly off to the left. In front of it, across the road, was an empty patch of grass where another of his barns once stood before burning down in the late 1970s, killing 10 of his horses.
As Whiteley drove past his old barn that still remained, he pointed his finger toward it and said, “Ruffian stood right there in stall 4. That was her stall when she came to me as a yearling in November until we brought her to the track the following April. And it was her stall when she came back here the following winter after her 2-year-old campaign.
“It’s just an empty stall now, but there are memories, that’s for sure.” That was as nostalgic as Whiteley would get, and even that short comment contradicted his usual crustiness. When I went into his house and saw a VHS tape that was labeled, “Ruffian’s Races” sitting atop his television, I asked Whiteley about it and he said he hasn’t been able to watch her races for years.
“Is it too tough to watch?” I asked.
“Hell no,” he shot back. “I don’t know how to work the goddamn VCR.”
As we continued to drive through the training center, Whiteley did think back to the morning when he worked Ruffian three furlongs from the gate with another promising, fast filly named Lady Portia. Another of Whiteley’s fillies, named Yankee Law, had just concluded her morning exercise. But instead of leaving through the gap, her rider decided to stand by the outside rail and watch the two brilliant young fillies work.
As they came charging down the stretch together, Yankee Law began backing up toward the inside rail, right in the path of the oncoming pair. Lady Portia collided with Yankee Law, sending both their riders crashing to the ground. Miraculously, no one was seriously hurt, with Lady Portia the only casualty, suffering a concussion and a bloody nose.
Ruffian, meanwhile, never batted an eye through the entire incident and continued the final eighth of the work on her own. Despite all the turmoil and losing her workmate, she still worked her three furlongs in a blazing :33 flat. Demonstrating that kind of incredible speed and professionalism at such a young age was the first indication that Whiteley had something very special on his hands. She had come within inches of disaster, but instead bounded away unscathed and into history.
Whiteley knew he was about to unleash a running machine, and he would wait until 9:30 or 10 o’clock before taking Ruffian out to the track for training. He wanted to make sure no one was around except his help. This was one horse he was intent on keeping under wraps until it was time to send her up to New York.
“You knew damn well the word would get out on her,” he said.
After bringing her to New York, Whitelely made sure she did not work a half any faster than :50. And he did little talking about her. He didn’t even put a pair of shoes on her until the morning of her first race. She had breezed with nothing on her feet her whole life.
As Whiteley said, “Hell, she came into the world bare-footed. Even though they pick up five or six lengths with shoes on, they stay sound longer without them.”
Rufffian, of course, went on to rattle off one record-breaking or equaling performance after another, winning the majority of her races by huge margins.
Ruffian is still in a lot of people’s hearts, and there she will remain, forever equaling and breaking records; a gust of wind that blew through the Sport of Kings all too briefly. Although her gravesite in the Belmont Park infield no longer will be the hallowed ground it was for almost five decades, racing fans reportedly will now be able to visit her at the Marchmont cemetery that had been generally closed to the public. They can now visit arguably the sport’s two greatest undefeated fillies, Ruffian and Personal Ensign. (On Sunday, November 12, it will be my honor and privilege to lead a special Secretariat Festival expanded tour to Claiborne and the Marchmont cemetery, where you can also see the graves of many other great horses who were born, raised or stood at stud at Claiborne).
But there will only be one Ruffian, who like Secretariat has taken on mythical qualities over the years. Walter Farley in describing “The Black Stallion,” could easily have been describing Ruffian, so I will change genders for him – “You’ve never in your life seen a horse run so fast! She’s all power…all beauty.”
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The Impact of Secretariat’s Daughters in Travers
Whenever I look at Secretariat’s past performances there seems to be a big empty space where the Travers should be. Yes, we are all well aware that Big Red was recovering from a virus and 105-degree fever that no doubt contributed to his shocking defeat in the Whitney Stakes. But is there anyone who wasn’t totally convinced that Secretariat would have crushed the victorious Travers winner Annihilate Em, who he defeated by 15 lengths a month later in the Marlboro Cup, just as he trounced his Whitney conqueror Onion by 12 lengths in the same race.
But no one can say that Secretariat hasn’t had a major impact on the Midsummer Derby, just as he has in most of the other major races around the country. In fact Secretariat’s impact on the breeding industry continues to grow every year thanks mainly to his three remarkable daughters Weekend Surprise, Terlingua, and Secrettame.
This year’s Travers Stakes field has been regarded as one of the strongest and deepest in many years, with seven top-class horses, including the winners of the Kentucky Derby (Mage), Preakness (National Treasure), and Belmont Stakes (Arcangelo), along with Forte, last year’s 2-year-old champion, three-time graded stakes winner at 3, and runner-up in the Belmont. The remaining three horses were Blue Grass Stakes and Tampa Bay Derby winner Tapit Trice; Matt Winn takes winner Disarm, who was second in the Louiisiana Derby and fourth in the Kentucky Derby; and Curlin Stakes winner Scotland.
If you look at the pedigrees of all seven horses you will see the name Secretariat an amazing 16 times through six of his daughters – Weekend Surprise (five times), Terlingua (five times), Secrettame (three times), and Viva Sec, Six Crowns, and Chosen Lady once each.
Also, Secretariat is in the pedigree of six of the last seven Travers winners.
Secretariat’s first major impact on the Travers came when his son General Assembly won the 1979 running by 15 lengths, setting a new track record that would stand for 37 years. Previous Travers record holders included Hall of Famers, Man o’ War, Buckpasser, Damascus, and Arts and Letters, champion Honest Pleasure, and Belmont Stakes winner Jaipur.
To demonstrate General Assembly’s versatility, he was the only horse to win the 1 1/4-mile Travers and the seven-furlong Vosburgh. And the only horse to run a faster Vosburgh was the legendary Dr. Fager.
So Travers weekend comes to an end. Once again we experienced racing at its extreme highs and its extreme lows, and we were able to tie in the present with the past. The big question as we head into fall and the Breeders’ Cup season is what the future will bring. Perhaps that will depend in whose hands the sport is in.
Photos courtesy of Adam Coglianese, Steve Haskin, and Secretariat.com
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.
Thank you, Steve! Good work!
Please…. don’t go synthetic, at Saratoga! Please….the weather this year was terrible, but don’t go synthetic! Besides weather, the sport has changed, from breeding to race—to breeding to breed, and that is destroying the sport, it took a while, to get to this place and it will take a while to fix it, the sport is in the breeders’s hands—-DON’T put our sport into the hands of people who would seek to end Horse Racing! Pure madness! Paying massive salaries to HISA—madness! Suspending a jockey 16 days, for trying to ….WIN? Madness! Suspending 86 year old trainers, who haven’t had an overage in decades…madness! Know this: animal “rights” means no Horse Races, no Equestrian competitions, no Circus, no pet ownership (without the animal’s consent? Madness!)….
