THE SATURDAY POST

Truman Capote once said, “More tears are cried over answered prayers than unanswered ones.”

I would like imagine Capote was a horse racing fan when he conjured up those words.

When a legendary horse shows up, it is an answered prayer. They aren’t beholden to the result of a single race. Instead, the great ones take fans on a journey. They aren’t defined in minutes, but rather, through moments. And, as a result, it seems as if the clocks simply stop ticking. A timeless horse doesn’t answer to seconds on a stopwatch. They answer to their own legacy.

When a great horse concludes their racing journey, they leave a deep void among their fans. It can make you wonder if you’ve already seen everything that is possible in racing. And, when the clocks start ticking again, it can seem as if there is no reason to keep watching. It is moment where your prayer was answered, but you are left without the rapture of a dream.

Zenyatta was the horse that took me on a journey that traveled in moments, rather than minutes on a race track. And, when she retired, I wondered if I would ever see a horse that could follow in her dizzying footsteps. I had just seen my once-in-a-lifetime racehorse. The possibility of her coming around twice didn’t seem plausible.

And, in all reality, there won’t be another 19-1 dancing race horse that can charm the birds from the trees with her friendly disposition while parading across the national media circuit. I know better than that. Zenyatta is one-of-a-kind, which is the true mark of legend.

Yet, I’m not done with horse racing because Zenyatta has entered retirement. In fact, I’m watching even more closely now.

You see, the great ones simply appear from time to time, without notice of their impending arrival. And, if you’re not watching, you’ll miss it.

I wouldn’t have missed Zenyatta’s career for the world. Yet, the world couldn’t have convinced me that a dancing mare was going to show up and rocket through a nineteen-race winning streak. I had to see her with my own eyes to believe it. And thankfully, I was watching when my once-in-a-lifetime horse showed up.

Zenyatta will not be the last “great one” in this sport. Racing has had plenty of legends. And, although we love to compare them, you will never take the same journey twice in the racing world.

When Man ‘O War retired, turf writer Joe Palmer wrote that he “was as near a living flame as horses get… he smashed his opposition, sometimes by a hundred lengths, …he set world records… You felt that there had never been, nor could ever be again, a horse like this.”

He was right. There will never be another Man ‘O War.

But, there is always the impending arrival of the next “great one.”

When Secretariat ended his career, turf writer Charles Hatton stated, “He’s the greatest horse that anyone has ever seen. Don’t let anyone kid you. He could do anything, and he could do it better than any horse I ever saw. No question about it in my mind.”

He was right. There will never be another Secretariat.

But, there is always the impending arrival of the next “great one.”

When Seattle Slew left racing, his groom, John Polston, walked away from the sport. He explained, “After a horse like Slew, there was nothing. I didn’t want to be around horses anymore, because I knew it wouldn’t be the same.”

He was right. There will never be another Seattle Slew.

But, while Seattle Slew was capturing the Triple Crown, the next “great one” was already grazing in the fields. One year later, that horse would come to be known as “Affirmed.” And, since Affirmed, we haven’t seen a Triple Crown winner again.

But, there is always the impending arrival of the next “great one.”

Within a few years, John Henry reminded the sport that anything is possible when he won the Arlington Million in a seemingly-impossible, come-from-behind victory in 1981. And, he reminded us again when he won the Million a second time as a nine-year-old.

When John Henry was gone, Chris McCarron reflected, “…He did so much for racing, even after he retired. He will be impossible to replace.”

He was right. There will never be another John Henry.

But, there is always the impending arrival of the next “great one.”

And, in recent years, we’ve seen greatness in ways that weren’t imaginable until it simply showed up.

You saw it in Rachel Alexandra.

When she retired, Jess Jackson marveled, “…She set standards and records that no filly before her had ever achieved. And I suspect that it will be quite a while before a three-year-old filly ever equals or surpasses her achievements.”

He was right. There will not be another Rachel Alexandra.

She was one-of-a-kind.

But, there is always another “great one.”

You saw it in Zenyatta.

After her final race, Peter Ellis remarked, “I don’t think people are going to realize just how special she is until she is gone because there will never be another one like her.”

He was right. There won’t be another Zenyatta.

But, there is always the impending arrival of the next “great one.” And, like Affirmed, “the one” could be grazing in the fields at the moment. Or maybe, “the one” is already racing right now.

I’m watching closely.

Because, if history teaches us anything, it is that the “great one” arrives unexpectedly.

In a flash, they show you something unimaginable.

And, the journey begins again.

In 1969, an ordinary coin was tossed into the air that held three sides – winning, losing, and everything beyond the two polar outcomes.

The outcome of the coin toss was a testament to the principle that an extraordinary life doesn’t lend itself to pre-existing realities or expectations.

It is a life that surveys common notions and ideas, and ultimately, carves out a new definition for the world.

Secretariat did just that.

Before Secretariat ever set a hoof on this earth, he twirled a simple coin flip into a monumental loss to the seemingly straightforward winner.

Ogden Phipps had technically won the coin-toss that governed the existing Phipps-Chenery breeding arrangement when Secretariat was among the three foals to be picked between the parties. However, the win only allowed Phipps to receive first choice between two foals born in 1969. In losing the coin flip, Penny Chenery automatically received the second foal born in 1969, as well as the only Bold Ruler foal that would be born in 1970 – Secretariat.

Through a two-sided coin, Secretariat had already redefined “winning” before he even entered the world.

Yes, Secretariat did just that.

On January 20, 1972, Secretariat left his home and set out on an extraordinary journey in his life. He arrived at Hialeah Park in Florida and began training to be a race horse. It was no small endeavor.

You see, before Secretariat became a “Superhorse,” he was just a red horse that garnered little respect. His groom, Eddie Sweat, stated “I didn’t think much of him when we first got him. I thought he was just a big clown. He was real clumsy and a bit on the wild side, you know.”

And, his trainer, Lucien Lauren, didn’t mince words when reporting to Chenery on Secretariat’s progress at the track. Lauren’s updates to Chenery were reportedly filled with remarks like, “I have to teach him how to run. He’s big, awkward, and doesn’t know what to do with himself.”

Yes, Secretariat seemed just like that.

Awkward.

As a two-year-old, Secretariat experienced the feeling of defeat. Lauren would report to Chenery, “He hasn’t shown me much.” And, in his first maiden race, Secretariat didn’t.

He lost.

Yes, Secretariat started out just like that.

He was defeated in his first race.

And then, Secretariat felt the feeling of victory.

