Viva Canonero!

re: Viva Canonero!

LINDA MARIE — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 20:41:21 GMT

I FIRST FOUND THIS ARTICLE TODAY AND WAS CAPTIVATED BY ALL 5000 WORDS OF THIS FABULOUS STORY OF THIS FABULOUS HORSE ....5000 ENGROSSING WORDS ...TESTIMONY OF YOUR INCREDIBLE WRITING AND TO ME AS A FAN OF IT!

...THANKS STEVE!

re: Viva Canonero!

Angel — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 15:04:40 GMT

HI Steve! I just learned that a movie about Cañonero II is in the making in Hollywood. It certainly has everyone very excited here in Caracas. This is the talk of the week in La Rinconada Racetrack.

I digged this Facebook page on the movie:

www.facebook.com/vivacanonero

Thanks Steve! I always enjoy your articles on horse racing very, very much -- especially the ones on our champion Cañonero II!

re: Viva Canonero!

Marshall Cassidy — Sun, 29 May 2011 00:59:04 GMT

Steve,

Congratulations on a very interesting piece on Canonero II! I am able to relate to several elements of the story as a former member of the Belmont Park racing department at his time, and I shall always remember fondly the 1971 Belmont Stakes because of Canonero II specifically.

In addition to his Triple Crown-candidate aura, the weather was stifling hot, our hispanic-dominated crowd was especially jubilant and rhymically musical (I had never before heard so many bongo drums echoing around the Belmont grandstand) and our record-breaking attendance broke the toilets! The then-three-year-old New Belmont Park was not up to handling so large a crowd.

Despite the adverse details, it was a wonderful day for racing!

re: Viva Canonero!

KNavas — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 17:55:21 GMT

The story is indeed very touching and an example of true perseverance and faith by those that always believed in Canonero. I am Luis Navas's daughter, who purchased Canonero for only $1,200 back then. Although he is portrayed in the article as a equine junk dealer, he is still the one that first believed in him and also purchased many other good horses during his younger years as a blood stock agent, and contributed to the thoroughbred history in Venezuela…For the record my dad is still alive.

re: Viva Canonero!

Pedro Baptista — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 21:41:31 GMT

Mr.Haskin,Just to say thank you , for keeping the story alive.My father use to say during those days"... we are making history..."

God Bless You !

Pedro

re: Viva Canonero!

YourHost — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:21:30 GMT

Sorry I am late to respond. I always wondered why Canonero II wasn't included in the beginning of DECADE OF CHAMPIONS - not even a mention. Also, in whatever passed for Public Broadcasting in the 1970s, there was a 30 minute production of "The Ballard of Canonero II" which was available in VHS format. Finally, in what certainly was a metaphor for the breeding industry in 1971, we drove to the Belmont Stakes with (2) identical bumper stickers that read: "CANONERO II KENTUCKY BRED", as a reminder (I guess) that he was not bred in Venezuela.

re: Viva Canonero!

Bret Honeycutt — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 02:32:36 GMT

I was a 12 year old riding cutting horses with my NCHA Hall of Fame Grandfather during Canonero`s great run. Pop used to say about him, "he will never win a halter class, but he has great heart and character". Canonero II has always held a special place in my heart. Great article. VIVA CANONERO!!!!!

re: Viva Canonero!

G.Brandt.W — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 23:20:26 GMT

Hi Steve.

About 4 years ago, in october of 2007, i went to the movie with my wife to saw “Seabiscuit” or “Alma de Heroes” (heroes soul) how was called in Venezuela the film. At the end of the movie, my wife asked me my impresions and i told, that i liked very much, it was a good film and a very interest storie, but there was a better tale than that. The Cañonero History. After that, i told her that i have been waited for a complete book about Cañonero, for almost 35 years and nobody made it. I told her that i will write his complete history. She saw me and told anything. At arrived home i began to investige about Cañonero in the web, and i spent the whole night worked in the computer. I continue worked the rest of the year the next year also, found informatión in the web and in the olds news papers. At this time, I tried to get in touch with the actors of this history, but i was bad luck. I got the Cañonero sindrome. Nobody belived in me. Finally in January of 2009 i got in touch with the family of Cañonero owner. Pedro Baptista. This wonderfull people gave me all the information that i nedded and i also discovered a new story. The Baptista Dream. If you love Cañonero you become crazy with the Baptista saga.

