Red Mile visits

What an amazing experience it is walk around The Red Mile and see so many great racing personalities. We spent a blustery morning on the backstretch today, after a rain-soaked drive from Columbus.

Our first stop was to Steve Elliott’s barn, where the Jug blanket of roses is in full display and the Jug blanket hangs with great pride. Well Said was having a hind shoe tacked on when we got there, and looking at him you would be hard pressed to find any flaw on his absolutely beautiful and sculpted body. He looks as fit and glossy as a horse could be—no doubt in big part to the care he receives from Steve’s assistant trainer, Toni Rose. Toni is an amazing person and an even more amazing horsewoman, and how much she loves Well Said is clear in her every moment with the colt. Getting to stroke his satiny neck and look up close into the eye of  such a champion was a thrill of the morning.

But it wasn’t the only thrill. We next stopped by Greg Peck’s barn where we watched Muscle Hill getting a bath after his jog session. He looks terrific—alert, in great form, ears up and happy. Greg Peck looked a little tired, and he admitted he was ready for his wife, Nancy, to arrive tomorrow. Great horses, a wonderful wife, successful and charming kids (son Sean has a 4.0 GPA in high school and Brendan has become a media star)—what doesn’t this guy have?!

Muscle Hill’s groom, Sylvia, is home with a cold or flu, and we certainly hope for her a speedy recovery. We know she does not want to miss tomorrow’s festivities.

Mark Hall and I spent a few minutes with Holiday Road, the Peter Haughton winner, who Greg Peck said is done for the year. The powerful son of Yankee Glide (who has a positively towering head) was staring out the window when we first passed his stall, but he soon came over to say hello, shake his head and even take a nip or two at us.

The day has turned quite lovely, with big puffy clouds amid blue sky, and a fast track to compliment the top filly trotters battling for the Filly Futurity crown. Ah, Lexington. There is nothing like it.

Nicole

Going to Lexington

Friday the Hoof Beats crew heads to Lexington to cover the Grand Circuit racing, most notably the Kentucky Filly Futurity on Friday and the Kentucky Futurity on Saturday. We'll have video recaps of both days' features and a photo feature in the November issue of Hoof Beats. Also, stay tuned for blog posts from the front.

I'm looking forward to this year's trip because it feels like it has been so long since I've been there. Last year I came down for the first week, but my brother (who is not involved in harness racing) decided to have his wedding on Futurity Day. I have to admit that I was a little disappointed when I called to get the results and found out that there had been such an exciting third-heat raceoff, but it was a beautiful wedding nonetheless.

This year I'll make it a point to be there trackside for this year's trotting classic. I'm just hoping that the weather is warm (and dry) enough for Muscle Hill to really show how fast he can trot. I was there when Giant Diablo trotted in 1:50.1, when Snow White trotted in 1:52.4 and when Somebeachsomewhere paced in 1:46.4, so if there is any place to stop a clock, it's Lexington!

Good racing, and hope to see you there! TJB

HB Story Idea

George Rood asked: Why doesn't Hoof Beats do an article on the most dominant ownership operation in racing--Bulletproof Enterprises. They are like a big mystery that no one dares talk about. They are involved in every major race, but no one knows who they are--just some group hidden away in Florida. How about telling the fans who these guys are and what drives this operation?

Answer: Thanks for the suggestion. We will certainly consider it.

 

 

 

Following Fall

I seems like fall has jumped into central Ohio, and I am not sure we are ready. The rainy Jug was certainly an unwelcome distraction. I just spoke with Marilyn Jenne, a longtime Jug fan and visitor, and she lamented that the rain impacted her ability to suit in her box to watch great racing and to socialize—two great joys of the Delaware. It was, of course, still a great day of racing, and Well Said made sure the 2009 Jug was memorable. How about the Ron Pierce—he was as happy as I have ever seen him after a race. You’d think it was his first win, not his fourth. I was so glad to see him celebrating with the fans—it made the event even more special—and I  wish more drivers realized showing their emotion helps everyone get more involved with the race and the winner!

Kudos to the HB staff for getting the Jug in our October issues. Truth be told, our deadline to get to the printer was Wednesday, Sept. 23, but I simply could not face an October book without the Jug. So we worked late into Thursday night (the Delaware fairgrounds are really dark at 10:30 p.m.) and from sun up to sun down Friday to get our story and photos together. We hope you agree it was worth it!

