The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

ABZ — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:53:12 GMT

Gun Bow,

Nice point about her as the best older mare since she has run. I agree and also rate her just above Personal Ensign, Zenyatta, Bayakoa, and Azeri. Take notice that she was the only one on that list to have a great 3-year-old campaign. Her Summer and Fall of 1985 was spectacular. She won eight consecutive stakes including sweeping the old handicap female series at Belmont (Maskette, Ruffian and Beldome) with dominating performances as a 3- year-old.

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

Soldier Course — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:08:13 GMT

My previous post, about Seattle Slew's burial site, brought this to mind.

I hesitate to mention it, because I know that Claiborne Farm is rightfully proud of its dignified stallion cemetery, so full of history and generations of champions. But visitors can't help but notice that Secretariat is buried adjacent to the office's AC/heating unit.

I wonder if Secretariat's burial site will ever be moved to the Kentucky Horse Park, as Man O' War's was done?

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

Soldier Course — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:47:54 GMT

Abbie Knowles:

Have you seen Seattle Slew's burial site at Hill 'N' Dale? It is breathtaking. The setting is so perfect that you can't take a bad photograph of it, even if you're an amateur. This alone would be worth a trip to Lexington.

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

Soldier Course — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:29:58 GMT

Disney's allowing Quarter horses to audition for role of Secretariat. Head wrangler for movie says "we'll do the best we can". Watch out now, don't get too confident.

Why am I worried?

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

MikeM — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:21:01 GMT

Snow- It wasn't my intent to knock DWL. I meant it as a compliment and have nothing but respect for his horsemanship.

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

GunBow — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 07:17:57 GMT

The "good ole days" are NOT that long ago. Lukas raced another filly, a champion 3 year old filly no less, 15 times at age 4 in 1996. Of course, her name was Serena's Song. While Lady's Secret was dubbed the "Iron Lady", Serena's Song was called the "Iron Filly".

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

GunBow — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 07:10:10 GMT

Thank you Steve. I wish more races from that period were on YouTube or someplace else. I got into racing just a few years later in 1989. Even though Lady's Secret is ranked highly by most everyone, I still think she may be underrated. The only older female horses since 86' that deserve comparison to Lady's Secret are Personal Ensign, Bayakoa, Azeri, and now Zenyatta(I also respect Paseana). If I had to choose, I would take Lady's Secret's 86' campaign slightly ahead of Bayakoa's 89'.

Precisionist was arguably the best miler of the past 25 years. Of the more recent horses, Ghostzapper and Congaree probably come closest. Prescisionist had 3 major rivalries in 86', with Lady's Secret, Greinton, and Turkoman. Those stats on Precisionist's speed(times at 6, 8, and 10 furlongs) are simply amazing.

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

Deacon — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 02:08:52 GMT

Matthew W: Princessnesian was a classy mare, she and Gamely were from the same stable. I still rank Rags to Riches performance in the Belmont better then anything I have seen from a filly in a long,long time. That is just my opinion though. I do agree that females beating the boys at a 1 1/4 is awfully tough to do. With that said, this years crop of 3 year colts and older handicap horses are much less then average. I suppose if the girls are ever to beat the boys in the BC Classic this might be the year.

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

Tim G — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:48:32 GMT

Question. Do any of you actually know Wayne?

I have seen it over and over again, Lady's Secret would not have accomplished what she did without the care and handling by Wayne, Jeff and Kiaran.

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

Soldier Course — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:46:08 GMT

Lesson to be learned, but how many times? KEEP THEM HOME.

Exceller: Sweden

Ferdinand: Japan

Drilling For Oil: Peru

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

Abbie Knowles — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 23:13:44 GMT

Berttheclock how nice to come across another of Seattle Slew's fans who knows some of his lesser known success stories. Everyone knows Funny of course but many will have forgotten Clever Trevor, Slewledo and one i had not heard of in Snipledo. Slewledo's son?

Always good to come across Seattle Slew fans! He de greatest!!!!!! To me anyway and for 33 years he has been as good a friend as you could wish for and he and his dynasty gave me the will to carry on when i was close to giving up! i owe him so much!

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

berttheclock — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 19:57:34 GMT

Okiefromtulsa, nothing wrong there - Great Lady M, a stakes winner at SA was taken to Oklahoma. She was no fluke - 14 foals, 13 raced with ll of them winning. Several of her daughters became Black Type producers.

However, another Oklahoma sire, little noticed, was the son of Seattle Slew, Slewacide, the dam sire of Funny Cide. However, I saw his son, Slew of Damascus, race for Craig Roberts in Washington and DM. He set a one mile track record in the Wickerr. Clevor Trevor was another son of Slewadice. Some of these so-called lesser sons of Slew have done well, such as Slewledo in Washington. His son, Snipledo, destroyed some well meant So Cal invaders in the '90 Longacres Mile.

However, to follow up on a comment supra, after D Wayne's hands on training of Tabasco Cat, he proved to me that any stories of him putting too much pressure on Saratoga Six were debunked by his outstanding hard boot love and devotion to the Cat. He became a true hard boot at Belmont.

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

Soldier Course — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 19:39:55 GMT

barb:

Copy URL to the Clipboard. You can do this by right-clicking URL on address bar, then clicking "copy".

Then Paste URL from Clipboard into your comment. You can do this by clicking "Edit" on the Toolbar, then clicking "paste".

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

LAZMANNICK — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 18:49:00 GMT

KMustang

I believe Arlington has the $50,000 added John Henry Stakes on the closing weekend in September.

Nice to have a race named after him, but for only $50K?. Big John helped put the Million on the map. At least though they are showing some recognition.

