Holiday Wishes and a Poll

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

karen d — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:36:24 GMT

My vote would go to HRH King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia for returning Alysheba to his home and his fans. It's easy to support the stars of today, but his lasting respect and care for this great horse, which includes covering all care for the rest of Alysheba's life, proved King Abdullah to be an exceptional sportsman and human being.

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

Mercedes — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 23:26:49 GMT

I'm amazed how many people have chosen Jess Jackson for the reason that he brought back Curlin in 2008.

Do we really have to thank an owner to race a horse as a 4yo?

My pick is Sheikh Mohammed. For his respect for horses and people and his fair play attitude.

Best Wishes Steve!

I'm sure many years have been wonderful in your life, but we live in the present, so I wish 2009 is the best year of all for you and your family.

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

Karen2 — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 22:56:37 GMT

Hi Steve, Happy New Year to you. If its not to late, my vote would be for IEAH. I am impressed with the Vet center they are putting up. I would like to see more of these "rich" owners give back to the industry.

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

Steve Haskin — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 19:16:55 GMT

Thank you, Karen. Are you voting for anyone?

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

Steve Haskin — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 19:15:57 GMT

lobieb, the group is on Facebook, called New york Racing. I commented on it on Jason's blog (BC Chat). you can read all the details on there.

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

karen2 — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:45:37 GMT

a day late and a dollar short. The story of my life. I don't know much about the owners so probably not qualified to vote anyway but I think IEAH even with all the negativity this year should be considered. I don't know Gretchen and Roy Jackson but they seem to truly care about their horses. Rick Porter handled the break down of Eight Belles with class. I'm not much for awards either but have two wishes for 2009. That Steve continues to share his gifts with us and the all those involved in the industry can come together and do what is best for the horses. The true stars of this show

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

lobieb — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:43:39 GMT

Steve:

I understand that there is a fund that is started by Facebook to try to purchase Pappi so that we can send him to Old Friends. I have looked online but don't seem to be able to find it. I am a retiree with not much but Pappi was good to me when I bet on him in his earlier racing and would like to send something to see if we can't get him bought and retired with all grace and dignity. If you could let me know what the site is so that I can get a check off it would be appreciated. Thank you.

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

Steve Haskin — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:47:56 GMT

Results of the poll and the follow-up blog discussing those results, a brief look at the year 2008, and a few other things likely will be posted this evening.

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

LDP — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 02:35:08 GMT

Sorry Brad,

When i get mad at something, or think people aren't making any sence, i tent to rant and rave a bit, and obviously, others don't understand my point. Basicly i was saying that more than one thing could've influenced Jackson's decision on keeping Curlin in training as a four year old. One is he does love the sport and wanted to see Curlin return, and help the sport. The other was probably that with all the legal issues going on it was a good idea to keep Curlin in training. Basicly the timing was good and he could have the pleasure of Curlin around aswell. People on here act like it was just one thing that made Jackson's mind up, and some believe he was being the hero, some believe he did what he did because he had no choice. I am saying that it was most likely both things that helped him decide to keep Curlin around. I was just asking people to use some common scense. I mean hasn't there been times where you made a decision based on both the situation and what you personaly wanted, just because they both gave you, in the end what you want?

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

David — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 02:32:03 GMT

1. Darley Stable

1a. Jerome Moss

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday(3-yo)

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

Virgil Fox — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 02:04:10 GMT

Does anyone have access to, or could point me in the direction of a nice FULL PDF Past Performance for Papi?

I guess I’m reminiscing and wanted to further entertain my stroll down memory lane.

Thanks

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

loplop — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 01:35:51 GMT

I wonder who has a higher IQ...Kenny Mayne or Steve Haskin? Can we do a drop-down poll?

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

Tammy — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 01:21:26 GMT

Mr and Mrs Moss

Grace over dollars.

Happy New Years to all!

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

Pat in Florida — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 01:07:58 GMT

Thanks, Steve for all of the great columns. It's so wonderful to hear about these horses we love so much. As far as the owners go, I have so much respect for the Jacksons, the Mosses and Jess Jackson. But the owners that to me are the epitome of breeding and racing through the years are the Phipps. It was great to see those videos this year on the Blood Horse of Personal Ensign, My Flag, Storm Flag Flying, and Inside Information. How great is it that Pure Prize is becoming a good sire. Anyway, thanks for all you do for racing. Happy New Year - and let's hope 2009 is a good one for all of us.

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

Bradgm — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:43:24 GMT

Wanda, Steve and I like to get a head start. I really don't drink much at all, so when I do it doesn't take much and I get a wee bit silly. (and my Irish accent comes out apparently).

Steve is on a roll, guess he got to liking these blogs when our old trainer friend had him ready to throw the towel in.

Stay safe tonight everyone, if the party hasn't already started.

Acutally we're going to a 'function' tuxedo's, concert, dancing the whole nine yards.

(Knew I'd pay for those trips to Saratoga, CD, Pimlico, Belmont and Keeneland)

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

Virgil Fox — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:26:37 GMT

Steve,

Sounds like I may have hit a note with my “write-in” comment.

