Horse Racing..Wise Dan And The Breeding Shed

Today in the Arkansas Derby and the Bluegrass Stakes, three years old will try to put their names in the vernacular of horse lovers everywhere. They will attempt to become that horse whose name writes headlines and is synonymous with greatness. In the past few years we have had horses that flashed brilliance only to disappear like a whisper in the middle of the night. They go off to the breeding shed to reap millions and produce offsprings only becoming a footnote of what if. Zenyatta was that rare exception. A horse that stayed long enough in the story lines to produce a worldwide appeal. She took horse racing beyond the hardcore followers and introduced the sport to casual fans who were looking for something to grab on to. She even had Oprah taking notice which spoke to her draw beyond the race tracks of Southern California. Zenyatta would put breeding on hold after losing out horse of the year award to Rachel Alexandra. She came back and campaigned beautiful until her narrow defeat to Blame in the Breeders' Cup classic. In defeat, Zenyatta was even more beloved because of the fearless drive she displayed. Rachel Alexandra was suppose to be that horse that had fans beyond the apron of race tracks shouting, but her love letter to the sport was short lived. She won the oaks in stylish fashion and beat the boys in the Preakness stakes, the second jewel on the triple crown. She came back for her four year old campaign but was never the same horse. Quietly she left us without giving us a proper goodbye and ending to the love story.

Having a horse stay around in the game healthy and happy is an arduous journey for both horse, trainer, and owner. It requires a special animal who is both mentally and physically ready to become special. Wise Dan is that special. The two time horse of the year came to the Makers Mile yesterday at Keeneland and drew a mass of lovers looking to fall in love. He gave them an introduction to his new journey with a convincing win. He toyed with his competitors like they were a ball tossed in his stall for his enjoyment. He displayed power and strength that the really good ones are blessed with. I watched his muscles come alive and he glided over the lawn with such ease. The  lovers stood on the apron dressed in their Sunday best and marveled. He came back to the winners circle as if he went for a stroll in the park. Just an easy morning gallop. He bowed to the masses and let them know this is only beginning. John Velasquez is jockey was in love after the race. His lips dribbled with love producing these words, "he is the best horse I have ever ridden." John Velasquez was in love. He had falling in the story that many on that Friday afternoon had fallen in. Wise Dan is the story today in horse racing. The prospect of what could happen in a potential showdown with him and the  handicap boys on the dirt makes my mouth salivate. Will the story take such a turn? Will we see the muscles and power flexed up against the likes of Palace Malice, Will Take Charge, Mucho Macho Man, and Game  On Dude? Only if we could read ahead of this story and see the outcome. The first chapter to the story was a fitting beginning. One thing for certain is that we don't have to worry about Wise Dan running off to the breeding shed to make babies. He is a gelding and will be around with us for a very long time. Right now the tank is full and it has been been for the past few years. Let us hope the tank remain full and that the story will once again develop into that sweet sunshine that bless the morning shore line, giving lovers everywhere  an opportunity to fall in love. Maybe even Oprah will find his name amongst the headlines and horse racing will once again dance on the tongues of many.

Today's derby preps are filled with newbies trying to become shiny and marketable. They will attempt to make the first step towards becoming the horse that draws followers from everywhere to the sport to embrace their magnificence. Yesterday their big brother showed them how it is suppose to be done.  I hope they watched and put on a show today that will leave lovers gasping for more.