We are looking forward to heading to Lexington at the end of the week, though preliminary reports say the rain will be following us down there. I hope we can get one last burst of summer, so Muscle Hill has every chance to show how fast he is. There are few places more glorious than Lexington on a fast fall Saturday!

Have a great day!

Nicole

Campbell Speaks to Full House

John Campbell closed the USTA Speaker Series with a capacity crowd. He was asked about his induction into the Canadian Sports Hall. “Everything I am is from my parents. My dad taught two people the horse business—me and my brother Jim. Jim was leading trainer and I was leading driver. Pretty good sire percentage.” He admitted his mother was disappointed when he quit school but she was supportive. She thought he should always go where competition the highest. John “hit the lottery” when he met and fell in love with wife, Paula. His schedule takes him all over the place to race every summer for past 25 years. She never complains. “She was the quarterback of family life for all these years.”

When Niatross was in Jug in 1980, it was his first time to Delaware. Ed Lohmeyer, Shelly Goudreau and he were flying in from New Jersey and got messed up with flights. They chartered small plane from Cincinnati just to watch Niatross go. Very special. Next year all 3 of them were in Jug. Eddie and I fell down in first heat, and Shelly fell down in 2^nd heat. Next Jug was Merger, and I owned and trained him. Just getting around the track was special. Certainly Life Sign, phenomenal performance. I was awestruck by his race and the crowd. Everyone knew they saw something special. One of most thrilling moments in my career.

Talked about Showherthemoney. Not surprised she won 2^nd heat after way she won the 1^st. Very unusual for a horse to lose that much ground and still win.

Are you in favor of heat racing: I am here. Gotten away from heat racing. Only couple places for it.. I was in favor of changing the Hambletonian. It’s a different venue. I am in favor of doing it the way they do it here now. That might change in the future if we aren’t drawing top horses. We didn’t last year but did this year. Have to make adjustments if it make a pattern that top horses don’t come. If don’t get top horses for fans to see and be close to, we will lose luster of the event. We have to go for more money here. In any business it all comes down to money. If you put up enough money they will race down Highway 23.

When he was asked how to be successful in business, he advocated working for someone who is successful and seeing how they do things.

To keep horses racing after age 3. He would like that, but recognizes challenge. Somebeachsomewhere and Dewyecheatumnhowe perfect examples. Both worth $8, million-$10 million. Big risk to come back at 4. If not successful, value can plummet in matter of three races. Can’t put enough purse money  up to make it worth coming back.

Problem with our industry is so fragmented. Can’t get jurisdictions to agree on rules. He is in favor of keeping lines in each hand.

First elim is lighter—missed top 2-year-old of year. Won’t be that easy when get out there. Chance to drive Keep It Real first in Mohawk overnight. I didn’t want to be tough on him. Got him in a bad spot. He had a lot of pace. Had to check him 2 or 3 times in stretch. Had a little problem with foot. He was sound and easy to drive. I expect him to do well. Not sure if that’s enough. He is a  gifted and talented horse. Hope he can build on that.

Longshot in 2^nd elim—Born To Rockn Roll. A man’s got to know his limitations—same here. Can’t overdrive this horse., Have to find shortest way around. Hope something up front that’s suicidal. Hope he can pick up pieces. He is owned in Ohio. I know it s dream to have horse in the Jug for these people.

Well Said: class of this division. Post 8 is detriment. Not think he was strong in last win as he was earlier. Great gaited, fine looking. If he gets any break at all going into first turn, he is the one to beat.

Vintage Master gotten better as the year as gone on. I hope they get into an argument on the front.

Favorite horse is Argyle Chester. “Born on John’s 11^th birthday, his grandmother owned him and gave him half. He became an invitational pacer. You can’t image the thrill going to see that horse with my grandmother.

Offset gate: Been discussed. I have mixed feelings. Go back to tradition. I like it the way it is. It helps a horse. Reason people get excited having the rail at Delaware.

Standardbred Retirement Foundation. Very proud of my wife and Judy Bokman for starting it 20 years ago. Sent out 200 horses—found homes. Have 130 on waiting list. We need to address this issue. They should be  funded better by industry. We have to take responsibility.

