Sunday, March 7, 2021

Remember The Twin Towers

This post represents a good memory from when I was working at the racetrack. In 1991 I spent that summer working at Churchill Downs located in Louisville, Kentucky U.S.A. Each workday, when my work with the horses was done. To relax and enjoy some fun leisure time. I enjoyed putting together a jigsaw puzzle that I had purchased. The jigsaw puzzle was a beautiful photo of the Brooklyn Bridge and the World Trade Center located in NYC, in lower Manhattan. Myself, and a few friends at the racetrack. Enjoyed the challenge of putting the puzzle together. It was a fun challenging experience. At the same time enjoying some great comradery . I was delighted with the results. When the jigsaw puzzle was finally completed. Bringing the beautiful scene of lower Manhattan and the World Trade Center to life. I celebrated by having the Jigsaw Puzzle framed and it still proudly hangs in my bedroom. A constant reminding of Happy Days from my past! Always remember the good days. Enjoying those happy memories. That could create more happiness to come in the future!

Sunday, January 17, 2021

Sleepy Eyes Todd- Will Travel, Will Win

I have become a very big fan of a very fine racehorse named "Sleepy Eyes Todd". I was introduced to Sleepy Eyes Todd when was a 3 year old. Todd ran a great race and was a good and determined second place finish to Owendale in the Oklahoma Derby in 2019. Sleepy Eyes Todd connections decided to run him back in the $100,000 JEFFREY A. HAWK MEMORIAL to finish out his 3 year old campaign, at Remington Park. Jockey Ry Eikelberry received the mount. Ry rode a perfect race. Helping Todd run a huge race beating a decent field of older horses.
Then in 2020 during the problematic Covid 19 year! We enjoyed watching the racing during the Spring Meet at Fonner Park, located in Grand Isle Nebraska. Sleepy Eyes Todd would travel to Nebraska. We would get to enjoy watching Todd win! Sleepy Eyes Todd would lead from gate to wire to a 6 ½-length victory in the $54,000 Bosselman / Gus Fonner Stakes. Very well ridden by Jockey Quincy Hamilton.
Then in the summer Sleepy Eyes Todd exciting year would continue. This time traveling to the U.S.A. State of West Virginia, and to Charles Town Racecourse for running of the $600,000 Grade 2 Charles Town Classic. Showing an enjoyment of running at less then a mile (Bull Ring) racetracks. Todd would again take complete control of this race and win big, pulling away to win by 7 lengths. Sleepy Eyes Todd was ridden to victory by jockey Carlos Delgado.
Then on Breeders Cup Day, at Keeneland Race Course. Located in Lexington, Kentucky. Sleepy Eyes Todd would compete in $150,000 Lafayette Stakes. Todd would be ridden with lots of confidence by Joel Rosario. Sleep Eyes Todd would show no speed in this race. At the 3/8 pole. Todd would be trailing the field in last place! However when the real race began to unfold. Sleepy Eyes Todd would rally and win going away in convincing style. Pulling away to win the Lafayette Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths. Running the 7 furlongs in 1:21.4.
Then to finish out an outstanding year of traveling, running and winning. Sleepy Eyes Todd and his connections. Would take Todd to south Florida and Gulfstream Park. To compete in the Mr. Prospector Stakes race. Again at the 7 furlong distance. Sleepy Eyes Todd would run a beautiful tactical race. Coming from a comfortable position in 4th place. To rally and hold off a late charge by the talented Firenze Fire. To win the $100,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes by 1/2 length. Sleepy Eyes Todd would receive and beautifully timed ride by very talented jockey Tyler Gaffalione. Sleepy Eyes Todd is eying the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational. Taking place at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach on Saturday, January 23, 2021. I wish Todd well and look forward watching Sleepy Eyes Todd, compete in this major race. This gallant and courageous racehorse. Does deserve to race in this prestigious Grade 1 Race.

