Special Moments - by Dan Liebman

re: Special Moments - by Dan Liebman

Linda — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:54:18 GMT

I treasure hearing the wonderful behind the scenes stories of the great people associated with racing. It does give those of us who aren't so closely involved a peep into a least a little bit of the human side. So thanks to those who tell their fond memories, as i just love the history of it all: horses, trainers, owners, shoe shine people like the gentleman who recently passed away, the racetracks, Saratoga Springs, the jockeys,the vets, the walkers,the stable people, goodness at its best. Thanks from a horse admirer from way back.

re: Special Moments - by Dan Liebman

Cris McHenka — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 23:23:40 GMT

Could be your right, could be that Mrs. Dupont, who loved that horse, could see one last trip to Old Belmont for his New York fans to pay their respect to him was no less than what he deserved. New Yorkers loved him too, and they stood and applauded him and he looked great for an old man. He knew it was for him. Remember she used to ride him herself and she knew him well.

As an owner, you can tell just by little things that their time is short even when they are eating good and are still playful and he was well into his twenty's.

Maybe the Arab's could tell Alysheba did not have much time either, and they wanted him to have the chance to die at home. They love their horses too.

re: Special Moments - by Dan Liebman

ike — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:58:25 GMT

I remember the Breeder's Cup won by Alysheba at Churchill because it was almost dark. Could not see the horses on the backside but could follow their progress by the flashbulbs and when they turned for home all i can remember is Dave Johnson calling here comes Alysheba.

re: Special Moments - by Dan Liebman

Whatever — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:13:07 GMT

Poor Alysheba didn't get a very long retirement back here in the states. Sometimes when you move an old horse from where they're comfortable and have been living most of their life to a new place, the move itself is physically stressful for them and the excitment is really more than these old champions can sometimes handle. Take Kelso, They pull this old champion out of his retirement and parade him in front of the grandstand at Belmont Park before the running of the Jockey Club Gold Cup back in the 1980s, it was like 2 or 3 days later Kelso was dead, coincidence, I don't think so.

re: Special Moments - by Dan Liebman

John Mc — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:08:53 GMT

Wo derful memories. The year after Allysheba's Derby,he won the Classic in the CD gloaming. Our family was at Del Frisco's restaurant when in walked the Scharbaer-Van Berg-McCarron party. What a nice bunch of people! We will always cherish that fun night.

re: Special Moments - by Dan Liebman

LavasLegend — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:53:19 GMT

Thank you, Dan.

We all need reminders sometimes of why we love this game so much. It's easy to get cynical in the era of early retirements, our 'stars' only racing 4 times a year, huge syndications tempting their connections far from a racetrack, and a potential great being remanded back to the ranks of "We'll never know, now".

I had planned on visiting Alysheba this May, and now I will only be able to pay my respects at his final resting place. I am just so thankful he came home, and that Jack was there to greet him. A "special moment" that made everything right in the sport for that time.

It's these superstars of racing's not-so-distant past, both equine and human, that remind us there are still stars to be found, we just have to look for them.

Thank you 'Sheba, rest easy.

re: Special Moments - by Dan Liebman

rj kulina — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:00:55 GMT

i well always remember the 87 derby because in lead to the greatest race in NJ history The alyhebia/Bet twice/lost code Haskell but what even is more special where the three great /classy horsemen/trainers who where brave enought to run the game tuly misses their sportsmanship and love of the game

re: Special Moments - by Dan Liebman

DonW — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:59:31 GMT

Alysheba's Derby win was a great victory for the horse and his connections. But his greatest race, and one of the greatest I ever saw, was the Breeders Cup when Ferdinand just beat him: "Two Derby winners hit the wire together". It was one of those terrific rides by Bill Shoemaker. What a shame that we seldom see the great horses racing against one another anymore. We almost did at last year's Breeders Cup, but Big Brown was withdrawn. The Dubai races are nothing approaching a "world cup". Let's face it: They have become a local cup, with horses owned/bred by the Sheikhs racing against one another.

re: Special Moments - by Dan Liebman

DONNA — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:32:50 GMT

I was saddened to hear the news of Alysheba's death the other day. I remember being excited back in October when I heard he was returning to this country and would be at the Kentucky Horse Park. Last month I scheduled a trip to Kentucky to visit him. It will be too late for he is now gone forever. I will still visit the Horse Park and his grave. May he and Lil E.T. rest in peace with all the others who have gone before them.

re: Special Moments - by Dan Liebman

joe — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:12:40 GMT

I watched my first Preakness in a crowd, jumping up and down to see Snow Chief score in 1986. Next year I was early at the gates to join the land rush to choice areas at the grandstand fence. What a thrill to see Alysheba grab the lead from Bet Twice right in front of me! The crowd's roar at a possible triple crown was tremendous. I would see the duo next year at the revived Pimlico Special, won by Bet Twice. Really sorry I didn't see 'Sheba back in Kentucky, and I should have stopped in at the farm that advertised as the home of Lil' E Tee, 92 Derby winner, but I have Pimlico pictures of both.