The Wood Mo-Memorial: Paying Respect to Equine Athletes in Victory and Defeat.

April 16th, 2011 § 9

Last week, Toby’s Corner won the Wood Memorial and stamped his ticket to the Kentucky Derby.

Beyond the surprise of many fans that Uncle Mo had been defeated for the first time in his career, a few other folks were shocked when Toby’s Corner won the race. Namely, the connections surrounding the winning colt.

After the Wood, Trainer Graham Motion commented that he hadn’t expected Toby’s Corner to beat Uncle Mo in the race. In fact, Motion stated that he had never even discussed the idea of Toby’s Corner starting in the Kentucky Derby with Dianne Cotter, Owner and Breeder of the colt.

The trainer was unsure if the Cotters even knew that he had nominated Toby’s Corner to the Triple Crown.

Yet, in a few golden seconds, Toby’s Corner delivered a victory that would provide him with the necessary graded earnings to start in the upcoming Kentucky Derby. And, in the same moment, the home-bred colt also gave Cotter and Motion the opportunity to point toward a highly-elusive prize, namely, a win in the Kentucky Derby.

Many onlookers completely missed the beauty of the victory for Toby’s Corner and his connections.

Instead, as Toby’s Corner made his way to the winner’s circle after the Wood Memorial, many fans fixed their eyes on Uncle Mo as he passed the stands in a third-place finish. The colt garnered more attention through his lone defeat than the actual winner of the race received in his spirited victory.

And, since the Wood, Uncle Mo has been subject to scrutiny that falls nothing short of brutal. The bulk of the news stories from the Wood Memorial don’t focus on the victory of Toby’s Corner, but rather, the fact that Uncle Mo finished third in the race.

Further, many racing fans are relishing in the loss of Uncle Mo in comment threads from related articles and blog posts. A lot of the opinions focus on highlighting any flaw they can find on the colt. In some cases, the comments are downright mean-spirited and hateful, not only to Uncle Mo, but to the spirit of racing itself.

There is no value in tearing down Uncle Mo, or any other horse, for competing in a race and losing it.

And conversely, there is no respect for the achievement of Toby’s Corner, or any other winning horse, if we fail to celebrate the victory.

I am fan of horse racing. As a fan of horse racing, I am a fan of horses. Being a fan of horses, I respect the achievements of Uncle Mo and Toby’s Corner in their own right, without comparison or criticism to the other athlete.

Whether a horse wins or loses a race, the equine athletes in our sport deserve respect during and after every outing.

This isn’t just racing. It’s horse racing. And, respect for the horses should remain the first priority above the outcome in a race.

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The “Kegasus” Myth on Building a Younger Fan Base for Horse Racing.

April 2nd, 2011 § 13

Meet “Kegasus.”

“Kegasus,” a half-man, half-horse creature, is the new mascot for the Preakness marketing campaign to draw larger crowds to the infield during the middle-jewel of the Triple Crown. With his pierced nipple and beer gut, Kegasus was recently unveiled with the goal to “promote a party” at the infield festivities on Preakness day.

Kegasus’ party is intended to reach a demographic between the ages of “21 and 35 or 40,” according to Tom Chuckas of the Maryland Jockey Club (MJC). And, in order to conjure up a “Party Pro” like Kegusas in the first place, the MJC paid Elevation, a marketing firm, $400,000 to dream up this creature for the infield crowd.

Sadly, I find myself in the age demographic that has now become “Kegasus Territory.” And, being a younger fan, I feel like “Kegasus” denigrates the sport of horse racing to a drunk fest that insults the accomplishments of all of the equine athletes that will race around the oval surrounding “Kegasus Land” on Preakness Day.

In my view, the “Kegasus Campaign,” like “Kegasus himself, is marketing mythology. The idea that these alcohol-laden infield campaigns will allure intoxicated young people to throw money down during the races, and ultimately, become lifelong fans of the sport, isn’t a long-term strategy to bring newcomers, or young people, in the sport.

Let me dispel that rumor so that we can kick “Kegasus” out of the park and ask for our $400,000 back to do something worthwhile for horse racing.

Of my friends who have been to the infield parties, I hear a common reporting of their experience. Here are a few direct quotes from my friends and acquaintances who visited the infield during their twenties:

“I didn’t see a horse that whole time I was there.”

“I saw a band play and they were really good.”

“I had so many shots of Jager that morning, that I was too drunk to hit on a girl and wound up sleeping all day on a blanket.”

