Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

birdie5 — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 02:12:33 GMT

The mentions of Our Legal Eagle amazes me. I remember him from when he was a young horse. He spent most of his career at Thistledown in Barn 32 in "tin city" he raced nearly every week and he tried every time. I was not his trainer but I was stabled in that barn for many years right across the shedrow. I don't really have one favorite older horse, I love them all and in all of my years in the business I have seen many hard knocking old guys and gals that give their all every time out. I am just amazed to see one that I knew personally being mentioned here in Bloodhorse

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

Lynne — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:57:39 GMT

As a small child I watched "The Mighty" Kelso race and cannot help but mention him as one of the greatest older thoroughbreds ever. He loses a few points with me because I read of his very unpleasant disposition, despite being gelded. Therefore, my official vote goes to Exterminator, who competed decades ahead of my time. He was also known as "Old Bones" due to his angular and unattractive appearance. This champion gelding raced until he was 9 years old and carried weights as high as 138 pounds.

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

Grande Fan — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:04:08 GMT

I love Precisionist, he had such dignity and heart. Soon after he passed at Old Friends, a YouTube video surfaced featuring Precisionist racing at Santa Anita. He had lost jockey Chris McCaron, won the race (w/o his jockey) and leaped over the finish line. He did it just for the love of racing to win, What a champ! A grand and game competitor with lots of style - to his final breath.

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

Erie — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:03:08 GMT

Commentator! I loved watching him power home in his second Whitney - at age 7!

Plagued by physical ailments throughout his career, Commentator embodied what I love best in racehorses: speed, determination, and versatility - dominating races from 7 furlongs to 1 1/4 miles.

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

Pony Pete — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 17:52:32 GMT

Unless I missed it what about Four Star Dave? Not memorable?

The problem w/THR is there are few "heros" that race more than a year maybe two. This article shows the lasting interest in these veteran legends.

Uncle who? (will)remember in 10 yrs?

The breeding shed won't do much good to owners when there is nobody at the track!

I love THR but it needs to build it's fan base with something or it will go the way high button shoes.

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

clk123 — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 22:20:12 GMT

My favorite hard knocker would be "Our Legal Eagle" he ran 217 times, usually on the bottom but always tried, and retired at 14 years of age. Never had a chance to see him run but would of loved too root him on

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

carrie hacker — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:36:02 GMT

With Anticipation is my fave. I loved watching him run. When he was on fire he was awesome. Raced 8 seasons. To me he was just anticipation.

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

Rachel NH — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 10:36:26 GMT

New England hard knocker Swan's Way...last race age 15...80+ starts, lives at "Old Friends"

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

patsy finley — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:06:22 GMT

I love the story of Eagle Time just a shame not all stallions can do what he has done. Our sport is all about money and not about racing and keeping them sound and loved. I got a chance to work for a amall breeding farm and racing stable and most of our racers were claimers at the bottom side. I fell in love with the big horses as well and hope that Rapid gets his chance in the histroy books if he runs and wins one more to beat CITATIONS RECORD. i THINK A TRUE CHAMPION is or should be what they have accomplished no matter what type of race. Lets face it only claimers and allowance horse run 30 plus time in their life and they are not even reconized as worthy horse for year end honors. i applaud Eagles owner for his love and dedcation to him. Watched a movie starrinf Loyd Bridges in it as he played a low claiming trainer he said and is true that without claimers they would have only one stake race aweek he is just about right. 20 plus years ago it was nothing for horse to run weekly or bi weekly now days if they done that the humane socity people would holler animal crulity. Those pepole dont live in the reallity that for some horses that is their pleasure. i could make a case for alot of old timers as well as younger horse as well Barbbro for what he has given in research Ruffin started it for they rellay went to work harder after they lost her when she woke up thrashing to undo every thing they had done.The horse that has made their sports medicine to help other horse to survive great injurys or health issues are the greatest heros for we will never know them all or their owners for they just vanish so all of our heros as benefitted from them for them to be where they are today for all of the greats of racing and the ones never thougt of I say thank you for saving our runners of today that is a giving spirt and a heart of gold that a thoroughbred has.

