Tiznow Wins For America

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

Abigail Anderson — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 13:58:07 GMT

Steve: It's true -- 3400 words from you really are just appetizers! I saw both of Tiznow's wins (on t.v.) and although I'm still sorry that Giant's Causeway never got the kudos he deserved for coming so close, no question that you share your love of Tiznow with a huge number of Tiz fans. As I keep saying, I adore these "inside stories" and if you were going to do a book (And I for one wish you would) that's just what I'd call it ("Inside Stories") Do you know of a book called "Step and Go Together"? It was written by Californian B.K. Beckwith in 1967 and this is exactly what he does -- tell the back stories of famous thoroughbreds and other famous horses. It's one of my absolute favourite books because, like you, Beckwith writes beautifully and really knows how to tell a story. It's a treasure today -- all these years later -- to have so many superb stories under one cover. On another note, I'd forgotten that Galileo ran in Tiz's second BC Classic, although I'll never forget Johannesburg's brilliant win in the Juvenile. So pleased you're going to do more of this genre (I think of it as "racing memoir"). If you have a similar story on Personal Ensign, I'd love you to write it. The one book on her I read was okay, but I wanted more this kind of inside look at her and her people.

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

K. Phillips — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 02:31:26 GMT

A beautiful account of a great horse by the most knowledgable writer of my time. I saw Tiznow at Winstar last summer . He is so regal and happy. What a great farm for that champion to spend his 2nd life. Well done, Mr Haskins

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

The Colonel — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 05:05:56 GMT

Well Armed won the Goodwood, Bear Now won the Kentucky Cup Distaff, Merchant Marine finished third to Curlin in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, and Informed finished an unfortunate last in Well Armed's race.

A good day of racing for me. (And Tiznow, of course.)

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

Tiznowbaby — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 01:12:39 GMT

Wow, the big man has another big day.

Well Armed wins the Goodwood, Bear Now wins her Kentucky Cup, and Merchant Marine goes 3rd in the JCGC.

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

Mike S — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 00:40:33 GMT

WELL ARMED does it! WOW! That was awesome. Mr. Casner deserves all the credit in the world for the way he took his time and cared for this horse when he was injured, and then brought horse back to the races. I was very moved when I heard Mr. Casner described the situation the horse was in, and the way he took his time to bring the horse back. What an awesome story. What an awesome horse! I can hardly wait for the Dynamic Duo - COLONEL JOHN & WELL ARMED - to take on CURLIN and BIG BROWN in the Classic.

What a great day it was for TIZNOW. BEAR NOW simply outclassed those rivals at Turfway, and MERCHANT MARINE ran a great race, at a distance that is about 1/8 mile too far for him. I think he's best from 7 furlongs to 8-1/2 furlongs.

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

nmh — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 23:43:25 GMT

mr.haskin: i have a question that has nothing to do with tiznow..

wonderful horse that i know him to be... why aren't the horse races on tv or even mentioned in the sports news or in the newspapers?

curlin has won his last two races but no tv. at least not in austin
texas.. i am a big fan of racing so it baffles me why the sport of kings is left out...is the breeders cup going to be on tv nation wide? Is there a special channel on cable tv that carries these races? Curlin is the most famous horse in the world but you would never know it if you lived here...

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

Mike S — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 05:02:23 GMT

Since Mr. Casner posts in this forum I just want to wish him and his wife all the best! Good luck with WELL ARMED tomorrow, I think he's going to win. I hope COLONEL JOHN wins the BC Classic.

I don't live all that close to the racetracks in Southern California, so I don't get to the races all that often, but the last two times I went were to see COLONEL JOHN win the SA Derby, and then WELL ARMED in the San Diego. I'm not gonna call myself a good luck charm though!

I don't have any friends who are horse racing fans, so I hardly get to talk about racing with anyone, so it was great for me to meet Mr. Casner the morning of the SA Derby and talk to him about racing, in general, and TIZNOW, in particular, for an hour. The Casners are such friendly, good people, and I'm happy for their success.

