Distance - The Dirty Little Word in American Racing

Distance. The word itself doesn’t sound so bad. So why has it become a nasty little four letter word when used in the context of American Racing? Distance in other countries is a concept revered. A high percentage of the best races in Europe are run over 12 furlongs. The race that stops a nation down under, The Melbourne Cup, is a two mile jaunt. Meanwhile in America we breed for speed. Microwave ovens and drive-thru fast food, we want things fast. Is that why we do not want to wait to develop our horses and have them run a distance of ground? Do we need to see our investments return money sooner than other cultures? Or perhaps watching a race for 2 ½ minutes or more is simply too long for our instant gratification needs. Whatever the reason, in America we breed for speed. The result has steadily produced a more fragile animal than what we see in places like Europe and Australia. It wasn’t always this way. The prestigious Jockey Club Gold Cup, now a comparative 10 furlong sprint, used to be run at two miles. It was contested at this distance for more than fifty years, and it was far from the only long distance race in our nation. Now the closing leg of our coveted Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, at 1 ½ miles, has become a bit of a dinosaur. It is a race in which the main story is the distance rather than the horses that run. It is not too late to change this disturbing trend. Certainly a change in breeding philosophy is vital. The Breeder’s Cup Marathon is a step in the right direction. We also need to value the distance races we still have. Today’s closing feature at Santa Anita Park is the San Juan Capistrano Handicap, and I will be watching. I remember the days when the San Juan Capistrano was won by stalwarts such as Exceller, Tiller, John Henry, Lemhi Gold, and Erin’s Isle, and that was only in a six year stretch. Nearly thirty years have passed since the glory days of the longest graded stakes race in America. In step with the speed trend our nation’s breeders have created, the San Juan Capistrano has slowly and steadily become a less important race in our racing schedule. It has lost its grade 1 status, and the now grade 2 race does not attract the kind of horses it used to. In the late 80’s we had Great Communicator and in the 90’s, we saw top horses like Kotashan, and Bien Bien win the 1 ¾ turf race, but it has been a steady decline of talent since then. I am somewhat hopeful that the favorite of this year’s edition, Bourbon Bay, may be the real deal, and actually be a threat when the Breeders’ Cup Turf rolls around. Or who knows, maybe a trip to Australia for the Melbourne Cup may be in his future. Only time will tell. Even more than today’s entrants though, I root for the race itself. Let’s stop the speed trend, and strengthen the breed. At 14 furlongs, the San Juan Capistrano is clearly a throwback. If we want to get back to breeding a stronger American Thoroughbred, I certainly hope races like the San Juan Capistrano never become a throw-away.

The Big 'Cap - Then and Now

I love Big 'Cap day. It fills me with a strong sense of history. Today’s running will be the 73rd Big ‘Cap, and once again it has put me into a reflective mood. There are not many races with a richer and more storied past than the Santa Anita Handicap. The story of the early years were dominated by the rags to riches horse himself, Seabiscuit. In 1937 and 1938, he lost tight finishes, the second loss coming to Stagehand, who carried 30 pounds less than the great Seabiscuit. He suffered what was expected to be a career ending injury while preparing for the 1939 Big ‘Cap, but his legend was secured when he came back to win the 1940 edition, in his final career race. Ten years later, it was the unheralded Noor who made big news by defeating the mighty Citation. It was the first of five races between the great rivals and it was the race that got Noor rolling to a championship season. In 1958 the great Round Table scored his only Big ‘Cap victory on the way to a Horse of the Year title with a young Willie Shoemaker in the saddle. It was already Shoemaker’s third Big ‘Cap victory…he would go on to win an incredible eleven. In my lifetime, the Santa Anita Handicap has been magical, one of those races where I did not want to miss no matter what. It has been a race where the big horses ran and won. Ack Ack in ‘71, Affirmed in ‘79, Spectacular Bid in ‘80, Alysheba in ‘88, Best Pal in ‘92, Tiznow in ‘01, the list goes on. John Henry won back to back editions in the early 80's and Milwaukee Brew and Lava Man repeated the feat this past decade. Two of my favorite Big ‘Caps were won by near white horses. They were both horses that captured my attention in a big way and used this race to put a stamp on their excellent careers. In 1978, I was enthralled with a silver streak named Vigors. He had been a very good turf horse, but his career exploded with a switch to dirt. In the Big ‘Cap Vigors continued his dirt streak by unleashing a furious rally that left poor Mr. Redoy, who looked like a sure winner at the top of the stretch, with no joy. Just watch the “big white horse” go… In 1999 it was another chance for one of my all-time favorite horses, Free House, to gain some revenge against his long time rival, Silver Charm. Throw in the very talented Event of the Year, and it was a most memorable edition of the Big ‘Cap. Happiness filled the Zipse household that day, as the beautiful, near white horse was as game as could be and scored one of his biggest career victories.  Take this guest blogger Jay... Today’s race may not have the most stellar field, but what it lacks in proven grade 1 winners, it makes up for with a large, evenly matched field offering excellent wagering opportunities. The only female in the field, St Trinians is the morning line favorite. She has been unbeatable against the girls since arriving from England last year, but I am going to take a stand against her today against the boys. My top pick is Loup Breton. The French import has consistently run against top competition on the grass and is perfectly suited for the 1 ¼ distance. His form has been excellent since arriving to California last Fall and with the penchant for Santa Anita’s synthetic surface being kind to turf horses, he should have no problem with the switch to the main track. My top longshot pick in the race is the Canadian Eagle Poise. He proved to be of high quality last Fall as a three-year-old north of the border. His first race in California was a race he figured to be less than sharp, coming out of a 14 furlong race at Woodbine. The beautifully bred colt should be much sharper today and should also appreciate the added furlong of the Big ‘Cap.

