Magnificent "7"

re: Magnificent "7"

Blood-Horse Staff — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 02:37:30 GMT

M Toland - As long as the vet thinks it's ok, the horse should be fine. I take riding lessons and one of the horses that I ride is 29.

re: Magnificent "7"

M TOLAND — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 23:16:01 GMT

MY GRANDDAUGHTER HAS A BEAUTIFUL RETIRED RACEHORSE NAMED SLIDER THAT SHE PLANS TO RIDE IN ENGLISH COMPITETION WE JUST LEARNED FROM THE VET THAT HE IS PROBABLY AROUND 23 YEARS OLD SURPRISE HOW OLD IS TOO OLD IN THIS SITUATION HE IS HEALTHY

re: Magnificent "7"

shamfan49 — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 02:16:07 GMT

lance guranovich posted this comment at 2:49 AM on Aug 3, 2008: "since mike relva owns a few horses, he seems to be more qualified to ascertain greatness in a race horse than the average racing fan." I do not know Mr. Relva and know even less about his knowledge of horses which I’m positive is greater than mine. I intend him no disrespect whatsoever! However, simply because a person owns race horses does not indicate anything beyond that person's ability to sign checks. And God love these folks, because this sport needs people who are willing and able to spend money on horses other than at the betting windows (it needs those too). There are many "average" fans who can, despite not having the resources available to own a race horse, recognize greatness. Sometimes it’s so obvious, even I can see it, and I’m far below average.

re: Magnificent "7"

lance guranovich — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 07:12:50 GMT

mr. haskin,

please correct me if i am wrong, but i believe that you once wrote an article about little current and that he was one of your favorite horses.

i saw him run in the flamingo in 1974 and i think that angel cordero rode him.

my main reason for this posting is that i have a couple of decent pictures of him and if you would like, i could send them to you.

re: Magnificent "7"

lance guranovich — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 06:49:50 GMT

loretta a,

i must state that i respectfully disagree with your comparison between forego and commentator.

also, since mike relva owns a few horses, he seems to be more qualified to ascertain greatness in a race horse than the average racing fan.

i don't want to take anything away from anyone's favorite horse and i truly respect a horse like commentator, but he isn't and will never be a forego.

forego was a "champion" handicap horse and the key word here is handicap. unfortunately, the younger generation of horse racing enthusiasts have never had the opportunity to look into a program and see a horse carrying 100 pounds to the favorite's 130 pounds.

today, racing secretaries have to deal with trainers and owners threatening not to run their horse, because it is going to be the highweight, picking up a pound off of it's last race.

forego carried greater than 130 lbs. many times and he carried it far and fast. theoretically, they are all supposed to be at the wire simultaneously, but forego disproved this notion many times.

frankly, i don't believe that there is a horse out there today that could wear his saddle cloth.

re: Magnificent "7"

No_Class — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 19:33:43 GMT

One of my all time favourites got better with age. "Sky Classic" reached his brightest and best at age 5. Although not in the same category as Steve brilliantly described; I bring it up as I wonder how many 3 year olds have been retired, when they are far from reaching their potential in "later" years? Sky Classic retired with 29 Starts [15 - 6 - 1,] and $3,320,398 in earnings. He will fondly be remembered as a great "older" [i.e., >3!] horse by me.

re: Magnificent "7"

shamfan49 — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:11:07 GMT

I shamelessly "borrowed the following from one of my very favorite web sites:

www.pedigreequery.com.

"Rich In Dallas was used in filming the Seabiscuit movie. You can see him as he runs across the bridge and over the meadow, stumbling a little before running up the hill. In March 2004 he was donated to The Exceller Fund. Rich In Dallas spent the summer of 2005 at the Kentucky Horse Park. He resides at Woodridge Farm in Virginia."

So, as usual, Steve gets it right. I was at the Horse Park that summer, possibly in June. I found the photo CDs of that visit, but none of them show the horse's name. I thought I had taken one of the biographical information on the wall next to his stall, but as usual, my old man's memory seems to have been mistaken. Rich in Dallas photos accompany his pedigree at pedigreequery.com.

Thanks, Steve, for helping restore what for me is a wonderful memory.

