A New Friend at Old Friends

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

FUNNY CIDE — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 01:35:00 GMT

Great to be honored in the Hall of Fame at The Kentucky Horse Park but I would just as soon be romping with Michael and all my FRIENDS at Dream Chase. All here are fine BUT, Michael Blowen is a king for retired horses. Even Barclay and Robin would prefer I be at Old Friends because Michael would provide my favorite mints.

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

Bradgm — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 20:42:09 GMT

Steve, I'll be there. It doesn't bother me as much as it does my friend Jordy to see them in that setting. He doesn't like to see them paraded around, not quite as shallow as he claims. I think it will be good to see him one last time at the track. Thanks so much.

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

Helen — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 20:00:56 GMT

I am so glad Steve Kenley decided to postpone his trip into the Hurricane zone (Steve is the man)!!! I was so worried all today, and I did not know where to turn. Thank you Steve for informing us; I was losing my marbles worried about his trip. Well, now I am going to have to attend the BC, with my camera!!!!! Hope to see you there Steve.

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

Steve Haskin — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:56:53 GMT

Brad, Lava Man's owners and Santa Anita have agreed to parade him in front of the fans at the Breeders' Cup, so his trip has been postponed until then. He should be coming immediately after the BC.

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

Bradgm — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:39:16 GMT

Steve, Is Lava Man arriving today or did I get the date wrong?

If you are there to greet him tell him HELLO from all his surfer buddies who believed in him from the first time they saw him. If not maybe Michael will give him a special hello from the Cal connection.

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

Jim Ponte/Phoenix — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:08:04 GMT

Steve: Great Article on Old Friends I have visited this magical farm several times.

Recently took my wife,stayed at the B&B,brought mints and carrots for the horses. It is a life changing experience....you don't want to leave...but I'll be back soon.

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

Steve Haskin — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:37:19 GMT

Karen, so sorry for your loss.

nmh, Big Brown had been wound up too tight the week before the Belmont and he just lost it in the holding barn, acting up and getting agitated. Many times, agitated horses will not like the hectic atmosphere of ther holding barn. It just gets them more on edge.

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

JordanA — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 13:40:11 GMT

Hey Karen, Sorry to hear about your loss, you seem to care a great deal.

Actually Brad is a friend of mine and he does know a lot about horses, he knows they grow a winter coat. We have a lot of friends who are race trackers, especially him. Being a horse lover I'm sure you know how we feel. We're glad the Man is going to a good home, but on the other hand we'd like to have him around. We aren't just gamblers who have no feelings, not the norm I guess.

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

Karen2 — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 03:18:37 GMT

I post this tonight with a heavy,heavy heart. My beloved Gally (adopted from the TRF 5 years ago)died in the pasture last night. I don't know the cause. No visible wounds. He was only 11. I still can't believe it. He was a picture of health. The last image I have of him was him running through the pasture with the yearlings.. his mane blowing in the wind. He was a sight to see. I was always so awestruck by his beauty and grace. He was a loving, gentle soul and I loved him very much. He went back to the great war admiral and I was proud to take care of him. RIP baby boy. I love you so much.

Tiznowbaby: Im so glad you are o.k.- I am praying for those in Texas. What a disaster.

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

MRO — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 02:16:11 GMT

Don V -

I'm thrilled to hear Leave Seattle has another supporter at Old Friends. He is my boy too! I have followed the paths of all of the Slew kids, and I remember Leave Seattle from his days as a Massachusetts stallion. He is as deserving of a pampered retirement as all of the superstars. Old Friends is also home to Seattle Slew's son Williamstown. Thanks from another Seattle Slew fan.

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

Steve Haskin — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:29:12 GMT

Johnny, what a pleasant surprise? We have to meet at Ave. T. one day. We owe you for all those great lunches. But meanwhile, now that you mention it, a few knishes would hit the spot and a pastrami for my wife.

Michael told me where he got the halter, but I couldn't quite understand him. I'll find out, but it was a gist anyway...no bidding, so you would have been out of luck anyway.

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

nmh — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 22:52:48 GMT

mr.haskins... i read your article

about big brown.. you said there

was an upsetting incident in the

holding barn to big brown... what

was it and could it explain his

behavior in the belmont?

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

HTJWest — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 17:36:26 GMT

Steve: Great article; where did he get that Forego halter? I would've outbid him for it. See you out at Belomont on the big day (9/27). Want anything from Avenue T?

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

Tiznowbaby — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 17:28:50 GMT

Steve and Karen2, thank you for your concern. All is well. A low steered the storm a bit north and we came through very well. I am hoping for the best for my fellow Texans who were not so fortunate.