John Henry vs. The Bart

August 30, 1981, a date that will forever be treasured in Chicago racing history. It was the inaugural running of the Arlington Million. A race that has been the biggest around these parts since it began on that Summer day. It was a coup for Arlington Park to have attracted the top horse to the nation's first million dollar race. In John Henry, you had something for everybody. He was a true rags to riches story. John Henry was son of the modest sire Old Bob Bowers and the equally unheralded Once Double. Early on John Henry was considered a foal with poor conformation and a bad attitude. Nobody would expect much from him and this was displayed for his purchase price of $1,100 at a January sale. He was sold a few more times before he made it to the races at small tracks in the Bayou. Not many champions start their career at Jefferson Downs and Evangeline Downs. Once it was noticed that he could run a bit, John Henry garnered more interest and was purchased by Sam Rubin, sight unseen. Eventually, an affinity for the grass was discovered and the horse would go from claiming races to stakes races. In the Fall of 1979 Ron McAnally would take over training and the horse would soon become a champion. By the running of the first Arlington Million, John Henry was the defending turf champion and well on his way to Horse of the Year for 1981. America identified with his ascent from meager beginnings to superstar. He was horse racing’s version of the American Dream. In the Million, he would face a soft Arlington turf and a strong field of 11 other turf runners. Among them was a little known Irish five-year-old named The Bart. The Bart had been competitive in turf stakes in California, but de did not have the resume of John Henry or many others in the field. Handicappers figured that the big horse’s main competition would come from local hero Rossi Gold, Eastern turf star Key to Content, or one of the French invaders Argument and Madame Gay. It was a great field and it accomplished Arlington’s goal of an international field. Make no mistake though, John Henry was the star. He would be supported to the tune of 11-10 while The Bart was ignored at 40-1. A crowd of more than 30,000 patrons filled the Suburban Chicago race place to the brim. NBC Sports was there to televise the race both to U.S. fans as well an international viewing audience. Chicago was back on the racing map. Key to Content took the early lead and Eddie Delahoussaye had longshot The Bart following in perfect stalking position. John Henry was shuffled back to farther back then he usually occupied the first part of the race. Fractions were slow on the soft turf and the leading pair looked strong. John Henry made his way to a striking position on the turn, but it did not look good when The Bart spurted clear of Key to Content at the top of the lane. John Henry was resolute, but The Bart was still full of run. He was strong, but it became desperate as America’s champion was charging relentlessly on the outside. The finish line was coming quickly as John Henry, ridden by legendary Willie Shoemaker, gained with every powerful stride. When they hit the wire it was too close to call, Arlington Park announcer Phil Georgeff did not know, no one did. It was tight. The NBC announcers thought they knew, and were talking about The Bart as if he had won. A lengthy inspection of the photo ensued, and then the numbers were posted … 1, 4. John Henry had won. Fans went wild. John Henry had won, by a single hair protruding from his proud nose. To the victor went all the spoils as the legend of John Henry grew. He would grace the American racing scene with his ability and determination for three more years, twice more visiting Arlington Park for the Million. But it was on August 30, 1981, when a gallant horse named The Bart gave him everything he wanted, and in so doing, brought out the true greatness of John Henry. To this day the bronze statue of John Henry and the Bart, battling to the wire together, overlooks the beautiful Arlington paddock. A fitting tribute to one of racing’s greatest races.