Remembering Always Dreaming
With the death of Always Dreaming, I have decided at the last minute to put my scheduled column for this week on hold and instead am reprinting one of my all-time favorite recaps; one I admit I wrote for myself more than anyone else. Call it a cathartic column geared mainly toward those who grew up on the streets of New York City; in this case Brooklyn, where lifelong friendships were formed. So for those of you who can relate to this column, which I have added to and revised, or simply feel Always Dreaming and his story deserve to be remembered, here is how I saw and reported it in 2017. ~ Steve Haskin
Remembering Always Dreaming
By Steve Haskin
This is the story of two street kids from Brooklyn, New York, who won the Kentucky Derby with a horse appropriately named Always Dreaming. With sports a way of life in their confined world, dreams ran rampant on those paved ball fields. For Anthony Bonomo and Vinnie Viola their dreams as sports “heroes” would come true on a wet May afternoon at Churchill Downs.
Looking back, Brooklyn in the 1950s and ‘60s was a concrete and asphalt Wonderland, a constant whirlwind of activity, a time when sports were born of the imagination, not just on the ball fields and basketball courts. The streets were the arena where stickball, punchball, Johnny on the pony, kick the can, ring-a-levio, and stoopball ruled, and where a kid’s place in the pecking order depended on how many sewers he could punch or hit a Spaldeen or Pensy Pinky rubber ball with a broomstick (they didn’t call it stickball for nothing).
You dashed around the bases in your PF Flyers or Keds sneakers, pretending to be Jackie Robinson. The game would go on until one of the kids’ mothers came out the front door or poked her head out the apartment window and yelled for her son to come in for dinner. After about a hundred replies of “one second,” the screaming turned into threats of punishment and only then would the game finally end. Later that night the throng would amass again on the corner for a game of ring-a-levio or hide-and-seek, which basically meant a bunch of kids running amok through the alley ways and backyards. Afternoons often meant partaking in egg creams and black and whites at the corner candy store and spending the quarter you saved up on five packs of baseball cards and then “flipping” or trading them.
“When you hit a ball three sewers you’re a legend in the neighborhood,” Brooklynite Anthony Bonomo, co-owner of Always Dreaming, said. “That never goes away. It becomes folklore. You can hit a ball a sewer and a half and it becomes nine sewers.”
Every Brooklyn kid’s dream was to play for the Dodgers in Ebbetts Field or later, after they and the Giants left, the Yankees in Yankee Stadium. When you went up to hit, gripping that broomstick or clenching your fist, ready to clobber that poor Pensy Pinky, you took on the persona of Duke Snider or Gil Hodges or Mickey Mantle or Roger Maris or Willie Mays. They were all gods to us. While the Yankees were the upper crust of baseball society, the Dodgers, or “Da Bums” as they were affectionately called, were just a bunch of guys who lived in Brooklyn and had ordinary blue-collar day jobs during the off season.
Then one day, just like that, we all grew up and learned there was life outside the streets of Brooklyn, and we all went out in the world, but we never forgot those childhood dreams. Some, like buddies Anthony Bonomo and Vinnie Viola (every neighborhood in Brooklyn had an Anthony and a Vinnie), turned their attention to the racetrack to get their action. Some would go to the brand spanking new Aqueduct, the track of the future, often sneaking in, while others would head to Roosevelt or Yonkers Raceway at night for the trotters, or jugheads.
Bonomo and Viola came from humble hard-working families. Their fathers were a brick layer and a truck driver, respectively. Although both kids went out into the world and made their fortunes, they never abandoned their childhood memories and their dreams. They knew they would never patrol centerfield at Yankee Stadium or Shea Stadium, but those 1960s memories of their days at Aqueduct and of Kelso, Buckpasser, Dr. Fager, and Damascus inspired them to fulfill their early dreams, not by becoming a sports hero, but owning one. From the days of rushing into Aqueduct to make the daily double, they could now envision themselves standing in the winner’s circle at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May with Duke Snider, Mickey Mantle, and Willie Mays all rolled up into one equine package of speed, power and grace. And he would be all theirs. This actually was a dream that could come true if the racing gods smiled down on them.
And they would share the glory with family and friends, and like in the movie Somebody Up There Likes Me, when newly crowned Middleweight champion Rocky Graziano, played by Paul Newman, was paraded through the old neighborhood with thousands lining the streets cheering him and his family and friends on, all of Williamsburg, Brooklyn would celebrate in their victory, which would conclude at Bamonte’s restaurant on Withers Street for some linguini and white clam sauce.
But it wasn’t about them alone. It was all about family and friends and sharing the glory. “What really makes this special is doing it with people you love,” said Bonomo, who races under the name Brooklyn Boyz Stable and had his horses with trainer Dominick Schettino. “My whole family is really into horse racing and all the things that go with it, and in today’s world anytime you find something that brings your family together you have to grasp it and hold on to it. What makes it even more special is sharing it with friends and partners.
“Brooklyn is Brooklyn no matter what side of Brooklyn you come from,” Bonomo said. “It’s all about the people there. They’re special. Vinnie and I have been friends from the time I was able to talk. That’s what makes it special. We all liked horse racing and always dreamed of having our own horse. We used to sneak into the track at Aqueduct to make a $2 bet.
“My wife also grew up in Brooklyn. That’s what makes it fun. You can rib someone and they give it right back to you. You can attain any title you want in life but you never leave what you are. Where we are now is rarified air and we’re lucky to breathe some of it. To walk on that track with my family and Vinnie and his family and my partner Anthony (Manganaro) is the lifelong dream of a kid who used to play stickball in the street and all those crazy games. It actually was my wife’s idea to get involved in racing. She used to go to the track with her late father, who never had the opportunity to share in all this, but when Always Dreaming crossed the finish line he was on the back of that horse.”
Bonomo had become fully entrenched in the Sport of Kings thanks to MaryEllen, who raced under the name MeB Racing, even running one of the favorites in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. The final piece of this union came together when Viola decided to get back into racing in 2011, purchasing his first horse that August in Saratoga. He contacted his friend Terry Finley of West Point Thoroughbreds, like him a West Point graduate, and they got together to discuss plans. Finley said he could see the sparkle in Viola’s eye. He sold his interest in the New Jersey Nets basketball team and dove head first back into racing under the name St. Elias and also in his wife Teresa’s name.
