Change of Plans for Lava Man

Originally Posted by Gander

Yes, Mike Smith rode him at least once, did he not?

I know that once he won the NYRA Mile, Bailey was his jockey. Aren't you thinking of Skip Away in the BC in California; Bailey was committed to Behrens that day.

[Gander]

Yes I was thinking of his nemesis Skip Away, who beat Cigar in the Jockey Club. One of my very favorite horses of all time. Right up their with Gander, Butterface and Arromanches.

Originally Posted by Gander

Yes I was thinking of his nemesis Skip Away, who beat Cigar in the Jockey Club. One of my very favorite horses of all time. Right up their with Gander, Butterface and Arromanches.

I followed Skippy on his exploits through New Jersey and New York. I adore him. He is my second favorite of all-time behind Slew.

[Dunbar]

Originally Posted by Gander

Yes I was thinking of his nemesis Skip Away, who beat Cigar in the Jockey Club. One of my very favorite horses of all time. Right up their with Gander, Butterface and Arromanches.

I made a pilgrimage to see that race. Besides wanting to see Cigar myself, I wanted my 4-yr-old son to be able to say he saw both horses. It was cool watching Cigar and Skip Away parade around in the paddock area. Not many sports where you can get so close to the superstars.

--Dunbar

Originally Posted by Cardus

You chose a great race to which to make a pilgrimage. It was a special day.

After the race, the crowd was nearly silent... except for one guy.

I was sitting with a group of friends in the grandstand (3rd floor, I think), some of whom were racing fans, and some not. One of the non-fans -- who wagered on Skip Away -- broke the silence with a thundering, "F--- YOU, CIGAR!!!!!!!!!"

Typical New Yorker, right?

I was there. I visited the paddock to see the two stars. I returned to our table and told my husband that I had increased my bet on Skippy. Cigar did not look like a winner to me. It was bittersweet for me; I admired both horses. I AM NOT FROM NY!

Originally Posted by Cardus

Nice wager!

I was always a "beat the favorite" type of racing fan with Cigar. That was probably so due to my respect for Holy Bull, who was dynamic when on his game (which was most of the time). I did respect Cigar's consistency and durability, though.

I appreciated Skip Away's career; he was the "Iron Horse" of his generation. Sonny Hine ran him in the Ohio Derby two weeks after competing in all legs of the Triple Crown. Who would do that today?

Enjoy the racing.

I had bet Dare and Go because my best friend was an Alydar fanatic. It was dumb luck; again, had been bittersweet. I was devastated when Holy Bull broke down. Both Holy Bull and Skip Away were Jersey-based; I am from NJ. I was following The Bull through his career and was a very big fan. Stll, I always liked Cigar. My top ten horses of all-time at a forum I visit includes Holy Bull and Skip Away. I have so many fond memories, including Holy Bull resting his head on me at Jonabell. I still can feel the electricity in the paddock, particularly at Monmouth. Both Holy Bull and Skip Away added 10,000 to track attendance when they ran.

[Gander]

Holy Bull, Cigar, Skip Away. What a time for horse racing. Man it makes today's racing look very bad.

Originally Posted by Gander

Holy Bull, Cigar, Skip Away. What a time for horse racing. Man it makes today's racing look very bad.

Hopefully, by the end of the year Bernardini, Invasor, and Lava Man will have us spoiled.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by Gander

Holy Bull, Cigar, Skip Away. What a time for horse racing. Man it makes today's racing look very bad.

Bernardini > Cigar.

[repent]

Originally Posted by Gander

Holy Bull, Cigar, Skip Away. What a time for horse racing. Man it makes today's racing look very bad.

I am of the opposite opinion.
Ive never seen 3 American 3YOs in the same crop as good as Barbaro, Bernardini, and Discreet Cat.
hell,
Im not sure I have ever seen a 3YO as good as Discreet Cat period.

Our male turf horses suck right now, thats for sure.
but we had a US turf filly completely dominate an international field in the American Oaks and her stablemate is pretty damn good also.

and I would say we have an excellent group of sprinters running right now as well.

I am more impressed with American racing this year than I have been in a long time.


Repent