Editor's note: Terry Hill, who brought unique life experience, talent and style to his spot on The Saratoga Special editorial team last summer, was among the crowd at Woodbine for two-time Horse of the Year Secretariat's final start in the Canadian International Stakes 46 years ago today, Oct. 28, 1973. Hill, 75, wrote the following piece last spring when we asked for a sample of his work. Enjoy.
The one you have been waiting for, the one we have been waiting for, the Bill Mott Stable Tour. In an annual tradition, Sean Clancy walked with the Hall of Famer, opening up screens, leaning over runners to meet Mott’s 30 horses stabled on the Oklahoma training track Friday morning. (Originally published in Aug. 31 digital issue of The Saratoga Special)
Robin Smullen answered with the perfect two-word reply.
Phil Bauer is winding down his third summer in upstate New York before he heads back to Churchill Downs. A former assistant to Ken McPeek, Bauer is the private trainer for Richard and Tammy Rigney’s Rigney Racing. (Originally published in Aug. 29 digital issue of The Saratoga Special)
Pick a dark day, that’s what we’ve learned. It’s the best time to ask Jimmy Jerkens for a Stable Tour. Hands-on like his Hall of Fame father, Allen, Jerkens will take his time if there is time, that goes for the tour and for his training. (Originally published in Aug. 25 issue of The Saratoga Special)
There is nothing like doing a Stable Tour with Shug McGaughey. The Hall of Famer mentions a horse’s name and might follow that with another name and another name and another name, spilling out blue-blood runners who dance off any pedigree page. (Originally published in Aug. 24 issue of The Saratoga Special)