While I agree that the trend of breeding to breed has definitely had a negative impact on horses’ soundness, how is it “madness” to give horses a safer surface to run on? In his piece on the Paulick Report website, “Synthetic Tracks Are Safer–Here’s Why,” Bill Casner points out that per the Jockey Club Equine Injury Database, in 2022, “injuries on dirt were 1.44 per 1,000 horse starts. Turf injuries were 0.99 per 1,000. Injuries on synthetic were vastly diminished with 0.41 per 1,000. This data shows that synthetic surfaces are 3.5 times safer than dirt and 2.2 times safer than turf.”
How does making tracks safer for horses represent caving to the anti-racing faction? Imagine someone unfamiliar with racing learning that the racing industry could do something to vastly reduce the number of catastrophic breakdowns but simply refuses to do so because dirt tracks represent “tradition.” Could you blame that person for concluding that what they’re hearing from the general public is correct, that people in racing just don’t care about the welfare of the horses?
Do you bet? Synthetic surfaces change with the temperature, it’s impossible to wager on …Saving lives is such an easy argument ender for you …you think ten deaths are better than twenty deaths, you settle on a number, less bone injuries but more soft tissue injuries, running on rubber bands that get hot when the temperature rises …but the numbers of your synthetics trump turf races, as well, so why not just go ALL synthetics, “someone unfamiliar with racing” would wonder WHY you would OK turf racing, when synthetics are so safer, and when you take it further ….why race? Why not save ALL the horses, arlingtonfan?
What is the argument in favor of maintaining dirt tracks when the superior safety of synthetic tracks–especially in regard to catastrophic injuries–has been repeatedly proven? To say that making a change will not save all the horses, therefore I want to make no change at all, makes no sense.
Steve himself said below (8/30, 11:26 am), “From a safety standpoint [converting to synthetic] would be a no-brainer. From a racing standpoint it would eliminate history, as the sport would become two separate and distinct stories. But at this stage safety takes precedence.”
As Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine, recently said in an article on Bloodhorse, “The younger demographic of fan that we need to sustain horse racing will not support a sport that euthanizes competing horses at an alarming rate.” I argue in favor of synthetics partly because I want the sport to survive and partly because I see no compelling argument against giving the horses a safer surface to run on.
arlingtonfan, my only disagreement with your comment is that the synthetic track change will be a get out of jail free card for breeders who produce unsound horses. If the skeletal, tendon, ligament and cardio vascular integrity continues to be compromised horses will continue to breakdown regardless of surface.
Lynda,
Not sure if you read the article on the Paulick Report with Bill Casner and he participated in a study of synthetic versus dirt and difference on tendon stretching on synthetic versus dirt and it was quite significant. And as far as the breeders and producing unsound horse but aren’t you ( forgive me if I am wrong) the one that pointed out that Secretariat Dam “Somethingroyal” was “back at the knee” which is a pretty significant conformation defect which causes un do stress on leg tendons?
No, I did not read the article by Bill Casner, not yet anyway.
You are correct that conformation issues do result in tendon issues.
Native Dancer for example had very short pasterns, so short in fact that they looked like they belonged on a draft horse breed and long cannons that resulted tendon problems, especially in his hindlegs. He was repeatedly pin fired by his trainer in his hindlegs before races.
I do not recall ever commenting that Somethingroyal was back at the knee. In fact there are very few photos, at least that I have seen of her, that one can used to judge her conformation.
Down, nice ruse on BB regarding CD. All of a sudden ‘chosen one’ frowns on Derb? CD will survive when he’s long gone. Rich! lmao
And…… CD cares less if BB ever comes back.
Arlingtonfan ….since you quote how much safer synthetics are, than dirt and turf …are you for elimination of both? If not why not? And if saving lives is your end-all ….WHY race at all? I have tried to handicap Golden Gate and Gulfstream synthetics, there’s no rhyme or reason, and synthetics do not bring out the brilliance, in a race horse…it RAINED cats and dogs this year at Saratoga, why must we make a change? Why not try and fix things, while keeping Horse Racing on dirt and turf? Santa Anita and Del Mar greatly improved their safety, and they got rid of synthetic surfaces, why jump so fast for synthetics?…I read what Steve wrote, I did not read that he wanted to run synthetic races at Saratoga….
Again, this is not an all-or-nothing proposition. It is clear that there are far fewer catastrophic breakdowns on turf and synthetic than there are on dirt. As Todd notes below, “there is nothing worse for racing than high profile breakdowns.” As I see it, reducing the incidence of such breakdowns is in the interest of anyone who wants to see this sport continue. The numbers show that running on synthetic and turf rather than dirt is an effective way to do that.
BTW, this won’t be the only year it rains cats and dogs at Saratoga. Climate change-induced weather disruptions will be affecting tracks more and more frequently as time goes on. It does seem as if clusters of breakdowns on dirt tend to follow severe rains. Given the weather trends, we’ll be likely to see more and more of these breakdowns on dirt in the coming years, making the need to switch surfaces all the more urgent.
I agree with some of your points on HISA and the weather at Saratoga but 5 of 7 fatalities were on the turf at that track . But, unfortunately the 2 on dirt were highly visual and publicized. Not sure why they were trying “seal” a track while racing was still going on in the case of New York Thunder’s breakdown. A strong case can be made to go to synthetic but in a recent interview with the CEO Woodbine (Woodbine has a synthetic track) it not just a matter of changing to synthetic and forget about it. It is very high maintenance year round during the racing season. I for one would to see a way to get rid of tractors and water trucks off the racing surface and I think the technology is there to do it. And for turf courses a motorized tarping system (similar to baseball stadiums ) be used to cover turf tracks when racing is not run (night time) so heavy rains cannot make it a swamp. As I stated previously technology can be part to saving racing
Discopartner there was a study, I think from Japan that injuries do increase on sealed tracks.
Japan also has a method of maintaining the track without using tractors.
Matthew W, the stats cannot be denied when it comes to synthetic surfaces. In all the studies conducted not only here but in other countries, there were far fewer catastrophic breakdowns on synthetic or a sand based surface like what Japan has than on our dirt tracks.
I do feel however that the synthetic surface is not a silver bullet, a be all to end all (catastrophic breakdowns).
There was a study published on Blood Horse some years ago that was done by a research center in Kentucky that there really is no such thing as a misstep causing a catastrophic failure on the racetrack. Most horses that breakdown had a preexisting condition that was not diagnosed. Another study out of South Africa resulted found that tendon injuries were responsible for almost 60% of the catastrophic fractures and that often times these tendon injuries did not result in visual lameness.
Ms King, agreed!
So horses are a dime a dozen? Sure! NEWSFLASH: several individuals in racing,including some dumb owners are burning racing down.
Matthew, i’m very much a traditionalist, but i have to disagree with you here. When Keeneland went synthetic, i hated it, but the current Tapeta tracks are pretty fair. I bet Presque Isle Downs, the horses run every two weeks and breakdowns are rare, even with old, cheap horses. Risking one’s own life is one thing; asking another, in this case a horse, to take that risk is another. For the benefit of racing and individual horses, i am willing to give something up. Yes, there is a slippery slope argument, but there is nothing worse for racing than high profile breakdowns. As for turf breakdowns at Belmont and Saratoga, they are troubling and need to be looked at.
