A Visit With Havre de Grace

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

Lisa g — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:38:52 GMT

She is just beautiful, did I detect a little dance number there? These filly's are really Diva's

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

Ida Lee — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:03:21 GMT

I'm partial to Fillies/Mares. I just adore them. Havre is not only a beauty among beauties but an incredibly talented athlete. She is my choice for HOTY which would make it 3-years in a row for the Female Equines. HOORAY FOR GIRL POWER!!!

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

deb — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:37:05 GMT

GALS ROCK!!!!

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

court — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:13:21 GMT

court

I HATE 2 sound "HARSH" , but I wish u guys would QUIT acting like

there have NEVER been a group of

FILLIES and MARES that have gotten their "PROPS"

the business as a WHOLE has a

PROBLEM w/ being FAN FRIENDLY

some FORGET that BOB BAFFERT

is one of the few that

REALLY wants to PROMOTE the SPORT

and RICK PORTER has stepped up VERY NICELY

BUT BACK to the FILLIES

Some of u MAY NOT be AWARE of

the long LIST of SERIOUS race mares

in the past, PRESENT, and RECENT years leading up to this "so called"

WAVE .... from SHUVEE to ROKEBY ROSE to RUFFIAN and PERSONA ENSIGN

HEAVENLY PRIZE , look up PEBBLE'S

ENGLAND's "super- filly" and LADY'S SECRET, and OPEN MIND, BAYAKOYA, PASEANA, LITE LITE vs MEADOW STAR , and the list of

NYRA FILLY TRIPLE CROWN winners thsat includes

RUFFIAN, DARK MIRAGE, MOM'S COMMAND and CHRIS EVERT, the horse

and perhaps the BEST of the BEST

GO FOR WAND ... oh yeah and there are the DERBY WINNERS GENUINE RISK and her contemporary BOLD N' DETERMINED and WINNING COLORS ,

and if botheres to CRACK OPEN a book or do some research

how about SILVERBULLETDAY, BANSHEE BREEZE , RIBOLETTA, SURFSIDE, BEAUTIFUL PLEASURE and SPAIN horses that may have "canceled each other out because they ran against one ANOTHER at about the same time,

I guess it takes a MAN

to let EVERYONE KNOW

what's REALLY GOING on..

BUT what do u EXPECT

when the SPORT is promoted

so POORLY

I hope to CHANGE that...

REAL soon

and I just SCRATCHED the SURFACE

on that LIST I just kicked out

next time,

Ill clue you on some more

but YEAH

the pics are NICE

and I would agree in TEPID

fashion that HARVE is the leader

in a year in an "uncertain"

and "WEAK" list of contenders

to be quite honest

if it were up to me Im not so sure

if 2011 is the kind of year

where it I would BYPASS

giving any individual'

HORSE OF THE YEAR honors

can u really say that there is CLEAR and CONVINCING evidence

that someone REALLY DESERVES

th honor ?

perhaps Harve de Grace fits that

criteria though SHE along w/ a host of OTHERS

did not conclude the year

on the

ideal "high note" one looks for

BUT YEAH...

THE "pics" are NICE and

I hope she COMES back and

runs WELL in 2012

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

Convene — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:25:22 GMT

I couldn't be there - a long way from Canada - but thank you to Mr. Porter anyway. We need more people willing to do this kind of thing. Fans come back to see at the track top-class horses they've had a chance to actually meet and enjoy close up. As always, Rick Porter appreciates the fans who love his horses. Now - if the powers that be will just make her HOY ... She's got my vote - hands down!

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

NASCAR PRO — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:46:45 GMT

HDG ran very well in all her races this year she is my 2nd pick for HOY.If the writers claim avoidance(of east coast races) and overthink HOY then Acclamation wont get HOY, of course this is IMO.She will get another shot next year in the classic barring unexpected circumstances,and just like big Z she is ultra consistent.

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

Old Horse Lover — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:27:33 GMT

Thank you to the owners who are allowing the fans an upclose and personal with these wonderful horses.That goes along way when you let the public get some touch time with the horses that stir interest in horse racing.

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

Bellwether — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:24:58 GMT

GREAT EXPOSURE!!!...ty...

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

MamaZ — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 04:55:00 GMT

I was lucky enough to see HdG on Saturday. I was expecting to see a fantastic racehorse but had no idea that I'd see such a personable mare! She would greet all her adoring fans,sometimes hanging her head on their shoulders, sometimes looking inquisitively (but always gently) for a hidden treat. The sound of a wrapper, even half way across the barn, that might hold a peppermint would have her attention in a split second. And she was totally fascinated by a couple of small children that were there. The sight of HdG hanging her head over the webbing and putting it down at eye level for the little kids brought spontaneous "aahs" from the crowd. Wish someone had a good picture of her greeting one little boy... that could have been an award winner. My deepest thanks to all connected with Havre de Grace for letting the public have a chance to meet this great mare. Such thoughtfulness and hospitality is deeply appreciated and is such a positive light on the racing world.

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

genie918 — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 01:47:59 GMT

Thank you for the blog and great photos. It is always wonderful to see owners make their horses accessible to the fans. I thank the Mosses for "paving the way" with Zenyatta along with the Jacksons for their "Meet Rachel" events and Mike Repole for having an Uncle Mo day in New York this Spring. Horse racing is losing its luster, and at a time when most horses are retired from racing at age 3, the sport needs to find ways to keep the interest of current fans alive and bring new fans to the game. Allowing people to meet these superstars is a terrific way to promote the sport. I think WinStar has the right idea with their club (I love the Colonel John web cam.) along with tours and events at the farm. I hope other farms follow in their footsteps in the future. Living in Lexington I have been spoiled getting to see the likes of Zenyatta, Rachel and most recently Blind Luck. I regret that I was unable to see Havre de Grace on Saturday. I am excited that Mr. Porter will be racing her in 2012 and look forward to having the opportunity to see her at the track next year. I hope that she will have a safe and successful campaign that will lead her to a win in the BC Classic at Santa Anita. In the meantime, I am certain that Grace is enjoying her well deserved time off and I am keeping my fingers crossed that she will receive the Horse of the Year honors at the Eclipse awards in January!

