The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

markcash — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:28:10 GMT

Steve, I saw Broad Brush run in the Travers and in Mass Cap. Two great efforts. Next time I saw him was as a 19 year old Stallion at Gainesway Farm. He was still commanding over 100K per live foal. However his libido had decreased so that he was now placed in an observation stall in the breeding shed to pique his interest in the ladies. Ironically on this date I was there his fellow Maryland Star Smoke Glacken was the horse put to his task. You could say the two of them were a One Two Punch as sires that day. All at Gainesway loved him. markcash

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

Linda in Texas — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:59:05 GMT

After a week end of watching the races i think the Racing Gods had zeroed in on Bob Baffert, The Pegram Racing Group, and their two horses. (Shakin' It Up stayed home and he is another viable candidate.)

Midnight Lucky a daughter of Midnight Lute (Real Quiet RIP) was awesome, my word she ran the race and won by at least 7 lengths in a saunter. Watched her as she exited the gate and she looked ahead getting her bearings as to where she was going and took off and followed closely the pace setter then dusted them all. Bajarano nice effortless ride.

And Governor Charlie, a son of Midnight Lute also (Real Quiet RIP) won his and now i see it was a record time. Nice week end of racing for Midnight Lute and California Trainer, Bob Baffert, he reminds me of The Quiet Man. Nice ride by Martin Garcia. So congrats for sure to the Pegram, Watson and Weitman Team. That was a rewarding day to remember i am thinking.:)

Midnight Lute is a wonderful big tall morsel who looks like a giant mound of muscled chocolate to me. Not a drop of vanilla on him. And i loved his sire who was lost when he had his accident but he lives on in his progeny.

Shakin' It Up i see is also owned by Pegram with Cardoza. Would that be a kick or what for Mr. Pegram to have 3 in the Kentucy Derby at the same time! Throw the dice, maybe 3's will come up at the table! I'd finally bet on a race if that threesome happened.

Thanks Steve, this was off topic but i had to get my 2 cents in on the Sunland Races in our sister state.

Now what is the list going to look like? This is getting interesting

and i am sticking with Itsmyluckyday and his connections.

Add him to the three above and i guess i would have to bet on 4 to be on the safe side.

I wrote this around 8:30 this morning. I always wait to post them. I know i get carried away. But i just love the horses and their families 2 and 4 footed!

Now i see you have posted a new post and i will go ahead and send this. Cannot wait to read your newest post about Mr. Nerud whom i totally respect.

Thanks so much Steve.

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

joe c. — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 21:31:49 GMT

Broad Brush's owners, Robert and Jane Meyerhoff of Baltimore, were great art collectors-Andy Warhol, Lichtenstein, Johns... Some have gone to the National Gallery/D.C. I recall the late gallery director John C. Brown said in the mid 80's he was a real Broad Brush fan!

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

classic go go — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:01:04 GMT

I have read a lot a your articles and this has to rank as one of the best . Excellent and fun !

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

Chiefs Crown — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 22:02:13 GMT

Thanks for the wonderful memories of Broad Brush. He was one of the first horses I fell in love with when I first became a racing fan in the mid 1980's. I've not seen anything like him since. His PA Derby, I have that on some VHS tape somewhere...is indeed the most entertaining race one will ever see. What a race horse and character he was.

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

Susan from VA — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 18:29:53 GMT

You have to love youtube! I never thought I'd get to see those old races!

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

Rhymetime — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 15:55:34 GMT

What a horse. I love this story, reading it over and over. Thanks, Steve, for bringing the individual horses and their connections to life in a way that is not possible just through watching race videos.

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

Matthew W — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 07:29:50 GMT

Oops! My bad, I thought Broad Brush was a year younger than Ferdinand/Snow Chief, I thought he, too,won The Preakness....but what a Threesome! Broad Brush, by Ack Ack, and what a year he had in '71, sprint, dirt, mud, turf, 1 1/4, HIGH WEIGHTS---it didn't matter, Ack Ack wired them, by open lengths! What a training job by The Bald Eagle, Charlie Whittingham, the best there ever was.....

