No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

Windolin — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 13:32:39 GMT

freetex, I am so sorry for your daughter's loss.

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

Slew — Sat, 02 Aug 2014 23:18:11 GMT

About time I got back to this.

I always said that since Wise Dan is the best at a mile, why does everyone insist he has to go farther to prove he's great. He's already been proven to be the best at what he does best.

I never heard anyone ranting that Goldikova needed to enter the BC Classic. She was the greatest at a mile, and she proved it...over and over and over again.

A 2 time HOY has nothing to prove...he's already a proven champion. My best wishes will ride with him just as he is.

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

Freetex — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 19:00:57 GMT

Colic surgery is devastating. On a recent tuesday my daughter had a wonderful, accomplished, Grand Prix Dressage horse; and on Friday he was gone. This was his second colic surgery. His loss is a hurt that can't be described. I respect Wise Dan's trainer in so many ways and the decision to wait until Dan is truly ready to race, if ever. Wise Dan is a champion and as such deserves the status that follows him even if it means retirement.

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

Rusty Weisner — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 13:14:46 GMT

Steve Haskin,

That pairing of quotes, one by the namesake of a race at Saratoga no less, demonstrated some real writing talent. That was really high-caliber stuff.

That said, Wise Dan has cost me nothing but grief at the windows over the years. Still, I won't be glad to see him go.

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

Windolin — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 16:47:14 GMT

Continued : to any horse of any age or breed or any discipline, even a backyard pet. Luckily for Dan, his did correct itself and he did not spiral down into a fatal twist colic. Was it serious yes. Was it due to his age or racing, no. From what I saw he looked great when he was unloaded at the farm after the colic to recuperate. From the reports, Dan was ready to go back to the track. one thing he hated the flies and they had to put a fly mask on him. He seems to have made a great recovery. He is as you say Steve, one tough bird. mm

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

Windolin — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 16:33:49 GMT

I think it only fair that we be reminded that Dan gets a break every winter at Mr. LoPresti's farm. This vacation every year has no doubt contributed also to Dan's longevity. Dan of course has to go back in training early enough in the late winter to be ready for the races. If you recall, we had frigid winter with snow and ice for weeks. Mr LoPresti made the comment that he would have liked several more weeks of training before the first race. Did this impact his first race, I think it did. Conditioning is key to the performance on the track. A comment on the colic Dan had. The flips can happen to any hord

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

Coldfacts — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 13:06:30 GMT

Quinnbit,

Your points are valid and passionately expressed. I appreciate that I was not demonized in your submission.

I always endeavor to respect the opinions of others. However, what appear to be fantasies are hardly opinions but rather wishes driven by unrestrained emotions

Your points have been acknowledged and are appreciated.

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

Bellwether — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 23:39:24 GMT

What if a Bull Frog had wings???...He would be Wise Dan!!!...

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

Windolin — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 12:48:10 GMT

There is just something special about some horses that endears me to them.

The first time I saw a photo of Wise Dan's beautiful head and the depth of his eyes, I felt a connection to him. It was much the same way when I saw Secretariat in the line up for the Derby on a little 13 inch black and white TV. For those of you who have felt this sensation, you know what I mean. For those of you who have not, then you most likely never will and therefore will never understand that feeling.

Following Wise Dan has taken me from someone who really liked turf racing to someone who loves the turf and actually prefers it to the dirt track. There is something Old World about the turf and it hearkens back to when racing in Colonial times in this country.

For all intents and purposes, based on what I have read, there was not a lot of faith in Wise Dan ever amounting to much. Wise Dan’s sire was a somewhat non-descript stallion and based on his pedigree and admittedly his conformation flaws, it was decided early on that he was not stallion material and was gelded.

Wise Dan exceeded expectations and he has certainly outran his pedigree (for those of you who live by pedigree only).

One day he will deservedly be placed in the racing hall of fame and years from now will no doubt be thought of a being one of racing greats.

I think we all know that his chances of garnering a third Horse of the Year are slim to none. We do not even know yet if he will win more races this year. But if any horse can come back, I think it is Wise Dan.

Wise Dan has brought great joy to many people and especially Mr. Fink.

Horses like Wise Dan and owners like Mr. Fink are symbolic of what horse racing has always been intended to be; love of the horse and love of the sport.

