Randomness

re: Randomness

Hank — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:41:23 GMT

I was at Freestate Raceway, which was located in Laurel Md,. We used to go to the gym and play racquet ball. I got there early one day and while waiting this little rugged looking guy walks up and starts talking to me, real nice guy, a little arrogant . corky, sure of himself, it turned out to be the leading apprentice jock, Ken Desormeau, boy was I pleased and surprised, you knew he was going to be very good. Sharp as hell, apparently he came and worked out everyday before reporting to the jocks room for his racing, after that we all looked forward to seeing him and listen to him.

re: Randomness

Wanda — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:23:13 GMT

Adam: I'll get back to you later in the week about those pics. Got some decent pics but Larry's no Paris Hilton so he's not camera savy. Got to head to work and get caught up so I can take a week off.

re: Randomness

aspradling — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 20:17:12 GMT

I also wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your stories everyone, thank you for sharing those.

re: Randomness

aspradling — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 20:02:56 GMT

Hey Wanda,

If you send some pictures, I will post some on here and of course give you credit for them =)

Thanks Huh,

I have been real excited about this race. I have anxiously awaited his next run and hope he wins as well. I'll post on it.

re: Randomness

Huh — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 13:18:10 GMT

Hey, Arrrr is entered in the 6th race at Saratoga today, hope he wins again.

re: Randomness

Wanda — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 04:15:07 GMT

Hey Adam finally made it down to see my in-laws and of course Larry. He says hi and I'll try and get a good picture of him for you. He looks awesome for 11 years old!

re: Randomness

imjustanimage — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 19:20:27 GMT

hi i was at the benefit for the john henry acution at the ky horse park and it was my birthday and they were selling horse books and there was smarty jones owner, sunday silence and gato del sol owner. and i told them it was my birthday and they started singing happy birthday to me right there it was awsome.

re: Randomness

lespedeeza — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 19:02:34 GMT

Back in the early 90's I went to the Upperville Horse Show to see the TB breeding classes. As the colt class was proceeding I moved around the edge of the ring to get a better look and I noticed out of the corner of my eye a tall man doing the same thing. We came to stand side by side, watching. He said he really liked the next horse to jog, and I agreed, it was the one I had come to see. When I turned to look at my companion on the fence my judgment had just been verified by non other than Paul Mellon, one of the finest gentlemen and horsemen I've ever met. Talk about a confidence booster for a young horse person.......

re: Randomness

MRO — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:02:17 GMT

I live in Columbus, Ohio. I was at work one morning & a FedEx (UPS?) delivery guy noticed I had a photo of Repletion (c 89 Alydar-Full Tigress) in my office. I took the picture at Keeneland when I was living in Lexington in the early 90s. He asked me about the picture. It turns out that the guy was a small time trainer, working the delivery job on the side, who ran horses at Mountaineer, Ellis, and the Ohio tracks. He introduced himself & told me about a horse named Little Hoppy he had recently claimed. Although Columbus is not far from Lexington, I have not had the fortune of meeting many people here to share my interest in racing, so I thought it was a neat chance meeting.

re: Randomness

Rebs Policy — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:56:23 GMT

This was both random & unbeknownst to me a famous person.

I was a 9-y-o in the summer of 1971 and was hanging out in the clubhouse at Hollywood Park. (I was one of those many backstretch brats whose parents let us run wild at the track.) I recognized a name on one of the boxes: M/M Buddy Fogelson. They had purchased Ack Ack just a few months before. I was clueless/fearless at the time and introduced myself to them and told Mrs. Folgelson how much I loved her horse. One of the day's races was about to run but she kindly chatted with me for a few minutes and then excused herself to do an errand. A few minutes later I saw her in the winner's circle and track announcer Harry Henson announced that a famous movie star who was about to present a plate to the owners of the winner. Suddenly Mrs. Fogelson stepped forward and he announced her as Greer Garson. I looked at what was going on and asked someone next to me who Greer Garson was. When I told my mom she was dumbstruck at the time. Here was her kid getting to meet one of the great stars of Tinsel Town's golden era and all I cared about was talking about with her was Ack Ack's upcoming race itinerary.

The love of Thoroughbreds and this great sport they inspire trumps so many obstacles of class, age, nationality, race and the like that I have always been in awe of it's power to bring people together.

re: Randomness

needler in Virginia — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:05:59 GMT

While probably NOT unexpected, this one will resonate for a long time. Husband and I go to the KHP to see John Henry last year......we knew he was fading and wanted to visit him one last time.

We had dinner at The Mansion that night...in the small front dining room.....Steve Cauthen was there, with several biggies after a "do" at the KHP, and when leaving I just HAD to say "hello" as the husband rolled his eyes and tried NOT to crawl under the nearest table (he knows me too well). But I did behave and did NOT tell Cauthen that he rode the wrong horse.......I LOVED Alydar. Nope, I was proper and met a really nice man who was gracious and kind to a racing fan.

Not the most amazing chance encounter story, but one that will stick with me a long time.........

Cheers to all.