Steve Haskin;s Top Derby Contendars

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Scav

What experience do you have with Zito where you could call him a low life scum. Fact is, FROM ALL ACCOUNTS, from people that I know, that know him and from his interviews, he seems like a heck of a person and a person I would love to chill with at the track......

And, from what I have observed, his horses are always well managed and taken care of.

I'd elaborate on this...at the '05 Kee Sept sale I walked up to him and asked about a horse in his care. He was elated that someone he didn't know actually cared that much to stop and ask and thanked me for being a fan of the horse. I'm willing to bet that most any trainer in the industry would not have been so nice or willing to give me a full account of a horse as Zito did.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I'd elaborate on this...at the '05 Kee Sept sale I walked up to him and asked about a horse in his care. He was elated that someone he didn't know actually cared that much to stop and ask and thanked me for being a fan of the horse. I'm willing to bet that most any trainer in the industry would not have been so nice or willing to give me a full account of a horse as Zito did.

It probably helped that you're a hot babe too, right?

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

It probably helped that you're a hot babe too, right?

Took the words right out of my mouth--lol.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by eurobounce

Took the words right out of my mouth--lol.

I was just joking around with her... I've never met Zito, so I don't know how he is in real life.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I have a feeling Euro hasn't either. And is being a ladies man that bad. I mean it hasn't changed anyone's opinion of Kev for being a ladies man.

I need confirmation of such opinions......

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by Scav

I need confirmation of such opinions......

Will pictures serve as evidence? I kid, I kid...

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

It probably helped that you're a hot babe too, right?

LOL, the night of the twilight racing card he did very obviously check me out as I walked by, but men will be men, as we both very well know. Seriously though, he was very nice and honest when I asked him about one of his horses. Most trainers won't give people the time of day unless they think you own a horse.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

LOL, the night of the twilight racing card he did very obviously check me out as I walked by, but men will be men, as we both very well know. Seriously though, he was very nice and honest when I asked him about one of his horses. Most trainers won't give people the time of day unless they think you own a horse.

Agreed... Nascar guys are the same. Unless you're on the team, they won't give you the time of day to talk about racing and there are only a few exceptions.

[blackthroatedwind]

Nick Zito doesn't need me to defend him, and as he is a very good friend of mine I am obviously biased, but I will say that no other racing figure is more generous with his time with fans than he is. Not only at the races, where regardless of what he is doing he stops to talk to everyone that asks for his time, but also in his personal time. Closing night of the Saratoga meet a man came by our dinner table and talked to Nick for quite a while, not only having him sign his program, but also calling a friend on his cell phone and putting Nick on to the friend. Not only did Nick graciously do all this but after the man left he joked about how much fun that was.

It's the racetrack, and there are a million stories, and I'm sure everyone of us has done things we regret, but Nick Zito is as good an ambassador for the game as any figure working in racing. I think Eurobounce has made it clear he doesn't like him. Is this board really the place we all need to air our personal grievances about racing figures?

[GPK]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Nick Zito doesn't need me to defend him, and as he is a very good friend of mine I am obviously biased, but I will say that no other racing figure is more generous with his time with fans than he is. Not only at the races, where regardless of what he is doing he stops to talk to everyone that asks for his time, but also in his personal time. Closing night of the Saratoga meet a man came by our dinner table and talked to Nick for quite a while, not only having him sign his program, but also calling a friend on his cell phone and putting Nick on to the friend. Not only did Nick graciously do all this but after the man left he joked about how much fun that was.

It's the racetrack, and there are a million stories, and I'm sure everyone of us has done things we regret, but Nick Zito is as good an ambassador for the game as any figure working in racing. I think Eurobounce has made it clear he doesn't like him. Is this board really the place we all need to air our personal grievances about racing figures?

dumbass rides by jocks excluded of course??

[Scav]

Originally Posted by T3B

dumbass rides by jocks excluded of course??

If Byk bans me from yelling about Laviolette I AM OUTTA HERE.....

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by T3B

dumbass rides by jocks excluded of course??

that's business, not personal!!