Bonomo is just happy to be able to share all this with Viola. “Vinnie is a successful guy, but he is who he was when he was 9 years old. Nothing has changed about that man. Like he was at 9, his heart is bigger than his body. His wife also came from the neighborhood. When we get together it’s not about horses, it’s a reunion. We still go back to Bamonte’s restaurant in the old neighborhood. I got calls telling me on Saturday (after the Florida Derby) the poor patrons didn’t get their food. The waiters were all watching the race. We have a street festival there from our parish. That’s what makes it so special. You feel like the whole neighborhood is on your back and on that horse’s back. When the horse wins the whole neighborhood wins. So we all win and we share the ups together and we share the downs. That’s what’s making this ride so special.”
It all goes with their upbringing. You rejoiced together through the ups and you had each other’s back through the downs. You played together, you fought with each other, and you quickly forgot. It’s not that you needed to be a tough guy, but you had to have toughness in you and you never backed down from a fight. For Viola and Bonomo that mentality has carried over as horse owners.
And so it was that the dreams of two Italian kids from Brooklyn came true on a Spring afternoon in Kentucky. When Bonomo’s wife MaryEllen came up with the name Always Dreaming for a young Bodemeister colt that they purchased at the Keeneland September yearling sale for $350,000, she was engraving not only a horse’s name, but her husband and his buddy’s dream, into the history books. Willie, Mickey, and The Duke may have won the World Series, but they had won the Kentucky Derby. They had tread on the same hallowed ground as their childhood heroes.
THE DREAM BEGINS
For Bonomo and Viola, this story began at the Keeneland yearling sale, where Bonomo had bloodstock agents Steve Young and Chris Brothers looking for horses to put on their short list. Both of them had Hip 45 on their list, and it was Young who signed the sales slip after Bonomo’s son, Anthony Jr., went over budget to purchase him.
“Steve and I knew we were working together but we never spoke during the sales,” Brothers said. “We weren’t trying to come up with a list together. It just so happened that we had a few of the same horses on our short list. As Hip 45, he was the first one on the list. I know Steve had him high on his list and he was high on mine as well. He stood out to me. He was a very mature, good size horse, but extremely athletic as well. Everything just kind of matched.
“I’m a big first impression guy when it comes to horses. He was one of those horses that came walking out of the barn, and if you weren’t looking at him you’d want to go look at him. He catches your eye real fast. I don’t know if it was the look about him or something they just give off that takes your breath away. He just floats over the ground. As a yearling, he was very light-footed for a bigger horse.”
But what Brothers remembers most is the colt’s demeanor and how he coped with things around him.
“He was in a barn area where the road going to the loading chute was about 30 feet above the barn, so there’s a walkway and a road that always has horse trailers going by, and he was right there in front of that,” he said. “I remember there were noises and all kinds of activity constantly and other horses were spooking and rearing up, and he was like bomb proof. He just stood around looking at them as if, ‘What’s going on here?’ Eighty percent of a horse’s ability on the track is his mind, to be able to stand things like that and know what’s going on and what he’s supposed to do. His mind is his greatest ability. It’s scary to be around him, he’s so smart.
“You spend this kind of money for these people and you want to do well for them. They entrust in us to do what we do, and what we do is gamble; it’s a crap shoot really. When they turn out like this you feel good because Anthony and Vinnie are two of the best people and to pick the right one and see them have a horse like this when they have trust in you is very gratifying. I’m also a native New Yorker and being from the City and these guys being from the City, knowing certain areas we kind of grew up around, it’s cool. I’m a Breezy Point guy and hung out in Marine Park (in Brooklyn) all the time.”
Always Dreaming was sent to Schettino, arriving at his Belmont Park barn in early April from J.J. Crupi’s New Castle Farm, where he was broke. Working for Schettino was Bonomo’s nephew Matty, a high school student who would work at the barn following classes and would eventually start working full time in the summers until he went off to college. Matty, whose father had horses with Dennis Brida, had been around the track his entire life, spending every summer at Saratoga.
As soon as his uncle began getting horses, Matty would always go to the barn and began picking up little things and learning everything he could about the horses.
He will never forget the day the 2-year-olds arrived, and he saw this one colt walk off the van.
“My uncle told me we had an extremely strong 2-year-old class coming up,” said Matty, who knows good horses having worked with his uncle’s and Viola’s 2015 Champagne Stakes winner Greenpointcrusader, named after their Pop Warner football team the Greenpoint Crusaders. “But the minute Always Dreaming walked off the van he had this presence about him. You knew he was a classy horse. He was very athletic looking. He was a little leggy, so the potential for him to grow into his frame and continue to grow was what really made me drawn to him. He had a really nice personality and was a fun horse to be around, but when you snapped on the shank or put the saddle on him his focus immediately turned to all business. He knew what that meant and what he was supposed to do.”
Bonomo recalls, “Matty was telling us since he made his 2-year-old debut that this horse was special. He said this horse is going to win the Kentucky Derby. From his lips to God’s ears. He’s not just some young kid who loves horses. He knows a lot about them and follows pedigrees, how they look and work.”
Matty added, “He ran at Belmont, finishing a close third, and after we went up to Saratoga, he worked a half one morning in :46 4/5 in hand. When the exercise rider came back he told me, ‘This is a freak.’ He had a look of sheer class about him. He had that eye and just the look of a great horse. After he finished second by a neck in 1:09 4/5, they transferred the horses to Todd (Pletcher) in mid-August. Ultimately, it was a business decision. Dom did a great job with all the horses we gave him.”
Always Dreaming first gained attention on the Derby trail when he won a mile and an eighth allowance race on March 4 at Gulfstream Park in extremely slow time following an 11 ½-length maiden romp at Tampa Bay Downs. After the allowance race Terry Finley and West Point joined the party as minority owners. “Funny, it was that slow race that really caused me to pull the trigger,” Finley said. “I figured if a very fast horse like Always Dreaming can go that slow he must have a great mind and constitution. Most people just looked at it as a slow race, but it clinched the deal for me.”