It has been a few years since the above-quoted individuals have been to an infield party. And, in the meantime, they have never showed a spark of interest in horse racing. In their mind, the event was about pounding down as many drinks as possible, and, if they ever feel like revisiting that experience in the future, they can go to any local bar of their choice to get “too drunk to hit on a girl” or to listen to a band play some music they might enjoy.

In contrast, as a young person that truly loves the equine athletes in this sport, “Kegasus” is a mockery of what I find beautiful about horse racing. He distracts newcomers from the horses and the stories of their connections. They become mere landscape to a liquor-slamming contest that has nothing to do with the sport.

And, for the young people who are regularly involved in this sport, “Kegasus” is an insult. If the industry wants true fans who marvel over the athletes and bet on races, they need to target young people who aren’t there for a cheap drink promotion. They need to accommodate the young people who have jobs and enjoy horses.

As a young professional and racing enthusiast, I don’t want to drunk kids falling around me while I am trying to watch the races in a sundress and heels. And, as a woman, I don’t want slobbery drunk guys hitting on me after countless shots of Jagermeister when I am trying to see if I won my trifecta. Finally, I don’t want my equine heroes to be relegated to a mere sideshow while “Kegasus” parades around the infield for drunken enjoyment.

For me, there is a wealth of beauty in this sport that can allure young people. The power of equine athletes. The human interest stories. The pageantry of the major races. The quiet triumphs in the minor races. The glamour of women in their best dresses and beautiful hats. The raw beauty of the horses as they parade past the crowd. The idea that your fortune can be changed in a single winning ticket. And, the sacred principle that an equine athlete can deliver what you previously believed to be impossible.

“Kegasus” is the opposite of all that I find beautiful in racing. And, the crowd that he will attract won’t marvel over these things. They are will come and go as soon as the cheap alcohol promotions run their course. And, when they go, “Kegasus” will be a part of how they remember their day at the race track. A beer-gutted, nipple-pierced, shirtless guy who wore a centaur-suit and glorified the idea of becoming a drunken “legend.”

If I ran the MJC, I’d want my $400,000 back and a written apology from the marketing firm that felt “Kegasus” best defined our sport for the young demographic.

And, I would start asking young people with jobs, who may actually bet or own a horse someday, about the things they find alluring and worthwhile in their world.

At the end of that dialogue, I’d put my $400,000 toward accommodating the young people who would actually return to the track with a true interest in horse racing.

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Video: Our Favorite Hopefuls for the 2011 Kentucky Oaks and Derby.

March 20th, 2011 § 0

The Saturday Post picks their top three hopefuls for the Kentucky Derby and top three hopefuls for the Kentucky Oaks as of March 2011.

This month, we’re watching Uncle Mo, The Factor, and Soldat for the Derby, along with DancinginherDreams, Kathmanblu and Zazu for the Kentucky Oaks.

Click here to watch our video.

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Open Letter to Non-Industry Media to Request Coverage of Horse Racing.

March 6th, 2011 § 19

In my last article, I pledged to write non-industry newspapers to request regular coverage of horse racing.

Since the article was published on this site, a small group of various racing enthusiasts have started a “Campaign for Coverage.”

This is my first “Letter to the Editor” to support the “Campaign for Coverage.” It was sent to The Chicago Tribune, The Altanta Journal-Constitution and The Denver Post – three major non-industry publications that do not engage in regular coverage of horse racing. To join the “Campaign for Coverage,” please click here.

Dear Editor:

I am writing to ask why your publication does not provide regular coverage of horse racing. Racing is a multi-billion dollar industry with roughly 50 million fans that follow the sport. For many fans, including myself, racing holds an endless array of captivating stories that merit coverage in the media at large.

Behind nearly every horse that sets foot on the race track, there is a human interest story. The beauty of this sport does not lie in simply watching a horse win or lose a race. It is also not a sport where “victory” is defined solely by winning a bet or earning purse money.

This sport is a portrait of the human spirit in its purest form. At the heart of racing, a handful of individuals set out with a dream, a single horse and aspirations to conquer a feat that appears impossible.

For the media at large, this sport is summed up in two minutes with a winning horse on Kentucky Derby day. However, for those involved in the sport, the upcoming Kentucky Derby started with the birth of roughly 32,000 registered foals in 2008.