Pedro Baptista Jr, Baptista son, gave me all the details and his point of view. He was in the trhee triple crown races 1971 and the two races of Del Mar in 1970. I confirmed with him some informations that i read in your article “Viva Cañonero I and II” published in november 19 and 23 of 2008. Others he dennied. By instance that Baptista sent Cañonero to Del Mar to tried to sold it. The phone call with “Chick” Lang. He alleged that he belived that was improbably to happen because Baptista no spoke english. He also gave me unknow informations.

In all this time i read weekly your Blood Horse´s column and i also revised the articles of William Reed; Kelie Reily – Cañonero II. On the muscle -; Witney Tower; Charles Hatton, Barbara Helberg; Hill Finley and more others in the states, in venezuela and in south america.

In January 2009 i began to wrote the Cañonero Saga. Finally i had finished the two versions. Original in spanish and English version. – traslated by profesional traslators-. I hope to publish in this year in venezuela and if Cañonero soul help me in the states.

I write this note because i know that you falled in love with Cañonero as happen to me in Agust 1970, when with 17 years old i knew about him in Caracas.I followed all his carrer and her life. I´m not a writter or a horse race´s worker. I´m only a horse´s races fanatic that wanted to read the storie of my favorite horse and because nobody did and i did in the way i wanted to read.

Thank you for yours wonderfulls articles and excuse me for my lousy english. If you want to know more of my book give me your e-mail and i will give more information.

My best regards.

My e-mail is brownglory@hotmail.com.

re: Viva Canonero!

Karrie — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:21:48 GMT

This story is a gem. So touching, moving & inspirational! Thank you Steve for bringing the story of this amazing horse who against all odds who achieved such success.

Steve...Your story is a winner! It has all the elements to teach us to never ever lose faith in ourselves & in our dreams. And that being uniquely 'different' is a great gift to embrace, celebrate & use to step further into our greatness!

re: Viva Canonero!

Richie — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 00:53:17 GMT

oops, I almost forgot. I would like to request that you re post your column on the wonderful little Dark Mirage. Sadly, she is mostly forgotten these days, except by those who say her run. Even though she is in the HOF she needs to be mentioned again to some of todays fans. She is the first horse that I absolutely fell in love with.

re: Viva Canonero!

Richie — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 00:47:49 GMT

I had read this column before but it was so much fun to reread it as I had forgotten a lot of it. I will never forget Canonero II. A friend of mine who was working at Belmont at the time called me the morning of the Belmont and tole me that they had galloped him almost 2 miles the morning of the race to "take the edge" off of the colt. I couldn't believe it-maybe if they had only run him for 6 furlongs he would have won--who knows. Anyhow, Thanks for bringing back all the memories of perhaps the greatest decade of horse raceing. I hope Canonero's amazing story will never be forgotten. Please include this in your book-so many of us are waiting for it. BTW as many have said it also brought tears to my eyes and many happy memories. You are the best.

re: Viva Canonero!

saratoga frank — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 12:54:50 GMT

Great story.1971 belmont stakes,

my first day at a racetrack. We got there for the fourth race,do to the traffic.the only horses,Ive heard of,were Canonero 11 and Pass

catcher.Two weeks prior to the belmont,I read a story how Pass

Catcher lost the Jersey Derby by a nose.Knowing nothing about handicapping, pass catcher was my horse for the belmont stakes. When it was time to bet, my friends talk me into betting my last 60 dollars on Twist the axe. Pass catcher paid 73 dollars. Ive been a racing fan ever since.

re: Viva Canonero!

lauriecovert — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 04:26:20 GMT

Thank you for sharing this beautiful article about Canonero and wishing well to his long lost connections--xoxo

re: Viva Canonero!

Laurie Covert — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 04:21:34 GMT

Thank you sharing this incredible long lost story about this beautiful horse--

re: Viva Canonero!

James Morrisey — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:10:57 GMT

A beautiful story crafted skillfully, congratulations Steve.

re: Viva Canonero!

texaszippeee — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:22:04 GMT

I have read about Canonero before. Thanks for the wonderful article and reminder of hope and miracle that racing is all about.

re: Viva Canonero!

Native Dancer — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 19:06:17 GMT

Steve, another great hit to your plethora of great accomplishments...! Thank you very much for generating this tsunami of passion. You have opened a wonderful door for a huge community to voice their pride and excitement about Canonero and the Triple Crown ritual.

This thread is amazing... it has been going on for three days now and does not seem to stop...! Wow!!!

On the cold realm of calculations, facts and numbers, it is a good reminder that Canonero, as a 3 year old, was able to win in his base La Rinconada (1000 m above sea level) at the Derby’s distance logging a time only 3/5 of a second shy from the track record over highly qualified older imported stakes horses.