Todd, once again I am in agreement with you,
I am as well!
These are beyond catastrophic breakdowns, they are cataclysmic.
Canon bones are shattered, sesamoids obliterated, tendons and ligaments in pieces.
The sport and the breeders, trainers, owners and track management owe these horses better. They should not be sacrificing their lives so handicappers can wager more easily. Heaven forbid a change inconveniences a handicapper.
It will take years to undo the damage to the breed. It will take trainers rethinking their big box, one size fits all training methods.
It will require off label use of medications for a quick fix to an injury. It will take a change in mindset for large, heavily muscled, precouscious 2 year olds that can go “0 to 60” in 9 seconds, race three times at shorter and shorter distances and retire to a lucrative stud career and bred to 240 mares.
And there must be a change in the elite, upper echelon of breeders, trainers, owners and track owners and veterinarians that the United States knows it all. There are better and safer ways of doing things. Japan has proven that.
In the interim, synthetic is the only salvation for these horses.
Amen!
The influence of Secretariat in the Stakes scene seems to be insured in the foreseeable future mainly thanks to Storm Cat and A.P. Indy. Representing these lines are champion sires Giant’s Causeway, Into Mischief, and Tapit. They are bound to also become great broodmare sires so Secretariat will still be a presence for many many years … the other super sire, Curlin, does not have Secretariat in his pedigree but his progeny out of A.P. Indy mares has been exceptional.
If you check the top 20 top two-year-old earners so far you will find that thirteen (13) show A.P. Indy or/and Storm Cat in their female side. Leading this list are the undefeated filly Brightwork and The Wine Steward who both show A.P. Indy in their 3rd and 4th (female) generations.
Big Red is even more present among the 25 fastest two-year old runners this year. Seventeen (17) in this outstanding list show Secretariat in their dam family.
Fierceness, General Partner and Rhyme Schemes, who all look to have a brilliant future, got A.P. Indy in their dam side.
Dreamfyre and Tamara are two very promising fillies representing the A.P. Indy/Storm Cat female power.
Prince of Monaco and the filly Ways and Means are among the fastest young youngsters who don’t show Secretariat in their distaff family, but Gone West and Storm Cat are prominent in their sire family.
Gold Sweep (3×3 Storm Cat) is looking to regain a leading stand in the Hopeful Stakes in tomorrow’s Labor Day.
It would have been great to see other giants of the seventies like Riva Ridge, Spectacular Bid (22 million Sire), Affirmed, and Alydar, showing more presence in the breeding field … but then again, Secretariat is among the very few great runners who has also left an indelible mark in modern pedigrees.
Nelson, perhaps with your knowledge about South American bloodlines you can help me.
Down in the comments there is a discussion about the successes to date of California Chrome’s first racing crop in Jan.
On a forum I was reading a few days ago somewhere, someone commented that Chrome’s indicator of success in Japan is that the Japanese mares are the same haliotope as the Chilean Thoroughbreds. Chrome progeny found a of success in Chile, more so than his first racing crops here in the US.
Was hoping that in your vast knowledge you would know what these lines are.
Thank you!
Hi Lynda… I am afraid I am not familiar with the term “haliotope”… there must be some typo or confusion about the word.
I would say that California Chrome was successful in Chile simply because he was provided with the opportunity to cover better mares.
For instance, the firs 110 mares he covered in Chile consisted of 25 Stakes winners, another 7 had produced Stakes winners, 19 are sisters to Stakes winners and 10 are sired by Stakes winners.
His best offspring in South America are Chromium*, Go Chrome Go*, California King*, Wappo*, On the Music, Lucy Lou, Bonsai*, California Fire* and Incredible*.
The asterisk denotes that the Stakes winner hails exclusively from Chilean/Argentinian mares going back at least 6 generations … not sure if the comments you read refers to the fact that some of the Japanese Chromies descend from purely Japanese distaff line…
Nelson, thank you so much for your response.
It would help I guess if I spelled “haplotype” correctly.
This is all new territory for me, something I am trying to learn about.
Haplotype is defined as a group of alleles that are inherited from a single parent.
I follow a social media forum that tracks the successes of the California Chrome progeny not only in the United States but in other countries including Chile and now Japan and at least one in Russia and one that races in France.
To date there have been 4 winners in graded stakes in Chrome’s first racing crop in Japan; two on dirt and two on turf. 2 others finished a strong 3rd and 4th at Sapporo.
A comment was made on the forum that it is really not surprising that Chrome’s first racing crop is doing well because the same haplotype in the Chilean horses is found in Japan.
After Zenya Yoshida purchased Northern Taste he went shopping in various countries for mares to breed to him. He took advantage of bloodlines from various countries including the United States, Great Britain, France and South America.
The two prominent sires from Argentina were Crimson Satan and El Centauro. There are others, I just have not researched all on the list.
Thank you for the list of the top Chromes in Chile.
I can work backwards from that list and then access the Japanese pedigrees for common ancestors.
Nelson, with Bernardini as broodmare sire Spectacular Bid’s flag is flying ok. Hopefully, one of Bernardini’s remaining sons will rise to the occasion to keep his sideline afloat. The unfortunate demise of Art Collector was a great loss, fingers crossed that West Will Power will come to the fore.
Yes Davids… Spectacular Bid will be remembered via Bernardini… also Harlan’s Holiday qualifies Affirmed as a memorable broodmare sire. Super sire Into Mischief gives some credit to the 1978 TC Champion. While Uncle Mo and Quality Road owe some of their genetic prowess to Alydar…
Congrats to team Baffert for yesterday’s win in the Pacific Classic. Arabian Knight has now become the first horse to win this race after just three races. Probably more surprising was the fact that AK was the slight favorite over GRR. A record 7th PC win for Baffert who earlier on the card won the Grade 2 DM Mile on the turf (Du Jour)….not a good day for the B haters.
Thumbs up here John !!!
Arabian Knight is indeed to be congratulated. He really had to dig deep to hold onto that lead with the fast closing GRR.
“John”, u behave as if GRR was smoked losing a head. lol Will BB be in Louisville for 2024 Derb? lmao
No Mike the one that is laughing is Baffert and his owners all the way to the bank with all he $$$ he makes for them !!!
Am iI wrong? BB lives for Louisville in spring. So, no longer?
Mike you don’t understand the real losers here are the Churchill Down patrons. They will not get to see the GREAT horses Baffert brings to the table and all because Churchill Downs management vindictive pettiness. Baffert was once ( an probably still in a way ) its biggest promoter. Baffert is a survivor and has other big fish to catch. Like the other Triple Crown races , the Haskell , The Travers , The Pacific Classic and all the Breeders Crown races. Like I said he gets the last laugh.
:51 3/5
1:14
Steve ,
Are these Bible verses we should be looking at ? (LOL)
For anyone interested, California Chrome’s first racing crop (two year olds) are doing very well in Japan.
