Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

Alex'sBigFan — Thu, 16 May 2013 01:04:46 GMT

Soldier Course,

Man that is a good question, which loss was more valiant Smarty's Belmont or Alex's Derby. I know Alex's Derby like the back of my hand so I would have to go back and watch a clip of Smarty's Belmont to answer. I know Alex got bumped pretty good in that Derby and still got up a length away from Giacomo. Have to replay Smarty's Belmont again though.

I did not really get arrogance from Big Brown's connections at all. Mike Iavarone founded the Ruffian hospital. He was almost crying after Big Brown's Belmont, he was practically hanging on his neck with his head buried in BB's neck. Quite a moving photo of it somewhere. The trainer was another story though, agree there.

Dr. D.,

Funny! That rooster was getting his 2 cents into every one of Shug's interviews and you nailed what he said!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

JoyJackson21 — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:31:30 GMT

Another great article, Steve! You always bring equine history to life in such a wonderful way. I did not know Brass Hat had sustained two fractures, yet continued to win races after healing from each injury. A truly remarkable (and little talked about) feat. What a courageous and inspiring horse! Way to go, Brass Hat!

And speaking of Brass Hat - Could anything be more adorable and charming than the photos of Brass Hat with his BFF, fabulous champion mare, Groupie Doll? - LOL. What a great team they make together! I am totally charmed by them. They take care of each other, they talk to each other, they trust each other. They are an awesome team. There is a great bond between them. Your pictures of them in "Best Pals Forever" mode are beautiful, moving and very memorable. I'm totally sure Brass Hat gives Groupie Doll racing advice during their "talks", and that she totally follows his advice, too! - LOL. They are a special pair, and I want to thank you for letting us view their lovely bond up close & personal. Beautiful, beautiful photos, Steve!

And the Orb/Departing connection: enthralling! Your depth of knowledge of equine history never fails to impress me, Steve. I find the history of horse racing, no matter the country the horse is from, thoroughly fascinating. No matter how much you think you know about horse racing, there is always much more fabulous history to unearth and admire. What a wonderful breed horses are - their history always inspires me. Thanks for always bringing us the 411 on the rich history of this sport, Steve. It's a real pleasure to read your columns.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

Lucky Lou — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:18:06 GMT

Very interesting history about the two families. As usual, Steve, you put together a great article and awesome pictures!

I think Orb will win the Preakness and his stablemate will run second.

Best of luck to everyone!

Thank you!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

Soldier Course — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:44:18 GMT

Alex'sBigFan:

Kudos to your love of Big Brown. I saw him win the Derby. I just couldn't get beyond his arrogant connections.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

Soldier Course — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:17:33 GMT

Alex'sBigFan:

In deciding upon "last truly viable" TC contender, I considered only those horses (1) who won two out of the three races in the ten years since 2003; and also (2) who finished all three races. So that knocked out Giacomo, Barbaro, Street Sense, Big Brown, Mine That Bird, Super Saver, Animal Kingdom, and I'll Have Another. So that left Funny Cide, Smarty Jones, and Afleet Alex. Yes, I chose Smarty, but I am still in awe of the way Afleet Alex won the Preakness and the Belmont. So the final question for me was this: Which "loss" was the more valiant effort, Afleet Alex's Derby or Smarty's Belmont?

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

CHIEF PICAWINNA — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:33:30 GMT

TXLonghorn atheletes in general in all sports have evolved physically immensely more so than the general population.The competition is a lot tougher today than it was in previuos decades in ALL SPORTS,thats why the TC was last achieved in 1978,in Tennis 1959 and has been a myth in modern Golf.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

CHIEF PICAWINNA — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:29:44 GMT

Discovery thats the way I see it and I have been along on the ride since 1997 and Silver Charms attempt.

We will see if Orb breaks through in the last leg in 2013.BTW if he does one factor that he has going for him is the reluctance of his connections to use performance enhancing substances(or thats my knowledge of that issue)

I remember last year I posted that a good experiment of performance enhacers would be if S.Mcgaughey had a triple crown aspirant,when posting about Point of Entry, and my belief that he would be 1st or 2nd in the Breeders Cup Turf that was before the Saratoga meeting.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

Blum Gone — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:07:47 GMT

Love, love, love the fact that Mrs. Bradley "allows" her horses to be horses. They need a good roll and enjoy the dirt on their backs. Mine love it.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

Lise from Maine — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:28:04 GMT

Hi!

As always I love the history that you present here.

Great story!

Also, just love those photos. They are so cute.

Thank you!

Lise from Maine

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

Dr Drunkinbum — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:27:37 GMT

Alex'sBigFan

The rooster also said, " I could kick Orb's butt if I wanted to, you know. Luckily for him I'm a nice guy. As long as he understands who the boss is around here, we'll get along just fine, but I would advise him to mind his pints and quarts."

