P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

brumac — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 06:56:58 GMT

Volponi has haunted me since that race! I was a huge fan of P.G.'s and knew he never shipped unless he could score, I touted Volponi for a month when I heard P.G. was going. The money I made here at Saratoga with him, I knew he just didn't believe he could lose. My only problem was that while watching P.G. I realized Volponi only ran well on dirt with blinkers! On breeder's cup day, at the local OTB Teletheater there was no info about equipment and sure,I didn't bet the race the biggest coulda, woulda, shoulda, of my life! What I made on his two year olds when he had a public stable more than made up for it. The man never put a horse on the track that wasn't ready to run his best race! My highest accolade. Bruce

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

barb — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 19:21:19 GMT

I just re-watched Volponi's stunning win in the BCC and was re-impressed by it. But what also made a big impression was that during the post parade and pre-race talk the commentators kept referring to Evening Attire as an old horse. In 2002! LOL.

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

Bee Tee — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:55:02 GMT

Mostly when I mention I have a Volponi three-year-old in my barn, people look at me blankly. You will understand the hope that springs eternal from bloodlines and stories like this.

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

Alfred K — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 01:10:00 GMT

Hi Steve, I remember Volponi's Classic very well and I even hit the exactor. It is safe to say I was the only one smiling after the race at a small otb hub in Ottawa,Canada. I remember there was a guy aksing me "how in the world did I pick Volponi" and my respond was "Two words- Steve Haskin"

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

Karen2 — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:49:28 GMT

Steve, I wait patiently for your take on the breeders cup......

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

Steve Haskin — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:09:25 GMT

TIV, you have an excellent memory. That is indeed what I wrote. Thanks for remembering.

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

Thankful in Virginia — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:44:03 GMT

I remember it well: I took your advice and bet him (across the board and the exacta). It salvaged a bad day for me at the window! If I recall correctly, your article that weekend read "after all, it's only money" - in defending your selection of Volponi.

Great piece, as usual, Mr Haskin!

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

Steve Haskin — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 04:31:38 GMT

I believe P.G.s daughters have one horse left. He's actually a pretty good horse, but I'm drawing a blank on his name.

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

Kitman — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:53:39 GMT

Steve, first just to let you know I enjoy your stories so much. Last read your Tales from the Triple Crown, excellent.

A bit off subject but I posed a question to Jason and he suggested I ask you as he said you were friendly with Bobby Frankel and you were conversing with him this a.m. I was just curious if he gave you any insight as to why he wouldn't run Mast Track in the Classic and but is in the Mile? He also said the quarter wasn't bad, did he just have second thoughts about running against the monsters in the classic? I was all over his horse in the Classic, now am having to search for value elsewhere. Thanks.

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

Matt M. — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:57:57 GMT

Great work Steve! I also loved "The Big Horse" by Joe McGuinness......certainly a great read for any racing fan.

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

dan — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:34:31 GMT

Steve,

Great story. Do P.G.'S daughters still operate the Amherst Stable? I think one of his best friends in racing was Barclay Tagg.

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

loplop — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 23:46:53 GMT

I was in the stands that day sitting with my soon to be wife. I guarantee that no one besides my wife at Arlington that day bet on Volponi. Everyone was in complete dis-belief. Of course she could only get up the courage to bet $2 on the horse, but from the screams you would have thought she bet $1000. She was the ONLY one cheering down the stretch. I was swearing and ripping up my $500 ticket with Came Home... I believe we cashed a win ticket worth $89. What an awful race. I always hated that horse for making me suffering through that cold Chicago day and not winning the Classic. But after reading this story my stance has changed a little. I am happy he won for his connections.

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

Taxman — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 17:00:39 GMT

Great memories of a horse that brought me my greatest score. A friend of mine and I split the BC P-4 for $16,400. We were sbout the only ones screaming in the grandstand that day. Plus, Volponi was a horse I used to win the old Racing Series contest. The grand prize was a trip to Ascot where I had the time of my life. Thank you Volponi and connections!

