Arlington Million Winners

re: Arlington Million Winners

walerczak liz — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 05:19:50 GMT

well guys i was the lady that picked out john henry at the sale. he was a hand full . i liked the way he eld his head high and looked like a big horse he was deep in his cheat and very long. loved him.was very correct in his conformation .but was small. i think the trainer i was with was hard to please on tis horse but i conviencedhim to buy him he got him for 1600 dallors thats all. wish i could of both him for myself .but i was along for the ride to the sale and loved picking out the best.godbless his little sole for all he did.

re: Arlington Million Winners

tana rae — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 04:33:33 GMT

I also was searching on the list for THE TIN MAN. I think he is a most deserving candidate. After all, he convincingly won The Arlington Million at the ripe ole age of 8 after overcoming two serious injuries earlier in his career (bowed tendons at 2 and major soft tissue damage at 5). If my facts are correct, I believe he won the Million following a return from the UAE where he was runner-up in the G1 Dubai Duty Free. Add traveling around the world and still running his race (at 8 years old)to his list of credentials. At the age of 5, he spent time at River Edge Farm in Buellton, CA healing from his ankle/soft tissue injury. There, his breeders/owners - the Todds - could visit him regularly. When he returned to racing some 15 months later, he was better than ever winning the G1 Million at 8 and the G1 Shoemaker Mile at 9. On vacation last year in Solvang, CA we were lucky enough to visit the retired Tin Man at nearby River Edge Farm (owned by leading California breeders/owners Pam and Marty Wygod). Being a new, uninformed racing fan at the time, I had to do my research on The Tin Man's racing record before our visit. Wow, I had no idea. I could hardly wait to meet this guy. And I was not dissappointed. He had his very own large, lush pasture surrounded by big shade producing trees. When we arrived to see him, The Tin Man was relaxing in a connected round pen. With little urging, he slowly strolled over to accept the mints we offered. It was such a thrill to see and touch "a real racehorse". I couldn't believe this gentle fine gelding had once competed in and won or placed in the very top thoroughbred races. He is now lame due to complications from his last surgery but he leads a good life. I was told the Todds still visit their superstar and obviously continue to care for his well-being. They apparently appreciate it when his fans come to visit him. Upon our departure, we received an 8 by 10 glossy of The Tin Man winning The Shoemaker Mile in 2007...compliments of the Todds. The Tin Man will always be one of my favorites, thanks to his determination to overcome many obstacles, and to the kindness and generosity of his owners and River Edge Farm.

re: Arlington Million Winners

Cliff P. — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 23:25:59 GMT

A glaring omission: The Tin Man. Shame on you Bloodhorse...

re: Arlington Million Winners

steve from st louis — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:02:45 GMT

I remember John Henry as a little fart, just over 15 hands, who thought he was 17 hands. Lewis Cenicola was his groom and he warned anyone who would listen to stay clear of his webbing in the Million Barn at Arlington. He epitomized the term "daisy cutter" although his action over the dirt was world-class as well, something no one could ever explain to me. Perrault punished the ground he ran under and like I wrote before had a head which reminded me of a huge dinosaur fossil.

re: Arlington Million Winners

Paseana — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 04:19:28 GMT

Thank you, ace, for seconding my opinion of Perrault. I was pretty new in the game in 1982 (got in 2 years before), and I don't remember Perrault's size or conformation. I was a huge John Henry fan, and so I hated him for the whole '82 Big Cap thing, even though John was put up. But that San Luis Rey at 12f run 3 or 4 weeks later just blew me away. I don't remember how many lengths he won by or what the time was. All I know is that Perrault looked like Darth Vader turning for home, and that race is, after 30 years, one of the most visually awesome performances I've ever seen!

I've always felt that Perrault got overlooked in the HOTY voting in 1982. He got blind-sided by a 3yo that won the Met Mile and the Belmont Stakes in a 5 day span, and really didn't do anything else.

Perrault was a flop at stud, and maybe that's the reason that nobody remembers him for the racehorse that he was.

He was a pretty good boy!

re: Arlington Million Winners

skyfire — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:48:14 GMT

John Henry was wonderful!! He got to live a long, rich, glorious life, living in retirement where all his fans could see him. All horses should be so blessed!!

