The Skip Trip

re: The Skip Trip

Jen — Tue, 18 May 2010 16:26:50 GMT

R.I.P. Old friend, thanks for some of the best racing out there.

re: The Skip Trip

dr fager01 — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 05:08:00 GMT

THE 90S GREATS AS INDICATED BELOW 1-10

1]HOLY BULL

2]SKIP AWAY

3]CIGAR

4]GENTLEMEN

5]IN EXESS

6]FORMAL GOLD

7]SILVER CHARM

8]BEST PAL

9]FREE HOUSE

10]CRIMINAL TYPE

THE DECADE OF THE 80S 1-10

1]JOHN HENRY

2]SUNDAY SILENCE

3]ALYSHEBA

4]EASY GOER

5]SLEW O GOLD

6]PRECISIONIST

7]GATE DANCER

8]CONQUISTADOR CIELO

9]LOST CODE

10]SNOW CHIEF

re: The Skip Trip

dr fager01 — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:40:45 GMT

skip away definately a great horse, lets not knock him for his winded race record he did improve as an older horse, deacon said cigar was a much better horse than invasor, i agree, but his claim was because cigar faced better compettition,i agreed again, he said cigar faced holy bull and skip away, in that being said he is right, but thats totally not true. cigar for two years ran through a decaying handicap division,the big boys were done ala holy bull the wicked north,and the new kids on the block showed up too late to interfere with cigars 16 in a row. the truth is cigar did face the two better equine stars of the 90s, but one broke down and the other beat him as a three year old who was not even at his peak yet.the likes of gentlemen formal gold alphabet soup were late to tackle his streak. But that just sums up the legacy of cigar, he sort of remided me of forrest gump, he could do no wrong, athough he did not posess the talents of some of the greatest thoroughbreds of our time. he made some allowance caliber horses eat his shorts.

re: The Skip Trip

NEVERKICKYOURDOG — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 23:40:33 GMT

NOTE TO GUN BOW....I WAS AT TONY MANERO'S STEAK HOUSE THE EVENING OF A GUN BOW VICTORY(I WAS ROOTING FOR THE HORSE WHO RAN SECOND)...DAYS LATER, I SAW EDDIE NELOY AND DINNY PHIPPS IN A SERIOUS CONVERSATION AT THE PALM BAY CLUB...WHO WAS TO KNOW.

EDDIE NELOY WAS A GREAT TRAINER AND, POSSIBLY, THE WORST HANDICAPPER/BETTOR EVER.

re: The Skip Trip

Bradgm — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 23:15:01 GMT

Hey Steve, long time no talk.

I've been super busy, too much time at race tracks this past summer. Then the BC, was going to look up you guys but the announcement of my alma mater's fav bball coach and his retirement,then ill health (Midnight Lute is his namesake) well I was bummed.

Great Story as always. These guys didn't realize you are a Jersey boy? Mentioned it enough.

I was remembering about Sonny making the comment that Carolyn could go buy anything she wanted to wear at Kmart. Think it was before the KY Derby, not totally clear on the memory.

I knew he spoke Mandarin and they were quite the couple.

I can just picture you mucking stalls (well not really) guess you have a back-up if all else fails.

Thanks again for your great stories, loved this one especially.

Wow if you could do a story on Mr. Nerud, met him once and he's something special. He's what almost 96 now? THAT would be a story and a half.

Dr Fager and the humans he tutored along the way, what an interesting read.

re: The Skip Trip

GunBow — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 08:54:20 GMT

Thanks Steve. Skippy is not forgotten or underated by me. I always thought he was one serious racehorse. Since 1990, I place only Cigar above Skip Away. And in truth, if the two were to have raced ten times at their peaks, I think Skippy could have actually won more of them. He was just so fast, so strong, so tough and physical, and he could run as far as needed. He truly did just run his competition into the ground. A great example is the 98' Hollywood Gold Cup when he ground down Gentlemen through furious fractions and then held of the future grade 1 winner Puerto Madero. He was old school.

re: The Skip Trip

Luvthehorses — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 17:40:38 GMT

Mr. Haskin - Another great story.

You always leave me in tears.

The Hines were such great owners and Skip Away was such a blessing to every aspect of their lives.

I always look so forward to your writings.

Thank you -

re: The Skip Trip

tony — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 15:23:31 GMT

Snuck In in the Preakness and Miss Linda in the o1 Breeder's cup.

re: The Skip Trip

Steve Haskin — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 21:16:51 GMT

Rich, what a poetic compliment. Thanks so much.

Thank you, Karen, Merry Christmas to you, too. Yes, I'm used to the cold. I like the change of seasons.

Happy holiday, Skipon. And to all of you.

re: The Skip Trip

SkipOnSkipAway — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 21:01:05 GMT

I will never forget the first time I ever saw Skip Away. When I was younger I would watch the Derbies and the Classic each year but I didn't follow like I do now. To see that majestic gray charger in the 97 classic post parade was something else. There will never be another horse that I will see that I will love more in this sport. There was a picture of him galloping back after the 98 classic with Silver Charm beside him and it was perfect.

Thank you so much for writing this. Skip Away is a forgotten, underrated horse for the most part. Perhaps because he didn't win the Derby... but he was something else. Thank you so much. All the best in the holidays for you!

re: The Skip Trip

Marguerite — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 19:00:26 GMT

Steve,

I really enjoyed reading the tribute to Skip Away. Your story was so full of details and so interesting that I wish your article could be expanded into a book with photos.

re: The Skip Trip

Karen2 — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 17:44:49 GMT

I agree with you Richie. I can't wait for the many stories that are yet to be. My husband got me the tales from the triple crown written by Mr. Haskin for Christmas, so I can't wait to get started reading that.

