Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

Irish Punter — Thu, 24 May 2012 01:02:01 GMT

Catching up with your blogs after being away for a long weekend.You just keep getting better and better,

No one, but no one,

can capture the beauty, traditions and excitement of The Triple Crown like you.

Finally I found a blogger that helps do some justice to your posts.----

"Steve, your words convey a thousand pictures and your pictures a thousand words. Well done."

(Steve from St Louis 22 May 2012 11:05 AM )

Re your picture "I'll Have Another---the morning after." His eyes are saying "So this is that Haskin guy that got all this Triple Crown excitement started!" and his ears are saying "This guys O.K"

P.S Just got delivery of"Horse Racing's Holy Grail----The Epic Quest For The Kentucky Derby" by Steve Haskin from Amazon (misplaced my original)and your"Tales from the Triple Crown" is due Friday.

On Team Haskin Triple Crown Trail and it just keeps getting better.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

Tiara Terces — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:50:10 GMT

Cozetti is very pretty. Bet him when he gets on the grass.

Deacon, if you go by records, you'd better put Native Dancer up there: 22 races, 21 wins, one second.

Secretariat was slammed out of the gate in his Maiden loss, DQed in the Champagne while finishing ahead by many lengths and was Horse of the Year at two. He lost in the Wood with a severe abcess, won the Triple Crown with records in the Derby (Forgo finished fourth) and Belmont that stand to this day. Then, not giving him a break, they ran him in two races against older horses. He finished second in each. I guess they thought the Triple Crown wouldn't take anything out of him. He came back to win in track record time in the Marlboro Cup over older horses, nearly all the best in training. He then beat the best American turf horses the first and second times he ever ran on it. My math ain't the best, but I do believe that adds up to a lot more than two great races. Horse of the Year again.

Bud Delp said Bid's bid in the Belmont was a bust because he stepped on a safety pin. Too bad they hadn't invented velcro. Bid was great but Affirmed beat him and Seattle Slew beat Affirmed. And Exceller beat those two in the same race.

Here's hoping IHA gets the Triple.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

The Deacon — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:03:54 GMT

Dr. Fager and Damascus will always be linked together, just as Affirmed and Alydar and Secretariat and Sham, amoung others will be. It's just the way it is.

My dad loved Damascus, I loved "The Doc", we used to bicker on who was the better horse.

As I look back on it, both are in the top 7 or 8 all time in my book.

"Doc" gets my nod as one of the all time top 3 along with Man O War and Spectacular Bid. Secretariat was beat several times, he came along when America needed a hero so everyone embraced him. The guys on the backstretch know. He was great but not in the top 3 in my book. He got beat a lot, ran 2 great races and then becomes immortized, just epic how folks spin stories...........

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

Davids — Thu, 17 May 2012 09:46:34 GMT

Old Timer, I have similar negative thoughts about Damascus but I know many have a very high opinion of Damascus. As the years pass you try to forgive but it never works.

Same with those who used rabbits against the immortal Slew.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

The Deacon — Thu, 17 May 2012 03:02:59 GMT

Delmar: Johnny Carson was also from Nebraska.........

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

Terlingua — Thu, 17 May 2012 02:22:12 GMT

Abigail, Yes Terlingua is one of my special favorites, too. Have had this display name for quite awhile but rarely post so most people probably haven't seen it here before. Love the Haskins columns for the history he shares with us and for his superb writing style. This recent series from Steve (and with photos, too) is just a special gift to us all! Fantastic that you are surrounded with photos and memorabilia of Terlingua.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

Old Timer — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:52:19 GMT

Steve, fantastic article! As one who has seen many springs arrive, it warmed my heart.

Mr Nerud always has had a special place in my racing heart as Dr. Fager was probably my all time favorite horse. To this day I hate Damascus for the way they always put that "rabbit" in all his races to "soften up" the Doctor. Head to head, Dr. Fager would have won every time!

It also brought back some memories. I was at Aqueduct for the only Breeder's Cup that was run at that venue back in 1985. I cashed a few tickets on Cozzene in that Mile. In addition to Cozzene there was one other great sire on the track that day. Storm Cat finished second, I believe, in the Juvenile.

It was a really great program that day with Precisionist in the Sprint and the great mare Pebbles in the Turf, but shortly thereafter Aqueduct became kind of a secondary track and never again hosted the Breeder's Cup.

While Cozzetti apears to be a long shot, that workout certainly indicates that he has an outside chance. Stranger things have happened.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

Tiz Herself — Wed, 16 May 2012 22:46:21 GMT

Always loved Cozzene - will never forget Alphabet Soup beating Cigar at Woodbine for the BC. Awesome article as always Steve!

