Viva Canonero! Part 2

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

Linda in Texas — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 01:15:57 GMT

It is a rainy Saturday evening, have fed all my critters so now back to my obsession, horses. I happened to click on 'Haskin' and see that i can read your postings back many months.

The first article to catch my eye was about Canonero. I remember his name and him. I also remember his wins, but had no idea whatever had happened to him. Did not know the story of his demise in 1981 in Venezuela. It would be touching if it were simply a made up story, but what you wrote is the truth and that makes it terribly difficult for me to keep a stiff upper lip while at the same time rerouting the tears. Was it really that long ago and where have the years gone?

I will look forward to reading all of your past posts which should keep me entertained thru the fall when the days are shortened and chores finished with still a few hours left to read.

I know your story was written last year but yours are timeless. It was as nice a story for me to read this evening as it would have been to have read last November.

Canonero represented hope to his countrymen and believing in something changes peoples hearts and that is what i respect and will remember Canonero for. And sadly, he probably didn't even know how many people he touched. Thanks again for your excellent writing ability.

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

Igor — Sun, 31 May 2009 03:27:12 GMT

Thank you, Mr. Haskins.

I'm from Brazil and I really love Canonero II's story. I wish it become a movie. People should know about Canonero II!

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

Shoshin — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 15:31:50 GMT

Thank you, Mr. Haskins.

An unforgettable account of a horse & story that should never be forgotten.

Viva Canonero II indeed.

Brought tears to my eyes...

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

Steve Haskin — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 23:52:16 GMT

He was 50-1 last week, which is not a very good price for a one-sprint-start maiden winner.

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

Macho Uno — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 23:29:47 GMT

Hi Steve, I realize this isn't the spot for this but I was wondering if you could help me with something. Wynn Las Vegas says it has Majormotionpicture listed in its Derby future odds but won't say what they are for legal reasons over the phone. Do you know what his odds are? I think you responded to my call about this on Sirius radio this week but I never heard the odds and I want to get a bet in on him.

Thanks!

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

Robert Fishman — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 04:57:06 GMT

Another beautifully written story, Steve... Canonero II should serve as a reminder that this racing game is far from an exact science. We should maintain open minds when it comes to methods of breeding stock selection and training.

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

Bellwether — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:45:35 GMT

ps...almost forgot...HAPPY THANKSGIVING TOO U...The Bell

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

Bellwether — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:42:37 GMT

to much of anything no good...all day all nite its HORSES but i no how to blend that reel well with what life i have left...Long Live Life & THE KING!!!...

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

Steve Haskin — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 04:34:44 GMT

Yes, I remember the documentary. I have it on VHS. The quality isnt too good but its fun to watch.

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

David — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 04:09:47 GMT

Hey Steve,

Thanks for the great story. Do you remember the documentary, "The Ballad of Canonero?" I remember seeing it on PBS back in the 70's or early 80's. Too bad it isn't available on DVD.

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

Steve Haskin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:36:53 GMT

Joaking, I'm going to be doing Spectacular Bid next, either for Friday or Monday, and then I might take a little break from the historical ones. I dont want to inundate everyone with them. Too much of anything is no good. Forego is one I definitely can do. I like to put a personal touch to these and tell stories most people arent aware of regarding these horses. I'm so glad people are enjoying them. I've got so many of them.

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

Joaking3 — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:16:28 GMT

Thanks Steve....Canonero was one of my favorites;and I did bet him to win the Preakness. I did not have seats so watched the race from the grandstand apron. He was magic!! As for the Bid, I was lucky enough to be in Arcadia for business, so was able to purchase tickets for his Big Cap. I was sitting among Flying Paster fans and kept telling them to bet him to place because no one was going to beat the Bid. He made it look easy, as he did in all of his races. And please tell stories of Forli and Forego. You don't know how much joy you bring to horse lovers with these stories.

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

Bellwether — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:02:30 GMT

there are plenty of new stories to tell n this game...WE got to TELL them...EXPOSURE & PROMOTION BABY!!!Long Live The HORSE!!!...GIVE EM HELL BELL!!!

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

Barbara — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:57:55 GMT

I'd love to see a story on Forego vs. Honest Pleasure--I was in high school and still remember the race vividly. I leapt from my chair onto the floor in front of the tv,screaming, as Forego closed with that magnificent rush of his. I still remember the race and miss him--I regret that I never got to see him in the flesh, as I did John Hnery and Cigar.