The dreams surrounding those foals weren’t followed in the media. However, those foals held the dreams of countless breeders, owners, trainers and many other individuals in the industry. In large part, those stories will remain untold in the media since most of those horses aren’t on the Triple Crown trail. Yet, I am certain that there were inspiring stories behind those horses that merited reporting - Thousands of stories that will never be printed.

The story that is guaranteed to be printed is the winner of the Kentucky Derby. The media reports on quantifiable numbers. And, the Kentucky Derby has numbers that quantify its’ popularity, ranking among the fifth highest-rated sports broadcast, behind events like the Super Bowl and NCAA Men’s basketball finals.

Yet, there are a few numbers that the media should focus on right now. Currently, there are 364 horses nominated to the Triple Crown series. In other words, there were 364 horses that inspired their connections to believe that they might have found “the horse” that can win some, or all, of the Triple Crown races. Imagine the dreams and sacrifices that many of those individuals endured in the past three years to arrive at this moment. There are stories that lie within those numbers.

But, the media isn’t covering those stories.

And, currently, there are many prep races being run in various parts of the nation to determine the final twenty horses that can garner enough graded earnings to qualify for a spot in the gate on Kentucky Derby day.

But, the media isn’t covering those qualifying races.

In my mind, the failure to provide media coverage for the Kentucky Derby prep-race season is like ignoring the NCAA Men’s basketball tournament until the championship game. The heart of the coverage would be lost without reporting on the teams that made the “Sweet Sixteen,” “The Elite Eight” and the “Final Four.” Likewise, the failure to write about the Derby prep-race season ignores the excitement of those races, the accomplishments of the equine athletes and the stories on their human connections until Kentucky Derby day itself.

This is an important moment for media coverage in the Triple Crown season. And, I hope that you begin covering the journey of the equine athletes, and their connections, as they compete for a spot among the final twenty horses that are privileged to enter the gates at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby day.

And, after the winning garland of roses is placed on the Kentucky Derby winner, it is my hope that you continue coverage of racing beyond the remaining Triple Crown season and the Breeders’ Cup races in the fall.

I believe that regular media coverage of this sport is a valuable undertaking, not simply for the beauty of the sport, but also, for your publication. There are 50 million fans that follow horse racing. There are 50 million people who want to hear about this sport. I hope that in the future, your newspaper follows this sport along with those 50 million fans of racing.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Wirth

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The Invisible Sport: Coverage is Critical to the Future of Racing.

March 1st, 2011 § 24

Last week, a little-known horse named Gretl raced at Oaklawn on Friday. Personally, I was thrilled to watch her race.

Gretl’s race wasn’t spectacular for the reasons you may expect. She didn’t win. And, even if she had won, she isn’t pointing toward the Kentucky Oaks or any other graded stakes race at the moment. She doesn’t have an undefeated record. Further, she can’t dance and no one is requesting her photo for a fashion magazine.

You may be wondering why I found Gretl’s race so special at this point. The reason? It was the first time that a horse that I had invested in as an owner made a start in a race.

I don’t expect the whole world to follow Gretl’s endeavors in life. But prior to the race, a few people in my world wanted to watch Gretl’s race to share the experience. They weren’t racing fans at all – they were simply family and friends who were curious about Gretl.

On the morning of Gretl’s race, several family members and friends wanted to see her race. I asked if they had TVG or HRTV. They did not subscribe to either channel. I then explained that they could open an internet account. Yet, they didn’t want to start a wagering account to view a single horse. Then, I looked on the internet to find out if there was a link that I could send them to show them the races at Oaklawn. There was no live video feed for the track. Finally, as a last resort, I told my mom and friends that they could see it at an OTB. Yet, they couldn’t leave their job at 1:30 p.m. on a Friday to go to a betting parlor.

In the end, my entire family and friendship group in Chicago missed Gretl’s race that day. Yet, here’s the issue: They didn’t miss the race because they didn’t want to see it. They missed the race because they couldn’t find a place to watch it.

Three days later, I read an article in the Chicago Sun-Times entitled, “Horse Racing in Illinois is ‘on verge of extinction.’” It went on about many of the common issues that enter the “revival of racing” discussion – racinos, purse values, track attendance and the aging population of the sport. Yet, buried in the article, there was one particular point made by former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar that particularly hit home for Gretl and myself: Coverage of the Sport.

The former Govenor explained, “The industry made major mistakes in the ‘50s. When television came along, racing was on all the time. Then the tracks decided that they didn’t want to give it away for free.”

