Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

Lise from Maine — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 03:51:18 GMT

Hi!

Beautiful story. Thanks for sharing it.

Lise from Maine

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

fightonfig — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 16:28:19 GMT

Dooooon't get me started, good/bad made my first bet in

1950, $2 win (sent with my dad) on Assault, run in last

race (8th)..Alw ,,figured if he won triple crown 1946 he

could win this cond alw..............won & pay $5.40

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

brigadiergerard — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 06:41:38 GMT

Bravo, Ms. Holt! This remembrance deserves a standing ovation. What a joy to read something as beautifully descriptive as this piece is, and so well-written. Hats-off to Mr. Haskin for allowing all of us the opportunity to view your work. May we look forward to another trip to the winner's enclosure in the near future? I do hope so.

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

sara futh — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 22:03:41 GMT

Thank you both. Only there twice,to see Crazy Kid run and to visit Zenyatta. But my dad took me to Belmont for my first visit to the track, and it is a special kind of father-daughter bond.

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

High Miler — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 19:57:13 GMT

Thanks for making this available, Steve. I really loved this story. I grew up near Hollywood Park and spent many a day there. I was there all during the 60's and beyond, to the last day. I hope to see more from Cynthia Holt.

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

JayJay — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 01:14:14 GMT

I'm still not sure why HP was closed, I prefer this track over SA as far as being more friendlier to bettors, I had a nice time when I visited twice last year. I can't say it's better than Del Mar though, speaking of which, why is Los Alamitos the top candidate to get the thoroughbred racing dates from HP instead of Del Mar ?

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

arcadiagirl — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 00:58:58 GMT

Many memories including Sat. afternoons at the races on KNXT with Gil Stratton and Joe Hernandez. Victory Beauty. omg. Now there is a name I had not seen in a while. Love your blog.

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

Heather Seiden — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 23:22:11 GMT

What an wonderfully written piece. It so clearly comes from the heart. I can vividly picture you and your dad enjoying a special day at the track.

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

Carole Kennedy — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 17:04:07 GMT

Beautifully written as always, Cynthia. I felt I was there with you and your Dad.

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

Fran Loszynski — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 16:23:31 GMT

Great story Steve and to Summer Bird may your mane wisp across the winds. So handsome and will be missed. Dear son of Birdstone.

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

The Deacon — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 09:49:05 GMT

Paula Higgins, I concur.............Cynthia here is a few, more hallowed names.

Find, Sledge, Windy Sea, Terry's Secret, Whodunit, Four and Twenty, Drill Site, Real Good Deal, Bagdad, Hanalei Bay, and Olden Times........I got many, many more but all I am doing is twisting the knife.

Just think if Aqueduct, Saratoga or Belmont Park closed down. All those eastern folks would have a coronary.

The whole racing world would be tossed upside down.

As a young lad I to went to the race track with my dad. Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, Del Mar (when Bing Crosby and Pat O'Brien were still alive and roaming the grounds. We even went to Caliente a few times as well as Tanforan and Bay Meadows.

I feel everone's pain.

Here is a memory, when I was 10 years old my dad and I were on our way in to bet the 9th race. The track let everyone free after the feature race. My dad was following a particular. I saw a $20 bill on the ground, a gentleman who walked past me had dropped it. I picked it and ran over to him as he was walking away and lo and behold it was L.A. Laker great Elgin Baylor.

He said thank you very much, that was very thoughtful that I would return the money. I asked for his autograph and he gave it to me. I still it to this day.

We all have so many fond memories of Hollywood park.

This is just a crying shame, Its hard to wrap my mind around this finality.

Nevertheless, Happy New Year everyone..........

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

Paula Higgins — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 02:23:32 GMT

This was a beautifully written piece on Hollywood Park. I don't even live out there and it has saddened me that such a historic landmark could go the way of the dinosaurs. It shouldn't have happened. It was home to greats and near greats in horse racing. I hate it that it came to this.

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

elpnut — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 00:50:46 GMT

I go back a little further than Cynthia. I was there with my Uncle on opening day and never missed a Saturday race until my Uncle died in 1946. My daughter and her family attended closing day, and brought me back a program. (I wish I would have kept the original) I have a question that someone could help me on. As I recall, the first couple of years, the saddling ring was located under the grandstand. There was a glass enclosure where you could look down and see the horses saddled and walked. I am probably wrong about this, but I have a vivid memory of looking down and seeing the horses walking around the ring. Any help would be appreciated.

el pnut

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

Cynthia Holt — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 23:44:22 GMT

I would like to thank Steve Haskin for his generosity in providing a place for my piece to live in the world. He is the turf writer by whom I measure all standards. Because of him, my dream became reality. No matter how much writing I may attempt in the future, nothing will mean more to me than "Tunnel Visions." I know that somewhere, Dad is smiling.

I would also like to thank all of the posters for taking the time to read my story and leaving such kind remarks. I appreciate each and every one. The Deacon, I loved seeing the names of horses from that era in print again. It sparked even more wonderful memories. Mustard Plaster was a particular favorite.

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

Davids — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 23:15:13 GMT

Steve, Cynthia Holt's heartwarming ethnography of her introduction to the rituals, customs, art, and architecture of Hollywood Park by her father was a beautiful social anthropological study.

What was most disturbing in Cynthia's writing is that this 'society' is now as dead as any primitive culture. Memories of an ancient past are all that links and binds the bonds that once was- a thriving community. It's hard to believe that Hollywood Park is no more, a racing beacon has spluttered away to anonymity.

