For America

re: For America

Linda in Texas — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 15:42:48 GMT

Off Topic but Timely. So Steve Haskin allow me to say:

Congratulations to all the folks backing the Saint Louis Cardinals.

Awesome games. The 6th game was the wildest game filled with a miracle a minute that i in my many years of watching baseball have ever had the pleasure to watch.

The sportsmanship was super.

Congratulations Cardinals from

a Texas Ranger Fan.

re: For America

Vince — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 22:23:02 GMT

tiznow was a monster. me and a few friends used to call him the creature from the black lagoon. no disrepsect meant. he was just so, well, scary to be honest. tiznow's wins are the bc classic I remember most. from a european perspective it was hard to take, to come so close but boy two of the finest races you could ever wish to see. the quality horses beaten out of sight. let's hope for a tight finish and a real scrap this year.

re: For America

Slew — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 18:48:32 GMT

Thank you, Steve, for a wonderful ride. Again you took us into the nooks and crannies of the backside, and the challenges which were greater than any we might have guessed.

And thank you, Tiznow, for allowing us to share in one of the greatest BC Classics ever...and to burst with pride for America.

re: For America

Steve Haskin — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:17:11 GMT

Thanks, KentuckyDeb and everyone. This was one of the most memorable racing events ever, and for those who were not close to it, I'm glad I was able to share the experience.

re: For America

kentuckydeb55 — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 03:48:11 GMT

What an amazing article. As usual, Steve Haskin has woven an already amazing tale into a story that has all the elements -- touches the heart, breathes the excitment of an amazing race, can't wait to see what happens tale--laced with the magic that is Haskins.

If this type of story could reach the public prior to our big races, they wouldn't help but catch horse racing fever and fall in love with the sport.

Thanks Mr. Haskins for this special tale. And thanks Tiznow for your courage and perserverance at a time when America needed you most.

re: For America

Paula Higgins — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 23:38:15 GMT

Thank you for this Steve. You mesh the story, the horse, the people and the era like no one else in journalism. You and Laura Hildebrand are in a class by yourselves. Just loved this story. I am off to research more on Tiznow. Also, loved your podcast with Lanny. Agreed with what you both said about Rick Dutrow.

re: For America

TerriV — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:35:48 GMT

Unbelievably moving! Thanks so much, Steve. I can't even see for the tears.

re: For America

GoldenBroom — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:45:07 GMT

Just re-watched this yesterday...what a tight tight finish and man did the big horse fight. I remember watching that race live. Teary eyed!

re: For America

Linda in Texas — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:07:57 GMT

Mr.Steve Haskin - Equine Historian Par Excellence Bar None. And Tiznow

equals you in his world of racing with his huge heart and love of winning.

Goosebumps,streaming tears,lumps in my throat for all the brave horses and those who love them so much. And Ms.Cecilia Straub-Rubens, God Bless and Thank You.

I love airplanes and airports and worked at The San Antonio International Airport Tower

and i can only imagine the thrill of the Air Traffic Control Tower Personnel carefully and safely guiding the pilots in and down and watching all of those giant flying fortresses bringing so many magnificent and talented Thoroughbreds into New York at that time in our history.

Thank you Steve Haskin, i love the walks through racing that you take us all on. Awesome, just awesome.

And Thanks Tiznow. You are the man!

re: For America

Tairaterces — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:14:01 GMT

Only need one word . . .

BRAVO!!!!!!!

re: For America

deb — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:57:36 GMT

wow. major goosebumps on this story. you are the master.

re: For America

Smoking Baby — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:56:07 GMT

"To The Patriot In All Of Us" I picked up one of those hats and gave it to one of my buddies who is a Patriots fan. Now he's a racing fan as well and always notices when a winner is by Tiznow.

re: For America

Forbidden Apple — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:04:24 GMT

Steve,

Thank you for allowing me to experience the beauty and power of Tiznow once again. I still remember the instant hair raising chills that went through me during the stretch battle. Tiznow's determination and huge heart will never be lost in my memories. The way he dug in and fought to the wire was magical. I am looking forward to watching one of his sons perform next year, his name is Slew.

re: For America

Rachel NH — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:32:03 GMT

"To The Patriot In All Of Us" is on Tiznow's BC baseball cap. What a horse.

re: For America

KarenToga — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:58:06 GMT

Thank you Steve for another inspiring article. One of my most favorites things in life is to read and reread your remarkable stories. You truly have a gift with the pen. As Dr. D said " I am a loyal Haskinite" you are like no other. The Classic this year will surely miss Tizway, his owner and trainor must be hurting big time. This sport has the highest of highs and the lowest of lows at times. His career was a good one though and I am glad that he will be retired to happy stud land:}

re: For America

The Deacon — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 06:47:28 GMT

Well written and well said Steve. Tiznow was amazing, too incredible wins. Tizway out of Classic, another one bites the dust. Something is just wrong, every year we go through this. One, two, then five or six or drop get hurt and can't run in the Breeders Cup races. This just upsets me to no end. What is this 6 or 7 defections

now. How many more will we see in the next 10 days. I said it 2 months ago, don't all worked up about any horse because by November it's all gonna change. Hope this fine horse has a wonderful retirement, loved watching him.