It made me wonder what racing would be like today if we “gave it away for free.” What if the tracks simulcast their races on their websites? Racing might romance a few new fans through showing them why this sport is beautiful, rather than telling them to set up an account to view a sport they don’t follow.

And, in the end, people may actually follow the sport in larger numbers if they are exposed to it on more regular basis. What if more newspapers actually profiled the winners of Kentucky Derby prep-races right now? Non-enthusiasts may begin to follow a few horses, and racing itself, beyond the Triple Crown season and Breeder’s Cup.

Yet, most non-industry media outlets aren’t providing regular updates on racing at the moment. And, as a whole, racing fans aren’t demanding coverage when it is due. I didn’t see one article in my local newspaper about Dialed In winning the Holy Bull. And, as far as Soldat’s performance in the Fountain of Youth, there wasn’t a word about his near wire-to-wire victory.

There should have been articles about those races. And, there should be a way for a newcomer to watch the races without setting up an internet account or subscribing to a cable network.

In my view, every track in this nation should provide free video of their races on their website. Not a few tracks – every track. Because, every track is losing potential fans if newcomers can’t view this sport.

And, fans should demand coverage of this sport from their local media outlets. Not a few stories during Triple Crown season – regular coverage. Because, in the end, writing the media outlets in your area not only shows there is a demand for racing coverage, but also, it educates the non-racing media about the sport itself.

This Triple Crown season, I will be writing my local newspapers about every horse that wins a Kentucky Derby prep-race. I wonder could be accomplished if other racing fans wrote their local papers and demanded coverage.

And, I will be writing the non-participating tracks to ask them why they don’t post race replays of all races on their websites. I wonder what the industry could accomplish by allowing fans to share the races with their friends as a means to introduce them to the sport.

Because, without coverage, this is an invisible sport to non-enthusiasts.

And, if the sport remains invisible, it truly is in danger of disappearing.

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Trainer John T. Ward, Jr. Talks About Dancinginherdreams.

February 14th, 2011 § 15

In 1979, Trainer John T. Ward, Jr. and Owner John Oxley teamed up in the racing world and set out on a journey that would ultimately deliver a Kentucky Oaks victory in 1995 with Gal in a Ruckus and the second-fastest Kentucky Derby winner in history with Monarchos in 2001.

It seemed they had already realized the dreams that many trainers and owners chase throughout their lifetime.

Yet, the beauty of racing is that a horse can simply show up and defy whatever was previously imagined to be possible in a lifetime. And, it is part of the glory of the sport that one can spend a lifetime living inside the wonder of what dreams may lay ahead.

For the Ward/Oxley team, a new dream appears to be taking flight with the arrival of Dancinginherdreams, a three-year-old filly that juxtaposes grace and grit in a fashion that is simply otherworldly in description.

In her three career starts, Dancinginherdreams has claimed two dazzling come-from-behind victories and placed after delivering a breathtaking finishing charge in the Forward Gal Stakes. As she points to her next outing, Ward graciously agreed to answer my questions about Dancinginherdreams as she continues to move forward on the trail toward the Kentucky Oaks.

WIRTH: You have trained some very special horses in your career, including Beautiful Pleasure, Kentucky Oaks Winner Gal In A Ruckus, and Kentucky Derby Winner Monarchos. Do you believe that Dancinginherdreams is a special filly?

WARD: Yes. I believe that Dancinginherdreams is a special filly. My wife trained Beautiful Pleasure and she was a superior athlete. This young filly could fill those shoes.

As far as Gal In a Ruckus and Monarchos, Dancinginherdreams is better than Gal In A Ruckus. Hopefully, Dancinginherdreams has the endurance and the closing style of Monarchos. His style is more indicative of my training.

WIRTH: Was Dancinginherdreams trained to deliver a “Come-From-Behind” finish in her races or is that her own personal style?

WARD: I am trying to develop that trait in Dancinginherdreams.

When she ran in the Forward Gal and came in second, she was sharp enough to go immediately to the lead and had the speed to do it. But, I don’t want to teach her to leave the gate in a sprint fashion because she is capable of endurance and has the physical structure to go two-turns in a race.

I had to sacrifice the early part of the race in the Forward Gal the other day because I didn’t want to ruin her chances of being a horse that comes from behind.

WIRTH: In the Forward Gal, were you impressed with the late charge from Dancinginherdreams?

