Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

txhorsefan — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:14:20 GMT

Must have missed commenting on this one the first go-round due to the circumstances with our doggie at the time, but now that I've had a chance to read it and enjoy the comments...wow - thank you again, Steve. I did get to see the race and thought it great that Awesome Gem won it as he did - congratulations to all his connections.

Another wonderful thing about your blogs, Steve, is how you draw the comments from those who've been around racing for a long time and can share their memories. Thanks, Laz, Bert, Rangulzion, Deacon and all of you who contribute so much to my learning about and appreciation of horse racing.

Celeste

txhorsefan

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

Slew — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 06:07:55 GMT

Thanks to Sidekickflats I found out that although Lava Man was supposed to be lead pony, he was under the weather and did not. I figured there would have been more coverage if he had been there.

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

Steve Haskin — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 20:00:21 GMT

Thank you all.

A follow-up blog on Awesome Gem should be up in about 15-20 minutes. I've been saving this for the right time, and this looks as good a time as any.

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

LAZMANNICK — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 19:03:04 GMT

Berttheclock

Geez…..Don’t ask me how I managed to get some info on Cabrini Green, but I did though it’s very limited. He was foaled in ’75, (by King’s Bishop out of Pat’s Irish, by Tudor Minstrel), had a record of 38-15-8-3 and earned $239K. He won two stakes, the Southern Hospitality at the FG and the Sugar Bowl Hdcp also at FG. This is where he gets interesting…….he faced or at least defeated John Henry 4 times, more than any other horse……in The Southern Hospitality stakes, a $7K allowance, the Sugar Bowl Hdcp and another $7K allowance, all at FG. John wasn’t exactly a world beater back then and in their last two meetings he was 16-1 and 22-1. I guess this was enough for John’s owners at the time to consider him a claimer and after one more allowance loss John’s next three races were in 20-25K claimers (he lost them all), and then an allowance which he also lost. It was then time for a trainer change (maybe an owner change as well) and he was back in claimers where he turned it around winning the first two and then an allowance. Needless to say John was on his way and never raced for a tag again and the rest is history.

Cabrini Green, the horse who dominated him so easily (much the same way Noor dominated Citation), didn’t have the same success. He was primarily a sprinter and eventually ended up at Churchill Downs where he ran third in the Churchill Downs Hdcp to Trimlea and 2nd in the Phoenix to Shelter Half (the race went in 1.09).

Cabrini Green later went to stud and sired quite a few horses. His most successful was a horse that won many stakes at Woodbine, Mr. Epperson….62-19-7-8….$1,032,331. If you’re reading this Jermon, Mr. Epperson’s dam, Cut the Twinkle, is by the Axe ll.

Regarding Kilijaro, she did win the Yellow Ribbon in ’80 getting the 1-1/4 miles in a snappy 1.59.1. She also won the Matriarch G1 defeating Glorious Song (another I used to watch in the old days at Woodbine). She won a total of 7 stakes in N/A and another 4 including 2 Group Ones in Europe.

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

Ranagulzion — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 17:04:50 GMT

Steve,

The forsight and insight of this column demonstrates why you're one of the best racing journalists around. Just AWESOME.

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

Slew — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 15:11:12 GMT

BTC: whatever the reason, the intended rabbits were all the last out of the gate and a few lengths behind the field, then could not catch back up. Of course, he might have been downing that last sip of Tequila to cause the delay.

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

berttheclock — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 14:36:27 GMT

@Slew, are you sure Tres B got stuck in the gate? Or was he caught by one of the saloon swinging doors?

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

berttheclock — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 14:34:20 GMT

Prescient and profound, Mr Haskins.

Yes, well done to all - Craig Dollase for his training and the very underrated David Flores for bringing him up through traffic against a very slow pace.

However, Patrick Adams, I believe you should go back and check the video of the 2009 Longacres Mile. Assessment's final time was a very fast 1:33 and 2/5ths. Assessment passed the fast lead horse, Atta Boy Roy by swinging from the rail to the outside and galloped. Awesome Gem did not "hang", as you stated. With Russell Baze aboard, he came charging down the lane to miss by half a length, but, he continued rolling past Assessment. This was not hanging, but, another example of Southern California horses finding the speed of the locals at the flat mile to not be dismissed. Even Slewledo taught some very fast So Cal horses that lesson. Ah, those Slew boys, Slewledo and Slew of Damascus, some fine turn of foot, they.

But, thanks, Matthew W and Lazz, for reminding of me of being able to see the fine running of both Eleven Stiches and Kilijaro. I believe she won the Yellow Ribbon, eh? And to the fine lady, who wrote of Windy Sands. Saw and bet many of his git. This is another reason the erudite Haskins' blogs are so interesting. They bring out the true fans who have excellent memories of why we all so love this great endeavor. Yes, and "Whoohoo, to you, New Orleans Lady". Plus, Lazz, tell us a little about Cabrini Green from those John Henry PPs. He used to be a good bar bet.

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

Rachel — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 14:02:43 GMT

Can't blame AG for the "walk-in-the-park" pace...no one wanted to move...for a moment there I thought the horses in the next race might actually catch them ;-)

Awesome Again sons had a really good day:

AWESOME GEM, 1st Hollywood Gold Cup H. (G1)

Everyday Heroes, 1st James B. Moseley Sprint Stakes

Sangaree, 2nd Triple Bend H. (G1)

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

Slew — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 13:37:51 GMT

I really have to add...strategy went awry yesterday as all the intended "rabbits" got stuck in the gate and changed the complexion of every race they were in...upset..upset..upset.

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

Slew — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 13:19:30 GMT

Congratulations, Steve...you can certainly pick winners. Awesome Gem was a pure delight.

