The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

Stan M. — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:51:38 GMT

In the last fifty years, in my estimation, there has not been one horse who could compare to the GREAT "Dr Fager" when speaking of pure out and out freakish speed! Seeing was believing and I wish you all could have been around to see this remarkable equine athlete!

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

Dr Drunkinbum — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 23:31:51 GMT

Cris

That was a very interesting story. Thanks. It's a shame about the bit. It's bad news when a horse gets focused on a negative, especially in the heat. That was a "no bet" race for me. I never bet on big favorites. Usually I would of found a horse to bet WS on against the favorite, but in that case there is no way I'm betting against Smarty. I don't bet against my favorite horses because it could be bad luck for the horse. The Belmont is never a given. How many Triple Crowns has it wiped out? What a tough race for a 3yo. Twenty horses in The Derby, plus the 1 1/2 mile Belmont, and the Preakness only two weeks after The Derby. It seems like it will be a miracle if anyone gets it again. The only horse other than Smarty I thought would get it was Spectacular Bid after the other 70's Triple Crowns. Then Eskendereya this year, if he got The Derby, I thought would get the Triple Crown. I hope you post on Haskin's blog more.

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

Dr Drunkinbum — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 23:21:41 GMT

Steve

You should have recieved the anti-venom spewing kit by now. The secretary of The Steve Haskin Fan Club mailed it months ago parcel post. I suppose it could have been hijacked, or come to think of it, the secretary quit the day after she supposedly mailed it. Maybe she absconded with it. I'll see if we can use an armed courier next time. Please accept our apologies. For being such a good sport we are sending you an official Captain Video laser gun with the holster. The holster is engraved by Captin Video himself. Keep sending in those letters and cereal box tops.

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

Cris — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:09:49 GMT

Belmont Day was hot and Smarty was showing stress. His trainer used a German Hackmore and he normally was good with it but he was fighting with the bit in the paddock and the longer he fought it the more nervous he became. He was so uncomfortable in the post parade I did not place my bet on him, as I had planned. Instead I did not bet the Belmont at all. I was surprized that Smarty was as tough as he was. It did not surprize me that he lost. He tried his best. I will never forget how he changed horse racing fans in Philly. For miles the overpasses on I-95 were covered with people waiting for his horse trailer to pass by them. Philly Park had crowds at 6am! Parents with kids would hold their kids on their shoulders just so they could say they saw him. What a horse! God bless him.

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

jon showtime — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:35:15 GMT

loved the story.

too bad only one bobby frankel from brooklyn.

love to hear about buddy jacobson. another real

good horseman.

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

Dr Drunkinbum — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:21:46 GMT

Soldier Course

Normally I don't think much of Time's people of the year. Some that I noticed when I've seen the magazine lying around anyway, but that's great about Smarty being mentioned. Nothing can take away the pain of that loss although it's definitely less pain as time passes. Another Triple Crown winner won't help at all because then I'd think that Smarty should be on that list. It does help that he's happy and well. He went through a lot and is lucky to be alive. I can rationalize now but at the time the pain was excruciating and unbelievable. The Giants losing the 1962 World Series was bad but not nearly as bad as Smarty's loss. The catharsis continues. This blog has helped. I had it buried for quite a few years until recently. Now I'm actually dealing with it. You and Zookeeper should bill me for your psychiatry work. Fran too. With Zenyatta,who is my favorite filly/mare of all time, half the time I think she's going to lose when they're in the stretch, with Smarty I thought he had it, then it was, "no, no this can't be happening, get going Smarty, and slow down Birdstone." Then it was-"this can't have happened. I hope it was a bad dream." But it wasn't a bad dream it was a nightmare, like when you're running away from the bad guys, but your legs won't move and you wake up sweating. I'm sure that's how Smarty felt. He just couldn't get those legs moving enough to beat the bad guy to the wire.

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

Soldier Course — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:22:31 GMT

Dr Drunkinbum:

Like your experience, Smarty's loss was the saddest moment of my life, other than the death of loved ones. It's the one moment in my life I wish I could change.

Smarty's story was so noble. His connections were all such decent people. After the Belmont Stakes, Mrs. Chapman said her biggest regret was what Smarty's loss cost his fans. She knew we were all grieving.

Not many people caught this, but did you know that Time magazine named Smarty Jones as an honorable mention for its Person of the Year in December 2004?