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

Matthew W — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 07:07:24 GMT

The 87 Big Cap. Two Preakness winners,and a Derby Winner. Snow Chief, the skinny black aardvark, under pace pressure never stopped trying, finally wilts, and it's down to Ferdinand and Broad Brush, and they threw down like warriors! Do they run them like that, anymore?

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

sysonby — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 02:09:19 GMT

ATTN- Domino groupies...If you live in or near Lexington,or when you visit, you can pay your respects Just by driving out the Russell Cave Pk and turning on Huffman Mill......His wonderful headstone with it's famous passage has been preserved all these years...You can stop your car and stand on the rise and touch the monument....no admission, no tour group.....you're welcome.....of course, you're also next to Man-o-War's adult home and the original site of his statue. Maybe you can stop in and ask 'em who in the hell stole the statue

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

Freetex — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 22:13:21 GMT

What a great story and what a horse.

Thanks for posting the race, Tanya. I can't believe Broadrush outran the whole pack after bolting off.

Amazing.

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

Bill Two — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 17:31:17 GMT

Pay particular attention to any horse with BB in their pedigree on off tracks. Reminds me of Carson City in that regard. Speaking of Dickie Small his uncle was Sid Watters of Hoist The Flag fame and he lives in beautiful Monkton which also is the home of Tommy Voss and other noteworthy horsemen. This is Maryland horse country and it's not unusual for the horses to be "hacked" through the woods and up and down hill and dale. Horses must love it.

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

Love 'em all — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 15:00:08 GMT

Love this story and all its wonderful characters. Yes, I agree with others, it's right up there with the best of the best from Mr. Haskin!

How lucky for BB to have Richard Small and Charles Turner; they obviously knew he was 'something special' ... and was treated as such ... and kept happy.

Cheers to 'Ground Transport' ... whose name has such a wonderful story behind it. And what a perfect name for the only offspring of BB and FF ... "Cobber"

Noun 1. cobber - Australian term for a pal

buddy, chum, crony, pal, sidekick, brother - a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

CharlieCigar — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 07:07:08 GMT

Great trip down memory lane! The 87' Santa Anita Handicap would have to be near the top of Broad Brushes greatest races.

http://youtu.be/pAEZ-QRAts8

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

Mike Relva — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 05:20:57 GMT

Steve

No one brings a story to life better than you. Another great read,thanks.

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

bigred — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 00:45:06 GMT

Steve, Great article, ironically, i was discussing some of the all time great victories by thoroughbreds about a month ago and of course i told my friend to youtube bb's penn derby win. I'm guessing he gave up 5 to 10 lengths from the quarter pole and still won going away. Angel Cordero just shook his head after the race , he could not believe what had just transpired and to this day will say that was one of the most remarkable wins he had ever ridden! BB went on to have a successful breeding career[ especially in his early years} and was a successful broodmare sire as well. A great story about Richard Small also, his training is a bit unorthodox but he has trained some nice horses including the great filly Ceasar's Wish. Thanks again Steve

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

joe c. — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 22:35:11 GMT

Steve, I remember his Campbell win so well; I drove up from D.C. in wet weather but the sun came out as Broad Brush entered the stretch. Seeing him was worth the bad weather and a near collision in the traffic leaving that day. In 1999 I saw him UP CLOSE at Gainseway-the staff was great and BB showed me what a character he was. Broad Brush, Gulch, Snow Chief...those and others danced every dance, and didn't stay in the barn, racing every two or three months.

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

poormansracehorse — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 19:57:35 GMT

It seems to me that BB is up close as the broodmare sire of some pretty nice horses. I'd love to see Alan Porter or Avalyn Hunter write him up. It's great to see a successful stallion (in North America anyway) that isn't a direct Mr P. or Northern Dancer line horse, so it would be interesting to get an opinion of what line he and hopefully his sons cross best with.

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

sceptre — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 19:55:05 GMT

Lovely article; one of your best. Broad Brush deserves to be remembered. And, this piece may prove to be timely-i.e. Ground Transport...Several years ago I was high on the Broad Brush son, World Light, but he was later castrated and became a pleasure horse.

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

Linda in Texas — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 17:56:30 GMT

Broad Brush no doubt was making sure that Flow and Flux wasn't in the grandstands waiting for him to ask her to come run alongside of him when he detoured to the rail on the sloppy day.

