The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

Paula Mason — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 19:49:35 GMT

I worked at Birmingham Race Course from the day it open till the day the doors closed behind me as I left out with my trailer load of horses. I was a groom, then exersize rider, then jockey and went to kentucky finally to get my trainers license. I remember all the great friends I met there, Vick Reedy, Bill Miller, Gary Stotler, Bobby Hill, Lamont Kidd, and sooooo many more. i helped train a horse named Dar Abby there, she wound up banned from the track she was so unpredictable, but I too pass by there now and get a tear in my eye because I remember the years I spent there as the best times of my life, I wish it would open back up to us trainers, I would be driving back in the gates that I left out of with once more, a trailer full of horses. Thank you for writing this and reminding me of the best times in my life

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

Jennie Pierce — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:42:51 GMT

The memories that these blogs bring me are precious. Thoroughbred Horse Racing and especially horse racing in Birmingham was very dear to my husbands' heart. I was married to Dan Pierce for forty years before he passed away on March 23, 2009. He trained Sparkling Desire if anyone remembers. Bill and Donna Donovan were friends of the Pierce family. I remember how excited Bill was when he ran Lost Code at Birmingham. I'd like to hear from anyone who remembers Dan. I loved him dearly.

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

jim jolley — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:02:34 GMT

My favorite time in the horse business was in Birmingham. It was also the worst time.Too many mistakes to mention.I met so many great people in Alabama what a town. I hope everyone that came in contact with me or anyone associated with Trelay were treated right.

If anyone wants to catch up my e-mail is jjolley@cptube.com

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

Sue L — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:35:09 GMT

I was rubbing horses at Birmingham in 1987 and I remember in the beginning they didn't want us in the grandstand when we were running horses. Bill Shoemaker rode there on opening night riding for Sal Campo. I still have several win pictures hanging on my wall. My sister rode there in the 90's and I went there to watch her. As I was walking around the backside it brought back many fond memories. It is such a shame that there is no longer any live racing there the facilities there were really great.

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

Jeff C — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:01:24 GMT

I was one of those fans the track was supposed to attract from Atlanta. I went every Saturday my limited, at that time, finances allowed. I never thought of the place as being over-priced for a typical race track, but that would be because I didn't know any better.

But then again, I don't remember ever actually paying for a seat either meaning the cost was probably outside my limited budget.

Now I live in South Florida and go to the races every chance I get. But I still fondly remember Up the Appalachee and the great Lost Code running in Birmingham.

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

larry l. — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:11:07 GMT

lost code...my all time favorite horse! he had all the heart in the world.i always look to the lost code line.

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

Charlie Mc — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:13:54 GMT

Great article. I was the Director of Racing/Racing Secretary and evetually Vice President. Quite familiar with Lost Code and the Alabama Derby. The unfortunate

issue with Lost Code after winning

the Alabama Derby, he was not nominated to the Kentucky Derby at the time there were no supplemental nominations to the Derby. I started the race with the goal of developing the Alabama Derby into a major Kentucky Derby prep race. I strongly believe if Lost code had been nominated to the Kentucky derby he would have won. Great start for a Derby prep race if so.

On another subject. I lost all my newspaper articles, magazine articles I had accumulated during that time. Would anyone have any regarding myself I might copy?

Any questions regarding Birmingham Turf Club, please feel to e-mail me @ thun2000@rocketmail.com Thank you Charlie McIntosh

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

Ed Vomacka — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:28:10 GMT

The reason Lost Code did not race again in NY was Lasix. In 1987 NY was about the only state that still prohibited its use. I have great memories of Bir mostly of the people I got to meet and work with. It was a beautiful track but should have catered more to the local fan base with a wider variety of exotic bets and cheaper grandstand admission. Make the Clubhouse or a Private membership Club as exclusive as you want.

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

PETER B — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:41:47 GMT

Lost Code one of my all time favorites. Reminded me so much of Spend A Buck. He came the wrong year what a 3 year crop that was. Now we can look back and see how strong that crop was all champions.