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Housebuster- Speed Champion

Another great and talented racehorse that I became a fan of. Was the champion sprinter named "Housebuster". I use to love watch Housebuster race. The speedy and determined son of Mt. Livermore. Use to show blazing speed from the starting gate. Then keep very aggressive fighting with and antagonizing his opponents to the end of the race. That can explain why Housebuster was voted champion Sprinter in the United States 2 consecutive years 1990 and 1991. I got the fun experience of being around this great racehorse a little bit. As a good friend of mine Joe was the final groom to look after Housebuster in his great career. Housebuster apeared to be a kind and very relaxed gentleman off of the racetrack. Sadly Housebuster was badly injured in the running of the 1991 running of the Breeders Cup Sprint. Becasue of the substained inury. It ended Housebuster's amazing career. I can only assume that Hall of Jockey Craig Perret enjoyed and loved to ride this great racehorse! Trainer Warren A. (Jimmy) Croll Jr. did a wonderful job developing and directing Housbuster, to a "Hall of Fame" career!!!
Sire Mt. Livermore Grandsire Blushing Groom Dam Big Dreams Damsire Great Above Sex Stallion Foaled 1987 Country United States Color Dark Brown Breeder Blanche P. Levy & Murphy Stable Owner Robert P. Levy Trainer Ronald L. Benshoff Warren A. Croll Jr. Record 22: 15-2-1 Earnings $1,229,696 Major Wins Morven Stakes (1989) Hutcheson Stakes (1990) Jerome Handicap (1990) Withers Stakes (1990) Lafayette Stakes (1990) Derby Trial (1990) King's Bishop Stakes (1990) Spectacular Bid Stakes (1990) Swale Stakes (1990) Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes (1991) Carter Handicap (1991) Vosburgh Stakes (1991) Forego Handicap (1991) Awards American Champion Sprint Horse (1990, 1991) Honors United States Racing Hall of Fame (2013) 1991 Carter Stakes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdzDs37UgNA

Monday, January 11, 2021

Rare Photos Found- Bull Myson Debut

Today doing some rummaging around the house. I discovered some excellent photos of one of the best racehorses that was ever part of the Sheldon Wolfe Racing Stable. His name was Bull Myson. My father Sheldon purchased him from the Keeneland Fall yearling sale for a nominal amount. Bull Myson was sired a European Horse name Peterhof. Bull Myson was a very nice horse to work with and be around. He was very fast and talneted. One of my biggest disappointment working in the horse racing business. That we failed to win at least one Stakes Race with Bull Myson. However Bull Myson will always be a very pleasant memory of my days working in The Sport of Kings. Bull Myson debut occurred on a beautiful Spring day at Greenwood Racetrack. Which use to exist in the eastern beaches area of Toronto. The date was April 2, 1989. The person who was photographer for these great photos is unknown. Bull Myson was ridden to victory by jockey Irwin Driedger.
The video of the winning race; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW53FThytyo

Saturday, March 23, 2019

John Henry "The One & Only"


One of the greatest Thoroughbreds to entertain the racing world to the Max. Was the great "John Henry"! Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally also became a household name in the racing world. With the success and status achieved by this fantastic champion! One of the greatest champions in the history of Thoroughbred Horse Racing!

I enjoyed many times in the 1980's watching this fantastic and determined racehorse race! I even had the enjoyment of meeting John Henry in his retirement at the Kentucky Horse Park, located in Lexington!


March 9, 1975 – October 8, 2007

Ole Bob Bowers (USA) x Once Double (USA), by Double Jay (USA)

                      


  Race record

83 starts, 39 wins, 15 seconds, 9 thirds, US$6,591,860

Owner- Dotsam Stable Trainer- Ron McAnally





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c9gre1rB88 1982 Santa Anita Hdcp.