Finley got in at the right time, as Always Dreaming then scored an impressive five-length victory in the Florida Derby in a sharp 1:47 2/5.
“I went to the Florida Derby, and it was a crazy scene, not just the race, but the week leading up to it,” Bonomo recalled. “It wasn’t easy to watch when Johnny (Velazquez) stepped on the brakes going into the first turn. But when I saw Johnny peaking back at the quarter pole I knew we had it. When he was drawing away in the final sixteenth I stopped watching the race and looked at everyone else, just wanting to take it all in, and my uncle was doing jumping jacks screaming at the top of his lungs and my cousin Anthony Jr. leaped into the arms of his friend. It was unbelievable. Not only could we share this with West Point Thoroughbreds, but also our other partner Anthony Manganaro’s Siena Farm. For all of us and friends and family to celebrate like we did Saturday was special.”
He had no idea at the time what special was and the almost surreal jubilation that would overwhelm him and his childhood buddy in five weeks. And he knew whatever success awaited him in racing, he would return to his roots and share it with the world in which he grew up.
The final leg of their journey to Kentucky began back at Bamonte’s when they took jockey John Velazquez there a week before the Derby. What better place to start the good karma leading up to the big race. While they were there, Velazquez, much to everyone’s surprise, was presented with a Catholic scapular, blessed by Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, which Velazquez wore in the Derby.
And you can bet it will end at Bamonte’s. “When it’s over we’ll be back at Bamonte’s,” Bonomo said. “The next day, win lose or draw, you’re right back to where you were. They remember when you were 14, and you didn’t do something right and the old timers would remind you and smack you on the back of your head and put you right back to where you belong.”
On May 6 the dream became reality when Always Dreaming stalked the early pace over the wet-fast track, drew clear at the top of the stretch to open a commanding three-length lead at the eighth pole, and pretty much coasted home from there to win by 2 ¾ lengths.
Always Dreaming with John Velazquez up wins the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, KY 5.6.2017
Despite all his success, Viola, who won last year’s Stanley Cup with his Florida Panthers, said after Always Dreaming Derby victory, other than the birth of his children and meeting his wife, winning the Kentucky Derby was the greatest feeling he’s ever had.
For Bonomo, his emotions were far more simple: “Pinch me, I’m dreaming.”
Always Dreaming had stamped his name into Derby legend. Bonomo and Viola had hit a two-out grand slam to win the World Series. They had pitched a perfect game. They had caught the winning touchdown pass in the final seconds of the championship game. Most important they were back in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and really had hit that Spaldeen nine sewers. They had become part of folklore.
Photos courtesy of Jon Siegel, Horsephotos.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.
The Curlin/Beholder colt (no name yet) has surfaced. He is in Baffert barn and actually had 3 recorded workouts. Last Saturday 3 furlongs in 36. Fastest on the work tab for the distance. This according to Thoroughbred Daily News. Baffert so far likes what he sees out of the colt but bringing him along slowly.
Which of the following two graded and listed stakes winners was more impressive?
Poster viewed as desperate for the line to arrive was assigned an Equibase figure of 97
Built skittered away from opponents and geared down in a very fast time, was assigned an Equibase figure of 95.
I imagine the consensus is Built was the more impressive. Just as most consider Patch Adams to be the leading 2YO male with his impressive last out win for which he was assigned an Equibase figure of 110.
I consider Poster to be the more impressive of the two. Yes! I know I will be viewed as a contrarian for this claim. But I view things very differently from most and as a result I arrive at opinions contrary to consensus.
Poster:
All reported breeze works have been on AW.
He breezed 3F, three days before he Remsen
There were no reported works at the Big A
Previous start was on turf.
Cold temperature in NY in December
Third different track in 3 starts
New and extended distance
May 20th foal
When all the above is taken into consideration. A linty of reasons exited at could have cost Poster his undefeated record. But the late foal was unfazed and found a way to get to the post ahead of all.
Those that concluded that with another jump the runner up would have gotten by. Have simply forgotten that Sierra Leaon got his headed in front close home and Dornoch rallied to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Far too often challenges are only highlighted when there is a resulting defeat. But it is equally important to highlight the challenges a race entrant overcame enroute to victory.
Somewhere in victories that are not by wide margins or fast time, is hidden and/or undetected impressiveness.
They don’t have workouts at The Big A. ..Harty said he likes First Report more than Poster
The comparison between Poster/Built/Patch Adams depends on one’s view. I would be hard pressed to include Patch at this moment, UNTIL he shows his 2 turn routing ability.
Built actually ran in a listed stake. I wasn’t “wowed” by his performance, but he took care of business. I see Poster as the leader of that trio. Lot more to learn about them in the fast approaching New Year.
Considering there were only 5 entries in the Gun Runner, the odds from 1st, 2nd, 3rd 3.90/2.60/6.20, the SHOW pays were rather generous. 6.60/6.40/7.20.
Built wins the Gun Runner Stakes by more than 7 lengths in a Stakes record time of 1:43.53 for the 1 1/16 mile despite slow early pace. He looked like having a ton in reserve after finishing in 29.76 the last 5/16 and 6.26 the last 1/16 of a mile.
The Gun Runner Stakes that was inaugurated in 2021 shows Epicenter and Track Phantom as prior winners. Epicenter ended up being the champion 3-year-old and Track Phantom was the Derby pacesetter. It would be interesting how watch Built performing in the Fair Grounds route to the Derby. The Lecomte, Risen Star and Loouisiana Derby has become a solid roadmap for good performances in the Triple Crown series.
Built’s pedigree shows a reverse nick to that of champion Good Magic (son of Curlin out of a Hard Spun mare) by being by Hard Spun out of a Curlin mare.
Hard Spun at his 20 years of age is in route of replicating the long fecund life of his sire Danzig.
The 4/5 favorite Admira Dennis was never involved and finished a distant 4th (penultimate) … I hope he is OK.
