One Final Time

                                                                               

                                                                        One Final Time


October 7 this year marked the eighth anniversary of the death of one of racing's legends, the immortal and beloved John Henry.  A foal of 1975, John was born and raised in Bourbon County on Robert and Verna Lehman's Golden Chance Farm.  The farm, no longer in existence, had considerable success during its glory days several decades past, their achievements including Classic success with Dust Commander in the 1970 Kentucky Derby and Master Derby in the 1975 Preakness Stakes.  It is not, however, for these celebrated victories that the farm will be forever remembered in racing lore. Rather their name shall live forever because of their breeding of mighty John Henry, a rather plain looking, ill-tempered product with a less than stellar pedigree who, by all accounts, must be considered one of the great horses in the history of American racing and who rightly stands alongside Kelso, Forego, and most recently Wise Dan, as one of the grandest geldings to ever grace the turf.

Retired to the Kentucky Horse Park after his retirement, he was a fan favorite for many years, and many made a regular pilgrimage to see the old warrior.  Time was kind to John in many ways, perhaps in thanks for all he had given to racing, but even John was not immune to the inevitable.  Increasingly plagued with multiple infirmities of his very advanced age of 32 years, it became increasingly clear that John was suffering and the necessary decision was made that euthanasia was the only reasonable recourse.  Those closest to him were advised of this painful decision and given opportunity to visit and say their final good-byes to their very special friend.  On October 8, 2007 the great John  Henry was laid to rest, to be later immortalized by a bronze statue overlying his burial site in the Kentucky Horse Park.  It was but several days later that I was reminiscing about John and his stellar career when I began to imagine his final moments.  Fanciful, of course, but I wold love to think that this is how it might have been for John on that fateful day...

One Final Time

Dedicated to one of the bravest and greatest warriors the sport of Thoroughbred racing has ever known

 JOHN HENRY

A champion of the common man

Born 1975, Golden Chance Farm in Paris, Kentucky,

Died October 8, 2007, Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, Kentucky

by

Murray D. West,

Paris, Kentucky

October 15, 2007.

John Henry, age 27 years

John Henry, 27 years, Kentucky Horse Park

One Final Time

A gentle autumn breeze softly tossed his flowing mane,

     warm morning sun caressed his weary soul;

Birds sang praise of the day’s new promise –

Men cried dread of the coming final toll.

Once hickory aged legs now trembled as he stood,

     his storied head held proud for all to see;

One final time, prepared to charge the charge -

One final time, no greater great than he.

He stands alone, perched upon the edge of time,

     prepared once more to face the fearsome tide;

The greatest riders from his vaunted past -

One final time, primed now for one last ride.

His dwindling strength he wills to life

     in gallant fight against the truth;

And seeks, through blessed aging eyes,

One final time, his storied youth.

On prancing feet, with pounding pulse,

     the gate looms large and cold;

But of courage born, his motto clear -

“’Tis laurels to the bold!”

 For an instant here he flashes back

     to that time of yesteryear;

To the golden days of Golden Chance,

In a time that held no peer.

When the rolling hills of bluegrass

     proved no match for his speed;

Where he raced for joy against the wind -

His spirit ever freed.

With his playmates in the heat of day

     he frolicked in the sun;

While the evening breeze off Stoner Creek

Calmed souls as day was done.

He steps now to the daunting gate,

     one final foray to be won;

Aboard, McHargue grasps his mane -

One final time…one final run!

He feels the force build deep inside

     and tenses for the break;

His mind now sharp, his will is strong –

Though aged muscles quake.

Behind him lies a gloried past

     that few have ever known;

Before him lies this final race -

That each must take alone.

The field is set, the flag is up,

     now all are in their place;

One final time, he now recalls,

Those stars he once did face.

 To his right he sees grey Relaunch,

     inside stands grand Perrault;

Then the queenly Royal Heroine -

This mare a kingly foe.

The Very One is standing firm

     while Peat Moss paws the ground,

Now The Bart steps forth - in time and bronze,

These two forever bound.

