Next on my list to honor and remember is "Bull Myson". This classy speed horse. Was one of my all time favorite Wolfe runners! It was also very disappointing to me. That we did not win at least one stakes race with this quality racehorse. For Bull Myson was just a shade away from being a Grade 1 champion.
Bull Myson was owned by a syndicate. Which included; Mel and Garry Bennett, the Schmidt's from Buffalo, my mom and dad owned and piece. Also yours truly also owned a share of this quality racehorse.
My dad named Bull Myson. His name was derived from heavyweight champion boxer Mike Tyson. As my dad has always been a huge fight fan. Bull Myson was sired by European speed horse "Peterhof". Like most of the best horse that competed out of the Wolfe Barn. Bull Myson was very promising as a two year old. But was unraced at two. Bull Myson had a very laid back and stoic personality. Bull Myson was an intelligent gentleman. Who was a serious athlete, and was great to work with.
Bull Myson was wintered in Florida. And made his 3 year old lifetime debut at the Greenwood spring meet April 2, 1989. Bull Myson competed in a maiden $50,000 claiming race, at 4 1/2 furlongs. The Wolfe barn was taking lots of edge over the competition in this race.
When track announcer Dan Loiselle said "There Off" and the starting gate opened. Bull Myson hesitated slightly leaving the starting gate. However made the lead easily shortly after the start of this race. Irwin Driedger was riding Bull Myson. In the run down the backstretch Bull Myson had settled into his full stride. And was pulling away from the field without any urging from Irwin. Down the strength Bull Myson was running away to win his first start by 8 lengths. Gliding over the finish line in a quick :52 seconds flat! There were no claims in for our new star. What a fantastic debut!
That summer Bull Myson scored allowance wins at Woodbine on May 21 and on June 8. Also our speed star would finish 2nd in 4 graded stakes races. Making the lead in all of these races easily. Also in several of his races. He would dominate the pace breaking :44 seconds for the first 1/2 mile on 2 occasions. Only to falter in the final strides of the race to narrowly loose. That was very frustrating indeed.
The grind on a racehorse is severe. They have to work hard to achieve success in the racing business. Lots of gallops and lots of workouts. To prepare for the races. After Bull Myson 3 year old year. The great races he had run in 1990 had taken there toll. His front legs were now showing strain. Bull Myson would not win in his 4 year old campaign, and would be laid up after suffering an injury.
Bull Myson would make a successful comeback to the races in 1991. However when we had taken Bull Myson to compete at the summer Churchill Downs meet, 1991. The beginning of navicular disease was diagnosed. After a sub-par performance on the opening day of the Churchill Downs summer meet. Navicular disease is an inflammation or degeneration of the navicular bone and it surrounding tissues. It can cause pain or lameness in the front feet of the horse.
Lucky for us. We were now racing in Kentucky. Where anti-inflammatory medications is legal and widely used. Our veterinarian had started Bull Myson on medication. Sure enough. Our speedy star was back to training like the Bull Myson of old. I can remember sending Bull Myson out for a 1/2 workout. About 10 days after he had been training on the anti-inflamitory drugs. Canjun star jockey Larry Melancon was riding Bull Myson in the workout. I watched Bull Myson glide by me and racetrack clocker with ease. His quick smooth stride looked perfect and he was full of run. Smoke was coming off of the racetarck. It wasn't dust. Bull Myson had breezed the 1/2 mile in 46.3 and galloped out the 5 furlongs in 59 seconds flat. The Bull was back! He was up to racing again, at his best! I was delighted!!!
Bull Myson made his second start at Churchill Downs on June 6, 1991. In a 6 furlong allowance race. With Larry Melancon as his pilot. Now the Kentucky race fans were
going to get a good look at the talent of a fine racehorse named "Bull Myson". The gate opened and the race was underway. As always Bull Myson sprang to the lead with a lighting quick start. Bull Myson controlled the pace in the run down the backstretch. With an opening quarter mile in 22 seconds, and the 1/2 in 45.4. Larry was just steering the Bull as the field turned for home. Bull Myson had a commanding 3 length lead with one furlong left to race. No stopping in this race as Bull Myson held on to win the 6 furlong dash in 1:10.4, by two lengths. Bull Myson had won this race on his great class and talent that he possessed.
Bull Myson was sold before the Churchill Downs summer meet had ended. It was sad to have him leave our barn. Talented and classy racehorses are very hard to find!
Now you can enjoy watching Bull Myson race.
His maiden win at Greenwood in 1989; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW53FThytyo
Bull Myson Wins at Churchill Downs; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CER_BLvqQU
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