Anyone interested can learn more about my favorite "movie star" by following this link:

www.excellerfund.org/.../richindallas.htm

re: Magnificent "7"

Bellwether — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 07:57:18 GMT

all of you here conduct & express your self's in such a wonderful manner...great blog...LLTK!!!

re: Magnificent "7"

Wanda — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 05:21:34 GMT

Thank you so much Shamfan. I read the link and got a little choked. I'll get out the win pictures and take a look at him, and maybe rent the movie. Good memories.

re: Magnificent "7"

Wanda — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 05:14:46 GMT

Thank you all for the imfo on Too Step. I had read something about him having tumor issues but wasn't sure when he was put down.He had alot of issues when he came to us,the least of which was a habit of trying to flip in the paddock.I really enjoyed him after he realized life wasn't to bad. I'm glad his last years were spent in comfort with people who cared.

re: Magnificent "7"

Steve Haskin — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:15:42 GMT

The horse who played Seabiscuit who resided at the Ky. Horse Park was Rich in Dallas.

re: Magnificent "7"

shamfan49 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 23:25:17 GMT

Wanda, I Googled "I Two Step Too" and found an article that he was euthanized March 7, 2005, because of a tumor in his nasal cavity. My trip to the Horse Park was after that. So the Seabiscuit double I met must have been another. 11 is much too young. Here's the link to that sad story:

slick.org/.../msg01668.html

re: Magnificent "7"

shamfan49 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 23:14:05 GMT

Wanda, I'm sorry but I don't recall the name of the Seabiscuit double residing at the Horse Park on that visit. If my leaky memory recalls anything correctly, I seem to think he was not a permanent resident, but only there for a visit. The Horse Park handler who exhibited him mentioned that he was used for a starting sequence. Since your horse was quick at the break, he very easily could be yours. He was very well behaved. Just a super nice gelding. I'll look through my photos when I get a chance. Maybe there's a clue to his identity. Now where did I put those CDs?

re: Magnificent "7"

Richie — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 21:36:42 GMT

Just another great article Steve! I couldn't be at Saratoga on Whitney Day but you made me feel as if I was-thanks!! I watched the races on TV and was just amazed by Commentator and Ginger Punch's races-talk about great performances!! It just doesn't get any better, complete with great calls from TD!! After watching these amazing athletes I still can't understand why more people would rather sit in front of a slot machine-ugh!!! Long live Saratoga!!!!

re: Magnificent "7"

GunBow — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:40:18 GMT

Better Talk Now has won 5 grade 1 races and I think The Tin Man won 4. Which ever horse one feels is best, they all deserve appreciation.

re: Magnificent "7"

Steve Haskin — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:39:24 GMT

LMB, you obviously did not read my last comment or did not read it very carefully. I specifically said it had nothing to do with talent or how he compared to the other horses. He just did not fit the same profile of running in major races from the beginning of his career to the end. My not including him on an innocuous list like that isnt worth taking offense at. I wrote one of the longest stories I've ever written on Lava Man, in which I detail his entire career, and other columns defending his place in history and how he never got the national recognition he should have. Believe me, I know all about the horse's accomplishments. Please go back and read those stories, and then tell me I did a disservice to him by leaving off a list.

re: Magnificent "7"

Lava Man Belongs — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:37:36 GMT

I totally disagree with Lava Man being left off the list. You say he didn't run well enough at 2 and 3, but just look at this stat - Commentator, 19 starts, Lava Man 47. At least Lava Man ran and ran often, which is one of the hallmarks of these old campaigners. Oh, yeah, he also won. It's hard to follow a horse who shows up an average of 2-3 times a year, like Commentator. So, yeah, it's fantastic that he won the Whitney at 7, but keep in mind that the mileage on him isn't that of a 7-year old. That mileage is what's likely caused the changes in Lava Man's ankles and explains why he needs to be retired. "Wear and tear" isn't something that can really be healed with time off, unless you're talking years. So, no, chances are he can't be brought back. As for comparing Commentator to Forego and Kelso, well....

As for not running against big fields, last year's Hollywood Gold Cup wasn't a 4-horse field (9 entered), 2006 was a small field, but he beat 11 in the Sunshine Classic. Also, none of the other horses mentioned is a grade 1 winner on 3 surfaces.

