Did you get a Horse Racing present?

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by DerbyCat

I know I'm not the only person here that received a present that had a horse racing theme - what did you get this year?


I got a lawn jockey

Speaking of a wife and gifts, selling it as "a Christmas present for myself," I supplemented my little thoroughbred racing display collection with my wife's endorsement the past few weeks. I picked up the 8X10 finish photo of Spectacular Bid's Florida Derby. I also picked up a finish photo/winner's circle photo of Seattle Slew's Preakness. I was fortunate to have attended both races, so they were extra special to me. I have a few 1977 Preakness programs I'll probably try to work into a display. Next I need a Seattle Slew Belmont piece. I have uncashed $2 win tickets from Belmont that day, and the programs and race day DRF from both his Preakness and Belmont.

As I've mentioned elsewhere, I also acquired an Unbridled Kentucky Tavern bar mirror display a couple weeks back. I love it. He'll join Winning Colors and Ferdinand on the wall to my front left. I love those Kentucky Tavern bar mirrors..... I had the opportunity to see Unbridled first person at Arlington in what I recall was his allowance race back after a post Triple Crown competition layoff. I have an uncashed win ticket from that day, too....though not as cool as the 1977 Belmont blue win ticket for Slew's win.

My other personally revered purchase in the last few days was a color photo I had not seen until recently of Secretariat stepping on the track for the post parade with Ron Turcotte up in 1973. It's an amazing capture of his determined and destined pre-race demeanor. I'll be displaying it adjacent to the 8 x 10 black and white photo of his Belmont finish. I acquired that photo for ten bucks at Belmont on the day of Easy Goer's win.

Both Secretariat photos will be next to a stately brass and dark oak framed Puleo signed and numbered portrait of Secretariat I acquired at a country flea market 20+ years ago. #257 of 1000. I was fully prepared to to ecstatically pay the full asking price of $35 until I played dumb with the seller who made up some way off the mark and concocted story about Secretariat and his racing significance and history. He ticked me off enough with his ploy for me to counter, "well, I don't care about the print or the horse, I just want the frame, and I'll give you ten bucks." He accepted. Probably and truly one of the biggest lies I've ever told....

All that said, I'm REALLY looking forward to the wonderful Santa Anita calendar offered here. THANKS!

And I do plan to head to Golden Gate or at least the OTB for the free Golden Gate Fields calendar giveaway this Saturday.

Both calendars will end up around me here, somewhere. :-)

[_ed_]

I got the Racing's Greatest Rivalries book. Already half way through it!