It was suppose to be the coming out party for Honor Code. Everyone in the horse racing community waited for the eight race on Wednesday March 12, at Gulfstream Park. The race was filled with nice horses that had done minimal work on the triple crown circuit. In the next few months after this race the probability of every seeing one of these horses win a grade one or even become grade one place was probably slim to none. I sat glued to the television wondering how many lengths would Honor Code win by. He had the best jockey in the country, Javier Castellano on his back. His trainer was last year's Kentucky Derby winner, Shug McGaughey. His owners campaigned super horse Mineshaft, and Honor Code is by world class AP Indy. The starter unlatched the gate and they were off running. The leader was some horse that the track announcer was calling but who really cared. I was waiting for Honor Code to make his move and unleashed the power that overtook Cairo Prince. They turned for home, and then suddenly a light bulb flashed over my head. This leader wasn't coming back to the pack and Honor Code wasn't gaining any ground. Larry Collmus shouted track record, he shouted ten lengths. I sat back and laughed, because horse racing will get you every time you think you have these magnificent animals figured out. Luis Contreras probably was as stunned as everyone at the track or watching on the tube. I know Castellano was shocked. Shug McGaughey sounded confused post race interview. The day and subsequent days to followed belong to Social Inclusion, his trainer Manny Azpura, and owner Ron Sanchez of Rontos Racing Stable. Everyone immediately began to talk about how much would this horse would go for. That was a logical leap as owners with deep pockets are always looking to find the next Derby winner. I recalled watching Curlin breaking his maiden at Gulfstream by twelve lengths and the deep pockets dug deep to buy controlling interest in the horse at the time. Curlin went on to do some amazing things locally and internationally. The price tag for Social Inclusion was a staggering fifteen million dollars after rejecting eight millions. I laughed. An allowance winner. I love the game, but after watching horse racing for over thirty years I have seen some remarkable mind blowing performances that never quite lived up to the encore. I shared with anyone who would listen why I would take the money and find a nice retreat back in my native country Jamaica. But my mindset and the owners are different. In the days to follow, I was even more surprise when owner Ron Sanchez said they were going to hold onto to the horse until after the Wood at Aqueduct. What? In the stock market you sell when the stock his peaking. You don't sit around and wait to see what it will do a few weeks from now. I laughed again because when you think you have this game figured out someone or something make you realize otherwise. I am looking forward to this Saturday's Wood Memorial. It should be an superb race with Uncle Sight and Samraat, and now Social Inclusion. Some of the most memorable winners of the Wood Memorial are Eskendereya, Bellamy Road and I Want Revenge. Those horses sticks out in my mind because of the manner in which they won the race. Eskendereya walked away from the field under jockey Johnny Velasquez with such ease that I thought the Kentucky Derby was his for the taken, but the racing gods struck and we never saw him do his thing on the first Saturday of May. Bellamy Road who was owned by the Yankee Boss took the race to them under Castellano and finished them off, even allowing Castellano to wag his finger at the crowd that day. I was there. It was a wow traveling through the old Aqueduct grandstand. He was suppose to destroy them in the Derby. He showed up and decided he didn't want to run. Once again when you think you have this game figured out, the gods put you in your place. Finally, I Want Revenge, the stars were aligned. He had the owners, the trainer and the young jock who was and is blessed with incredible skills. The starter let them go and he broke last. But the racing gods had a different plan that day. On that Saturday, the gods wanted us to think we know what we are talking about. The gods wanted to us to think we are good handicappers with all the ins and outs figured out. I Want Revenge Won the Wood Memorial, and hearts all over were in love with this stunning performance. The gods tricked us one more time. He never came out to dance at the party. So this Saturday we could be in for something special. Maybe Ron Sanchez and trainer Manny Azpura know something that only they and the gods know. Maybe they will destroy the Wood field in stylish fashion that we won't be talking about nothing except how much of a genius they are and how much will the horse be sold for. We just don't know. I love Social Inclusion. I love what the name signifies to me. I love the rolling of the dice by these folks who are in charge of this enormous three year old. This Saturday when the dust clears, we all maybe saying if only he had sold or what a genius they are. We don't know, but the gods do, and they are cooking up something special to blow our minds away.
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