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

md reynolds — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 20:16:16 GMT

Well said! Cannot wait for The Wise One's return!

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

futurefoal — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 18:24:51 GMT

Your comment of Wise Dan generating energy from his hind end is contributed to the double cross of Round Table in his breeding. Round Table was renown for "running almost off his hocks".Wise Dan follows in Round Table hoof prints as he is considered "America's greatest home bred turf runner". Also similar to Round Table Wise Dan has won dirt stakes but not on the level of Round Table, who won 17 dirt stakes (11 designated Grade 1 since)and well as 14 turf stakes.wise Dan also has set track records again not on the scale of RT (16 equalled or bettered) with 5 more possible records as he won easily at only a fifth of a second slower than the track record. Again Wise Dan brings back memories of his ancestor.Wise Dan in comparison to today's runners is more of a comparison of runners from decades ago. He has been a supreme pleasure to watch and cheer for. Go on Wise Dan!

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

txhorsefan — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 15:47:00 GMT

Thank you, Steve!! Very well said. I have so enjoyed following Wise Dan and watching his winning ways on multiple surfaces so in my heart he is already one of the greats!! I'm also very grateful to his connections for always putting the horse first and considering what is best for him - they have my respect and admiration.

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

Coldfacts — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 16:31:37 GMT

timmyparkerson,

You left me in stiches regarding your Frankel comments.

Had Animal Kingdom experienced a better trip in the 2012 Breeder Cup Turf Mile Wise Dan would have been beaten. He recorded a NTR on a rock hard turf. Little Mike also set a NTR for 12F.

Animal Kingdom raced on turf in Europe and was unplaced. He was only beaten by less than 2 lengths by Wise Dan coming off an almost 12 months respite.

If the connections of Wise Dan avoided Goldikova why on god's earth do you believe they would take on wonder horse Frankel.

With age should come wisdom

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

Quinnbit — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 15:12:23 GMT

Coldfacts,

We all have and are entitled to our opinions, after all, that is what powers racing. In the case of Wise Dan there is one opinion that supersedes both yours mine and everyone's, Wise Dan's. I am confident that he expresses his opinion clearly and fortunately for him Mr. LoPresti listens. The two have known each other for quite a few years and Dan isn't about to try and sway Charlie and vice versa.

With regard to Paynter he had a much more serious condition, Colitis. In addition he had a case of laminitis post surgery. According to the reports Wise Dan had a twist in his intestine that was diagnosed immediately, he was sent to surgery and when the doctors opened him up they found that the twist had rectified itself, so other than the incision healing there were no other complications of note.

As you stated breezes are controlled. They are practice and only representative of a horses desire to run. In the case of older geldings their savvy prowess gives them an immeasurable edge when breezing because they will do exactly what is prescribed.

Wise Dan's last race was challenging indeed and not his best by any analysis, but from the determination viewpoint he did what he had to do and fought a tough battle from start to finish and was the victor.

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

timmyparkerson — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 07:02:24 GMT

All I know is this horse has taken on all comers from around the world . I think he would have beaten frankle had he run in the breeders cup. 2 races he ran under 132 for a mile at different tracks . ive never seen that before an im almost 50. At a mile maybe the best ever???.

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

gonewest — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 02:23:47 GMT

Wise Dan has nothing to prove....Palace Malice is not in Wise Dan's class, not(yet).................Royal Heroine could run with any miler in history.

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

Coldfacts — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 19:36:38 GMT

kelpie,

Palace Malice does have a strong Turf pedigree and I am of the opinion he would be competitive on the surface. The Breeder Cup Classic carries a bigger purse and more prestige. Defeating the aging champion cannot be compared to defeating to class 3YOs the likes of Tonalist, California Chrome and Shared Belief.

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

kelpye — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 17:56:51 GMT

Great post. Dirt or turf is "apples and oranges". I don't see the great dirt horses rushing to compete with Wise Dan on "his turf".

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

slee — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 16:56:32 GMT

Wise Dan's "self-correction" of his colic problem reminded me of a situation with a neighbor's Morgan mare. WD's vets said they thought maybe the rolling of WD into position for the surgery loosened the coil of intestines that was causing the colic. My neighbor's mare broke loose while we were walking her, waiting for the vet to arrive. She bolted to the other side of the pasture and got down and rolled, which is what most colic horses want to do. She rolled, twisted, got up, got down and rolled some more. Then she stopped, got up, shook her head and came back to us. Her pulse was near normal and she'd stopped sweating. When the vet arrived she said the intestinal sounds were normal. The mare lived another decade and died of a heart issue, never having colic again.

