Bird of Prey

re: Bird of Prey

My Juliet — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:08:24 GMT

Karen in Indiana, thank you very much for the info. I read an article recently on Smarty being at Three Chimneys, how he receives many gifts thru the year, and gets more visitors than any other horse there.(I'm glad you were a visitor of Big Brown as well, wouldn't want him to get a complex:)) It sounds like a great place, so glad he is there. Glad to hear he is healthy.

re: Bird of Prey

Steve Haskin — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:28:29 GMT

Thank you so much, M-D. I really appreciate it. I hope you met the whole person in our e-mails. Refresh my memory, what is our moral disagreement?

re: Bird of Prey

M-D Kerns — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:46:45 GMT

Mr Haskin:

Greetings again (introduced myself to you at Pimlico, on the Friday before this year's Preakness Stakes).

In my mind, this was--& remains, a near-masterpiece of journalism (conjuring up not only the facts but also--& more importantly, the feelings & sense of expectation, excitement, & hope)--which I saved at the time & will once again hit the "email" link to send to my email account for re-reading.

I shall remember more of what you wrote about the Smarty Jones odyssey than I likely will about the odyssey itself. You rendered the experience...unforgettable.

We exchanged a number of emails during the Smarty Jones odyssey & in those exchanges I met a person (at least part or a side of person) of insight, unusual perspective, & sensitivity. These interactions--though unnecessary to an appreciation of your work, served to deepen my respect & appreciation.

Though we may disagree about the moral status of non-human animals, including Thoroughbreds, & the Thoroughbred racing industry, I would never allow this disagreement to detract from my appreciation of your talent & ongoing journalistic achievements.

Best wishes.

re: Bird of Prey

Susie — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:05:28 GMT

Here's another interest irony:

Grindstone in 1996 gave the 1990 Kentucky Derby hero Unbridled a first: Grindstone is from his first crop, was his first foal born and was his first offspring to win a race. There was some irony in Grindstone winning this Derby, however, for it was Unbridled’s other son in the race, Unbridled’s Song, who had received the most attention going into the Derby.

As a fan of Grindstone, I sure as heck didn't mind his son defeating Smarty Jones (whose name I've always hated, somewhat turning me off to the horse, as silly as that may seem. To me that name just does not suit a Triple Crown winner!)

re: Bird of Prey

Joan Kelley — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:41:30 GMT

I am disappointed that there was little mention of the great Alydar and his son, Alysheba, in Summer Bird's pedigree. Quite an oversight, in my opinion

re: Bird of Prey

Karen in Indiana — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:30:32 GMT

My Juliet, I went to Three Chimneys last year & saw Smarty (was there to see Big Brown & really took a liking to Sky Mesa). He looked fine and they didn't say anything about not riding him. They did say they don't ride Dynaformer and haven't for years, mainly because Dynaformer decided he didn't want to be ridden. :-) If you are ever able, you should try to go on their tour. The people are very nice and the horses are horses. Smarty had mud all over his face because he'd been out there rolling and having a good ol' time.

Steve, thank you very much for re-posting this. Reading this, it's clear to see where Mine That Bird gets his heart and determination from.

re: Bird of Prey

da3hoss — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:55:11 GMT

For Big Red, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog."

re: Bird of Prey

JennaS — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:48:53 GMT

What a crushing, dispiriting day at the races that was in 2004 and I had no place to put my resentment. I don't know why I never bore a grudge against Birdstone. Maybe it was seeing him in the paddock before the race, the size of a mosquito and all spindly. There was something about the jockey antics on Edington and Rock Hard Ten, trying to take out Smarty, and failing, and along comes this little scrawny dude everyone ignored, and he wins (someone from one of the barns told me Birdstone didn't belong in the Belmont but the press wouldn't call it out because it was Zito). Basically I guess if someone had to spoil the party I'm glad it was him. Even then I felt that way. He was no part of the antics in the early running, he was just all heart and ridden by my favorite jockey -- won fair and square and then confirmed himself in the Travers. I've always respected him, that day and ever since.