Steve, you live in New Jersey?? So you are use to cold weather. I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas filled with peace, love and cherished memories. Thank you for sharing your gift with us. If I ever make it to Kentucky it will be during the derby. Hopefully this year.

re: The Skip Trip

rich loughrey — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 15:43:41 GMT

What a sweet story. Your words flow like a river out to sea.

re: The Skip Trip

Steve Haskin — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 14:32:42 GMT

Whirlyfan, that was Sonny. He was like that to everyone; very unpretentious and always gracious. I hope you enjoy the book.

Thanks for that story Tony. Sounds like an unforgettable trip. What horses did you have in the Preakness and BC?

Laura, I remember the ovation he received at Suffolk. They loved him there. His duel with Formal Gold the first year was fantastic.

Happy holiday to you, Richie, and thank you.

re: The Skip Trip

Richie — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:03:07 GMT

I had not been to the blogs for a couple of weeks, but what a nice Christmas gift to sit here on Christmas Eve and read this wonderful piece on one of my favorite horses. Skippy was such a warrior!! It makes me a bit angry that so many forget how great a horse he was on the track because he hasn't had a great career at stud but I know I never will. Thanks for remembering him and the Hines for all of us. I also want to wish you and your family a great Christmas and Happy 2009. Just think of all the great horse stories waiting to be written!!!!! The best part is that you will be there to write them for us.

re: The Skip Trip

laura — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 21:28:26 GMT

Steve,

I love Skippy. The Hines...Remember what he did to Suffolk Downs & the Mass Cap...

Laura

re: The Skip Trip

Tony — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 21:06:30 GMT

1997 my 50 birthday.

My son trated me to the 1997 Breeders Cup form my 50.

It was a thrill of a lifetime.

My son and I were privileged to see in flesh Damascus, Riva Ridge,Secreteriat,Sham,Forego,Ruffian,Seatle Slew, Spectacular Bid, Affirmed and Alydar and many more at Belmont Park. We talked about all the fun we had on the trip from New York to Hollywood Park. We planned on doing a six race parlay 1 Unit Win and two units place on all the B C races.After we hit the first four we had a sizeable amont of money and discussed to take a 1/3 so we would not be devestated if we lost. We decided to stick to the plan and we won the fifth. The winnings covered double the cost of the trips for both and then some. Again we thought aboutkeeping some money but Skip Away was our bet of the day so we decided to let it ride. Skip did exactly what you said. He ran them into the ground and one easily. My son got a Job breeding and racing horses later and we got to race a horse in the Preakness and a filly in the Breeder's Cup. All that was exciting but the Skip Away win tops them all.

Thanks for bringing back the memories.

re: The Skip Trip

Whirlawayfan — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 18:45:35 GMT

I'm just about to read Tales from the Triple Crown and an sure I'll love it.

re: The Skip Trip

Whirlawayfan — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 18:44:58 GMT

I interviewed Sonny at Saratoga and had my picture taken with Skippy. No inkling of a biting hab it. Sonny couldn't have been more gracious to the editor of a small circulation weekly. Now I'm an owner myself and I also ride a retired Canadian TB that raced in the Queen's Plate.

re: The Skip Trip

Viewer # 9 — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:52:05 GMT

Steve, yet another terrific story - keep 'em coming. How about one on Monba ?

I took a look at Skippy's PP's: 15 Beyer figs of 115 or higher, 4 of 120 or higher, and a peak of 125. Not exactly chopped liver.

Alex Stevens, San Diego

re: The Skip Trip

newsline2 — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:15:42 GMT

Steve, can you briefly explain how Sonny trained around the bone chip? How did he prevent it from being a problem? And then as a government employee, didn't Sonny have benefits after he left the agency? Or was he involved through military service, so his benefits were limited to those available to Korean War veterans?

Like someone else said, these stories of dedication and achievement are inspiring.

re: The Skip Trip

Steve Haskin — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:53:04 GMT

btw, I was referring to the '97 Breeders' Cup. I remember her being there that day, too. But maybe my memory is playing tricks with me.

re: The Skip Trip

Steve Haskin — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:50:37 GMT

I forgot the girl's name who was president of the Touch Gold Fan Club, but I felt so badly for her after the Classic when Touch Gold finished last and tore a good portion of his bad hoof off. She took it pretty bad. The horse never should have run in the race. I also remember a boy named Tom, I believe, who was president of the Free House Fan Club. I'm glad to see you've kept in touch and that you're still in racing. I also remember a woman who was organizing this new Fan Club Alliance so to speak, but gave it up. Hard to believe you kids are all grownups now. Time flies as they say. Good luck with your job and maybe I'll see you at the track some day.

re: The Skip Trip

Kelly E. — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:50:12 GMT

Thank you Steve! I confess I was not a Skip Away fan...nobody could have taken Silver Charm's place in my heart. I will defiantly note that Skip Away did not beat Silver Charm in their only meeting - that fabulous '98 BC Classic (why not do a piece on that?)...but I will admit that Skippy was one heckuva racehorse and was much-loved.

re: The Skip Trip

SkippyFanClubPresident — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:17:53 GMT

Steve,

It is me, Amanda Bernacchi. The ironic part of it is, is that the girl who was the president of the Touch Gold Fan club ( she came with me to the '98 Breeder's Cup) sent me this article. It's great to know article are still being written about Skip Away and the Hines, because they should never be forgotten. I actually work at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston, and I was told that some of Skip Away's offspring have raced here in the past.