A Decade of Recaps

re: A Decade of Recaps

txhorsefan — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:19:10 GMT

Since we got on the subject of recaps of Steve's writing, I dragged out my stuffed binders of articles I printed off the computer when Steve originally wrote them, and man, has it been fun! Makes me kinda feel like I'm cheating, though when I'm already reading ahead on some of the stuff I know you're going to run again. Wonderful stuff, Steve - just wonderful, but right now I got myself into my TC races file and looking at the Derby Dozens lists of 2005, for example - how fun! The bad part is, now I wonder whatever became of some of those horses. One more time, Steve, thank you for sharing your skills, your talent and your passion with us.

re: A Decade of Recaps

Mike Relva — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:27:40 GMT

SOLDIER COURSE

Yes,tough as nails considering the injuries he battled. Always enjoy visiting him. My gf lives in Reseda and he's located about two hrs away.

re: A Decade of Recaps

Soldier Course — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:26:35 GMT

Mike Relva:

Thanks so much about the update on The Tin Man. Boy, what that guy gave to the sport!

re: A Decade of Recaps

Mike Relva — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:39:14 GMT

TXHORSEFAN

Thanks! I always enjoy visiting him and bringing peppermints. Everyone at River Edge are very nice.

re: A Decade of Recaps

txhorsefan — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:39:18 GMT

Mike R. - thanks for the comment regarding The Tin Man. I'm so glad you got to visit him and report that he is doing well in retirement. Love that horse!

re: A Decade of Recaps

Mike Relva — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:38:56 GMT

SOLDIER COURSE

I was in CA two weeks ago,(my gf lives there),we visited the Tin Man @ River Edge Farm. He looks great! I visit him several times a year.

re: A Decade of Recaps

Fran Loszynski — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:39:36 GMT

I watched Afleet Alex make the final turn at Belmont and remember watching the children that were ill drop a banner that said "We Love You Afleet Alex" I will swear to this day Alex looked to his right with Jeremy and they both shot home. Yes, Afleet Alex can read! The Preakness was awesome too. Thanks Steve for putting Afleet Alex on your list. You know he is my favorite. Fran

re: A Decade of Recaps

Soldier Course — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:25:49 GMT

Sharon:

I understand your concern about Eight Belles and events in the winner's circle that day, but please consider this:

I was at Churchill Downs. The tragedy happened so fast that many people were not aware of it until much later. Our seats were at the far turn and we started walking back to our tour bus immediately after the Derby. We did not hear about Eight Belles until we got on the bus, about 30 minutes after the race was over.

I think the people in the winner's circle who knew what had happened were too numb to know what to say. There had not been enough time to process the tragedy. No one could be expected to cohere jubilation and mourning under those circumstances.

re: A Decade of Recaps

Footlick — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:45:57 GMT

Aluminaut- I loved Native Diver too. How could you not? He ran every distance and seemingly every race. Even if he beat a horse I wanted to win, I was never upset because it was Native Diver! He ran 81 times in his career. And the first Cal bred to earn $1 million.

Great memories.

re: A Decade of Recaps

Zookeeper — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:37:23 GMT

Mr. Haskin,

When I read your comment that you would probably hold off on the recaps of Tiznow's 2 Classic victories, I went back in the archives and found them. They were posted in Sept.'08. Tiznow fans, if you haven't read these, take a look and be prepared to have your goosebumps climb all the way up the back of your neck and dance a jig all over your scalp! These are a masterpieces really worthy of this great warrior. Thank you, Mr. Haskin!!! :) :) :)

re: A Decade of Recaps

Sharon — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:32:17 GMT

I am thrilled that Monarchos is included, also Smarty! When Smarty lost the Belmont, I cried. I don't think I will be able to read the recap of Big Brown's Derby simply because I was so upset with the loss of Eight Belles, worse with the way everyone sort of covered it over never saying a word. I do have great respect for Kent Desmaroux (sp?) for his great kindness in mentioning her others didn't bother during the winner's ceremony. He displaying a grace and dignity missing from all the rest of those involved, including media, presenters, etc.

re: A Decade of Recaps

Aluminaut — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:23:23 GMT

In-va-sor! In-va-sor! He's the best. I still have my $2 win ticket, but it has faded beyond recognition. The Monday after the '06 Classic I took the Kentucky Derby Museum tour and stood in stall 11 where Invasor was saddled.

A man who had seats trackside right by the winner's circle told me to go ahead and stand on his chair so I could see the Classic. (I walked from my clubhouse seat up the stretch to near the winner's circle for most races.) We talked about prior Breeder's Cups. He said it was almost dark for Alysheba's Classic. "In the gloaming" were his words. When I came back after missing a couple races, he said, "There's our friend; where have you been?" Then I got to stand on his chair.

I think his name was George. His grown son was chanting In-va-sor!

