THE SATURDAY POST

A few decades ago, a thirteen-year-old boy in a working-class neighborhood in New York would take the bus to the racetrack with twenty dollars and the Daily Racing Form as a guide.

He was simply a fan of racing.

As a fan, the horses would cascade past him in the post-parade, deliver a fleeting glimpse of themselves in the home stretch and pause for quick photo in the winner’s circle. At the time, the experience was enough for Mike Repole to get on the bus with a few bets and a dream of owning a fast racehorse someday.

He was simply a fan of racing.

In the following decades, Repole would become known for being the co-founder of Glaceau, the company that introduced Vitaminwater, as well as the Chairman of the Board for Pirate’s Booty snacks and the health-conscious Energy Kitchen fast food restaurant chain. Yet, in six years of owning racehorses, Repole wouldn’t be known in the racing world for a graded stakes victory. He was winless in all of his graded starts as an owner.

However, Repole remained an owner and fan of racing.

As he maintained his stable, Repole continued to search for the “fast racehorse” that he had envisioned in his youth. And finally, a two-year-old bay colt showed up and silenced any doubt that Repole had found “the one.”

In his debut, Uncle Mo delivered a 14 ½ length maiden victory for Repole at Saratoga. Shortly thereafter, the colt proved to be blessed with speed as he won the Champagne Stakes in an authoritative 4 ¾ length victory that gave Repole his first graded win as an owner. In his last outing, Uncle Mo showcased his talent during a captivating victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

All eyes turned to Uncle Mo. It appeared that a new dream was beginning in the racing world.

It is a dream for all fans of racing.

With an undefeated record and astonishing speed figures, Uncle Mo is currently poised as the horse that can deliver the dream of winning the Triple Crown. He is beyond the “fast racehorse” that Repole wished for as a boy. Uncle Mo is the kind of horse that racing enthusiasts have wished for since 1978.

And, Repole wants to share Uncle Mo with every fan of racing.

Uncle Mo has a page on Facebook and Twitter. Fans could see a photo of Uncle Mo posing in a tuxedo for the Eclipse Award ceremony, where he ultimately received the Best Two-Year-Old Male Award in a fan-focused acceptance speech from Repole.

Uncle Mo also posts videos and photos about his activities, including a picture of Repole feeding the horse his favorite treat, Pirate’s Booty “Smart Puffs.” Recently, Uncle Mo posted a video of him galloping at Palm Meadows to show his progress in training. In the past few days, hundreds of people have viewed the clip.

Finally, fans are encouraged to talk to Uncle Mo through his Facebook wall. Uncle Mo is hoping to receive a few valentines from his admirers on February 14 and is looking forward to hosting a virtual “birthday celebration” on his foaling date of March 10 via Facebook. If you want to join the festivities, you can follow Uncle Mo through clicking here.

And, after decades in the sport, Repole doesn’t lose sight of simply being a thirteen-year-old fan of racing. As fate would have it, Uncle Mo started out on Facebook through a thirteen-year-old girl named Rebecca Case who created a page for the horse.

She is simply a fan of racing.

When Repole learned that Rebecca Case had made a page for Uncle Mo, he asked his connections to contact the thirteen-year-old racing fan with a small request: He wanted to help the girl with her Uncle Mo page and keep her updated on the horse.

Today, Case and Uncle Mo’s connections work together to make the horse accessible to fans. And as a team, they prove that some dreams never grow old.

Uncle Mo is the dream of a thirteen-year-old racing fan, both today and decades ago.

And, Uncle Mo could deliver a dream to many racing enthusiasts who marvel over whether he can win the Triple Crown.

Yet, whatever Uncle Mo accomplishes in his career, one thing is certain. Uncle Mo isn’t just a “fast racehorse” or a “Triple Crown prospect” in the eyes of Repole. He is part of an experience that should be shared with anyone, young or old, that is simply a fan of racing.

As Uncle Mo points toward his three-year-old debut, Mr. Repole has graciously agreed to answer my questions about the horse. The interview appears below.

JW: Prior to his first victory, did you believe that Uncle Mo had the potential to be a special horse?

MR: I was always excited about Uncle Mo. He was always the best on the farm in Florida where I break 25 of my yearlings. We knew he was the best on the farm, but you’re never sure when your horse is still at the farm.

Then, we went to Todd Pletcher’s barn around May. Todd trains the best two-year-olds in the country and usually has three or four horses in the Derby. When Todd Pletcher tells you that he’s training eighty horses and Uncle Mo is the best horse, you get excited.

