The Invisible Horse

re: The Invisible Horse

da3hoss — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 23:50:56 GMT

Fabulous Strike...

Delightful Kiss...

re: The Invisible Horse

Zookeeper — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:18:25 GMT

Soldier Course, da3hoss, Freetex and all those silent ones who may share my feelings at times,

Thank you for being there and assuring me that I'm not alone in my "cognitive dissonance" (love you Soldier Course). The most helpful comment was the reality of who is left if/when those who care leave the sport...

re: The Invisible Horse

berttheclock — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:37:41 GMT

Matthew W,

Speaking of Ferdinand, one of the greatest duels, I have witnessed was in the Big Cap against Alysheba. Alysheba walked onto the track at SA, looking like a marvelous Tennessee Walker, with his neck bowed and hooves a'popping. Small field - An Eddie Gregson horse for DM took the long lead, with McCarron and Shoe far back, biding their time. At about midway in the backstretch, they both took hold and the real race was on. Head and head, nostril to nostril all the way the wire, with Alysheba getting the nod.

However, I will never forget the day Ferdinand debuted at DM in early September in a 6F MSW race. A wanna be tout, I knew, came up to me in the infield and told me how he had just touted some suckers into betting this "lock" of Charlie W's. I told him he was crazy if he thought Charlie was out to win first out in a meaningless 6F with a horse bred in the purple for a big client. I said that this was a typical first out check ride. Charlie was a terrible bet in either a first out MSW or in a Classified Allowance prior to a stakes. Ferdinand finished far back, but, Shoe did get one late kick out of him. The first three finishers went on to some wins down the road, but, not anywhere the greatness that Ferdinand accomplished. He was not an easy horse, early on, for Shoe. He would pull himself up when he took a lead, so, Shoe had to really time his run. I learned that about his pulling up, when I turned for the windows to collect a win ticket on him after seeing him take the lead at SA. Somehow the ticket was worthless.

re: The Invisible Horse

Soldier Course — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:38:43 GMT

da3horse:

Think about this: If all of us who are upset about the horse abuses abandon the sport of horse racing, who's left? The ones who don't give a damn.

re: The Invisible Horse

da3hoss — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:03:00 GMT

Soldier Course and Zookeeper, I agree...had I not had such wonderful racing people to grow up around, who taught me so much and were SO good to their horses, my "one horse too many" would have come long ago...not just the breakdowns, but the commercialization of the baby sales, so that two-year olds in training have to get a vacation to recover from the "sales prep", etc., the whole disconnect...

I am almost done...I actually tried last week to not come to the BH site, or any other racing site...I'm working on it...there are so many other horse sports where they compete at high levels into their late teens...

PS and that I can actually participate in myself!!! I'm trying to get unaddicted!

After I meet Steve in person, I can go in peace! LOL, hahaha!!!

re: The Invisible Horse

Freetex — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:30:46 GMT

dahoss: Oh yes, Commentator is much loved.

Zookeeper, your feelings are shared by myself and many others. Can't stand it.

re: The Invisible Horse

Skyfire — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:49:53 GMT

Great story about a horse who personifies a racehorse.

Who has trained him?

re: The Invisible Horse

TerriV — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:08:35 GMT

Da3hoss, You beat me to it - I was just going to type his name- COMMENTATOR! Just love him and I'll sure be screaming run baby run when he runs his Whitney again. Several people have written on other blogs once in awhile, wondering why they love horseracing. Steve, that's what you do - you always fill our hearts with the reason why we love racing - these horses! And I love all the stories your fans have to tell also. There is a wealth of experience, information and love from bloggers on this site.

A couple more I love; Shakis (RIP) and Proudinsky.

re: The Invisible Horse

Matthew W — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:57:34 GMT

Steve, right now, Life is Sweet is "invisible", when you have those two others....She is my invisible horse in the Classic....loves the pro ride...1/2 to Sweet Catomine, who was also sort of an invisible good filly...

re: The Invisible Horse

Matthew W — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:53:23 GMT

Gun Bow--RIGHT ON! Greinton! Invisible....ran down Precisionist and looked good doing it! Eight epic battles--Hey THAT RIVALRY is ALSO "invisible"! And Flying Paster--the best kick of any Cal-Bred...at least up to 1 1/8, but he had huge run in him, and he was a real looker!....THAT rivalry, Bid/Paster, if you wanna call it a rivalry cuz Bid always won, was also invisible! How bout this? BEFORE the '79 Derby, weren't those two the best one/two punch on paper you ever saw? BOTH were under 2-1 for The Derby! Every once in a while you get a "Three Amigos" scenario...remember Broad Brush, Ferdinand, Snow Chief?....

re: The Invisible Horse

Soldier Course — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:53:00 GMT

Zookeeper:

After several years of closely following horse racing, I have finally come to understand the concept of "cognitive dissonance". I think that you and I , and a lot of others, must experience this on a regular basis because of our passion.

It's that anxiety which comes from the tension between belief (bad things happen to some horses in the sport) and action (we remain devoted to the sport). I think it helps to understand that these are normal feelings, even if there's no way to fully resolve them short of abandoning the sport.