John turns his gaze to face the task

     just like those times before;

One final time to show his place -

A King in turfdom lore.

The latch is sprung, the bell screams loud,

     the field bolts on its way;

The break is good, they crash and fight,

To clear this earthly fray.

Restrained the first time past the stands,

     John jostles for his place;

He holds his spot just off the speed,

To stalk the dawdling pace.

His stride is long, his rhythm smooth,

     all pain now disappears;

Once more the carefree youth of old –

He runs to distant cheers.

The midday sun beams down on him,

     his coat a burnished bay;

Pincay aboard restrains his speed -

Too soon to win this day.

 The whistling wind and the flying turf,

     thunder of pounding hoof;

The joy that comes from a charge unleashed –

All else he held aloof.

He remembers well the fields of fire,

     where none but the bravest dare;

Of a time before and a time to come –

Of greats men must compare.

He too had wondered, long and hard,

     often dreamed he’d had the chance;

If lined abreast, standing toe to toe -

Could he dance this greatest dance?

Forego and “Red” and mighty black “Slew,”

     what of Kelso, Affirmed and Cigar?

And could he withstand the charge of “the Bid” -

Was his comet the match of each star?

He fights the bit at the thought of that race

     as his dream pours fuel to his fire;

Another might win - may just get the nod -

But no other would best his desire!

Now into the turn in the afternoon’s glow,

     here “the Shoe” lets out just a notch;

In the blink of an eye he quickens his pace –

‘Tis a thing of wonder to watch.

He begins now his surge as the crowd starts to scream,

     and the roar just pushes him more;

For this is the moment he cherished the most –

Yes, this is the time he lived for!

 He moves off the rail as so often before,

     and forces the others aside;

And as he prepares to launch his attack,

He thinks of the odds he defied.

From plebian stock by accounts of the day,

     his brilliance was never foreseen;

His demeanor was such that he fell to the knife –

The price for being so mean!

He was sold more than once for a trifling amount,

     oft raced for a tag in his time;

With patience he learned what the game was about,

And by five was just in his prime.

A Grade One that year, and a final at nine,

     and thirteen more won in-between;

But if he was a colt and never been cut,

Such heroics would never have been.

He ran on the dirt and he soared on the turf,

     and great weight he carried with pride;

The common man claimed him as one of their own,

And to him such men felt allied.

He was trained in the end by a man of much grace,

     who listened and learned from his horse;

No arrogant pride set his horse to the task -

His steed set the pace and the course.

And mounted atop of his strong, sturdy back,

     sat some of the best of all time;

As great as they were, how fortunate he,
They climbed aboard him in their prime.

Midway through the turn, as the sun settles low,

     here his magic he weaves once again;

Through the narrowest seam he moves near the fore

And prepares to attack down the lane.

The quarter is passed, restraint tossed aside,

     the race now a sprint to the wire;

This moment of truth will prove who is best-

And none ever fired with more fire!

John feels the cross thrown as McCarron leans low

     and whistles and shouts in his ear;

This urging is music, a love song to John -

A song in his heart he held dear.

Swung quickly outside as they straighten away,

     so smoothly he switches his lead;

The finish in sight, he sets on his flight,

And attacks with great courage and speed!

Perched low on his back and high on his neck,

     McCarron and John dance as one;

In rhythm they glide as a Bolshoi duet,

Or like Ginger and Fred in the sun.

“John Henry,” they scream as he moves to the lead,

     “John Henry is pulling away!”

These sounds that he loved all the days of his life,

Echoed deep in his heart night and day.

The wire fast approaching, the sun nearly set,

     yet his grace still a thing to behold;

And he feels no fatigue, not an ache nor a pain,

Though he’s thirty two mighty years old!

 All his pain disappears in the sun’s final glow,

     his breath catches life from the wind;

His vision is clear and he hears all the cheers…

And at this old grumpy boy grinned!

For there stand his comrades from time long ago,

     his friends and his allies – and foes;

And they gather as one and surround their old chum -

And the tales that are told, Heaven knows!

