A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

George Rowand — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 15:58:15 GMT

Steve, it's a wonderful story, and beautifully told. You're the finest writer of horse stories of your day.

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

Gadflies — Sun, 17 Nov 2013 03:30:23 GMT

Steve, keep it up and we're all going to dub you the next Bill Nack!

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

TerriZ — Sat, 16 Nov 2013 00:32:08 GMT

Thanks for another incredible story about Kathy Ritvo and Mucho Macho Man. Kathy Ritvo obtained her trainer's license at the age of 18 at Suffolk Downs. She came from a family who was involved with horses and her dad was a horse owner. Her brother, Nick, had an untimely death due to a heart problem at the age of 38. Nick's son, Nick Petro Jr., is the exercise rider of Mucho Macho Man.

A retired thoroughbred trainer told me that at Suffolk Downs everyone helps each other with their horses.

Kathy and her husband Tim (a former jockey at Suffolk Downs and trainer at Calder and Gulfstream Park and now president of Gulfstream Park) grew up in that culture.

There has been an amazing confluence of events resulting in Macho winning the Classic in 2013.

Changing the subject, I am sad to hear of the death of Turallure and the two young horses who died at the Breeders Cup. In the case of young horses, I hope that anabolic steroids will stop being given to yearlings prior to the sales ring.

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

slee — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 19:10:39 GMT

Beautifully done as always, Steve, thanks.

I was so sad to read the news about Turallure last night. The first time he walked by me at a track I spun around and said, "who the heck is that?" and enjoyed following his races after that. What an eye he had, and what a classy, gutsy horse. I want to do something in his memory. Do you know if his owners and trainer favor a particular charity? If not, maybe I'll send some $$ to Old Friends KY in his name.

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

Bellwether — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 07:19:32 GMT

Gotta love this animal and his connections...ty...

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

Linda in Texas — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 01:10:08 GMT

El Kabong - my feelings exactly, just now coming home to read about Turallure.RIP. Then the story about Kathy and Mucho Macho Man.

Hope you don't mind letting me be included on dittoing your comments.

You are the best Steve.

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

Steve Haskin — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 20:01:55 GMT

Thanks you, El Kabong, that's nice of you to say. And thanks to everyone for your comments. They are always greatly appreciated.

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

DinkyDiva1 — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 19:50:41 GMT

Steve, thank you for this fabulous story. Love it and I love MMM and his connections.

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

El Kabong — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 17:15:48 GMT

Steve,

On a day like today, I come home from work and go to the Bloodhorse first thing. Play some Hugh Masekela and I look at the headlines and to get the good news and bad. Today, I took another shot to the soul hearing about Turallure. Then I progress to your work and read this article and hope is instantly restored. This is a magical industry but you'd never know it if you didn't come here to the Bloodhorse and get all sides and the big picture. That's journalism at it's best. Thanks.

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

MyBigRed — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 16:22:58 GMT

Awesome Story, Steve. I adore Mucho Macho Man & his connections. Please consider writing a book about Mucho Macho Man, because in my opinion, he is that good & the story is very inspiring to us all & besides you are the best writer to do so :)

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

Delrene — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 04:26:13 GMT

Thank you Steve for this wonderful backstory on MMM. I love this type of background. I hope more people become fans of horseracing because of it. It is such an inspirational true life tale.

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

Paula Higgins — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 03:57:18 GMT

Kathy Ritvo is a quietly competent/ gifted trainer and a courageous woman. I worked with people waiting for cardiac transplants and post-transplant patients some years ago. It was rough for these people. Their lives after a transplant require a commitment to their health/medication regime etc. that is fairly stringent. You don't decide that you're going to skip your medication if you don't feel like taking it every now and then. The medicines are very important so the pt. doesn't "reject" the transplant. While some heart transplant patients go back to work, most certainly don't do the kind of demanding work she does. She starts her day very early, training horses and then takes care of her family. I am sure they support her in every way they can, but when it comes down to it, she is the mom and all that means. Her commitment to Much Macho Man has been very impressive. She never gave up on him even when he had setbacks. I really believe her own health issues taught her to be patient and resilient and not to give up on MMM when other trainers might have moved on. She is a very special person and apart from John Shirreffs and Zenyatta, I have never been happier about a win in horse racing.

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

Abigail Anderson — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 01:31:58 GMT

This is such an inspirational story and no one better than you to set it to music, Steve. I savoured every word! Thank you.

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

predict — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 23:20:49 GMT

What a great story. I totally missed the idea that 3 were coming together in this year's Classic, MMM, Ritvo, and Stevens.