Nelson, Built was very impressive, especially since he loafed on the lead and then blistered the last 5/16th, as you said. If you didn’t catch it (the race caller didn’t until halfway into the race) Admiral Dennis stumbled at the break, but still made a mild rally on the turn. He gets a pass in my book. I too look forward to Built’s performances in the Fair Grounds stakes this winter. As for the Gun Runner Stakes (as a race) it’s produced a lot of key results in its short history. Pretty good for a $100K stakes.
You are right Ms Blacktype… the caller mentioned the stumbling of Render Judgement at the break and did mention the bad trip of Admiral Dennis coming to the back stretch.
That left Built as the sole pacesetter and Admiral Dennis without his main strength… Anyway, let’s see how the son of Constitution moves forward against a lot of nice young runners emerging from the powerhouses…!
.
Time wise, he’s on track with the graded winners, First Resort, Sovereignity, and Journalism. So he’s not that far behind.
Under :30 final 5/16 is the template for a good horse! Built DID have a lonely lead, and Fairgrounds WAS kind to speed yesterday—so there was THAT—but Built was running two turns for the first time, and he shaded :30….I suspect there won’t be very many horses who could do THAT—in the 2025 Derby, if any—-there certainly aren’t any who did that as a two year old this year….
Not taking anything away from Built, but I doubt very seriously he will have a shaded :30 in him when he meets serious competition at higher levels. We didn’t get a get a sneak peek with the Admiral doing his thing. Built did take a step forward in the right direction.
No I agree…Built had things his own way yesterday—but it didn’t look like his rider was planning on sending—he sort of inherited the lead—-but at the top of the stretch he certainly knew what to do!
Guessing last weekend the three horses by same barn who all lost in a compact field of five have their own problems.
First Resort was ‘losing horse hair’ in 29.38 to Built’s time of 29.76.
San Saba is likely a turf horse based on his pedigree. He should be heading to Europe as that’s where horses encased in Northern Dancer perform at their best. But what do I now?
Sire – Justify:
He was sired by the Northern Dancer line stallion Scatt Daddy. His dam was sired by the Northern Daner line stallion Ghostzapper
Dam – Palace Princess.
Her sire Hard Spun is a Northern Dancer line stallion. Her dam was sired by Giant’s Causeway who was also a Northern Dancer line stallion.
Have we been privy to Northen Dancer being both sides of sire and dam? Certainly!
The highly regarded City of Troy is by Justify out of Together Forever.
Together Forever was sired by Galileo a grandson of Northern Dancer. Her dam was sired by Theatrical who was also a grandson of Northern Dancer.
City of Troy didn’t raise a gallop in his sole dirt race.
Given the mystery of pedigree, San Saba might be the opposite. But I would take a gamble he is turf horse.
Northern Dancer won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness
Just watched San Saba’s latest work (12/20/24) and thought it was a little strange. 5 furlongs out of the gate with another horse. San Saba broke alertly and race out in front. The other horse did not break well and was left behind. San Saba rider started waiting on the other horse to catch up. Then they both raced together around the turn but then when they got to stretch the work sort of fell apart and the jock on San Saba just eased up on him and other jock (who on the inside ) started looking back like he was wondering what happen to San Saba. Just seemed like a strange work to me. They gave a time of 101..60 for each horse. We will see if San Saba makes the race on the 26th.
As did Justify—I have not seen San Saba but–I hear he resembles his sire…
A Judgment has been Rendered. You have been accused of being a young Gun Runner, if this is true, you must run for REDEMPTION or you will face exclusion for future consideration of being on KMI’s most wanted list.
This edition of the Malibu Stakes presents the best chances for Doug O’Neill to win the prestigious 7 furlong race for the first time with Raging Torrent. Frankie Dettori will be taking the measure of all the other fast horses from outmost PP 8. The son of Maximus Mischief is a 7-furlong specialist who defeated the best old sprinters in California (The Chosen Vron and co.) in the Pat O’Brien.
To me, Imagination and Senior Officer offer the best betting value against the heavy money to be (very likely) bet on Mystik Dan, Bentornato and Pilot Commander
If you want to collect a nice exotic payoff in the Malibu you should include the 4, 5 and 8 numbers in them….!
Opening Day at Santa Anita—Race two— Madaket Road makes his second start, from the rail…his first start was a good 2nd in the Bob Hope Stakes at Del Mar—-but Bob has a second entrant in there, on the outside—a son of Justify named San Saba, who has taken big futures money in Vegas—
The word has been out on San Saba, at least directly from Baffert, for a couple of months. The other horse he mentioned he was high on is Madaket Road, so we could be looking at his two best horses. Will he scratch one? Madaket Road has that one big effort under him. I got the impression from Baffert that San Saba was the one to watch. His works since have been sensational. Should be interesting.
It’s a heckuva card, Steve! My favorite Thoroughbred Express Train runs, about to become an eight year old full horse—twice I saw him on days Flightline ran, I thought Express Train was the better looking of the two–Bob’s maidens…Express Train (in the Laffit Pincay Jr Stakes, and he will present..)…Johannes ….Mystik Dan…Tamara (vs a real solid field including Repole’s Accuracy)…She Feels Pretty (and a NW2X I like named Vibez)….Opening Day at Santa Anita is their biggest day—December is California’s biggest racing month, Los Al Quarters mid-month….Santa Anita day after Christmas…..
Saw the latest work for San Saba. He is Chestnut color like his daddy. Well muscled like his daddy. Has huge hind quarters like his daddy. Now let see if he has the speed , stamina and mindset of his daddy.
This work was the one on 12/15/24
Steve, if I didn’t know better I’d think you were excited (I figure you are a laconic, pragmatic type). I’ll be watching this race with interest.
Just interested in seeing if Baffert was rir dght about him.
Right
Thanks for the reminder Matthew ….San Saba is a maternal great grandson of the incomparable Azeri … it would be nice to see him become an important Stakes horse to have at least one descendant to celebrate Azeri’s female line.
