The Grey Heart

re: The Grey Heart

Thorough Chat — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:46:08 GMT

Update: Arcata won last night and was reclaimed by David Geist for Jeffery Haller.

re: The Grey Heart

LHart — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:46:57 GMT

Rachel-

I also had a favorite horse I used to watch using virtual stable or NYC newpapers. I watched him for years. When he was TEN years old; i couldnt take it any longer, so I contacted his trainer by emailing the track directly who then gave the trainer my message. She emailed me approx. a month later and 4 months later I was picking him up from the track. I cannot believe he is mine. I love him so much and he is just being a horse now. Sadly there are so many more like him. Can't hurt just to keep an eye on him. I have put him in my virtual stable.

re: The Grey Heart

Thorough Chat — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:47:31 GMT

Pat: Amy Randolph is actually his new trainer only. His new owner is Mario Lauzon.

Don: I read that before

re: The Grey Heart

Don — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:34:07 GMT

Goodwin,

Arcata is still in training (at least was as of 2/19. He "finished well" a length behind the winner.

Rachel,

I hope "your" horse is well taken care of by his new connections. For what it's worth this quote was made on a racing forum in reference to Amy Randolph's claim of Arcata: "John and Amy take great care of their horses. Good people."

He has raced 31 times in his career, over half of them in 2009.

re: The Grey Heart

pat — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:22:02 GMT

How can people get a hold of Amy Randolph. The new owner of Arcata. Maybe she could be convinced to donate him to Old Friends. At least he would have a chance to live out a life full of love. Please keep tract of him. Thank you Rachel for letting us know about this wonderful horse.

re: The Grey Heart

Oldie — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:29:11 GMT

Rachel, it will be interesting to know what happens next, I hope you'll keep us posted.

re: The Grey Heart

Thorough Chat — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:30:15 GMT

Goodwin, since I orginally wrote the post, he's been claimed. I'm thinking of e-mailing Penn National to try to contact Amy Randolph, however I don't know how to word the letter as I have no personal connection to Arcata, other than being a huge fan of his.

re: The Grey Heart

Dawn in MN — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:49:54 GMT

Rachael, I am an old woman, but the first time I was ever at a live race was the summer of 2008. I always loved horses, and I followed Thoroughbred racing before and after having kids. When I went to the track that first time, I would hustle down the saddling paddock, pick a horse based strictly on how I liked the horse's look. Then I'd skedaddle to the betting machine to bet on the one, and out to the stands to watch them run. I fell in love with a 3 year old filly named Pretty As A Smile in the saddling paddock. I would swear she turned her eye on me and I saw a look in her eye that said that she would win. She did. I don't know what became of her, but I saw her race again last summer. Goodwin is right, I do donate to a local rescue, and it makes me feel good.

re: The Grey Heart

lobieb — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 14:07:58 GMT

Rachel: Keep track of Arcata and if worse comes to worse contact either the FOB's or an organization in Delaware to try to get enough money to get him off the track before something happens to him so that he can be retrained to do other exciting things. Each horse no matter if a claimers or Grade runner deserves to live a good life, we breed them, race them and deserve a proper life after the track.

re: The Grey Heart

Thorough Chat — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 23:44:01 GMT

Since this post was orginally written, Arcata has been claimed again, this time by trainer Amy Randolph.

re: The Grey Heart

Maria — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 23:35:24 GMT

Nice story, Rachel. It's a really nice reminder that it's not always just the superstars that win hearts; no matter what level they run at - G1 or claiming - they're all different and special in their own way.

Thanks for sharing your story!

re: The Grey Heart

Goodwin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:52:32 GMT

How about donating to the local thoroughbred rescue for Arcata? Do you know where he ended up, after his retirement? It is sad to see young stars of racing who just slide further and further down the claiming ranks, mainly because they develop ailments that are not always properly addressed, or they are not given time off to heal them. If you have an interest in a horse, please be kind to him and try to make sure he has a full and pleasant life after the racetrack. If we all do our part in this matter (I support a 15 year old retiree, with a broken hock, myself!), there will be more and more retired racers in good lives - horses who have worked hard for our enjoyment and the livelihood of several track personnel. They deserve our kindness!