re: Bird of Prey

John T. — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 02:12:33 GMT

Birdstone was no spoiler of Smarty

Jones from winning the Triple Crown

It was his job just like all the other horses in the race to try and beat Smarty and he did.Not only did he beat Smarty Jones to the finish line in the Belmont but he has sired a winner of that race before him also and not only that but a Kentucky Derby winner as well

re: Bird of Prey

Lee H. — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:32:25 GMT

Steve - I'm a fairly new fan. I've been reading your articles for several months now and am impressed how you always seem to tell a story that everyone else overlooked. I always enjoy hearing more about Birdstone, so I especially loved not only this article but several others you've written recently, spotlighting Birdstone. Always a fan of Birdstone, I was fortunate enough to have a chance to breed my first, one and only mare to him last year, & happily got a very nice colt from the breeding.I'm glad I jumped at the chance when it came my way. Thanks for spotlighting him. This Triple Crown series has been amazing, exciting, thrilling for me. Thanks for giving Birdstone the attention and the credit he deserves.

re: Bird of Prey

My Juliet — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:13:31 GMT

Steve, thanks for reprinting the great article on a horse that won many hearts. I was fortunate to be one of the thousands who saw Smarty's workout that morning. What an exciting time it was, those weeks leading to the Belmont. The disappointment of the only race he didn't win, for me was equal to that of him not racing past June as a 3 year old. I have heard both sides on here, that he was injured to the point he is the only stallion at Three Chimneys who isn't ridden, and that he was rushed to the breeding shed because of money/greed. I mention this with Smarty Jones because I don't think a horse could have been more loved, or have more fans(okay until the great Barbaro), many who I think were as disappointed as I was. I would like your opinion on this- thank you very much.

re: Bird of Prey

Freetex — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:32:10 GMT

Steve, thank you for the great wrap-up of the Triple Crown. Unfortunately, there is so much the racing fans don't know when quick judgments are made regarding Calvin, the trainers, the owners, and the horses.

That is why your professionalism is so important. Every article you write is patiently awaited by your readers.

It was a very unique Triple Crown with a new twist almost everyday. Thanks again, for providing us information we would never get otherwise.

re: Bird of Prey

For Big Red — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:49:50 GMT

STEVE: You wrote, "Now, here he was leading Birdstone, all 900 pounds of him, back to the test barn in front of a stunned and deflated crowd, too drained to pay any attention."

Grin...I remember a couple of Horses of the Year who weren't very big. Do you remember Roman Brother? I think he was around 900 pounds. And, of course, Northern Dancer wasn't a big horse, either.

You know what they say...it isn't size that matters, but performance. Roman Brother was a gelding, but we all know how Northern Dancer performed. ;-)

Here's a link (sorry, but it's an unusually long one) to info about Roman Brother for folks who may not know about him: images.google.com/imgres

re: Bird of Prey

Soldier Course — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:40:17 GMT

Steve:

Yes, I did ask you about Gary Stute but that particular comment hasn't shown up on this thread, so I did not make any connection between your comment to me and my Stute question.

My question about Gary Stute stemmed from something you had written quite recently about hoping that he'll be back. Again,is he ill? Retired?

Thanks again.

re: Bird of Prey

Chris B. — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:07:11 GMT

Thank you so much for taking us back in time to an event that few realized would resonate so beautifully five years later. As one reads the comments written in 2004 about Birdstone, fast forward five years later to this year's Derby and comments directed at his small, plain looking son. History has an amazing way of repeating itself and I don't believe it's an accidental happening. For all the pain and anguish that Birdstone's victory brought to racing fans that year, the victories by his two sons in this year's classics have turned the painful memories into joy. Racing fans are reaping the rewards of his improbable victory five years later. After the catatrophic breakdown of Barbaro in the Preakness, I was unable to watch horse racing and my beloved Derby. For reasons I can't explain, I turned the race on this year and recaptured my love for the sport and the horses who give their heart and body on the track. Mine that Bird single handedly reminded me of why I love the triple crown series and the fact that he was Birdstone's son only made me love and respect him more. Absolutely loved the article I read somewhere about the placement of a dozen roses outside of Birdstone's stall the night his son, "Bird" won his Derby! This is why we love the horses and the people who devote their lives to the sport. Would love to see a current article on Ms. Whitney and how the triple crown series this year has changed her life - thanks for capturing the emotions of 2004.