In July of 1972, Secretariat won his first maiden race while finishing six-lengths in front of the rest of the field. Writer William Nack, reported, “Secretariat had raced the fastest six furlongs of his life,” at the time of his maiden victory.

Nack went on to comment, “Secretariat raced as if he had a future.”

Yes, Secretariat did it just like that.

He saw the future laid before his eyes.

In his third race, Secretariat had his first brush with fame.

While he was being saddled for an allowance race, a circle of people had collected at the paddock to view him. Among the crowd, was veteran turf writer, Charles Hatton.

When Hatton first laid eyes on Secretariat, he would later report, “You carry an ideal around in your head, and boy, I thought, ‘This is it.’ I never saw perfection before. I absolutely could not fault him in any way. And neither could the rest of them and that was the amazing thing about it. They body and the head and the eye and the general attitude. It was just incredible. I couldn’t believe my eyes, frankly.”

Yes, Secretariat was just like that.

A vision of perfection.

And, by the end of his two-year-old season, Secretariat was infamous.

Between July and November of 1972, Secretariat had officially won 7 of his 9 races and became the first two-year-old in history to be named “Horse of the Year.” His breeding rights were syndicated for a world-record total of 6,080,000 before he even began his three-year-old career.

Yes, Secretariat did all of that.

He broke records before he ever began his bid for the Triple Crown.

And then, Secretariat set out to become unstoppable in his three-year-old career.

When he entered the post parade for his first race as a three-year-old in the Bay Shore Stakes, Trainer Syd Walters reportedly told Lauren, “Good luck… You get one of those in a lifetime.”

And, when he won his three-year-old debut by 4 ½ lengths, Roger Lauren was said to exclaim from his box seats, “He’s too much horse! They can’t stop him! They can’t even stop him with a wall of horses!”

Yes, Secretariat was all of that.

He appeared to be unstoppable.

And then, Secretariat experienced doubt.

As Secretariat headed toward the Derby, the rumor mill swirled about Secretariat’s soundness after losing the Wood Memorial. Jimmy Snyder, an odds maker, reportedly told an Associated Press reporter that he had heard Lucien Lauren was icing one of Secretariat’s knees. Lauren was incensed when he heard the remark.

In response, Lauren offered to fly Snyder to Kentucky, allow Snyder to pick his own veterinarian, and personally view an examination of Secretariat’s knees to prove the soundness of the horse.

When Snyder didn’t accept the offer, Lauren reportedly went on to publicly bet Snyder a thousand dollars that Secretariat was sound. Snyder refused the bet.

Yes, Secretariat saw all that.

He bet on his own ability.

And, Secretariat experienced friendship.

During his racing years, Secretariat would reportedly wait for Eddie Sweat, his groom, every morning in his stall.

When Sweat approached, Ron Turcotte reported, “He’d grab the tip of Secretariat’s tongue to wish him ‘Good Morning.’ Before you knew it, every time Eddie passed his stall, the horse stuck out his tongue.”

You see, Sweat had a philosophy about being a friend to a racehorse that Secretariat seemed to admire in his groom. He reportedly told writer William Nack, “Only way horses win is to sit there and spend time with ’em. Love ’em. Talk to ’em. Get to know ’em. Now, that’s what you gotta do. You love ’em and they’ll love you too. People may call me crazy, but that’s the way it is.”

Secretariat didn’t find it crazy.

People noticed the beautiful bond that Sweat had formed with Secretariat. Ted McClain, Barn Foreman for Lucien Lauren, provided a testament on their relationship to writer Lawrence Scanlan, in saying “Eddie and that horse were like brothers. Eddie lived with him; traveled with him. They were joined at the hip.”

Yes, Secretariat treasured all of that.

He appreciated the value of a good friend.

And then, Secretariat won the Kentucky Derby.

He had awoken at 4 o’clock in the morning and spent most of the day hanging around the back of his stall. According to Sweat, this was a good sign. He reportedly didn’t want to be bothered on race days.

When the gates opened, Secretariat delivered a beautiful response to his critics. He ran every quarter mile faster than the preceding quarter. And, in the home stretch, he passed his final rival – Sham – to claim a 2 ½ length victory.

Secretariat set a new winning track record of 1:59 2/5 for the Kentucky Derby.

Yes, Secretariat did just that.

He holds the Kentucky Derby track record to this day.

And then, Secretariat set his gaze on the second jewel of the Triple Crown – The Preakness.

Once he broke from the gate, Secretariat did something astounding. As he headed into the first turn, Secretariat was dead last. Within seconds, Secretariat passed the entire field by the end of the first turn and drove through the rest of the race like a big red Bentley. Secretariat ultimately captured a 2 ½ length victory in the Preakness.

Ron Turcotte never used his whip during the race. Turcotte would later comment, “The pace was slow and he wanted to run… He was determined to run. I figured, if this is the way he wants to do it, I’ll let him have his way.”

Those who watched the race were in awe of Secretariat’s performance in the Preakness. Baltimore Handicapper, Clem Florio, reportedly shook his head in amazement and said, “Horses just don’t do what he did here today… They just don’t do that and win.”

Yes, Secretariat could do all that.

He could make a person marvel over his ability to accomplish a seemingly impossible feat.

And then, Secretariat performed pure magic in the Belmont.

Prior to the race, Secretariat had a fun secret that he wasn’t sharing. He was going to change the very definition of “Winning the Belmont.”

Penny Chenery noticed his mood. Prior to the race, she reportedly stated that Secretariat had come back from a workout wanting to play, “as if he thinks racing is a game we thought up for his amusement.”

And, Lauren also saw that Secretariat had something up his sleeve. The night before the Belmont, the trainer reportedly stated, “I think he’ll win by more than he’s ever won in his life.”

As Ron Turcotte talked with Lauren before the race, Lawrence Scanlan wrote that the trainer reportedly told the jockey, “Neither send the horse nor hold him back. Just let him roll. Use ton proper jugement. Use your own judgment and let your horse use his.”

And Secretariat had made a judgment call.

When he broke from the gates, Secretariat set out to deliver what is arguably one of the finest performances in horse racing. Secretariat and Sham stood alone from the first turn through the middle of the second turn in an apparent match race. When Sham faded, Secretariat stood all alone in an otherworldly moment.

Turcotte hadn’t used a whip and the rest of the field was nowhere to be found.

The jockey would later explain the moment in saying, “I heard Sham’s hooves disappear behind me… And then, there was nothing. All I could hear was Secretariat’s breathing and his hooves hitting the ground. It was very quiet.”