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Gato Del Sol "Gray Cat Of The Sun"


Up next is another of my personal favorite Kentucky Derby winners! Unlike the great front running speed victory of "Spend A Buck" in the 1985 Derby. The gray "Gato Del Sol" came from dead last in the field of 19 runners. To take the lead one eighth of a mile from the finish line, to win the 1982 Kentucky Derby. Confidently ridden by "Hall of Fame" jockey Eddie Delahoussaye. Gato Del Sol which is Spanish for "Cat of the Sun" was allowed to settle and relax behind the large field at Churchill Downs. Gato Del Sol also had the almost impossible task of winning the 1 1/4 race from the 19th post position.  Eddie Delahoussaye would articulate a massive rally down the backstretch run at Churchill Downs. Bringing Gato Del Sol into contention reaching the 1/4 mile pole. In the run to the finish line. Gato Del Sol would turn away any challengers to pull away and win the Derby by 2 1/2 lengths and pay $44.40 for a $2 win bet. Gato Del Sol's come from behind victory. Will remain one of the best in the history of the Kentucky Derby!

Eddie Delahoussaye will also be featured on this blog. In the best jockey section!  



Gato Del Sol
SireCougar II
GrandsireTale of Two Cities
DamPeacefully
DamsireJacinto
SexStallion
FoaledFebruary 23, 1979
CountryUnited States
ColourGray
BreederArthur B. Hancock III & Leone J. Peters
OwnerArthur B. Hancock III & Leone J. Peters
Trainer1) Edwin J. Gregson
2) Charles E. Whittingham
3) Howard M. Tesher
Record39: 7-9-7
Earnings$1,340,107
Major wins
American Classic Race wins:
Kentucky Derby (1982)

video; Gato Del Sol 1982 Kentucky Derby Victory;

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKnEXVhxiyY

Sunday, April 3, 2016

"A Day At The Races" To Remember!

The above photo is the photo finish between #3 Norcliffe & #4 Lucky Conn.  The 9th race August 26, 1976. At Fort Erie Racetrack.

It is always fun to remember and relive happy days from our past. This very happy day took place during the summer of 1976. The date was August 26, 1976. The Wolfe family was racing at the Fort Erie Summer Meet.
My older brother John and I really had no plans to attend the races at the historic Fort Erie Racetrack. On this beautiful summer day. But then suddenly our plan for the day did take a sudden change in direction. As we both wound up at the racetrack to try and try our luck on betting on a few of the races.

By the time we arrived at the racetrack.They were getting ready to run the 5th race at Fort Erie. Lucky for John and I. Astute veteran horse trainer and friend of my mom and dad. Owner-trainer Norm Fletcher was running one of his more reliable steeds. A horse named "Crafty Nantallah". John and I were not very prepared to bet on the races on this day. As between the two of us. We were only able to scrounge together a mere $5. But if your luck is working for you. That is really all the money you will need at the racetrack. As I recall Crafty Nantallah was a hard knocking and very reliable claiming horse. In which trainer Norman Fletcher was know for. We quickly looked at the racing form and sized up the horses in the field of the 5th race. Crafty Nantallah looked like a winner in the paddock. So we placed a $4 bet on Crafty Nantallah. Two dollars to win, and two dollars to show.. Crafty Nantallah was sent off of odds at 8 to 1. It was 6 1/2 furlong race and a very exciting start of our day at the track. As Crafty Nantallah stalked in great position for the first half mile of the race. Turing into the home stretch Crafty Nantallah would blow by the front running and win the race. Pulling away by 2 1/2 lengths! Our $5 had now grown to almost $25. We were on our way!

The 6th race on the Fort Erie card was also a field of hard knocking claiming horses. Our next wager would be on the old and classy Thoroughbred named "Dream Thoughts". What a perfect name for our next selection. Dream Thoughts was trained by another well respected conditioner working on the Ontario circuit named John Ainsley. Dream Thoughts would be ridden by veteran jockey John Bell.  We would place a $20 on Dream Thoughts. $10 to win and $10 to show. Dream Thoughts ran an outstanding race and just got beat in a photo finish by a nose. We still cashed the show bet on Dream Thoughts and made a slight profit on the race.

