Memories of Inky Rekindled by Port and Fort
When Tawny Port runs in Saturday’s Jim Dandy Stakes, in which he will attempt to put his name among the leading 3-year-olds, I will be thinking of a very special horse who once carried those same silks of John Fort in the Kentucky Derby more than 20 years ago, just as Tawny Port did this year. ~ Steve Haskin
Memories of Inky Rekindled by Port and Fort
By Steve Haskin
The second season for 3-year-old colts has begun with the Haskell Invitational and will continue with next week’s Jim Dandy Stakes, so right now who do you like in the Travers? I think we now know Jack Christopher wants shorter distances, the lightly raced Taiba should definitely improve wherever he runs next off his excellent effort in the Haskell, and the victorious Cyberknife, despite his perfect ground-saving trip, is formidable on his best day.
We were blown away by Charge It’s 23-length laugher against a weak field in the Dwyer Stakes, and we look forward to three Triple Crown trail dynamos, Epicenter, Early Voting, and Zandon squaring off in the Jim Dandy. And finally, we all anticipate the return of Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike, who is training up to the Travers following his disappointing effort in the Belmont Stakes when he reportedly was hit in the eye with clods of dirt early in the race that had to be cleaned out by a veterinarian back at the barn, so he deserves another shot to repeat his shocking Derby performance.
So what if I told you there is a good chance the Travers winner, who is also scheduled to run in the Jim Dandy, hasn’t even been mentioned yet?
What I am saying is do not overlook Peachtree Stable’s Tawny Port, winner of the Lexington Stakes and Ohio Derby. In between, he ran a sneaky good race in the Kentucky Derby, beaten only 4 ¾ lengths at 80-1, coming back in three weeks and stretching out from 1 1/16 miles. Prior to that, he finished a strong second in the Jeff Ruby Steaks over a synthetic surface.
Peachtree Stable, owned by John Fort, has had some lean years since their last top horse, Lord Nelson, in 2015 and ’16. But they have been a force with horses such as Kentucky Oaks winner Plum Pretty, Red Giant, Flashpoint, Merchant Marine, High Cotton, and Fantasy Stakes winner Mamba Kimbo.
But Fort’s first big horse, and one who he will always remember, was Invisible Ink, whose story I latched onto while covering the 2001 Kentucky Derby.
With Fort back in the 3-year-old picture with a shot to win the Jim Dandy and Travers, I thought this would be a good time to retell the remarkable story of Invisible Ink, or Inky as he was known.
The son of Thunder Gulch, who Fort purchased for $105,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale, was trained by a young up-and-coming trainer named Todd Pletcher, who was making only his second appearance in the Derby. Invisible Ink was no slouch, having finished third in the Florida Derby and fourth in the Blue Grass Stakes, but was soundly beaten in both races. Going up against the likes of Santa Anita Derby winner Point Given, Wood Memorial winner, Congaree, Florida Derby winner Monarchos, Blue Grass winner Millennium Wind, and UAE Derby winner Express Tour it was no surprise to see Invisible Ink go off at 55-1 at Churchill Downs.
What was amazing about the colt was that he was even running in the Derby, or any race for that matter.
By all rights, Invisible Ink should have been nothing more than a tragic memory in the hearts and minds of the people who raised him and broke him and treated him. Instead, here he was at Churchill Downs, about to run in America’s greatest race. And all because he refused to die, thanks to a handful of people who refused to let him die.
In March of his 2-year-old year, while being trained at Bryan Rice’s Woodside Ranch in Ocala, Invisible Ink developed a superficial cut on his ankle, which didn’t heal as quickly as they had hoped. To stave off infection, he was treated with antibiotics and a small amount of butazolidan (Bute). But the colt began eating and drinking less and less, and eventually developed colitis. Rice decided to send him to Peterson-Smith clinic in Ocala. Something was spreading throughout the colt’s body, and his condition continued to deteriorate. Eventually, he couldn’t eat or drink at all, and his blood and body functions broke down. His blood protein levels dropped so low, all the fluids he was being administered flushed into his body and he developed edema.
“You could barely tell where his head and body joined,” Fort said. “His stomach area and testicles were the size of a beach ball. From the appearance of the throat and stomach, it was as if somebody had poured battery acid down this horse’s throat. It completely stripped the skin and ulcerated the horse’s stomach to the point where it hurt him so badly he couldn’t swallow water. His whole insides were like raw meat. The poor thing couldn’t even pick his head up. He’d accumulate all this saliva and would drink that. The vets had never seen anything like it before. One thought was that someone mistakenly had given him a massive overdose of Bute, thinking they were helping him.”
The colt was sent to Peterson-Smith, where he deteriorated so badly he went from weighing 900 pounds to 500 pounds. It finally reached the point where the insurance company gave permission to have him euthanized. But Fort and veterinarian Carol Clark, with the help of Dr. Robert Copelan, wouldn’t give up hope. Fort went to see the horse, and he and Dr. Clark and Dr. Copelan discussed on a conference call just what actions they could take. Fort assured Clark that they would try everything possible to save the horse.
“You can’t imagine what this horse looked like,” Fort said. “I was in Viet Nam and I’ve seen creatures who were dying, whether it was a bird or a dog or a person. You know when someone or something is beyond hope. I had never seen a creature sink this low. He was virtually on life-support system. We were giving him plasma at a rate of $1,000 a day. It was hour to hour, trying to save his life. This horse was dead.”
Clark would spend nights with Invisible Ink, coaxing him to eat. She would hold dissolvable food pellets called Purina Equine Junior in her hand, one at a time, trying to get him to take it. They also treated him with medication to help stop the acids from flushing back into his throat.