The sport of horse racing creates instant friendship. Caution: Love of the Thoroughbred and racing is contagious! Ya get on a speeding freight train that's never gonna stop.

re: A Decade of Recaps

funnycideoflife — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:53:52 GMT

I, too, have to say that Funny Cide was the reason that I love horse racing as much as I do. Maybe it was simply that he was a New York bred (the 2003 Belmont was the first thoroughbred horse race I ever attended), but I love him more than I will ever love another horse and literally screeched when I found out that he was going to the Kentucky Horse Park. When I visited he licked my hand and I'm still smiling seven months later.

Like Greg J. and everyone else, the 2004 Belmont is painful for me to even think about. I was there, and it is the only race I have ever watched live or on TV that has made me cry. Looking back on older great races from years ago makes me tear, but never has an actual running of a race made me cry.

re: A Decade of Recaps

Convene — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:27:08 GMT

Good list! Yeah, the 2006 Derby and Preakness are still tough to read. For some of us, so is 2008; Eight Belles was very special and, like Barbaro, a song not quite sung. On a happier note, how about including The Tin Man's Arlington Million. HE was my horse hero and I miss him still!

re: A Decade of Recaps

Soldier Course — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:19:15 GMT

The Tin Man?

re: A Decade of Recaps

Mike Relva — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:02:35 GMT

HEY STEVE

Great choices,I agree. As I've mentioned many times,Invasor is one of my favs as well. Was telling you months back I had the chance to visit him in the fall. He looks great,we brought him peppermints. Everyone at Shadwell were first class.

re: A Decade of Recaps

PointGiven — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:35:12 GMT

Point Given's Belmont? And what about Lost in the Fog?

re: A Decade of Recaps

Catbird — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 20:27:33 GMT

Love the list, and look forward to rereading them all.

However, I have to hesitate at the omission of Mine That Bird's Derby. Okay, so he may not be one of the "great ones," but then, neither was Giacomo. Both exciting Derbys, though, so if one, why not the other? Ditto Funny Cide.

Heck, Steve, you could reprint your comments on all the major races, and I'd be sitting here reading.

re: A Decade of Recaps

Lil Darlin — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:30:07 GMT

What a great idea, it will be a treat to revisit great moments of great horses as told by a great writer. GREAT!

I know you have had an awful lot of suggestions already posted on here, but I can't help myself in adding one more for consideration (if it exists). Do you have a favorite piece about any of the hardknocking war horses (like my personal favorite Evening Attire, who raced for nearly the entire first decade of the new millennium)? These horse may not have one big season, but they give so much to the industry with their consistency and willingness to show up year after year, and when they do win a big race the fans really respond. I'm not saying it has to be Evening Attire specifically, but I know I am not alone in saying there is a very special place in my heart for the so called old timers.

re: A Decade of Recaps

Karen2 — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:29:55 GMT

I can't wait to read each and every one of your re-caps. NO ONE can put life into these races like you Mr. Haskin...

Virgil....I am sorry to read that you have had such hard times but am thankful you have found some solice in this industry. Once it runs through your veins you are hooked for life. It is the human interest stories and the love for these most noble animals that all come together.

I have a special connection with the Smarty Jones derby as that is when I first sent Steve Haskin an e-mail about Smarty and he responded.(remember....Greetings from North Dakota)? I was floored to say the least and the rest is history. Now I feel like he's family : ) I LOVE Afleet Alex and can't wait to read his Preakness re-cap......IMO he was the closest thing to our next triple crown winner.....tough derby trip took him out of it but he had grit....

re: A Decade of Recaps

Aluminaut — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:20:44 GMT

Since someone mentioned Dark Mirage and we're going back in time somewhat, how about Native Diver. When I was a kid I saw his last race at Del Mar and he was my favorite before John Henry came along. I'm also fond of the tough closer Quicken Tree.

Happy Holidays to all.

re: A Decade of Recaps

Footlick — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:53:15 GMT

Ritchie- I loved Dark Mirage also. In my opinion she could run with anything at 3.

re: A Decade of Recaps

Paseana — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:43:04 GMT

Steve, I don't know if you covered this one or not, but it was a moment that I will never forget, so I thought I'd throw it out here just in case. It was the other-worldly performance of Candy Ride in the 2004 Pacific Classic.

Just to provide some perspective for those who might not remember, the brilliant Medaglia d'Oro broke Del Mar's 10f track record that day with a BSF of 118.....and he LOST.....by FOUR LENGTHS! It was just unreal!

If you did cover it, I hope you'll consider a do-over here, Steve. It's a race that falls through the cracks of people's memory, and deserves to have a little light shining on it once in a while.

Thanks for all you do, and the best of the holiday season to you and your family.

re: A Decade of Recaps

Slew — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:04:07 GMT

Thanks Steve. If memory serves me, Slew died on the day of the 2002 Kentucky Derby.

re: A Decade of Recaps

BK1 — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:55:03 GMT

The additional races I was thinking of have already been covered by the comments posted (I'm particularly looking forward to reading about Afleet Alex), so all I need to do now anticipate a real treat over the next few weeks in reading (and in many cases, re-reading) these beautiful articles. I just finished using the links posted by Greg J. to The Horse about Barbaro's Derby and Preakness, and those heartfelt articles brought tears to my sometimes jaded eyes.

Happy Holidays to you and your family, Steve, and to all your readers out there.