Dr D: Good choice but I am going to wait until 5 minutes to post just to see who is running.

re: For America

Karen in Indiana — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 02:31:04 GMT

Thank you, Steve. Like Tiznow, you are one of a kind. :-)

Can you imagine the difference in European racing if something had happened to the plane with Galileo on it?

Wonder if we will have a Classic with So You Think, Uncle Mo, Stay Thirsty & Havre De Grace being the only ones in it?

re: For America

TJLuvsTizs — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 02:18:41 GMT

I remember hearing about his lackluster 4 YO season, but I didn't know he was injured early on. Thank you for the story as it is fun learning about the people involved.

When I watch the replay of the '01 race I get goosebumps right around 150 yards to go when Tiznow take that giant leap and puts his head in front of Sakhee that carries him through the wire. Then of course I get chills on Durkin's timely assertion "and Tiznow wins it for America!"

Amazing as how such a simple thing as a horse race can stir up such emotion. I was too wrapped up in high school and was not introduced into horse racing until much later, but hearing his story has made me a huge fan and I continue to root for him through his offspring as my moniker shows.

Thanks again Steve for this detailed recanting of Tiznow's story!

Tim

re: For America

Mike Relva — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 23:57:44 GMT

STEVE

Thanks for the great read.

re: For America

Ruhlmann — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 23:22:38 GMT

I remember that day as if it were yesterday. I was at the Vets Lodge across the street from Churchill and to honor the race I sang an old Elvis song, " Tiznow, Forever! It happen again."

re: For America

txhorsefan — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 23:12:16 GMT

Thank you. This is so beautiful, it makes me cry. At the time I was only paying attention to the triple crown races and didn't even realize such a thing as the Breeders Cup existed. Shame on me. Thank goodness for your wonderful writing to bring it to life in such a way that I can feel it unfolding through your words. Thank you!

re: For America

opsherr — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 23:05:45 GMT

A great story beautifully written. I visited the great horse and his dignity and physical being made me humble to be in his presence. However, does anyone really believe that McCarron's lash with the whip made the difference? Watch the race again and oberve the horse. At the point that he appeared beaten he gives an almost invisible shake of head. He had decided he would not give in and with a tremendous effort of a thoroughbred heart he was not.

re: For America

Dr Drunkinbum — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 22:09:01 GMT

Another unbelievably jolly good story by the equine master story teller. I love this story, and due to my male stubborness was somehow once again able to muster up the strength to keep the tears in my eyes welled up and ready to retreat, and keep myself from bawling like a baby. Once again I am reminded of why I am so proud to be a loyal Haskinite.

re: For America

Johnny — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:43:04 GMT

Tiznow one of my favorite horses.

Quick story of the would of should of.

First Breeders cup I watch is the 2000 Breeders cup I bet $100.00 on Tiznow to win. We all know what happens.

Skip to 2001, I am in the Bellagio saying to myself I got my horse allready.

Get to the window make my bets however still being new to the sport I did not back up my bet properly.

I bet a $5.00 straight superfecta however I pull the ol change my mind at the window. I put Sakhee 1st Tiznow 2nd. Well we all know what happened.

I correctly picked the 3rd and 4th place horses that change of mind cost me approx $56,000.

Shame on me, good for Tiznow great horse great article.

Me,I learned a lesson on wagering if you like 2 horses don't be cheap.

Looking forward to next Saturday and smiling.

I will be in one of my favorite spots the Bellagio sports book betting the Breeders Cup.

Thanks Steve for the memories.

re: For America

slee — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:28:18 GMT

I keep a few videos and links to videos of racing on my computers. On particularly tough days I pick one and watch it a few times. Tough wins. Easy wins. "That can't be true wins". Forego. Secretariat. Ruffian. Rachel Alexandra. Dr. Fager. Da Hoss. Tiznow is the only horse with 2 links in my box. I watch them and watch them and every time I think Giant's Causeway or Sakhee will get by him. And then I watch Tiznow's ears and his eye and know, that whether the line was 5 strides or 5 furlongs away, his message is - thank you very much son, but this race belongs to me!

Thanks Steve!