So far two wins on dirt and two wins on turf. In one race at Sappora, Chrome progeny ran a strong 3rd and 4th in a race won by a Bricks and Mortar progeny. The 3rd place winner had the signature Chrome stretch kick and was closing fast on the two front runners.
The latest win on turf was by a filly (damsire Deep Impact) who wired the field and ran away impressively in the stretch.
It has always been my opinion that California Chrome would produce winners on turf. This seems to be happening.
American breeders scoffed at Chrome and his blue collar pedigree.
I so hope he continues to prove them all wrong!!!
I too think Chrome will get turf winners, I’m betting one today, in the Del Mar fifth .. California Bay….
I hope so too, Lynda! A son of his won a race at Gulfstream today.
Good news!
All total today, including Japan, US and Chile, 5 Chromes won today!
Most impressive. He’s a world sire — at least of 2YOs.
Kabirkhan is one of his best colts. He was purchased at Keeneland sale for $12,500 by Russian connections. He has had 8 starts with 7 wins. He ran 2nd today in the Russian equivalent to the Kentucky Derby.
He has another colt, forget the name, who has raced very successfully in France on turf.
Unfortunately there is not a lot of recognition in the United States for the successes of horses that win in other countries.
Saw a comment today that the Thoroughbred lines in Chile are very similar to the ones in Japan as to haliotype.
Was just going through his progeny in Chile to try and get a feel for what those lines are.
Really do not understand haliotype, HA, not sure if I am spelling it correctly.
I do know from my research into the the early breeding program in Japan that many mares were purchased from South America to be bred by Northern Taste.
Thanks for the updates on California Chrome. Big fan of his when he raced. Was sorry to hear when he went to Japan. Not sure what the breeders in the states did not like about his foals. I hope he has continued success in Japan.
Saw him prior Japan in viewing. Also, in ’20 had dinner in Reno w/ Coburn’s.
Downthestretch, the breeders did not like his blue collar pedigree.
Most, not all, modern day blood stock agents consider the immediate dam and sire to be the most important.
Goes along with the old saying breed the best to the best and hope for the best.
Neither Chrome’s dam and sire had any success on the race track.
When a horse runs a huge race like NY Traffic had—steroid injections are employed, to combat recovery time and pain, and they work…. rule was 4 days prior, and they took it to the exact 14 days, and here is the quandary: horses that need joinglt injections need TIME, more than anything else…. they need horsemen and owners that understand that, in California they have made it 30 days….the horses need regulations because their caretakers don’t care enough …
14 days, meant to say
Shock wave treatments, back, suspensory, neck, acupuncture with laser, injections coffin bone, pasterns.
These are just a few of the treatments considered to be “therapeutic” and invariably on the medical chart of many Thoroughbreds racing today is a weekly wash, rinse repeat of these therapeutics.
New York Thunder had repeated joint injections for months. The last one was two weeks before he broke down.
Horses needing these therapeutics should not be allowed to race Period!
Lynda,
Were did you get the information on the injections on New York Thunder and what did the injections consist of? I am currently getting injections in my knees but it is not a steroid (that is what I am told ) but a gel nutrient. If you can get that information it would be great to know
Downthestretch, the original info release was from the New York Times as a result of the veterinary records they were able to obtain.
I do not know what injection solution was used, that was not included in the initial reporting.
Supposedly he received the injection into his joints two weeks prior to race, was placed on the vet’s list for two weeks by the HISA vet and released to race the day of the race.
It has been additionally reported that NYT had an on going issue with his joint(s) for several months leading up to the race. He had been scratched from at least two races for being lame.
Maggie Moss, a highly regarded and respected owner who now sits on the HISA Board also reported the findings on her X, formerly Twitter page.
I guess we will all have to wait on the necropsy report.
Right now a war of words is raging across racing media sites regarding therapeutics. One side is claiming that HISA restrictions on therapeutics is killing the horses and the other side is claiming it is the therapeutics that are killing horses.
From a personal standpoint I think the therapeutics are beneficial in helping the healing process. They are not beneficial IMO if they are being used to mask pain.
The latest chatter is that HISA is considering banning the injections of cortisone steroids in the race track environment.
Had a horse many years ago that had a hoof issue. My vet raised Thoroughbreds for hunter/jumper competitions. When I asked about pain relief for my horse with the hoof issue, he told me that masking pain in a horse is not beneficial in many instances because the horse can end up injuring himself further.
Personally no experience with steroid injections. My late Mother had them for years for arthritic knees. She was finally told that she could not receive any more and that knee replacement was her only option.
I think if HISA considers the banning of cortisone steroids all together it would be a mistake but if were only talking the backstretch / barn area that maybe a consideration. It has to be done in a controlled and monitored environment. As one who has suffered in the pass with tennis and golfer elbow I know first hand the benefits of a cortisone shot in the elbow. After weeks to months of rehab , physical therapy, hot and cold soaking, icing , topical ointments etc…and nothing worked it was the cortisone shot that finally calmed the inflammation and then some slow rehab to strengthen area, self imposed restriction ( wore a sling for 3 to 5 days after the shot ) of the arm that finally worked. Maybe the race tracks can create rehab farms near he tracks so the same can be done for horses ( and hopefully not create some hypochondriac horses …LOL ) and let them get away from the stress of the track. But the use of cortisone multiple time in a short period of time is definitely not a good thing.
BTW Lynda thanks for your “thorough” comments.
That is what I support, off site rehab for injuries.
In Japan horses cannot be returned to training until there has been complete healing as evidenced by ultra sounds, MRIs and x-rays.
At lot of people do not like Rich Strike’s owner for a variety of reasons. I do applaud him however for putting him at a rehab farm and following Dr Bramlage’s instructions.
Disarm is out the rest of the year. The owners and Steve A made that decision after the Travers. The colt came back “all jammed up”. He will be evaluated at R&R and put out for rehab at a farm that the Winchell’s own in Kentucky. R&R’s instructions will be followed.
He is a good horse with the potential to be a great horse. His owners care enough to do it the right way…diagnose the problem and take him to a place where he can heal.
I honestly think that some of the owners do not care about these horses and I will include some of the trainers as well.
In the Jockey Club Gold Cup this Saturday the exciting Tapit colt, Tyson, has been entered. His dam, Honouring, is from the Best in Show family.
Let’s hope we can get a couple older horses to step up and make the Classic interesting.
After Saturday, we should have a reasonable gauge on whether the older horses or the 3 year olds have the advantage coming up to the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Nonetheless, White Abarrio’s performance in the Whitney was nothing to sneeze at. Time will tell.
I agree. The new, improved White Abarrio could be something.
Steve, thanks again for another enjoyable read although I skipped over Ruffian this time, reading her history is a blow upon a bruise these days. Can we add Landaluce to the greatest ‘three’ undefeated fillies ever in the USA?
You fear at present that some of the wrong things that racing has done in the past have come home to roost at, arguably, the two highest profile racetracks in the US. I’ve decided on only watching replays from Saratoga now, the horror of watching a racehorse self destruct is too much no matter how fast you turn away and hide.
Fingers crossed that we have seen the last of the present misery but you can’t be sure and hope for the best.
