Lifetime Past Performances

sorry, not the best of scans...


what a freak!!!

[POINTGIVEN1985]

point given in there ? i'd appreciate it

Originally Posted by POINTGIVEN1985

point given in there ? i'd appreciate it

[KirisClown]

Originally Posted by robfla

Carried 12 more pounds than Cigar in that Donn, he would have torn his head off too...

[KirisClown]

If anyone actually wants to see that 1995 Donn again, here it is...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIm-zH1nvhY

[Thunder Gulch]

Originally Posted by Cardus

I have "Champions," and I recommend it highly for those who appreciate Thoroughbred racing history.

Two horses' past performances that I love to look at from time to time are Citation's and Seattle Slew's.

Agree 100% on "Champions". I look through it all of the time. I love reading history of the game, but for a handicapper to see it in that all too familiar DRF past performances is really a joy.

Pointgiven1985,

I screwed up on the 2 turn triple crown preps distances this weekend. I thought the FOY, Robert Lewis, and Batagglia were to be run at a 1 1/16. Thanks for the correction on the FOY distance.

Cannonshell,

Since the connections for Easy Goer and Sightseeing are the same, thats why I was curious if Shug is taking same path this year. I realize Easy Goer was way more accomplished than Sightseeing is today, but I'm just looking for an "under the radar" 3 year old to follow on the road to the Derby. Thats what so fun about this time of the year. If he runs like crap on Saturday, I'll look for another one.

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by Cardus

If you want to read a memorable description of a race, find a copy of a special DRF publication -- distributed about five or six years ago, I think -- that printed the complete chart (with comments) of some of the Triple Crown winners' races. I know that this publication exists; I have it still, but not with me currently.

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.

Back then I don't know if the DRF had the little abbreviated comment line at the far right of the performance line like they have now. If it was your job to boil down a performance like Secretariats Belmont into a few words to show up in the PP's what would you say? What could you say? "Much the best", "Drew off"? The typical stuff seems woefully inadequate.

I think I'd simply put "UNREAL!"

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by Cardus

I knew after I had posted this that I wasn't clear. I meant the horse-by-horse narrative that is printed beneath the running lines of a race's chart.

No you were absolutely clear, and I understood what you were talking about.
Of course in the full narrative you would have the chance to be much more elaborative. I don't know if I have ever read the accounting of his Belmont, but I think its great that what they wrote was something befitting of the performance and not something pedestrian.

I went in a different direction without signaling.
I was trying to imagine what you could write in the abbreviated part, the part that shows in the PP's, that would capture an epic performance.

[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 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.