Saturday Backstretch with Gordon

Well, it's finally the final day of the two-week Grand Circuit meet at The Red Mile, and it's a raw Saturday morning in Lexington. The sun is expected to come out this afternoon but the high is expected to barely reach 60. Still, it's a far cry from yesterday's nearly-all-day rain, including three monsoon-type storms that soaked the track during the afternoon. With the weather being a bit of a downer the past two weeks, I think the only person really, really happy was Jeremy, who owns the gift shop, who was doing blockbuster business every time I went by his area on the main floor as people were clamoring for raingear and warm-weather attire.

 

One thing about the weather, it took away some of the beauty of the backstretch normally seen. There were plenty of flowers around though, and it was still nice to walk through and take it all in. 

 

I am still amazed that despite the poor conditions yesterday that horses still turned in stellar performances. The 1:50.3 mile by the 2-year-old pacer All Speed Hanover was still the buzz at the sale last night. Kudos to the Coon brothers for the work on the track.

 

I saw the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association general manager Jerry Knappenberger out at Fasig-Tipton and he mentioned it. He also mentioned that he began coming to the Grand Circuit meet in 1964 and hasn't missed a year since. "Knappy" said this was the worst weather over the two weeks that he remembers. He also told me he was celebrating his 67th birthday yesterday, so happy birthday Knappy.

 

I also saw Brent MacGrath, the trainer and co-owner of the 2008 Horse of the Year Somebeachsomewhere. I asked Brent how things were going and he said everything was good, but it was far different this year than last. I asked if he had bid on the full sister to Somebeachsomewhere at the opening-night session of the sale and he said he went up to $130,000 before dropping out. The filly was eventually purchased for $210,000. Jimmy Takter walked by as Brent and I were chatting and Jimmy asked Brent if he was missing the excitement this year, and Brent laughed and he said he definitely was.

 

Back to Saturday morning, I took a short stroll through the barn area, but there wasn't too much action going on. So I walked to the race office and waved hello to Billy and Dill, and then made it to the judges' office, where Rich, Lou and Coach were. Dan Coon was also in there and he asked what the hot news was this morning. I told Dan that the only hot news was the fact that there were still amazing miles yesterday despite the weather.

 

Rich's wife, Donna, was also there, and she grabbed something from the computer printer and handed it to Dan. It was a picture of Dan with his hand in the bag of kettle corn, which was typical since I think pretty much every time I saw Dan during the week he had a handful of the corn.

 

In closing this final Backstretch column of 2009, thanks to Steve and Cindy Stewart's Hunterton Sales Agency for ther kind sponsorship this year. Thanks to all the horsemen who didn't run when they say me coming, not afraid to be mentioned here. Thanks to Kathy Parker for sending me to the track every morning and for letting me stay dry in the clubhouse yesterday afternoon while doing my work. And thanks to everyone who took the time to read.