I am so impressed with how TIZNOW has just blossomed, in an unbelievable way, this year! Since I'm TIZNOW's biggest fan I'm very happy. I will definitely have to go out to Santa Anita for the Breeders Cup. I am anticipating TIZNOW having a lot of runners...and a lot of winners.

I can totally see COLONEL JOHN or WELL ARMED winning the BC Classic. SLEW'S TIZNOW has a great shot in the BC Dirt Mile, and I think he will be TIZNOW's newest "BIG HORSE." TIZDEJAVU has a good shot in the BC Turf Mile (let's see him in next week's Shadwell at Keeneland first). BEAR NOW is coming out for the Distaff....I love BEAR NOW...but that's gonna be a hard race! I'm guessing that if TIZZY'S TUNE wins on Sunday she might go for the BC Filly & Mare Sprint (after all, she ran INTANGAROO to a neck early this year). Maybe MERCHANT MARINE, DA' TARA and/or SLEW'S TIZZY could show up as well. It will be very interesting to see what INFORMED does tomorrow in the Goodwood. Too bad TOUGH TIZ'S SIS retired, her Ruffian win was spectacular, and I expected her to finish at least 2nd in the BC.

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

Cgriff — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:11:39 GMT

Just checking in to let all the bloggers know that - as per Steve's suggestion - I contacted WinStar and pretty much reiterated the questions I posted here.

Not only did they respond - they called me personally to discuss the challenges in allowing access to the farm and its stallions for the public. They also indicated that they are very attuned to serving the industry and the fans who support it, and are reviewing their farm policies in the hope of adopting a fan friendly policy to allow people to visit without disrupting the day-to-day operations or - even more important - the safety of both the farm's stallions and the visitors.

This is the WinStar I remember so well back in 2002 - top drawer customer service; responsive, welcoming and truly interested in building the relationship between industry and fan.

I was - candidly - overwhelmed by their graciousness.

I thank WinStar for their kindness and wanted all to know about this so that no negative impression would linger.

I look forward to my next opportunity to visit to see the "Big Man" - my Tizzy!

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

Steve Haskin — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:28:05 GMT

Da Hoss, I will be doing a behind-the-scenes look at BC moments from races I have covered, mainly the Classic. Among them will be your namesake's second Mile victory in 1998.

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

da3hoss — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:05:53 GMT

Steve, maybe since it's BC time you could tell a story or two of other horse wins/losses you've appreciated.

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

Steve Haskin — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:58:34 GMT

USA, they'll have to forcibly put me out to pasture before I retire, and thank you for your kind words.

Tiz Baby, I hope your bad times are behind you. It's wonderful how a horse's courage can affect a person.

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

Tiznowbaby — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:34:39 GMT

It has taken me the longest time to figure out how to reply to your two wonderful stories about Tiznow because it's such an emotional subject. 2000 was probably the worst year of my life personally and professionally, and horse racing was a great escape for me. When he dueled against Giant's Causeway and simply refused to lose I was drawing parallels to and inspiration for my own fights. When Tiznow's camp faced their own problems in 2001, oh man, I understood. So, when he came breathing fire down that stretch against Sakhee, in the shadow of 9/11, I will freely admit I was sobbing.

I thank you for writing about the heart behind the horse - and the owners and trainer. (And, yes, pleaes write the book.)

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

USA Racing#1 — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:30:01 GMT

Steve DON'T YOU EVER RETIRE!!! I get to live these races all over again with your magnificent stories. Do you realize what you do for your sport and fellow fans? If we could multiply Steve Haskin by a 100 horse racing could be brought back to another golden era. Someone needs to keep reminding us of all that is wonderful and good within racing- Thank You Steve. Tiznow gave us that win but YOU gave him a voice.

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

Bradgm — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:55:27 GMT

Steve, back again. I know I've been prompting you to write a book with a compilation of your blogs, but in your own good time. I look forward to your blogs and know I can count on you for the good stuff. I hope you have more of these BC stories leading up to the big day.

McCarron as the jock, did you get to visit his jockey school? I know you usually do your articles on the horses but the human angle is great too.