Dr. Copelan finally suggested they give him buttermilk that was left out in the sun to reintroduce bacteria and help restore the colt’s immune system. They found an old-fashioned farm in Ocala where the owners made their own buttermilk, and left it out in the 90-degree heat. After it became, as Fort said, “filthy and disgusting,” they fed it to Invisible Ink through a tube inserted in his stomach. They combined that with stomach medication. Soon, the colt began to respond. Once they were able to stabilize his manure and got him to where he could drink and eat on his own, the horse was on the first step to recovery.
By Memorial Day, Invisible Ink had turned the corner, and by mid-July he had regained the weight he had lost. Soon, he began to blossom, and eventually was sent to trainer Todd Pletcher. Before the Blue Grass Stakes Dr. Copelan paid a visit to Invisible Ink and told Fort, “I can’t believe it. I’m treating this horse for the Blue Grass, and a year ago I was trying to save his life.”
“With Dr. Copelan’s consultation and the inspiration of a young girl named Carol Clark and her traditional medicine, we were able to virtually bring this colt back from death,” Fort said. “People frequently give up in the things they try to do, but nature never gave up here. Nature was trying to restore this horse’s body back to health. Once we got out of nature’s way it was able to succeed. That this horse was able to survive is one of the most miraculous things I’ve ever seen.
“Winston Churchill once gave a famous speech to a group of youngsters at a boys school in England, in which he concluded, repeating over and over for several minutes, ‘Don’t ever…ever…ever…ever give up.”
In the week leading up to the Derby I became quite attached to Invisible Ink, knowing his story and watching him thrive at Churchill Downs. One of my fond recollections was when Fort was looking to get a halter and nameplate made up for Invisible Ink, and I suggested he leave the nameplate blank. I said in jest, “When someone asks you why there is no name on the halter you tell them, ‘The name is on there; it’s written in invisible ink.’” It was meant as a joke, but that’s exactly what Fort did, and he has since treasured that halter and blank nameplate.
I watched Invisible Ink graze each afternoon and could see his coat blossom more by the day, making him a live longshot. But as I mentioned, just being there and running in the Derby was a miracle in itself.
Ridden by John Velazquez, who was starting an incredible run as the No. 1 rider for Pletcher, Invisible Ink raced in ninth, then moved up between horses before swinging six-wide turning for home. Monarchos put in a big run and opened up in the stretch, drawing off to a 4 ¾-length victory in 1:59 4/5, the second fastest time in the Derby behind Secretariat. But Invisible Ink was also loaded and kept coming, just nosing out Congaree for second. The horse who refused to die had run one of the fastest Kentucky Derbys in history.
Although Invisible Ink won only one allowance race the rest of his career, he did join an illustrious list of Kentucky Derby runners-up that includes Native Dancer, Nashua, Gallant Man, Sword Dancer, Sham, Easy Goer, and Alydar, just to name a few. He pretty much faded into obscurity, but his second-place finish in the Derby in the second fastest time ever run and finishing ahead of eventual Horse of the Year and Hall of Famer Point Given will remain a part of Derby lore.
Seeing Fort’s name back in the 3-year-old picture with Tawny Port brought back wonderful memories of a very special Derby and also that day in 2011 when a grief-stricken Fort called to inform me Invisible Ink had died of a neurological disorder at age 13 at Pin Oak Lane Farm in New Freedom, Pennsylvania.
Most of Fort’s words were indecipherable as he tried unsuccessfully to get them out through the tears that flowed freely and the distinct quaver in his voice. Finally, he was forced to end the conversation. He truly had lost a member of his family. Although Inky was far too young, Fort was well aware that every day of the colt’s life was a miracle.
I know I’ll be thinking about him when I see Fort’s familiar purple silks in action on the big stage next Saturday.
Photos courtesy of Louise E. Reinagel and Cynthia Hunter
Corniche’s future is on grass.
Well, we can say something about this year’s three year old col. Those who represented them as 2 year olds in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile were ‘stinkers.’ All have been ordinary, at best, since that race.
The winner and runner up in last year’s BC Juvenile colts just came last and fourth in the Amsterdam Stakes.
The BC Juvenile has always been mostly a non factor as a launch pad for the classics. Last year’s field has proven to be atrocious.
This year’s Travers field looks to be one of the deepest and most competitive in years, although Epicenter should only improve off the Jim Dandy. And dont count out Nest yet, as she is still in the discussion.
Epicenter
Zandon
Early Voting
Rich Strike
Charge It
Artorius
Cyberknife
Tawny Port
Nest?
Not saying he’s going to but…if Cyberknife wins he’ll have three gr1s….Epicenter has zero….
That’s exactly what I was thinking, Matthew.
That’s true Steve, I did feel Jack Christopher should have been given the Eclipse but that’s life. Looking forward though, the Travers Stakes does look marvelous all the colts and Nest have an excellent chance of winning which is rare. Fingers crossed for a perfect day and no rain. Will you be there?
David’s, I do not know that all the blame is on the colt.
Steve Asmussen has trained the winner of the Amseterdam the most times in recent years.
Corniche was sent to Pletcher after Baffert’s woes and has been on layoff since the BC in November.
Horses are different. A one size fits all, cookie cutter training program does not work for all horses.
Some do well, others do not.
HA, in reference to “tablets”, it just took me twice the amount of time to type out the above paragraph
On this tablet as it would have on my desktop.
Fighting with predictive text is a pain. Holding a tablet aggravates an old neck snd shoulder injury.
It impedes the flow of words from my brain to the page.
The darn thing has to be placed on charge several times a day.
The cameras (it has 2) are great if one is into selfies which I am not.
No USB port for me to download photos from my digital camera. The connection is not the same.
It is great for downloading or streaming movies and e-books however.
This thing reminds me of the smart phone I had…fragile…limited.
Loaded with a bunch of unnecessary junk I do not need and impossible to move between
Open windows and the screen is too small.
And it takes me back to the desktop if I put it down for more tan 30 seconds and closes.
Thanks but no thanks. It is the third one I have had and they rarely last more than a couple of years.