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

Matthew W — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 18:41:42 GMT

"Oh yes they call it the streak...." ....Steve times are tough but today at Del Mar "everything's gonna be all-right"!!---(again)....

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

Okiefromtulsa — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 18:12:10 GMT

Many are probably unaware that Lady's Secret was an Oklahoma bred. She held the money winning record for Oklahoma breds until it was broken by Kip Deville.

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

Matthew W — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 17:51:02 GMT

Deacon I believe Princessnesian is the last filly to beat older males at Gr I 1 1/4 main track conditions, in 1968...It is my belief that fillies are equal to males in both speed and stamina, as those traits are inherant in the breeding...the shorter they go AND the longer they go they become equal--What is NOT inherant is STRENGTH, and males tend to be much stronger than fillies, making the classic distance of 1 1/4 more taxing of the filly v male horse, I think the facts back me up--It is NOT uncommon for a filly to outrun a male horse at 1/1/2 or longer, and it's not uncommon for a filly to beat the male horse at 5 fur....What Rachel is doing IS uncommon, and when you make it 1 1/4 against the world's best--lets just say that I wouldn't bet on either filly winning the Classic, based on those beliefs...

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

barb — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 17:11:22 GMT

Soldier Course...Thanks for posting the link. I guess I need to figure out how to do it myself, lol.

Abbie Knowles...I was just starting out as a fan in the early/mid 80s and D Wayne was HUGE. He got alot of bad publicity (esp.for high profile breakdowns) and I was influenced by the media to not like him. I have changed my opinion of him over the years and now have a TON of respect for him. I am glad to hear that he was well liked in England "back in the day".

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

Soldier Course — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 15:19:57 GMT

KMillion:

Someone here may have already suggested this, but how about renaming the Arlington Million for John Henry? And while they're at it, increase the purse!

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

berttheclock — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 13:28:03 GMT

Matthew W, that Journey show paid eith $6.20 ot $6.40. But, it changed my betting habits, although I prefer either the exacta or trifecta backup to any win bet.

But, speaking of the trainer of Precisionist, Mr Fenstermaker, one of the more humorous TV moments was when he had to appear for a promo of an upcoming race for Mr P - Fenstermaker was a big man and very much a farm boy turned trainer. He didn't have the Mr GQ polish of D Wayne. So, he would appear with a stretchedout suit that could barely contain him. It looked like something Warren Stute had picked out for him at the Salvation Army. Warren being slender could pull it off. But, Fenstermaker was indeed a fish out of water. He just wanted to get back to the barn and rip that suit asunder.

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

berttheclock — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 12:33:11 GMT

Matthew W, Of course, Journey at Sea. Fine runner - I remember him due to the fact, that while I had Interco to win, a fellow who was a fine manager of his betting money, made more because while he had bet 20 to win on JatS, he backed it with a 200 dollar show bet. Journey at Sea in on the dam's side of Student Council.

However, wasn't Roving Boy a Kentucky bred? Bred by Yoder to Olden Times. Yoder ran a horse of his named Mr Redoy or Yoder spelled backwards. I knew Roving Boy well, because, I foolishly kept trying to beat him with the Jerry Fanning trained and Frank Olivares ridden Desert Wine. DW, finally won in the HP Futurity, following Roving Boy's untimely demise. Did you know Pincay rode him, but, didn't like him so Eddie D took the mounts? Thanks, for you reply.

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

Abbie Knowles — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 10:22:36 GMT

Great writing as always Steve and your bloggers are great unlike some of the ones poor Jason has to put up with like Draynay etc.

However was annoyed by the implied criticism of an all time great trainer in D Wayne Lukas! There was a programme shown in the UK shortly after the death of his "best ever" LANDALUCE! Her death was such a tragedy. She was only 2! He was in tears just talking about her! He was not the only one. She was by SEATTLE SLEW of course!

D Wayne Lucas loves his horses and his 12 rules were a great idea! My swiss cheesed memory is too swiss cheesed to remember what they were but they were in Pacemaker in an article about the great man! Many years ago probably back in the 80's!

One day D Wayne Lukas will get a GREAT horse again! People were just jealous of his success!

God bless

Best wishes

Abbie

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

Deacon — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 06:31:06 GMT

Matthew W: Aew you speaking of Gamely in 1968? I am not I said a filly would beat the boys at a 1 1/4 in a grade 1. I said that I thought that Ruffian was the best filly I ever saw, and I said that Lady's Secret and Susan's Girl were in the top 5. With respect, Rags to Riches won a grade 1 in 2007, I am sure you remember the Belmont Stakes where she beat 2 time horse of the year Curlin. Does a 1 1/2 count better then a 1 1/4? Just wondering...........

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

KMustang — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 04:35:38 GMT

Barb, Lazmannick, Matthew W.,Sherpa,and Zookeeper---

You're welcome, and thanks to you all for your kind words. These four-legged friends of ours sure grow on you, don't they?

I'm glad I was able to find that story and pass it on.

By the way, does anybody know if John Henry has a race named after him? If not, that is an injustice that needs to be corrected.....ASAP. (don't mean to be off topic) I believe Precisionist and Lady's Secret already have their races.

re: The Red Horse and the Iron Lady

Mary — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 04:20:22 GMT

A "dainty" mare who raced 34 times by age 4 (and 45 times total). She raced against males, conceded weight to the males, raced at distances from 6 furlongs to 10 furlongs, raced regardless of track condition....

Your articles remind me of how much I miss the "good ole days" of horse racing. We'll probably never see a filly that durable again and even if somebody managed to breed one, the trainer would probably be afraid to race her to her full potential.