Wisdom and experience dictate that most colic horses want to get down and roll and you shouldn't let them lest they twist an intestine, making things so much worse, possibly fatefully so.

But one wonders, if, sometimes, the horse's instinct is right - get down and roll and roll and UNDO the problem……Not an experiment I'd want to try, obviously, but interesting.

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

Coldfacts — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 13:16:11 GMT

Windolin,

What am I guilty of now? In which way have I not been worm towards DW?

A contributor proposed what I considered to be some over ambitious scenarios regarding the aging gelding who recently recovered from colic surgery. It is my opinion that they bordered on fantasy. We all appreciate what WD had done but we should remain realistic given facts as they are.

The report on WD’s first post-surgery breeze has done nothing to change my opinion. A Breeze is not a race. Many horses that have not undergone surgery breeze impressively and are badly beaten in actual races.

I firmly believe WD should be retired and now subjected to further racing. My opinion has nothing to do with coldness toward the brilliant gelding.

I do not have lot of information on horses that have recovered from colic surgery. However, the little I have indicates they never returned to their pre surgery levels. Why risk the gelding being beaten by lesser which I believe is a likely scenario.

If being realistic makes me cold, then I consider this a good kind of coldness.

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

Coldfacts — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 12:44:37 GMT

Quinnbit,

Many thanks for directing me to the report featuring details of WD first breeze subsequent to his colic surgery.

A breeze is normally a controlled piece of exercise and is significantly different from a race. The much youngers Paynter was breezing impressively after his surgery. I predicted then that he would not win at the top level and he did not.

I harbor no ill will against WD. I just think the gelding has given so much that after his encounter with colic and successful surgery the time had come to retire him.

He narrowly won his pre colic/surgery race. In my opinion it is unrealistic to think that at his age he will continue his winning ways in top class company.

It's just an opinion.

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

Forbidden Apple — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 10:22:47 GMT

Wise Dan and Charles LoPresti are both full of class and courage. Wise Dan is a running machine with a huge heart and he seems to be thriving on his training year after year. Yes he has nothing left to prove to anyone. And he will always be on my mind and in my heart, a true warrior in the world of horse racing. I remember watching Fourstardave when I was a kid, both of these horses electrify a crowd. After last summer at Saratoga it seemed like the owner's wanted to keep Dan's win streak going. He has been beaten since and there is no shame in running second. Let us also remember that if not for being gelded he would already be retired from racing. If he remains sound, fit, happy, and eager to run, then let him try a dirt race again. Ron the Greek ran at least three monster races in his career, he was a very nice horse. I never could understand why one loss to a Grade I caliber foe has completely banned Wise Dan from running on dirt. I thought that he could have run in and won the 2013 Whitney. Now with a purse increase it looked as if NYRA was trying to lure Wise Dan into the 2014 Whitney. After Will Take Charge wins the Whitney, maybe we can see Wise Dan point to the Woodward and win it! I have nothing but respect for this horse and his trainer, they both are a gift to horse racing. Why am I a naysayer or negative for simply wanting to see my favorite horse throw down against top colts on dirt? Wise Dan deserves a chance, win or lose he's still the undisputed champ to me.

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

tjconway — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 06:43:17 GMT

One thing is certain, the rest of this year is gonna be awesome. Starting this weekend! Fasten your seatbelts, folks!

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

dance with fate — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 03:58:29 GMT

Wise Dan made me a believer. Something about him is so honest it draws you to him & you can't help but respect & love him. ("To thine own self be true...") Thank you Mr. Haskin for your admiring reflections on this champion.

re: No More 'What Ifs' With Wise Dan

Racingfan — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 03:52:19 GMT

Great article as always Steve! You said it all - we need to just appreciate him for him. We will never know what he may have done but at this point it does not matter. He has done great things as is and I think he is a great horse and deserves the respect of all racing fans. Spectacular Bid - well said. I agree with you about Wise Dan and Game On Dude! They have both given us much excitement and have done great things. And what a thought that they could someday be retired pasture mates together! Oh the stories they could tell...!! LOL