Desktops are good for at least 8 or 9 years if you buy a quality one like a Dell.
And last but not least, no one will work on these things!
Lynda:
My sympathies on having lost your computer. I’m always on edge that my 7 year old laptop will die unexpectedly ever since it almost did 2 years ago. Luckily I’m not far from an independent computer store that managed to rebuild the thing for $400 two years ago — all new bottom half (it’s a MacBook Pro). I’d be lost without it.
About the horses: I personally am down with Epicenter as the best of the 3YOs. Love Zandon, but he’s yet to beat Epi when the chips were down. Sure, he can turn the tables in the Travers. I’m really looking forward to that race, especially since this is as deep into the year without an obvious leader to the three year old crop as I can remember.
Ms Blacktype, totally agree about this crop of 3 year old. Think there a lot of talent, anyone of which can bubble to the top. I like several of the..Epicenter, Cyberknife, Zandon.
I could have the motherboard replaced in my desktop but chosev not too because it does not meet the requirement for Windows ll
which is already out and MS will only be supporting Windows 10 for two more years.
Therein is part of the problem. Both MS and Apple force the purchase of a new device that will meet the requirements of the platform software. Same with smart phones.
Over the years I have had both desktops and laptops both at work and at home and have found that the desktops far outb perform the laptops. Case in point, my husband and I both had brand new HP laptops. Mine cost almost a thousand and his around 500.
On both rhe hinge broke about 30 days after the warranty expired. Tried to repair mine, 200 to fix, but it did not last a month.
It’s very much like an automobile I think. At what point do you stop repairing and buy another vehicle. It just is not cost effective
and it becomes a money pit. So I will just chill with this tablet until I can afford a desk top that already has Windows 11
Lynda, try out an IMac. I stopped using PCs at home over 20 years ago and the resale value of Apple products is amazing. You can update everything all the time at very little expense.
Lynda, you’ll have to forgive my attack on last year’s Breeders’ Cup field but I thought Jack Christopher was ‘outstanding’ and Corniche was lucky having had a home advantage against a questionable field. Yes, sour grapes but I do admire the progeny of Munnings. I wish Chad Brown had not decided to overextend Jack Christopher’s range the colt would have remained undefeated.
As for your computer trouble, buy a Mac you won’t look back. Trust me, I ‘have’ to use PCs and Macs in my work and the difference in ease of use is simply incredible. Go to a Mac shop and play around with one, you’ll be hooked. Ha ha
Hey Davids, I disagree quite often with trainers’ decisions including Baffert.
I belong to several discussion groups about horse training in general and one is lead by a gentleman who bred, raised and trained Lippit Morgans for decades in a variety of disciplines. Quite often the Thoroughbred comes up in the discussions. At one time the Thoroughbred was used for a variety of disciplines, not just racing but cross country, dressage, show ring jumping; endurance and they were ridden by Army Generals in war both here and in other countries. The overall consensus is that the Thoroughbred in the United States at least has been ruined by the training methods, the drugs, and the way they are stabled. For anyone who purchaes an OTTB, it takes months to get all the drugs out of their system, for them to settle down so they can be cross trained and to get them “well” mentally, physically and emotionally. But that of course is a discussion for another day I guess. Just a shame though that the Thoroughbred is shell of its former self.
Agree too about Jack Christopher but I guess the powers that be wanted to stretch him out.
As to computers, I agree Macs are the best. In fact, our first home computer system back in the mid 90’s was Mac.
I have looked at the Macs but in all honesty they are too expensive for me now. There was a time that I could pay a thousand dollars for a computer, laptop or tablet etc, but not now. Sure you can buy a renewed (refurbished, used) computer for around 300 including Macs but that is no go for me. Bought a “renewed” computer several years ago and is in fact the desktop that the motherboard is going out on. Learned my lesson on that one. Buying a renewed computer is like beyond a previously owned car..someone got rid of it for some reason and you very well could be buying another person ‘s troubles.
Have to agree that tablets are handy. Was working on something in the yard today and ended up taking the tablet out in the yard to look up something on the internet.
Guess it sounds like I have my heels dug in regarding tablets but not really…just not ready to give up my mouse, keyboard, 15 inch monitor etc for something I have to hold and that makes my old shoulder, neck injury and carpal tunnel flare up, LOL
“
Yes Lynda, friends of mine have had thoroughbreds/quarter horses for dressage and have said the exact same things although they also say how intelligent the thoroughbreds are keen to learn. The training and stabling, unfortunately, will never change unless more facilities like Fair Hill are commissioned. Being restrained in a box most of the time obviously is detrimental to a horse’s psyche. With the drugs, there is optimism, that societal demands will force horse racing to change or be forced out of existence. Not in our lifetime but it will come.
You’re right about second-hand computers, another person’s problem. Mind you, I sell my iPads/iPhones back in excellent condition and working order and get a good price for them. The iMacs I donate to schools or give them away. Good luck, with getting a new computer though.
A silly thing I did last week was hold the iPhone and fall asleep listening to racing tips/chatter, when I awoke my hand was in agony – strained something- couldn’t hold any weight for a week. Crazy, all I was doing was holding the phone upright. You learn something new, every day. I’m addicted to daily exercise so you can imagine my frustration/annoyance. Lol.
Davids that is wonderful that you donate your computers to schools! So many children, especially those in high school or attending junior colleges or community colleges here in the Unied States simply cannot afford computers which are a must today. They end up having to use the ones in libraries and of course there are usually a lot of others waiting to use them as well.
Lynda, I wish I had the income of a ‘tech baron’ or an oligarch, imagine the good you could do.
Tremendous Eddie Read win today by #12 Master Piece, big price—he won big—but it was a nail biter, because Cali stewards looked at an incident RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE—where the #12 came in slightly….Steve do you recall Tight Spot, in the Del Mar Derby doing the same thing, and they dropped him…I thought they were going to use that race as an example how to judge THIS race—two bad calls—but after 11 minutes they gave the 4 length win to the…..winner.