Does Melair get honorable mention, for her 11 week/ 5 race career, including her final race beating 12 males including Snow Chief, in 1:32 4/5?… She did not break down but was beset by repeated colic episodes throughout her life, eventually losing her battle….
I’d give honorable mentions to both Melair and Landaluce. They never had a chance to accomplish –or attempt to accomplish–the things that Ruffian and Personal Ensign did, but they shouldn’t be forgotten.
Too bad landaluce in wrong barn.
I guess you forgot “She died in my arms”? I happened to be at Hollywood Park at the time. Conflicting accounts’
Point is didn’t like the trainer…. not even a little.
Point is, nothing was complimentary in reference to the backstretch rumors vs. the PR spin. This started even prior to her death.
She was wonderful.
Man , you got that right. I wouldn’t have let Lukas train my dog.
Thanks Deacon! Great respect for your knowledge of the game. Four yrs ago, told Pat McQueen in person if Lukas and some other very profile trainers trained Zenyatta,she wouldn’t made it to starting gate.
The old fool raced Lady’s Secret too hard. Remember the end she didn’t want to load into the gate any longer. Not to mention S. Song who raced something like 13 races a yr as a 2,3 year old. Also,countless others,which some didn’t make it.
If I told you one major factor in her form reversal, and subsequent bolting at Saratoga, it would certainly add to your disdain of DWL. Those around at that time are not as forgiving as many who consider that the ancient past and see him in quite a different light.
Question for Mike and Deacon ….. Who do you consider very good or great trainers today and give your reasons why?
John, Graham, Shug, Richard, are wonderful! NEVER failing placing horses number 1 in care!!!!!!!!!!!
Lukas,like several are a disgrace! How long do u believe Zen would remain sound in his barn?
Thank you Mike: I believe Scret Oath would have been much better if she were in Shirreffs barn. In fact, Landaluce may not have died if she were in another barn. That’s speculation of course but it is possible.
Maybe if Ruffian had been with another barn she may have made it to be a broodmare…… Just speculation of course
Maybe if Swale had been with another barn he may have made it to be a Stallion ….. Just speculation of course
Maybe if Art Collector had been with another barn he would still be with us today …. Just speculation of course
What is your point? Lukas has a checkered history of running his horses in the ground.
As Rasheed Wallace so eloquently once said “Ball Don’t Lie”.
My point Deacon is Lukas’s training method (Unless you have knowledge otherwise) is not what killed her (Landaluce) . She succumbed to Colitis X ( The ailment that almost killed her daddy (sire) Seattle Slew). It is bacterial infection that caused blood clots to form in her system. She raced 5 times between July and November which I don’t thinks is an inordinate amount of races. She was running a hole in the wind with each race. She was very special and Lukas loved that horse. Remember this was 40+ years ago. No cell phones , No internet, Medical treatments today were not available back then.
Maybe it was heredity…. but that is speculation of course !!!
Landaluce never got the chance for Lukas to run her into the ground. I really don’t understand your argument here. Lukas has a checkered history. Because he has been successful the owners give him their stars for him to train. MIke R is correct, he ran Lady’s Secret, whom I consider to one of the top 5 greatest mares ever to racez, into the ground. Thirteen races in one year is absurd.
Deacon, on board 100% w/ u regarding S O. She needs a new barn.
Mike asked how do I think Zen ( i think you are referring to Zenyatta ) would have faired with Lukas. Training wise I have no issue. He and Sherriff have similar styles but remember in this game it takes two to Tango and Mike Smith played a big part in her winnings as except for her first 3 races he rode her the last 17 and tearfully admitted he probably cost her loss in her last race when he said he moved her too late. Also she ran 17 (out of 30 ) of her races on synthetics which probably contributed to her longevity and winning as synthetics tended to favor closers back then. She only raced 3 times out of California. Twice at Oaklawn and won and once at Churchill Down were she came in 2nd in her only defeat. Not sure if Lukas still had a full time stable in California at the time so her racing path may have gone a different direction and who knows were she would have raced but I feel her racing synthetics contributed to longevity and winnings.
As for Secret Oath she has raced against some pretty hard company , Nest, Clairierre, Malathaat etc… So she is not being beaten by $10,000 claimer. Also it is my opinion she was given some poor rides by Saez. Could she have done better with another trainer? Hard to say but I think Lukas has done a good job with her.
Does Lamb Chop count, broke down in the Strub Stakes.
Gun Bow won the race. We never hear or talk about Lamb Chop but I saw her run & she was special.
Lamb Chop certainly was, as was her stablemate Princessnesian. That big, white face.
Gamely was a stablemate of Princessnesian, those 2 were very formidable in those years. In fact, Gamely finished 2nd to Dr. Fager in the 1968 Californian at Hollywood Park. I parked myself right on the finish line & watched the race. The Doc was my favorite horse so I always perk when he is mentioned.
Remember Desert Law, Geechie Lou, T V Lark, Sledge, Gummo etec etc
I stand corrected. Was thinking of that Perry/Maloney stable of powerhorse fillies & mares so prominent in the 60s.
I recall those horses you mentioned, though not West coast based. The horse who got me into racing was Hillsdale, who I’m sure you remember.
Well, we have something in common, Hillsdale was the 1st horse I fell in love with. Silver Spoon was next as I knew her trainer Robert Wheeler a little bit.
Terry’s Secret, How Now, Real Good Deal, Round Table & Northern Dancer were also favorites of mine. That was back in the day.
Yes, Lamb Chop was a favorite of mine. I think the original comment on this discussion dealt with undefeated fillies, which she wasn’t, but she certainly was special. She should be included in more discussions.
While Secretariat has an “amazing” 16 pedigree connections to the seven Travers entrants, it should be noted that Man o’ War’s continuing powerful pedigree presence is evident in his incredible 170 appearances in the pedigrees of the seven horses: Arcangelo 45, Forte 25, Mage 4, National Treasure 9, Tapit Trice 42, Disarm 31, and Scotland 14. Man o’ War is also prominent in the pedigrees of all of the last 7 Travers winners, including 101 in the last three: Arcangelo 45, Epicenter 21, Essential Quality 35.
I guess youe going to keep doing this every time I mention Secretariat. Come back and compare in 50 years.
Man o’ War’s been dead and able to influence pedigrees from a distance for a longer time than Secretariat. He retired to stud in late 1920, after all, and he stayed at stud for a long, long time.
Apples to oranges.
Unreal David! Can you say obsessed?
“We are lucky to live now when it comes to having horses.”
The quote above is very sobering to me. I took it from a FB post by someone whom I follow who has bred, raised, trained and shown horses in a variety of disciplines for over 65 years.
“Hovering like a distant storm cloud” is a shrinking minority of people who have and care for horses, a shortage of veterinarians, farmers to raise hay, grains and straw, loss of farmland, population growth, urban and suburban sprawl; growing backlash by well funded animal rights activist groups who bend the ear of all politicians in exchange for campaign donations and climate change activists and rising costs for everything from buckets to shoes.