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

Dr Drunkinbum — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:23:20 GMT

The Peacock

That's a very good point and might very well be what might happen, and I'm always for the good of the sport, but even more for the good of the horses, which often go hand in hand but not always. I really won't know if I'll be going for riches or the good of the sport until I analyze the final pps and see if I get a feel for what will happen. I already know that Orb will tough so I may end up primarily just rooting for the good of the sport. I really don't have a feel yet for anyone that could upset him.

Alex'sBigFan

I heard the rooster and I thought I heard him say- "Orb, bah humbug, I rule the roost here, he's just a horse, what's everyone getting all excited about? What's a Derby?"

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

Discovery — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:15:19 GMT

Chief Picawinna,

"I think a weight impost should be added if a triple crown is on the line because the winner of the first two legs has a disadvantage running three races in a span of 5 weeks to rested colts"

With all due respect. I get the impression you haven't done a whole lot of research on the Triple Crown and what it took for each of the 12 winners to win the title Triple Crown winner. From the very beginning all entrants have carried the equal weight of 126 Ibs. None of the races have ever been handicaped and nor should they be. If a three-year-old at this stage of the game can't carry 126 Ibs. They have no business running. As for Orb being at a disavantage. What?? The Triple Crown is suppose to be hard to win. All of the previous TC winners ran in a five week span and showed us what they were made of. Three of the TC winners ran in a race a week prior to winning the Belmont and set track records in the process. I hope Orb wins on Sat. and wins the Belmont. I experienced watching all three winners in the 70's and would love nothing more than to see another another horse win the honored title of being a Triple Crown winner.

Orb, bring it home baby!!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

Little Bill — Wed, 15 May 2013 06:04:55 GMT

Wait. Are you serious?

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

TXLonghorn — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:55:06 GMT

CHIEF PICAWINNA,

Winning a single Kentucky Derby OR the Preakness OR the Belmont would be the crowning achievement in almost any horseman's career. These are three independent events which also constitute a series. I think we get a little fixated on the Triple Crown and forget just how great each of these historic races are on their own.

Expecting a horseman to run his dower staying horse tailor made for the Belmont in the Derby and Preakness because we MIGHT have a horse capable or worthy of sweeping all three in a given year is wrong. It's just wrong.

Likewise, if we suddenly start penalizing newcomers with additional weight - contrary to the tradition of racing where the better horses are expected to carry the most weight under allowance and handicap conditions - we significantly devalue the accomplishment of any future Crown wearer in the context of history.

Regarding the golf and tennis Grand Slams.... No golfer has won the modern professional Grand Slam. Bobby Jones won the "old" Grand Slam which included the British and US Amateurs instead of the Masters and PGA. Ben Hogan won the first three legs in 1953 and skipped the PGA. Tiger Woods won the 4 majors consecutively, but not in the same calendar year.

Yes, Rod Laver won the men's Slam in tennis, and three women have completed it as well.

These sweeps are - and should be - exceptionally difficult and only accomplished by truly exceptional athletes...human and equine.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

TXLonghorn — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:27:30 GMT

Plod Boy Phil, I'm sorry if I didn't state my point better as Normandy Invasion being "tired" at the 1/8 pole. He was tired...perhaps because he has stamina issues at this point in his career, and certainly a case could be made that he made his move too early. I'm not sure it's fair to blame the jockey, myself, because he appeared to inherit the lead from horses stopping. Nonetheless, he hit the front earlier than his connections would have preferred, I'm sure. That said, at the 1/8 pole, he was tired. I personally believe it's good horsemanship to let the horse get over that experience completely before bringing him back. (Perhaps my opinion is colored by my belief that NI simply isn't in the same class as Orb, and has a better chance to win the Jim Dandy/Haskell and Travers after a break than he has of winning either the Preakness or Belmont.)

Reasonable people can dissagree, and I respect your comment. At least you weren't insinuating "the fix is in" without one single shred of evidence or reasoned logic like the previous poster.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

Alex'sBigFan — Wed, 15 May 2013 04:14:34 GMT

Soldier Course,

Smarty, (or Senor Smarty these days!) agreed was a most viable contender for the crown and Big Brown as well. If not for that quarter crack and lapse in time with training Big Brown stood a chance. Then again Big Brown was capable but he had so many crazy things go so wrong so quickly, the heat, the freaking out in detention, the starter in his lane, post #1, losing a shoe in the race, being pulled up at the end before the grandstand (right in front of me I might add). He was cooked before the starting gate poor thing. But he (Big Brown) I think was worthy of a crown and more than capable. IHA I think was capable too although he seemed to be cooked too shortly after arriving at Belmont and then the mystery and retirement. Orb is home at Belmont and he should know Big Sandy better than any of them. Like I said hopefully there is no last minute pilgrimage to a stakes barn upsetting all the horses. But Orb's got to ace the Preakness first. No doubt about it a fresh horse could ace the Belmont and Nick Zito is awfully quiet this year! Where is he? We miss him. But in the immortal words of John Shireffs, "a Grade I is a Grade I." Good luck Orb!!!!! I for one am tired of seeing Affirmed's name on the bottom of that list, not that I don't love Affirmed, I want another representative of the breed of thoroughbred to join that special list. I'm all for a new TC winner to behold.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