It is scary to think that the son of Justify is better runner than Madaket Road… at least San Saba’s pedigree looks better for the Classics … but we will see… suddenly Baffert’s Breeder’s Cup Juvenile horses seem to become “second tier” in the wake of these high profile new comers…
The Malibu on opening day at SA Park has attracted more interest than usual with the return of KD winner Mystik Dan. But there is an entrant that I find more interesting than the KD winner.
An Arrogate colt was purchased for $400K by one of BB’s big ownership syndicate. The colt made its first starts at the MSW level in the divine hands of BB and recorded the following finishes – 5th; 3rd; 2nd; 4th; 4th.
It can only be assumed that the ownership syndicate in conjunction with the trainer concluded the colt was unable to manage the competition in CA and would be better off at a venue where it could be competitive.
The colt turned up at Parx for its 6th start in the hands of Brittany Russell, which resulted in an 8L win over a 1m 70yds. He was then off to Laurel for his 7th in an 8 1/2F Allowance, which he won by 3 3/4L
With two route races completed in modest times. The colt was surprisingly entered in a 7F Listed Stakes for his 8th start. After breaking outwardly, he was taken back and settled and then proceeded to move like greased lightning to close a 10L deficit, whilst 6W on the turn to win going away by 2L in 1 :22.61.
After 5 defeats in the hand of BB and undefeated in 3 starts in the hands of Brittany Russell. The colt has shown up with BB as the trainer for the Malibu.
A colt is removed from a trainer with 100% success record to one with 100% failure record. In which world does such a scenario compute? Isn’t sticking to the evils one knows, similar to sticking to the success knows? Was there a falling out with the syndicate and the colt new trainer? Who knows! Why would BB take back a colt he discarded?
There will always be more questions than answers. However, if Brittany Russell was able to get the colt to win 7F in 1:22 plus. BB’s High-Tech Program should be able to knock 1 to 2 second off his last out winning time. The average winning time for the Malibu is 1:21 plus
Should this colt be considered a contender?
No….Stronghold is doing very well….and Raging Torrent beat The Chosen Vron, before drawing the dreaded Del Mar rail, for the Breeders Cup—he gets the outside draw this time—those two should run well….
And Benmortado (not sure about the spelling) worked brilliantly the other day—I suspect your Arrogate colt Winterfell will find the competition too fast—
I would like to wish all the contributors a Happy Holidays, as well as our author Mr. Steve Haskins. Thanks Steve for the time machine article, it brought happy thoughts and unforgettable memories. God bless and have a safe Happy New Year as well.
Thank you and Happy Holidays.
Vivien Morrison, one of the longest serving volunteers at Old Friends passed away this week.
A beautiful tribute to her can be found on the Old Friends FB page.
Heard earlier.
So sorry to hear this. Those volunteers and guides do a wonderful job there.
Hi Nelson, everyone is on my “nice list” including you, everyone in the group and of course our fearless leader, Steve.
I look forward each week to Steve’s posts and reading all the comments and discussions that ensue.
We do get a wee bit rowdy sometimes but all in all a great group of people who love this sport and these horses.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy Hanukkah everyone.
May you all have a happy, healthy and joyous New Year and that there will be “Peace on Earth”!
I echo all of Lynda’s words.
Beautiful post Lynda. Your kindness makes you overqualified for any nice list…!
Leonard and Steve have succeded in fostering and keeping a respectful and ethical commentary body in this blog… it was no small feat knowing what has happened in other open horse racing blogs … So, we should thank them for not having any one in the naughty list so far …Lol
Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year to all of you and your families!
Too bad one site is nothing more than a ‘wild west show’.
Another sad day for horse racing… R.I.P. Uncle Mo .
Oh, not another one. RIP Uncle Mo. His people must be devastated.
Devastating and heartbreaking loss of Uncle Mo not only for Mike, Ashford, his caretakers but for the sport and Thoroughbred breeding industry as well.
Just read an article the other day that not only was he a sire of sires but becoming a leading broodmare sire.
Condolences to everyone.
It’s times like this that the inability to copy and paste becomes ridiculous.
I’m so sorry to say that the brilliant Uncle Mo has been euthanized, per Mike Repole on Twitter just a few minutes ago.
Basically Mo suffered a left foreleg injury. He underwent surgery, but recovery was too hard on him
God, such devastating, crushing news. Mo was a brilliant racehorse, and an even better sire
I’m SO sorry for Mike, his family, Todd….everyone on involved with magnificent Mo
😭😭😭😭😭😭💔💔💔💔💔
Betsy, what terrible news. I’m shocked.
David, it was about the first thing I saw this morning – crushing news
It’s so hard to love these horses – they leave us so soon 😭😭😭💔💔💔💔💔
Betsy, on a happier note Dapper Moon won today for the deceased Malibu Moon. This sport has such highs and the worst lows. Every morning I dread turning on the computer and facing up to The Blood-Horse website. There is no escape.
David, that is good news! I hope Malibu can have a son to continue his line…
These horses are so fragile 😭
Always Dreaming –
03/04/2014 – AOC; 9F -1st 1:53.44 – Slowed pace; ridden out
04/01/2017 -FL Derby; 9F – 1:47.47 – Tracked roused4w – Clear.
Approximately 6 second faster in 28 days
Lost 5 of next 6 starts by a combined 50L
Bayern –
08/23/2014 – Travers 10F (2:02.93) – last by 20L; Projected final time 2:07 plus
11/01/2014 – BCC 10F (1:59.83) – 1st by a NS
Approximately 7 plus second faster in 69 days
Lost his next 5 starts by a combined 70 3/4L
Cat Thief –
08/28/1999 – Travers 10F (2:02.19) 7 of 8 by 12 1/4L – Projected final time 2:05 plus.
11/06/1999 – BCC 10F (1:59.52) 1st by a 1 1/4l
Approximately 7 plus seconds faster in 70 days (beaten in KD completed in2:03 plus.)
Lost his next 11 starts by a combined 62L
Game On Dude –
11/02/2013 -BCC 10F (2;002.72) – 9 of 11 by 11L; Projected final time 2:05. plus
03/08/2014 – Big Cap- (1:58.17) – 1st by 1 3/4L
Approximately 7 plus seconds faster in 4 months for a 7YO.
