Thanks, Pop

re: Thanks, Pop

Uncle Smiley — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 10:31:05 GMT

Wow, Steve, that wouldn't have been Old Banana Nose wandering away from the Big A?

Uncle Smiley

re: Thanks, Pop

Steve Haskin — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 03:37:18 GMT

Uncle Smiley, we had a banana vendor come down our block in Brooklyn. A little Italian guy who would yell, "Banano, Bo-nano; Hey today, Bananay." We moved to Flatlands when I was 16.

re: Thanks, Pop

Uncle Smiley — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 01:46:01 GMT

Steve,

You bring out the best of your readers.

Now here is a strange turn...

My Dad, as a youngster, worked for a banana vendor in Brooklyn, I kid you not, 1930's, whose business was horse drawn.

He knew how to hande a horse. Not common for a kid like me growing up in Flatlands to have a Dad who could handle a horse.

He was unique, just like all the Dads you and your co bloggists have described.

Uncle Smiley

re: Thanks, Pop

Alex'sBigFan — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 01:23:25 GMT

Beautifully stated Linda and Fran.

Wow, a prayer for him on the high altar in Washington, that's wonderful. My 78 yr. old neighbor is going to light a candle for Paynter in her church this Saturday. Linda I am glad you thought of prayers and strength for those caring for Paynter, I am sure they are faced with quite a medical challenge and need our prayers as well. It must be so stressful and day to day. Fran, I love the "Paynt The Town." What a great name for an offspring of Paynter's, I don't care if he never races again, I just want him to run free in a pasture healthy and go on to make little Paynters.

Keep praying all.

re: Thanks, Pop

Linda in Texas — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 00:19:09 GMT

There is a candle burning at the Washington National Cathedral for Paynter in The Candle Room. And a prayer for him was prayed on the high altar.

My son works at The Cathedral Choral Society located on the close. Is in the cathedral every day many times. It is basically a nondenominational cathedral with Episcopalian overtures as i call them that overlooks Washington D.C. and from the Bell Tower one can see Virginia. Right now we will take any and all religions that get Paynter through this.

And continued strength to those caring for him and Mr. Zayat and family.

We are all here for you Paynter, hoping and praying and thinking and

pulling for you. Take it slow and easy as you take each day. We won't desert you. Fight on good fella. Fight on.

re: Thanks, Pop

Fran Loszynski — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 17:20:03 GMT

Did you read all, Paynter is doing better and his bloodwork came back okay. Any horse that can lose a shoe and almost win the race he ran first in on the hardest track, Belmont, well what can you expect from this real trooper! Go Paynter, Paynt The Town!

What great stories to read in your blog Steve. I feel like I want to meet all these racing fans. And who knows maybe we all have at some rail, some race, cheering on these great kings of the sand and wind.

re: Thanks, Pop

longtimeracingfan — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 17:05:02 GMT

Just want to say thank you to everyone who has expressed their condolences to me over the last few days. I still automatically look up the knoll to Pip's field, expecting to see him walking the fence or standing there watching for me... but the field is empty of all but memories now. He is buried on a knoll just next to his field... I'll always miss his soft muzzle and gentle ways and imperious neigh... but I have had many horses, a lot of them his close relatives, so he also joins that pantheon of memories. I've been very fortunate to have some really wonderful horses and seen or worked with many others... each one teaches something and we just hope we can give them what they need from us. I'm down to just 4 mares now, and will not be breeding any more, so within a few years all I'll have is photos and memories. Probably just as well, I'm no spring chicken.

I've been following the ups and downs of Paynter... every morning I turn on the computer and head for the BloodHorse homepage, both dreading and hoping... and today's news has been an "up" so perhaps he is turning the corner. He has a lot of people praying for him. But most of all he has caring owners who want only the best for him. And if the worst should happen they will also do what is best for him.

For all the negatives people want to throw at racing, there are always good, positive stories to tell... and Paynter's is one, no matter what the outcome. He did NOT sustain an injury due to "poor breeding" ... or to a racing or training misstep... he simply came down with an illness, a very nasty one, and he has shown courage and tenacity we all can admire. His caretakers and owners are doing all they can for him. THAT is a positive about them and about racing. Spread the word... and if you can, donate to laminitis research; or if you prefer, colic research, or horse rescue, or Thoroughbred retirement and retraining programs. Do it in the name of Paynter... or whatever other horse you favor. Every little bit helps.

Steve, you are the very best. Thank you for this elegant little forum and window on racing. You DO bring out the best, both in your writing and in the people attracted to it. Long life and health to you. And keep on writin'...

Patricia

re: Thanks, Pop

Mike Relva — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 16:43:07 GMT

Alex'sBigFan

Always your comments, class act. If anyone can pull it off, he can.

re: Thanks, Pop

Karen in Texas — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 15:14:10 GMT

I've been sending many prayers to Power Up Paynter as well. He and all his team are fighting the good fight.

re: Thanks, Pop

Budroyale — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 12:42:24 GMT

Hey Haskin and Other Readers

Love the Bolog..I was wondering what improve wagering...The cheapest I can find is:

Profitable Horse Racing Handicapping: How to Maximize Profits and Minimize Losses -J Paul Moore

(for like 3 bucks on the Amazon Kindle Store)

What do you all recommend...