I know you didn't want to have 8 horses, it would ruin the movie reference, but it's a disservice to a horse who danced every dance and displayed remarkable soundness while winning 7 grade 1 races. We just don't see that anymore. How many grade 1's have the others on the list won? I'm just curious, no time to look it up.

I find it really sad when a horse that does all these things just isn't considered good enough to be listed:

starting 47 times; winning 7-grade 1's; winning grade 1's on turf, dirt, and synthetics; winning the Hollywood Gold Cup in 3 consecutive runnings; winning the SA Handicap twice; only horse to win the Gold Cup, SA Handicap, and Pacific Classic in one year; only horse other than John Henry to win the Whittingham and SA Handicap.

I'm as disappointed with this as when The Bloodhorse chose not to include a photo of Lava Man winning the Gold Cup last year in the annual issue - this was something that had only been done once before, and chances are it will never be equalled again.

re: Magnificent "7"

Tiznowbaby — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:04:41 GMT

Mary W.,

Sorry not to get back sooner. O'Neill would like to keep Lava Man as a stable pony, and Kenly would like for Lave Man to be invited to reside at the horse park.

Btw, Kelso was a five-time HOTY, not a give. :)

re: Magnificent "7"

Tiznowbaby — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:38:01 GMT

To Mike Relva,

Please don't yell at me, my hearing is fine. I didn't say Commentator wasn't brilliant, but until he makes the number of starts, wins a distance of ground and carries the weights, he cannot be put with Kelso (give times horse of the year) and Forego (three times horse of the year) in my book.

re: Magnificent "7"

Wanda — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:31:13 GMT

Shamfan49: The Seabiscuit horse you saw a the Kentucky Horse Park was his registered name I Too Step Two? We trained him years ago for a friend and he was used for the starts in the movie cause he was quick away from the gate.

re: Magnificent "7"

Bellwether — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:20:34 GMT

10yo is OLD for a Race Horse as we are not speaking of those that hang around the barns all day...Race Horse's are like boxer's...tough as hell & able to take a shot & keep rolling...we love these critters.

re: Magnificent "7"

braudrim — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:56:49 GMT

in line with your concept--today they announce the retirement of Lava Man, the great 7 year old California champion. They say ankle x-rays are different from earlier this year. What is that without detailed explanation to those of us who adore this older horse and who knows if he, too, could have been healed like Commentator et al when they won't say what is wrong. Aren't they willing to even try for a horse who is still eager to run??? And look how quickly they whisked Heatseeker away when all that was wrong was suspensatory ligament injuries--these are healable.

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Zevida — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 02:19:10 GMT

The only reason a seven-year-old winning a Grade 1 race is newsworthy is because racehorses are retired so early. I have no doubt that if our top horses regularly raced at ages 5-10 we would see just as many smashing performances from the "old" guys. A seven-year-old horse in any of the sport horse disciplines is considered to be very young and at the start of their careers! Not to take anything away from Commentator and it is great to see him racing so long. I just always have to laugh at how skewed horse racing folks view a horse's age.

re: Magnificent "7"

shamfan49 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:57:54 GMT

The announcement that Lava Man has been retired was posted at www.bloodhorse.com at 8:18:41 PM (EDT) today (7/30/08) and titled "Lava Man Retired After Stellar Career". Can't say it was unexpected, though I had no idea about his ankle problems.

On another note, I thought there already was sort of a Kentucky Horse Park in California at Charles Howard's old farm and mostly dedicated to things Seabiscuit (another oldie but a goodie). Don't know much about that place, and with gas prices being what they are, don't expect I'll be visiting the Shake-Rattle-And-Roll Coast any time soon. Still, I would like to know more about this horse park.

About 2 years ago, I did get to meet one of the Seabiscuit movie stunt double horses at the Kentucky Horse Park and even got to rub that movie star's neck. Imagine, this old geezer got to rub a movie star’s neck!

Steve, What's your batting average for home run articles? I personally estimate it around a thousand.

re: Magnificent "7"

fort worth — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:49:47 GMT

Lava Man should be the 8th!

All hail the King!