Apr 23, 2009

My, how things have changed when it comes to Kentucky Derby preparation! Recently I recovered photos shot in the two week run-up to the 1973 Derby.  They depict Secretariat getting ready with his first work since his shocking defeat at the hands of stablemate Angle Light in the Wood Memorial six days prior.


“Big Red” blazed his way through six furlongs of slop in 1:12 2/5 before an audience of practically nobody eight days before the most important race of his career. The photos show Secretariat coming to the five furlong pole under jockey Ron Turcotte to work past the wire to the seven furlong marker in all his lonesome glory. The camp included Turcotte, groom Eddie Sweat and Charlie Davis on the pony. 


Trainer Lucien Laurin sent him back five days later to blow out five furlongs in :58 3/5, also in sloppy conditions.


It’s been years since a Derby winner  has squeezed two pieces of manly  work in a short timespan without medication. The absence of onlookers illustrates the tremendous changes in how the Derby coverage in the news media has proliferated..


Daily Racing Form ace Joe Hirsch suggested I come by the Laurin barn at first light every morning, serving as his go-fer in exchange for daily access to perhaps the greatest American horse ever.  I got a pretty good deal, I’d say. 


Drama was in abundance at the Laurin barn.  Secretariat’s owner Penny Tweedy (nee Chenery) was under the gun regarding the record $6 million syndication. She also made it clear that losing the Wood to Canadian owner Edwin Whittaker was not part of the plans for Secretariat.  She and Claiborne’s youthful Seth Hancock might be boiled in oil if Secretariat flopped in the Derby.


For his part, Laurin paced the barn night and day, chain smoking non-filtered Camels. When race day finally arrived Laurin drove over to the grandstand and someone asked him if it was true that Secretariat had injured his knee and was out of the Derby.


Laurin looked like he might faint. “I just left the barn five minutes ago and he was perfect,” he stammered. When he called the barn he was assured that everything was a go for Secretariat. He fired up another Camel and awaited Secretariat’s rendezvous with history.


Trainers do not so much enjoy the Derby as they try to survive it.

secretariat1.jpg

secretariat5.jpg

secretariat4.jpg

NOBODY HERE BUT US CLOCKERS


My, how things have changed when it comes to Kentucky Derby preparation! Recently I recovered photos shot in the two week run-up to the 1973 Derby. They depict Secretariat getting ready with his first work since his shocking defeat at the hands of stablemate Angle Light in the Wood Memorial six days prior.

“Big Red” blazed his way through six furlongs of slop in 1:12 2/5 before an audience of practically nobody eight days before the most important race of his career. The photos show Secretariat coming to the five furlong pole under jockey Ron Turcotte to work past the wire to the seven furlong marker in all his lonesome glory. The camp included Turcotte, groom Eddie Sweat and Charlie Davis on the pony. 

Trainer Lucien Laurin sent him back five days later to blow out five furlongs in :58 3/5, also in sloppy conditions.

It’s been years since a Derby winner has squeezed two pieces of manly work in a short timespan without medication. The absence of onlookers illustrates the tremendous changes in how the Derby coverage in the news media has proliferated..

Daily Racing Form ace Joe Hirsch suggested I come by the Laurin barn at first light every morning, serving as his go-fer in exchange for daily access to perhaps the greatest American horse ever. I got a pretty good deal, I’d say. 

Drama was in abundance at the Laurin barn. Secretariat’s owner Penny Tweedy (nee Chenery) was under the gun regarding the record $6 million syndication. She also made it clear that losing the Wood to Canadian owner Edwin Whittaker was not part of the plans for Secretariat. She and Claiborne’s youthful Seth Hancock might be boiled in oil if Secretariat flopped in the Derby.

For his part, Laurin paced the barn night and day, chain smoking non-filtered Camels. When race day finally arrived Laurin drove over to the grandstand and someone asked him if it was true that Secretariat had injured his knee and was out of the Derby.

Laurin looked like he might faint. “I just left the barn five minutes ago and he was perfect,” he stammered. When he called the barn he was assured that everything was a go for Secretariat. He fired up another Camel and awaited Secretariat’s rendezvous with history.

Trainers do not so much enjoy the Derby as they try to survive it.


http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/images/secretariat1.jpg
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/images/secretariat4.jpg
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/images/secretariat4.jpg

Apr 22, 2009

BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN

"Where have you been?" asked my legion (handful?) of trusty readers while I was goofing off at Kenneland races, Florida horse auctions, and tidying up some medical issues.

No such sloth shall mar the upcoming Kentucky Derby. Everyone in America wants to say they picked the winner. Few of them will bet substantial amounts, but it costs nothing to brag if you got it right.

At this stage, my handicapping still points to the trio of Quality Road, I Want Revenge, and Dunkirk bringing home the bacon. Likely favorite Pioneer of the Nile heads the second tier, along with Friesan Fire, Papa Clem, General Quarters, and Hold Me Back.

Contenders for the minor placings include the Dubai team of Regal Ransom and Desert Party, Square Eddie, Chocolate Candy, Advice, Win Willy, and Musket Man.

As always, shaping the best ticket you can afford is the necessary heavy lifting. Success can return boxcar scores on a day you compete against amateurs (like drinking on St. Patrick's Day).