If ya haven’t seen today’s 8th race, at Del Mar— watch #7 Justique…..
You’re right, Matthew, Justique is magnifique!! Bernardini is becoming the ‘Buckpasser’ broodmare sire of the 21st Century. The daughters of Bernardini are worth their wait in gold.
I thought it was fitting to mention the excellent performance of Tawny Port in yesterday’s Jim Dandy.
He tracked closely Early Voting and Zandon and rallied decisively in lane one to finish only 2 lengths behind the current leader of the division, Epicenter. Zandon had to work hard to withhold the son of Pioneerof the Nile by just a half length; but the Preakness champion, Early Voting, was not able of fend off the final kick of Tawny Port.
John Fort and Brad Cox should be very happy about the consistent progress of Tawny Port.
Tawny Port proved that he belongs with the best of his generation, and he will be one of the favorites in the Pennsylvania Derby.
No one TV mentioned him even though he was right there
I see not commenting on Tawny Port’s performance as a kind of lapse as there were only four brilliant 3-year-olds gallantly competing in the Jim Dandy…
Anyway, Irad Ortiz did a great job but Tawny Port deserves recognition for his big effort in a race setting that did not benefit his running style at all…
Nelson, I wouldn’t be jumping to a conclusion that Epicenter is the leader of the three year old division. Which Grade 1 race has he won? Grade 2 prep race wins doesn’t cement the ‘title’ as leader of the pack. Hold your powder until the Travers Stakes has been run and won. Zandon, was obviously ridden close up to see how this would workout in the Travers Stakes. I’d hazard a guess they will return to his previous style for the big race.
As much as I like the chances of Charge It in the Travers Stakes and would consider him the big fish in a muddy pond at present, he lacks a Grade 1 win as well. Many may consider Cyberknife the leader with good reason, he has Grade 1 wins to back that choice or Taiba?
At this stage, Nelson is championing Epicenter and David is championing Charge It we can’t both win and we could both be far from the mark but it does make racing fun, yes fun. Good luck, mon ami.
Right now Cyberknife comes off as the leading 3 year old colt.
Epicenter needs a grade one.
I see Charge It, Cyberknife and Epicenter in the mix for 3 year old.
Taiba still has the chance to make some noise.
Cannot forget the filly Nest though she will most likely run in the Distaff.
Been out of commission, desk top computer croaked….motherboard.
Stuck using this tablet for now which I cannot stand. Too much AI on these things.
Thankful for it however until I scrape up 500-600 for a new desktop.
Ah ha, Lynda is championing Cyberknife!! I’m not sure if Cyberknife will turn up I can the Travers Stakes, the Pennsylvania Derby seems more likely. Should Cyberknife win the Pennsylvania Derby it would be difficult to topple him unless one of the three year olds wins the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
My iPad is the preferred means of ‘communication’ these days. Lynda you may learn to love the tablet. However, if it’s not an iPad you have my sympathy.
is Jackies Warrior the best medium distance horse since Dr Fager?
STEVE :Dr Fager was the first horse I fell in love with.not too many folks remember him anymore!
thanks for your good work and wonderful articles and books
Ray
—
Ray Unger
Thank you Ray, Those who saw Dr. Fager sure havent forgotten him, and he has a mystique to thosee who didnt see him.
Well, we don’t know, he didn’t run in the Met Mile he ran instead in the True North… Speaker’s Corner and Flightline ran in the Met, and Life Is Good can run some.. .Jackie’s won a gr1 yesterday, he was the only gr1 caliber horse in the race, middle distance is a mile, mile and sixteenth.
Nope. Not even close.
How about Wise Dan?
CHOPPED LIVER PARM EH??? THERES A UNIQUE BLEND OF CULTURAL GASTRONOMY THAT MIGHT WORK…
BEFORE I CLOSE OUT THIS MINI JOURNEY, MAY I HIGHLY RECOMMEND BILLY CRYSTALS MOVIE “HERE TODAY”. IT WILL TOUCH YOUR HEART THE WAY YOURS HAVE TOUCHED OTHERS… BILLY IS A MENSCH (THAT MUCH YOU HAVE IN COMMON)…
I FINALLY GOT THE COURAGE UP TO TELL YOU THAT YOUR INDUCTION CEREMONY BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE AND A SMILE ACROSS MY FACE AS BIG AS A CONEY ISLAND HOT DOG (OR IN YOUR CASE, A CHOW MEIN SANDWICH)… FOR A KID FROM THE STREETS OF BENSONHURST (OUR STREETS) WHO TOILED SO LONG AND HARD TO ACHIEVE HIS GOAL AND TO FINALLY REACH THE PINNACLE OF SUCCESS IN SUCH AN ESTEEMED INDUSTRY IS TRULY NOTHING SHORT OF AMAZING…GOD SPEED TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY…
STEVE HERES TO…PUNCH BALL/STOOP BALL/STICK BALL/BOX BALL/TRIANGLE/SEWER TO SEWER/KICK THE CAN/SKULLY/
RING-A-LEEVEE-O/ & JOHNNY ON THE PONY…….SEE ‘YA ‘ROUND……..BROTHER.
That really means a lot to me John. Thank you so much. It has been quite a road. I still dont know how I got here.
You pretty much covered the gamut of street games. Played ’em all. Let’s see what I can add. Off the wall, Hide and go seek, curves. king queen, hit the penny, We were all fanatics of the board game All Star Baseball, and there was Electric Football, and Bask-ett.
It’s been a lot of fun reminiscing. Thanks for the memories.
BTW, my favorite TV show was Brooklyn Bridge. If youve never seen it it’s on You Tube. Takes place in your neighborhood. The lives of the kids paralleled mine so much. It was so well done and eally brought brought back memories.