My biggest regret is, not having seen the race live, I cannot find any rerun of the race that includes the post parade. In the post parade, the lead pony was supposed to have been LAVA MAN, that multi-millionaire in his 2nd career...and I have been itching to see him. Does anyone know any re-play that includes the post parade?

And I'm thrilled for Gio Ponti. It's been touch and go since Meydan. It looks like he's back, and looking every inch a champion.

One thing that amazed me was the exacta in the sprint paid $3 less than singling Coffee Boy who paid $10.

Does anyone else find it amazing that the only horse family

that had adopted a "surname" is that of Seattle Slew...Pica Slew, Jody Slew, Denali Slew, Slew City Slew, Solar Slew, etc, etc?

Now I have to go find tapes of Lava Man.

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

da gemster — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:07:10 GMT

What a great day for the partners yesterday. Can I give Steve Haskin a list of horses to write about over the next six months?

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

A Canadian Fan — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 11:33:52 GMT

When I read your article on Awesome Gem, Steve, I was convinced that, after such an honest "portrait" of this great gelding, there was no way that he wouldn't win yesterday. I could only get the race on BH replay after the fact, but I was screaming as he jumped to the rail and accelerated, just like I was watching it live. An amazing fellow that has lived up to your heartfelt words of praise. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. BTW, I think you have a "protegé" in Esther Marr. Her writing style is beginning to look much like yours - just plain honest and from the heart. Thanks again, Steve. Keep running, Awesome Gem!

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

newsline2 — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 11:24:08 GMT

Steve, perhaps your story boosted AG's connection's confidence... For the stars the attention can be rattling to people, but to undervalued gems, it can be a song in the heart. Congratulations to Awesome Gem and his connections!

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

Thunder Mama — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 11:23:45 GMT

I wish I had read this article before watching the race, congrats to the old warrior who still has fire in the furnace. He looked so proud returning the winner's circle.

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

Bellwether — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 09:44:29 GMT

ps...SORRY BOUT THAT MIKE...ITS PATRICK & THE EGG MAN...A TOUCH MOE...IF GIO PONTI GOES TO DUE BUY FOUR WEEKS BEFORE RACE TO GET USED TO A NEW CRIB & THE WEATHER...HE WIN$ ON PLASTIC DIRT TOO...COMES HOME & KICK$ A$$ LOOK N MORE & MORE LIKE A JOHN HENRY...A TRUE FREAK!!!...ty...

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

Bellwether — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 09:25:52 GMT

SEA LAST COMMENT BEE FORE RACE...MIKE & THE EGG MAN!!!...LONG LIVE "THE GEM"!!!...

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

Bellwether — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 09:02:17 GMT

"THE GEM" & THE REST OF $AT. CA$T PUT ON ONE HELL OF A $HOW!!!...98% OF AMERCIA MI$$ED OUT...EXPOSE IT...PROMOTE IT...AMERCIANS WILL COME...LONG LIVE THE KING BABY!!!...ty...

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

Afleet Treet — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 06:45:19 GMT

GunBow~

Not sure if you remember us bgut we actuallymet you at "100 to Go" in Arcardia after the Breeder's Cup Ladies Day...we met you and a friend there during a wild Karaoke contest and you and I sat and "handicapped" who we liked for Classic day! We have a picture of it up that our British friends took on HorseRacingMania...you should swing by and say hello...We loved meeting you and your friend and were wondering how we would ever find you guys again!Glad to see you here and glad to see that you love Gem as much as I go! I have been a fan of his for years and always will be!

Hope they give him carrots for me!!

Congrats Gemster, Craid and WPTB!!

You are all class acts and I am happy to have had a chance to meet a few of you. Would LOVE to see Gemsteer up in my neck of the woods again for the LOongacres Mile but of course I'll be a fan forever, no matter where he runs!

:-)

Congrats West Point!!

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

GunBow — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 04:16:30 GMT

Awesome Gem looked really sharp in the paddock. He's not a huge horse, but he is really well put together, and looked primed. It was a weird race, but he beat two other gr.1 horses in Rail Trip and Richard's Kid.

I love that I lieterally was a foot away from Awesome Gem when he was walking around the enclosed saddling area (closest to Grandstand enterance). I wanted to reach out and give him a pet, but I know that's a no-no.

Great forsight Steve.

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

Dona — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 03:37:47 GMT

What fun! Was screaming and jumping around, tears streaming down, scared Sammy(my horse loving cat) to pieces! I think this was one of my favorite stories because it had such a dream ending. That old warrior winning just made my day! Really, really great fun. This is what it's all about for us fans. Sometimes the good guys do win and today was all about Awesome Gem.

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

jayjay — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 03:08:27 GMT

Steve : Can you write an article about me and something about the megamillion lotto. If the magic works, I promise I'll give you 10%.

Was that wild or what ?!?! Congrats to DaGemster and everyone in AG's connections. Tell Craig he deserves this win more than anyone, he stood by him all this time...okay, maybe just a lil bit more than the partners lol. You all deserved it! Keep him healthy and looking forward to him dethroning RK in the PC!

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

jayjay — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 02:58:34 GMT

Awesome Gem took the "rail trip" to win the HGC!

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

sodapopkid — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 02:32:27 GMT

Lets see here, And the Zenyatta naysayers are saying what? about the group of males she beat in the BCC?? Hmmmmmmmm

re: Awesome Gem Still Shining Bright

LastVictor — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 02:32:00 GMT

WOOT WOOT! AG just WON the HGC! 2:03.31 for for the mile and a quarter? WHO CARES! a win is a win, and have a look at the field he beat, lol. Not bad for an old fart eh? AG is a horse that never makes excuses. Run on!