We are now less than 3 weeks away from the start of the run for the 2012 Triple Crown.
I just got done watching the movie Secretariat and by far it is has to be the best horse racing movie I have seen. I was just a young lad and don't remember any of what took place and it was nice to see how it all went down.
My grandfather rest his soul was a horse owner when I was a young lad and had horses at the track known at that time as the graveyard for horses Waterford Park which is now known as Mountaineer Park.
I believe I was lucky to see my grandfather twice in my life and can remember having to sit in the car as my mom and grandmother attended his funeral. I can recall sitting on a couch somewhere and meeting my grandfather and that's all I remember.
I know when he passed away my grandmother sold off his horses as she didn't have any idea about the business.
I spent a lot of time at the track in my teen years and I spent even more time when I hit 18 years old. People knew who I was and it was funny here is an 18 year old kid that guys in their 60's and 70's were coming up to and asking for tips. They remembered my grandfather and I was always welcome.
Those days are long gone now and this movie reminded me of my childhood and those days at the track. I have a few fond memories specifically in 1989 with Sunday Silence. I totally fell in love with this horse as a two year old and his rivalry with Easy Goer resembles a lot of Secretariat/Sham rivalry. The only chapter missing for Sunday Silence was the Belmont.
My other fond memory is when I organized a bus trip down to the track and had a race named after the company I worked for. I still have the picture and our group in the winner circle as the great Jim Dolan called out our group led by yours truly.
My favorite all time horse at Mountaineer was a horse named The Pilot. I went down to the track every time he ran and put a lot of money on him and he delivered more often than not. I can recall one big Memorial Day race he was 15-1 and went firing out of the gate and was leading at the top of stretch and down to the final straight away. Needless to say he was consumed and finished last. I'll never forget how loud I was cheering at the track and people thought I was nuts. But hell I bet my money and that's what your supposed to do.
If you haven't seen this movie, I suggest you do. It's been out a few years but when DTV had a Starz freeview I dvr'd it for a later date.
I am glad I did, Oh Happy Day!
.png)