The boys are all here that passed before John,

     and some of the ladies as well;

And they offer a toast to the best that they knew -

This great to whom most of them fell.

The champagne is poured, the glasses are raised,

     and of John they make much ado;

He answers the toast, “Well thank you my friends -

If you please, just make mine a brew!”

So many times, against the pain,

John fought and did defy;

        Then came the day he heard the toll -

                                                        One final time…goodbye.

 John Henry,

1975 - 2007

Murray D. West,

Original October 15, 2007,

Paris, Kentucky

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

 

     

Wise Dan..."After the Glory"

                                                             Wise Dan                                                

                                                       

                                                        “After the Glory”

                

              

            A look back at the career of the great Wise Dan, through my mind and my lens, and a case for the erection of a monumental statue of this champion at Keeneland Racecourse          

It is the exception, rather than the rule, that the recognition and appreciation of true “greatness” occurs while the illustrious story is unfolding, hindsight being so often a prerequisite for a true grasping of what has sublimely transpired before our very eyes.  In the world of horse racing, to be sure, there is the occasional animal of such precocity and brilliance that all immediately are captured by the aura surrounding such a horse, bringing to mind the likes of Affirmed, Seattle Slew, and of course the mighty Secretariat.  Other horses, slower to mature and attain their genetic potential, become recognized for their exceptional contributions and talent not by way of immediate brilliance but following a process of slower maturation, such horse’s inherent potential perhaps not revealed until late in their third, fourth, or even fifth year of life.  These are the horses whose true worth becomes recognized typically only after a period of sustained excellence occurring later in life, horses who achieve their fame by giving their all at the highest level each and every time they set foot upon the field of competition, careers of longevity and eminence, magnificent horses of the ilk of Kelso, Forego, Cigar…and Keeneland’s own, wonderful Wise Dan!

Dan began his racing career early in his three year old year and quickly gave promise of being a very nice horse, possibly an exceptional horse, while breaking his maiden in his second outing at Turfway Park by some 15 lengths.  He returned off that auspicious maiden victory to win his next start, an allowance event at Churchill Downs.  His next race clearly reflected the confidence held by his connections as he now undertook a tremendous class jump, a challenge for which he proved most worthy.  On 10-8-2010 he won his first of what would eventually prove to be seven graded stakes victories at Keeneland, handily dispatching a very talented field in the G3 Phoenix Stakes in the quick time of 1:09.2.  Having at this point raced on only four occasions, his potential was such that he next ran in the G1 Breeder’s Cup Sprint at Churchill, here finishing a very respectable fifth while being defeated less than three lengths for the victory.  He completed his three year old campaign while stretching out to one mile, comfortably winning this allowance/optional claimer at Churchill Downs on 11-25.2010.  His initial campaign, therefore, showed a record of 6-4-0-0, including his first graded stakes victory, while racing exclusively on dirt and all-weather surfaces.  An impressive beginning, indeed, but hardly foreshadowing what was to follow.

                                                                                    

Breeder's Cup Sprint

His four year old campaign started off inexplicably poorly, with what would prove to be very uncharacteristic dull performances in the G2 Commonwealth Stakes at Keeneland, the G3 Alysheba Stakes at Churchill, and an allowance/optional claimer again at Churchill Downs.  Switched to the turf for the G2 Firecracker at Churchill on 7-4-2011, Dan finally seemed to figure out how to use his emerging massive frame, and here turned in what would prove to be one of many scintillating performances as he defeated a top class turf field by nearly three lengths.  Victory in the Presque Ilse Mile quickly followed, after which he returned to his home track of Keeneland to make his first of many attempts in G1 turf company, this day in the Shadwell Mile.  Though highly competitive against a stellar field of turf specialists, he was not quite able to overcome an outside trip, closing steadily at the wire while finishing a close fourth, defeated less than two lengths by reigning turf champion and seven time G1 winner, Gio Ponti.  Rebounding quickly off this defeat, Dan forthwith demonstrated that, as good as the old Dan had been, this new Dan was soon to prove nothing short of sensational.  Returning to Polytrack, three weeks later he annexed his second graded stakes victory at Keeneland, the G2 Fayette Stakes, winning off easily by four widening lengths.  Again demonstrating that racing surface was no issue, he completed his four year old season with a compelling near four length victory in the G1 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs while again racing on the dirt.  Thus closed out the four year old season for this now emerging superstar of racing.  Beginning with three early very out of character lackluster performances, he closed his season winning four of his final five starts including two Grade 2 and one Grade 1 victories.  Never again would such terms as “lackluster,” “dull,” or the like be applied when speaking of Wise Dan.  Indeed, his performances would hereafter prove to be the very antithesis of such descriptive commentary as he would henceforth emerge as one of the greatest and most courageous Thoroughbreds to ever set foot upon any racetrack, anywhere.