RIP Premier Pegasus who was euthanized after a severe leg injury working @ SA 5/19/2012.... will miss this talented young horse!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

Linda in Texas — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:08:15 GMT

Steve, forgot to mention that Cozzene sired 540 winners from 724 starts that earned $80,190,795. And Cozzene was trained by Mr. Nerud's son Jan. I have that in my biography of him along with several photos in my scrapbook.

Nice comments Don from PA/DE. Your quote from William James is so true.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

Linda in Texas — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:53:30 GMT

Steve, when i read your words, i close out the rest of the world, i place myself in the center of your

descriptions, as though i was present. Sort of on the outside looking and listening in.

A couple years back when i found Bloodhorse.com i taught myself how to download photos and then use one as my desktop. The first photo i learned with was of Cozzene. I had it on my computer for a year. Having always loved the grays, he was inspirational to me to see each morning when i turned on my computer. The photo was taken at late dusk, both his and the early

evening's. It had snowed lightly and

his neck was arched as he was standing in a paddock and pawing the light snow and though the years were showing, he looked magnificent. So as i watch Cozzetti, i will be wishing with all my heart that he is successful in attaining a respectable finish in the race as a tribute to his grand owner Mr. Nerud, and Cozzetti's special dam Lemon Drop Cello. I have a deep affection for a stallion who at 28 and with cancer sired such as Cozzetti. Love Cozzene like I do Skip Away, Kip Deville and so many others. Cozzene was a turf horse, my favorite surface.

And to Paddy O'Prado, my very best wishes for a complete recovery are sent your way.

Thanks Steve. I have to mention how funny it was to read GunBow's comment in his first paragraph,

"that you are moving so fast with your articles that he cannot keep up." i felt that way last week. And it continues. You must be wearing out the soles of your track shoes every other day!

Thank you and safe trips for all.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

Don from PA/DE — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:05:30 GMT

Ah Ha Steve, wonderful nuggets of inspirational and informative knowledge once again, and what timing for me...I was very high on Cozzetti going into the TBD with his previous wins, and now it just might be time to see him shine as I have been hoping he would run again in triple crown (and just the thought of Lemon Drop Kid mother, the Belmont!?) one race at a time, but I will be certainly giving him a good extra look in the Preakness, and thanks so much for the wonderful storylines and OW quote to boot...and Brookville, LI my childhood and late teen neighbor...and let me close with some William James "Be not afraid of life, believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create fact" Don

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

Abigail Anderson — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:40:08 GMT

@ Terlingua (above). Are you a fan of this great girl? Just curious as she's my special love. I have every magazine from the day about her and photos of her all over the house!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

Kyri — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:16:27 GMT

I never got to see Cozzene race, but I have loved to follow his descendants, especially Mizzen Mast and his get. They all seem to be handsome and well put-together (Midships, who has gone to stud in France, was one of the most beautiful Thoroughbreds I've ever seen), many are grey, and they almost all have a lot of heart.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

JayGo — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:22:14 GMT

Good story, feel warm all over but just can't pick Cozzetti to win this race based on recent form. The horse was 10 lengths behind Bode last time. Maybe he hits the board. Would need race to break down, which could happen, but if so Zetterholm looks like a better longshot bet to me. Hard to get past Bode and IHA. Hoping for IHA so we get Triple Crown buzz, but me thinks Baffert and Smith won't screw it up this time and Bode likely to win going away. Bode lone speed this time, likely will get loose on the lead and, IMHO, likely to go gate to wire in front. IHA won't get hot pace to run into like last time, will be closer to the front with Bode settting the pace and unlikely to get another perfect trip. Not a believer in the other horses to compete but you never know. Cozzetti and Zette and Tiger and Teeth underneath for some value. Best value may be to back wheel Bode and IHA with the Pimlico Special double. The Special looks wide open to me and,unfortunately, a more interesting race than the Preakness. Hope we get IHA and Triple Crown mania!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

Greg R — Wed, 16 May 2012 04:43:21 GMT

You say Mr. Nerud is studying this year's Triple Crown. But what does he say about it? (:

Gun Bow, you can overthink all the "what happens if" scenarios for us. My fan philosophy is,let's sit back and see what happens. Karen Carpenter used to sing, "But I Can Dream, Can't I?"

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

Terlingua — Wed, 16 May 2012 03:10:49 GMT

Predict

Had seen Cozzene's pedigree before, but just looked up dam's side and among many other greats is Somethingroyal. So, she appears on both sides of Cozzetti's pedigree. thanks!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

Alex'sBigFan — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:26:00 GMT

Great story as always Steve.