Steve, thanks for allowing Smarty's fans to have yet another catharsis here. I think it would be OK with Bobby, too.

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

Jayheal — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 18:13:47 GMT

Great article.Zapper was a very good horse but could not shine Dr. Fager's shoes!

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

Dr Drunkinbum — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:29:41 GMT

Zookeeper

We've posted before at almost the same time and written almost the same thing. Good point about Smarty. If only we dumb humans could get over losses as well as horses.

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

Fran Loszynski — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:30:39 GMT

I recommended fans of Smarty to go see him at Three Chimneys and Zookeeper's story should help but please go visit Birdstone, he is a deserved champion. When I saw his big black eyes staring at me and his stature, he is truly a champion and it was his time to win the Belmont. That race may have given him the distinction to sire two great foals Mine That Bird and Summer Bird. On another note I hope they have a race or racehorse named after Bobby Frankel "Let's Be Frankel"racehorse or Stakes! It would be a nice gesture. I'm sure there will be a race named for him.

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

Zookeeper — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 04:19:09 GMT

Dr Drunkinbum,

Look at the times on our last 2 posts: 7:17PM and 7:18PM. Eery!

Thank you for the heads up on the DRF mention of Runflatout! I hadn't seen it. Good of you to spot it and bring it to my attention. You're the best!

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

Zookeeper — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 23:18:22 GMT

Dr Drunkinbum,

Once he made the lead, Smarty was doomed as the pressure did not let up until Keddington and Rock Hard Ten were done, he had run them into the ground. By then Smarty, all by himself on the lead, had very little left himself and could not respond to Birdstone's challenge. He had won two battles waged at the same time but he lost the war. What a courageous horse!

At the time, I was so stricken that I did not fully comprehend what had happened. I would not watch the race again until this year. It was that painful! Now that years have passed, watching it with open eyes and mind, I realize and appreciate his effort even more.

Besides, I have another memory: the happy, content Smarty Jones of Three Chimneys who would never again try to give more than his legs could stand. That happy ending never fails to make me smile. :)

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

Dr Drunkinbum — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 23:17:14 GMT

Zookeeper- Did you see the article at DRF today !!! "Start with Baffert to find top juveniles." It says this about Runflatout, "has been training sensationally at Santa Anita." You can sing, "I'm looking over a four leaf clover that I overlooked before." If he doesn't run at Del Mar, it's no big deal. SA is the place to be, and it's just around the corner. I'm sure Carla will make the right choice. She's very smart.

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

Dr Drunkinbum — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 22:02:02 GMT

Zookeeper

Thanks for the Runflatout info. Will mark the calendar. I haven't been able to bring myself to watch the Smarty Belmont replay. I only saw it live(on TV). I don't know if I can stand it. I have no idea what the jockeys were thinking, what their game plan or motive was. I don't think it was a conspiracy. The jockeys you mentioned are great jockeys and class acts in my opinion. If I recall correctly, I thought that Smarty was going way too fast and I wanted him to slow down. Still, in the stretch I thought he had dusted them off and would win. Sometimes there is no choice but to let a horse go if fighting him will take too much out of him. I've seen a ton lose because the jockey was strangling the horse and giving him zero chance, whereas he would have had a chance if he let him go, even too fast. Back to Smarty-I do remember thinking that it wasn't fair for Birdstone to skip The Preakness to get ready for The Belmont. I thought it was only fair that he run in all three. I no longer think that way. I probably only thought that way that year. I was mad, sad, and we'd been had.

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

Zookeeper — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:44:48 GMT

I braced myself and watched Smarty's Belmont again to see if I could be a little more clear-headed about it.

It seems to me that Smarty moved too soon on his own. If he had stayed behind Purge and Rock Hard Ten the race may have had a different outcome. It appears that Stewart Elliott tried to restrain him, to no avail. Smarty was going to the lead and that was that.

I always have a hard time accepting that horses are "ganging up" on another. I tend to see it as their jockeys trying to win the race.

In this case, Jerry Bailey on Eddington and Alex Solis on Rock Hard Ten, may simply have tried to stay with Smarty (after he took the lead) and not let him get away as he had done in the Derby and the Preakness. Am I being too naive???

Dr Drunkinbum,

I made a mistake on a tentative race for Runflatout. It's July 31, not 24. Oh! those senior moments...

