A Victory for the Family

re: A Victory for the Family

slee — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:41:07 GMT

Mrs. Bryant reminds me of a woman my grandmother used to work for. The first time we ever met "Mrs. E." was about 10 a.m. on a Saturday morning. She was RE-filling an Old-Fashioned glass with ice and a couple of fingers of Jack Daniels. She offered my father one and he glanced at his watch and declined. She smiled and said, "yes, it is a little early. You know," she added, while picking up a cigarette, "I saw my doctor this week for my 87th birthday checkup. And he told me to stop drinking and smoking or I'd end up in an early grave." She pulled on the cigarette. "I told him that was no longer possible."

She'd been widowed near the end of WWII and raised 4 children essentially alone while establishing and running a successful business. She turned down several offers of marriage, saying she didn't need them, then remarried again around age 60 because she found somebody who made her laugh. He died when she was 75, and she soldiered on until age 94.

That's quite a generation, like her horse V.E. Day -- strong, loves to work, and will go all day!

re: A Victory for the Family

hopalong — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:23:10 GMT

This is so well done, it's certainly a candidate for an Eclipse Award.

re: A Victory for the Family

trackjack — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 14:11:53 GMT

Great wrap-up Steve, thanks.

re: A Victory for the Family

BelmontBarb — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 01:49:37 GMT

Staples in racing - the Jerkens' leave a remarkable foot-print in racing and are the example of what it takes to hold a place in the tough and competitive world of racing. One must always be ready and able and never have a loss of confidence in order to meet the ups and downs and just keep on without losing focus of that finish line - certainly the Jerkens' Legacy and spirit of this fine family of horsemen has touched all of us through the Travers along with the a vibrant Mrs. Bryant whom without a doubt represents a major force in racing and a legacy of her own.

Steve ~ a thoroughly tenderly written Travers report and article written by a very talented and spirited writer ~ inspiring as always!

re: A Victory for the Family

Paula Higgins — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 00:27:05 GMT

Coldfacts, I was very impressed with your VE Day pick. He was not anyone else's radar, so credit is due to you. Good call. I also could not agree more with your comments about Quality Road, Mr. Jerkens and Mr. Pletcher. A shame he was moved. I don't know how much further he would have gone with Mr. Jerkens, but I would bet money he would have had a better outcome.

re: A Victory for the Family

Eric Rickard — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 23:08:10 GMT

Great Story. Loved the win. However, I don't feel that Bayern was pressured that much. No excuse for him. V E is one to watch. Hope to see you, Mr. Haskins this weekend at the Spa.

re: A Victory for the Family

Johnny — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 21:55:27 GMT

Geez Coldfacts how far do you need to go to prove yourself? You hit a race CONGRATS!!

How did you do in the Derby with Wicked Strong?

Were was that write up?

When you are right you really go out of your way to spread those peacock feathers of yours. I'm happy for you..

Now go ice your hammy..

re: A Victory for the Family

Steve Haskin — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 20:37:47 GMT

JohnCLiNY, thanks very much for the kind words. That's very nice of you to say. And thanks to everyone and for your kind sentiments regarding And They're Off. It was a fun ride and I'm going to miss bantering with Lenny. Maybe I'll pop into "Lenny's Place" on occasion with help on a Top 10.

re: A Victory for the Family

Susan from VA — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 19:49:23 GMT

A simply wonderful article. And I, too, miss "And They're Off."

re: A Victory for the Family

Coldfacts — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 19:24:24 GMT

Dr Drunkinbum

"I think CF pulled a hammy"

HAMMY: Marked by exaggerated and usually self-conscious theatricality.

Why am I not surprised that you have endorsed Johnny's disparaging comments and went further to put into what you perceived to the context of my submission.

It is unfortunate that neither of you were gracious enough to congratulate me for a job well done as other have. However, you both dedicated time to highlight your syndical sides.

Below is a submission by the contributor who has in the past directed extremely critical and unfaltering comment toward me:

Rusty Weisner:

"Coldfacts,

I love your 12:41 "Eliminated!" post. More of this stuff, please. Right on the money with this, this, this and and this:"

On Wicked Strong:

"Being upfront with Bayern will be a significantly different experience than the one with MSW winner Legend. This will compromise his chances."

On Bayern:

Appears to be the superior speed in the field but his speed has to be perfectly managed for him to win 10F against top G1 routers. He has never won a race with 126lbs and will carry 8Lbs more than he carried in the Haskell going 1F longer against top class routers."

On Kid Cruz:

"I cannot think of a running strategy that could be employed to get him a victory. If he is close to the pace he will not have his explosive finishing kick. If he drops back he will have too much do against the high cruisers that can kick in the stretch."

On Mr. Speaker:

"He is a classy turf colt that should be kept where he excels."

Now THAT is handicapping.

Even one of my fiercest critic had the decency to give acknowledgement to a job well done.

I recommend you view same a lesson in social graces.

re: A Victory for the Family

JohnCLiNY — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 19:06:59 GMT

You are invaluable, Steve. There are hundreds of articles about the Travers and its participants, but none is even remotely as fascinating, eloquent, insightful, and original as yours. Nobody else provides as interesting and historically informed perspective as you do. The Jerkens story is a great American tale better than the most thrilling fiction. Also, I'm now in love with Mrs. Bryant. Thanks so much for your great work, Steve.

re: A Victory for the Family

hopalong — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 17:26:39 GMT

Nice story from Steve, as one would expect. As traditional as his subjects. Met him last Friday at Barn 75, with the Little family and our Centennial Group from Plano. Onward and upward with this new crop of horses, both the 3 year olds, and the 2 year olds. Colts from Tapit, Tiznow and Dynaformer's last crop. Do you think they'll be an English Channel in 2015?

re: A Victory for the Family

Dr Drunkinbum — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 16:41:33 GMT

Johnny

I think CF pulled a hammy.