Chicagofan — Wed, 15 May 2013 03:36:19 GMT

Steve, thanks for your insight into the back story and historical implications of this Triple Crown quest. Somehow it seems fitting that Orb might be "the one." Interesting that Departing will be in the mix too. Mylute is my choice to round out the trifecta, but so many others could have something to say.

As for Groupie and Brass, a few friends and I were fortunate enough to visit them on the farm the week before the Derby also. The photos you shared (awesome) are SO representative of what we saw: two horses sharing a true bond and very much at home just "being horses."

The Bradleys are about the most genuine people you will ever meet, and Kim was as gracious to us on the farm as Buff (and all the staff at the barn) have been to us at the tracks. Kudos to them for the way they approach their "business", and thanks to them for being so welcoming to fans. Brass provided so many thrills over time, and it will be another great thrill if Groupie brings home the BC win and another championship again this year. The Bradleys deserve all good that comes their way.

Thanks for both stories in this column. You are one of a kind.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

Agnes — Wed, 15 May 2013 03:06:59 GMT

Every time my heart chills down, Steve H. writes one of his wonderful articles with his super pictures and warms it up again.

Steve, we need you to keep us going.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

Alex'sBigFan — Wed, 15 May 2013 01:01:03 GMT

Steve, great article. Love the photos of Groupie Doll and Brass Hat!

Soldier Course,

Thanks for mentioning the videos. Did anyone else hear the rooster cockadoodledooing in ALL of the Shug videos at Belmont! It is funny, it is as if the rooster is announcing to all who will listen that "The Derby winner is here!" Linda in Texas pointed out the rooster. He's going in the videos of Shug on DRF as well.

Aleine,

A lot of trainers skip or buck out of the Preakness. We live in a day where the goal is BCC so many don't put the colts through all the rigors of the triple crown races, which are grueling being back to back as they are. Mr. Porter's goal I think it was written in a previous article is the Saratoga races like the King's Bishop or Travers. So there is basically nothing fishy about Normandy Invasion skipping the Preakness, especially considering the goal of the owners.

I think Orb is dangerous. If he has that tactical speed I think he does then he can sit close off a slow pace too, not as far back as the Derby. Hopefully nobody goes off half-cocked like Palace Malice did in the Derby. I think the Belmont, the Test of the Champion, is harder. Hopefully they don't move all the horses to a stakes barn this year after they are settled. But that is getting ahead of ourselves. On to the Preakness first. Good luck Orb and ItsMyLuckyDay, little Oxbow, et al.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

Old Old Cat — Wed, 15 May 2013 00:22:17 GMT

another great article on the other side of horse racing

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

CHIEF PICAWINNA — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:15:51 GMT

trackjack I think a weight impost should be added if a triple crown is on the line because the winner of the first two legs has a disadvantage running three races in a span of 5 weeks to rested colts. I think Orb has a good shot on Saturday and will play him 1st and 2nd in different exotics.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

CHIEF PICAWINNA — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:09:54 GMT

Just looked it up in tennis the last grand slam achiever was Rod Laver in 1969.The last triple crown in horseracing was 1978 wasnt it?In golf I think only B. Jones won the grand slam and he played a long time ago.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

CHIEF PICAWINNA — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:01:55 GMT

TXLLonghorn OK Golf and Tennis have a grand slam,when was the last time someone completed the grand slam,get the picture?

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

LINDA MARIE — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:55:05 GMT

THANK YOU STEVE FOR THE NOSTALGIC TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE ...I WAS NOT AROUND IN THE GOLDEN AGE OF HORSE RACING BUT WOULD LOVE TO RECAPTURE THE SPIRIT OF IT! ...THANKS FOR THE PHOTOS OF GROUPIE DOLL AND BRASS HAT ...THANKS FOR EVERYTHING ...ALWAYS!

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Soldier Course — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:47:26 GMT

I'm at our neighborhood library, viewing yesterday's press conference with Shug for the fifth time. The staff knows I love Thoroughbred racing. The librarian brought me the May 13th issue of Time magazine. There's an article about the decline in interest in racing, which I won't rehash here because we've heard it all before. The good news is that the article ends on an encouraging note: the sport's "idealized past" can be rekindled by having more tracks like Keeneland and a new Triple Crown winner. Time-ly indeed.