Yesterday’s heroes serve to remind of today’s needs
I enjoyed reading Steven Crist’s Aug. 12 column, “Fond farewell for two working-class heroes‚” that noted the passing of Gato Del Sol and the retirement of Funny Cide. It was interesting to see the correlation between horses who have done something for the fans of racing also being horses who are helping the lesser-known stars of racing.
The gesture extended by the Hancock family in bringing back Gato Del Sol from Europe stands as an inspiration to those working to save the lives of other horses cast off from the track or stud farm. And Sackatoga Stable has been a class act in its campaign of Funny Cide, and even more so in his retirement, which has been used to raise badly needed funds for Thoroughbred adoption and retirement.
Recently another horse was rescued from a “kill” pen located not too far away from the storied track at Saratoga. This 9-year-old gelding had raced 96 times, notching up 17 wins. As a 3-year-old, he was classy enough to compete in the Wood Memorial. But instead of cheering fans celebrating his retirement, he stood sore and confused in a pen waiting for his final ride. This horse was pulled from that pen by Another Chance 4 Horses with help from the Fans of Barbaro.
And in a location very close to the track that saw Funny Cide’s last victory, the fate of another 9-year old gelding hung in the balance. He earned $99,000 the hard way – by running in the staggering number of 138 races. And staggering is about what he did in his last race at the same track that saw Funny Cide’s victory lap. With no one interested in purchasing him as a sport or pleasure-ride prospect, he was soon scheduled to go on that last ride. The Exceller Fund was able to secure his future, and he is now resting at a rehab farm and learning what it means to be a horse.
Stories like these occur almost every day with rescue volunteers at or near many of the lower-level tracks. While a lot of these horses may not be “famous,” I will bet dollars to donuts that many of them have probably completed a trifecta or superfecta ticket that paid quite handsomely. These are the horses who are the bread and butter of the everyday reality of this sport. These are the horses who reward the astute handicapper or even the lucky $2 player. These are the horses who deserve so much more than many of them get. That is why it gladdened my heart to read an article that celebrates the “blue collar” horses among the Kentucky Derby winners!
Bonnie Mizrahi - President, The Exceller Fund