But, being the best in the morning, doesn’t always translate to being the best in the afternoon. ‘Show Time’ is a lot different than practice.

Until Uncle Mo raced in his maiden at Saratoga, I didn’t know what to expect. Then, I was awed by his performance, as were many people. And, after that, I started to think and dream. He’s lived up to every expectation since his first race.

JW: At the Breeders’ Cup, you personally led Uncle Mo into the winner’s circle after he won the Juvenile race. How did you feel as you approached the winner’s circle with him?

MR: I just felt like a thirteen-year-old kid at the track, cashing a two-dollar bet. It was just such a great and genuinely happy moment. It was something that you dream about and you think about. And then, you shoot your dreams and goals as high as they can go.

It was an amazing accomplishment to watch a horse race in the Breeders’ Cup that you can call your own. It is an accomplishment for any owner.

But then, to actually win, it was a great racing moment. Just in that moment right there, I felt like a thirteen-year-old at the track for the first time and getting spoiled.

I am a racing fan before I am a racing owner. I just happen to be a racing fan that owns horses. There was no bigger ‘racing high’ at that moment. It was one of the greatest days of my life.

JW: Do you think Uncle Mo has the potential to win the Triple Crown?

MR: I would say, ‘Think Big, Dream Bigger.’

Whether Uncle Mo has the potential or not, we’ll know the answer on June 11 at the Belmont, or we may even find out at the Kentucky Derby.

But, I can’t tell you that I’m not dreaming of winning the Kentucky Derby or that I’m not dreaming of winning the Triple Crown. I’ve been dreaming of this for almost thirty years. The only difference now is that I have a horse that has the potential to actually do it.

As for his potential, I have no doubt. But, a lot has to happen in the meantime. It takes a lot of luck. A lot of great horses have not won the Kentucky Derby or the Triple Crown. A lot of great horses have won one or two of those races, but didn’t win the Triple Crown.

Yet, I think for racing and racing fans, whether it is Uncle Mo or some other horse, it would be great for the sport and great for racing fans.

JW: Could you describe some of Uncle Mo’s personality traits and favorite items?

MR: Every time I go to the barn, I give Uncle Mo an extra carrot or two. He gets a few extra peppermints. He gets Pirate’s Booty Cheddar Puffs. Todd doesn’t give him the Cheddar Puffs, but he knows I bring them to Uncle Mo.

Uncle Mo doesn’t act like a young three-year-old. When he is laying down or he is at the back of the stall, I will call him by saying, “Hey Mo.” He will come right over and put his head on my shoulder.

He is like a monster on the racetrack, but he has a totally different personality in the stall. He is just happy-go-lucky and has a great personality. You don’t need a treat for him to come over to you. He is just a great horse.

Uncle Mo is also a very smart horse. Todd has always told me that not only is Uncle Mo one of the most talented horses he’s ever had, but he has the brains to go with it. He just does everything right. He is the model student. He doesn’t have any bad habits.

And finally, he does everything right the first time, no matter what he has been asked. Even Todd is amazed. It’s scary to be honest with you.

JW: You have made a strong effort to give Uncle Mo’s fans access to him. What makes this principle so important to you?

MR: It goes back to me being a racing fan for thirty years. The only access that I had as a fan was looking at the workouts and those types of details about each horse.

Now with social media, Uncle Mo has a Facebook page with a following of almost 2,000 fans. It is growing every day and every week. The way I see it, people want to know more about this horse. His site visits are going up on a regular basis. He has a Twitter account and he tweets things that are coming up and things that he has planned.

When Mo speaks, he might get fifty comments behind it. And, even when he doesn’t speak, people are constantly commenting on his wall. I see it. They say things like, ‘I wish you the best of luck,’ ‘Happy Birthday, Mo,’ or ‘You look great, Mo.’

The sport has to put something out there for the fans. It just can’t be about fractions, workouts, entries and the ultimate race day. It has to be more than that. Before the Superbowl, there is going to be a lot of hype and players talking about what they are doing. I think that racing fans need to be more involved as well and know what the horses are doing.

To me, even if I didn’t own Uncle Mo, I would want to know things like when he planned to workout, which race he was being pointed toward and what he was doing. For example, we put up a video of Uncle Mo the other day just galloping. It was only nine seconds long, but it received tremendous amounts of views. It is just something that many other people aren’t doing, but I wish they would do it, because I am a racing fan first. I am just fortunate enough to own horses.