But you are so right, one day there will be one horse too many ...

re: The Invisible Horse

Matthew W — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:39:04 GMT

Maybe with the economy in the tank, horses will stay on the track longer...I remember Cougar II, a full horse, going strong through his seven year old season---of corse geldings will race on, we'll get to see much more of that little tryer Mine That Bird...Not sure why they had to rush Big Brown into the breeding shed as he had "more to do" and more to earn as a racehorse....twenty five years ago John Henry had a huge season, resulting in Horse Of Year honors at the age of NINE!!! He worked 1:34 flat a week before his ten year old debut but was injured and retired....it's those old geldings....the ones who love what they do...they're the hardest to lose to a fatal breakdown!--rest assured they are doing what they love! In fact, Best Pal and Ancient Title passed away YOUNG, as retirees---those guys never wanted to hang it up! There's enough blood, sweat & tears in this sport, but there are moments--several moments along the way that stay with you for a lifetime....and you never know when you're going to see one of those moments in this traveling circus that was, is, and always will be the sport of kings.....

re: The Invisible Horse

da3hoss — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 22:51:27 GMT

Go Commentator...Run, Baby, Run...another "Invisible"...

re: The Invisible Horse

Magoo — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:25:40 GMT

THANK YOU SOOO much for the wonderful story on Cosmonaut!!! Although I appreciate the beauty of the "stars" of horseracing my heart has been with the older handicap type horses that continue to give their all each time they run and usually don't get the well deserved recognition

re: The Invisible Horse

Zookeeper — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:37:40 GMT

Greg J.,

As you posted on another blog, sometimes I wonder why I love horseracing...It doesn't make any sense, since I love all animals so much...One of these days, it will be one horse too many. Rest in Peace to all the horses who have died recently (and in the past)due to racing or training accidents. They ALL deserved better.

Sorry to be so down...I'm really sad right now. There's been so many injuries this year...it really makes me question myself.

Thank you Mr. Haskin for this blog where the people share in the appreciation of all horses, superstars or not. It's a haven from the bickerings of other venues.

re: The Invisible Horse

Freetex — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:38:24 GMT

I loved Wandering Boy, thanks to you Steve. He was spectacular.

Sick about Finallymadeit.

re: The Invisible Horse

Greg J. — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:53:20 GMT

I am sorry, Off subject here, But I needed to post this..

"Finallymadeit" Had to be euthanized Tuesday after breaking his cannon bone on tuesday at Saratoga, He was training for this weekend's Whitney, While he just ran last week. I loved this guy, He ALWAYS gave his all, This is just terrible news, He deserved better...

"Finallymadeit", 46 Starts: 16 - 7 - 4, $1,019,245

R.I.P...

re: The Invisible Horse

da3hoss — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:21:46 GMT

Another "Invisible" lost...5 year-old Finallymadeit broke a cannon bone and was euthanized Tuesday.

"He was an iron horse," Owner Rodriguez said. "He was part of the family. We called him the 'running heart'.(DRF)"

Won 16 races (12 stakes) from 47 starts: $1,026,640.

5 years old, he barely had gotten all his adult teeth.

re: The Invisible Horse

OLD TIMER — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:19:51 GMT

Steve,

You always have away of bringing out what makes this game so great. Thanks for the nice perspective. The public always hears about the Rachel's and the Big Brown's. It is nice to give credit to the working class horses who never have won Eclipse awards but ran their hearts out. Like Cosmonaut. Some of my favorites included: Perfect Drift; Frisk me Now; Evening Attire; Bet on Sunshine; etc.

re: The Invisible Horse

Ragsy — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:44:53 GMT

Steve, thank you for giving us the stories on so many horses...I would have never learned about some of them had you not written your stories....you are very kind...thank you......

all prayers and thoughts go to Louiville,Kentucky and all of the people during this trying time...

GOD BLESS YOU!!!

re: The Invisible Horse

Nancy — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:49:07 GMT

Hi Steve,

Thank you for continually bringing the stories of these unsung heroes to our attention. Have you thought of putting together a book highlighting their stories? It would be nice to have their memories live on the printed page.

Nancy

re: The Invisible Horse

berttheclock — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:46:41 GMT

Gun Bow, thanks for your comments about Flying Paster. Just one short tale. I was standing near the winner's circle at the rail for one of his last races. He had the lead, but, Eddie D and King Go Go started passing him on the outside. I swear FP glared at the King and seemed to say, "Not today, Buddy", dug in and hurled himself and Lipham over the wire just nipping Go Go.

re: The Invisible Horse

txhorsefan — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:22:05 GMT

Steve, you have no need to thank us for responding to your words about Cosmonaut, because it appears to me that you are feeding a hunger within us and allowing us a space to be able to express our joy and appreciation of these mighty warriors who continue to rock along past their 3 year old season. Since Cosmonaut is only seven, he still has hopefully more years of racing and then perhaps another career. When we seek to retire our race horses so young, I'm always reminded of the show jumping competition I was watching when the announcer was surprised at the horse's ability because it was *only* twelve years old - a baby!

re: The Invisible Horse

Matthew W — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:50:59 GMT

Fitting that Russel The Muscle won a couple of the Claiming Challenge races overe at Canterbury--and at nice prices...I remember Hap Logue winning 12 or 13 races in a row, cheap claimers/starter alw races, back in early 70's up in the Bay Area...They cheered him like a star and he was!...

re: The Invisible Horse

Kevin Stafford — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:42:45 GMT

I've always loved "Cosmo." I recall back in 2007 he and another blue-collar horse (Dreadnaught) were both at Pimlico for the Preakness undercard.

Always a gamer...and despite the fact that his wins are few and far between, he seems to always come up in my handicapping picks in the top 3 selections.

Admittedly, I've got a soft spot for him and part of me wants to be on board whenever he does win again.

Our turf division is filled with such competitors who receive our love and affection even without racking up the victories.

Better Talk Now also comes to mind. True, he's a former turf champion, but it's been a while for the old guy since he's won - but he's aguably one of the most beloved horses in all of racing.