WARD: Yes. It was gratifying. I don’t mind getting beat if I see the horse displaying other dimensions in a race.

Dancinginherdreams showed other dimensions in the Forward Gal. She got down on her belly and showed as much grit as she could get. She raced up to the filly that won and got her past the wire. In her mind, she chased her down.

When she is in a race, Julien Leparoux, her rider, says she just melts in his hands and looks for the holes to go through. When she finally did get clear in the Forward Gal, Dancinginherdreams showed that she has an amazing closing kick.

WIRTH: In her three career starts, which race did you personally find the most impressive?

WARD: I thought that the Forward Gal was her most impressive race so far. She ran against a very good group of fillies and she was still able to close against experienced racehorses that had multiple wins.

Her stakes win at Churchill last fall was a good stakes win for a two-year-old, but the Forward Gal showed that she could somewhat dominate in a group of experienced horses when put to the task.

I am looking forward to seeing her race a mile in the Davona Dale at Gulfstream on February 26. The Davona Dale should be right up her alley.

WIRTH: How would you describe the personality of Dancinginherdreams?

WARD: When she is racing, Dancinginherdreams has the mind of a five-year-old or six-year-old racemare. She is very tactical in her races and will do anything you want her to do. Older horses look for holes in races and sometimes they can even see them before the rider. She already has that instinct.

Dancinginherdreams also doesn’t mind going into tight places in her training in the morning. I think she showed that in her second win.

Finally, she just has a different dimension because she can explode in the last quarter in a race. It is a factor that will make her a very dangerous filly in the Kentucky Oaks.

WIRTH: What are some of her favorite items or unique traits?

WARD: Dancinginherdreams is a young, tall, spoiled girl. When we come into work in the morning, she gets anxious. So, she immediately gets to come out and walk for 25-30 minutes the first thing in the morning. Once she comes back in, she gets ready to train. When she trains, she has a favorite pony that accompanies her to the racetrack.

She also has a shed foreman, an elderly gentleman, and she just loves him. Whenever she thinks anything is wrong, she just jumps over next to him. He’s her human.

She does have an explosive temperament, but she manages it very well. I call her a ‘professional woman’ when she is racing and a ‘teenage girl’ when she is around the barn. She will constantly have you on your toes to keep her happy. She loves eating peppermints and carrots.

Her nickname is ‘Pinky’ because she is so white. When you give her a bath, her skin is pink. Her skin is pink and freckled underneath her coat.

WIRTH: What would it mean to you if Dancinginherdreams raced in the Kentucky Oaks?

WARD: Being a person from Kentucky, to me, it is the most elevated race for a filly. I think it is a great accomplishment. My wife and I would just be thrilled to have two Kentucky Oaks winners.

A win in the Oaks would emphasize our style of training. A slow, patient, classical style of training pays off in the end with horses. It might get you beat sometimes. But in the end, our whole theory is, ‘Raise them like champions. Race them like champions. And, make them disappoint you.’

WIRTH: What is your favorite moment with Dancinginherdreams at this point in her career?

WARD: I think the greatest experience that I have had with her was in the past few days.

Lately, she wants to get aggressive when she is training in the morning and she wants to take charge. It’s the bubbly teenage girl inside of her that says, ‘Well, I’m going to go out there and do it however I want to. You can’t tell me what to do.’

In the past few days, she has been working on a long, ¾ of a mile training path outside of the regular track. She has been going back there without the pony for a couple of days.

You can see the confidence exude out of her and she is in the zone where training is the most important thing to her now in the morning. You could fall down right in front of her and she’d just walk right over you and continue her training. She is not wild. She is just being very controlled.

I believe she is at the point where she is done being a teenage girl and starting to be a young lady. And, she’s becoming a very athletic young lady.

Want to stay posted on Dancinginherdreams? You can follow her on Facebook through clicking here.

» Read the rest of this entry «

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Tips for Bernardini on Courting Zenyatta.

February 5th, 2011 § 14

In the past few weeks, a celebrity couple emerged with the announcement that Zenyatta, reigning Horse of the Year, would be bred with Bernardini, the freshman sire that produced the most graded stakes winners with his first crop of runners in 2010.

With the announcement of the mating, a frenzy of potential “baby names” swirled throughout the media and social networking sites. The Thoroughbred Times held a contest to “Name the Zenyatta-Bernardini Foal.”