Favorite track and how many years drive: Meadowlands, hard to argue that. Had a bit of luck there. Love [Delaware] and The Red Mile. I evaluate driving every year. As long as I am getting opportunity to drive a lot of the stakes and I am healthy, I will continue. Schedule not the same in winter. Only drive Friday and Saturday in January, February and March. Keep you sharp.

Murray Brown appointed him commissioner of harness racing. Asked what he would fix. John said he would streamline licensing for owners and make universal rules, for which he received resounding applause. Long laundry list have to address. Have to get people back to tracks, but what would we do with them? Have to address how fans are treated, educated to racing, how information fed to them, food and services. We have driven millions out of Meadowlands with food and service. We want to get them there, but we have figure out first what we will do once we get them there.

Will not retire back to Canada. Daughters and grandchildren in New Jersey and likely Florida in winter.

What’s future of Meadowlands: We will have horses when we open. Comes back to money. We don’t have purse money and that’s why field are short. Even with all its problems, only place can still handle big bettors with large pools. Everyone hoping we get slots in New Jersey. If we don’t, I think New Jersey racing is in serious jeopardy.

 

Notes from USTA Speaker Series

Steve Elliott and Ron Pierce are at the USTA Speaker Series. Pierce as asked which horse are you most worried about: “I’m going to look over as we leave out and see what’s going on.” Track is in “super tip-top shape.” Pierce talked about how drivable Well Said is: “He’s a classy colt, a great attitude, does anything you want to do with him. He gives 110-percent. Who should be favorite. Pierce said Well Said.

Both are very confident in Well Said’s ability, despite bad draw.

Murray Brown of Hanover Shoe Farms remembered looking at Well Said as a yearling. Not surprised colt ended up so good. He remembered hearing from Steve in February of Donato Hanover’s 2-year-old year that he was the best trotter ever trained. Asked same of well said. Steve said he was always good, but he was stupid. He would shy and jump all over the place.

Steve got a round of applause for bringing “world class horse” to Delaware.

Importance of Triple Crown was asked of Steve. He said it has to be revamped. History is history and should be left like that. Have to change with the times. $1 million races not considered for Triple Crown and that’s wrong. Every era is different. People knock that Well Said race on half-mile track; used to be all races on a half. Times change.

Ron was asked how he maintains strength required to hold horses. I’ve been doing it for long, all the muscles are strong already. When first started driving, had to get fingers, legs, back and arms stronger. Sit-ups, push-ups, squats when younger. As got older, body got in shape. The Trick is to get horses relaxed.

Ron asked if he talks to horses: We have our own language. Horses respond to your voice. Fillies treated differently than treat boys. Some of the boys you have to get fired up.

Steve talked about how important great help is and called his assistant trainer Toni Rose his right arm. She warmed Well Said up and he won, so Steve said she could keep doing it until he lost. Then Steve went back.

 

 

Class Acts

What a great morning we had at the USTA Speaker Series, with Dr. Margaret Mudge from Ohio State, Dave Brower and David Miller, and Tim Tetrick and Jimmy Takter all taking their turns in front of the microphone.

The crowds were overflowing—even with the early hour, and the respect and appreciation for our “celebrities” was evident from everyone in attendance.

Jimmy was actually not on our schedule, but he came by just to listen and there was no way we could not ask him to join us. And it was not just Jimmy who was sharing with his fans. His wife, Christina—who always looks so beautiful—was talking with fans also, especially one young girl who wished to be a groom. Christina patiently answered all her questions, shared secrets of her life in racing, and repeatedly silenced her ever-ringing phone to give undivided attention.

There is no way to truly express my appreciation to all the people who help out with the Speakers Series—from my USTA coworkers, to the wonderful horsemen and experts who share their time. They come early, sign as many autographs as they are asked, and give of themselves so freely for people who really treasure the experience.

Tomorrow, we are back again at 8 with a  full slate—handicapping the Jug program with Dave Brower, Dave Bianconi, Sam McKee and the speaker series debut of Roger Huston. They are followed at 9 by Ron Pierce and  Steve Elliott, and the great John Campbell is with us at 10. I hope you will be, too!

Nicole