Remembering ... Risen Star

“If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere, It’s up to you, New York, New York!” The lyrics bellowed from the powerful lungs of one of Risen Star’s owners, Ronnie Lamarque. The outgoing Cajon sang his heart out in the Belmont Stakes Winner’s Circle. He had every right, his horse, trained by fellow Louisianan and co-owner Louie Roussel III, had just turned the ‘test of champions’ into a stretch long runway into the stratosphere of superstardom. Risen Star had just won the Belmont by 14 ¾ lengths, with every powerful stride he effortlessly lengthened his lead on his Belmont foes. My partner in watching the Belmont was my father, and I’ll never forget what he said that day. You have to understand, this is a man who does not easily throw flowery adjectives a horses way. He has seen too many great racehorses to become overly impressed without cause. Hyperbole is simply not in his make-up, but as Risen Star cruised by the sixteenth pole, the words came out of his mouth: “He is a superhorse.” Risen Star was a big powerful dark bay son of the immortal Secretariat. Snatched out of the Calder two-year-old in training sale by Roussel and Lamarque, he did not make it to the races until late September of his juvenile season. He wasted no time in validating his purchase by winning a stakes race first out at Louisiana Downs. He followed that by running a distant 2nd in another stakes race at Louisiana Downs to Success Express, who would go onto be one of the best two-year-olds in the nation. A good start to his career, but this long legged son of the His Majesty mare, Ribbon, would need not worry about sprinting on a dirt course ever again. A four length romp in an allowance route at the Fair Grounds closed his juvenile campaign. Risen Star began his three-year-old season gaining confidence. He ran in one more allowance race the day after New Year’s Day, and it produced a ten length score. He followed that up with a 2nd place finish in his return to stakes competition in the Lecomte Handicap. That would be his only defeat at the Fair Grounds. Risen Star continued on the New Orleans path for three-year-olds with easy victories in their top races. His win in the Louisiana Derby Trial and the Louisiana Derby signaled his readiness to venture outside of Louisiana and onto the Kentucky Derby trail. Fair Grounds immediately honored ‘their’ horse by renaming the Louisiana Derby Trial. It has been known as the Risen Star Stakes since 1989. When he left Louisiana he was my selection for the Kentucky Derby. His final prep was at Keeneland, and in one of the best races of the year, he would meet the juvenile champion and Derby favorite, Forty Niner, in the Lexington Stakes. Risen Star prevailed in a tough battle to win by a neck. I loved his breeding and his physicality and I now knew he could handle the nation’s best. There were people still doubted the Louisiana horse, but he arrived in Louisville as a legitimate threat. For those of us supporting him the 1988 Derby turned out to be a disappointing renewal. Risen Star had little chance as he was shuffled far back early, swung wide, and was left way too far from the front running winner Winning Colors. She held off Forty Niner, who had not pressured her early. Meanwhile, Risen Star got things rolling late only to finish a fast closing third. The Preakness brought redemption, as Risen Star was much closer to the pace and quickly pounced on the two who had beaten him at Churchill. The 1 ¼ length score was still not proof to many people though. Risen Star, who almost didn’t run, was disrespected as fans of the filly, Winning Colors, blamed her loss on the ride of Pat Day aboard Forty Niner. Swelling in the leg before the Belmont would raise major concerns, but he was declared fit to run, so it was on to the Belmont to settle things. Everything came into focus at the Belmont Stakes and it was spectacular. Risen Star, like many large horses, was developing and maturing seemingly by the minute. Each race was better than the last and when he crossed the finish line on June the 11th, it was clear that we were looking at something special. For the first time, a son of Secretariat was actually looking like a chip of the old block. The New Orleans guys were overjoyed and it was a pleasure to see that personality effused into the post-race proceedings. It was a grand time to be at the races and to be a fan of Risen Star. The future was bright for this horse who had made his first seven starts in the state of Louisiana. He was Louisiana through and through. Owned by Louisianans, trained by one and ridden by one of my favorite riders, Eddie Delahoussaye also a Cajon. The sky appeared to be the limit, and then…it wasn’t. He came out of the Belmont Stakes with an injury that would sideline him. I hopefully waited through the Summer, eagerly awaiting his return. It never happened. He did not recover quickly and had another setback. He was too valuable for his connections to take a chance on bringing him back at less than one hundred percent. I watched that Fall as the great Alysheba dominated the biggest races and I wondered what might have been. I have seen many horses retire far too early, or whom have never returned to the races after the Triple Crown, but none with more potential for ultimate greatness than Risen Star. I honestly believe that he was just beginning to hit his high notes when his song was cut short. A song that would have paved the way for a career that would have led to all-time great status. I, for one, would have loved to see Ronnie Lamarque sing again. Risen Star went to stud at Walmac Farm in Kentucky where en enjoyed only moderate success as a sire. He never fathered anything near as talented as himself. Risen Star passed away on March 13, 1998 at the age of 13 after a bout with Colic. Much like his racing career, his life was ended much too quickly. I remember you Risen Star.