Turcotte hand-rode Secretariat to a 31-length victory. The horse had not only broken the Belmont track record, but also, he set the world dirt track record for running a mile and a half in 2:24 flat.

He was coronated the first Triple Crown Winner in 25 years.

And, Secretariat did it just like that.

He raced in the Belmont in a way no one had imagined to be possible.

Later that year, Secretariat retired from racing.

After a farewell ceremony at Aqueduct, Secretariat was flown to Lexington, Kentucky to begin his stud career at Claiborne Farm.

As Secretariat’s plane headed for the Bluegrass Airport, the airport tower reportedly called to the pilot, Dan Neff, “There’s more people out here to meet Secretariat than there was to greet the governor.” The pilot allegedly responded, “Well, he’s won more races than the governor.”

Secretariat was led down the ramp and a police escort followed his van to Claiborne Farm. He was placed in the stall of Bold Ruler, his father, to begin his own legacy as a sire.

Eddie Sweat, his longtime groom, reportedly stared at Secretariat in his new stall and mourned the end of his racing career in saying, “Well, it’s all over now. They’ll never forget you, big fella. Never.”

And, Secretariat would later show that he didn’t forget Sweat’s friendship that existed throughout his racing days.

A year later, Sweat returned to Claiborne to pick up a foal for Lucien Lauren. Sweat told a reporter that he was in awe that Secretariat remembered him. “Secretariat, he came over and pulled on my shirt, just like he always did.”

Secretariat missed his racing friend.

And, Secretariat showed all that.

He walked right up to him and greeted him as if they were at a reunion.

And through the years, Secretariat would entertain many guests who came to visit him at Claiborne Farm.

In 1974, an Ohio-based reporter wrote that Secretariat played “pickup sticks” during their visit. Secretariat would hold a stick in his mouth and wait for the reporter to take it from him and give it back.

Secretariat also loved the camera eye. Retired Farm Manager John Sosby explained, “With a camera, he’d pose. He was showman, but he was kind. You could walk right up and get your picture taken with him.”

John Asher later told of how Secretariat posed for him when he went with a groom to see the horse in his paddock. “He was at the top of the hill. The groom I was with didn’t speak loudly. He just said, ‘Hey, Red.’” In a flash, Asher recalled Secretariat charging toward them, “BOOM! Here he comes. Flying down the hill. Absolutely flying down the hill. He gets to the fence at the end of the paddock where we were standing… Stops. And poses.”

Vickie Byrd told the story of how she visited Secretariat during a business trip. She reflected, “The big star in the barn was Secretariat. We were allowed to pet him and pose for pictures. It was like getting our picture taken with a movie star.” And, Secretariat left quite an impression on film. Byrd stated, “The funniest thing was after we got our pictures developed, we looked at one and saw that Secretariat had his tongue sticking out… Like a little kid!”

Secretariat also entertained children who came to visit the farm. Michele Valenta recalls that she visited Secretariat as a five-year-old girl, “I got to pet his nose and we turned around and walked away, looking at the other horses in the barn.” Valenta continued, “Shortly after, we heard clip-clop-clip-clop-clip-clop. We turned around to see Secretariat in all his red glory.” Valenta stated, “He was obviously perturbed when he was escorted back to this stall. Ears back, very annoyed.” She reflected, “He stole my heart then. He was so full of personality and I could see it, even at a young age.”

When Robin Porcelain visited Secretariat with her husband, Warren, he proved himself a showman. She stated, “Secretariat obviously knew how special he was and majestically pranced and strutted for us.”

Dorothy Henderson, wife of Secretariat’s final groom at Claiborne, Bobby Henderson, remembers him for his kind nature. “I’ve never seen a horse like him. He was just like a big pet. He had a big heart, it was almost as big as two hearts, and you could almost see that.”

And finally, John Sosby reminisces about Secretariat’s sharp intellect during his time at Claiborne Farm. Sosby joked, “He never learned to play checkers because we didn’t know how to teach him.”

Through racing and retirement, Secretariat proved himself to be everything.

And, his legacy remains intact.

Years after Secretariat left racing, Charles Hatton marveled at his perfection, “He’s the greatest horse that anyone has ever seen. Don’t let anyone kid you. He could do anything, and he could do it better than any horse I ever saw. No question about it in my mind.”

And it seems, Secretariat knew that.

Through his entire life, he demonstrated the beauty of being everything.

He was called awkward before he was deemed perfect.

He was defeated before he knew victory.

He was a celebrity and an icon.

He was a Triple Crown Winner.

He was a friend.

He was a father.

He was Secretariat.

And, Secretariat was everything.

» Read the rest of this entry «

In her famous poem, One Art, Elizabeth Bishop begins by pondering “The Art of Losing” with the idea that some things are fated to be lost.

In the moment of loss, Bishop starts the poem with the notion that losing should not be viewed as a heartbreaking event.

In fact, she goes on to write that it should be practiced.

In my view, it is hard to point to many horses that practiced “The Art of Losing” with the same grace of Sham.

And, decades after Sham raced, there is a certain lingering sadness over Sham’s fate of being born at the wrong time – the year Secretariat was making his bid for the Triple Crown.

As Secretariat shattered records in his Triple Crown season, Sham stood in the shadows waging a beautiful racing performance.

He was a great horse in his own right.

And, in a sport where winning is nearly everything, Sham demonstrated that there is an “art” to losing.

As Sham entered the 1973 Kentucky Derby, the colt banged his head on the side of the starting gate, knocking out two of his teeth.

As he bled throughout the race, Sham never stopped chasing after Secretariat with his determination to win.

At the wire, Secretariat beat Sham by 2 ½ lengths – capturing the record time of 1:59 2/5 in the Kentucky Derby.

However, Sham also broke the Kentucky Derby record during his loss – finishing at a time of 1:59 4/5.

As Secretariat was draped in roses, Sham was guided toward his barn to cauterize the wounds to his two teeth.

Although Sham received no records or roses for his efforts, he stood a victor in ”The Art of Losing.”

Two weeks later, Sham set foot on the track in the Preakness.

As Secretariat began his graceful stride from last to first, Sham banged the rail on the clubhouse turn.

However, despite being rattled, Sham kept his eyes on his rival.

He raced onward to chase Secretariat to the finish line.

In the end, Secretariat beat Sham by 2 ½ lengths in the Preakness – the champion arguably breaking the record time for the race in his victory.

However, Sham didn’t stop in the face of an impossible rival.

As a master of “The Art of Losing,” Sham went back to his barn and prepared to challenge Secretariat in the longest race in North America.