If I am still living in another 40 years, I wonder what will be left of the racing landscape in the USA ? I know for certain that the historical racetracks of Ascot, Chantilly, Flemington, et al will be as secure as when they were first constructed.

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

Linda in Texas — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 17:04:14 GMT

With the closing of every racetrack a little of each and everyone's heart fades into the scenery of our memories. Cynthia you are gifted and behind that gift of course is no doubt your dad's blessings. Touching story of The Hollywood Race Track, entertwined with the love of the horses that befalls all of us who love the sport. Thank you Steve for allowing Cynthia to be read by your fans. And Happy New Year to all the good folks old, young and still 'wet behind the ears' who love this past time known as Thoroughbred Horse Racing. And rest in peace Silver Train. Another victim of Colic as he was enroute to The U S. Sire of J J's Lucky Train whom i followed among others. Handsome Stallion.

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

Equitable — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 16:21:54 GMT

Have Re-Read Cynthia's piece 3 times which the one and only Steve Haskin kindly had published. What gorgeous writing. You took us there, then and now...the glory, the ghosts who still speak, the fading cheers dimming in our ears. Writing, so stirring, you'd think it alone could save HP from the wrecking ball. Thank you. And thank you Steve for sharing with us.

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

turkeyzen — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 16:02:46 GMT

I have been on both sides of the experiences related by Ms. Holt, as a racing fan whose mother owned horses and as a father whose daughter loved to go to the track. Her writing rook me back to those days and the smell of the track was in my nostrils. I can only hope that my daughter has as many fond memories of our time spent at the racetrack as Ms. Holt does. This is writing at its best.

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

Melissa P — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 15:32:30 GMT

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful memories. My heart was truly touched because my Dad and I had a special bond, too. I miss my Dad something fierce, but was blessed to be able to share my love of horses with him. I was the one who had the passion for horses, and he finally understood the depth of it when meeting our first homebred. I'd like to think that he is occasionally going over to the horsey side of heaven and giving our girl an occasional carrot or brush.

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

The Deacon — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 09:07:39 GMT

Gut wrenching read. The many memories I have of Hollywood Park have resurfaced these past couple weeks. It's been building up for many months now but I am so saddened by this that I can't say the words.

Well said Cynthia, in addition to those hallowed horses you mentioned let me add a few. Seaneen, Mr. Consistency, Dotted Swiss, Viking Spirit, Prove It, Colorado King, Hillsdale, Cadiz, Fleet Nasrullah, First Balcony, Winonly, Mustard Plaster, and many more which at this late moment escapes me.

We lost something special last week, our connection to the past. A connection to family, special moments of excitement and a to a time less stressful.

I know this, I won't feel same about horse racing ever again. For those of us who witnessed much of the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's these are the folks who understand what it was like.......

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

Newracingfan — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 00:18:15 GMT

Thank you so much, Steve, for sharing Cynthia's beautiful words. This is not the first time she has transported me through time to experience something I will never know first hand. I am proud to call her my friend, and I look forward with the hope that we will all see more of her eloquent work in the future. As others have said, my heart goes out to those who will feel the painful loss of Hollywood Park on a very personal level. Cynthia - I know your Dad is exchanging "high fives" with a host of angels.

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

Trotting Along — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 23:19:49 GMT

Thanks for sharing this article. I have watched many Hollywood Park races on the television during the years and never had the pleasure of being on any race track, but the eloquently written memories of Cynthia Holt has transported me there. The loss of Hollywood Park will sting for a long time to come.

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

El Kabong — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 18:53:06 GMT

Cynthia,

My heart goes out to you and all Hollywood Park racing fans. There is so much more to this sport, it's communities centered around them, and its structures, than most folks will ever know.

So much of what you have written awoke the deep rooted feelings I still have for my lost track and when I watched thoroughbreds race for the very last time around Longacres Park. Coincidentally, It was Gary Henson, the son of Harry, who was our announcer on that sad day. I will never forget Gary telling us all to "Listen to Their Thunder" for the very last time. Gary Henson did not call the last race, instead, he humbly watched while microphones captured the sound of the horses thundering around the oval for the very last time, a sound that we who were there will never forget.

Cynthia, thank you for sharing, and thank you Steve for allowing such a fine tribute and forum for such a beautiful track. They are always so much more than racing and wagering establishments and don't some of us know it.

My best to Vic, I hope he lands somewhere soon. He's great for the sport.

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

Vicki B — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 16:59:15 GMT

Excellent, excellent! Cynthia really has a gift for writing. “the loss of a physical connection to people and times past,” and the rest of her final paragraph, particularly resonates with me. It is so true, experiencing memories of people and places gone. Thank-you.

re: Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions -- by Cynthia Holt

Discovery — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 16:24:07 GMT

I came to CA in the spring of 73 at the young age of 14. Walter Farley's Man O' War started my journey into the wonderful world of horse racing. As my plane flew into LAX I recall looking through the window and seeing Hollywood Park for the very first time. There was actually a race being run at the time. Once settled in I beg a family member to take me to Hollywood Park. The memories of walking through the tunnel to see my first live race is something I'll never forget. Words cannot begin to describe how I feel seeing this historic track being reduced to rubble. Thank goodness I made several drives to Hollywood Park to see Zenyatta strut her stuff. I'll always cherish seeing Affirmed charging to the wire. The fundraisers attended to help support a beloved sport. Will be with me until I meet my maker.

With that said, thank you Cynthia for sharing a wonderful article that speaks to my soul.