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.

Remembering ... Princess Rooney

I will never forget the day the Princess became a Queen. It was on November 18, 1984. Rider Eddie Delahoussaye got her out of the gate running and the Princess was quickly abreast of the speedy Lucky Lucky Lucky, where she stayed until ready to explode. At the top of the stretch, she did just that with an explosion of desire, class, and speed, Princess Rooney had finally made the world take notice. Left in her wake was a top class field that included two-time champion, Life’s Magic, who could only manage an outclassed 2nd as the Princess romped home that day by seven emphatic lengths. This was the inaugural Breeders’ Cup and Princess Rooney had taken the spotlight that she so long deserved on a most grand stage. Her performance became even more impressive when the Classic was run. Wild Again the victor in a stretch long battle with Slew O’ Gold and Gate Dancer stopped the teletimer a full second slower than had Princess Rooney who had been little more than hand urged earlier that afternoon in the Distaff. In my eyes, Princess Rooney had always been an amazing champion. As a two-year-old, trained by Frank Gomez, she was untouchable. At that time it was a little unusual to hear of rumblings of greatness coming from Calder Race Course, but the word was out. There was a two-year-old filly owned by Paula Tucker who was devastating the racing landscape of South Florida. After four races where she annihilated her Calder competition, her connections brought her to the Northeast where she could finally be tested. She was not tested. The prestigious Frizette at Belmont and the rich Gardenia at the Meadowlands became two more walks in the park for the gray daughter of Vebatim. Six races at two and not another horse within camera-shot. Princess Rooney was simply awesome and along with Ruffian was one of the best two juvenile fillies that I have ever seen. Yet a championship was not in the cards, as that same year out West raced an electric filly named Landaluce. The greatest juvenile filly ever to run in California, Landaluce tragically died of a virus before the year was out. Her winning margins were so big and her times were so fast that at the time of her death talk of her abilities had reached almost mythical proportions. It was clear that two of the best horses of 1982 were 2-year-old fillies, but only one could be named champion, and that would be Landaluce. Princess Rooney began her 3-year-old season in similar fashion as her juvenile campaign. She dominated colts in a prep race in Florida in which she beat the future Tampa Bay Derby winner and then proceded to take Kentucky by storm. After her win in the Ashland by nine and ½ lengths, most people, including yours truly, considered her the best 3-year-old of either gender. She had won her first nine starts with an average winning margin of nearly nine lengths. Her trainer Frank Gomez nominated her to both the Derby and the Oaks, but always planned on the Kentucky Oaks. Although he did have a little fun with everyone by walking into the racing secretary’s office just minutes before the Derby entry deadline. But the Derby was not to be, and the Princess went to the Oaks as an overwhelming favorite and gutted out a 1 ¼ length victory. She was 10 for 10, but the narrowness of the victory was a foreshadowing of things to come as in her next race she was finally defeated, a well beaten second to Ski Goggle in the Acorn. Something was wrong and the racing world quickly found out it was a hairline fracture. Because of her short year and with her last race being a defeat, Princess Rooney was once again denied championship honors. Several months went by before her next race and when she did come back the Princess was not quite the same. She changed hands of trainers twice, first to Joe Pierce, and then on to Neil Drysdale as she felt the sting of three more defeats. The Princess was far from through though, as the Summer of her 4-year-old campaign rolled around, Princess Rooney began to round back into top form. Her winning time of 1:46 and 1 in the Grade 1 Vanity and her smashing score in the Spinster were part of a four race winning streak she brought into the new championship day of racing, the Breeders’ Cup. As the beautiful gray filly effortlessly sprinted away from the field that day she clinched her first and so richly deserved eclipse award as the champion older female of 1984. Princess Rooney retired after the Breeders’ Cup Distaff with 17 wins out of 21 races. She proved to be a great filly three consecutive years despite her setback midway through her racing career. In 1991 Princess Rooney was inducted to racing’s Hall of Fame, becoming the first Breeder’s Cup winner to enter the Hall. The Princess might have been all tiger on the racetrack, but back home she was a sweet and gentle mom to hundreds of foals that were born on her farm. Although she was unable to produce many foals herself, Princess Rooney became a true matriarch as she oversaw all the fillies on the Gentry Farm with her love, kindness and teaching of the young horses. Princess Rooney had moved to the Gentry Farm in 1995 after George Aubin, who had paid $5.5 million for her in foal to Danzig at the 1985 Keeneland November sale, realized that she was not going to reproduce her greatness and sold her at auction to Robert Gentry. Gentry bought her in foal to Deputy Minister for $130,000. The Princess spent her final 13 years at the Gentry Farm and left an enormous void when she finally succumbed to complications from equine protozoal myelitis. The younger horses at the Gentry Farm had lost their adopted mom. She was 28 years old. I remember you Princess Rooney.