I think it is important to involve the racing fans a lot more than they are being involved. Racing has so many passionate fans. I’ve always said, ‘If I get a special horse, I want to accommodate the fans.’ The most important thing that the industry needs to do is be accessible and accommodating to the fans. It’s very simple. We just need to take care of the horses and the fans.

JW: When you began going to racetrack, did you ever imagine you would own a horse like Uncle Mo?

MR: I’m sure it was because I was naïve, but I did. I wish I could tell you that I am shocked that this is happening. But, I had dreams about having a horse like Uncle Mo.

After Uncle Mo won the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile, someone asked me if I was thinking about the Kentucky Derby. I said, ‘I’ve been thinking about it for the last thirty years. Why would tomorrow be any different?’

JW: It was reported that you donated $50,000 of Uncle Mo’s winnings from the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile to five different organizations that care for rescued racehorses. What led to this decision?

MR: Before being an owner, I never understood where horses went after they stopped racing. I didn’t know if the owner had a farm and if they just lived on a farm afterward.

When I became involved in racehorse ownership, I realized that owners have a responsibility when a horse is done racing. There is a responsibility to make sure that your horse finds the best possible home in the future.

Under the radar, I have been donating for years. I have been donating to many horse rescues and always making sure that my horses found a home. I have people that send me letters about horses that I used to own and were claimed from me when they were racing. They want me to try to help them get their horse at the end of their racing career and I have helped people get back their horse. To me, it is a great thing.

I also have received letters from previous owners of horses that I owned as they approached the end of their racing career. When the horse was done racing, they wanted the horse to come back to them. Some of those people raised that horse on their farm and they wanted them to come home at the end of their career.

So, once a horse gets to a certain level where they would just be running for small claiming races, I just stop running the horses and give them back to the person who asked for their horse to come home. And, they are appreciative. They often send me a letter and it confirms to me that I’ve done the right thing.

I think I had an opportunity with Uncle Mo when I made a donation to those rescues after winning a big race. I wanted to say, ‘This is what I am doing and maybe others should follow suit.’ A person owns a horse from the time they begin racing until the moment the horse is given a good home. Every horse that I am connected with gets a home.

My donation was not only part of supporting horse rescue, but also, a way to thank the people who devote themselves to taking care of retired racehorses. I have the utmost respect for them.

JW: What is your favorite story from your experiences with Uncle Mo?

MR: I actually have two stories about Uncle Mo.

The first story was on the race track. To me, it was bigger to win the Champagne Stakes than the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. I was the New York Racing Association’s leading owner in 2009, and, at that point, also in 2010, when Uncle Mo was pointing toward the Champagne Stakes. But, there was one thing I had never done before – I had never won a graded stakes race.

As we entered the Champagne, I felt a lot of pressure. Uncle Mo was going from a maiden to a Grade I race. During the race, I kept thinking that he couldn’t keep going that fast and keep it up for a mile in his second start.

When he pulled away by almost five lengths and nearly broke the track record, it was just an amazing moment to see one horse come along and take away the pressure of wanting to win a graded race. And, my whole family was there for that moment. My wife, my parents, my brothers, my grandmother… everyone.

The Breeders’ Cup was a great victory. But, that Champagne win, it was such a special moment in my life. When I raced horses in graded stakes in the past, I used to always watch the other owners go down to the winner’s circle after winning a graded stakes as they were surrounded by reporters and I would wonder, ‘Is that ever going to be me?’ When Uncle Mo gave me my first graded stakes win, it was a very rewarding moment.

The second thing I enjoy about Uncle Mo is visiting with him. There is a lot of stress owning a horse like him. I am nervous for the horse.

After the Breeders’ Cup, I spent an hour and half with him. He has a calming effect. Uncle Mo has this attitude and confidence that says, ‘Why are you nervous? I’m not nervous.’ Whenever I get nervous, I just go and visit him. He just has a way of saying, ‘Don’t be nervous. I’ll take it from here.’

On Monday, Zenyatta’s battle to earn “Horse of the Year” ended when she was finally crowned with the honor during the final moments of the Eclipse Awards.

The math was pretty simple on the face of the ballot. Zenyatta had five Grade I victories while Blame won three Grade I races. Blame won the Breeders’ Cup Classic and defeated more Grade I winners in 2010.

