Around the Ovals - Yesteryear and Yesterday
By Donald Mahan
BLACK TYPE - British Breeders wanting to eliminate American "Black Type" from European Catalogs is not new. Years ago the British looked down on the American breed and excluded them from the Stud Book. Now they are saying that our Graded Races are not a true basis for racing ability. I wonder what they think of Lonesome Glory? The American Race horse is the most sought after in the world. Even the Queen has bred her mares to Kentucky Stallions. Black type is Black type whether they print it or not. And just maybe wise buyers may be the winners.
TWO SPAS - A possible solution to the three tracks in the South Florida dilemma would be to yield the choice height of the season dates to Hialeah, but for a short meet only as is the case at Saratoga in the summer. Both tracks are landmarks and simply reek with tradition-something racing needs to nuture-not destroy. Gulfstream would get their so desired more days and Calder survives with simulcasting. Allow simulcasting, at least on a trial basis, at Hialeah for both out of state and local. It may not be the threat Calder and Gulfstream make it out to be. My personal choice as to dates would be to run as much as possible at Hialeah.
FLORIDA HERE WE COME - The very hard surfaces of both dirt and turf at some California tracks particularly Santa Anita are making Florida the recipient of some good horses. Many owners and trainers have had their fill of losing fine two and three year olds to the pounding. For years I watched California horses come East, and in paddock viewing, could easily see the toll paste board tracks had taken on them. Affirmed, who walked with "a foot in two counties" as they say in Kentucky, amazingly overcame the problems and deserves even more respect than he has attained. The praise given to the racing surfaces at Gulfstream by Barry Irwin and Mark Hennig is just one more positive for Florida racing and a step closer to the return of Breeders Cup.
EYE OPENERS - The world of racing has changed dramatically in a short period of time, and I am not sure if its for the best. Simulcasting has its appeal, in home wagering while viewing races on cable TV is now a reality with computerized handicapping making the decisions, no less. Scientific studies of muscle specimens pre-determine class and future abilities. Wow! Look what we are leaving behind: small tracks, fair meets, little guy having a shot, colorful characters like Mr. Diz, Harry the Horse and the genius, great films like Maryland, Kentucky, and Boots Malone. With all the progress very few make money. Among the losers are race tracks and owners. Attendance and handles are down, even track dining rooms are only half full because no one can afford the prices any more. The most amazing statistic of all in our now high tech Industry is that attendance at hunt meets is at an all time high. The sport is growing in leaps and bounds. Sample the cuisine at one of the many tailgate parties race day, soak up the atmosphere, and glory in the sport. Could this be telling us something?
SOUNDNESS FACTORS - How do we get them? In 1955 Milton and Arelene Erlanger imported from Ireland, Rasper, who was a son of the great Hyperion. The Erlangers were dog breeders in New Jersey, and carried theories into horse breeding, interestingly enough. Rasper established a line of runners whose "soundness factors" have been carried down thru such hard knockers as Rambunctious, Rollicking, Rock Talk and Talc. Due North may have been one of the all time great campaigners in Maryland racing history. Trainers touched by this amazing line were blessed with horses who trained easily and stayed sound. Thunder Gulch, a successful three year old, received his "soundness factors" from the dam of his sire, Jameela, a daughter of Rambunctious. Heading to the sales? Keep this family in mind!
NAME OF THE GAME - Speed! We are all excited by it, we breed to it, we handicap by it. Pure speed horses such as Bupers, Creme De La Creme, Degage and Globemaster stimulated the industry. Wonder how Beyer would have rated this group? Breed speed to speed and worry how far they will go later. Offspring of sires who had speed but were not great horses command good prices as first crop yearlings. Guarantee you 21-44 gets me to the windows with betting shoes on. Statistics show that the biggest percentage of winners lay 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th in the early going. Indeed speed is the name of the game!
BREEDER'S CUP POST MORTEMS - What this country needs is a good Cigar! And we have one. The sport's greatest promoter in history and glamour boy got the collar. I for one am not drowning my sorrows. During an interview he proclaimed Serenas Song to be the greatest horse in the world while sending her postward obviously sore. Hats off to Julie Krone for her ride on Mr. Greely nearly pulling off the biggest upset of the day. Training honors have to go to Jim Ryerson-his strategy in the Champagne was to send Unbridled's Song-who clipped off torrid fractions and held well. The horse was so fit he survived a bump out of the gate and came off the pace gamely to win. Jim's much panned tactics earned $520,000. the biggest disappointment was the lack of attendance. Where were the New York racing fans? Reserved seats for Florida anyone?
Donald Mahan's mother was a guest handicapper for the Baltimore News Post under the name of "Mystery Girl". Don has been around the track for years and his observations of racing from a historical point of view and a current one are invaluable! - Editor