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

WildKat — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 04:07:25 GMT

Classi Envoy's story is a great one and brings to mind a couple of other stallions who save my butt. One was a Standardbred (don't know his name) but at 14yrs of age I walked 8 miles each way to my grandmother's house South end of Columbus Ohio to Hamilton Meadows, then an additional 6 miles to go see these horses. I wanted to play with the babies, but this horse was in the way (my choices were to go in his paddock or the paddock beside him which had a bull, cow, and calf). I fed him grass from outside his paddock and he followed me like a lost puppy. By the time I got to the back of his paddock I went thru and got 1/2 way between fences and he went bullistic, rearing and pawing at the fence and screeming. I turned and at the other end of the paddock lane was the bull, head lowerd and ready to charge. Before I saw the bull, I had thought the boy just wanted more attn. The manager came to rescue me in time. I went to thank him and was told to never go near him, he'd kill me. I didn't tell them I had already been in there with him..lol..I waited til they left (like any sneeky kid) and went back to thank him with a great big handful of grass. The other stallion was a Thoroughbred, named Cat Ridge. I managed him for 4 yrs. In '08 he had a 7 month old colt that had gotten loose and headed towards the 'girls'...lol..Cat hollerd for his son and got him to come back to his fence. His paddock was attached to the barn where he had a stall & paddock combined..he led that boy to an area that I could catch him. Cat did not act that way

towards other babies, he knew which was his. Cat also had seen a guy trying to flirt with me. When this guy went to trim his feet, he tried to kick that man in the head..guess I was his boss mare.

As for older favorites..Seabuscut was at the top of my list until I saw John Henry run..I grew up watching him. Then came along Cigar..but the ALL TIME FAV is Secretariat...that old buy tried to bite my boob when I tried to give him a hug about 3 months before he died. I was 7 yrs old when he won the Triple, been hoooked line and sinker every since. {I never underestimate the int elegence of stallions}

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

Terry M. — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 03:53:21 GMT

Sunny Farm, that is amazing. I think you should get a calendar just for sharing that story about your wonderful stallion. You should nominate him for a Purina Animal Hall of fame award, or SPCA Animal Hero award, or something similar! Too often, people hear the bad things about Thoroughbreds instead of the many good and courageous things they do.

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

Galorette — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 23:33:24 GMT

Better Talk Now! I was there for his '07 Manhattan. I have a soft spot for a closer, I love how long he ran at the top of the game & will cheer for Graham Motion's horses forever because of him!

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

Bacardi — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 23:24:46 GMT

My favorite horse of all time is the one & only John Henry. His sheer determination & steel-driving will to win still gives me goosebumps, he truly was the little horse-who-could! And his nastiness just adds to it, being first a nasty equine athelete on the track, and then a cantankerous old man at the KHP!

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

kittybay — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:30:10 GMT

Here in Vancouver, at Hastings Racecourse my horse, at 7, beat an 11 year old by the name of Colonel Courtney. The Colonel then went on to win 3 races in a row(bottom claiming) at Hastings and then went on to win a big starter allowance sprint race at Portland Meadows just 2 weeks ago (& I see he's entered on Dec 27th). He's a real trooper.

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

SUNNY FARM — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:21:39 GMT

That Eagle Time is one nice stallion !I realy enjoyed the story and wish everyone the best !

I have known many a good horse , but my ALL time favorite just has to be my senior stallion:

CLASSI ENVOY (1990)

A big , handsome stallion who has proven himself on the track, 69 starts , Eight years, over 400 K Black-type, etc ,but why he is my favorite of all time is his intelligence & honor.

When I purchased him he had been re-sold a few times and at times he didn't have the very best of homes. He had lost trust in people & thought he had to fight in self defense. After awhile he learned what love really is but would never lower his head to anyone, not even to me. One day a deer got in his paddock & I went out to bring my stallion in & try to let the deer out.(Anyone who knows about deer does know that a trapped deer is one of THE most dangerous creatures )

Using hand signals , I called "CLASSI" & as he began to come to me to go into his box, the deer made a blind charge at me.

I suddenly saw the deer, but it was too late to move to safety , it was headed straight for my chest at top speed in the deep snow & a mere 20 feet away !

CLASSI ENVOY could have moved away, he could have shied in terror... but he flew through the air like Pegasus and hit the deer with his body, deflecting it off of me. He then killed the deer, a sight I will NEVER forget. Then he raced to the stall where I had hidden myself, came charging in...blood, foaming, and hot, he searched for me wildly. He lowered his head to me and looked me right in the eye.

We have been the very best of friends since that day & he has changed so much since he saved my life.

Courageous , intelligent , loyal...this is why he is much the best to ME.

It is with pride that I can honestly say that his "foals" are a chip off the old block.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE !!!

