Fifty-two years this past August, my father became the Publisher of The Richmond Daily Register which was the name of the local paper in 1970 and moved our family to Richmond, Kentucky. Next, my father became a proud owner of a few thoroughbred mares, and I was introduced to horse racing. For most, it is either love at first sight or not really interested in gambling. For me, it was excitement, the beautiful scenery of central Kentucky and Keeneland, competition, trainers, jockeys, and a love for my introduction to horse racing.
Most of my friends know that I am a southern boy at heart and a true sports junkie. Many have heard me cheer for my favorite football teams (Roll Tide, Go Colonels, and Go Cats); give a hard time to a referee or opponent at a basketball or football game; watch the last few laps of a NASCAR race; stand short and proud and chant “USA” at the opening of any Olympic ceremony; scream “In” or “Out” watching Wimbledon or the U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows; cheer for my favorite golfer and dreaming of playing 18 holes with my father at Augusta; welcome the most exciting 2 minutes in horse racing on the first Saturday in May which occasionally fell on my father’s birthday; or think about the glory days when I was in high school and Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Pedro Borbon, Joe Morgan, and the Big Red Machine took the field at Crosley.
Today, I stop for a moment and count my sports’ blessings. This week is when the Breeders’ Cup makes its third stop at Keeneland. The thoroughbred world will turn their eyes and focus on Keeneland Friday and Saturday.
In 1984, the dream and plan of John Gaines came to life and the year-end championship was introduced at Hollywood Park. On a sad note, Hollywood Park today is no longer a horse track but is the home of SoFi Stadium, You Tube Theater, Hollywood Park Casino, NFL Network, NFL RedZone, NFL.com, and the NFL app.
Breeders’ Cup races begin with Race 6 at 3 p.m. and continue through Race 10 at 5:40 p.m. on NBC. There are five preliminary races for the betting public on Friday. Saturday racing begins with two more preliminary races at 10:30 a.m. The first Breeders’ Cup on Saturday is Race 3 at 11:50 p.m. and ends with the lucky Race 11 at 5:40 p.m. which is the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic. There is one last chance on Saturday to break even with Keeneland or Race 12 which is a bonus race for those of you who enjoy placing a small bet.
Oh yeah, in 2004, Ghostzapper won the Breeder’s Cup Classic at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas which was a nice distraction for Jeb, Tommy, and me while living and working in Texas. In 2005, we made the trip to Belmont and watched Saint Liam win the Classic. Then in 2007, we were there with Tom and LA when Curlin won at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey. It was a thrill of a lifetime to take a picture in Keeneland’s paddock of American Pharoah and Honor Code who were the winner and third-place finishers of the Classic in 2015. In addition, this horse racing fan has seen Blame upset Zenyatta’s in 2010 at Churchill Downs in Louisville which was Zenyatta’s only career loss after winning 19 races. The crowd was visibly upset and completely silent, except for a few inners. Also, it was my pleasure to watch Arrogate win the 2016 Breeder’s Cup Classic at Santa Anita.
Finally, I am looking forward with anticipation to this weekend at Keeneland. My father taught me press passes are truly special tickets and were a way of life for me during my 12-year career working at what became The Richmond Register.
Thank you to Wallingford Media for giving me this opportunity to pay tribute to my father’s passion for horse racing, love for horse racing, and the thrill of standing in the Winner’s Circle at Keeneland. I am positive that Dad will be looking down with a smile on his face.
One last note, I sure do wish that I would have taken the advice of two high school classmates who told me that I should go over to Keeneland and attempt to become a jockey in 1970. Who knows?
My cheer this weekend in the Breeder’s Cup Classic is “Go Flightline.” This son of Tapit has one five straight races and is the talk of the town.
(Join David Shew and Randy O’Neal this week with coverage of all the fun, racing, and pageantry of this week’s Breeders Cup at Keeneland. Recaps, insight, analisys, and handicapping of the races all on WBON-TV9 Facebook page.)
