Lifetime Past Performances

[Holland Hacker]

Originally Posted by Cardus

Usually, the chartmaker's comments are pedestrian, but not so for Secretariat's epic performance at Belmont Park. The last sentence of the description is unusual, if not unique, for a race chart.

If a techno savvy DTer has this publication and scanned this chart into this forum, you would understand what I mean. The comments are a neat footnote to the greatest Thoroughbred performance of all time.

On Nyra's website for Belmont Park and specifically for the Belmont Stakes they have a PDF you can download with the Charts, among a very detailed history of the Belmont for all of the Belmont Stakes.

Here is a link (hopefully it will work.)

http://www.nyra.com/Belmont/mediagui...montStakes.pdf

[Sightseek]

The comments for Birstone should read; "the sound of hearts breaking echoed throughout as he closed on Smarty Jones"

[Holland Hacker]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

The comments for Birstone should read; "the sound of hearts breaking echoed throughout as he closed on Smarty Jones"

I was at the Belmont that year and was very excited right up to the 1/16th pole. It really is true what people say about feeling the highest highs and the lowest lows in horse racing. I remember watching Smarty Jones put away Rock Hard Ten and Eddington on the turn and put day light between him and the field, and then came Birdstone to run him down in the last 100 yards.

If you have the chance listen to Durkin's call it still sends chills down my spine.

"Its been 26 years, its just one more minute" or something to that effect as Smarty passed the 5/8ths pole.


Speaking of Smarty Jones reminds me of story about Karma.

My friend and his daughter were in the owners room at Belmont around the 4th or 5th race on Belmont Stakes day. Keep in mind that this a secure room at the track where only OWNERS and their families can gain access. My friends daughters asks my friend if she can get Mr. Chapman's autograph and he tells here to go ahead. She then asks the security guard "protecting" Mr. Chapman if she can get Mr. C. to autograph her program, and the guard lets her through to Mr. Chapman who tells her Flat out NO. I couldn't beleive that he would do such a thing.

Almost makes me happy he lost, still felt bad for the horse.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Holland Hacker

I was at the Belmont that year and was very excited right up to the 1/16th pole. It really is true what people say about feeling the highest highs and the lowest lows in horse racing. I remember watching Smarty Jones put away Rock Hard Ten and Eddington on the turn and put day light between him and the field, and then came Birdstone to run him down in the last 100 yards.

If you have the chance listen to Durkin's call it still sends chills down my spine.

"Its been 26 years, its just one more minute" or something to that effect as Smarty passed the 5/8ths pole.


Speaking of Smarty Jones reminds me of story about Karma.

My friend and his daughter were in the owners room at Belmont around the 4th or 5th race on Belmont Stakes day. Keep in mind that this a secure room at the track where only OWNERS and their families can gain access. My friends daughters asks my friend if she can get Mr. Chapman's autograph and he tells here to go ahead. She then asks the security guard "protecting" Mr. Chapman if she can get Mr. C. to autograph her program, and the guard lets her through to Mr. Chapman who tells her Flat out NO. I couldn't beleive that he would do such a thing.

Almost makes me happy he lost, still felt bad for the horse.

Wow

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Cardus

I think that you are from New York, and if so, you might have been at Belmont on that day. Yes?

I've written about that day before - on a few occasions, so I will not repeat those posts -- but I recall seeing people crying after the race ended. Never saw anything like it at a racetrack before or since.

Two men sitting within one row of me and I hit big on the race (I keyed Birdstone), and NONE of us celebrated. It would have been bush league to flaunt our winnings, especially in that instant.

No, and no, but I've never wanted someone to win something so badly as I wanted Smarty to win the Triple Crown. I didn't cry when he lost but, and this sounds silly, was very numb. My friend, who wasn't a fan of horse racing and didn't understand how much the Triple Crown meant, said; "You should be happy that such a little horse could win (Birdstone)", which was pretty funny and Mary Lou and Zito were so gracious that you really couldn't be upset, but gee did I want to see a Triple Crown winner.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

No, and no, but I've never wanted someone to win something so badly as I wanted Smarty to win the Triple Crown. I didn't cry when he lost but, and this sounds silly, was very numb. My friend, who wasn't a fan of horse racing and didn't understand how much the Triple Crown meant, said; "You should be happy that such a little horse could win (Birdstone)", which was pretty funny and Mary Lou and Zito were so gracious that you really couldn't be upset, but gee did I want to see a Triple Crown winner.

I was there in the grandstand (took a break from the bbq stand to watch the big race). After the race, this drunk guy from Philly started yelling obscenities at a New Yorker, and very soon they were in a fistfight.

Being from the Philly area... I was not surprised the fight occurred, but I was able to crack a smile eventhough my young heart was broken.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Cardus

Your post made me think of which horses that I wanted to win the Triple Crown and which ones against whom I rooted (since Silver Charm).

I was a big Silver Charm fan; couldn't root for Real Quiet, for I was a Victory Gallop guy; wasn't on board Charismatic's bandwagon; definitely did not want War Emblem to win (in part based upon ownership); despite being a New Yorker, the sun rose and set with "THE EMPIRE"; and I thought that Smarty Jones was worthy of the crown (but didn't mind watching Birdstone get up in time).

Hopefully he'll build an Empire worthy of a Crown.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Cardus

How much excitement will exist for his juvenile runners later this year?????

Seriously!

I visited him at Juddmonte Farms and for being a King he sure does have a goofy side. He loves to have his tongue pulled.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Cardus

I've been to Keeneland once or twice a year since Oct. 2001, and I have seen a few farms.

Although I haven't visited Juddmonte, I was shocked at how accommodating its staff was when a friend of mine called off the cuff to request a farm tour. He didn't have a mare to breed at the time -- they were still active on the track -- but the Juddmonte secretary volunteered to call the stallion manager to have him show us around.

I was very impressed with their genuine effort.

Their stallion manager is wicked nice and SO proud of his 'men'. Gotta love the Trophy Display in the Reception room too. I have photos of the trip if you want to see.

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Their stallion manager is wicked nice and SO proud of his 'men'. Gotta love the Trophy Display in the Reception room too. I have photos of the trip if you want to see.

one of my favorite farms...the stallion complex is really beautiful....but I am also very partial to Mizzen Mast so wherever he lived would be one of my favs

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Cardus

I would love to see photos of your Juddmonte trip.

A friend of mine knows some of the Coolmore boys, and I have visited Ashford a few times; what a farm!!

If you've been there, could you compare it to Juddmonte, or if you haven't been there, compare Juddmonte to other farms that you've seen? Taking farm tours is a part of the Keeneland experience.

I've only been to Ashford to watch the Irish Derby so only saw the main building and none of the stallions or stallion barn, but from what I saw it was beautiful. I'm sooo partial to the horses at Juddmonte that it is really hard for me to think anything could be better though. Castleton Lyons is pretty neat and I only saw enough of Lane's End to see A.P. Indy & a few others do their thing. LOL Hill N' Dale is pretty exceptional as well. Their Stallion Complex had one awesome Architect.


Both Gainseway & Win-Star I only went to in order to look at Yearlings. I love the staff at Gainesway though and imagine they would be first class in accomodating people to see their stallions. (ask to see the gravesite too!)

PM me your email and I'll send you the pics of Juddmonte.