At times, Zenyatta was cast as the “emotional” or “popular” favorite in the pre-vote debates for the Award, in part, due to her passionate fan base and discussion of her overall career record. Yes, Zenyatta won 19 of 20 races in her career, with a 5-1 Grade I record in 2010. But, as the argument was made by many, “Horse of the Year” is not a lifetime achievement award or a “popularity” vote.

At the end of the voting, 238 eligible voters cast a ballot for “Horse of the Year.” Zenyatta won the Award with 128 votes while Blame received 102 ballots in his favor. Goldikova garnered five supporters, two individuals did not vote and one abstained.

Those are the basic numbers that amounted to Zenyatta being awarded “Horse of the Year” in a purely mathematical world.

However, as many commentators pointed our prior to the final decision, Zenyatta is also an “emotional” horse.” And, in being an “emotional horse,” she doesn’t live in a purely mathematical world of racing forms and figures.

She lives in both worlds. And, although I believe Zenyatta earned “Horse of Year” on her racing record alone, the intangible qualities that make Zenyatta an “emotional horse” hold a rare and sacred value beyond her racing record.

The “emotional” nature of Zenyatta is her glory just as much as her achievements in racing itself. And, in my view, there is nothing wrong with being “emotional” about horse racing, its’ athletes, and particularly, Zenyatta.

It is wonderful to be emotional about racing.

Through being an “emotional horse,” Zenyatta racked up some numbers that go beyond 128 votes for “Horse of the Year.” Zenyatta’s “math,” just as the mare herself, is focused on a few different equations.

She is the “Horse of a Lifetime” for many fans that witnessed her career. And, at the end of our lifetimes, Zenyatta will still reign immortal in the sport.

Infinity is an “emotional number” for Zenyatta.

Zenyatta also calculated the value of people when doing her math. She welcomed droves of fans that visited her barn throughout her career. Her guests were from all walks of life, including children, celebrities and general fans.

It appears that every fan, whether it is one person or thousands at a race, are “emotional numbers” for Zenyatta.

For those who could not show up at the track, Zenyatta started a Facebook page and website with a “diary” of her activities. She put a video on You Tube that allowed fans to take a “virtual ride” on her back. And, in the process, 60,000 people have followed her activities on Facebook, while 186,000 fans have taken a “virtual ride” on Zenyatta.

It seems like 100,000+ is also an “emotional number” for Zenyatta.

In her final race, Zenyatta saw many individuals at the racetrack. A crowd of 72,000 people stood on their feet to see if Zenyatta could win the Breeders’ Cup this year. And, even in the wake of her loss, the crowd remained standing to give the great mare an ovation in her lone defeat.

I imagine that 72,000 is an “emotional number” for Zenyatta.

When she was retired, Zenyatta had a number of friends that came out to see her even when she wasn’t racing. As she was paraded during her farewell at Hollywood Park, 11,216 fans shouted her name and took photos of the mare. And, when her plane landed the next day at Keeneland, over a thousand fans stood in the cold night to see her in the flesh.

It appears that 11,000+ is also an “emotional number” for Zenyatta.

But, in the end, 238 eligible voters decided whether Zenyatta’s 2010 campaign merited the “Horse of the Year” award. And, 128 voters deemed that she was “The Horse of the Year” in 2010.

I imagine that 128 is an “emotional number” for Zenyatta after her three-year campaign to win the Award.

Yet, there was another vote that shows the glory of being an “emotional horse.” In a Petition sent to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, 5,807 individuals cast their signature to show their support for Zenyatta to be crowned “Horse of the Year.”

It seems like 5,807 is also very “emotional number” for Zenyatta.

It is the reward for winning the hearts of thousands of people and a show of appreciation for her achievements in racing. The fan vote was not only built on her racing record, but also in the emotional connection that Zenyatta has fostered with her fans.

So, yes. There was plenty of emotion involved in crowning Zenyatta the “Horse of the Year.”

Yet, there is nothing wrong with connecting fans to this sport on an emotional level.

Zenyatta, along with her connections, gave the industry a beautiful blueprint for the future. She involved fans in her endeavors. And, through involving fans, it seemed as if every Zenyatta fan won when she claimed a victory.

On Monday night, Zenyatta claimed her final victory.

And, for many who supported her campaign, they claimed a quiet victory as well.

It was emotional victory for Zenyatta and her fan base.

It was the perfect model for a “Horse of the Year.”

