We Are All Just Subjects In The Kingdom

     Graham Motion walked shed row of Team Valor’s barn with his son Marcus waiting for Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom to arrive at his new home in Fair Hill, Maryland. The barn is cool and bright and tucked away in a corner of the pastoral setting that is the Fair Hill Training Center.

     The daily serenity of 5,700 acres of parkland, trails and streams had been thrown into a state of upheaval by local, and not-so-local, media waiting outside to report Animal Kingdom’s arrival by van.

     “You never really expect things like this to happen,” he said. “And we definitely didn’t expect it to happen this fast.”

     But “It” had happened and the path to having the uniquely bred chestnut colt land in a newly purchased barn was not without twists and turns, not without struggles and not without a little bit a good fortune.

     Motion started out 2010 a little slowly by his standards, but rode a string of graded stakes wins by his trainees all the way to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf last November at Churchill Downs.

     That run of success married up perfectly with Team Valor CEO Barry Irwin’s desire to have all of their horses in one place, under one trainer, away from a racetrack and in a much more European training center.  Irwin found all he wanted in Graham Motion, Herringswell Stables and Fair Hill.

     The horses Irwin sent Motion included Pluck, Crimson China and Animal Kingdom.  Pluck had just won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. Crimson China was purchased for the expressed reason of running in the Kentucky Derby. And Animal Kingdom, he was an Irwin homebred by a lightly regarded sire whose name most cannot pronounce. But to be certain, he was bred to run all day.

     As the equine transport tractor-trailer rolled through dust it had kicked up pulling down the remote gravel lane on a part of the training center you could hardly find by accident, Motion was there with family, friends and the media. Motion would tell the media, “"I'm trying not to think about it too much to be honest,” adding, “I'm just trying to enjoy winning the Derby right now."

     In the group of well-wishers was Motion’s wife Anita and daughter Jane.  There were several Herringswell employees, recent Barbaro author Alex Brown and even on-air racing analyst Jeannine Edwards showed up to watch.

     Apparently the drive from Louisville to Fair Hill left Animal Kingdom a little hungry.  He loped off the van and immediately commenced grazing. From a distance he looks like a big horse, but up close he doesn’t exactly give you impression of being a smallish thoroughbred racer. He is immense and muscular. He is built like a tank top to bottom. And, according to Assistant Trainer Heather Craig, he is a cool customer who is un-phased by much.

     As news crews converged he paid little mind. When one news crew did a live shot from in front of his stall, Animal Kingdom laid down to take a nap.  The reporter knelt down and so did the cameraman so they could keep the resting Derby winner in the shot.

     The ways this story seems to be perfect are many. Trying to find the right way to lead into it, well, it is hard to go wrong. Which one is more appropriate:

1.     Family man, all-around gentleman and consummate professional wins Kentucky Derby.

2.     The anti-Dutrow, one of the few US-based trainers never to have had a positive drug violation, just won the Kentucky Derby.

3.     British native, training a horse sired by a Brazilian-bred, with a German-bred dam, confounds all Kentucky Derby bloodline logic while winning the Derby.

     There are more possible leads, but all of them are accurate. We haven’t even really touched on the brilliance of Team Valor CEO Barry Irwin.  After Pluck returned to racing in 2011 with lackluster performances, there were some who questioned such a massive move to putting all his horses under Motion’s care. Was it the right move?

     The stunning win by Animal Kingdom in the Vinery Spiral at Turfway quieted some critics. Even then, some said it was just a win by a horse bred for the turf over a synthetic surface.

     What happened last Saturday pretty much silenced all those critics.  Sure, critics are critics from gate-to-wire. For now many are joining Graham Motion, the class act that he is, and sitting back, enjoying a rather satisfying Derby win. The fan and media attention are slowly growing at Fair Hill.  If the pace of this week is any indication, there will be a downright invasion force of media and fans camped out to glimpse Animal Kingdom. Here is hoping the Derby winning horse handles it all as well as the Derby winning trainer.

How "Horse Country" Is Lexington?

     When they say Lexington, Kentucky is horse country, one might ask, how much? To give you an idea, I have been in Lexington for three days, seen nothing but horses and with the exception of driving past it, haven’t entered Keeneland Race Course once.

     Lexington is still horse country any other time of the year. The last week of April magnifies this label to a whole new level. Derby Fever is taking hold of the thoroughbred world. The Rolex 3-Day Event is under way with competitors from around the world. It is the highest rated competition of its type held in the United States.  There is even the Kentucky Reining Cup during Rolex.   All of this, and we haven’t touched the 400 horse farms in the midst of breeding season or the Keeneland Spring Meet – drawing to a close tomorrow.

     Which brings us back to this plethora of horse-related event choices all sandwiched into one week. I will concede I am not Kentucky native. I know very little about the inner workings of the horse industry. I do know horse racing, and, while I photograph racing for editorial reasons, there is no way I would do it if I didn’t love horses as much as I do. Kind of a nice added benefit, loving what you are doing.