Thanks for the memories

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

Larry Collmus — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:13:43 GMT

Wow. That brought back some great memories. I met so many terrific people in Birmingham. I can't believe it was 21 years ago!

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

Spearmint — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:42:10 GMT

Maybe I missed it -- was there a particular reason he didn't race in New York again?

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

Judi — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:26:25 GMT

Thanks for the great article and included videos, Becky. How sad that this great little colt is no longer with us. Do you know about any of his offspring? Did they inherit their dad's talent?

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

Gary Lett — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:58:05 GMT

One of their promotions was Friday night "Blue Jean night". They never realized that 80% had jeans on anyway. I did race selections for the Gadsden Times and a couple of their other papers. I got to know Donna and was her guest with the handicapping at the track. I had just graduated from Chiropractic school and worked for my Dad but it was good for awhile and could have developed into a great industry. Thanks for the memories.

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

Mike from Michigan — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:42:56 GMT

Lost Code was a terrific horse but the Birmingham Race Course went to the dogs!

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

joe — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:27:46 GMT

I was at the rail for the 1988 Pimlico Special-THAT was a meeting of Giants!

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

L.W.Donovan — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 21:22:10 GMT

Thank you for the kind article about the Birminham Turf Club.I shall never forget the time of my life that began there and the many wonderful people who were involved

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

Tim P. — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 04:48:37 GMT

I remember winning big on Lost Code in the 1987 St. Paul Derby. He won with such ease and he also barely got under the wire before a massive thunderstorm hit.

He is still one of my all-time favorites.

Thank you for this story.

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

sidekickflats — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:39:26 GMT

HG,

I doubt that much more racing coverage would have made the difference in the racecourse. The developers completely overbuilt the facilities for the region and overestimated (by a longshot) the daily handle. If I remember correctly, at the time they were assuming that large numbers of patrons would come in from Atlanta for a day at the races as well. I'm afraid that didn't happen to any appreciable extent.

Whatever the reasons, it was a shame that it went out of business. I always thought it was sad that a dog track (Victoryland?) would get a higher turnout and daily handle than BTC.

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

Becky Johnston — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:35:46 GMT

HG, I could write a book on what was wrong with that track, but I figure I better get some racing in there.

I don't really think they were trying to get around the Bible thumpers because once it was approved it was approved. They had big plans of people coming from Nashville and Atlanta by droves and they just discredited the people right there in Birmingham that could have made the difference. They really were concerned with one-upping Atlanta.

They did have very little regard for educating the public. When Delaware North took charge I went to the GM saying I would go around to clubs and different places and teach people about betting the races, but they didn't care if they learned either.

At any rate you're right, they didn't roll up their sleeves and do the work after the doors were opened to educate fans.

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

HG in AL — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:21:46 GMT

Oh yeah, and I forgot - I have 4 of those Inaugural Alabama Derby glasses. Can't even remember what they served in them. My Granny and I had Coke though.<g>

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

HG in AL — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:19:31 GMT

Nice article. Couple of points of contention on the matter of why the track failed. From my tag, you should guess where I am from. I was born in Birmingham and have lived here all my life. There are a number of reasons the track failed - and the primary ones have little to do with items 2 & 3.

Yes football is god, king, etc here - that matters because it means NOTHING and I mean nothing else gets much media coverage. No, the average Alabamian never knew about Lost Code's success once he left because it just wasn't going to make the local news. Heck, even with all hubbub around Big Brown this year - barely a mention - other than the Sunday headline after the Belmont (which I found fairly entertaining).

But the challenges of an uninformed and/or uninterested public were further exasperated by pitiful and uninformed media coverage. People didn't bet because they didn't know how. The 'classes' they hosted at the track tot each people how got you the basics of the terminology - no real lessons on handicapping, pedigrees, etc. As we all know if people don't bet, tracks don't make money.