And, when the day of the Belmont arrived, Sham demonstrated a powerful lesson in “The Art of Losing.”

When he entered the gates, Sham was soaking wet and nervous.

But, he didn’t back down.

Instead, Sham broke from the gates and challenged Secretariat to a virtual match race in the backstretch.

In the golden seconds that followed, Sham gave everything he had to challenge fate and beat his rival.

But, having been practiced at “The Art of Losing,” Sham found that fate isn’t subject to argument.

As Secretariat blasted forward to win by 31 lengths, Sham tired and fell back to finish dead last.

While Secretariat received a Triple Crown coronation, Sham was led back to the barn in defeat.

However, Sham proved himself a champion though his losses.

He poured his entire heart into trying to win.

And, quite possibly, Sham may have won the Triple Crown in a different field.

But, he was racing a giant that could not be matched.

After the Belmont, Sham never raced again. He retired to Spendthift Farm in July of 1973 and eventually moved to Walmac International.

On April 3, 1993, the nightwatchman discovered that Sham had passed away from an apparent heart attack in the early morning.

Upon examination, it was discovered that Sham had a heart that weighed eighteen pounds – roughly double the size of the average Thoroughbred.

There was only one known Thoroughbred heart larger than his on record in North America.

The heart of his lifelong rival – Secretariat.

In three single races, two amazing horses met their fate in 1973.

Thorough his victories, Secretariat set new records for the racing world to marvel over for countless decades.

And, through defeat, Sham delivered some of the most poetic moments in racing by practicing “The Art of Losing.”

“Secretariat” is a name often spoken as a sacred word.

After spending years marveling over Secretariat’s spectacular racing achievements, I became curious about his lifestyle once he retired from racing.

Upon making several calls to find someone with first-hand experience with the legendary horse, everyone pointed to one man: John Sosby.

A few weeks later, I entered the gates of Claiborne Farm to meet John Sosby. Sosby was General Manager of Claiborne Farm from 1975 until he retired in 2006.

As we walked along the paths of Claiborne Farm, Sosby, whose father was a groom for broodmares and foals, explained that he lived at Claiborne since he was a three-year-old child.

Through observing his father’s work, Sosby learned to be gentle with horses, while exercising patience and control.

The lessons from his childhood eventually led to his own career at Claiborne Farm. In 1964, Sosby became supervisor of the yearlings at the farm.

In regard to Secretariat’s initial arrival at Claiborne, Sosby remarked, “I was still in charge of breaking yearlings, which I thought was the best job here.”

However, Sosby soon earned a promotion to General Manager in 1975. In the years to follow, his daily life became interwoven with the legendary presence of Secretariat.

The Grand Entrance: Big Red Arrives at Claiborne Farm.

As with his career, Secretariat’s arrival to Claiborne Farm was no small event.

When he retired from racing, Secretariat made a farewell appearance for roughly 30,000 fans at Aqueduct race track. At the time, the date had been set for him to be shipped to Kentucky, but it remained a secret to the public. Sosby explained:

After the parade for the general public, a plane flew him and Riva Ridge to Bluegrass Field, across from Keeneland. Two vans were waiting, along with an escort from the Paris and Lexington Police.

It was one of those situations where you knew he was coming to Claiborne, but the general public didn’t know exactly what time, so that we could keep the crowd down.

[At Claiborne,] we had security. When they backed down into the loading chute here, we were waiting. Seth [Hancock] did not want a bunch of fan fare. He just put the guard at the gate. If you weren’t on the list of whomever Seth had invited in, you weren’t coming in.

Sosby then recalled the moment that Secretariat first set foot on the grounds of Claiborne Farm.

When they unloaded him, they turned him around. As they led him out, I can remember him looking at the barn and his new surroundings.

He was a beautiful animal. He walked with pride. He had something about him. And, somehow or another, he knew it.

Sosby reflected, “He was The Man.”

Perhaps, they both knew it.

The Camera Eye: Secretariat’s Presence at Claiborne Farm.

As we walked down the trail to the stables at Claiborne Farm, Sosby directed me to Secretariat’s former stall. As he stood beside Secretariat’s golden name plate, Sosby talked about the fans that visited Claiborne to meet the legendary horse.

Between 8,500 and 10,000 people a year came to Bourbon County to visit Secretariat.

Some of them would go in the stall and lay in the hay. They would say, ‘If it’s good enough for Secretariat, it’s good enough for me.’

Every now and then, fans would bring Secretariat an apple or peppermint candy during their visit. His groom was in charge of giving those gifts to Secretariat.

In an interesting note, Sosby recalled that the horse particularly enjoyed two items – cameras and shiny objects.

As we arrived at Secretariat’s paddock, Sosby recounted Secretariat’s “Trademark Greeting” to his visitors. Pointing to the top of the hill, he explained that when a person walked up to Secretariat’s paddock, the horse would run up to the gate and stop.

Sosby then elaborated, “With a camera, he’d pose. He was a showman, but he was kind. You could walk right up and get your picture taken with him.”

I began to wonder about Sosby’s earlier comment about how Secretariat enjoyed “shiny things.” Was it a simple flash on a camera or did it go beyond that?

It was then that Sosby recounted the tale of “Secretariat and The Golden Earring.” He explained:

One day, I had gone to lunch in town. I got a call from the farm saying ‘You need to come out here. Secretariat just bit a woman.’

I was a mile and a half away from the farm. My first thought was a million-dollar lawsuit.

Well, I get there and they called a doctor out to try to stop the bleeding on her earlobe.

She had taken a picture and turned away. He reached to get her earring and just pulled it through her ear.

Sosby laughed when I asked if the woman was upset.

No. She was happy. She’d been bit by Secretariat!

As he smiled, he clarified, “He was not mean. It wasn’t his character. The earring was there - and it was shiny. He just reached and grabbed it.”

The King of Roses: Secretariat’s Legacy.

In 1989, Secretariat lost his battle with lamanitis and was buried at Claiborne Farm. As Sosby stood next to Secretariat’s grave, he briefly discussed the private service that was held.

He was put in the ground late in the afternoon. It was Claiborne family [present]. Nobody in the gate.

We didn’t want a circus or festival atmostphere.

We had just laid a good one to rest.

Sosby recounted that after Secretariat’s burial, “Over a hundred flower arrangements were on his grave by the next morning.”

In over two decades since his death, Secretariat still leaves his mark at Claiborne Farm. Sosby explained, “On his birthday, there will be twelve red roses on his grave [from an] unknown source. It’s been [going on for] twenty-one years.”