Steve I had the All-Star Baseball game, and made up a league of teams and played the games! By the way I’m texting this at Del Mar, have not been here in over 40 years, came to see Mandaloun up close, nomatter if he wins he’s one heckuva good looking horse! Trained here, looked all over…..huge crowd, women dressed like Sat night…..they scream when race starts, and I keep thinking a horse fell!…..
LOL. We made up a league too. We even kept score. The biggest fun was making up the startibg lineup.
Ok as long as we’re on the subject of board games, how about Strat-O-Matic Baseball?! We had soooooo much fun playing that game!
If I recall….Pete Rose had a huge “13”, which was a single…..they didn’t have many of the top players, but I remember guts like Willie Horton, and Jim Northrup…..
OUR GO CARDS SURE OPENED UP A NEW WORLD OF INDEPENDENCE. I BYPASSED THE MAD RUSH AND STOOD ON THE CONCRETE FOUNDATION BEHIND THE LAST ROW ON ONE END. CLOSE ENOUGH TO BANG ON THE METAL ROOFING TO CREATE NOISE. ATTENDED THE NHL OLD TIMERS ALL STAR GAME IN ’84. A BANQUET THE NITE BEFORETHE GAME WAS AT SHERATON MEADOWLANDS AND ALL THE GREATS YOU MENTIONED WERE ALL THERE. MET STAN MIKITA IN OF ALL PLACES THE MENS ROOM. TALES OF HAWKS HOCKEY NEVER SOUNDED SO GOOD AS RETURNED TO OUR TABLES.
WHAT EDDIE SHACK (THE CLOWN PRINCE…AND MY FAVORITE PLAYER) WAS DOING AT AN ALL STAR BANQUET WAS BEYOND ME……..WOW!!!! 2 ND ROW BEHIND THE BASKET???? YOU GUYS WERE CLOSE ENOUGH TO GET SWEATED ON :)…REMEMBER THE CHICAGO ZEPHYRS???…HOW BOUT OPENING WEEK AT SHEA ’64
I’D CLIP 20 BORDENS MILK COUPONS WHICH GOT YOU IN FREE UP IN THE NOSEBLEEDS. WENT WITH MY CLOSE JEWISH FRIEND .
WE SWITCHED OUR BAG LUNCHES.HE GOT THE CHICKEN PARM…. I GOT HIS CHOPPED LIVER..NEVER WERE TWO FRIENDS MORE IN HEAVEN…..
First and second row and we were almost always in the first row. That banquet souds amazing. Mikita and Mahovlich were my two favorite players by far. Next time try the chopped liver parm.
Talking about health of racehorses and their care, it is noteworthy that there are practically no injuries among the prospects who participated in the 2022 Derby trail.
I keep track of how Steve’s very first 12 ranked horses (January) progress through the grinding training in the first quarter of the year.
This year seven (7) horses in Steve’s first ranking were able to reach the Derby starting gate. Four horses were not able to get enough points but remained healthy and training till now. From this first list, only one (Giant Game) was out due to a minor surgery to correct a displaced palate.
The surprising Un Ojo, who earned enough qualifying Derby points, was not in Steve’s first ranking but was ruled out after requiring stitches to heal a wound he suffered after reportedly hitting the rail while running in the Arkansas Derby.
Similarly, a late entry in the Rankings, Forbidden Kingdom, was also withdrew from Derby aspirations due to an epiglottis issue erupting in the Santa Anita Derby.
So musculoskeletal injuries seem to be curtailed at least for the sample comprising the Derby prospects who competed in the qualifying races this year.
I hope this trend continues in the future … horse health has always been the highest priority of the Horse Racing industry and these positive outcomes validate that principle…!
Nelson, two Tapit colts with outstanding pedigrees that never made it to the Derby but may still make names for themselves are racing on Saturday. Capensis in race 10 at Saratoga and Zatip in race 7at Colonial Downs. Hopefully, they can take another step forward.
Correction. Zatip races on Monday not Saturday at Colonial Downs in race 7 or at Parx on August 3 also in race 7.
Zatip was one among seven promising sons of Tapit I included in my virtual stable to track during the Derby trail. Zatip confirmed his potential as a Stakes horse in his triumphant reappearance on July 1st in 7 furlongs at Laurel. His M/L is 6 to 1 for the Housebuster H. at Colonial where he must face an imposing contender in Conagher.
The Allowance option at Parx on August 3rd looks way easier for him though…
Actually I missed following Capensis just because he has been training and invested in Turf races… but as you say the son of the brilliant mare Tara’s Tango will likely be climbing ranks given his very promising debut at Belmont. I will be watching the 10th at Saratoga today with great interest indeed…!
I did have major concerns for Capensis coming from post 12 on the turf. It’s unfortunate that the US doesn’t have an A1 turf track, these inside skimpy turf tracks are just what they look like, second rate. Wide draws inevitably mean no chance as the turns are too sharp.
Woodbine if the best Turf Track and Kentucky Downs is quite attractive for turf runners….
It was a tall ask for Capensis being widest of all in that track…He will be better next time as this was only his second race…
Yes, I gave Capensis a pass on this race but I was hoping for the brilliant speed shown in his first race which wasn’t there this time. Not my favorite jockey either. Good ambassador for the sport, though.
The Jim Dandy result was as expected, Brown’s horses tend to use the preps as preps but they all seem up against it with Charge It. Charge It looks invincible to me.