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

xBetterBeSocialx — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:57:45 GMT

Great photos Anne! Thanks for sharing them with us!

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

Linda in Texas — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 20:43:43 GMT

Havre de Grace is simply stunning. So regal and proud and aware of all that is around her. i guess when she sees a few people,perhaps she thinks she is headed to the racetrack and is 100 percent on!

You know i truly cannot and should not judge one better, more handsome, more beautiful or faster or whatever than the next one.

I love them all. Especially the ones who always give it their best

effort no matter what track or how much the purse is.

Be safe Havre de Grace.

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

Sue MacGray — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 20:02:23 GMT

I'm so glad Mr. Porter arranged for this. Havre de Grace is a gorgeous and talented filly and I look forward to seeing her run again next year. I'm also glad that other owners are taking a page from the Moss/Shirreffs notebook by making their beautiful stars available for us to meet and see personally. Someone above put it very well, by saying that these types of events allow us to know and fall in love with racing's stars. I think it's necessary to grow the sport and keep the stars in the public eye.

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

LouAnn — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 19:11:36 GMT

This was fantastic and it is great that fans and others were given the opportunkty to spend some nice moments with a current horseracing star. More and more owners and connections of the horses that race need to do this, to give the fans opportunities to meet and take pics with their favorite horses. It s good for everyone and is also good for the sport!

Havre de Grace is an exceptionally lovely and talented filly and wish her the best in the upcoming months.

Love & Blessings

LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

Stellar Jayne — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:49:09 GMT

It is wonderful to have owners like Mr. Porter and trainers like Larry Jones who truly appreciate special horses like Havre de Grace and take excellent care of them. I'm sure Saint Liam is proud of her - she looks so much like him.

Thank you for sharing her with us.

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

Guiness — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:48:00 GMT

I'm glad Porter allowed this for HDG. This is what brings in the fans. It's always so great when you let the fans touch and feel up close their favorite stars.

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

Jennifer in Columbia — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:09:58 GMT

What a great thing to do for the fans! Thank you Mr. Porter!

The last three years in this sport have been all about the fillies and mares because they actually race, which provides the fans with an ongoing story. Without Goldikova, Rachel, Zenyatta, Blind Luck, and Havre de Grace the sport would be in dire need of star power. Here's hoping that Grace has a fabulous season next year.

Thank you for racing her another year Mr. Porter and for sharing her with the fans!

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

Erin — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 17:34:02 GMT

I am a very loyal fan of Zenyatta and visit her website each day. For past several months I have also been eager each day to visit HDG facebook page for updates and the great webcam videoes. I even took the day off work to watch HDG in the Classic where she was fearless under difficult circumstances. I truely respect Larry Jones who loves his fillies. To this day I carry the Derby ticket in my wallet when Eight Belles ran. I echo all comments here... yes HDG deserves HOY!

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

Love 'em all — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 17:16:58 GMT

Another wonderful Sunday treat ... and such great pics of the beautiful "Grace".

Looks like lots of fun for all that day. Thanks so much for sharing with us.

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

Chrissie's Secret Ensign 79 — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 16:58:33 GMT

Grace is such a hard knocking filly. I have all the respect in the world for her and her connections. I'm happy they attempted the Classic, and despite the fact that she finished a troubled fourth, I believe she did enough this year to garner HOY honors. She defeated two of the best in Blind Luck and Flat Out, and when you combine that with her travel and superior performances, it's difficult to place another horse ahead of her. They all have their pros and cons, and I'm not just saying this because she is a filly, but I truly feel she did the most overall this calendar year. Kudos to Mr. Porter for sharing his very special girl with the fans. Racing needs more gestures of that sort. The closer we can get...the more we will fall in love.

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

dispute — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 13:34:25 GMT

What a fabulous gesture on Rick Porter's part. How I wish I could have been there. She seems to enjoy her fans and to be able to get that close is a tribute to Larry Jones and his handling of her. I loved the photos which showed her "look at me" attitude. I too, hope she receives HOTY.

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

Animal Lover — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 12:01:56 GMT

Havre de Grace looks like a mighty princess warrior. I am hoping to see her race next year. i am happy some fans got to see her, wish I could have made it..Thanks for sharing the powerful and gorgeous Havre de Grace.

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

Zen4Zen — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 10:28:46 GMT

How lovely of Mr. Porter to let racing fans and horse lovers see his magnificent filly, the 2011 Thoroughbred Horse of the Year, I hope!

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

smartysgal — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 09:37:05 GMT

Wish I knew about this open house. I live right here in Lexington and would have loved to visit Havre de Grace. I have visited with Rachel once, and apparently, the public is not allowed to visit with Zenyatta, whom I truly adore. Thanks for posting these pics!

re: A Visit With Havre de Grace

4everAhorseluvr — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 05:13:36 GMT

What a wonderful opportunity - I wish I could have shared in the experience.

Like Rachael and Zenyatta, Havre De Grace eminates energy that is loved by all. Horse of the Year to a third female in a row - would truly bring the progress filly/mare contribution to the forefront of horseraceing.