     So I coaxed my family into a “working vacation” to the Bluegrass State the week before the Kentucky Derby. Rolex is a major equestrian event so why not weave in, more like why not become immersed in, everything Kentucky.

     There aren’t very many sports where the stars retire and you get to hang out with them.  If I had asked my oldest daughter which retired athlete she wanted to go visit, I doubt I would have been able to deliver on the request. Try to go visit Michael Jordan and Pete Rose and see where that gets you. Horse racing is quite different.

     I was expecting Zenyatta or Rachel Alexandra, but she responded, rather quickly I might add, “I want to see Big Brown.” Well, she got to see Big Brown at Three Chimneys.  The folks there are quite accommodating - their tours are excellent, their horses are amazing, the grounds are perfectly kept and they have the Seattle Slew monument.

     Now it was my turn. If you haven’t tried to schedule a farm visit, it can be quite vexing. Plan way ahead. Most tours book quickly. Darley – no go. Lane’s End – not there either. Calumet – not a shot.  I did have one that was still at the top of my list and it was a yes at Claiborne Farm.

     Not only is the 3100-acre Hancock-run establishment the home of Blame, his daddy Arch and War Front, but also six out of eleven Triple Crown winners were bred there.  The on-site cemetery is a walk through racing history, including the graves of such racing greats as Secretariat, Mr. Prospector, Gallant Fox, Bold Ruler and many more.

     According to Rodeo, our tour guide at Claiborne and a regular groom, the usual horses visitors get to see are Pulpit and Eddington. He asked if anyone wanted to see a different stallion and I promptly requested Arch.  It was a tough call, but Blame isn’t siring a potential Derby winner for a while and I liked Arch anyway.

     It turns out that Rodeo is also Arch’s regular handler. You could see they had formed a bond over the years.  It wasn’t just a groom trotting out a stallion. Arch knew Rodeo and Arch knew Rodeo owed him a payment of at least one peppermint for being nice to the visitors.  Claiborne and Three Chimneys are must visits.

     If not horses in Kentucky, then what? Well, for many, the next word is bourbon.  It was labeled in the Bourbon Act of 1964 by President Lyndon Johnson and Congress as uniquely American. They declared only whiskey distilled in the United States could be called bourbon.  While many think it is only distilled in Kentucky, it can be made in other locations – it just happens that 95% is made in the Bluegrass.

     For a reminder of these facts and for a tour of the oldest bourbon distillery in Kentucky, one only needs to drive 20 minutes west of Lexington on I-64 to Woodford Reserve Distillery.  Distilling began at the location in 1797 and the building was erected in 1838.  Not only will you learn more than one could imagine about Kentucky Straight Bourbon, but you will get a sample of their wares at the end of the tour. An added bonus for visitors is free Rebecca-Ruth Bourbon Ball chocolates. The supply is seemingly endless.

     Back in Lexington, we still haven’t touched Keeneland. There is so much more to this town and much of it is horse-related. I will try to address some of that in a follow-up posting. For now, Rolex 3-Day has taken center stage. Day 1 for the Dressage Test is down and great weather is on tap for the weekend. Also in the works is a visit to Michael Blowen’s Old Friends Equine.

     We wrote about Lexington in one of the first Stride LIVE posts. If you love horses, there is no better time to be in Lexington than right now. Any trip to Lexington can be bookended right into Derby week. Does it get any better?

Two Journalists Killed In Libya

Reflecting on the work, the lives and the sacrifices of photojournalists Chris Hondros and Tim Hetherington

by Scott Serio

     As hundreds of journalists, photographers, videographers and writers alike prepare to converge on Louisville, Kentucky for the 137^th Kentucky Derby, recent events half way around the world serve to remind us that, sometimes, in the grand scheme of things, whether or not Jaycito runs is just a triviality.

     News broke early yesterday that photojournalists Chris Hondros and Tim Hetherington had been killed while covering the action in Misurata, Libya.  The latter will be known by some as the co-director of the gripping documentary “Restrepo”.  Hondros was little known outside of the journalism community, but to those in the community his work and his character were highly respected.

     Take a look at a few of his most amazing images. I say this now, they are screen grabs, they are his work and if Getty or someone wants compensation for them, I will gladly pay.

    
     This posting is a small tribute and a reminder there are many more important things in the world than horse racing.  People like Hondros and Hetherington risk their lives to bring light to the struggles of those less fortunate than we are.  Hondros spent his professional career photographing conflicts all over the world.  He was witness to things many of us do not even want to imagine.

  
    As some know, in real life I am a police officer.  I know the dangers of working in one of the more violent cities in the country. I am also a photojournalist. Having seen both ends of this, I have the utmost respect for Hondros and Hetherington.  When things go bad, even when I am being what some might consider heroic, I’m not. I have a gun, but if worse comes to worst, I can call for backup. When it is really bad, I have SWAT.

    
     What Hondros and Hetherington did, they waded into situation 1000x worse, without a gun and keep their lenses up and on the conflict.  While risking their lives, and ultimately giving their lives, they delivered on a personal promise to be a voice for those who otherwise would not be heard.