As far as the efforts to make the track a bit high class - that was also an effort to keep the religious opposition at bay. As long as the track an a nice upscale image and clientele - they could keep the Bible-thumpers from saying 'look at the crime, the drunks, the degenerates, etc' All of these wild images they concocted to attempt to stop the track. Alabama is one of 2 Deep South states with no lottery today and even the other one (Mississippi) has a plethora of casinos.

I drive past the track entrance everyday - to and from work. It makes me sad everyday. Horses have come and gone a couple of times - and now they have converted it to a dog track with simulcasting of horses. Even so, the religious groups still try to get it shut down on a regular basis. It was a beautiful place once.

I was so excited when it was built. I had been a fan of the sport ever since my grandmother first told me about Spectacular Bid (I was 9) - and attempted to follow it as best I could - even with the pitiful news coverage we had. I actually used my allowance for a subscription to The Blood Horse my senior year of high school - when the track opened. I dreamed of a job at the track - even though my parents had me convinced college wasn't optional, I planned to return after my 4 years.

I've been to the track many times, most recently I went last summer just so I could watch Octave attempt to win the Triple Tiara. We didn't bet. We had a couple of drinks and ate a snack. My husband watched the dogs and found it interesting, but that was it. It is the only place in town you can smoke indoors so that was enough for him.

But I also remember attending the Alabama Derby that first year (and at least once after that). I was 16, about to finish HS and my grandmother took me. She gave me an allowance to bet and I handicapped and bet. I believe we almost broke even. I certainly didn't do too bad for my limited experience/exposure. Ultimately my decisions were typically pedigree-based. And yes, I placed and collected bets at the age of 16. Late in the day a fella at a window asked me for ID. I didn't have one. He suggested I take the ticket back to where I bought it to collect.<g> It had been so crowded most of the day, no one had cared or noticed.

What I remember most of all that day was going to the paddock to see Woody Stephens live and in person.(I don't like country music so the lead singer of Alabama was of no concern.) Rather than attending the track on Preakness day of the Easy Goer/Sunday Silence year, I went on Belmont day with a friend that was a SS fan (I was EG - so it worked out well for me that day). They were giving out 8x10 prints of the stretch drive from the Preakness. I still have that photo.

I appreciate the memories - but there is far more to the story of that track than just 'waht is a redneck.' Which BTW - there are plenty of well-educated people here.

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

Tommy B — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:30:55 GMT

Boy, that brings back memories. I was at Pimlico that day when Bet Twice won the Special, and cashed a nice win bet on him at 5-1 or so as I recall. Lost Code was one tough customer. Speed on the rail used to be the game at Pimlico, and if the Code hadn't drifted out at the top of the stretch I think he would have won.

Thanks for the piece!

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

the wiz — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:50:59 GMT

Great article!!

I was witness to Lost Code's St. Paul Derby win at Canterbury Downs where he whipped Cryptoclearance and other overmatched horses. He took the lead almost in an instant and the rest was history. What a magnificent sight he was. It didn't hurt either that I had a handsome bet on him as well. Thanks for resurecting the memories!!

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

Lori — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:55:08 GMT

Thanks for the wonderful memories... these are the horses who got me hooked on racing as a kid. Your story brings back great memories of watching these races with my grandfather; to me the late 80's had some of the best horses and racing ever. I still love racing, but it's just not the same.

re: The Birmingham Turf Club's Lost Code and the 1987 Haskell Invitational

Becky Johnston — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 04:18:42 GMT

Bill, you are so right. The Donovans are the kind of people that make fans. I saw Mr. Donovan a few years ago at Gulfstream Park and he was so friendly and wanted to talk about the Birmingham track. We need owners and trainers like that. We have a few that are real sportsmen and women, Jerry and Ann Moss or Carl Nafzger come to mind. When you lose a Fred Hooper or an Allen Paulson the hole just seems unfillable now.

Those types of people that would walk through the track crowd and when you wished them good luck would shake your hand, look you in the eye and with genuine enthusiasm thank you for coming to see their horse. They are just as important to the game as the tracks are.