Heroes and Flip-Flopping

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

Matthew W — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:51:47 GMT

You'd have to say the two most memorable races in BC history were Personal Ensign's career closeout and the "Tiznow wins it for America" Classic over Sahkee--and in my opinion the OTHER Tiznow win was the strongest of all the classics--yes, even Ghostzapper's...yes, Tiznow holding Giant's Causeway the whole length of the Churchill Downs stretch, over a strong field and dwawing off together--that was the best, and THEY are the best right now, Tiznow and Giant's Causeway--as sires...Tiznow was truly a great horse, he overcame a lot to win the 2nd classic, ALSO against a strong field...

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

Tiznowbaby — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:18:49 GMT

Comments work! (Been away from the computer because of Hurricane Dolly). Steve, I'm thrilled because you must have read my mind about Tiznow. He's killing, and I completely love it. Evening Attire combined with Well Armed and Bear Now made it almost a perfect weekend. (just wanted my boy Lava Man to come through).

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

Steve Haskin — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:57:23 GMT

Thank you, EA Fan. The pleasure was all mine, I can assure you.

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

ace — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:52:11 GMT

I love the return of the 1 1/2 races. I fondly remember the Fall Championship Series and seeing giants like Slew, Affirmed and the Bid battling two or three times in a row.

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

Evening Attire Fan — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:49:06 GMT

Thank you so much for writing about Evening Attire. I just love absolutley love him. To see him win like just made my heart sing. Love to read anything you write. I have read your books Dr. Fager and John Henry several times. They are my favorites and Evening Attire for me rates right there with them. And thank you Mr. Grant about the update on him and for taking care of him like you do. It will be a sad day for me when he is done with racing.

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

Steve Haskin — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:12:48 GMT

Thanks for the comments, Joe. I really didn't think you'd ship him all he way out there at his age to run on synthetic, but like I said that is irrelevant. It's just great to see him rejuvenated by these long races. Best of luck with him the rest of the year, and who knows how much longer.

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

Mike S — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:39:58 GMT

Did you know that TIZNOW is the leading sire by stakes wins this year? Yup. He has 15 stakes wins.

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

m burry — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:01:17 GMT

Glad to see Tiznow doing so well. I first noticed Cee;s Tizzy offspring when I saw Budroyle race. Bud was bought as a claimer (as you probably know) and ended up coming 2nd in the Breeders Cup and I won some money. After that every time I saw a Cees Tizzy offspring I bet on it and won alot of times so when Tiznow came along I was estactic at how well he did. I feel there will be alot of good colts in this pedigree.

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

Davisondad — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:28:38 GMT

It's great to see Evening Attire, beat up on the youngsters, it gives us old farts something to feel good about!!

Tiznow's emergence can only be good for our breeding market! It almost seems weird to see a stud, whose sire lineage does not run through the Darley Arabian, doing so well!! Does anyone have an educated guess as to how much his fee is going to go up from the $30K? His offspring that sold at Fasig all went for over $100K. They were all very nice looking, balanced and tough like their dad!

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

Wanda — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:56:49 GMT

Thank you Mr Grant for the update on Evening Attire.Please carry on with the odd up date on a horse that has many many fans.

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

Joe Grant — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:21:39 GMT

We are also very happy that NYRA and Philadelphia Park ran these 12F races. Attire does seem to like these races. He came out of the race in great shape and when he arrived in Saratoga yesterday he got off the van with his tail up high and he was yelling. He was so glad to be back home in Saratoga. We are hoping that when the second condition book comes out there will be a long race in there for him. We really would like to see him run again in Saratoga.

As for the Breeders Cup I doubt very much that we will ship him across the country for a $500,000, 1 5/8 race on a synthetic surface.

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

Steve G — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:05:35 GMT

This is the sport we love. The dismay we experience for all that we believe may be wrong with racing, the heartwrench at witnessing racetrack tragedy is the side of coin that flips over to "heads" when an old warrior like Evening Attire blows by the young 'uns and our hearts swell... It was so "right."

We are passionate about racing & racing seems to have extremes built right in...so I have found myself flip-flopping, as well.

I've gone up & down about synthetic racing surfaces since their inception here...I bashed Del Mar last year for racing that was so "ugly" it was hard to watch...and I have been encouraged this year by what are, at least from the perspective of visual appreciation, better races. (nevermind the cards...that will bum me out again.:))

Steve, I know there was a certain amount of tongue-in-cheek when you spoke of flip-flopping...but I always find it refreshing to allow myself that luxury. Perhaps my cheerfulness is on the rise since this is opening day at the Spa...

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

normajean81258 — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 02:37:55 GMT

Wow, see, told you he doesn't want to retire, he wants to run!! What a great race Evening Attire gave us. What a joy! He may be "old" by industry opinion, but someone forgot to tell him. Talk about impressive, 10 years old.....

an 8 1/4-length victory, 1 1/2-miles and breaking a 16-year-old track record.

The final time was 2:29.90 on a fast main track. The previous track record for 1 1/2 miles was 2:31 flat, set by Laugh a Minute Jan. 4, 1992.

