OTTB Update and a Giveaway

re: OTTB Update and a Giveaway

smartydeb — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 22:02:54 GMT

Hard to believe that scrawny foal grew into that magnificent fellow - a tribute to the care he received!

Keep up the good work, love the Valentine Day card idea - I sent one last year and will this year too!

re: OTTB Update and a Giveaway

SSilence86 — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:33:34 GMT

My favorite 2012 moment?

Paynter. What an inspiration he has been for everyone and anyone who has followed his story.

The odds were stacked against him in every possible way. Every day I would check the news, holding my breath, expecting the worst. Only to be exhilarated day after day with news of his determined will to live.

The day they released him from the clinic to go back to Bob Baffert in California, was the day we all shared a bit of victory. Especially for that scrappy little colt who refused to be defeated in the most important moment in his life.

My favorite racing moment? Shakleford's Clark Handicap. A gritty, rugged, determined colt, who tried hard every time he left the starting gate.

Surely anyone watching that last race of his, was standing up, urging and cheering that white blaze on home to the wire. I know I was. He showed he has the true heart of a champion.

re: OTTB Update and a Giveaway

samynongreen — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:11:26 GMT

Little Mike winning the Breeder's Cup....Great win for Vacarezza who don't own many horses

re: OTTB Update and a Giveaway

Kathmanblu — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 16:53:33 GMT

Best racing moment of the year for me had to be Black Caviar's quick acceleration and great courage in her start at Royal Ascot. It was a thrill to see in all the wrong ways, but nonetheless a crowning achievement and another notch in the belt for one of the world's best. For personal moments, I loved seeing my beloved Union Rags get up in time at the Belmont and of course Rachel and Zenyatta having their first foals early in the year.

re: OTTB Update and a Giveaway

elsbet — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 12:30:54 GMT

Greetings! What a great story! I have a few greatest moments from 2012...so here they are in no particular order: Black Caviar's gutsy win in England, Frankel - need I say more?, Queen Z and Rachel's baby announcements, Paynter's come back, and Union Rag's Belmont win.

re: OTTB Update and a Giveaway

Mokey — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 00:19:32 GMT

I think Paynter's coming back with that illness, really showed how he was a fighter.

re: OTTB Update and a Giveaway

Bethany Loftis — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 05:12:18 GMT

Esther,

Thank you for your wonderful articles! And what a truly touching story?!

My favorite moment of 2012 is hands down Paynter winning the Vox Populi. His fight for survival while maintaining his bright eye is a reminder for us all to stay strong in dark times. Then to hear this warrior wants to strut his stuff again is amazing!!!

Thank you Paynter and thank you Esther!!!

re: OTTB Update and a Giveaway

Old Old Cat — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 19:37:38 GMT

Wonderful article. My daughter Shannon has a big 17h thoroughbred named "Will", or "Good Will". Similar sounding traits to your Will. We will certainly send a card. Keep up the good articles.

re: OTTB Update and a Giveaway

greengirl — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 01:09:52 GMT

Wow, what a big guy he turned out to be!

My favorite moment from 2012 was Shackleford's heart-stopping victory in the Churchill Downs S.

re: OTTB Update and a Giveaway

TUPSTER — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 19:39:52 GMT

Hi Esther,

Another 2 Came To My Mind, After Writing Last Night And They Were:

Shacklefod and Stay Thirsty!

With Both Winning, Their Last Races Each Before Retiring To Become Stallions, WOW, They Were Both Great Races!!!

I'am Really Going To Miss Watching Shack Race, As He Was One Of My Favorites Right From When, He Started Racing!!!!

re: OTTB Update and a Giveaway

Mary McLeod — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 17:51:20 GMT

Hi Esther!

I love your articles. Thank you for this very touching one.

My favorite moment in racing this year was when Queen Zenyatta gave birth to our Prinz. The birth of Rachel's colt is a close second. My third favorite is a fantasy moment: when the owner of a certain handsome white horse set aside his helicopter ways that kept his horse from showing the true talent he has!!!

Thank you for your excellent work!

Take care,

Mary

re: OTTB Update and a Giveaway

Alicia McQuilkin — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 17:43:21 GMT

I think my favorite moment of the year was when Animal Kingdom made his late surge in the BC Mile...and the announcement that he would be back to race in 2013. It showed great sportsmanship to be bringing him back after such a fantastic showing! And his speed closing in the Mile showed that he's back at the top of his game and he's ready for more!

re: OTTB Update and a Giveaway

Sarah T. — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 16:42:04 GMT

I have two moments that really stand out. One is getting a first-hand glimpse of Frankel's superiority and popularity while watching him win the JLT Lockinge Stakes in May. I wasn't actually there, but I got to see it live on Irish TV, and that was quite a thrill just the same.

The second was hearing Groupie Doll's run to Breeders' Cup glory on the radio (thanks to HRRN!) while I was at work. I couldn't attend last year, but it was an echo of the excitement I felt watching her dominate the field at Keeneland in her final prep race.

re: OTTB Update and a Giveaway

anita b — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 16:21:52 GMT

Boy, how can I pick just one. Here are mine--in no particular order.

I"ll Have Another's wins in the Derby and Preakness when it looked like he couldn't get to Bodemister; Union Rags Belmont win;Black Cavair win in England; Frankel and Paynter need no explanitation and Questing's race in the Alabama--every quarter run faster than previous quarter. Groupie Doll's narrow loss to Stay Thirsty. Hard to pick just one out.

re: OTTB Update and a Giveaway

lahubbar — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 16:05:12 GMT

I love to hear success stories like these, I wish every OTTB could have a wonderful home! My favorite moment of 2012 was Bodemeister winning the Arkansas Derby so far ahead of the rest of the field! That's when he became one of my favorite 3yos at the time.

re: OTTB Update and a Giveaway

Ute Shepherd — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:56:17 GMT

My favorite moment would have to be the story of Paynter. His fight for life and his owners devotion and determination to help him recover was truly inspiring. Hats off to Paynter, his connections and the devoted people that made his recovery and comeback possible.

re: OTTB Update and a Giveaway

bwagner — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:35:15 GMT

My favorite moment from 2012 would have to be Ill Have Anothers triple crown run. Although he didn't quite make the triple crown he brought so much excitement and hope for a triple crown sine Affirmed in 1978, he showed us what it was to try your best and you will get there. He was amazing. And my second would have to be Frankel the British horse who swept 14 for 14 starts and was the highest rated racehorse in the world. I just loved watching him and run and when he was ready thought that horse really went and to hear the announcer say "look at him stride home" he was brilliant. I loved every minute of watching those two horses.

I hope I win. :)

re: OTTB Update and a Giveaway

TUPSTER — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 05:00:03 GMT

Hi Esther,

One of my favorite moments was watching, I'll Have Another and Bodemeister going 1ST & 2ND in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes and then, so looking forward to a Triple Crown after all these years but, to be denied again. Maybe 2013, Will Be The Year!!

Also Frankel and Black Cavier, Finishing On Top With Winning All Their Races and Leaving Horse Racing Strong, Without Any Injuries.

And last but not least, Paynter battling back from all he's gone through in 2012, to now starting 2013 with going to be racing again, WOW!!!

I so love, reading everything you write Esther and I look forward to every one of, your blogs!!! As you have, such a beautiful way of writing that makes me feel I'm right there, as well.