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

Dr Drunkinbum — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:38:27 GMT

Soldier Course

Thanks for remembering way back to 1959. The only place I ever saw it was in a bathroom. Numerous bathrooms way back when. The last time I saw it was 1979. I have alwasy respected, admired and appreciated Nick Zito also except for a brief period where I lost my mind in the midst of a broken heart. It was irrational. I wouldn't react the same now I don't think. Well I don't know how I'd react. I really loved Smarty and that story and I couldn't believe what I was seeing when he was caught. Shock and devastation. I had never reacted quite the same to anything where no one died.

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

Soldier Course — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:30:25 GMT

Dr. Drunkinbum:

I haven't heard your "brokenhearted" saying since 1959, when I first saw it at age 11 in the girls' bathroom at St. Christopher's summer camp, Seabrook Island, SC.

About Nick Zito ... I always have respected him, and also Edgar Prado, despite Smarty's loss.

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

Fran Loszynski — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:36:42 GMT

Zookeeper

You just made alot of Smarty Jones fans that were sad very happy for him. I'm sure they feel alot better with your Three Chimneys retirement story. Good Show!!!

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

Zookeeper — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 03:41:28 GMT

Dr Drunkinbum,

If Runflatout likes the Del Mar surface, it could be as early as July 24th. He's going there this week so Carla can see whether he handles it ok. It can be quirky.

Yes Santa Anita is staying with Pro Ride until the spring of 2011. Afterwards, who knows what Mr. Stronach will do?

I can't believe it's already mid-summer and that Saratoga & DM are right around the corner. Exciting racing ahead!

P.S. Sorry you missed out on that bet! Wish I had passed on Buenos Dias... :(

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

Dr Drunkinbum — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 02:49:15 GMT

Zookeeper

I didn't bet Koolnquick until less than a minute to post when his behavior before the gate was the clincher. Many of my bets are last minute. That cost me a 47-1. I thought I got the bet in but didn't wait to see if it went through and was quite happy when he won, until I saw that the bet went in too late. I was jumping up and down going crazy for nothing. It's not wise to cut it that close. My favorite bet is 11-1. I try to stay away from low odds. Less than 2-1 is ridiculous. I'd like to know who those people are that bet so much on 1-5, and 1-9 horses. I don't see the point. So SA is AW through the Spring Meet. Can't wait to see Runflatout run. I loved Skipshot to win the Swaps and was going to bet him until I saw what Summer Movie looked like at 14-1, so I switched my bet. He almost got them too. But I felt dumb afterward. Good pick on your part.

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

Zookeeper — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:54:35 GMT

Dr D.,

Yes I saw Smash and shuddered...

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

Zookeeper — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:53:32 GMT

Dr Drunkinbum,

Wow! What a score! Congratulations! Sorry, I don't have the replay. I was so scattered yesterday between Colonial Downs, Delaware Park and Arlington that I didn't get to HP races until later. By the time I got to it, I was way behind because the races I won were chalky and I blew it in the Arl. Hcp.

I made up for it by betting Skipshot to win in the Swaps. Wish you could have clued me in about Koolnquick. At 30-1, no matter how good he looked, I probably would not have bet him on my own. Good to see Stute in the winner circle. He had another one again today Sky'squickscore. Didn't bet that one either. Both horses by the same sire for the same connections. Hmmm! Interesting...

In the Sunset Hcp. I'm betting on the #5 Buenos Dias, McAnally, Brice Blanc. Let's see if I can break even again today. :)

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

Dr Drunkinbum — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:34:10 GMT

Baffert and Garcia strike again with a smashing debut win by 2yo colt "Smash." 7th race at HP 7-18-10. He's by Smart Strike and Dixieland Band.

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

Dr Drunkinbum — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:40:41 GMT

Zookeeper

Normally I wouldn't mention this but you seem to be a physicality bettor also. Koolnquick at Hollywood Saturday-30-1. I bet based solely on looks. Maybe you have the simulcast replay.

re: The Ghost and Mr. Frankel

Dr Drunkinbum — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:01:40 GMT

Speaking of Smarty, I couldn't stand the sight of Nick Zito for awhile. The TV was turned off if he was about to be interviewed, and anyone that turned it back on while the interview was still on is no longer with us. It's not like that anymore. I like Nick again. For awhile it was all about, Here I Sit Brokenhearted, tried to........but Only.........