     So as you load up your suitcase, decide on your Derby hat and figure out what wagers you are about to make in Louisville, take a moment to think about Chris Hondros and Tim Hetherington. Think about their sacrifice. Think about the sacrifices of the men and women whose stories they told.  

     Here are some links to see more images and learn more about Hondros and Hetherington:

http://cjchivers.com/post/4794700317/almost-dawn-in-libya-chris-tim-heading-home

http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/20/parting-glance-chris-hondros/?partner=rss&emc=rss

http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/20/parting-glance-tim-hetherington/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/19052606#19052606

 

Who's In Your Stable? The Top 10 in the RTTR Contest

     It is doubtful they had any inside information, but the folks who are currently in the Top 10 of Stride LIVE’s “Road To The Roses Derby Contest” have certainly distinguished themselves throughout this Kentucky Derby prep season.

      Out of the 20, 730 entries in the RTTR contest, the leader for our league sits at #328 overall.  Keith Cooper’s 221 points are not far from the top either.  The contest leader has 280 points.  There are also four entries that have exactly ZERO points. Not sure how you pulled that off.

      Gary Schneekloth has two entries in the Top 10 and sits in 2^nd and 4^th in the Stride LIVE league. You want a sleeper stable though, look at Sue Kawcyznski’s stable. Sue K. has Archarcharch, Dialed In, Mucho Macho Man, Nehro, The Factor, Toby’s Corner and Uncle Mo. She is tied for 17^th place at 150 points, but is stacked with horses who seem to be running their best.

      For those with a chance to win, interestingly, many have Dialed In and Mucho Macho Man, but only the aforementioned Sue K. has Archarcharch. Hmm. Either way, good luck to everyone. Here is the full Top 10.

League Rank	Score	Stable Name	Player	Hometown
1	221	Zain-in-my-heart Stable	Keith Cooper	cassatt
2	212	Bourbon Bliss Barn	Gary Schneekloth	Alexandria
3	211	CMCC	Barry Mitchell	Inglewood
4	193	Kelso's Kennel	Gary Schneekloth	Alexandria
5	182	Rose Oaks Stable	Valerie Klein	Portland
6	179	SmartyAl's Stable	Alfred Hilbert	Eastampton
7	178	Thornridge Racing III	Deborah Slagle	Morrisville
8	164	Niteowl Racing	Ashley Bolsei	LeRoy
9	163	Pajarito	Linda Daly	los alamos
10	160	ChiTown to Derby #2	Thomas Haydock	Mundelein

THE BIG PICTURE on The Derby Trail

     This most recent week of thoroughbred racing action did not to clear the Kentucky Derby picture one bit.  The last “favorite” in everyone’s mind was The Factor. Depending who you ask, either he folded like a tent in the stretch or he “flipped his palette” during the stretch run and faded.

     Either way, Archarcharch has won two graded Derby preps this season – and he wasn't, and probably still isn’t on anyone’s Top 10 list. Nine hours to the East, Keeneland’s Bluegrass Stakes provided another shocking finish that landed a son of Three Chimney’s stallion Dynaformer in the Top 20 of graded earnings.  The last Dynaformer of note on the  Derby Trail – Barbaro.

     While confusion reigned supreme in the three-year-old ranks, many venerable campaigners continued to make their mark and build resumes that would hopefully punch tickets to the 2011 Breeders’ Cup.

     Photos from the best of the week's racing action are the flavor this week. Please excuse the obnoxiously large watermarks, we just need to protect the rights of our image provider Eclipse Sportswire. All photos produced by Eclipse Sportswire are provided for the readers of Stride LIVE, and all rights are reserved.

     Enjoy…

Russell Road returns to his winning ways with Travis Dunkelberger aboard in the Confucius Say Stakes and Charles Town Races and Slots.

Get Stormy wins the Maker's Mark Mile at Keeneland.

The Jenny Wiley at Keeneland Race Course

Jon Court gives a thumbs up after Archarcharch wins the Arkansas Derby.

Shotgun Gulch storms home for the win in the Vinery Madison at Keeneland.

Sweet Goodbye draws clear for a win in the $250,000 TVG Sugar Maple Stakes at Charles Town Race and Slots.

Juniper Pass and Rafael Bejarano(left) hold off Imponente Purse and Chantal Sutherland to win the San Juan Capistrano .Handicap at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, CA

Turbulent Descent wins The Beaumont at Keeneland Race Course.

Brilliand Speed surges by on the outside for the win in the Bluegrass Stakes at Keeneland.

Michael Blowen, founder and president of Old Friends Equine Retirement home in Georgetown, KY, with recent retiree Ball Four after he paraded in the paddock during a morning demonstration for Keeneland visitors. Old Friends recently found out they were in dire need of emergency funding after a bank error put them more than $200,000 behind in payments. Old Friends is still in need of financial assistance.

  

"Jersey Joe" Bravo coasts Duke of Mischief to the wire at Charles Town Race and Slots to be the first horse to win the first graded stakes races ever contested at the 6-furlong oval since its opening.  This was the third running of the $1,000,000 Charles Town Classic.