The number 3 is a special number:

In this number we have quite a new set of phenomena. We come to the first geometrical figure. Two straight lines cannot possibly enclose any space, or form a plane figure; neither can two plan surfaces form a solid. Three lines are necessary to form a plan figure; and 3 dimensions of length, breadth, and height, are necessary to form a solid. Hence the number is the symbol of the cube -- the simplest form of solid figure. As two is the symbol of the square, or plane contents (x*x), so three is the symbol of the cube, or solid contents (x*x*x).

Three, therefore, stands for that which is solid, real, substantial, complete, and entire. All things that are specially complete are stamped with this number.

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God's attributes are: omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence.

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There great divisions completing time: past, present, and future.

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3 persons, in grammar, express and include all the relationships of mankind.

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Thought, word, and deed, complete the sum of human capability.

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Three degrees of comparison complete our knowledge of qualities.

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The simplest proposition requires three things to complete it; viz., the subject, the predicate, and the copula.

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Three propositions are necessary to complete the simplest form of argument: the major premise, the minor, and the conclusion.

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3 kingdoms embrace our ideas of matter; mineral, vegetable, and animal.

When we turn to the Scriptures, this completion becomes Divine, and marks Divine completeness or perfection.

If only I had realized that 3 were coming together for the Classic, maybe I would have had more confidence that MMM would win.

And then by 3 inches. Wow!

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

genie918 — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 23:11:20 GMT

And just think...at the movie premiere you and Lenny can do a special edition of "and...They're Off" from the red carpet! :)

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

arlingtonfan — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 19:13:25 GMT

Gee whiz, Steve, this is great, especially the last paragraph. Thank you! I really hope someone does make a movie about Macho and his team.

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

Steve Haskin — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 19:01:51 GMT

Genie, have no fear, I've been told when the MMM movie is made I will be one of the writers :)

Steve, thank you. I try my best not to be average :)

Thank you, Love em all, I believe that was one of the first stories ever written about MMM. It was a fun story to do.

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

genie918 — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 18:04:51 GMT

In recent years, the film industry in Hollywood has produced such horse racing movies as "Seabiscuit", "Dreamers" and "Secretariat". I believe this story would make a fine script. Mr. Haskin--Hollywood is calling!

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

Love 'em all — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 17:24:07 GMT

One of my favorite stories by Mr. Haskin has to be MMM's Born to Run story. What a hoot! The story of 'Lazarus' was just too funny, and right up there with his fun to read John Henry stories. For those who have never read the story, just search here at the B-H site ... 'Macho Man Was Born to Run' 4/25/11.

And speaking of John Henry, one must include JH and his patient trainer, Ron McAnally, being one of the perfect pair of racehorse and trainer bonding with one another. Perhaps one day, MMM and Kathy Ritvo will be voted in the Hall of Fame .... and even better ... at the same time like JH and Mr. McAnally.

Love your stories, Mr. Haskin.

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

steve from st louis — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 17:24:05 GMT

Once, just once, do I wish Haskin would publish just an average story. Sorry, a fleeting bout of jealousy.

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

smarie — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 16:51:52 GMT

The story of Kathy Ritvo and Mucho Macho Man just keeps getting better and better. This woman's courage is so inspiring and so is her compassion for others and her love for horses.

I look forward to seeing MMM race in 2014 (I hope he isn't retired), and watching this big, beautiful horse run and win.

People like Kathy Ritvo are exceptionally good for horse racing and for those who are facing possible life threatening illnesses. God bless them all.

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

Proud Acres — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 15:12:14 GMT

That race where MMM won by 3" was the best race of this years Breeders Cup. I felt he had a good chance, he was so beautiful walking through the tunnel. And the story around him is so awesome. I have been a fan of Gary Stevens for a few years now and am glad he was in the mix. Great story Steve, it was fun meeting you this year near the press box at Breeders Cup. Yes, you are a great addition to the story!

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

Jackie WV — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 15:01:04 GMT

Thanks for another fantastic and uplifting story Steve!! One of my very best friends had a heart transplant 8 years ago. She's a horse lover / owner and has followed MMM and Kathy since the Derby. Mucho's Classic win was very special to her and to me as well!! I have no doubt that Kathy has inspired a lot of people out there. Thank You Kathy....we love you!!!

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

Steve Haskin — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 14:45:21 GMT

Thank you, everyone for your wonderful comments, I really appreciate it. I received a Facebook message from someone who is in the same situation as Kathy and she asked me to pass on her sentiments to her, which I have. I took part of it and added it to the story, right after the graphs on how Kathy has inspired other people. I think you will find it very touching.

re: A Rainy Morning With Kathy and Mucho

lunar spook — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 14:12:37 GMT

This horse has been a model of consistency , in the money 12 of his last 13 races , WOW ! I had him last year in the classic when he was just beaten by fort larned , this yr I had declaration of war and will take charge in an exacta , guess who cut me out ? the MACHO MAN of course !