The question is now being asked, will there still be horses 50, 100, 200 years from now. Will they exist as pets or only in zoos?
Things will no doubt change dramatically from we see today.
More breeds will vanish, especially among the drafts like the American Cream, Suffolk Punch and Shires. The wild Mustang will no longer roam free, the Assateaque and Chincoteaque ponies, the Corollas on the coast of North Carolina and the wild horses on Cumberland Island off Georgia are being threatened.
Some equestrian sports including horse racing, endurance, gymkhana will disappear.
There has always been a connection between horse and human since prehistoric cave men learned that the horse was far more valuable than being chased off a cliff to be used as a food source.
From the moment the first cave man sat on a horse and unleashed the power of the horse that connection between horse and human cannot and will not be denied.
The fight to save horse racing must be continued. If horse racing fails then it will set up a chain reaction domino effect and horse ownership, companionship, friendship and all the equine disciplines will disappear one by one.
Future generations will only be able to read about the horse and look at photos, paintings and perhaps videos of these majestic creatures who enriched our lives for thousands and thousands of years.
This is why I might back off from horse racing but can never walk away. The demise of horse racing will be the beginning of the end.
Very moving post, Lynda. I have lost faith in almost all the institutions in our country, and in many ways, the future, but horses are a connection to a better past. It is gratifying to see so many girls and young women still love horses. When horses and racing become politicized, we all lose, because at that point the truth doesn’t matter. I saw the horses at Cumberland Island a couple years ago, roaming among the ruins. I didn’t realize they were under threat. Let’s hope the many insects on the island keep humans at bay.
Todd, they want to develop Cumberland Island. Also that the horses are a menace to the ecosystem. Also complaints that they ate sickly and need to be euthanized.
Similar issues for the Corolla herd and other herds on the Outer Banks, that they are damaging the ecosystem.
The Assateaque and Chincoteaque ponies are being subjected to complaints from animal rights groups and PETA that annual channel swim every year is cruel and animal abuse. In the 50 plus year history of the channel swim for the auction not one pony has been.
The original Horse Protection Act became law almost 50 years ago was to protect the wild Mustang herds and the BLM was charted with being responsible for them. The BLM has royally screwed that up. Stallions were not culled from the herds, gelded and released back on the range. There was an attempt by the BLM to sterilize mares that resulted in the deaths of the mares.
The EPA will not allow the use of birth control drug for the mares that can be injected into muscle and is good for I think a couple of years. The BLM has spent most of its funding for holding pens that are allow death for the horses. Thankfully there are big rescues who take as many as they can and turn them loose on private, protected lands. Sadly many end up in the slaughter pipeline along with the burroes and donkeys. Again, the Mustangs are destroying the ecosystem and powerful lobbies are pushing for annihilation of all the herds, claiming that they ate not indigenous.
Most people do not realize that equus evolved on the North American continent. There is evidence to support they did not all disappear during the Ice Age.
Very interesting documentary several years ago about research on the genetics of the spotted or Appallosa colored wild horses. Genetic testing of those horses and ones in Mongolia matched. Not all of the Mustangs go back to the Spanish horses that were brought over by the Spanish expeditions in the 1500’s.
I think it was Ghandi who said you tell a lot about how a nation treats its people based on how the nation treats its animals.
I share your concerns Todd.
.
Edit: not one pony has been lost during the channel swim.
The horses on cumberland appeared quite healthy and not that prevalent. As for Mustangs, management should not equal cruelity. I guess it’s usually about cattle. I hate to get in bed with certain people, but the meat industry really doesn’t reflect well on us.
Lynda, have great respect for all your comments. Thanks!
Thank you Mike.
Also,thanks for your caring regarding horses.
Again, thank you Mike.
Eloquent post, Lynda. I find it interesting that all of these wild herds are threatened not from a concern for their health and safety but because of development pressure. Cumberland Island is one of the last of the huge, pristine barrier islands on the east coast. In one of my former lives, I was a county planner for three years. In just that short window of time, I watched as large swaths of Hilton Head Island — completely pristine in 1960 — got built out. Cumberland should be made a national park or seashore, like parts of the Outer Banks, but that’s unlikely in the current political climate.
Racetracks, too, are lost to development pressure, notably in California where Hollywood Park and long ago, Tanforan, were sold for development. (The layout of the old Tanforan oval is still visible in a the plan of the subdivsion that replaced it.) New York lost Morris Park to t a New York City reservoir. The seaside tracks in New York — Sheepshead Bay and Coney Island — probably folded because of the racing ban in New York in 1910-1912, but they were probably destined for redevelopment anyway. And look what’s happening at Belmont Park: it’s becoming a multisport & event facility. The only countries where racing is thriving seem to be Japan and Australia.
The farm on Chincoteaque that belongs to the Beebee family who bought Misty and her dam from the pay swim auction is the most recent to be threatened. The farm was originally a hundred acres and all has been sold for development but the house and ten acres. If you recall the story of Misty and the Beebee family was the inspiration for Marguerite Henry’s book and the subsequent book. When word got out the farm and ten remaining acres were to be sold, a Go Fund Me was started and most of the $650,000 selling price was raised, enough to put the farm under contract. The house and farm will turned into a museum. Two direct descendants of Misty still live on the farm.
There has been an on going battle for some time to protect land in Maryland from construction of wind tunnel and solar panel farms. So far the the courts have sided with keeping the area as a natural habitat. Not sure how much longer they will win however.
It is not just developers, it is also the push for solar panel snd wind turbine farms.
Not far from me a beautiful 500 acre farm was sold for construction of a solar panel farm.
Just pressures now from all sides to devlope not only race tracks and places like Cumberland Island but valuable farmland for b raising food.
Edit: subsequent movie.
Of course I remember Misty of Chincoteague! Another barrier island that should never be developed. These fragile barrier islands are just sand dunes and rough weather, and they are vanishing nearly as fast as the horses.
Ms B, sadly I have to agree with you.
I loved the Misty stories. I certainly hope the farm is preserved.
Jiffy, yes the farm was saved and is now owned by the non profit museum that was created to save it and establish the museum. Enough money was raised through donations to pay for the farm in full and all associated costs.
I read that the museum is expected to open later this year.
The Chincoteaque/Assateaque wild pony herd draws a lot of visitors every year and always for the annual pony swim.
To protect the integrity of the herd several pony foals are purchased every year at the auction and returned (set free) on the islands.
The Corolla Wild Horse herd is also effectively managed.
Just a shame that the BLM has never learned or cared enough to protect the wild Mustangs and burros.
I’m so glad it was saved! Thanks for the update!
You are most welcome!
My thanks also for the information. The Chincoteague ponies are an important piece of Americana, and the farm is an important part of their story. Everything about them should be preserved.
I suspect if an honest history is ever written, solar panels, wind turbines, and the current elictrical vehicles will be judged harshly. Someday, fossil fuels will need to be replaced, but the current technoligies are dangerous and counterproductive. But a select few are being monetarily and egotistically enriched.