CONTINUING OUR JOURNEY LETS NOT FORGET THE TUESDAY NITE DOUBLEHEADERS AT OLD MSG…FROM ’60-’64 SPENT MANY A NITE WATCHING THE GREATEST BASKETBALL PLAYERS ON EARTH (THANKS TO AN OLDER BROTHER WHO ALWAYS HAD SOME COIN ON THE GAME)…. AS A 9 YR OLD SITTIN 7TH ROW COURT WHEN WILT FIRST WALKED OUT…..LOOKED 9 FOOT TALL TO LITTLE ME. RANGER GAMES SITTIN IN THE BLUES WITH A PRETZEL & THE HOCKEY NEWS… IT WAS ALWAYS DOG/SHATZKINS WITH A HEALTHY DOLLOP OF MUSTARD/ THEN BACK FOR THE FRIES WITH KETCHUP IF THERE WAS ROOM…OTHERWISE THEY WERE FOR BREAKFAST….I OFTEN THINK WE WERE SO BLESSED GROWING UP IN BENSONHURST..I REALLY DO……
I’m a bit older than you o I will start with driving with my father down Bedford Ave. and seeing the light towers of Ebbets Field off in the distance and then that first look at the field coming out of thee tunnel and seeing Hodges, Snider, Robinson, Reese and the boys live and in color. Our family circle had the first two rows of seats under the basket at the old MSG. ssitting there like 2 feet fom Bill Russell and Bob Cousy and Kenny sears and Bob Petit and Elgin Baylor was unreal. Finally, the blue seats were the new Garden whch opeed in 1968. At the old Garden w3e used to get there at around 3 p.m and wait outside the side entrance with the other kids until they opened the doors. You showed your G.O. card and got in for 50 cents. Then came the mad dash to look for seats in the side balcony. If you didnt sit in the first row you had to stand because you couldn see a lot of the ice directly under you. We always got second row and I got used to standing. What great days with 6 teams, Beliveau, Geoffrion, Mahovlich, Howe, Hull. Mikita, Bathgate. We were 14 years old and our parents never thought twice about us coming home at 11 ocock on the subway…the old D train on McDonald Ave.
What an awesome story. Thank you.
STEVE AS LONG AS WE’RE ON THE SUBJECT.TAENG FONG WASNT TOO FAR…IT WAS WORTH THE RIDE ON MY SCHWINN.
NEVER FORGOT THEIR LOBSTER CANTONESE. I WAS A STICKLER FOR FAMOUS’ PIES ….JAHNS & THE KITCHEN SINK…DID THAT ONCE DIDNT FEEL TOO WELL AFTER THE OVERINDULGENCE…..YOU PLAYED BALL IN SHORE PARKWAY LEAGUE.MY DAD WAS PRESIDENT OF BBB–A SISTER LEAGUE DOWN AT SHORE ROAD. PLAYED TILL I WAS 17 THEN REALIZED I WASNT THE NEXT COMING OF MICKEY MANTLE… TUESDAY FIREWORKS IN CONEY WATCHING FROM NELLIES RIDES ALWAYS WITH A STOPOVER AT THE FROZEN CUSTARD STAND NEXT TO NATHANS…COULDNT BEAT THEIR PISTACHIO & BANANA SOFT CONES…THE DRIFTERS “UNDER THE BOARDWALK” NEVER FELT MORE REAL……
I always wanted to try the lobster cantonese, but we didnt eat stufff like that. We never got hot dogs at Nathans. We always started with thee chow mein sandwich, half of which fell out of the bun. Then we had a barbecue sandwich, ended with those amazing greasy french fries in the cone holder. Man were they good.
Do you reemember next door, Shatzkin’s knishes? Wow!!
How are u Mr. Haskin?
Fine thanks
You did it again Steve ! … you touched the emotional fiber of every horse lover by retelling the praiseworthy story of Invisible Ink.
No matter how many times I read your description of John Fort announcing to you the death of his beloved horse, I can not help it but to feel a knot in my throat…”Fort truly had lost a member of his family.” tells it all !
I would love for staunch abolitionists to read your articles rekindling how horse owners go to the greatest lengths to ensure the health and happiness of their horses. Sometimes I feel like there is a spiritual connection between horses and people …!
Seabiscuit, Forego, New Zealand’s Tulloch, Mariah’s Storm, Da Hoss, Smarty Jones, Barbaro, Paynter, and the survivors of San Luis Rey fire are some examples I can remember now but there are innumerable examples of undying focus on the welfare of horses. Horsemen take care of their horses even if there are no economic gains in doing it.
The pictures of Invisible Ink in this article show a powerful and healthy horse thanks to the patience, care and love of all the people around him.
John Forte’s Tawny Port was the best of Brad Cox horses in the Kentucky Derby and proved in the Ohio Derby that he is one of the strongest closers of his crop. The son of Pioneerof the Nile will eventually be the beneficiary of any wicked pace that can compromise the chances of top Stakes horses.
John Forte deserves a big win with Tawny Port. We all like to see “good things happening to good people”.
Nelson, don’t let Gai Waterhouse hear you call Tulloch a New Zealand racehorse. You would be corrected very swiftly by Australian punters as well. Lol. It’s a bit like calling Nijinsky a Canadian, but that is where they were foaled.
LOL … I knew you would comment on the argument around Tulloch’s ‘nationality’…
As you said, there is no dispute when it comes to birth certificates but they can say Tulloch is Australian through Naturalization … I guess.
Nelson, most of the best Australasian stayers come from New Zealand. Phar Lap, Sunline, Big Philou, Carbine, Dulcify, Galilee, Let’s Elope, Red Anchor, So You Think etc they used to dominate the Melbourne Cup for decades.
When I first started watching Aurtrailian racing Sunline was at her zenith, winning the Cox Plate by 8 lengths she was spectacular!
My first beloved Australian racehorse was Mister Hush, a dark brown/black late running sprinter. The caller would scream “and here comes Mister Hush from the clouds… My dad used to put down bets for me, a five year old kid. Lol.
I had a paper route, and I checked out Tom Ainslee’s book about handicapping. And I tried one of his systems, the first bet I came up with was a Quarter Horse named Mr Mars Bar, I gave my day $2 and the wager was “place”….and he won, paid $11 for the win, I got $5 for the place—-I was hooked!