Preakness picks:

I'll Have Another

Bodemeister

Teeth of the Dog or WTDWell

This time I'll reverse my first two and watch they come in the other way this time! But I have to go with I'll Have Another, can't see not rooting for the Derby winner to try for the elusive Triple Crown. Great photo of Affirmed Steve, was he a chestnut? I barely know who he was, but maybe there's hope for this Derby chestnut.

Now back to the Woodlawn Vase, when I said it was "the most coveted trophy in all of sports" that was not derived by me, that is a known fact because of it's monetary value. It is garded in a museum (the original) in Baltimore and brought out by armed guards for the Preakness. It is sterling silver and as one blogger already told us is worth about 4,000,000.00 now. It is usually written or said on NBC that it is the most "valuable" or "coveted" trophy in sports. It is referring to it value, not the athletic accomplishments of the victor or not diminishing the victories of other sports teams. It's an ornate, almost rococo piece, garnished with carvings and moldings. The winning connections of the Preakness winner get a smaller replica of it and the winning trainer and jockey get a smaller trophy. It's quite a vase.

Good luck to all and all come home safe in the Preakness.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

MRO — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:21:12 GMT

Loved seeing Clabber Girl's name in print. She was a favorite!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

Davids — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:04:12 GMT

Joni Mitchell was dead write when she sang "Something's lost but something's gained in living every day" but is it ever equal? Racing is losing it's folklore to number crunching babble.

I was fortunate enough to start reading about racing at a very early age when the great Dr. Fager was wowing the world and Kelso was more myth than flesh. These days writing negative stories about racing is more the style.

Steve, thanks again for bringing to life the past glories of racing these 'fables' still make the hair stand on end.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

EdK — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:41:20 GMT

Besides the mare that I took good care of, OBEAH, winner of the DELAWARE HCAP twice and broodmare of GO FOR WAND, DR. FAGER was one of my favorites of all time. Fortunate to meet Mr. Nerud and see the good DOCTOR run.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

scenestealer — Wed, 16 May 2012 00:45:27 GMT

Mr. Nerud stands with a small handful of the very best horsemen and gentlemen this game has to offer.

Watching from the apron at Arlington in 1968, I saw Dr. Fager decimate a nice field (including an entry from the stable in which I worked) in his world record mile. My recollection of that race, seared though it is in my memory, has for some time been supplemented by frequent viewing of one of the few presentation photos of the event which, in recent years, good fortune allowed me to add to my Fager --and Mr. Nerud—memorabilia.

It would seem a very fitting tribute to this legendary man to dedicate the 2012 Breeders Cup to him—and if possible have him on hand to present the trophy for the Classic. Racing still has some older horsemen (such as John Nerud and Jack Van Berg, for example) who represent the very best of our sport but who get little fanfare for their monumental contributions to it and the wisdom they possess. Thanks to Steve Haskins, Mr. Nerud has deservedly caught, once again, the eye of racing fans.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

predict — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:57:18 GMT

Growing old is a bad habit that a busy man doesn't have time to form, or in this case a busy horse, Cozzene. He has been such a successful sire that when I see his name as a sire, I have learned by some unexplainable formula to give that progeny special consideration. I wouldn't normally give Cozzetti the possibilty of upsetting both I'll Have Another and Bodemeister, but looking at that work, makes one stop and think again. There's a lot of quality in that pedigree, so much so, to overlook it would probably be a big mistake.

Very interesting story, thanks again Steve for what you do the best.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

Lori M. — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:51:04 GMT

Hi Steve,

Loved this article, the insight, the remembering, everything. All so completely interesting!! I am commenting to thank you, because one day in 2004 or 5 you helped me visit Cozzene, who, along with Awesome Again (fee was 12K!) and Northern Afleet, was the first horse I ever traveled to KY to see, beginning my falling-in-love-with-horses life. Thanks Steve:):) -Lori

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

EQUINEBOSS — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:33:36 GMT

Many a morning I have walked by and stopped at the grave sites of Dr Fager, Ta Wee, Minnesota Mac, My Dear Girl and the rest of the legends. It truly gave me a charge of energy each time and a commitment to achieve a higher level.

Mr Nerud serves the sport proudly as an example of what an owner/breeder can be.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Cozzetti Keeps Sire's Spark Alive

delmar — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:36:00 GMT

John Nerud is one of the many good horsemen to come from Nebraska. People like Jack, and Marion Van Berg, Carl Hanford, who trained Kelso, Bob Holtus, Harvey Vanier, etc., etc.,