Wish The Tin Man was at the Horse Park!!

re: Arlington Million Winners

ace — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:35:31 GMT

Totally agree Paseana , Perrault was a monster. Such a shame he bowed a tendon in the Marlboro Cup, where he was the Highweight at 128 pounds. 1982 was a star-crossed year, so many good horses got hurt.

re: Arlington Million Winners

Pick Four Bill — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 18:57:33 GMT

Tight Spot certainly belongs on this list. A true champion, this horse never gets the credit he deserves.

re: Arlington Million Winners

Vespone — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 18:51:51 GMT

Vicki - You do know that John Henry was based in California for most of his career, right?

re: Arlington Million Winners

Vicki — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:36:40 GMT

Come on who put this list together, must be an East Coaster? The Tin Man is my number one and he's not even on the list!

re: Arlington Million Winners

Rachel — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:56:10 GMT

Zenyatta, the eye may be trained but the photo is the fact ;-)

re: Arlington Million Winners

john henry fan — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 06:22:02 GMT

It has to be John Henry for #1!! He was the best!

re: Arlington Million Winners

Judy G Loves John Henry ~ California — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 04:24:26 GMT

Hands down without a doubt! JOHN HENRY!! Guts, heart and tenacity!

Chris McCarron takes full responsibility for not getting John to the wire 1st instead of 2nd. I don't think JH ever forgave him either :-)

To ZENYATTA: Wow! You need to retract those claws!! Are you saying they FUDGED the photo? That's the most pathetic and bazaar comment I've ever heard.

re: Arlington Million Winners

erv — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 01:46:11 GMT

Golden Pheasent

re: Arlington Million Winners

christy tate — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 22:28:13 GMT

john henry has to be number one for the simple fact that he was a great race horse who gave his all in every race he was in. his passing was one of the saddest days in horse history.

re: Arlington Million Winners

Slew — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:21:00 GMT

While I believe John Henry should be #1, I'm still busy rooting for Einstein and Gloria last year. Almost...almost. Just haven't gotten over it yet. Looking foward to seeing Gio do it again.

re: Arlington Million Winners

Whatever — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:33:20 GMT

John Henry and Manilla--two of the greatest turf horses ever!

re: Arlington Million Winners

Rachel — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:56:32 GMT

Estrapade for sure...geesh, that was a good race and the only filly.♥

re: Arlington Million Winners

Smoking Baby — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:50:29 GMT

Splits Of 12. LOVED The Tin Man. Still do actually. I got to see him lead most of the way in what is still the best race I've ever seen. It was the Breeders Cup dead heat between Johar & High Chapparall with Falbrav a head back in third and The Tin Man fourth. Being by Affirmed made me like him even more.

re: Arlington Million Winners

Smoking Baby — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:47:15 GMT

I all but guaranteed The Bart would win the inaugural running by saying to my buddy "The Bart doesn't belong in this race." How silly did I feel when he ran so big. I really didn't think John Henry got there. Here's my top three:

1. John Henry

2. Perrault

3. Powerscourt

(all of the horses ROCK though)

re: Arlington Million Winners

steve from st louis — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:46:14 GMT

Biggest pari-mutuel win bet of my life was made a day after talking to the Bald Eagle about Perrault in Arlington Million II. I was just another DRF Chicago-based journalist and Jay Hovdey from our West Coast office told me Charlie Whittingham never said "boo" about his horses. At the Friday night dinner before the Million, Charlie said he liked his horse "a bit". I took that to the bank, put eight $100 bills right on his nose. I've never seen a horse attack his bit like Perrault, who was just getting "good" when he injured I think a tendon and was retired. I remember how big his head was compared to the rest of his body, kind of like First Dude is now.

re: Arlington Million Winners

SPLITS OF 12 — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:33:19 GMT

You forgot the Tin Man. But if I had to say anyone other than John Henry it would be Paradise Creek. He was one of the best turf horses in the early to mid nineties. What an amazing stretch runner! Never panned out as a sire but still was an amazing athlete.

re: Arlington Million Winners

Cougar II — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:29:51 GMT

No one can touch the Great John Henry. He had it all-heart, personality and longevity. It will be a long time before we see his like agin.

re: Arlington Million Winners

Convene — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:08:50 GMT

You forgot my horse-hero: THE TIN MAN! His ability to heal himself and come back and come back - and to always give his best - has to put him right up there! John Henry? How could you not put him No. 1? He did beat The Bart; the camera told the tale - but oh, how close they were! They were both stars on that day!

re: Arlington Million Winners

Love 'em all! — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:01:22 GMT

Uh-oh! The only one I'm sure of being #1 on the list is John Henry.

Found out once you make a choice, that's it, no changes. Completed it, but JH rules! Cheers to JH.