I'd like to take this opportunity to ask for good wishes to Old Friends on the loss of one of their retired racehorses today. President Michael Bowen's email is:

michael@oldfriendsequine.org

Ballindaggin, the stately 23-year-old, New York-bred chestnut who swept the 1987 New York Stallion Series and defeated an international field in the 1988 Molson Export Challenge, was humanely euthanized on July 22 at the Hagyard Equine Institute. The multiple stakes-winner of $946,894 in just 14 starts recently was diagnosed by Dr. Doug Byars as suffering from severe back problems brought on by degenerative arthritis. The decision to euthanize was made in consultation with Dr. Byars, Dr. Hunt and Old Friends President, Michael Blowen. Ballindaggin had resided at the Old Friends Thoroughbred retirement farm in Georgetown, Kentucky for two years. He was donated to Old Friends by Idaho owner-breeders Bob and Robbie Waters who visited him often during his retirement.

"Ballindaggin was one of our kindest, most intelligent residents," said Blowen. "He was farm manager Janet Beyersdorfer's favorite retiree. But he told us it was time. His eyes had turned from proud and courageous to insecure. We wanted him to go with his dignity intact. He'll never be forgotten." A public memorial service will be held later this summer at Old Friends.

This is the proper end for all of our "Old Friends".

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

Brian — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 02:19:33 GMT

Great to see some love for Surf Cat. What an under appreciated horse he is. 6 years old, NOT gelded, fought through multiple injuries, and is still competitive. 18 out of 20 races he's been on the board with 9 wins (16 times he's been 1st or 2nd). I'm with you Mr. Haskin, our boy deserves a Breeders Cup victory.

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

Bellwether — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 01:58:53 GMT

Pat Kelly & the Old Man...that's sweet...LLTK!!!

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

Clay — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 01:38:46 GMT

Hey tvnewsbadge(what kind of name is this?) If turf is so superior why are the triple crown races run on dirt? All of the big prep races for 2 year olds and young 3 year olds are run on dirt. The only reason young horses are run on turf is if there is not a race available on dirt or the horse is just terrible on dirt and the connections look for options. No disrespect though, I do like to play turf races, but dirt seperates us from the Europeans.

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

PointGiven — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:53:04 GMT

For all those people who complain about racing - - they should take a look at Evening Attire! What a great old guy...

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

russell maiers — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:35:45 GMT

Tiznow, wow, nice comments to a king! Evening Attire, ok lets break a track record at ten! Great article Steve and the best comments i have read. I just wonder if our John Henry isn't still pulling some strings!

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

Steve Haskin — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:39:14 GMT

Well, Gun Bow, whether you're right about Sulamani, you get a point for coming up with him and for pointing out my error. Dahlia actually is the one who made the Canadian Int'l a grade I race because they gave it grade I status the year after she won it. Elena, who guessed Dahlia, still gets a point as well. I gotta watch you people and keep on my toes; you're too sharp for me.

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

GunBow — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:23:12 GMT

This is in reference to the Trivia Time blog. Mr. Haskin, you listed Dahlia as the answer to question #2, the first horse to win grade/group 1 races in 5 different countries. After my own research, I count Dahlia as having won grade/group 1 races in only 4 countries. When Dahlia won the Canadian International in 1974, the race was just a grade 2. It became a grade 1 the next year. In light of this, I am not sure the actual answer, although I am certain that Sulamani won grade/group 1 races in 5 countries( US- Arlington Million, Turf Classic; Canada- Canadian/Pattison International; France- French Derby; England- Juddmonte International; UAE- Dubai Sheema).

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

Kelly S — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:54:39 GMT

Hats off to Evening Attire! It would be great if he can make it to the BC. Thanks for giving kudos to one of my favorites, Surf Cat! I, too, have been a fan of his since before his injury, although I have been more of a fan since his comeback. He is incredibly consistent nearly every time he runs, now 16 times out of 20 starts finishing 1st or 2nd, I believe.

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

cybertron_log — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:48:49 GMT

I love Tiznow and am esctatic that he's finally getting the attention he always deserved. He was the Calbred who beat up the world, and now his sons and daughters are eating up the track every big weekend. People HAVE to wait on his babies, especially if they want the success this current year of runners is showing. Best of luck to the Tiznows!

Evening Attire is amazing. He's a true warrior who gives his all every time and loves it every step of the way. How can one not cheer for him? I think I might have pictures of his visit to SA a couple of years ago...it would be fantastic if he came here again.

Music Note is a monster. Can't wait to see her vs. Proud Spell again.

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

Breezing — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:27:41 GMT

Not only did The Grand Old Man, Evening Attire win a ticket to the Breeder's Cup, he broke a 16 year old track record! (from The Horse.com) In stiffling heat, too. I just love that old guy.

Well Armed is another heart-warming story. For him to come back and win like he did, all I can say is "amazing."

Thank you for blogging about them both.

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

tvnewsbadge — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:12:16 GMT

Enjoyd your comments about turf. It really is too bad that dirt has become the standard here in America when turf has proven to be such a superior surface the world over.

At my own local track, Colonial Downs in Virginia, the vast majority of races in the current meet have been on turf and folks actually felt cheated the few times that weather or other factors has dictated a change to the dirt track.

TvNB

re: Heroes and Flip-Flopping

Nancy Petrillo — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:46:07 GMT

Hi,

Thank you for the warm comments regarding Evening Attire! I have followed racing for four years now and from the beginning he has been a favorite of mine. He is just a grand horse and when he runs in New York state, I make sure I'm there.

Best,

Nancy