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

Pam S. — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 15:18:32 GMT

Lovely, touching story, and yet another reminder that the little guy can win in the end over the sheikhs and billionares.

I remember reading in "The Big Horse" that P.G. didn't like the references to the Pick 6 scandal (like that Volponi was "FBI Horse of the Year") because he wanted the horse's legacy to be about his win and not what surrounded it. But it's true, had Volponi not won at such long odds, the cheaters probably would have gotten away with it.

So besides this tale being so heartwarming, it's another example of the racing gods in action. As far as Volponi's health and welfare, I think those racing gods are watching over him.

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

Ejay — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 02:48:36 GMT

A $20 win bet on Volponi returned $890.00! I wonder if Johnson also bet on his horse that day?

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

Matthew W — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 02:31:31 GMT

Steve great hit! I STILL wouldn't bet him with your $$--I just couldn't find him---it was meant to be, and thats how they caught those pick 6 cheaters--because of Volponi! If Medaglia wins there's several Pick 6 winners...but good'ol'Volponi, at 43-1....and those guys are the only winners, holding it TEN times!!! Thank you, Volponi!

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

Rggc — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 20:59:34 GMT

Lets hope Volponi comes back to the states, it would be a shame if we lost track of him. I didn't know any of the back story of this horse but I loved his sire so I always rooted/bet on him whenever he ran. I too started to mist up. Thanks again Mr. Haskins.

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

Gary — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 18:06:02 GMT

Another Great story Mr. Haskin!! Volponi was one of my biggest scores. Also I have read the book “The Big Horse” by Joe McGinniss three times. You forgot to mention that old P.G. Johnson made Breeders Cup history as the first breeder, owner (along with Ed Baier), and trainer of a Breeder's Cup race winner. I bet he would have ridden him too if he could. Johnson was a big believer in the theories on breeding by Federico Tesio.

Johnson once said of Volponi, "I think he's a natural 1 1/4-mile horse and he runs just as well on the dirt as on the turf." I have every sibling Volponi sired and is running in the United States on my horse watch list. They haven’t panned out like their Daddy so far but I look for major improvement in the not so distant future. Just yesterday, (10-17-08) three Volponi siblings, Roboponi, Smarteralex, and No Tears in Heaven all came in second. Thanks again for the story. Keep them coming and good luck.

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

lobieb — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 13:08:37 GMT

Your stories are always gut wrenching and I love them. Perchance was there an agreement made with Korea that after Volponi's stud duties are over that he will be brought back to the states, would hate to see him go the way of Ferdinand.

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

normajean81258 — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 04:09:17 GMT

Tiznowbaby, I always keep tissues handy! These stories are what makes this sport so special and sets it apart from other sports. Just wonderful to read! And may I add that, to date, Volponi is still the largest ticket I've cashed too!

I'd love to hear how his life is now, especially as he's in Korea....

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

Wanda — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 03:40:10 GMT

I agree with Tiznowbaby I can hardly see the keys for tears. Serious I don't cry very often. You write the way I wish I could thanks.

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

Bradgm — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 02:12:57 GMT

I always love to see the really deserving people win and when Mr. Johnson won I was so happy for him. One for the little guys. Sad about his Mrs. but isn't that the way it goes when the great love of your life passes on. Just know that there's a lot of top trainers up there for all the top horses.

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

txhorsefan — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 00:44:01 GMT

Aww, Steve. I swear, no one can tell a great horse story like you can. Your writing always makes me wish I'd been paying more attention long ago, instead of following only the triple crown trail in the spring. Thanks to you, I'm learning more and I'm so grateful. Please keep it up!

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

Luvthehorses — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 00:43:36 GMT

Thanks so much for this piece.

I loved it. Wish that Volponi was

back in the states.

re: P.G. and a Horse Called Volponi

Tiznowbaby — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 00:38:16 GMT

OK, I'm pretty much going to have to stop reading your stuff without a tissue handy.

It's because of stories like this that thoroughbred horse racing is the greatest game in the world.