Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

Dawn in MN — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 02:15:01 GMT

I love horse stories. Thanks for including the pictures. So sad about the end. Maybe that is why people forget.

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

Uncle Smiley — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 02:34:13 GMT

Steve,

Happy New Year!

Got to Aqueduct two days ago.

No other race track matches the Big A, at least that is what you conclude when hover above the winners circle.

Best fans, and some good jocks and horses, I am told.

Thanks for your historical pieces about

Uncle Smiley

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

Linda in Texas — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 19:41:37 GMT

And I say to Alex'sBigFan - and bring on also The Pretty Blue Dress while you are bringing out Belmont! No Hansen matching racing cloths. Nor dancing girl costumes. Only thoughts of Hansen now working out of a shed! I can see him running as i mention his name.

And to all who wrote and sent their beautiful get well wishes and prayers to Paynter,they worked. They really really worked. To me it is the most amazing recovery from 3 totally deadly and devastating attacks on his physicality that he conquered and stared them all in the eye as if to say 'out out of my life, i have better and bigger things to prove.' And now he is winging his way to California. And back to Bob

Baffert for his 1/13/13 birthday.

And ABF Happy Happy Big Birthday Wishes to you also. You are such a dear, gentle and thoughtful person. I know i speak for many when i say, we hope your weather issues now signal a lovely spring and summer ahead. All Easterners deserve it.

Is 3 weeks up yet?

Thanks -Keelerman.

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

Slew — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 16:18:42 GMT

Alex, if winter comes, can the Derby be far behind? We didn't see rain, just more and more snow...and it's snowing again right now. My youngest son also shares a Jan 13th birthday, but the little(?) bugger will be away on a Carribean cruise for his birthday.

Happy to see Paynter back in training...and terrific he caught the attention of enough fans who cared to garner him the Vox Populi.

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

an ole railbird — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 00:38:49 GMT

something else i just remembered, that harold said about DARK SECERT",when running from behind horses, as he approached a horse from behind & started to pass, he would back his ear& show the other horse his teeth. some jockeys called it an attempt to "savage" another horse. acording to harold he never did savage another horse, but had a history threats.

thanks for having this blog. it gives an ole man, who is surrounded by people who have no interest in horse racing, to tell a story where its understood.

i remain "an ole railbird"

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

an ole railbird — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 00:12:11 GMT

in the late 50s, i was an aspiring young upstart, training alful hard to be a jockey.

there was an ole groom that was around the track,that was bad to drink, but sober was tops.

severl trainers would work him & forbid him to drink. but ole harold was a friend to all, who brought a pint of wine& the visitors were rewarded with many of his storys of horse racing history.

some of the storyies that harold told were of "DARK SECRET".

after having listened to racing stories for over 60 years. i judge from the "plain ole awe", with which harold displayed, when speaking of "dark secert". that "dark secert" was probally one of the most impressive horses of the era.

he was in harolds mind anyway.

happy new year to all.

i remain; "an ole railbird"

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

Alex'sBigFan — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 04:23:44 GMT

How about that! Paynter gets reunited with "the guy with the white hair" after all this weekend!!! He flys out of Newark Airport in NJ on Saturday!!! Amazing!!! Zayats will be there to welcome him. Power to Paynter and Power to the Zayats and Happy New Year to all. Baffert's birthday is Jan. 13 (I know this because we share the same birthday) and what a great gift for Baffert getting Paynter back.

So big doings in California this weekend with the (thank you Slew) Lava Man special and the return of Paynter. Wish I was in California myself, we are so sick of storms in NJ it isn't even funny. We just weathered another Nor'easter yesterday. I drove to work in a snowstorm and returned in a thunderstorm at night which got rid of the 4 inches of snow we got and another storm is predicted for the weekend. Oh joy. Now we have to run around like maniacs on Friday working and shopping and getting all errands done before the storms hits while we have a reprieve. I say bring on the Derby, the Belmont, the summer and the Haskell and to heck with this winter! Happy New Year and Happy Return to California Paynter!!!

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

Slew — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 19:04:34 GMT

(gee...I wasn't done yet..) As a present to myself, with opening day at Santa Anita today, and a special on Lava Man on Sunday, I broke down and got my HRTV on line. Now, Im happy. It's streaming nicely.

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

Slew — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 19:00:47 GMT

Thank you, Linda. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Ours was white, and it looks as though the weather caught a second wind as snow has begun again.