I loved this story more than any you have written Steve, Hooves Up, the best yet, give me 5! :)

And one thing more, i am glad i am not the only one who thinks horses think! His trainer Mr. Small knew he liked to ride around in the van and took him. I loved that part the bestest! Broad Brush, you were one of a kind. Rest In Peace.

Safe trips to all this week end and

may the horses be ready when the gates open, may the jockey's saddles not slip and they keep their boots in the irons til the wire and may all horses not have a career or life ending injury. Thank you Racing Gods, just my wishes.

How nice to read all the comments from people who have Broad Brush's off spring and knew him, i did not realize Fort Larned nor Ground Support were related and i Like them both and hated it when Fort Larned stumbled in his last race.

Safe racing and happy trails to everyone and thanks Steve. You are

the best story teller since Will Rogers. And that's the truth.

And with races at Sunland this week end i will be watching the highway thru my town for fancy vans. Don't be startled if i escort you past the hideout of the DPS Troopers going west, hint, it is usually at the bottom of a hill out of Brownwood whether you go 279 or 67/84. Comanche County has diligent ones also. Drive Smartly and Safely so i can watch everyone on HRNTV this week end.

Thanks again Steve.

Linda

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

yani — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:34:56 GMT

I love reading about Broad Brush, even though our entrance into racing as fans of racing was not until 1989. The personal connection you have to these greats make the story even more compelling. Thank you so much for the memories.

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

Cassandra.Says — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 09:07:38 GMT

The Domino line has always hung by a slender thread, but once again it looks like it's on thin ice.

(Someone recently seems to have stirred up in me with a craving for mixed metaphors and cliches.)

Concern is, thankfully, retired after failing totally at stud.

Mongoose is at stud in Peru, leaving nothing to speak of behind.

Mabry's Boy has had two crops to race, 5 foals each, with 3 winners so far, one a colt who is making a lot of hay in the New York program.

Include has had several first class fillies but not an outstanding colt as he hits his upper teens.

Include colt Redeemed, Oklahoma Derby winner and G2-placed, has just retired to a good stud in a good region. If everyone who is sentimental about Domino sent him a mare good enough to be a dam of sires, maybe we'd stagger on to one more generation.

Prom Shoes is standing for free in the U.S. southwest.

A Broad Brush son has gone to stud in Russia this year. It would be a blast if the Heir to the Line, whose existence fewer than 10 people in the West even suspected, suddenly imposed on our consciousness by showing up in Dubai.

Anybody keeping an eye on some forlorn hope I've missed?

BTW, for Domino blood I'd bet on Deputy Minister as having the biggest concentration in prominent modern pedigrees.

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

Cassandra.Says — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 05:24:52 GMT

Gulchfan:

I wouldn't mind if they took the damned sticks away from them since they rarely learn to use them, but I've gotta say . . . when a mature, highly experienced horse pulls that kind of caper with no excuse whatsoever except bloody mindedness, punishment should be quick and thorough. The horse's response was cool, and acknowledged the message. If he'd gotten away with that, he'd have fallen in love with his new game. It might have gotten him ruled off; wild swerving has cost lives, human and equine.

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

kmdreamweaver — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 01:19:47 GMT

we have a son of BROAD BRUSH,"GOLD BRUSH. standing at dreamweaver quarterhorses here in oregon.we purchased some very nice mares,thanks to mr.brown to breed to him.ben a long road and quite the story of how it all came about.

re: The Amazing Broad Brush Leaves Mark on the Derby Trail

supacoo — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:22:49 GMT

You tell a great yarn, Steve. Thank you. Richard Small trained and was co-breeder of Alpha Mike Foxtrot, a promising three year old who broke down in this year's Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel. The colt was by Two Punch out of a Broad Brush mare. I was at Laurel to watch him win the 2012 Maryland Juvenile Championship Stakes. That race was something to witness - Alpha Mike had the Broad Brush guts and a lot of talent, winning that race despite a bad trip and a sloppy track. Alpha Mike's breakdown early this year was a gutpunch for me, because it seemed he had such potential. Now I can see why he was campaigned so hard, maybe in the hope he had inherited his grandsire's resiliency as well as his speed.