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

Steve Haskin — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:04:24 GMT

Virgil, those Drop-downs will be discussed in my follow-up blog. You have some good thoughts there. And you certainly dont have to vote if you don't want to.

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

Virgil Fox — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:03:41 GMT

P.S.

This probably does not apply to the Media Awards but –

Given the pre-selection of ‘finalists’ in the “drop-down” format, what do YOU think the chances are of a ‘write-in’ vote winning an award?

Thanks again.

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

Steve Haskin — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:02:07 GMT

Happy New Year, Michael, and another super year for Old Friends, despite your losses. To you and IlovePapi, I have been in contact with Rick Samuels thru NY Racing, and to a lesser degree Maggi Moss. As soon as I learn something regarding getting enough money to purchase Papi, I will write a story about it. We just need Joe Imperio and the current owner to do the right thing and sell him without any hitches or drawbacks. They are contacting Mike Iavarone as well. I would think that Mike, as a former co-owner of the horse, definitely will help out. We're talking $10,000 to help a horse who has provided his owners with numerous thrills, not to mention some hefty earnings and black type. Owners must be responsible for horses like Papi after they have plummeted into the low claiming ranks. It's great to know that a home awaits him at Old Friends.

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

CRob87 — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:55:09 GMT

The "Power of the Blog"...is becoming pretty amazing.

Good job everyone.

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

Virgil Fox — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:42:02 GMT

Steve,

That’s exactly why I was reading.

Trust me, I have an opinion, but if something similar has already been posted, I wanted to acknowledge the author. Just some journalistic courtesy (not that I claim to be neither a journalist nor an expert in this arena).

Perhaps you are correct and I should just spit it out.

There is one post that I do strongly agree with, and the multitude and variety of opinions offered so far have only served to reinforce my feelings. And for clarification purposes, I am not implying any negativity toward, nor agreement/disagreement with any of the previously expressed opinions, beliefs or judgments.

Well, there is a second post that echoes my sentiment rather succinctly.

OK, disclaimer complete.

The first post is from ………… none other than ………..Steve Haskin!!!

In particular, the following: “Let it be known I am not a fan of awards and pay little attention to them.”

The second post is from shamfan49: “I don't think an owner should be recognized for racing his horse.”

After first reading your introduction, it was almost automatic to think of Jess Jackson and Curlin. I thought, ‘giving us Curlin this year has saved the sport!’ Admittedly, Curlin, his races and all related news and media has been my primary point of interest (in the world of Thoroughbred Racing) from day 1 right up to day 365.

But then reality sets in and I am quickly reminded of the financial issues surrounding the syndication in 2007.

And down the list I go of various owners that for whatever reason have caught my attention this calendar year. Many have already been mentioned in previous posts, along with both positive and negative justification.

Both the emotional and statistical arguments have been made, and some posts have tried to, and very justly, draw attention to special circumstances or rare happenings that may bring intrinsic value to the sport.

In my opinion, being blessed with the opportunity and responsibility to own and care for a horse should be its own reward – regardless of the horse’s age, sex, Beyer Speed Figure, bankroll, etc. Racing a horse and winning a race should be its own reward – Claiming or Grade 1.

Since there is currently no formula, and since ‘value’ and ‘impact’ and ‘promotion’ and “outstanding achievement” are measured differently by each person, why does the award exist?

The fact that the pre-chosen “drop-down” options now exist only make the award more meaningless. Who made those “drop-down” selections? On what basis were they chosen?

Winning the race IS the reward.

Being blessed with owning a horse IS the reward.

If you disagree, you should do the responsible thing and see that your horse finds his/her way to somewhere/someone who does agree.

The End

Steve,

Thank you for the opportunity to express my opinion.

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

IlovePapi — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:33:47 GMT

Mr. Blowen,

Thank you, thank you, thank you. You and Old Friends will be in my daily prayers for the entirety of 2009 at least. Thank you, Mr. Haskin, for allowing the blog to bring a potentially happier future to a deserving creature. Happy New Year to everyone of you, and God bless you all! Thank you.

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

Leslie H. — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:10:05 GMT

Jackson!! Thanks for racing Curlin at 4!!

Runner - Up: The Mosses. They are classy and race their horses at four and older.

IEAH ~ no class!!I ~ they had Big Brown sold to stud before the Triple Crown was done. I want to see the top horses come back as Jackson did with Curlin.

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

MIchael Blowen — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:44:57 GMT

Steve, Great year...We have a place at Old Friends for Papi for anyone who wants to retire him...Maggi Moss has contacted us...From our point of view there are some great owners that care very much about retiring their horses....Jerry and Ann Moss, Maggi Moss, Ed and Sharon Hudon, Mary and Bob Sullivan, Brookdale, Charles Robinson, William Clifton, Jack Preston, Jeff Puglisi, Summer Wind Farm, Steve Kenley and Jason Wood and Kris Jakeman...Clever Allemont arrives on Friday...Happy New Year...And thanks for all your support...Michael

re: Holiday Wishes and a Poll

Wanda — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 21:43:07 GMT

Hey Brad and Steve it's New Years Eve now, not yesterday. Man I'd hate to see you guys on here tonight!