Steve

I'm really going to miss you and "And They're Off." One of the greatest shows of all time along with The Honeymooners, Leave it To Beaver, Andy Griffith, Gunsmoke, Alfred Hitchcock, Twilight Zone, X-Files, The Fugitive, and Seinfeld. Many of the great shows did last around five years but "And They're Off" should have been another Gunsmoke, around forever. You have a great camera presence with brilliant insight and humor so I hope you're an occasional guest on Lenny's new dive bar or high class joint, whatever it turns out to be (nothing wrong with a dive bar by the way).

re: A Victory for the Family

Deltalady — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 15:54:30 GMT

This is the best illustration of all that the sport of horse racing has to offer. What a comeback for Jimmy Jerkens, what a wonderful gift for his dad to watch his son achieve the highest pinnacle of success. And, what an inspiration is the owner of V E Day! So many happy stories, even in defeat, Wicked Strong brought inspiration and demonstrated the epitome of what it means to do your best, and even in coming up short, he is still a winner to all who have rooted for him. So happy for Jimmy, and so very happy for all the connections of these two special horses. Thanks for the heart-felt telling of these wonderful stories, Steve. No one does this better than you.

re: A Victory for the Family

Coldfacts — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 15:11:52 GMT

Johnny,

I know my capabilities and have no need to engage in self-glorification.

Do us a favor and provide some critical analysis before a race instead of submitting useless comments.

Remaining SOS is optional!

re: A Victory for the Family

txhorsefan — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 15:03:05 GMT

Again, Steve...you did it again. A story so special it made my eyes leak. Thank you so much for sharing the background of the horses as well as the people - I am forever grateful for your words and talent. Thanks!

re: A Victory for the Family

Bill Two — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 14:11:39 GMT

Very well told, Steve. Isn't it amazing how fate can turn on a dime? I'm happy for Jimmy and Allen. They can stand some good news.

re: A Victory for the Family

Johnny — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 12:44:24 GMT

Great article Steve glad you did not offend anyone as of yet..

Sorry could not resist..

Coldfacts please do not injure yourself by patting yourself on the back..

re: A Victory for the Family

dueywag — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 10:35:49 GMT

Thank you for the great article. What a beautiful backstory about Mrs. Bryant. Congratulations to all the connections!

re: A Victory for the Family

Paula Higgins — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 02:53:17 GMT

Another wonderful story from the Master Storyteller. V.E.Day certainly is an impressive horse. I am happy for both Allen and Jimmy Jerkens, who are very deserving of the 1st and 2nd place honors. I love the name of this horse for obvious reasons and I am happy for Mrs. Bryant as well. Clearly, a very nice woman. You really give these races/horses context Steve by telling us about the story behind the owners as well as the trainers. One last thing, my sincere condolences on the loss of Mrs. Jerkens to both father and son and all their family. I am glad for this one bright spot amidst their loss.

re: A Victory for the Family

Coldfacts — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 02:04:25 GMT

I recalled when Quality Road was removed from the keep and care of Jimmy Jerkens. It was baffling then and even now. How could any well thinking owner transfer a horse from a victorious trainer to the one that was the vanquished in a track record setting race? It appears Mr. Evans wanted a world record from Quality Road and regarded his NTR a failure on the part of his trainer.

Quality Road was a majestic looking and very fast horse that set three NTRs. Under the high octane program of Mr. Pletcher the magnificent specimen of a race horse could not break 1:50 for 9F in its penultimate start and finished a floundering last in its final. It was sad to see such a magnificent and talented animal concluded its racing career on such a low. Mr. Evans who passed approximately 8 weeks later must have regretted his decision.

In August of 2013 the moderator dedicated a blog to Jimmy Jerkens’ dad titled ‘Allen Jerkens and the greatest year ever.’ Below is an extract from a submission I made to said blog.

“If Allen Jerkens is now considered to be too old, his son Jimmy Jerkens carries his genes and it would be safe to assume that his dad has taught him well and he represents an extension of his father. The younger Jerkens obviously has more energy and can be used as a conduit to extend his father legacy. Come on owners!”

Jimmy Jerkens was mentored by one of the best and his success is not surprising. After selecting Wicked Strong to win the Wood Memorial, I proposed that after his victory the headline should read ‘Giant Killer Jnr Strikes in The Wood.’ Sadly the caption was not adopted. It would have been a great headline as it would have saluted Jimmy Jerkens directly and indirectly acknowledging the great trainer who mentored him.

I selected V E Day to win the Travers but would not be brazen enough to again propose a caption for his victory. Jimmy Jerkins must have recognized how tough and versatile this colt was after he came to hand.

He made 2 starts over 9F in July ahead of a 10F race scheduled approximately 30 days later. How many trainers would undertake such a racing schedule ahead of a major G1 race against some of the best 3YOs in the country? This is a testament to the talent of Jimmy Jerkins.

While the focus will be on California Chrome and Shared Belief in the last third of the year, it should not be ignored that V E Day is the new colt on the block and he is trained by the son of a giant killer.

re: A Victory for the Family

JunWong — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 01:50:58 GMT

Steve,this a lovely article as only you could write.You

have a racing fan best pair of eyes and ears.We are never there physically,but if you are there-then racing fans are there too,because you will describe every bit of detail that matters. I am a big H Allen Jerkens fan for many years.I am also a big fan of his son Jimmy Jerkens- now Mr Jimmy TRAVERS. How sweet it must be for Jimmy to have finished 1-2 in a huge race as the Travers.His wife Shirley deserves lots of credits too,because as the saying goes behind every successful man there is a good Woman. Steve,please continue to be our eyes and ears in Horse Racing.