Thanks

re: Thanks, Pop

The Deacon — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 07:20:45 GMT

Better news today for Paynter, not out of the woods but better news. All those prayers are working.

A prayer group is a powerful thing, lets all keep it up. This gorgeous equine speciman is in God's hands now.

re: Thanks, Pop

Alex'sBigFan — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 02:26:17 GMT

Mike Relva,

Hey, Mike. Yeah we gotta keep praying and hoping. Seems from the Zayat tweets there is a slight improvement today, Wednesday. The colitis seems better and the BH article says the bloodwork was ok. If only he can get past all the issues and just deal with the laminitis. They have casts on his legs now and he is walking comfortably. Poor little guy. Another one far from his home in California toughing it out in unfamiliar territory. What a fighter though, if any horse can pull through all this he can. It is great that the Zayat family also lives in NJ and are visiting Paynter regularly.

Keep praying everyone and Steve if you are in touch with your friend Mr. Zayat please convey our prayers for the family and Paynter.

I go to the Haskell thinking of Hansen and end up falling hard for the new star, Paynter! I just keep seeing him over and over again in the Winner's Circle so beautiful that day. He is a beauty, he's got to make it. None of them deserve this amount of suffering. In some tweet somewhere, as I am reading stuff all over the place that I can find, someone suggested the buttermilk left out in the sun that was given to Inky. Wow, worth a shot if nothing else works.

Keep fighting Paynter. PowerUpPaynter!

re: Thanks, Pop

NASCAR PRO — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 23:16:26 GMT

Hello my friends its been a while since my last log-in,I hope you are all doing well.WOW I recognize a lot of screen names but the site has changed.It looks like Shandler is gone and now there are more varied characters than before.Now along with a Kentucky Veterinarian we have a Locksmith making picks.Who would of thought a locksmith would be good at picking the ponies.I look forward to all your replies.I hope you all remember me.

re: Thanks, Pop

Mike Relva — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 13:07:42 GMT

Alex'sBigFan

I feel the same way. My attention is on Paynter over the past week. Just hoping for the best.

re: Thanks, Pop

Alex'sBigFan — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 01:32:18 GMT

My night has been pretty much dedicated to Paynter. I found a cute little music video dedicated to him on YouTube. It is entitled "Paynter The Fighter."

Let's pray he can fight through all that he is faced with now and win. When they were coming out in the Haskell some guy was standing next to me at the rail and he said he had to get a photo of Paynter. So I told him, "that's him, no. 3, right in front of us, that is your winner." The guy got his photo and Paynter went on to the victory.

I dread turning my computer on tomorrow for fear of having to read what I can't bear to read at this point but let's hope it does not come to that and Paynter makes it.

C'mon Paynter, you can fight this, you can do it.

re: Thanks, Pop

Paula Higgins — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 01:08:18 GMT

Linda In Texas, I have been reading the updates from the Zayats and it is very bad, I know. It just breaks my heart to see him snowball like this. They have tried so valiantly to save him. I think if he is really suffering they will do the right thing but it is a miserable decision to have to come to. They have all been in my prayers, especially Paynter. Keep praying for him Alex'sBigFan.

re: Thanks, Pop

El Kabong — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 00:54:34 GMT

Steve,

You really did it this time. You made everyone think back. To Family, to Friends, to their roots, not only to family, but to their base beginning of this colorful sport. This was a "That which does not kill us, makes us stronger," moment and I never expected it here. Thanks for taking the leap on this one. You always listen to your heart my friend and it never betrays you.

re: Thanks, Pop

Alex'sBigFan — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 22:41:29 GMT

Longtimeracingfan,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss of your beloved Arabian Pip. All those wonderful stories you told us of the Arabians, The Harvester, etc. were just captivating as I am sure Pip was. Think of the good years, he had a great life and great caretaker in you and that is what counts. I know it is unbearable right now for you. Losing an animal is so hard. I like to think of all the innocent animals that have to die and all the disabled people and children too in the world that have to die are escorted by thousands of angels when they pass on a one-way, all expenses paid, first class trip to Heaven. Think of him in heaven now, for all we know Pip may be having a conversation right now with Bamboo Harvester, imagine how great that would be. Please try to stay positive and remember all that Pip was and live in his memories, he will be all around you, don't worry. Pip will teach you to be strong in his memory and go on to take care of your other animals. My thoughts are with you at this time and Mr. Zayat as well.

re: Thanks, Pop

Alex'sBigFan — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 21:57:16 GMT

Wonderful articles and tributes to your father Steve and Erika to hers. I was away a couple of days to "destress." I've just read most of this blog and have just learned the latest on Paynter and am quite choked up at this point. Steve's articles bring out such class on the blogs that accompany them. Ksweatman's was particularly moving.