In his closing remarks, Sosby marveled, “I don’t know who his critics would be. He was perfect.”

On a sunny Friday afternoon, I arrived at the gates of Churchill Downs to interview John Asher about the history of the Kentucky Derby. Asher, Vice President of Racing Communications at Churchill Downs, has been working in the thoroughbred industry for over two decades – serving on boards, acting as a publicist, and providing award-winning media coverage of the sport. He joined Churchill Downs in 1997.

In his coverage of horse racing, he has achieved celebrity status in his own right. On Kentucky Derby day, it would be near-impossible to watch any major televised report about the race without seeing John Asher appear on the screen. Amidst the crowd of racing enthusiasts, he is the man to follow on Kentucky Derby day.

When first I met Asher at Churchill Downs, it came as no surprise that it would be in a grand fashion. To me, the Kentucky Derby is all about excitement, tradition, pageantry, and witnessing history in motion. Churchill Downs is the cathedral for this one-of-a-kind event. After my entry to through magic gates, everything that followed was spun like a fairy tale adventure.

Asher appeared for the interview in the Director’s Room at Churchill Downs. This sacred ground is the site upon which the Kentucky Derby winners celebrate their win with a champagne toast following their victory.

In the center of the room, the press was gathered around a small table to view one of the most largely-coveted items in horse racing - the winner’s trophies for the 2010 Kentucky Derby.

The Winner’s Trophies for the Kentucky Derby.

Carefully handling each trophy with white gloves, the CEO of New England Sterling, Marc Forbes, informed me that the first person to personally touch each trophy would be the respective winner on Kentucky Derby day.

Forbes explained that the largest trophy, awarded to the owner of the winning horse, is comprised of sixty ounces of 14-karat gold and has remained largely unchanged from its’ original design, dating back to 1924. In the three major milestone races – the 75^th, 100^th, and 125^th anniversaries the Derby, the trophy was modified to include diamonds, emeralds, and rubies.

Among the historical variations on the trophy, the major alteration came in 1999 – when the horse shoe in the center of the trophy was reversed to point upward. Forbes explained, “Racing lore has it, that [when] a horse shoe is facing downward, the luck runs out of the horse shoe. So, in 1999, the horse shoe was changed and facing upward.”

Forbes stated that fifty employees are involved in the 1,600-hour process of handcrafting the owner’s trophy- comprised of 25 different components. The company also creates three smaller sterling silver replicas of the gold trophy, which are awarded to the trainer, breeder, and jockey of the winning horse.

As I marveled at the beautiful trophies that we set before me, I envisioned the past Derby winners who have stood in this room, clutching their trophies, in a champagne toast to beating the mind-bending odds to win the Kentucky Derby.

The historical wonders of Churchill Downs would soon be illuminated through my interview with Asher. After the trophies were carefully placed back in their cases, Asher led me outside to begin the journey through the history of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

The Kentucky Derby is America’s Oldest, Continuously Held, Sporting Event.

From our Eagle-eye view of the legendary Churchill Downs dirt track, Asher explained, “The track dates back to 1875, when the first Derby was held. We have run the Derby every year, without interruption, since 1875. This year, May 1^st, will be 136 consecutive years.”

Asher then elaborated, “We are America’s oldest, continuously held, sports event. We have survived two world wars, The Great Depression, [and] the flood of 1937, which had us underwater.”

In a few sentences, I learned my first lesson. The Kentucky Derby is a testament to perseverance. Not only for the lucky handful who arrive in the winner’s circle – but to those who ensure that the race is run in the first place. And, as Asher would soon explain, Matt Winn embodied the spirit of perseverance.

Matt Winn: The Architect of the Revival.

Although the Kentucky Derby had been running for 27 years, the track had never turned a profit at the time Matt Winn began managing Churchill Downs in 1902. When Winn arrived at Churchill Downs, he had a powerful vision for the track. Asher explained:

He really led the revitalization of the track. He had three goals… he wanted the Derby to be a major league sports event – a prominent sports event. …He wanted the race to be much more than a horse race – he wanted the fashion aspect, … the celebrity, all that. He wanted it to be just a huge celebration. Not just of the sport, not just of racing. And, also, he wanted Churchill Downs to be an important part of life in the community year-round, not just when we were racing.

Winn’s vision paid off the following year when Churchill Downs turned its’ first profit in 1903. However, Winn didn’t slow his efforts to revive the track in the wake of his initial success. In furtherance of his vision, Winn would eventually host state fairs on the grounds, locomotive collisions in the infield, bring pari-mutuel machines to the racetrack, and begin radio broadcasts of the Derby.

Asher explained that the community outreach initiatives of Churchill Downs even extended to the Catholic Church. “From the mid-1940s to the mid-1970s, there was a Roman Catholic archdiocese that held a religious celebration here every year – the feast of Corpus Christi. Thousands of people would come out. There was a procession on the track… it was a huge religious celebration.”

Through hosting community events, the track went beyond horse racing for many guests. In reference to “The Feast of Corpus Christi” celebration, Asher noted, “When you think of the people who came out here, the thousands that came out here, a big chunk of those people would never come to Churchill Downs for a horse race, or to bet a nickel on the nose of a horse. They came out here because Churchill Downs was special to them. Those Twin Spires were special, because of the experience they had here. That’s part of the emotional investment people have in this place.”

In the eyes of Asher, Winn’s vision has become a reality at Churchill Downs today. “Most of the times in a year, you can come up and find something going on. This year, we have Derby and Oaks, which will draw 250,000 people here.” Churchill Downs also hosts weddings, music festivals, and various other events – ranging from the previously hosting a Rolling Stones concert to the upcoming Breeder’s Cup Championship races in 2010.

The Artist’s Muse: Artwork at Churchill Downs.

In a painted collage at Churchill Downs, stands a quote by Irvin S. Cobb, Kentucky native and writer.

“Until you go to the Kentucky Derby with your own eyes, behold the Derby, you ain’t never been nowhere and you ain’t never seen nothing.”

As you walk through the halls of Churchill Downs, the work of many artists is on display in their effort to add their own definition, tribute, or voice to the Derby. Considering the collected pieces of art throughout Churchill Downs, one thing is clear – the Derby has been the muse for several artists.

During our interview, Asher showed me a piece of work by artist, Craig Colquhoun, that defies description in ordinary language. In an endeavor to follow his dream of creating something great, Colquhoun constructed a glass replica of Churchill Downs. As we studied the thousands of pieces, Asher explained:

When we were getting finished with the renovation, we got a call from an artist named ‘Craig Colquhoun.’ He says, ‘I’ve got this glass sculpture of Churchill Downs, would you be interested in looking at it?’ We said, ‘Sure.’