Thank you for this article. Again it helped with the upsetting Saturday at Saratoga. Thank you for featuring the broodmares and the wonderful racing fillies and mares. I love the females and bringing to light the other female trainer from so long ago. Ms. Antonucci is so eloquent and clearly loves her horses and has a great passion for the sport. There was a great snippet on you tube where she is talking to him as she went down to get him . So emotional. Arrogate’s babies had a great weekend here and in Canada. He was something to see. I feel privileged that I did. His life was too short.
Always look forward to your articles. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it. Its hard to wiite against about these big races and events against such a depressing background.
Three 3yos drew into the 11-horse Pacific Classic, Geaux Rocket Ride drew the rail, as the 5/2 favorite…. Arabian Knight drew the nine hole as the 5/2 second choice…..Skinner drew the eleven post, at 10-1, he seems to always go wide….
Meant to say Arabian Knight is the 3-1 second choice….
It’ll.be interesting to see how the 3 year olds run here. The older horses look tough to me.
Hello Steve – I recently read an interesting and positive article from Thoroughbred Daily News. The article stated that of 7,085 starts for horses at Gulfstream Park on their synthetic track in 2022 that there was only one equine fatality. This statistic is hopeful and eye opening. The horses and the jockeys health and safety must come first for the sport that we love. I wouldn’t mind seeing ALL Dirt tracks converted to Synthetic with such a low death rate on synthetic. I certainly would be willing to watch the KY Derby, Belmont, Preakness and all of the major races as well as all races period that were intended for dirt shifted to synthetic because of this stat of success that GP has shown to be safe for horses. What is your view on this Steve? I welcome comments from all others on this website also and would like their take on this matter. Tragedies like Maple Leaf Mel and NY Thunder have to be averted if at all possible. After seeing NY Thunder break down I turned the channel and only came back much later to watch the Travers.
From a safety standpoint it would be a no brainer. Fom a racing standpoint it would eliminate history, as the sport would become two separate and ditinct stories. But at this stage safety takes pecedence. Gulfsteam and now Belmont are moving in that direction, and Turfway is producing some top dirt horses so pehaps the chasm is narowing and we will will get more foeign horses here. Look at the 2008 BC Classic. Curlin was compromised and we has Euros finish 1.2. Good or bad it became a different sport.
Joe, as Steve has mentioned above, changing all the dirt tracks to Tapeta will alternate the the history of breeding/racing in the US but it appears that sacrifice is necessary to save the most beautiful sport in the US. It’s taken around 50 years for racing to finally take control of lasix usage, and other medications (legal & illegal), on race day to a certain extent but frequently seeing beautiful horses breaking down in major races while the world is watching is something else. The future of US racing is immediate.
I remember reading 40 or so years ago in various racing magazines, as well as viewing sales, that too many badly conformed horses were being kept in the herd to sustain a huge demand of overpriced yearlings at the time. Moreover, many believed that fancy pedigrees were driving sales prices not confirmation. Things are vastly different now but the damage has been done. Racing on dirt requires ‘iron clad’ runners, turf and synthetic tracks are more forgiving on runners that have conformation defects.
Eventually dirt racing will return to its previous glory days but the right horses to breed from and the right runners are chosen for dirt, synthetic, and turf tracks. Technology(veterinary) is here to help in that selection in the meantime a compromise will be required to save the ship before racing has foundered.
Continuing the pale cast over this Saratoga meet, Jonathan Sheppard passed away this weekend. Of all of Jonathan’s historic accomplishments, one that is amazing is his streak of winning a race at the Spa for 45 consecutive years. A truly humble gentleman, with a dry sense of humor, he will be missed by those who were lucky enough to know him. RIP, and condolences to his family.
Beautifully written. Sad week indeed.
I remember Mr. Sheppard showing up at Atlantic City to saddle even his lower level horses for night races. He also brought down some real good fillies for the Matchmaker Stakes, one of them being Trevita.
I’m very sorry to hear that. I remember when Jonathan Sheppard was a steeplechase rider and he was good at that, too. I think he rode at the same time as Barclay Tagg. That group produced some wonderful horsemen.
It was really a weekend with highs and lows, actually the entire Saratoga meet could be described that way. Steve, your column this week really helped to put a little salve on the wounds. It’s so hard to be a lover of horse racing sometimes. But I won’t walk away because there’s so much good out there, and it always seems to make the tragedy bearable. But I can’t express it like you can.
Meanwhile, I was so lifted up by Arcangelo and Jena Antonucci this weekend, after holding my breath, praying for a safe trip for all. How could anyone be unhappy about that result? I also had high hopes for Disarm, and he didn’t disappoint. I went into this race feeling maybe a little underwhelmed by Forte, and nothng has happened to change that opinion so far.
I was also glad to hear that Ruffian has been treated with such respect. I’ve never been to Belmont Park, but every time I’ve seen it on TV, I’ve always looked for that flagpole and then thought of her. I remember watching that race on TV as it happened back in 1976, and I came close to abandoning the sport back then, but of course I didn’t. And finally, as to Secretariat’s daughters, what an impact they’ve made in the breed. I routinely look for Secretariat in almost every horse’s pedigree, and it’s really impressive how often I find him.
RIP Funny Cide and now Sarava.
You expressed exactly how I felt about Steve’s column, Beth.
How could anyone be unhappy? With all due respect to Jena and Archangelo, who scored a very impressive victory and who have my congratulations, if you love Forte, you were not happy with the Travers. Probably if you love Mage or National Treasure, you weren’t too thrilled either. It was a wonderful race for the winner, but some good horses didn’t run that way, and I was sorry about that.
I’m not sure we’ll see Forte on the racetrack again. He hasn’t developed during the year, and now he just doesn’ t seem to have the will. Maybe a couple of these 3 year olds can become good older horses, but none of them have run fast. Fortunately for them, the older horses are very thin right now.
I hope we see Forte again. For most of the year he did have the will to win. He would usually appear beaten at the top of the stretch and then come on and beat everybody. But that didn’t happen Saturday. I won’t give up on him because of one race–I want to see more and he’s still my favorite horse–but I was disappointed.
Jena illustrates clearly what a small barn and a $35,000 horse is capable of.
After reading many comments here regarding the ‘breed for speed’ as well as bone durability decline perhaps it is time to look again at all weather cushioned synthetic racing surfaces…which has proven to be the safest racing surfaces.
After the killing fields of Churchill Downs earlier this year, the closure of Laurel and now the deaths at Saratoga it is clear that something must be done and not some stamp of approval after a two hour meeting.
Woodbine, Turfway and Gulfstream has synthetic racing surfaces and California tracks installed in 2007 only to ‘mismanage’ the surface and convert back to dirt.