Ha ha Exactly, not only were you associated with beautiful horses, exciting entertainment but you also made money on the side. Heaven.
Thank you so much, Nelson. That’s very kind of you. You put it so well about horse owners and the horses they were able to save when others gave up on them. I remember working at the old Telly when we received a note over the teletype machine saying the insurance company announced that “Hoist the Flag will, I repeat will, be put down this afternoon.” Care to look at his stud career?
His reconstructed pastern and the prosthetic hoof designed for Spanish Riddle were resonant veterinary successes…!
I did a feature on Dr. Edward Keefer who designed and put on the artificial hoof for Spanish Riddle.
Yes Steve… I learned about Dr. Keefer’s accomplishments after reading your article “A Look Back at the Immortal Ruffian”
07 July, 2020 …
Nelson, “A Look Back: Saving Nureyev” – Kimberly S. Brown in the Oct. 10, 1987 Blood-Horse magazine, but also available on line, may interest you as well. It was unbelievable that they managed to save Nureyev, incredible story.
Many thanks Davids for the reminder… I knew I had forgotten some of those uplifting stories… healing that awful complete luxation was close to a miracle…!
Joe Clancy’s story August 13 2016 was better. Ooops, not supposed to refer to other wrtiers. ; )
Dadgum insurance company! I guess that idea was quashed in short order.
STEVE, OF COURSE I REMEMBER FAMOUS CAFETERIA..HOW COULD I FORGET.SPENT MANY A POST MIDNITE NOSH. IT WAS A WORLD ONTO ITSELF. HOW ABOUT TAENG FONG (THE BEST CHINESE JOINT) AROUND YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS—- SERVED THE BEST EGGROLLS I EVER HAD AND THAT INCLUDES ALL THE STOPS IN CHINATOWN. IN ’68 MY LOCAL SOFTBALL TEAM PLAYED MANY A GAME AT SETH LOW (FOR SMALL CHANGE OF COURSE)……AHHH THE GOOD OL DAYS……..WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE.(INDEED)……..
Oh, now you hit a nerve wth Taeng Fong, THE greatest Chinese restaurant anywhere. I thought that was a bit too far for you. Greatest egg rolls, so big and packed, best everything, Their chicken chow mein so thick and tasty with tlose little unidentied gray balls of some kind of meat, and roast pork egg foo yung was to die for. Also best wonton soup. As for Famous, I absolutely loved their vegetable cutlets with that great sauce on it. And best creamed spinach. Then there was Jahns uo the block, Great times indeed.
BTW I used to play in the Davy Crockett Little League at the4 ball fields off the Belt Parkway amd Cropsey. Might be a few years before your time. How about watching the July 4th fireworks from near Nellie Bly.
Thank you Steve for sharing this inspiring memory of Inky. I do like Tawny Port’s chances. He was my long shot in the Derby.
Thanks Kenny. I thought he ran great in the Derby.
Steve, I remember your earlier column, “The Loss of a Thoroughbred,” concerning Invisible Ink when Lord Nelson struggled for life, then seemingly recovered only having to be euthanized after another long battle with laminitis. Lord Nelson was 9 years at the time. Thoroughbred racing/breeding can be filled with so many moments of exhilaration yet tragedy is hiding just around the corner. Usually, such misfortune is more evenly spread within the racing community.
Beautifully written article, Steve.
After their monumental Triple Crown, Alydar beat 12 older horses in the Whitney, by ten….Affirmed beat Sensitive Prince–a good horse—in the Jim Dandy, and it would be the final win for the 1978 Horse of the Year…..the Travers battle that never was, awaited. ….after losing his first two 4yo starts, Affirmed was reunited with Pincay, who was 9 for 9 first place, on the Harbor View great—with the Travers dq. …
As the story goes Pincay was livid, about a mid race incident that concerned Angel Cordero, on a longshot (with an odd name)….but he could only take it so far, as Cordero was taking Pincay to the airport, that night!..
Funny story. Lucky Cordero I’d say, Pincay is/was quite formidable, physically and mentally..
And yet….when you see the great jockey today….he looks like he is shrinking! And he’s a gentleman!
Ah, old age comes to us all, eventually.
Shake Shake Shake?
Yes yes yes!
After reading this, my frustration in running 1st/3rd in my exacta box in 01’s derby has been filed under the heading of no big deal. Thank you for a wonderful read and some handicapping heeling as well.
Darn Apple auto correct. Should be healing.
Handicapping healing is big especially after 20 years so I’m glad for that.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPLY. I LIVED ON 75 TH ST/19AVE…WENT TO SETH LOW JHS & BKLYN TECH…JAUNTS TO CONEY ISLAND SPUMONI GARDENS AND HY TULIP ON 86 ST WHERE YOUD GET THE TELE AT 10 PM AT THE CANDY STORE NEXT DOOR.
MY BROTHER TOOK ME TO THE BIG A IN ’60… SAW KELSO (MY FAVORITE) DEFEAT GUN BOW IN ’64. COULDA SWORN THERE WERE 100,000 PEOPLE THERE. SADLY RACING IS A SHELL OF ITSELF TODAY…SO GLAD WE BOTH HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THE GREATNESS OF THOSE GLORY DAYS…YOU’LL FOREVER REMAIN MY THOROUGHBRED MENTOR…
Brooklyn Tech huh. You were a heckuva lot smarter than I was. We used to play softball at Seth Low.if you knew 86th street do you remember Famous Cafeteria? I guess your theater was the Walker. We went to the Marboro.
Express Train is a beautiful horse that I have been fortunate to view up close….Mandaloun is a horse I have only seen on my computer screen, he looks like perhaps the best looking horse I have seen…..Saturday I hope to view both, at Del Mar….going to Del Mar for the first time in over 40 years!
UPDATE! Well…Mandaloun is going but not Express….mewonders if John Shirreffs isn’t that much excited about his entrant Parnelli—who has been going great guns, of late.