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

JordanA — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 04:14:58 GMT

Steve,

I admit I'm a little shallow, I'm 25 and like the California girls. I'm studying up on your writing, getting tips on how to become soulful. For when my looks fade ya know. Bet your wife and daughter love the poetry.

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

Steve Haskin — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 02:11:25 GMT

Jordan and Karen, I truly appreciate your comments, even if I'm not Jordan's type :). I feel extremely privileged and fortunate to be able to write about what I love, and my only goal is to share that and have as many people as possible see and feel what I feel, especially when they are located in a town or city that makes that difficult. When readers say they feel as if they're there (whether it be at Churchill Downs for the Derby or at Old Friends) that is the greatest compliment I can receive -- much more than any award. Karen, as far as songs or poetry, I have not written any songs, because I can't sing anything but doo wop and wouldn't know what to do with them. But I have written a number of poems to my wife and daughter about special moments in our lives that can only be conveyed in poetry, which allows you to reach much farther down into your soul.

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

Karen2 — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:57:40 GMT

Tiznowbaby: Hope all is well with you. Keep us posted. Your online bloggers are concerned.

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

Karen2 — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:52:50 GMT

JordanA: you hit the nail on the head.

Steve: I second gammy's sexy,cool comment. This has nothing to do with being the most handsomist movie star in the world. This has everything to do with the depth of your writing. Your ability to capture a moment in time and add your passion for these horses and this industry. Thats what it's all about. You have a gift and its the fans like myself who live a world away that get to go to these places everyday through your eyes. That, Steve is what makes you sexy, cool. Redford has nothing on you. Hey, I bet you would be a heck of a song writer. Have you ever written any poetry or song lyrics?

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

Karen2 — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:40:15 GMT

I love to hear about this. I just wish there were hundreds more just like Old Friends to help all the other horses. We are moving in the right direction and hopefully some big changes will be made.

Bradgm: Lava Man will grow a winter coat. They seem to be incredibly adaptable to their environment. It does take some time though. My guy took about 3 years to really get a good coat to survive in our winters. He had some trouble at first but he gets a thicker coat than the rest now. I live in North Dakota. The winters are brutal..... I mean brutal.....

Thanks Steve for the brilliantly written article. How did this industry get so lucky to land you? Must have been your love for the horses. Otherwise you could be writing for anyone you wanted. I've seen your video's too. Matt Lauer better watch out.

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

JordanA — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:42:37 GMT

Anybody who had something given to them by John Huston is a cool dude. I've never gotten to go there, unlike my friends. But, Steve, just like your descriptions of Saratoga I can almost look out the window and see it.

Not that you're my type, but maybe gammy thinks someone who can write with poetry in their descriptions is sexier than the handsomest movie star. Like they say, beauty is only skin deep and is in the eye of the beholder. Words touch the soul.

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

Wanda — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:01:16 GMT

Bradgm: Make you a deal. I'll tell you if I ever show up in your hood and the same goes for you showing up in mine.

Steve: Just saw the magazine article on Old Friends in People magazine. I could care less about the human "stars" but it's exposure for this great cause.

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

Steve Haskin — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:36:45 GMT

Gammy, I thank you for that last line, but are you sure you have the right person? :)

Thanks again for all the supportive comments about Old Friends and Lava Man. They are well deserved.

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

GunBow — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 07:42:49 GMT

I have known about Old Friends for a while now, but I didnt know that a fan could visit and see such wonderful racehorses. Lava Man is one of my favorites, and I look forward to visiting him and the other "champs" at Old Friends.

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

irabird — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:15:00 GMT

Thanks, Mr. Haskin, for a splendid report on Old Friends--You captured Michael Blowen perfectly--Dr. Doolittle of the retired thoroughbred set! It is a beautiful place!

re: A New Friend at Old Friends

Bradgm — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:52:29 GMT

Wanda,

That's why I said only somebody from Canada would winter in Ky. I've been to BC, Quebec, Calgary etc in late spring, early summer and then for a month in July/August that was cold enough. Also Alaska for a few weeks. I go to Tahoe in the winter (summer too and Fall), been to Aspen, Vail, Taos, Purgatory (the one in Durango but the other one a few times on these blogs) etc. My gran is from Colorado and one relative lives in Estes Park so I know the cold, fine for skiing/snow boarding. It gets colder in NoCal but SoCal is never super cold, hey come for the Breeders Cup it was down right hot here last time, Jordy will teach you to surf I bet, Steve declined the surfing lessons. The horses never really grow much of a winter coat, of course at the track don't think I've seen any. The scary thing is the tornado season. Been in a few of those in North Dakota, Kansas and this little town out on the Colo plains has been wiped out twice, my Gran's hometown. Don't want to have the Man telling Toto they aren't in KY anymore.

Steve,

You doing the sales scene or just the Old Friends?