Lost his next 3 starts by a combined 20L
The above horses made what could be regarded as red flag improvement in their performance and final times in follow races over the same distance.
Only one of the above won a subsequent race largely due the misfortune of an entrant who subsequent records revealed was the best in the field.
To what should the improvements in performance be attributed and why the lack of success thereafter?
Game On Dude ran many good races….he could run 1:09, 1:10 alone, and draw away—‘but if another horse ran next to him he would fold—-that’s not uncommon, horses running in front ALONE—often get brave….
Best Pal ran some terrific races… but he didn’t always—-winner of million dollar races every year from two thru five, and yet zero Eclipse Awards, and rightly so—by your standards he was a fraud? He ran some races that put him in the highest level of good—but only the great ones can hold that form…..
He was a hard trying horse.
I must disagree with your concerns over Always Dreaming’s final time in the allowance race in contrast to the Florida Derby. The final time of the AOC race was purely a function of pace. His controllable speed and late acceleration were most impressive to many handicappers, including Steve and myself. It was the visual power of the AOC victory that made him my derby horse. The Florida Derby was just validation. If you are hinting at something nefarious in the final times, i vehemently disagree.
Each race is a singular event contested in that specific time, place and conditions. What happens in a race is never duplicated again.
We see it over and over….several horses coming out a specific race and going against same foes from the previous race with the outcome being different every time.
The key is….they are NOT machines.
Steve, your anthropological ethnographic treatise on 50s, 60s Brooklyn life for young boys is so enthralling to read especially as that cultural history has now vanished as has many unique New York communities.
If anyone is interested Jeremiah Moss’ “Vanishing New York – How a Great City Lost It’s Soul” has many examples of change, to the worse, that has created New York to what it is now. Alas.
We’ve had a couple of cool days so the Key Lime Pie was made and triumphed with many wanting the recipe. Ha ha Back to the mid 90s tomorrow and most of the Christmas – New Year break so watering the garden and cold dishes for celebration are the way to go here.
Santa Claus better have air conditioning in his slay and plenty of water handy for the reindeer. Bless them. My Tonkinese cats will be inconsolable with the air conditioning on. They get 5 minutes rest in a remaining hot room a couple of times during the day but under supervision.
The return of Admiral Dennis in the Gun Runner Stakes at the Fair Grounds this Saturday is highly anticipated and the Boxing Day Card at Santa Anita is always a special treat for racing fans.
Thanks again, Steve, for returning us back to a lost world when life seemed less troublesome for those who were there to enjoy it. Merry Christmas – Happy Holidays everyone and hope for a better year than 2024.
Thanks so much David. That was beautifully said and I love the title of the book. Stay (cool?) This Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Thanks Steve. I’ll be watching “Desk Set” on Christmas Eve which is set in New York around Christmas time starring Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn.
Hilarious movie and the picnic scene ‘in December’ on top of a New York skyscraper is just priceless.
The world is a funny place, I used to watch David Hallberg dance at the Met and now he’s a neighbour. Forgive the nostalgia trip.
Steve, Victoria is ablaze with bushfires this afternoon. The sky here in Melbourne is orange through smoke and heat from the bushfires, apocalyptical. This is way too early for bushfires. There is so much dense dry vegetation from years of wettish summers and lush growth and little burn back.
Well said Davids! and happy Holydays to you and your family.
Steve, You and Lynda are among the people in my Nice List…
You are not Santa but Who are in your nice and naughty lists this year?
Same to you too, Nelson. My Christmas wish would be to end the wars in the Middle East and the Ukrainian haven’t the people there suffered enough. Peace and joy for everyone.
This article remembering Always Dreaming through the lives and minds of Viola and Bonomo is very fitting to think back to the outstanding quality of the 2017 Derby champion. The son of Bodemeister was an exceptional horse and deserves to be remembered as such.
Regarding the human dimension in this piece, I found fascinating how the treasured childhood memories in Brooklyn and my own in South America are so similar… even the early love affair with horse racing feels like a shared one.
I was aware of Always Dreaming’s (serious) stomach illness thanks to Steve’s article “Still Dreaming After All” published on October 23, 2017. At that point I just decided to register the Florida Derby and the Kentucky Derby as the two undeniable proofs of Always Dreamin running prowess. I also remember a couple of detractors insinuating that the ulcer was not strong enough reason for the form reversal of the Derby victor… And I am sure that opinion still persists… but it is easy to counter that view when one trusted Steve’s assessment of not only the visuals of Always Dreaming but also his reading of all the pre-Derby workouts of the son of Bodemeister.
I was a fan of Mastery and Classic Empire in that 2017 Derby trail, but the injury of the former and the physical and mental problems of the latter left the class without a solid leader. Classic Empire was a gifted 2-year-old champion who was unlucky in the Derby but lacked the strong and professional mind of Always Dreaming.
Steve Haskin was the first spotting the potential of Always Dreaming. He dedicated a considerable space (411 words in three paragraphs of the March 7 Derby Dozen) explaining how Always Dreaming winning the GP Alowance with discouraging sluggish split times was actually the work of a legitimate Derby horse.
Steve assigned Always Dreaming a permanent top spot in his rankings since April 4. He established his case in that column by concluding: “I go by the eye test with this colt and he just does things like an exceptional horse”.
Steve took some arrows over his confidence in Always Dreaming but he earned all the accolades after that first Saturday of May… It was a dream come true for Bonomo and Viola that was foretold by Steve Haskin!
Yes, Nelson, with Mastery it appeared there was no limit to the talent shown thus far. It’s been extremely disappointing that Mastery has been unable to pass that flashy talent to his offspring. Fingers crossed for a fabulous racing year in 2025.
Mastery was the ovewhelming favorite to win the Derby after his romp in the San Felipe … Steve called Mastery’s shelved by injury a “devastating loss”…
Maybe Mastery will sire better horses in his marriage with all those Japanese mares now…!