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

Steve Haskin — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:38:57 GMT

Thanks all for your encouragement regarding a book on Tiznow. It's not easy finding a publisher, and Eclipse Press is not in the picture. Tiznow is in that limbo-type time period, where he's too old to be topical (like a Barbaro) and too young to be historic (like a Seabiscuit). Yes, he is topical because of his success at stud, but in an esoteric way, and that's not what mainstream publishers are interested in. That's just my take. In addition, I just feel I need a break from book writing, but that could change, so there's still hope that it might happen one day. That's the reason I'm writing these types of blogs -- to tell some of racing's great stories in detail and from a behind-the-scenes perspective. Maybe when I do enough of them they could be put together in book form as some have suggested. But until then I'll keep telling the stories I feel the readers will enjoy, combining that with more current topics.

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

Adam D — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:48:32 GMT

"Tiznow wins one for America!!!" - Tom Durkin

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

Matthew W — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:36:14 GMT

I thought he finished out real well in The 2001 Goodwood but he only finished 3rd...my thinking was he was the best horse based on his 2000 Classic/2001 Big Cap by five...I bet my last tenner on him, and the old boy re-engaged with Sahkee the last 1/16 and put him away---he was truly a 1 1/4 horse...that win over Giants Causeway showcased his greatness---the 2001 win showcased his determination, and on a day where Arab owned horses were dominating/at a time of monumental emotion...and with his nose Tiznow vaults into Racing Immortality---but to me it's always been about the horse--he DID fight back and he DID win!!

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

The Colonel — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 03:54:14 GMT

I read this for at least the fourth time and then I read all the comments. I almost cried.

Walter Farley's fictional biography of Man o' War got me into horse racing. It's...it's just so gratifying that so many years later, one of his descendants is able to carry his fire into the new millennium. I sincerely hope/believe that Tiznow will give us our next Triple Crown winner, and will remain a champion sire for years to come.

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

LarryK — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:35:08 GMT

Steve,

Truly an awesome piece and like others. I would like to see you write the book. You can piece the 2 bros and the 2 yrs together better than you? It was a difficult 9/2001 for many and the way you pieced the story was truly an inspirition... Please??

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

Monica V — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 23:02:42 GMT

Steve,

I remember reading your article after the 2001 Breeders Cup and thinking what a magnificent job you did. Reading it again with the additons was even better. How lucky we all are to have witnessed those two classic wins by such an amazing animal, especially the 2001 classic and all the meaning it had for all Americans after 9/11. I've seen some spine tingling races but that one was awe inspiring. What a horse! Thanks for the visit back and for describing it with such class, beauty and meaning. Great work!

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

Marcia — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:28:55 GMT

Yes, I agree with The Colonel, the blood of Man O'War throbs in those veins, his heart, his independence, and even your description of his just standing there like a statue with no doubt the "look of eagles". I can just imagine Will Harbut saying of Tiznow,"the Mostest Hoss". Thanks for part 2 Steve!

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

fred palmer — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 21:48:13 GMT

super,i was there at churchill,when he won the first.i had tears in my eyes,then i started to think about kelso,forego.they would have said job well done.steve write a book for thoughbred legends,i would buy it in a second.

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

Steve Haskin — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:16:08 GMT

CGriff, I'm sorry to hear you couldn't get in to see him. I don't know anything about WinStar's policy, so I don't know what to tell you. Perhaps you could write to them and express yourself the way you did here. I would think someone will reply and explain their new policy.

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

GunBow — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:07:10 GMT

Thank you Steve. You have demonstrated once again why you are one of the greatest racing writers/storytellers ever. I was in person for both of Tiznow's dramatic Breeder's Cup Classic wins, and after the 01' running was, like others, barely able to walk as I tried to make my way to see him be led into the winners circle. I was lucky enough to have seen Tiznow run two other times, the 01' Santa Anita Handicap which he won by an atypically large margin (5 lengths), and the 00' Affirmed Handicap when, as an unknown horse who had just broken his maiden, he outdueled the very good Dixie Union. That demonstration of heart would be a portend of the future, but I never would have predicted just how amazing Tiznow became.

re: Tiznow, Chapter 2

S. Robertson — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:33:38 GMT

WRITE THE BOOK! This horse is one of my heroes also.