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

Judy G ~ CA — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:42:41 GMT

Two words: JOHN HENRY! He set the bar high ~ tenacious on and off the track! He knew where the wire was; he wouldn't let a horse pass him if he had them in his sight! He was the "Blue Collar" horse for sure!

On a somber note, John~John's exercise rider, LEWIS CENICOLA, is gravelly ill and be treated at home by Hospice... John, you and Louie will meet again... ride into the sunset for eternity.

God Bless you both!

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

Jeanie from CA — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:18:59 GMT

My favorite older horse is With Aniticipation. This gray gelding was unbelievable as a race horse. He WON three Grade I races at age 7 and came in second in three other Grade I wins, also at age 7, including the BC Turf. This guy was something else. The last I heard he was in his second career as a hunter somewhere in the north or central eastern part of the US.

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

kelso fan — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:40:14 GMT

As my handle indicates it would have to be Kelso. An iron horse who was Horse of the Year 5 times, who ran and won at distances up to two miles and on dirt and turf (despite rumors to the contrary seconds in the International before he won it did not indicate that he did not do well on turf especially when one of those seconds was a record time as well). He was much beloved by fans in the 60s with his own fan club (I was a proud member of Kelsoland - would love to hear from others - Heather Noble, are you out there anywhere) and retired to an amazing career as a show horse and fox hunter ridden by his owner. What an amazing life he led and feisty for every minute of it.

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

Golden Gate — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:38:40 GMT

It is great he was allowed to race as long as he was. My horses really enjoy it. My favorite older horse is one called Royal Illusion. He was stakes placed and then contracted EPM and even with treatment some of his muscles atrophied. His groom took him and saved his life and through the years moved him different places with her. He passed away last year. He was a very kind horse and just a good old boy. I miss him. www.pedigreequery.com/royal+illusion4

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

UA Guy34 — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:05:54 GMT

Unbridled...he was my first Kentucky Derby win bet before I knew much about handicapping. Bet him because I heard a psychic on the local news pick him to win. True story...been hooked ever since.

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

SalemPoe — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:50:35 GMT

My favorite older horse is my own former racehorse, Turbo Jet.. He was foaled in Louisiana, raced here, raced there, and wound up at Beulah running at age 9. He broke down there and was on stall rest when I met him. He was given to me at age 10, and cannot support a rider, so he is a pasture pal now. Turbo will be 17 on Jan. 1, and he is all I could wish for in a horse. He's my unicorn, my Pegasus and the horse of my dreams whether or not I'll ever see the view from between his ears.

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

MrPick4 — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:42:38 GMT

Of all the greats, it's a tough call ...while I'd have to say John Henry from a list that includes Kelso, Forego, Dr Fager, Gallant Bloom, Evening Attire and Personal Ensign,....I'd be remiss if I didn't offer up, in the spirit of this tribute to Eagle Time, my personal favorite, ....Teddy Drone ...remarkable, versatile old banger who tore up tracks all up and down the East Coast

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

aspidistra — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:27:32 GMT

Even though he was before my time, I've always admired Kelso. Not only did he beat all the top horses of his day, and earn Horse of the Year honors 5 times, but after he retired from racing, he became a show jumper (I did get to see him in that career). That being said, my heart belongs to Zenyatta. How many times my heart stopped beating as she came from so far behind stirred up emotions I hadn't felt in years. My head says Kelso, but my heart screams Zenyatta!

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

elsbet — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:59:48 GMT

I just love the Tin Man, Assult, Forgo, Exterminator, John Henry and Queen Z.

Amazing creatures - just amazing.

re: Eagle Time's Story and Beyond the Blinkers Giveaway

RikkiTikkiUhOh — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:18:48 GMT

My horse Mike. A 1990 Thoroughbred gelding. He is 22 but still sound. Looks like he is 3. Acts it too with his antics. He still jumps competitivley (A/O Lows which are 3'6"-4') and third level dressage. He never stops trying. I've had him for 11 years and he has recovered from a suspensory blow, shattered accesory carpal bone, cannon nine fracture, and bone spavin in his hocks. And yet. There he is today...jumping over a round bale to body slam his 17.3 hand 1600 lb Dutch Warmblood pasture mate. He doesn't care for consequence. He just wants a running buddy and to show his guts. He is the example of what a heart of a Thoroughbred is. Did I mention he is so strikingly beautiful the barn owner out him in the first stall so visitors see him first!