Pointing to the masterpiece standing before us, Asher remarked, “This was it. It is thirty feet long, ten feet wide, ten feet high, and 4,000 individual pieces he made – which represents every part of the Derby experience. [There are] fans in the infield, TV cameras and media, hats, the marching band, roses, ushers, and the horses.”

It was breathtaking.

While viewing the piece, Asher told the tale of the “Leading Horse,” in which the glass horse on the lead mysteriously changes position in the race. “[It’s] one of two things. Right now, it’s in the normal spot. We either have a spirit at work or an employee with a sense of humor. Every now and then, you will come up here and the horse on the lead will be about halfway up. I’ve never heard it explained or seen it explained. I just know the horse moves sometimes.”

While Colquhoun’s piece tries to capture the “spirit” of the Derby experience, there are also two murals in the clubhouse, painted by Pierre “Peb” Bellocq, that depict the winning jockeys and trainers in the Kentucky Derby.

In Bellocq’s mural of the winning Jockeys, the artist has painted every jockey to ever win the Kentucky Derby. Asher explained that the mural is a timeline. The end of the mural used to depict a woman looking forward with a horse in the background that wore “figure eight” silks to symbolize infinity. Later on, the silks on the horse were modified to reflect the silks of Smarty Jones.

In recent years, Calvin Borel’s victories have led to the modification of the jockey’s mural. In 2007, Calvin Borel was painted into the mural for his winning ride on Street Sense. After Calvin Borel won his second Derby on “Mine that Bird,” the mural was again modified to show Borel holding up two fingers – signifying his two wins in the Kentucky Derby.

After viewing numerous works of art inspired by the Kentucky Derby, it was clear that the race has the power to serve as an artistic muse. When I asked Asher about his opinion on why the Kentucky Derby has the power to inspire artists. He responded:

It’s a dream. I think it’s amazing. The whole thing about the race is a dream. Our purse is two million dollars. …It think we’d have thirty horses fighting to get into the race if we just gave them roses…

It’s the reason we get up in the business every day. If you breed a horse, own a horse, [or] you train a horse. If you’re thinking, ‘Is this horse the one?’ … I think it’s the dream aspect of it.

Building upon the concept of “the dream,” Asher shared his own story about how the Kentucky Derby led to his interest in horse racing. “[It’s] why I’m here. I watched the Derby with my family. We grew up in Kentucky, but we weren’t horse people. I was on a farm. It was my grandmother’s farm and it had nothing to do with horse racing. We were horse racing fans one day a year. We gathered around the TV and one day it just bit me. It’s amazing that I’m here, coming where I came from.”

The Kentucky Derby: The Allure of the Greatest Two Minutes in Racing.

On the first Saturday in May, eyes from all across the world spin around the oval track at Churchill Downs to watch the Kentucky Derby. Guests have included royalty, presidents, and celebrities. In recent years, Queen Elizabeth attended the race.

During our interview, Asher elaborated on why the race itself has such an alluring aspect. “You get one chance. It’s three-year-olds only. One Saturday. Two minutes in the afternoon. … In this year’s crops of three-year-olds, we have a maximum of twenty horses in the gate. And this year’s foal crop is about 37,000 – just in the United States. So, your odds are 37,000 to 1 to start. And that doesn’t include European-breds. …And even if you get here, … there are so many ways to lose a race.”

Despite the odds, the dream of ‘getting to the Kentucky Derby’ continues to captivate many individuals – whether owners, trainers, jockeys, breeders, or fans. Aside from the race, many people arrive at Churchill Downs for the pageantry and celebration surrounding the Kentucky Derby.

The glamour and tradition intertwined with race is nearly an event in and of itself. With women wearing wide-brimmed hats, celebrities weaving throughout the crowd, and the beloved traditions interwoven with the Kentucky Derby, individuals from all walks of life attend the race.

In light of the fan fare surrounding the Derby, I asked Asher which celebrity has drawn the most attention in his experience. He responded, “Jack Nicholson. He’s the biggest celebrity I’ve ever seen at the Derby. He stopped the show everywhere he went. Presidents… Queens… Nobody compared to Jack.”

Aside from the celebration in the stands, the horses on the track rule the day. In response to my question about his most memorable moments at the Kentucky Derby, Asher explained, “My absolute favorite moment is when they walk around the first turn to be saddled before the Derby. They are all coming over and everybody is accompanying the horse. The grooms are there. In a lot of cases, the owners and trainers are there.”

It is a heart-stopping moment. Fans who have labored over choosing their horses finally get to view them in the flesh. As for the connections to each horse, they are moving through the rapture of a dream.

Amidst the electric atmosphere surrounding the race, many individuals point to the moment that the crowd sings, “My Old Kentucky Home,” as an experience that defies description. As the marching band plays the music, it is hard to find a dry eye in Churchill Downs.

During our talk, I asked Asher, “What is it about ‘My Old Kentucky Home’ that makes grown men cry?” He responded, “It is everything about the Derby. It is the dream of everybody in the business. The Derby has got a romance. It just does. You look at the horses that win it, the people who had spent their whole lives in the business… Whatever it is, it touches people in a myriad of ways.”

However, for the hardened bettors, Asher gave a tip. “If you’re not a sentimentalist, it’s the best time to bet because there is nobody at the windows. They’re all outside crying. …Every window is wide-open.”

Barbaro: His Memorial at Churchill Downs.

The story of Barbaro struck a chord with many individuals throughout the world. After his death, the decision was made to commission a statue of Barbaro and make Churchill Downs his final resting place.

The inscription under the statue quotes Olympic Gold Medal winner Eric Liddell: “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run, I feel his pleasure.”

Asher noted that the statue was constructed with a purpose. “The Jacksons wanted all four feet off the ground. That’s the perfect photo of a thoroughbred. They are in flight.”

During our interview, I asked Asher about the decision to lay Barbaro to rest at Churchill Downs. He explained, “The Jacksons made the decision [on] where they wanted him to be. They looked at a farm up in Pennsylvania, they looked at Maryland, and they looked at our place. They ultimately decided that this was the greatest moment of his career and they wanted him to be here. We obviously welcomed him.”

In response to my follow-up question regarding his continued fans, Asher explained, “The letters that came following Barbaro were countless. They came from everywhere. We still get them now.”

Secretariat: The Kentucky Derby Track Record.

