Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

ThoroughbredLover26 — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 02:44:14 GMT

Oh I know I will never forget Lawyer Ron. My late father Ron Berkhouse and I both liked him when he was running. And to keep both Lawyer Ron's and my father's memories alive. I made a Lawyer Ron page on Facebook here is the link. www.facebook.com/.../220232751354316

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Kevin, Canada — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 13:25:16 GMT

Lawyer Ron was something else to watch when he was on.His Derby race, he got hurt, and who can hold his Breeders Cup against him on that track. He was a GREAT ONE (in my opinion). RIP Lawyer Ron thanks for the trills.

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Lori — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:56:41 GMT

The beloved Lawyer Ron was my Derby horse that year too. As much as I felt in my bones that Barbaro would win, I still hoped for Lawyer Ron just as much:)

My favorite races were his Whitney, of course, so dashing and record setting, and before that, the not-often-remembered inaugural St. Louis Derby under the lights...there was big magic about that little race:)

Then came the day when I laid eyes on him in person at the 07 BC. He sparkled! He shone! He exuded class. Later on, I had the good fortune to meet him, getting bathed at Stonewall, and my jaw dropped in sheer awe of him. His red coat was bronzed copper all wet, and he seemed bigger than life. The stallion manager said to me, so seriously, his voice respect-laden, he said- "It doesn't get any better than that."

That Saturday when we learned he was gone, it rained outside, disguising all the tears...my husband brought home flowers to try and console, knowing how much I loved Lawyer Ron, and always will. Thanks so much, Steve, for all that you've now added to my memories of that wonderful, fascinating racehorse.

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Lori — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:32:44 GMT

The beloved Lawyer Ron was my Derby horse that year too. As much as I felt in my bones that Barbaro would win, I still hoped for Lawyer Ron just as much:)

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

sherpa — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 22:54:04 GMT

barb - thank you for finding that piece of the puzzle! It didn't seem possible that Viva America ran those 2 races in 2 days; but then, horses were run so differently in those days.

And..<smacks head>..I knew there's a book about Exterminator but didn't even think to check it out.

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Racingfan — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 19:01:18 GMT

Another excellent article Steve! I thought Lawyer Ron was terrific! His Whitney was awesome and that duel with Curlin was really exciting. He will be missed! Still can't believe colic surgeries are so unsuccessful in this day and age. Hope someone finds a better way soon - it is surely overdue!

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

barb — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 16:48:44 GMT

sherpa...You made me curious about Viva America and the dates. I found that the Derby was on May 11. I couldn't find the exact date of the Oaks but in a book about Exterminator it said that she won the Oaks "a few days after" finishing third in the Derby. Very impressive.

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

sherpa — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 15:10:23 GMT

Since my post of last night has shown up, I need to make a correction: In Memoriam was considered co-3yo Colt of 1923, not HOTY.

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

sherpa — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 02:32:28 GMT

In my spare time, I've been somewhat obsessed with researching the great gelding Exterminator, the 1918 KD winner.

His sire was McGee (1900), the ONLY foal by White Knight, who hailed from a direct line of the Darley Arabian.. White Knight was *gelded* following that single siring. (I can't find an explanation for that, but it's ancient history).

McGee was imported from GB and became a rather successful sire in the US: Besides Exterminator, he sired Donerail, the 1913 KD winner; In Memoriam, apparently considered by some to be co-HOTY with Zev in 1923 (before HOTY was officially judged); and the filly Viva America, who not only won the 1918 Kentucky Oaks but ALSO ran 3rd behind her half-brother, Exterminator, in the 1918 Kentucky Derby. (I can't find the actual dates for the KO/KD in 1918. If they were run on first Friday/Saturday, as now, her dual run was an absolutely amazing feat.) The KO was her only win and she seems to have thrown only middling runners as a dam.

I think the White Knight/McGee line is extinct, for Donerail and/or In Memoriam apparently were not successful sires. I can't find them in any of the pedigrees I've searched.

Bringing this back to the topic of Lawyer Ron...

Heartbreaking though the untimely loss of him may be, he at least had a full season as a sire. Watch for his progeny and hope for a McGee in there. As White Knight might tell you, it only takes One.

May Lawyer Ron's legacy be remembered long, and prosper.

Thank you for another beautiful eulogy, Steve.

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Johnny — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 18:42:36 GMT

Lawyer Ron was one of my favorite horses. He was also one of my top three picks in the '06 Kentucky Derby and again in the '07 BC Classic. Those races didn't work out for him, but nothing diminished my love for this horse. I was utterly shocked when I heard of his death, and frankly still can't believe he's gone.

Lawyer Ron was a genuine star, a real pro, who went out and loved to run, loved to compete, and was so eager, although with maturity, he learned to harness some of his energy. I wasn't aware of Ron's trainer prior to Bob Holthus. Bob is a man who started training horses when I was a toddler, and who helped make Lawyer Ron the superb runner he became. Todd Pletcher came on later, took the colt to the next level, and Ron became a fine champion.

I'll always remember Lawyer Ron for all the thrills he gave me, and because he was a wonderful horse, as they all are.

Thanks for the blog and your tribute to Lawyer Ron.