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

Stellar Jayne — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 03:44:03 GMT

Keelerman,

What a fantastic horse,what a warrior, what heart! It boggles the mind that he is not in the Hall of Fame. Why didn't Fitzsimmons or someone fight to get him in earlier?

This story is heartbreaking. Thank you for sharing Dark Secret with us.

Happy Holiday and a Healthy, Happy 2013 to you!

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

peggy conroy — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 15:31:06 GMT

well done as usual Mr Haskin,you may or may not know that CW Anderson included Dark Secret in his book "Tough of Greatness" many years ago. I read it many times, with Dark Secret being my favorite, as a little kid who was entranced by thoroughbreds having just crossbreds on the farm at that time. Although one 1/2 arab pony I grew up with was never defeated in any sort of race always winning like Eclipse--her dad was an imported racer from Arabia. I later spent decades w/TB's with my foundation mare being the close gray ancestress on the bottom side of Vineyard Haven--that daughter was raised on our farm.

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

Christopher — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 04:01:14 GMT

Arts n Letters, The story of "Chase Me" is too sad to even discuss. Taking a child's show horse away to race it and killing the horse in the process, I hope Mrs. Bosley was haunted by that decision for the rest of her life. They were aware of the risks involved with racing, and yet, it didn't matter. I wonder what she told her little girl after they killed the horse they took away from her. A truly awful story that will make you sorry you read about it, after you read it. It boggles the mind how anyone could be so heartless and careless in their decision-making, especially, when it involves their own child. This horse was a child's pet gelding and show horse. Anyone who knows the story of Chase Me, hopefully, understands what I am saying.

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

Christopher — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 03:31:47 GMT

It's very sad what happened to this horse. I never forgot about him ever since I first read his story as a child, in the book, "Twenty Gallant Horses", by C.W. Anderson. It's very difficult to find information about him. I have a small photo of him winning his last race. It's interesting to note, and don't recall you mentioning it in this article, that in Dark Secret's last race, the 1934 JCGC, only two other horses faced him, Faireno and Inlander. According to an excerpt from a book written by William H.P. Robertson, "The History of Thoroughbred Racing in America",cr 1964 "He entered the stretch in the lead, and appeared capable of winning without difficulty when there was a hitch in his stride. Dark Secret continued on to cross the finish line by a head, but came to a painful halt immediately thereafter. To compound the tragedy, plans had already been made to retire Dark Secret to stud after the Gold Cup. It would have been his last race anyway." Robertson notes in his book that the track came up muddy for the Gold Cup that day, and looking at the photo I have from the book of Dark Secret at the finish line with Faireno...the track looks like a soupy mess, so it's more than possible the track was to blame for his breakdown. If you could see the picture I'm looking at right now...the track does not look like one you'd want to run your prized race horse over. It's just a very sad story, and I have never forgotten it. I like the old photos and I'm happy that others haven't forgotten him either. He was a true champion. Another forgotten champion that is never mentioned ever is Bally Ache.

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

Bigtex — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 00:14:20 GMT

Linda in Texas

Thank you! I continue to absorb and learn from you and the rest and it is a pleasure on my end.

It is you who blesses!

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

The Deacon — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 23:58:08 GMT

Keelerman: I concur about Tim Tam. I think e would have been one of the all time greats. Maybe the best Calumet ever had, but that's argueable.

Also, Graustark, Majestic Prince, Holy Bull and Ruffian would be up there and so many others.......

Merry Christmas to everyone and a special blessing to the families of those children and adults who lost their lives in Conn.

We also suffered that day and lost a piece of our America.

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

OsoDelDesierto — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:05:45 GMT

Keelerman, thank you for this beautiful and informative tribute to Dark Secret, a powerful, heartbreaking, and inspiring hero whose story has truly been a "dark secret" in the annals of racing. Although I love Steve's blogs, I'm delighted to read an occasional guest blog, especially one so well written and researched - truly a labor of love, Keelerman!

Steve, I hope you have a wonderful vacation and look forward to your return, especially when the Triple Crown Trail of 2013 begins. May you and Keelerman and everyone else here on this board have a wonderful holiday season and a very Happy New Year!

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

-Keelerman — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 18:53:01 GMT

Thank you, Lazmanick. I appreciate your kind words. Merry Christmas!

