Winner's Circle - A psssion for racing

I wish I could take the world back there. Saratoga is special in many ways, but nowhere is it better then amongst its storied barns. I went to Allen Jerkens’s barn to see a filly that friends own. My connections to this filly go a little further; I put the early training into her. She was a special student right from the start, quick to learn, eager to please, and naturally I fell in love with her.

Vicarious is not royally bred and she is not physically imposing, her forte is her willingness. When she left my care, I ardently hoped she would go to people who would give her a chance and that she would continue to be happy. So far, so good - she went to Suzy Haslup in Aiken, South Carolina. Suzy did a great job putting the finishing touches on her. A few of her owners lived in or within driving distance of Aiken and Vicarious became one of the most photographed maidens in the world. She loved the attention and I was assured through these photos that she was indeed a happy horse.

The filly’s next stop was Belmont Park. Because Allen Jerkens was familiar with some accomplished runners a ways back in her pedigree, he agreed to train her. You might guess how happy I was to hear that this little filly was now in “The Chief’s” barn.

My history with Vicarious serves only to illustrate why I am so interested in her wellbeing. My visit to her at the barn was special. She seemed happy to have company and became especially elated to discover I had carrots in my bag. About this time Allen came by in his golf cart. He ignored me; his thoughts were obviously focused on his horses. My thoughts reeled around all this man has accomplished in this sport. I thrilled to think how beautifully this sport has furnished this man’s life. Several carrots later I walked over to watch a horse jog on Clare Court.

My cell phone rang. I feared the call might cause me to leave this setting far too soon. Thankfully that was not the case. The call was from Mary Grant with an invitation to visit Evening Attire. I was elated. That story appears in another article but really it’s all the same story. Racing is a great sport and I lament that most people miss the myraid nuances which add so many pleasing dimensions. By definition people connected to horses tend to live vicariously through them. The enhancement horses add to the lives of people is immeasurable. The importance of making this known outside our small circle is vitally important.

A Gallup Poll conducted shortly after the Kentucky Derby yielded an alarming result. Thirty-eight percent of the people polled think horse-racing should be banned. What those people don’t know can hurt this industry. They have just enough knowledge to think that a trainer called “The Giant Killer” might literally slay horses. Those of us who love this industry have an obligation to turn the tide. We need to tell them many more vicarious stories. They need to know that for every Eight Belles there are thousands like Vicarious. If we do a good job of spreading that news we can expect to see the percentage of negative opinions about our sport substantially reduced.