Throughout Churchill Downs, several photos of Secretariat line the walls throughout the track.

In 1973, Secretariat not only won the Triple Crown, but broke the official track record at the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont.

Regarding the Preakness, the official track clock was broken when he won and the time did not reflect a new track record. However, the Daily Racing Form publicly disagreed with the official time at Pimlico. According to their watch, Secretariat broke the official track record in the Preakness.

If the Daily Racing Form time was correct, Secretariat is the record holder in all three Triple Crown races.

During our interview, I asked Asher about his personal opinion as to whether Secretariat holds the record for all Triple Crown races. He responded, “Yes. For me, it’s no question.”

Asher elaborated, “The official time, I think everybody agrees, was wrong. Everybody who had a hand-held watch got it faster.”

In an interesting follow-up, Asher noted that the Preakness was his favorite performance during Secretariat’s Triple Crown bid.

My favorite race of Secretariat’s Triple Crown is probably the least known. He did something I’ve never seen a horse do in that race. He was dead last going into the first turn and then took off. It looked like jets were firing.

He goes into the first turn dead last [and] he came out of the first turn in front. So, he just passed everyone on the first turn – not the second turn. You just don’t see that happen.

As for Secretariat, Asher is not alone in his reverence for this champion. With the many articles and books written about this Secretariat, it is hard to find any new words to encapsulate his talent. In Asher’s description:

Secretariat is the most amazing thoroughbred ever created as far as I’m concerned. He’s the perfect physical specimen. I don’t know who to compare him to. He’s like Schwarzenegger in his prime. In terms of physical, it’s just a perfect build. He had a heart… bigger than anybody else. That’s the big guy. That’s the one that defines our sport.

Asher then recapped his visit to meet Secretariat while he stood at Claiborne Farms. When he arrived at the farm, Secretariat was in his hillside paddock. Asher stated:

I was walking through with one of the farm hands. We had heard all these things throughout the years about what a ham he was and how he posed for pictures.

He was at the top of the hill. The groom I was with didn’t speak loudly. He just said, ‘Hey, Red.’

Boom! Here he comes. Flying down the hill. Absolutely flying down the hill. [He] gets to the fence at the end of the paddock where we were standing. He gets there. Stops. And poses.

In his final comments about Secretariat, Asher highlighted that the champion still gets roses and flowers at Claiborne Farm on the anniversary of his birth and death.

The Last Word: Asher on the Art of Handicapping

Among his many talents, Asher is widely-known for his handicapping picks relating to the Kentucky Derby. He explained that he changes his choices every Sunday during the prep race season for the Derby.

Handicapping a horse race is no easy feat.

In response to my question as to whether he ever wishes that he could change his picks on Derby day, Asher responded with a recap of the upset delivered by Mine that Bird in the 2009 Kentucky Derby:

Yes. I wanted to change it last year. … I was sitting there watching the race with my daughter on Derby day. I’m looking up. …I said, ‘Aww, Eight is the winner.’ And, I go, ‘Who is Eight?’ And I looked at my program and realized it’s Mine that Bird with Calvin at 50 to 1. And for the next quarter mile, I couldn’t believe it. As soon as he crossed the finish line, I looked at my daughter and said, ‘You know, I’m not sure, but I think I picked him dead last.’ When I looked, sure enough. Dead last.

However, Asher has a good sense of humor. He appears perfectly at ease with being proven wrong in a race. “It’s very complex. It’s one of those businesses where, if you don’t learn something every day, you’re not paying attention.”

Recently, I read a book entitled, “Letters to Seabiscuit,” that published various letters written to the horse and his owner, C.S Howard, throughout the racing career of this legendary athlete. Howard’s wife, Marcella, had lovingly saved the collection in a treasure chest for several decades.

While reading the various letters, one thing became clear: The admiration that people expressed for this horse went well beyond his racing accomplishments. Among the collection, Seabiscuit received congratulations, birthday wishes, suggestions on the name for a foal, drawings, poems, pleas to retire him, requests to continue to race him, and even a valentine.

One writer, Mrs. Magie, sparked my curiosity about this phenomenon, by stating, “I am not a horsewoman or a racetrack follower. I do, however, love Seabiscuit.” I began to think about what peaked her interest in this horse.

Later in the book, a woman named Helen Thompson, added some clarity to Mrs. Magie’s sentiment. Thompson wrote to Howard, “You own the greatest racehorse in the world today – at least you think you own him – actually he is the property of all of us who love thoroughbreds – and recognize that a horse has something else besides the ability to earn a few dollars for the gaming public.”

Ms. Thompson’s statement hit upon something profound. Seabiscuit was a public horse. He was a living representation of American ideals, dreams, and principles. No single person could own these concepts.

After reading these letters, I started to wonder about the rare horses that have been able to stir public adoration outside of the winner’s circle. Not every champion racehorse is as beloved by the public as was Seabiscuit. I began to consider what wins a racehorse the “Crown of Love” in the public field.

Seabiscuit.

In the case of Seabiscuit, his career embodied the dreams and ideals of many Americans. As the Great Depression and World War II weighed upon the nation, Seabiscuit was running in rock bottom claiming races when he was purchased by the wealthy C.S. Howard. After Howard invested in Seabiscuit, the horse went on to beat the Triple Crown winner, War Admiral, in a nationally broadcast match race that captivated an audience of roughly one in three Americans. Seabiscuit later suffered an injury that threatened to end his career. He defied retirement and recovered to win the Santa Anita Handicap – a victory that had previously eluded him.

The accomplishments of Seabiscuit amounted to more than a moment in the winner’s circle. This horse mirrored the dreams of the general public during the depression. As stated by Director Gary Ross, Seabiscuit illustrated the “American idea that hidden inside you is huge potential that is untapped and undiscovered… If only people had the understanding to explore it, or to nurture it a little bit, what could possibly emerge?” To Ross, Seabiscuit demonstrated the potential for outstanding achievement if given a second chance.

In a time of war and financial desperation, Seabiscuit illustrated the ideal of struggling against the odds. In his career, Seabiscuit fought the stigma of being a lesser horse by virtue of racing on the west coast in a time when the east coast horses dominated the sport. In his famous match race, Seabiscuit, the clear underdog, demolished the stigma of being a low-grade horse by defeating his east coast rival, War Admiral. When he returned from injury to clinch a victory in the Santa Anita Handicap, he only reinforced the theme of prevailing against the odds. With the nation embroiled in struggle, Seabiscuit’s victories touched upon their own hopes and dreams. He represented the ideal that an underdog can succeed through hard work, determination, and endurance. In his struggle to victory, Seabiscuit became a principle owned by a nation.