Now we were going to bet on race 7. It was a a non winner of two 3 year old filly race. Champion trainer Lou Cavalaris was running the Gardiner Farm filly "Princess Matilda". Who was the favorite in the race. Being ridden by leading rider Jeffery Fell. My brother John recalls we bet $10 to win on Princess Matilda. Who won the race. Winning the race with authority. Bringing our bankroll up to $35.

Race 8 would prove to be another very exciting race. Which involved a two year old named "The Third Sign". This two year old colt was also being ridden by leading and champion jockey "Jeffery Fell". Trying very hard to make this an exciting and winning day. John and I wagered $20 to win on "The Third Sign". Jeffery rode "The Third Sign" to an exciting head victory. Which gave us a very profitable day at the track. This was really very unexpected. When the day had begun. The Third Sign paid $7.80. Bringing our bankroll to $90!

Now the finally on this dream day at the racetrack! The 9th and final race on the race card was the prep race for the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown.Which is the "Prince Of Wales" Stakes. 1976 Queens Plate winner Norcliffe was the heavy pre-race favorite to win this small but talented field of 6 three year old horses. The race was 1 1/16 on the turf. One of the contenders in the field was from the "Conn Smythe barn and trained by Donnie Walker. Which was their best 3 year named "Lucky Conn". Lucky Conn was being ridden by apprentice jockey Michael Quong. This important race was a very big opportunity for the young career of Michael Quong. Because Michael had not won 5 races in his career yet. Lucky Conn would receive a 10 pound weight allowance. Giving Lucky Conn a chance to beat Norcliffe in this race. That is the way John and I concluded. After reviewing the facts. Reading the racing form. John and I predicted that Lucky Conn would be able to set the pace in the race. Which would be a moderate pace. Again increasing the chances for Lucky Conn to complete the upset of Norcliffe. John and I were confident with our decision and bet $80 to win on Lucky Conn. Which was a lot to wager for two young guys still going to school. But we took our chance made our decision to "Let It Ride"!

The race started with John and I pumped for a major winning day at the track very possible now. Lucky Conn and his rider Michael Quong sprang out of the starting gate. Just the way we had predicted the race would be run. Lucky Conn and Michael controlled the pace in the run down the backstretch. With Norcliffe and Jeffery Fell running in a stalking position. Turning for home Lucky Conn still managed to hold Norcliffe at bay. As the Queen's Plate winner was starting to mount his challenge. To try and win the race. Now the pair had reached 1/8 of a mile pole from the finish line. Lucky Conn still held a slight advantage. But Norcliffe and Jeffery Fell were starting to wear the lead of Lucky Conn away. It now looked like the race was lost and our dream day at the track would end with a narrow defeat. To the Champion Norcliffe. However our dream day was not over yet! Young Michael Quong was not interested in losing this race. Michael just like a well seasoned pro. Changed the whip to his left hand and gave Lucky Conn a couple of good slaps! Lucky Conn responded and fought back! Turning a neck disadvantage. To regaining the lead away from Norcliffe. And in a desperate and thrilling confrontation. Holding on to beat Norcliffe by a nose!!! John and I were beyond happy after this exhilarating win by Lucky Conn and Michael Quong. John and I walked out of the Fort Erie Racetrack with over $550 in our pockets. And lots of joy in our hearts!

This race would be the 3rd win in the race riding career of jockey "Michael Quong". Norcliffe would come back in two weeks to win the Prince of Wales Stakes. From this day on. I would refer to Michael Quong as the Killer! The Giant Killer that is. Michael would go on to a successful jockey career on the tough Ontario Thoroughbred Circuit. Also wining lots of races for the Sheldon Wolfe racing stable!


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