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Sean Clancy There comes a time.
Valerie Buck, who had a set list of Wait A While, Fleet Indian, Rags To Riches and Octave one morning at Saratoga, broke her neck when a filly slipped and fell on the road near the Oklahoma training track in October, 2009. Buck came back. Had another surgery. Came back. Broke her ankle.
It’s all about the kids.
First there was Ryan, then Jack and Jane. Of course, Nolan. Emmy and Lucca made some guest appearances. Chappy, if Nolan was there. Trevor McCarron wanted to hang off the side of the cart like he was auditioning for the X Games. A slew of others, day-trippers and seasonals, hopping in the golf cart and going for a ride.
Happy Birthday James Edward “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons. The Hall of Fame trainer was born on July 23, 1874. We missed it by a day (if reader Dan Haney would have just texted Tuesday instead of Wednesday…) but, technically, I’m typing this on his birthday.
Robert Fulghum wrote “All I Really Need to Know I learned in Kindergarten” in 1986. A classic international bestseller, it has sold more than 7 million copies. Remember Fulghum’s words of wisdom?
Share everything, play fair, don’t hit people…
Every year at Saratoga, I see Steve Jordan and the former trainer looks me in the eye and waits.
“He’s doing great,” I say.
Jordan smiles. Relief and amazement, like everything is right in the world again.
This year, I can’t tell him that.
“He’s gone, Steve.”
Michael Matz stood at the top of the clubhouse box seats and stared across the infield of Saratoga. Awed.
We are back in business. Our allies rallied. Thank you. That’s the last we’ll write about it. Hopefully. Now we can write about Saratoga – about the victories, the defeats, the track, the town, the horses, the characters, the moments.
Corey Lanerie decelerated Take Charge Brandi after the Schuylerville and looked over at John Velazquez who was doing the same aboard Fashion Alert.
Really? It has to come to this. Talking to lawyers instead of trainers the day before the meet? Rallying allies instead of rallying quotes? Fielding calls about audacity, instead of brilliance.
After 13 years of making a newspaper work, without any investors, without anything but work ethic, skill and a love of the game. After 13 years of late nights and early mornings. After all the issues, all the problems, all the snafus and all the politics (remember Getnick & Getnick, Empire Racing, Friends of New York Racing…?).
The calendar counts down to Saratoga. Apologies for being editorial light this week, but we’ve been selling ads and unpacking boxes in anticipation of Saratoga. While Saratoga looms, racing rips around the world from Ascot to Assiniboia. As for talent, Arlington and Delaware Park have produced stellar cards. Build up the Saratoga bankroll and enjoy a roiling day of racing.