Man O’ War.

Man O’ War illustrated throughout his career that public favor is also won through awakening human imagination and rewriting record books. Likened to a “living flame,” Man O’ War embodied the raw perfection that captivates the human heart and spirit.

In his sixteen month career between June 1919 and October 1920, Man O’ War won twenty of his twenty-one races. He was the favorite in all of his races, with odds of 1-100 in three of his starts. He won one race, the Lawrence Realization, by 100 lengths. Man O’ War set three world records, two American records, and three track records. He retired as the greatest money-winning Thoroughbred in history.

During his career, the public was in rapture by Man O’ War. Police had to protect the horse at tracks from souvenir hunters who tried to grab hairs from his mane and tail. His notoriety also attracted death threats. His Owner, Samuel Riddle had to hire a private detective to watch the horse’s trainer.

At the time of his retirement, Riddle was reportedly offered $500,000 for Man O’ War by Texas oil millionaire, William Waggoner. Riddle rejected the offer. Waggoner made a second offer to purchase for $1 million, in which Riddle again rejected. When Waggoner provided his third offer in the form of a blank check, Riddle countered, “You go to France, and bring back the sepulchre of Napoleon from Les Invalides. Then you go to England and buy the jewels from the crown. Then to India and buy the Taj Mahal. Then I’ll put a price on Man O’ War.”

After his retirement, Will Harbut, the groomsman for Man O’ War, managed the farm tours for visitors who traveled for a glimpse of the legend. It is estimated that the number of visitors ranged between 1.5 to three million. Harbut, having become a famous figure for being the groomsman to Man O’ War, would display the horse to the crowd and explain, “He broke all the records and he broke down all the horses, so there wasn’t nothing left for him to do but retire.”

When Man O’ War died at age 30, he was the first horse to be embalmed and he lay in state for two days in a specially-made casket lined with his racing colors. It is estimated that nearly 2000 people attended his funeral and the burial service was broadcast nationally with nine speakers providing eulogies.

Man O’ War remains a portrait of beauty, strength, power, and perfection. In the 1920 Travers, the starter described the awe that drew people toward the legend. “He was so beautiful that it almost made you cry, and so full of fire that he made you thank your God you could come close to him.”

Secretariat.

Secretariat exploded into the public eye through producing mind-bending victories that shattered all records in Triple Crown racing. Secretariat’s record left the public speechless and captivated by his magic.

When he arrived at the Belmont Stakes for the third leg of the triple crown, Secretariat led the news headlines in North America and had captured the covers of Newsweek, Time and Sports Illustrated. The sport has never enjoyed the same media attention since Secretariat’s 1973 Triple Crown season.

“Secretariat generates a crackling tension and excitement wherever he goes… When he accelerates… he produces a breathtaking explosion that leaves novices and hardened horsemen alike convinced that, for one of those moments that seldom occur in any sport, they have witnessed genuine greatness,” explained Pete Axthelm from Newsweek.

After his 31-length victory in the Belmont Stakes, his greatness has never been matched. In two minutes and twenty-four seconds, Secretariat set the world’s dirt track record for 1 1/2 miles, which many argue may never be broken. As Charles Hatton wrote in The Daily Racing Form, “His only point of reference is himself.”

In his sixteen-month career, Secretariat won sixteen of his twenty-one races. He was the odds-on favorite seventeen times. He won back-to-back “Horse of the Year” awards. He still holds the record time in the Kentucky Derby – 1:59:25. The Daily Racing Form clocked him as setting the record in the Preakness at 1:53 2/5. Because the track clock was malfunctioning, the official time was recorded as 1:54 2/5 and Canonero II remained the holder of the official record with his time of 1:54 2/5 the 1971 Preakness.

Secretariat was retired to stud at Claiborne Farms. His popularity continued long after his racing career ended. He received many letters and birthday cards each year from his fans and thousands of vistors came to Claiborne Farms to see Secretariat during his lifetime.

In the fall of 1989, he was afflicted with laminitis and was euthanized on October 4. He was buried at Claiborne Farm, receiving, in death the ultimate honor for a horse. By tradition, the only parts of a Thoroughbred buried at a gravesite are their head (to symbolize intelligence), heart (to symbolize strength), and legs (to symbolize power). As homage to the greatness of this legend, Secretariat was buried whole.

The legacy of Secretariat endures over two decades after his death. Penny Chenery, Owner of Secretariat, explained “It’s hard to believe after all these years, but hardly a day goes by that I don’t get mail about Secretariat.”

The Last Decade - Barbaro.

In recent years, Barbaro arguably captivated public interest and adoration more than any other horse – both for his performances on the track and after the races. After entering the Kentucky Derby with an undefeated record, he romped to the finish line to win by six lengths. I was among the 40,000 fans in attendance and could barely catch my breath as he drove alone toward the finish line. It was my first Derby.

When Barbaro broke down in the Preakness, I sent him a dozen roses in remembrance of his victory at the Kentucky Derby. I certainly was not alone. As the nation hung on for months in hopes that Barbaro would recover from the life-threatening injury, cards, flowers, carrots, and other gifts flooded the New Bolton Center. Signs were hung outside the gates of the facility. National news coverage covered the story on a regular basis. It is somewhat bittersweet that the most attention the sport had gained in years was a product of one of its’ saddest moments – the ultimate loss of this great horse.

When it was announced at the subsequent Derby that Barbaro would be buried at Churchill Downs, I watched as schoolchildren, who had sent letters and drawings to Barbaro, lined up to deliver Gretchen Jackson individual roses in the winner’s circle during a tribute ceremony. As she held a full bouquet of roses in the end, I was overwhelmed by the dignity and grace of Mrs. Jackson.

The Jacksons, along with Barbaro, had fought the odds and lost. In their journey, the Jacksons demonstrated honor, dignity, and concern for the well-being of the horse above all financial motives. Barbaro illustrated courage and determination throughout his fight for survival. He had the qualities that not only won on the track, but captured the hearts of the public.

Of the horses that have generated widespread national reverence, they all possessed common traits – strength, ability, power, and excitement. They mirror the human spirit in its’ purest form, and, in turn, these athletes become larger than the sport. They become a reflection of our greatest dreams and ideals.

Please feel free to email me directly with questions or comments at blog@thesaturdaypost.org.

NOTE: There are many other horses and facts that were not mentioned due to space restraints - I would have had to write a book. I hope to add more to this post in the future.