Yes, Nelson, Mastery was so overwhelmingly talented that a Triple Crown appeared probably. He was as attractive as he was talented. Let’s hope so, Japan has a fine collection of rejected sires whose blood will enrich their herd.
Thank you Nelson for remembering the good stuff. Lol. It’s always nice ro know your words have a shelf life.
My pleasure Steve… your words have limitless shelf life if they were written in the cyberspace… they become books in the ether.
I really appreciate that. Thank you!
Nelson, so enjoyed reading your post.
Thanks Lynda … I always enyoy your posts as well!
Steve, what a wonderful article, one I enjoyed very much. I can only imagine the excitement when owning a horse and in the early stages of its development seeing you have something special: big, athletic, great mind, doesn’t turn a hair, fast, etc. Anything come to mind as to what might have happened in his post Derby races?
Thanks Tex. He suffered fro.m bad ulcers after the Derby. He ran a few big races but was never as food as he was that spring.
His ulcers were so bad that the vet that was treating him and Todd Pletcher stated it was the worst they had ever seen.
Mr. Haskin, another routinely brilliant story. Really enjoyed reading.
Saudi Crown appears to be Always Dreaming’s best progeny to date. He has recorded 5 wins from 11 starts with earnings of $3m+. He will return to the races on Saturday off his dismal performance in the BC Dirt Mile.
Given the sentiments being expressed regarding the passing of AD. It would be nice if the Brad Cox trainee could win a lift the spirits of the fans of 2017 KD winner.
I remain mystified as to what happened to Always Dreaming after his KD win. But then, I am still mystified as to what happen to world beater Arrogate after his Dubai WC win.
A FL Derby winner who recorded a faster winning time than the likes of Holy Bull, Quality Road, Unbridled’s Song and Swale. The aforementioned 4, in addition to AD are the only FL Derby winners that recorded a winning time below 1:48 since Alydar (1978).
An almost gate to wire winner of the KD that was in no danger of losing with the misfortune of his main danger Classic Empire.
Who could have imagined that in Always Dreaming’s subsequent 5 races he would have been beaten by a combined 50L.
There has to be reason for rise and inexplicable fall of many excellent thoroughbreds. No research seems to be on the horizon as retirement and stud duties mean we move on perpetually ignorant and uniformed.
Counter Point, as Steve mentioned above, Always Dreaming had bad gastric ulcers.
The necropsy on Arrogate revealed a leison on his spinal cord. It could not be determined when or how the leison started but it was thought to be caused by accident.
Many of noticed that his stride was never quite the same after he returned from the World Cup. He was just off. I think Baffert did say at time that he was examined but nothing found to explain it. If it was the lesion it stands to reason I think that it was undetectable other than with a necropsy.
Most of the owners, connections, trainers are very forthcoming with information eventhough they are really not obligated to tell us anything.
I agree with your last paragraph, though trainers should realize fans’ and bettors’ need to know and have some respect for that.
He was NEVER the same after the World Cup. Many threw everything at the wall attempting to spin his poor performances.
Mr. Haskin, this is a perfect tribute. Not only did it bring me back to my own memories of playing in my Jersey City neighborhood, but it also is a great way of acknowledging some of the good people in this sport. I will always love stories about the time greats from the past and now I have more of an appreciation for horses like Always Dreaming. I did not know his backstory. Thank you for keeping these stories alive.
Thank you very much Mary Lou. I’m so happy to bring back wonderful memories.
Steve,
An interesting story with a carefully selected ending o May 6th, 2017. A tribute memorializing a horse shouldn’t end five races short of its career.
I guess the focus was more on the ownership than Always Dreaming. In light of same your chosen title could be viewed as misleading.
Your point is well taken.
Amazing story. Perfection written. I thank you personally for this. Dreams do come true.
I appreciate that Joanne. Thank you very much.
Great piece, Steve, about a brilliant horse who died much too soon. I must have followed the Derby Dozen that year, but I never ranked Always Dreaming higher than third. I was a fan of Practical Joke, who everyone said could never win because he was by Into Mischief. (In retrospect, I wasn’t wrong, was I? LOL) I must say the 3YOs that year were a lot further along than the current crop. Looking back through my files, I found a 20-horse list of well accomplished horses dated Jan. 2, 2017 (including Derby second place finisher Lookin at Lee as my #10). I’d be hard pressed to come up with a similar list for this year’s crop in the next two weeks.
Take this as the utmost complement: I’ve been keeping personal “Derby Dozen” lists since 2007. I only started getting the Derby winner right (or at least close) since I’ve been reading this blog!
Needless to say, when your first list is published early next year, we’ll all be saying, “Ahhh, THAT makes sense!)
So happy to hear that. I’d like to think its not just the final rankings but the observations and comments throughout the 14 weeks
Absolutely — that is totally the fun of the triple crown season for me. Your week to week thoughts and rankings are so essential, and all the different posters here give the blog added dimension. I’m sure I’m not the only one looking forward to the new year for that reason.
So many directions to go this year.
Steve, it is so easy for me to identify with the part of the story about growing up in Brooklyn eventhough my neighborhood was my Dad’s farm that joined his brother’s farm and that of two of his sisters in rural Virginia.
I was an only child and my best friend was actually my first cousin. Both of our sets of parents worked full-time jobs and my Dad’s oldest sister who married late in life and never had children of her own was our babysitter after school and during summer vacation.
He and I spent endless hours playing in the creek behind our Aunt’s house, riding the pony Champ; collecting lizards for his terrarium; reading books together (always a competition between us as to which one could read the most books). Our Aunt’s husband was a voracious reader and had a collection of Zane Grey westerns, subscribed to the Reader’s Digest several of Walter Farley’s “Black Stallion” books.
Our Aunt’s husband also had a board game on which we could play different games like Chinese Checkers and Karom. And we played marbles, croquet; Old Maid cards and dominoes.
In the evenings we watched the “Twilight Zone”, ghost stories and science fiction programs on a little black snd white TV.
Sometimes all of the cousins and my Dad, his older brother and one brother-in-law would get together Saturday afternoon in the cow pasture of all places.