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Ragsy — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 16:43:07 GMT

Steve, what about doing a story on that georgous George Washington talk about a forgotten horse... and his only foal.. the filly that looks just like him..what a beautiful little filly...I was heartbroken when George Washington broke his leg when running on that sloppy track....such a great turf horse..what a loss....

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Mike Relva — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:40:23 GMT

KAREN2

I just read your post,I'm so sorry can't tell you how sad it makes me feel for any horse or any other animal to be mistreated.

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

TerriV — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:37:48 GMT

Oh My God, Karen2. I am so appalled about the horse you wrote about, Dually. I'll never understand how a person could ever do such a thing. I'll keep him in my prayers to recover mentally as well as physically. Funny, I have never lost my faith in horses.

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Karen2 — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:17:52 GMT

Wow.... I have been gone for a couple weeks and come back to such sad news. Lawyer Ron was a favorite of mine on the track. He was so tough and I felt didn't really get the respect he deserved. Thanks for the loving tribute. Every one of these athletes deserve nothing less and to get one from you Steve...you know they were special! RIP our beloved Lawyer Ron. My Heart is broken.

Its been a tough couple weeks for this horse lover. Unfortunately close to where I live, there was a very talented barrel horse stolen from the rodeo grounds and literally abused and tortured. An unspeakable act of evil that I can't even wrap my mind around. "Dually" will live Thank God, but will never perform again. Shakes ones faith in humanity.

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

LDP — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 04:49:13 GMT

txhorsefan,

I don't think they'll ever get better technology to prevent colic. There are just so many different things that can cause it, a big one being dehydration. A person told me colic is the leading cause of deaths in the winter because a horse can't always get enough water because it freezes. Also with thoroughbreds you have to be careful, they seem to have bad stomachs, and when you change feeds you have to do it slowly. Majec my sisters horse colic twice, each time only a couple weeks after he arrived at a new place. Mold also plays a big factor, that or freshly mowed grass. Let a horse get into those and that won't be good. The last cause off the top of my head is letting a hot horse that has been working out drink too much too fast. I think that is called crap colic. This just seems to be one of those sicknesses you just can't get rid of even though you do your best to prevent it.

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Freetex — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 04:08:17 GMT

I just got to know Lawyer Ron through your wonderful writing and memories of fans on this blog. Thank you all.

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

txhorsefan — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:20:13 GMT

Another wonderful article, Steve and great comments, as usual. That 2007 Whitney was really the race that made me a fan of Lawyer Ron so even though I was not a long time follower of his races, it still made me so sad to read of his untimely passing. If science could come up with better ways to prevent colic and laminitis in horses it would save so very many lives. Such beautiful, wonderful yet extremely fragile creatures.

Greg J. - your tribute video was very nice - thank you for sharing.

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Susan Watkins — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:15:23 GMT

Steve.....again you have written a wonderful tribute. I was one of the lucky ones who got to see Lawyer Ron quite a bit here at Oaklawn and he was one absolutely gorgeous horse. I have got a wonderful photo of him coming out of the gate in the Ar Derby hanging in our office. Thank you so much for giving him the tribute he deserves.

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Ragsy — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:35:11 GMT

LDP, thank you for your story of being thrown off of a horse at a show..and your painful injuries but,Dr's are not stupid...smile....I like to know the physiology of injuries and being a 11 year old at the time must have been tramatic...

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Karen D — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:46:57 GMT

There was so much more to Lawyer Ron than his past performances. I saw him race, but what stuck me more was the pure joy of him in the mornings. His coiled energy and focus took your breath away. I also got to see him in Todd Pletcher's barn. There was such intelligence and kindness in those eyes. Thank you for this article which captured his essence. To you and Lawyer Ron: well done!

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Steve Haskin — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:43:43 GMT

CC, thanks for the invite, but that's the day after tomorrow. Perhaps one of these years when I have time to make arrangements. I hear it's a fun day.

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

SusanW — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:01:58 GMT

Again, insight on a great horse. Thank you, Steve.

Lawyer Ron, R.I.P., you left us too soon.

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Claiming Crown — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:54:10 GMT

Hey Steve! We'd love to have you up to Shakopee, MN to see this year's Claiming Crown. It's a good time.

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

LDP — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:12:12 GMT

Tim G,

They didn't do an MRI on me they did x-rays. The stupid doctor kept twisting my arm into different positions, and they HURT. I wanted to just yell just take the stupid picture and be done with it! I was 11 when that happened. I have had an MRI done, but that was to my shoulder. Thats how they found out i have chronic bursitis, fun. I'll tell you what i think us true horse ppl must have something wrong with our brains, cause it doesn't matter what happens or how many times we get injured, we keep coming back, despite all cautions not to. I've pulled a muscle twice now in my shoulder, badly sprained my wrist, gotten kicked in the head ( thats probably why i'm crazy, lol), kicked in the leg, and tossed more times than i care to remember, yet i still get back on. I guess that's how you know if you really love something. No matter what happens you keep coming back for more, because the good always outweighs the bad.

re: Lawyer Ron - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Mike Relva — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:43:48 GMT

STEVE:

Thanks for the article on Lawyer Ron. I really appreciated his talent on the track and was saddened to learn of his passing at such young age.