Tiznow - Patriots Redux

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

merlinmerry — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:33:31 GMT

Hmm, Tom Coughlin must have shown his Giants the tapes of Forego's 1976 Marlboro - down to the wire and boom!

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

Freetex — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:34:41 GMT

Oh, what a great article. I also enjoyed reading all the posts too. Thanks to Steve and all.

Tiznow was one of my first big intros to the sport.

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

Tiznowbaby — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:57:10 GMT

Rachel NH, the story about Belichick stopping the tape and asking his team who he thought would win was printed in a Jan. 31, 2002, story in -- how would you say? -- a rival publication.

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

Will — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:14:37 GMT

Thks, Steve, for weighing in on the tranquilizer question. Oh, drug withdrawal and its side effects, be it horse or man. Glad to hear Robbins failed in his effort to get the colt on the hard stuff. Tiznow was strung out enough as it was on his sedatives.

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

Karen in Texas — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:41:12 GMT

NASCAR PRO---Glad you like the site, but I don't know anything about promo codes. Sorry!

Steve, thanks for the reminder of Tiznow's connection to the Patriots. I actually replay that 2001 BC Classic periodically as a source of inspiration for myself!

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

trackjack — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:18:24 GMT

Thanks Steve, great article. I recall the story the first time around and I also remember reading somewhere of Bill Belichick starting and stopping the tape and asking "Whose going to win"?

We were at the 2001 BC at Belmont right in the corner of the Clubhouse apron, at the gap up against the fence just past the finish line with a great view. We were packed in with a lot of "Euros" who had been celebrating Johannesburg's earlier win in the Juvenile. As the Classic approached there was a lot of good natured jawing going on as they were touting Sakhee big time. As they came to the top of the stretch, they were going bonkers as we all thought Sakhee had it. Then Tiznow displayed his grit and tenacity as we all were screaming watching him drive to victory. We "Yanks" broke into the "USA,USA" cheer, letting the "Euros" have it, all in fun of course. What a memorable afternoon and race, one of the most exciting live races I've witnessed and I've been to a few.

This past November we had our VIP Tour of WinStar, our last prize from winning the RoadtotheRoses.com contest from 2010. It was a cool, rainy day and as we visited all the stallions in their paddocks, I walked over to Tiznow wanting to get some good pictures. He was about 20 yards away, looking off and I quietly tried to coax him over closer, telling him what a great day that was watching him win his second BC Classic in a row. He finally began to wander over, taking his time and came right up to me at the fence. I took some good shots and he let me rub his forehead for a couple of seconds. Though he was damp with some caked dirt on him and a scraggly, unkempt mane, he exuded class and majesty. That moment is frozen in my memory.

Thanks, Steve, for reminding us of how champion thoroughbreds can touch us in so many different ways.

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

Alex'sBigFan — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:33:39 GMT

merlinmerry,

You are so right. The Puppy Bowl is cute. Yeah, the kitty half-time show! What a scream! And don't they have the dogs "tailgating" partying too! And there is a camera under the water bowl at each goal so when the puppies stop to take a drink you see their faces lapping up the water! If a puppy should have a little puddle accident on the field the ref guy picks up the puppy, sprays the field, and says, "puppy foul!!!" And the puppies can make touchdowns by carrying the stuffed animals or balls to the goal lines. There are all breeds of puppies and they play and stumble over each other!

A very creative idea from Animal Planet.

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

Dick Downey — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:06:54 GMT

A very nice story, and moving too, but I think I will bet on the Giants.

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

NASCAR PRO — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:21:29 GMT

Hi Karen from Texas,ty for introducing me to that fabulous website.Is there any way you can provide me with one of the promo codes so that I can receive more points for playing Derby Wars.

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

Rachel NH — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:48:35 GMT

I can send you a picture of the poster, too.

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

Rachel NH — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:47:56 GMT

Whew, what an assignment, Steve...tracking down stories from 2001!

I have referenced an article that talks about the back and forth between Winstar, Taylor Made and Jay Robbins..

I can't find an article (yet) about the coach stopping multiple times to ask "who's going to win"...but I know it's out there!

www.allbusiness.com/.../5890417-1.html

If you give me an email address I can send you a picture of the framed shoes, cap and inscription.

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

merlinmerry — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:46:36 GMT

To anyone not enamored of football, may I suggest tuning into Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl? It is the absolutely cutest sporting event on earth. Puppies! A kitty half time show! Hamsters in an overhead blimp! And, new this year, a piglet pep squad! Watch the Super Bowl for the commercials and Puppy Bowl for the action.

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

Pedigree Ann — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:47:48 GMT

Re: Tiznow and tranquilizers

Sounds like he had withdrawal symptoms after being taken off the tranks. Can happen with many drugs, not just narcotics, and individuals vary in their susceptibility.