On the ethereal domain it was clear that his tale of heart and courage in overcoming adversity is parallel to great warrior epics.

Canonero’s story is a forceful and authentic reminder about how noble the horses are, their eternal magic relationship with humans and that anyone can dream big in this industry of horse/people partnerships.

Thanks again Steve for bringing moments of happiness in this forum!

re: Viva Canonero!

corvettekaty62 — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 18:08:56 GMT

Steve.....I just finished watching Secretariet for the fourth time and have wore out 2 DVD's of Seabiscuit....this would make an amazing movie. What does it take to get the attention of the movie industry to make this happen?

re: Viva Canonero!

Linda in Texas — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:03:06 GMT

weekendstorm, that is a funny post. Sounds like an Abbot & Costello skit.

Steve, now you are REALLY famous with so many wonderful cuates o cuatachos des Venezuela y Canonero II writing you with their thoughts. How blessed we all are to be in the same carriage of their memories.

For so many who beg for more of Steve's wonderful stories,the greats he has written about, on Bloodhorse.com in the search window, upper right, simply type in, 1 at a time, the 3 following names:

1. Wanderin Wonder (posted 40ct08).

2. Wanderin Boy (posted 30Nov08).

3. Spectacular Days(posted 1Dec08).

You will see that Steve is all heart with the gentle giants who

somehow were not always lucky but never gave up. Those are the underdogs i admire, and goes along with the theme of Canonero II who surprised everyone in his quest for the trophies.

I am sort of tough Steve, but it doesn't take much for me to well up about horses,even though i was always taught to not wear my heart on my shoulder.

Sometimes though, it just ain't easy to do.

Thanks Steve

re: Viva Canonero!

weekendstorm — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 07:19:22 GMT

Steve, what a wonderful topic! I have a little story to tell about the '71 Derby. We were college students in the infield. My fiancee's fraternity bro put me on his shoulder's to call the race. He said who's winning? I said Canonero II - he said, I don't care who's second, who's winning? Repeated time and time again .... He finally got the picture! He'll never live it down!

re: Viva Canonero!

Steve Haskin — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 07:05:21 GMT

Maantonetti, oddly enough this Juan Arias is not related at all. I believe he is from Panama. But it is ironic for him to be in the Derby on the 40th anniversary of of the other Juan Arias.

Charley, it is a shame indeed. It's so sad to see what was once a great sport deteriote so much. I hope we can stop the same from happening in the U.S.

Thank you, Gustavo. Good stuff.

Vicky, your tears are what I live for :).

re: Viva Canonero!

Vicky — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 05:56:27 GMT

Dang it, Steve, you made me cry again!

I knew some of the story, but you gave us so much more. Thank you!

re: Viva Canonero!

Gustavo Sanson — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 03:13:02 GMT

Thanks Steve for bringing back all these wonderful memories of our great Champion.

I frequently go to Haras Tamanaco where Cañonero stood for stud duties and died. He is buried next to a big tall tree right by the stallion barn. Mrs Annamaria Freudman, the farm's owner, once told me of the many people that frequently used to stop at the farm to greet Cañonero, and take pictures with him. Regular racing fans, racing professionals, TV personalities, even politicians. It was like a pillgrimage to see the horse everyone carried within their hearts.

As Juan mentioned, each year we honour Cañonero, Arias and Avila at La Rinconada racetrack in Caracas, with a stakes race for each one. Coincidentially, this Sunday April 3rd is the Clásico Cañonero, a Group 2 race for 3-year-olds over a mile, which is the distance of Venezuela's first leg of the triple crown. On August 14th will be the Copa Juan Arias, a Listed race, and on the same day the Clásico Gustavo Avila, Gr. 3.

Books and films should have been made of this great story. A couple of years ago, a video production was made by a local prestigious film company, about the history of horse racing in Venezuela, which spans more than 100 years, and a very good portion of that was dedicated to Cañonero's accomplishments, told by its protagonists Avila and Arias, as well as other turfmen involved in the feat.

Thanks again Steve for making us live again those fantastic moments.

re: Viva Canonero!

Shelby's Best Pal — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 02:55:52 GMT

I loved reading this story. Thank you.

re: Viva Canonero!

Paula Higgins — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 02:00:08 GMT

Linda in Texas, believe me, "The Throne Room" was THAT room in many homes, including my own growing up LOL!

It is really nice to see our fellow horse racing enthusiasts from South America reading the blog and contributing. Always nice to hear from them.