Mike Relva -- Merry Christmas to you, too!

Old Old Cat -- I really like your idea!

Bill Two & Convene -- I have always felt that Tim Tam would have been a Triple Crown winner if not for his injury. To finish second in the Belmont on a broken sesamoid was truly remarkable.

-Keelerman

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

Linda in Texas — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:37:07 GMT

Dark Secret, truly a brave and unsung hero until -Keelerman at least for me. Thank you -Keelerman, i always enjoy your comments and natural ability to see thru the statistics and bring the real glory in a story.

To Dark Secret somewhere in the green pastured paddock above, please forgive me i never knew of you or your herocism and now i do.

Convene, nicely stated especially your comment 'they go on to finish the race.' Indeed they do, regardless.

Thanks so much -Keelerman and Merry Christmas to you and all of the wonderful people who meet here to learn and perhaps pass on stories just like Dark Secret. By the way, the photos were a treat.

The Deacon,Slew,Dr.Drunkinbum,

Alex'sBigFan,longtimeracingfan,Laz,Mike,Karen,Paula,Bigtex,ksweatman9,

JoyJackson21 you all are a blessing to this wonderful sport and your contributions to this blog are always amazing,sometimes funny and for sure thought provoking. Keeps the cobwebs out of my old brain for sure! Thanks.:)

Steve and family be safe.

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

The Deacon — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 09:08:27 GMT

So many fabulous horses have given their life on the track, a few have been mentioned in this blog.

Lets also honor the jockeys who died giving their all on the track.

Obviously George Woolf in 1946 at Santa Anita. Alvaro Pineda also died at Santa Anita, 1975. A freak starting gate accident. Pineda's brother Roberto also died on the racetrack. Earl " Sandy" Graham died in 1927 due to a racing accident. Skeets Martin died in 1944 again the cause was a racing accident. I am sure there have been others as well. Maybe Steve could write a blog someday about all these great riders who lost their lifeon the track. So many times jockeys go unmentioned. It seems that only the horses are remembered...

Merry Christmas to all.........

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

LAZMANICK — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 04:57:25 GMT

Mike:

I'm good. Been really busy. Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year.

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

Alex'sBigFan — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 23:35:37 GMT

Keelerman,

Thank you for gathering up all those scattered remnants of Dark Secret's story and piecing them together in a magnificent article for us. I had never heard of Dark Secret, as in his name I guess his story had to be a "secret" until now. Imagine 56 starts! I think he so deservedly belongs in the Hall of Fame, no questions asked. I'm sorry he met his demise in the way he did, but what a gallant warrior he proved he was. Thanks to you Dark Secret is not forgotten and has picked up many new fans I see including myself.

Happy Holidays to Steve and family and all my fellow bloggers. The best Christmas gift of all this year was Paynter recovering. Let's hope 2013 gives us all good health and an incredible year of racing to be part of.

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

Convene — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:09:49 GMT

Thank you so much for remembering him! He was the horse whose story made me watch my very first horserace a lifetime ago, so that I could meet Tim Tam and take this sport to my heart. Dark Secret was my very first hero ever and it has always grieved me that we never hear anything about him any more. His courage and dedication to the task set for him are an example most of us humans could do well to emulate. As they used to say ... Thoroughbreds don't cry. Big in heart, high in courage, they go on to finish the race. Thank you again for remembering him.

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

Mike Relva — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:06:30 GMT

Laz

How are you? Merry Christmas

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

Bigtex — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:41:08 GMT

I love such courage as this from these animals & such great historical detail from you, Steve.

I'm glad to see El Padrino back in the mix!

re: Lost to the Ages: The Story of Dark Secret

Slew — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:15:08 GMT

Beautifully done, Keelerman! What an amazing story. I'll be on the lookout for the book recommended so well by so many.

Zen4Zen...that was my first thought also. On second thought, I simply know how difficult it is to stop a horse running full out...it's impossible without causing even more damage. And then you have to consider that even in pain, injured race horses will often keep running on pure adrenalin. I'll never forget how Go For Wand got up, and tried to finish her race...or Ruffian still trying to run in her dreams after surgery.

We all have so much to be thankful for...and we've been so fortunate to be able to tap into the memories and research of writers determined to recognize our sometimes forgotten heroes of the track.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday, surrounded by family and friends. And Santa Anita (Santa's Anita?) re-opens Dec. 26th.