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

russell maiers — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 01:07:45 GMT

Well done Steve. To learn more about this horses story made my day. My gosh , he really was remarkable! A lot of readers here were fortunate enough to know him and his racing skills. Thats cool.

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

Joe Lee — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 01:07:43 GMT

Great story lines in the series.

I remember there were some pretty good Handicap horses in the 70's. To me they are really unsung. Because they carried weight. Or faced Giants like Forego. One that comes to mind is True Knight. Maybe you will remember some of those Handicap geldings of 70's in a future blog.

Thanks Steve!

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

RUBEN — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:36:18 GMT

Steve thanks for this beautiful history, and I want to add one more thing when they reach the las 3 furlongs 2 jockeys told gustavo Avila canoneroII jockey go ahead gustavo shoot and win this one , he just told them I cant I dont have any horse left. I think they were Baeza and Ycaza

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

Mike L. from Louisville. — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:27:35 GMT

What details, I love to read Steve's stories to escape for a few minutes.

I will always remember The 1971 Ky.Derby.After,flying home from the military on the eve of the race,I watched the most impressive move ever in a KY. Derby with Canonero II circling a very large field on the turn and taking off like a jet in the stretch.My leave pay was on Jim French across the board...(He ran 2nd under A Cordero).

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

needler in Virginia — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:56:42 GMT

Steve....another "thank you" for this one, but you've already met one of the hardest of hard-knockers.....he lives out at Old Friends and is an official member of Red Sox Nation. Remember Swan's Way?? Now THAT'S a story....not very sexy or exotic but one worth telling.

Happy Turkey to all....

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

John T. — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:40:28 GMT

It was good to to relive the story of Canonero 11 from the early seventies and very well told.Good research in telling us what became of the cast of characters involved with the horse.In the 1972 Styme H,Cap I still think it was a great effort by Riva Ridge to finish second as he was

a 3 year old giving 13 pounds to his older rival.

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

Matthew W — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:24:14 GMT

Steve I can't wait for your Spectacular Bid tale! I only saw him once but once was enough for me to say he was the best horse I ever saw! He was a running machine, leggy and powerful with stamina! Not the best looking--until he moved---his movement was second to none! I would bet on no horse to beat 'Bid---Betting against The Bid was simply a bad investment!

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

Steve Haskin — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:12:55 GMT

Thanks again to everyone for your kind comments and recollections of Canonero, Pass Catcher, Walter Blum etc. I do consider myself more of a storyteller first and foremost and am happy these glimpses back in time are being well received. I surely will keep on doing them. Rick, you're right, Wednesday's runners should not be forgotten and I'll see what I can come up with. I'm thinking of doing another part re-print, with some new portions added, on my recollections of Spectacular Bid and my personal connection to him. That could be for later this week. After that, there are so many to choose from, but I'll keep whipping them out.

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

CHARLIE WHITE FROM UCV — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:17:41 GMT

Congrats, Steve. Curiously enough, Canonero, who won six races in La Rinconada, was not a stakes or classic winner in Venezuela. He could not beat our best at that time (EJEMPLO, PARAJE, YVES, MACANAO, among others) although it is fair to say that he left rather early for the States. Maybe this fact is some small evidence of the kind of racing we had in Venezuela some decades ago. Unfortunately, today's Venezuelan horse racing, by the way another government operation,is proof of the ignominy of Chavez's regime.

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

The Deacon — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:13:16 GMT

Ditto Steve, the great Dr. Fager was the best I ever saw. I was lucky to watch him win the Californian in 1968 with 130 pounds. Graustark was truly a monster but who knows how great he could have been. Sometimes great 3 year olds don't come back at age 4 for some reason. Maybe too many hard races, these equine heroes of ours are so fragile. Nevertheless, another trip down memory lane with perhaps the best story teller of all, Steve Haskin..............

re: Viva Canonero! Part 2

Texspect — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:45:30 GMT

What a great series about Canonero II! It was a true testament of the fortitude of a great equine athlete and under a different state of health, of what might have been. This was also a reminder to not take South American racing lightly. I often think of The time Forli (Sire of Forego), and many useful others, came to America. This was truly a "Wonder Horse." Unfortunately, a mistake by a great rider changed his racing fate. He was on his way east to meet the Greats: Damascus, Dr. Fager, and Buckpasser. The only one in which I believe had a chance against him was Dr. Fager. Please Steve, look into this thoroughbred's history and I am sure there is a great story there. Keep up the great storytelling.