Agreed! Express is nice looking horse,who is in hands of a class barn!
What a touching story, and written masterfully as always, Steve. It left me in tears, as so many of your writings have. Thanks for sharing. I so wish that others could have similarly been saved, even if for a short time, such as Ruffian, Barbaro, Shared Belief, Summer Bird and Medina Spirit ..
Thank you so much. I appreciate it
I AM A 70 YEAR OLD BORN AND RAISED IN BENSONHURST SO OUR JAUNTS ARE SOMEWHAT SIMILAR. I HAVE BEEN AN AVID READER OF YOURS FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS. YOUR ORIGINAL STORY IN ’01 TOUCHED MY HEART AND TIPPED ME ONTO INKY.
I TOO HIT THAT EXACTA FOR MY LARGEST SCORE EVER. I HAVE READ MANY A THOROUGHBRED WRITERS ARTICLES BUT I MUST SAY STEVE…..NO ONE HAS EVER PUT MORE HEARTFELT EMOTION INTO HIS WORK THAN YOU HAVE….YES, YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A TREASURE…..
Wow! Thank you so much, john. And it means even more to me coming from a fellow Bensonhurst kid. Where did you live? I Lived on 64th street between 23rd and 24th ave. Thank you again. your words mean a great deal to me
Wow Steve. What a story. I don’t think I would have gone that far
One of the greatest backstories you ever told, sir, well worth the retelling. It reminds us how much people love their horses.
It sure does. Thank you
I’m so glad you posted about Invisible Ink. I vaguely remembered the story, but you brought it back to our hearts in your inimitable way. I had not known/remembered that Invisible Ink had passed away so young. As you said, though, “every day of the colt’s life was a miracle.”
Thank you Melissa
Steve – Inky is probably my favorite horse ever. Not because I listened to you and had the Monarchos/Inky exacta and made a nice score (if Congaree had take fourth I would have had the superfecta for over $100k). I loved his tenacity. I went to the Jackson Street (Chicago) OTB one day and saw him race in an allowance against a nice horse who you called out in the “others deserving attention” portion of your Dozen called Percy’s Hope. Inky was so determined to win that day (and did) that I watched the rest of his prep races with serious attention. When you listed him as a live longshot, called out his weight gain and dappled coat, and saw that the temperature was going to be nearly 100 degrees, I knew this plucky and tough horse would run a great race in the Derby. Thank you for your great writing and research. You are a treasure.
Thank you so mucch Greg and for remembering all that. That wss my biggest exacta score ever. Watching the race I thought for sure Conggaree had beaten him. That was te year I brought my video camera and made a behind the scenes video leading up to and after the Derby. Got great video of Inky.
Wonderful! You are a master Steve Haskin. I never tire of reading the marvelous stories drawn from your lifetime of incredible memories. So thankful you have an venue here to continue sharing them.
Thats very kind of you Jul. Thank you!
Steve, Just WOW. When you tell us your memories you open and blow our minds. If you ever did a lecture and went on forever we would sit there and drink all in and not mind a bit, and when you were done I’m sure we all would be screaming “ENCORE”. As for Tawny Port he was my Longshot and I’m still rooting for him.
I really appreciate that Derek. Thank you so much.
What a beautiful story, Steve. I had no idea that Invisible Ink was so close to death. Love your writing and I thoroughly enjoyed the history behind Invisible Ink.
Thank you Suzie
Oh my Another story for my Steve Haskin 3-ring binder ( now beginning my fourth binder ) You are very special Mr Haskin
Wow! My own binder. Thank you Ruth. 🙂
Another great story told by Steve Haskin. It must have been heartbreaking to see Invisible Ink when he was down to 500 pounds and bloated in all the wrong places. Thanks to John Fort, Carol Clark, and Dr. Copelan for not putting the horse down. Invisible Ink died too young at 13, but, he made his mark in The Derby and got another 10 years after his first brush with death. I’ll always remember Invisible Ink charging down the stretch to snatch 2nd from Congaree.
I was on Point Given that day. Along with my usual Derby Win & Place bet I was pretty well loaded up on Future bets in Las Vegas. I’ve always said that Gary Stevens was too close to a hot pace. The usual rantings of a losing Gambler. I ran into Gary Stevens years later at Santa Anita and instead of mentioning Point Given, I complemented him on his performance in the “short-lived” series “Luck” which I seem to remember as being on HBO. Whatever, I really enjoyed that show. BTW, Gary Stevens was pretty good in Seabiscuit as well and I think that he does a great job as an analyst on Fox.
Wayne and Gary aee still beewildered by Point Given’s race. Everyone thought he was a lock.
At this point, can we ever be surprised by an upset win by a Brad Cox horse in a big race anywhere in the country? I don’t really like
Tawny Port in this spot, but, an improving Brad Cox horse is always dangerous. Maybe he can use his recency edge over Zandon and Epicenter. Steve Haskin asks: so right now who do you like in The Travers? I’m thinking Zandon. Chad Brown is on quite a roll. With
The Travers still 33 days away, circumstances could sway me onto Taiba if he shows up there.
Thank you Tommy.
Steve, what a wonderful story. I relate to it both as a lover of racehorses — too many of which are put down in extreme situations like Inky went through — and as someone who has experienced diverticulitis (or “DI-vert” as colleagues of my generation jokingly call it).
That poor horse! I remember that Derby well, since I was at a Derby party in the Pine Barrens back when I lived in NJ. I was one of the few actually paying attention to the lead-up to the race. When it came time to get the picks down, I suggested Monarchos to my husband — Monarchos was was not my pick — and he won the pool!
Thank you very much, Ms. B
Steve its your best work ever…and I’m sure it flowed from your heart and mind, as my tears are flowing right now ….so many ups, and downs, in Horse Racing, but as you wrote, every day with Inky was a gift..
Thats very kind of you Matthew. Thank you