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

Alex'sBigFan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:14:32 GMT

Convene,

Thanks! But long live all the football fans I don't begrudge them their sport. My brother is a HUGE Jets fan and he and I have stood in MSG and talked hoops with Clyde himself but football is not my cup of tea or forte. And all the little kids I saw in Morocco in the summer were sporting "Messi" shirts, Barcelona's star striker. Very cool.

On a lighter note the four-legged sports stars stay locked in all night, don't run amok getting harrassment charges slapped on them, mind their trainers, and don't send ridiculous text messages.

Some of the two-legged stars should follow their example!

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

Stellar Jayne — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:47:26 GMT

Great story! Smart man and coach that Belichick! To bad people outside of the industry do not know this story about Tizway and how he was a model of courage for the Patriots. It might inspire the public to attend races.

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

Giddyup — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:58:06 GMT

Hey Steve, got any ideas about what thoroughbred inspired Cowboys coach Jason Garrett to freeze his own kicker? Sorry, but I just couldn't resist.

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

Steve Haskin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:55:22 GMT

He was given tranquilizers, which may have affected him in the Goodwood. When he came off tranquilizers he was a terror in the mornings and started doing all kinds of wild things, like trying to mount the pony, bolting across the track, and refusing to train until he was ready. Fortunately, he got rid of that several days after arriving at Belmont Park. Jay Robbins tried to get some vodka for him after his first day at Belmont, but all the liquor stores were closed.

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

Will — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:19:16 GMT

Steve, weigh in if you would on Pedigree Ann's comment about the use of tranquilizers to keep Tiznow from re-injuring his back when he galloped, how that taught him he didn't have to extend himself, leading to lackluster performances in the Woodward and Goodwood when he returned to the track. I've always wondered about the horse's seeming lack of interest in those two races and his sudden return to form in the Classic. Were you aware of this explanation ? Seems to be a fitting analysis for Tiznow's dull efforts in the Woodward and Goodwood. Those two races sure set him up for a price on BC day and, if Ann is right, we owe it all to tranquilizers.

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

mz — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:15:17 GMT

All I want to do is watch the commercials -- and we don't get them in Toronto.

OK, I also want to watch the half-time show but is it me or is it becoming shorter and shorter each year? Didn't they used to be the whole half-time and not just 8 to 10 mins of boredom? (Except Shania Twain and her coat -- I loovved that one).

Also, one other bet this year: good game / bad game : what are the odds I will bother to watch the whole thing?

p.s. Tiznow and Giant's Causeway - what a beautiful race.

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

Criminal Type — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:12:05 GMT

Trebloc, good to see you, Hope the family is well. I see your girl has a Rock Hard Ten filly. I will be watching for her next year.

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

Slew — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:13:44 GMT

If only our pro football teams exhibited the integrity and heart of our thoroughbred champions..we might have more to look forward to in the Super Bowl.

Sorry, Steve...Cowboys' fans never die, they just make a big stink about other teams...and they DO NOT root for the AFC in a championship. Go Giants!

(It really was an excellent article, Steve, but I'm still a sore loser...uhhh...non-winner, I mean.)

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

Johnny — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:04:53 GMT

Great story Steve. Must of read at least 3 different versions,all with the same ending.

Tiznow and Queen Z are my two favorite horses in my lifetime.

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

Margaret Ann — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:55:53 GMT

If the Coach is looking for another horse racing moment to inspire the Patriots, he might want to use Wild Again's win in the first Breeder's Cup. I remember reading, after Wild Again died, Pat Day saying that as he urged Wild Again in the stretch, he could hear the horse grunting with each lunge forward. Will to win, courage. Great horses, great people, I guess even great teams have it.

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

Pedigree Ann — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:50:54 GMT

Tiznow had to keep moving while his back was healing, to use up all that pent up energy a stabled TB can develop. Therefore the trainer gave him tranquilizers when he went out to gallop so that he wouldn't run too hard and re-injure himself. Somehow this taught the big guy he didn't need to extend himself, leading to his losses in the Woodward and Goodwood. But in the final few yards of the Goodwood, he made a sudden spurt that wasn't enough to win, but showed he remembered what the point of racing was. I knew then he was going to be ready to contend for the Classic; when I saw him in the post parade, he looked like his old self. Wasn't at a location where I could bet, worse luck.

re: Tiznow - Patriots Redux

Convene — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:46:14 GMT

Alex'sBigFan: I'm with you. All MY sports stars walk on four legs too. In fact, till I saw a commercial the other day, I didn't know there was a football game coming! Anyway ... it was a cool story about Tiznow. Thanx Steve - as usual, you're the man!