My dad was an engineer as well and passed as many of you know just 3 months ago. He did not get me into horseracing, I got into it on my own and I was getting him interested in it. He's probably up there with many of the departed loving fathers getting quite an education on racing. Lovely, touching heartwarming stories on here, a great read.

Now, as for Paynter. I'm praying for him. Oh my God, seeing him in the Winner's Circle at Monmouth beautiful and looking as if he could have ran around again and now THIS? I can't even get my head around it, colitis, laminitis, clots, infection at catheter site, and whatever caused the original fever, the poor poor animal. If only they can recover him from the other stuff and just deal with the laminitis. I sympathize with Mr. Zayat entirely, how much suffering is enough? My sister too, just this weekend was taken to the hospital yet again with the 5th or 6th pneumonia in a year, I've lost count. She is Down Syndrome, in the late stages of Alzheimer's disease at age 50 now, and left with a feeding tube and constant bouts of pneumonia. They're the innocents, Paynter and her, and yet they are suffering so. I'm so thankful I saw Paynter in the flesh when I did at Monmouth, at least I saw some of his greatness and ability. The rest of his 3 yr. old season and 4 yr. old campaign is a mute point, now it is a matter of mere survival. I'm sickened over Paynter, I hope God spares him from terrible suffering and I'm hoping for a miraculous recovery. We'll never know "what could have been" this year with all the major 3 year old players, we'll just never know. Please get better Paynter.

re: Thanks, Pop

Mike Relva — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 15:11:40 GMT

Steve

Will you write in the near future on the great Theatrical?

re: Thanks, Pop

Linda in Texas — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 22:42:40 GMT

longtimeracingfan - he will always be there every morning and with you in spirit always. Thank goodness no one can vote away our private feelings. Thank you for sharing a little about "Pip" with us and i know he misses you til that Rainbow Bridge time comes for you, may he rest in peace.

Paula - i saw a video over the weekend that someone took of Paynter under his shed with a caregiver and his eyes tell me that

he is a very sick puppy. No doubt. In Paynter we had a horse to count on after Bode, Union Rags and all the others that were dropping out of the mix and we were depending on him to carry the torch and now we all just sincerely hope he gets well soon. I have saved this post to late afternoon awaiting to hear an update on Paynter. He has now developed an infection where they insert his nutrients. And blood clotting. This indeed needs all of our thoughts, extreme well wishes and prayers for his strength to fight on. This was tweeted by Mr. Zayat who is a hands on owner.

So sorry to hear all of the latest but i knew he was not well yesterday. His eyes tell it all.

Changes of seasons always affect us and the horses in different ways. I hope they are all positive ones for all in need of some help. Fight on Paynter. Fight on!

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yani — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 15:23:15 GMT

All I have of my Dad's love for horses is a picture from the late 30;s or early 40's. He never spoke of it to me. Guess girls were not allowed to know bout that, but I grew up on stories of Citation and Exterminator, so without knowing maybe he played a part. At least I would like to think so.

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Mike Relva — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 23:18:59 GMT

Longtimeracingfan

Very sorry to hear of your loss.

re: Thanks, Pop

joepo — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 21:33:18 GMT

I'm Glad Steve that you and Erika acknowledged the importance of your father in your life. My Dad took my to Thistledown racetrack when I was about 10 years old. I would wathch the races and watch my Dad bet. My mom often accompanied us to the racetrack. When I was old enough to bet I would do so and had a great time. My dad would always tell me to take his picks because they were "gauranteed winners". I stood by my picks, although betting wise, my dad held his own. I miss my dad who passed away in 1999. Sadly my mom passed away in Nov. 2011. I went to bet the Breeders Cup in 2011 at Thistledown with my mom. 2 weeks later my mom died. I was very close to my mother. She was my best friend and always cherished the times that I spent with my mom and my Dad. Today I am married and have a beautiful wife and 2 beautiful sweet daughters. I am truly blessed to have 2 loving caring parents and now have a family of my own. I take my 2 daughters to Thistledown sometimes in the summertime. Thistledown is adding slots in 2013 which will preserve and strengthen the track. Everyone I talked to except myself believed that Thistledown was going to move to Akron. I am glad they are staying at their current location. I am looking forward to going to the Breeders cup again to bet the Saturday Breeders Day Cup card this year with my brother. I will be thinking of my mom and dad and I know they will be watching and cheering for me.

re: Thanks, Pop

Paula Higgins — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 21:21:54 GMT

longtimeracingfan, I am so sorry about your PIP. I know this is a very hard time for you. But I bet he had the most wonderful life with you. If everyone could say a prayer for Paynter, it would be appreciated. He is in the fight of his life with colic. Although he is doing better, he is still quite sick. I am praying it isn't colic x, which is a killer with a not very high survival rate. He sounds like he is getting the very best of care from his vet and the Zayat's.