I read through a flurry the names proposed by readers in the comment section for the naming contest. Zendini. Bernyatta. Berzen. Attadini. There was even a spin-off from the popular song on the “Zenyatta Mondatta” album, “Don’t Stand so Close to Me.”

The proposed name: “Don’t stand so close to Z.”

Personally, I find it absolutely delightful to ponder ideas for naming Zenyatta’s first foal. Yet, in the spirit of romance, I believe that Zenyatta deserves a little courtship before she dives into motherhood. After all, she is quite possibly the best mare of all time.

As such, I would like to propose a few tips for Bernardini on courting the great mare and future mother of his foal.

Speechless? Being Quiet Isn’t Always a Bad Thing. In a dream world, Bernardini, you might have been able to grab Zenyatta’s attention through saying something like, “I really enjoyed seeing you win nineteen races in a row,” or “I wonder what it would have been like if we met at the track first.”

But, you seem to be the silent type.

It’s not a bad thing to be a quiet guy, Bernardini. Zenyatta seems to enjoy a little silence with her famous cotton ball-stuffed ears. Instead of trying to win her heart with your personality, take the time to learn about her favorite things.

How do you figure out what pleases a Grade I girl? Not to worry, Bernardini. Zenyatta keeps a diary that says a lot about what she loves and what people have done to show their love for the great mare.

It might do some good to rifle though her diary and find the perfect way to show your affection for the beautiful mare. It may be as simple as handing her a Guinness or helping her paint a picture for Thoroughbred charity. A basket of apples or a few carrots also seem to capture her fancy.

Yet, ultimately, Zenyatta seems to simply enjoy kindness and attention above all else. And thankfully, it doesn’t take a word to convey those sentiments. It just takes a little extra thought and effort. Make the effort, Bernardini. She’s worth every minute of it.

Rings and Things? Money Doesn’t Win Hearts. Are you having trouble finding a hoof-sized diamond ring to show how much you care? Don’t worry about it, Bernardini.

In a fairy tale world, it sure would have been a pleasure to see you get down on bended knee and ask for Zenyatta’s approval in mating. You could have surprised her in the middle of one of her standing ovations in front of an adoring crowd. I can’t even imagine how many fans would have viewed your proposal on YouTube.

Yet, Zenyatta doesn’t seem to mind being non-traditional, Bernardini. Forget about rings and fancy things. This great mare has enough career earnings to buy her own bling for any occasion.

Rather than material things, love wins a good woman’s heart. If you’re trying to court this Grade I girl, spend some time just adoring her unique personality. Watch her dance around the paddock. Take a few minutes to consider the accomplishments in her racing career. She may have beat a few of your guy friends in the past. Not bad for bragging rights, is it?

And, in the end, gaze at the big girl and wonder, “Will I ever see another one like her again?” You probably won’t. Enjoy her company while she is in your presence. Her fans certainly did.

Passing out Cigars? It May Take a Few Tons of Them to Celebrate your Future Foal. I don’t mean to add any pressure here, Bernardini. Yet, if you plan on passing out cigars to celebrate the delivery of your baby, you may need a couple extra boxes for her fans. I’d recommend a few hundred thousand extra boxes at a minimum.

What is a guy to do when faced with such a dilemma? Forget about the cigars and just send out a picture of the baby. I imagine that simple photo will be shared on social media sites faster than Zenyatta’s closing charge in the home stretch. You see, many folks are just as excited as you about the arrival of your future foal with Zenyatta.

Yet, after the foal is born, please remember that anything is possible for their future career. A lot of chatter may focus on whether the foal can follow in the footsteps, or “dance steps,” of their parents. Nevermind these debates or hopes in the racing community.

Yes, it is fun to marvel at the possibilities for your future foal with Zenyatta. And, don’t get me wrong, Bernardini. I would be thrilled if you two had a foal that was equally competitive in dance contests and Grade I outings.

However, in the end, it would be a prize just to have a healthy foal.

And, it is a victory just to be the guy that wins a Grade I girl.

Whatever lies beyond those moments, the story will be told when your foal takes their first step onto a racetrack.

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“I’ll Take It From Here.” Mike Repole Talks About Uncle Mo.

January 28th, 2011 § 28

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.’

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The Emotional Journey of Zenyatta to Win the “Horse of the Year” Award.

January 20th, 2011 § 19

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.”

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Horse of the Year? Win or Lose, Zenyatta Remains a Champion.

January 17th, 2011 § 1

“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.

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