“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”

- Theodore Roosevelt

The Saturday Post congratulates Zenyatta on her exceptional achievements throughout her career.

On January 1^st, an Arkansas-bred filly named Gretl turned three-years-old in her barn at Oaklawn Park.

She didn’t receive any birthday cakes, fancy cards and fans didn’t line up for a photo outside her stall. January 1^st was simply an ordinary day in her life.

Gretl didn’t seem to mind one bit. She is in the business of being ordinary.

Yet, I would soon learn that the business of being ordinary is quite an extraordinary endeavor.

As I walked through the shed row with her Trainer Tim Ice, I asked questions about all of the horses. I was wondering if any could be potential Triple Crown contenders or win major stakes outings.

It seemed to me that the value of a racehorse in a Thoroughbred stable was based on their ability to rise to the highest peak in the industry.

I was wrong.

There is something extraordinary about being ordinary.

Gretl poked her head out.

For an “ordinary” horse, she delivered quite a playful greeting. She stamped her hooves, swooped to kiss at my coat, and when it was impossible to ignore her, she raised her teeth in a silly smile as if she had won something.

And, in that moment, Gretl had me convinced that she had won an extraordinary race that I failed to watch.

But, I would soon learn that she was simply in the business of being ordinary. Gretl hadn’t won a stakes race. She wasn’t pointing toward graded outings. Instead, she is just focusing on ordinary goals in her career.

Right now, Gretl’s goal is to simply win her first race.

I thought, “There must be some spectacular goal after her maiden victory?” In my mind, it seemed to be the point of racing.

I was wrong.

Gretl isn’t focusing on being the next great horse. She appears to think it is extraordinary to be ordinary.

She may be right. Apparently, the business of being ordinary isn’t a small endeavor. Ice explained, “They aren’t all going to be great horses, but they all have their value and worth.”

Gretl is among the quiet majority of racehorses that give their best and fall short of pinning their star in the constellation of immortal greats.

But, there is something great about horses like Gretl. Ice pointed out, “Every horse has their spot where they can win. Any time you win a race, it’s exciting. From the claiming horses to the top level.”

With a single winless horse, my definition of “greatness” evolved into something new. Yes, “greatness” is demonstrated in the champion racehorses and those who excel well beyond our wildest imagination in racing.

Yet, “greatness” is also a quiet endeavor that ordinary racehorses display in their everyday life. Without fan fare or pageantry, Gretl steps onto the track, runs to her fullest capability and fights for a victory to call her own.

Her victories won’t bring garlands of flowers or adoring fans to her stall. In the end, she will simply go back to her stable and bask in an extraordinary moment in her ordinary career.

But, the business of being ordinary is extraordinary. It is the journey of every racehorse to try to tap into their full potential and see where it takes them in the racing world.

It may take them to claiming races or it may lead them to the highest level of racing.

But, wherever it leads, the beauty is in the attempt. It is getting into the ring without any fan fare or glory. And, even a quiet win, however small, is a glorious victory.

Gretl taught me to be a fan of the ordinary racehorse. Racing isn’t just the realm of the ones that garner the spotlight, but also, the horses that spend their career in the shadows of great horses and fight for small moments of victory.

Greatness is present when any horse sets foot on a track and puts in their full effort.

Greatness lives in every victory, no matter how small or big.

Greatness exists whenever a racehorse achieves something extraordinary in their ordinary life.

I believe one of the many beautiful things in racing is that nearly anything can happen in this sport.

Is January to early to start dreaming of the possibilities for the 2011 racing season?

Not in my view.

As the 2011 season gets under way, a new crop of three-year-old horses are taking flight while proven champions continue to build their legacy.

Can Uncle Mo win the Triple Crown? He certainly makes Triple Crown dreams swirl around in my head.

Will Awesome Feather extend her six-race undefeated streak in the New Year? I certainly dream of seeing another filly claim victory after victory.

Can Goldikova deliver a fourth consecutive Breeders’ Cup victory as she continues to race against her own legend? I hope to witness it.

In my mind, one of the most thrilling aspects of a new year in racing is that imagination precedes any answers to those questions.

It is part of the beauty of the sport.

This is a sport of imagination. And, it is a sport where the athletes can go beyond our wildest dreams. They deliver their own dreams to our doorstep, and, in the process, force us to consider new definitions of “greatness” in the sport.

I’m celebrating the New Year in racing.

Anything can happen.

And, it’s starting now.

Click here to see our first highlight video for the 2011 season.