Our Aunt was very tolerant of our escapades that included of all things making homemade wine in her guest bedroom and the creatures we collected and brought into her house. She did have standards she expected from us such as being courteous, kind, helping others in need and being respectful of our elders.
It was, to take the quote from Dickens, ” the best of times and the worst of times”…a childhood against the backdrop of the Cold War, the assassination of President Kennedy, the Vietnam War and Air Force jets that left Langley AFB and flew over our house and around the radar squadron base on the mountain behind our house.
Sadly my cousin passed away a few years ago by his own hand. Years of chronic back pain that just could not be resolved with surgeries, treatments and medications finally took its toll.
I remember well how confident you were that Always Dreaming would win the Derby and that Todd would solve the problem the colt had of fighting his exercise rider and Johnny V.
The sudden and unexpected loss of Always Dreaming hurt, not ashamed to say that tears stung my eyes for several minutes when I read the news.
Always Dreaming was a beautiful Thoroughbred and his name was perfect! We are all dreamers at heart I think.
Thank you for remembering him!
Thank you so much for those beautiful remembrances. They aree all special no matter where we grow up
Do need to add one line, there were enough of us to play a game of softball in the cow pasture.
LOL. Our girls played Jax
I played Jax too!
I was a bit of a tomboy but still liked my Barbie doll.
Great article…Love it!
Thank you Jenet
Steve, I loved the article first time I love it more now. I can only tell you how deeply saddened my entire family is over this. He was truly a special horse not because of his performance on the track but his demeanor at the barn. He loved the attention he received and we loved giving it to him. The memories we have will last a lifetime and his place in history will always be there. He won the 2 of the very best races in classic style. People can always say why this and that but few realize he was a tenth of a second off the track record set by alydar.
Great article by a great writer and person.
A life cut way too short.
(I replied to Anthony by text)
Anthony, heartfelt condolences on the passing of Always Dreaming to you and all the connections.
He was such a beauty as we can see in the photo Steve inserted above.
For a last minute pinch hit it’s a Home Run. Nice call Steve!
LOL. Thanks Derek
Steve,
I will admit I was not always a big Always Dreaming (AD) fan (probably because of Todd Pletcher and not because I don’t like Todd, who I greatly respect and think is a class act, but because his terrible record in winning the Kentucky Derby ) but when he won with AD I thought to myself that it was a fluke because it was done on an off track. I thought to myself lets see if he could do it on a dry track (his win in the Fl Derby I thought was won against a weak field) and sure enough he never won another race the rest of that year. Unknown to me at the time (and probably most of the rest of the racing world ) that this horse was suffering with ulcers and having a terrible time digesting his food. When I read (in early 2018) about this and what he was going thru I instantly became a fan and was rooting for him as I had hoped they had finally found out why he did not perform better after the Derby but unfortunately he only raced twice that year and did not win and was retired.
Steve, I often wondered thru the years why you were such a fan of this horse ( I don’t remember ever reading this article the first time) but after reading it today it now clear to me why you were. It always great to see people and friends when you were growing up have success and seeing their dreams come true and even better when they include you when it happens. As I have said before you have lived a charmed and blessed life !!!
Thanks for posting this tribute to Always Dreaming. I especially loved reading about how he showed early on what a special horse he was. As I noted in a previous post, I’ll never forget him because he won the last Derby my mom and I ever shared together.
Really excellent piece, Steve. I was saddened to hear of Always Dreaming’s passing – much too young. I always thought he had one of the best racehorse names, ever. I think the whole racing experience is contained in those two words. Stroke of genius, and to have him go on to win the greatest race – you can’t make this stuff up. Well you can, but it usually isn’t reality. I was also saddened this week to hear of Lemon Drop Kid’s passing – my husband’s favorite horse.
I talked about Lemon Drop Kid on Steve Byk’s show yesterday.
I’ll pull up the podcast – I’d like to hear that one.
I am always thrilled when one of us “little people” wins at whatever. This story proves one doesn’t have to be a wealthy industrialist to have one’s dreams come true. Pun intended. As for the Dreamer, he is now running free with no pain. Thank you Steve.
I always find stories about people growing up in Brooklyn in the 50s and 60s very compelling. Though totally different than my experience, i feel nostalgia for a special time and place that I never knew. For anyone interested, a book, Praying for Gil Hodges, perfectly captures the experience of a boy growing up in 1950s Brooklyn against the backdrop of the 1955 World Series. Nothing about racing, but among the best baseball books I’ve read. As for Always Dreaming, I feel connected to him because I followed him and was confident that he would win that KD.
Well said, Todd. For those who couldn’t relate to growing up in that time and place I hope they do now. I read Gil Hidges biography but nor that book I will have to look for ir. As for Always Dreaming I was never more confident in my Derby pick than I was him.
Several copies available on ebay for less than $5. Doris Kearns Goodwin wrote a book around the same time which captured her memories of the 50s Brooklyn Dodgers. I believe it was called Same Time Next Year.
She is the greatest
Correction: the Goidwin book is Wait til Next Year.
She is one of my favorite biographers. Have read four, FDR, Lincoln, The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys and LBJ.
Did you mean Gil Hodges Steve? Nevertheless it was a great read.
I was raised on the west coast but I went to several Dodger games at the L.A. Coliseum until they moved to Chavez Ravine.
I never cared for Pletcher but Always Dreaming was a very nice horse..
May he rest in peace.
You definitely haven’t lost your touch for great penmenship.
Never liked him,but a fan of Always Dreaming.
Thanks for mentioning the book. I’m a big fan of New York and New Yorkers and I know I will enjoy that read.
Great article and insights about Always Dreaming Steve. I was fortunate to have won with a KDFW bet that year on Always Dreaming at 42-1 who I had to win and also won on the AD/field EX wager. I was saddened to hear of his passing, and am sure he is in a better place now. John Velasquez rode a masterful race by using AD tactical speed and Always Dreaming did the rest and pulled away when asked by JV. Thanks for this article about Always Dreaming Steve. A KD winner gone too soon at 10 years old. I will never forget Always Dreaming .
Second that.