I have to question the choice one would make to befriend a person who continually chooses to live his life in a less than stellar light when it comes to his life outisde of racing.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Nick Zito doesn't need me to defend him, and as he is a very good friend of mine I am obviously biased, but I will say that no other racing figure is more generous with his time with fans than he is. Not only at the races, where regardless of what he is doing he stops to talk to everyone that asks for his time, but also in his personal time. Closing night of the Saratoga meet a man came by our dinner table and talked to Nick for quite a while, not only having him sign his program, but also calling a friend on his cell phone and putting Nick on to the friend. Not only did Nick graciously do all this but after the man left he joked about how much fun that was.

It's the racetrack, and there are a million stories, and I'm sure everyone of us has done things they regret, but Nick Zito is as good an ambassador for the game as any figure working in racing. I think Eurobounce has made it clear he doesn't like him. Is this board really the place we all need to air our personal grievances about racing figures?

No, we definitely do NOT need to be doing that as many racing figures frequent this board and it's not polite to state negative opinions concerning others. PERIOD.

I hope I get the chance to meet Nick someday, but in the meantime, I'll see him in a positive light because his horses look to be well taken care of and I've never heard a negative thing about him (with the exception of Eurobounce's opinion of him.)

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

No, we definitely do NOT need to be doing that as many racing figures frequent this board and it's not polite to state negative opinions concerning others. PERIOD.

I hope I get the chance to meet Nick someday, but in the meantime, I'll see him in a positive light because his horses look to be well taken care of and I've never heard a negative thing about him (with the exception of Eurobounce's opinion of him.)

Obviously it's a game where we all have lots of opinions, which is terrific, but there's a big difference between saying this rider rode poorly, and having a ride to argue over, or this trainer didn't do a great job, and having a horse or horses to argue over, and saying this jockey or trainer is a horrible human being. Believe me, there are people at the racetrack, just like everywhere else, that are less than special, but it hardly goes anywhere harping on it here. A simple " I don't like the guy ", and not a circular approach which finally leads to your admittance that you have a personal vendetta, will suffice.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

but Nick Zito is as good an ambassador for the game as any figure working in racing.

Quite Frankly,

He reminds me of an Italianized version of Stephen A. Smith when he does television interviews.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Quite Frankly,

He reminds me of an Italianized version of Stephen A. Smith when he does television interviews.

Haven't you done enough?

[stonegossard]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Quite Frankly,

He reminds me of an Italianized version of Stephen A. Smith when he does television interviews.

Do you know where I can get any information on a horse named Smokey Stover. I am a huge fan of him. Am looking to start a fan club.

Thanks in advance.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by stonegossard

Do you know where I can get any information on a horse named Smokey Stover. I am a huge fan of him. Am looking to start a fan club.

Thanks in advance.

Smokey Stover is a very overrated Northern Cal sprinter (he can't even break an 80 on the CJ's!) that was named after a resoundingly unfunny cartoon strip.....

My suggestion would be to ditch the fan club idea...and go play in traffic.

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Nick Zito doesn't need me to defend him, and as he is a very good friend of mine I am obviously biased, but I will say that no other racing figure is more generous with his time with fans than he is. Not only at the races, where regardless of what he is doing he stops to talk to everyone that asks for his time, but also in his personal time. Closing night of the Saratoga meet a man came by our dinner table and talked to Nick for quite a while, not only having him sign his program, but also calling a friend on his cell phone and putting Nick on to the friend. Not only did Nick graciously do all this but after the man left he joked about how much fun that was.

It's the racetrack, and there are a million stories, and I'm sure everyone of us has done things we regret, but Nick Zito is as good an ambassador for the game as any figure working in racing. I think Eurobounce has made it clear he doesn't like him. Is this board really the place we all need to air our personal grievances about racing figures?

andy -- with any past or future disagreements aside, this is without a doubt my favorite post on Derby Trail in some time. Thanks for the story about Nick -- I've always found him to be more agreeable on TV (for what it's worth) than most trainers, and your story seems to back up everything I've ever thought about him. It's nice to know that there are people who don't just mug for the camera, but are genuinely good people when it comes down to the little everyday things.