Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

Paula Higgins — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 02:22:03 GMT

sceptre, who stole your toys today? I have sympathy for the horses AND the people who train them. I don't need to save it. If I doled it out to people you thought were deserving, we would be waiting until the next millenium.. As for claimers, I would feel bad for anyone who bonded with any horse over a period of time and then lost them. As for "brought them to the dance" stories, there are plenty of them whether you think this one fits the mold or not.

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

pabred — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 22:49:11 GMT

If all you can take from this article is a word "girl," then you need to read it again. What about the heartbreack, the greatness just missed. Already knew the story. But reading it was nice. Helen Pitts show class.

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

Gulchfan — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 17:32:41 GMT

$1.75 million & $3.5? that's all? bargain basement

...remember there was an offer (which they turned down) for Social Inclusion for $8 million

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

smarie — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 03:07:11 GMT

I had a t-shirt once that read:

"God created man first because everyone does a rough draft."

The person who laughed hardest; my husband.

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

Paula Higgins — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 02:38:47 GMT

mz and Dr D, the best two lines in one of the greatest comedies ever made.

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

sceptre — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 01:19:50 GMT

Paula Higgins:

Save your sympathies for the horses, not for the trainer, etc. here. Ever hear of claiming races and claimed horses? Do you shed a tear for their trainers? What difference is it whether it's a Curlin, or any other horse? Hmm, me thinks it's his stature; so much for bonding. Also, this is far from a "brought him to the dance" story.

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

mz — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 22:35:56 GMT

Dr. D: "Osgoode, I can't marry you. I'm a man"

"Well, nobody's perfect."

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

ForTheLoveOfTheHorse — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 20:52:58 GMT

This is a wonderful story!! Curlin and Rags to Riches are the two horses I initially fell totally in love with and who drew my heart into horseracing. It’s great to hear the backstory of the Mightly Curlin’s beginnings! Helen and Hanne clearly did a great job of nurturing and healing Curlin’s ails as a young colt. After all, he grew up to be the Iron Horse. I don’t think I ever heard of him even spiking a temperature during his grueling and thrilling campaigns. The crowning event of course being his induction into the Hall of Fame. I felt such pride!! I’m delighted this article gives such a shout out to two women who gave Curlin so much heart and wisdom and care!! Who knows where or what he might have been without it!

The discussion on the word “girl” I find almost amusing. Irregardless of a small pot of individual experiences or personal opinions, it is a well known fact that that term “girl”, and the efforts to eliminate it, have contributed greatly to women’s rise in equality in this country. It’s well documented in the Social Sciences and Psychological research. That term, as well as others, is steeped in a very real and long history of discrimination toward women. It’s a fact, and referring to a man as a boy is an entirely different thing, which cannot be equated to girl, because men (particularly white makes) as a population, simply do not carry centuries of being minimalized and marginalized by its own culture. I just consider the source when I hear the term used these days. And I don’t mean that as an insult. The fact is that most people using the term these days simply do not get the potency of the history, and/or have not spent much time considering the roots of discrimination and the long hard road in eliminating it – a road of many many seemingly small and insignificant pieces but when put into the “whole”, and changed one by one, really can change the greater perception, and thus the quality of life for a lot of people. It’s a study, and it has to be meaningful to you, or you just won’t “get it”.

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

Paula Higgins — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 20:52:31 GMT

Coldfacts, I was kidding! Bethany Loftus back at you. I feel the same way about everyone on here as well, especially mz "one of the good ole girls" (a compliment mz).

Sceptre, are you kidding? Grow a heart. People bond with these horses. It isn't just about the paycheck. They pour they pour their professional lives into making their horses successful. It must be incredibly painful to watch them go somewhere else. I do not own race horses. But if I did, I would not move a horse or sell a horse out from under the person that "brought me to the dance." Talk about ingratitude, insensitivity.......

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

Dr Drunkinbum — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 19:17:56 GMT

Times have changed and words have changed. The quotes are from a scene from one of the greatest comedies of all time, "Some Like It Hot." "Look at the two broads from the elevator !" "What's the matter with those dames?" "Maybe those dames ain't dames !!!"

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

sceptre — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 18:49:09 GMT

The reaction or, more precisely, overreaction to this story puzzles me a bit. No, I'm not referring to the debate over the term "girls", but rather to the body of the story. Why is it so heartbreaking? Pitts and the exercise rider (I didn't say "girl") didn't get to retain the horse for his career; big deal. They spent time and got the horse over some of his ailments-this is what happens all the time, and is part of a trainer's responsibilities; for which they are well paid. Very likely Pitts, et al, also received some additional $ post the partial sale of the horse. If indeed they did, this was a "gift"-and more than they were entitled to.

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

Steve Haskin — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 17:58:13 GMT

Thanks, Gerry. Go to my Facebook page and you'll get a full explanation, along with reader comments.

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

Gerry L — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 17:26:48 GMT

Excellent as usual Steve. By the way , I haven't seen your and Lenny's show lately..

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

Jersey Girl — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 16:34:56 GMT

Touching article as always - thank you, Steve.

When all is said and done I hope everyone can have some fun with the "girls" debate.

In my family, the girls always remind the boys that "Chicks rule."

Looking forward to the Travers!