John, I agree that synthetics do need to be looked into as a potential replacement to dirt. I remember Santa Anita put a lot of money in trying to get synthetics to work I wouldn’t call it mismanagement at Santa Anita but it was an issue of drainage on certain parts of the track when heavy rains hit it. But in the end caved to owners like Jess Jackson (owner of Curlin) who complained that he would not run his horses on synthetic and only dirt which he said was more natural. He said Curlin lost the BCC because of it saying Curlin could not grab it, yet I disagree with him because Curlin made a big move on the turn coming into the stretch just to flatten out in the stretch. I felt it was more of a training issue at the time than the racing surface. There is an article right now on Paulick Report written about using synthetics to save racing and makes a good case for it. I personally would also like to see the elimination of the use of tractors for harrowing the race tracks between races. Possibly a “cog rail” system installed under the rail and outer side of the track with synchronized motor engines pulling the harrowing equipment. I have always felt New York tracks were safe when dry (even when sloppy) but when the rains came, but when they were drying they were dangerous. Santa Anita apparently has adopted a policy of not running races (or even training ) during inclement weather to prevent horse injuries. They have installed high tech scanning and therapy equipment to help with either finding horses with issues or helping horse recovery from injuries. I have stated previously High Tech , whether it is racing surfaces, scanning equipment , medical therapy can help be the saviour of horse racing.
Yes, I thought Bill Casner made a compelling case as well. As he points out, the Jockey Club Equine Injury Database’s data from last year reveals that “synthetic surfaces are 3.5 times safer than dirt and 2.2 times safer than turf.” It’s hard to argue against that, especially given the spikes in catastrophic breakdowns on dirt at Churchill and Saratoga this year.
In Monday’s “Thoroughbred Daily News” Mark Casse’s Q & A with Sue Finley made a similar argument for the need to replace dirt tracks by synthetic tracks – Tapeta.
A salient point Casse made was that if you train 50 horses on dirt, then scope them, 40% will show signs of bleeding even if they’re on Lasix. However, if you train the same 50 horse on a synthetic track Casse believes only 5% would show signs of bleeding. No brainer.
I believe a synthetic track will be installed at Belmont as part of the two-year makeover. Not sure if that means Big Sandy will no longer be a dirt course.
“ The one-mile synthetic oval will be located to the inside of the inner turf course and will serve as the fourth Belmont racing surface to complement the existing main track and two turf courses.”
John, your ‘king’ lives by bullet works. A program trainer, like Todd, who isn’t a true horseman.
I really don’t answer trolls, but what in the world are you taking about?
stating the obvious. Embarrassing and sad recently when stating your hero doesn’t look his age. Reality check- he looks every year of his seventy…..and then some. lol
English please. Are you commenting on synthetic racing surfaces or taking another disguised cheap shot at Baffert?
Well, he’s a cheap individual!
Amazing read Mr. Haskin, I hung on every word you wrote. I got chills & nostalgia while reading this. I also felt a pain deep down knowing that the immortal & greatest filly of all time basically died on the track. Every time I see a horse break down it brings back sad memories. I ask myself, is it worth it to invest so much energy & love into these fragile animals. Somehow I always come back. Your writing keeps me afloat & wanting more. I love every horse & I know they always try their best. My wife of almost 55 years told me once that the reason loves me is that I get up every day & go to work & try to do my best. I applaud all the lucky men who have these kinds of wives. We are surely blessed.
Thank you for posting this 🙂
Thanks vey much Deacon.
Disappointed in this piece. Expected more. I watched “live” (pun not intended) New York Thunder’s demise….I can no longer be a supporter of TB racing. Mega breeding, unsound to unsound, in breeding (massive stallion books) are the real problem. I’ve been a hard core fan since childhood, and had a private meeting with Secretariat and stud manager Clay Arnold in 1981. I’m so beyond sickened, and sad. I just can’t watch anymore. …just waiting for the next catastrophe…
2002 Belmont Stakes winner, Sarava, now races with the Heavenly Herd.
Thank you for another good article, Steve.
I always look to the female side for Stamina and longevity.
Any person can become a great horseman/trainer if given the chance and possessing the aptitude.
I was happy to read that Big Red is influencing the Travers and many other stake races through his female progeny.
On a side note, I believe the 3 year old championship and HOTY will come down to Arcangelo and Geaux Rocket Ride. They both
have improved every race and their trainers are proven, ( Mandela) and seem to be excellent, ( Antonucci).
Still waiting on Practical Move,though.
This is a very healing post, Steve. Thank you for sharing it with all of us.
Great article, Steve. I always appreciate being reminded of how racing’s past connects us to where we find ourselves today. Like everyone on here, it’s been difficult to reconcile my love of racing and appreciation for the horse with the almost unbearable tragedies of this summer. Sometimes it seems easier and right to walk away, but i won’t. So much of what i consider good and decent in the world is eroding and disappearing before my eyes. It seems the horses have been let down by greed and expediency, but there are still many good, caring people in racing. If racing dies, then what? The farms, the people, the connection to the land dies too. I’m not confident things can be turned around because money talks and horses continue to pay the price, but if racing dies, so does a way of life.
Exactly, Todd. We are living in a ‘shrinking world’ destined for total destruction unless those with sense can grab hold of the whip handle. I really fear what kind of firestorm is going to engulf Australia this summer.
Was very relieved Travers day ended on a high note with Jena and Arcangel. Saratoga has been a very tough meet to get through, even just watching on the couch. Fox has been fairly good with their coverage and at taking breaks in an attempt to avoid as much public outcry as possible. I sit with my phone set on Pedigreequery, where I found that the ill-fated Irish bred Nobel also went back to Terilingua, as did New York Thunder, who was even more heavily bred on Native Dancer than Nobel. Speaking of sitting on the couch watching horses, is there any chance you are taping your tour at Claiborne? It will undoubtedly be a great history lesson, and one I would really enjoy.
Thank you Steve.
Once again you have served up chicken soup for my aching heart and weary soul.
Admittedly I am struggling with the state of horse racing in America today and whether or not to continue as a fan of a sport I have loved for over 60 years.
Regarding Jenna, just the cutest photo of her, her team and Arcangelo with his tongue sticking out on her X page thanking everyone for their support. Guess you read the explanation about the 11 week layoff, so he could grow. Arcangelo is one happy horse!
Now that Ruffian is home, she has quite the Heavenly Herd to run with. I read the list of horses buried at Claiborne, some of which I was not aware of. Your quote from the Black Stallion describes her perfectly.
Secretariat lives on through his daughters. Used to bother me that he was discounted as a sire because he never reproduced himself. No longer do I feel that way. His legacy as a sire will live on forever through his daughters.
One quick question, is there a cemetery at The Meadow?
https://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/Graves/cem/GraveMattersMeadowStud.html
Thank you Debbie!
Yes Lynda there is a cemetery. but Somethingroyal is buried at a small private farm near The Meadow. I imagine it was once part of The Meadow.
Thank you
Lynda, I too struggled for years with regard to the sport of horse racing, and I finally came to the conclusion that it can no longer be reasonably defended. The events of the last few weeks at Saratoga confirm my decision.
I’ll continue to read Steve’s columns on the history of the great racehorses, but I no longer support the industry.
Thanks so much for this column. Having the pedigree info adds to what was a wonderful Travers. Happy to see Disarm come in 2nd, also. The first part of the day made me want to turn off the tube, but I didn’t. Not so sure I can continue watching, tho.