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

Quinnbit — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 16:27:41 GMT

Jumping in a bit late.

Starting the week off we were introduced to two humans (obviously my lack of enthusiasm in entering the debate is evident) and their involvement with a equine, by weeks end we have a debate overshadowing the main subjects.

Perhaps the author, biographer, columnist, correspondent, editor, essayist, journalist, scribe, wordsmith, writer, could have titled the article, story, feature, narrative, report, chronicle, or yarn

"THE

broads, chicks, females, feminists, floozies, girlfriends, girls, fillies, ladies, women

-take your pick

WHO LOST CURLIN".

A fantastic horse and his caretakers story lost in a morass.

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

Wayne67 — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 15:55:19 GMT

Human dramas are always being played out to the pleasure of some and raising the ire of others. Moreover, the fine content of these dramas, often gets lost in the shuffle, and before you know it, they become much ado about nothing.

It behooves me to see people blowing things out of proportions.

Just so you know Steve, to use a tired cliche, I don't judge a book by its cover but rather by its content. This article is fine by me.

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

mz — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 13:02:22 GMT

"Can we all get a long?" Rodney King. (Although I prefer the misquote: "Can't we just all get along?")

And in the immortal words of War: "why can't we be friends, why can't we be friends, why can't we be friends.."

Speaking of misquotes, Neil Armstrong was meant to say "that's one small step for A man, one giant leap for mankind". Otherwise, IMO doesn't really make much sense.

(We're good Bethany. No real offence taken - my comment was just in keeping with the theme "Fun with Words")

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

Coldfacts — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 12:32:38 GMT

Paula Higgins:

Coldfacts, "Broads?" Yikes, you ARE living very dangerously.

Broads: Defined as a North American informal plural noun for women.

I would not used some of the informal nouns above in reference to women unless I was seeking to be provocative but not necessarily disrespectful.

I was just giving short list of formal and informal nouns used for women. How exactly am I living dangerously?

They were not recommendations to the moderator as I am sure there is no limitation to his vocabulary.

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

Steve Haskin — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 11:54:58 GMT

Cyradis4, that was a wonderful post. Thank you for offering your persepctive in such an articulate manner.

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

Johnny — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 11:03:09 GMT

Since we are all ready off subject a little FYI

Womens right movement was agenda driven by the Rockerfellas.

Why?

1) To increase the amount of people paying taxes in this country.

2) Take the mother out of the house and destroy the family as the children are put into school earlier.

Looking at this country today it seems to have worked.

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

Bethany Loftis — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 09:44:47 GMT

The whole gang is here now! Welcome back Bob! Totally agree with you on this blog being one, big happy, dysfunctional family, and I love to read everyone's comments. Even the ones that may spark a wee debate are awesome to read, and can provide so much insight!

mz- I certainly meant no disrespect, and should have chosen my wording more carefully. I always enjoy reading yours, and the others comments. I, unfortunately, have not seen or been through what you and Pedigree Ann along with some of the others have. I apologize if I put you or others off, by stating "nitpicking." I have a lot to learn from you and others. With this in mind, I promise to be more sensitive. As I stated earlier, I LOVE reading your comments. You, Pedigree Ann, Paula Higgins, Windolin, honestly too many to mention, I have infinite respect for!

Have a happy Monday Bloodhorse fam!

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

Cyradis4 — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 04:25:06 GMT

Love the article, Steve! Glad the crooks who used to own Curlin got what was coming to them, and I can't wait to see Jess's Dream run! I also hope Palace Malice bounces back, he's a favorite of mine.

For those who are taking offense at the word "girl":

I'm a woman and an engineer. And reading this is making my blood boil. The only thing I find offensive about the title? Is the commentary about how people should be offended by it. Every single one of my co-workers are men all but 1 older than me. And I find it shameful that while they feel free to joke among themselves, the ones who don't know me well bend over backwards to "be sensitive". I don't want them to be sensitive, I want to be treated like an equal.

I've called men old enough to be my grandfather "boys" on many occasions, and have been called "girl" on a few. They don't take offense... And I don't take offense when they aren't politically correct. Yes, there have been a few people (not my coworkers) who have been condescending. There is a clear difference between harmless fun (like the title) and condescension. Its shameful when the English language can't even be properly spoken because of "political correctness".

Equality goes both ways.

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

Tiz Herself — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 03:43:08 GMT

Steve, I will never tire of reading your articles - they inspire and they touch something within the soul and leave a person anxiously waiting for more. I cannot wait to see what your view of Hardest Core is! You never fail to deliver. It is unfortunate how somethings are misunderstood - a fact that worries me as I attempt to write - hopefully one day professionally however not quite there yet. Thank you for all that you do Steve and all that you write!

Curlin is those once in a lifetime horses. Am eagerly awaiting the career starts for both Jess's Dream and Union Jackson. There are two other juveniles this year that have been added to my watch and they are Bold Conquest and La Grange.

Thanks again Steve! You're #1 fan in Alberta.

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

mz — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 23:41:29 GMT

Jumping along to the point of this blog, at least Pitts had Einstein. Anyone know what Chip Wooley is doing today?

re: Haskin: The Girls Who Lost Curlin

mz — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 23:36:27 GMT

Also, don't stop writing just 'cause you get comments.

Give me more Mandy and "old-timely" horses too