Fayette Stakes

                                                                           

And so it was that at an age when so many horses have retired because of injury, loss of form, or a myriad of causes, Wise Dan at age five years finally put everything together.  His powerful muscular body was finally attuned and in sync with his massive heart, indefatigable courage and indomitable desire to win.  These unmatched qualities, combined with the exceptional horsemanship displayed by his lifetime trainer, Charlie Lopresti, proved virtually unstoppable over the next three years.  His season began with his third graded victory at Keeneland, this in the G3 Ben Ali contested on Polytrack, a race he won by greater than 10 lengths and in which he established a new track record for the 1 1/8 miles in 1:46.63.  His only setback for the entire season occurred in his next outing, the G1 Stephen Foster going 1 1/8^th miles on the dirt at Churchill Downs, a race in which he made a bold charge down the middle of the track, collared the leading horse jumps from the wire, and was gearing down in victory at the very instant the eventual winner, obscured from Dan and John Velazquez by the horse to their immediate inside, shot through unseen on the rail to grasp victory, a defeat of dubious necessity.  The remainder of this championship season saw no such hitches.  His next outing was in the G2 Fourstardave at Saratoga, a race he easily annexed by five lengths.  From here he ventured to Canada for the G1 Woodbine Mile, winning this international event by a widening 3 ¼ lengths in 1:34.  A return to his home base at Keeneland followed, where a formidable group of 11 foes lined up against him in the G1 Shadwell Mile, all to no avail as he handily dismissed this highly talented field to win by 2 ¼ facile lengths while garnering his fourth graded stake and first G1 victory at Keeneland Race Course.  The culmination of his season took place at Santa Anita in the G1 Breeder’s Cup Mile.  Here he faced arguably his greatest opposition but, if so, he took no notice nor did he take any prisoners as he swept to a widening 1 ½ length victory over this stellar field while establishing a new course record for Santa Anita, the mile run in a blistering 1:31.78.  His season complete, he proved victorious in five of his six starts while winning three G1 races and establishing two track records, his only defeat likely attributable to racing misfortune in the G1 Stephen Foster.  Year-end honors inundated the beautiful big chestnut gelding and included Champion Turf Horse, Older Horse, and Horse of the Year.  Quite a spectacular year indeed for the occupant of stall 8, Barn 62 at Keeneland Race Course!

2012 Ben Ali, NTR

2012 Ben Ali, NTR

Dan surges past leader in deep stretch, never sees Ron The Greek on rail

Dan explodes in stretch 2012 Shadwell Mile, showing tremendous stride

Early morning breeze, Keeneland, 3-9-2013, Damion Rock aboard

2013 and age six saw no letting up in this tremendous horse’s resume.  Confidently placed for his seasonal debut, he dominated the G1 Maker’s Mark Mile at Keeneland while defeating a small but very talented field of G1 competitors, this race marking his second G1 and fifth graded victory overall at his home track.  He next annexed the 1 1/8^th mile G1 Woodford Reserve Classic at Churchill Downs, winning off by nearly five lengths on a rain laden, yielding turf course.   A return to Churchill found the going again soft, the track deep and yielding after heavy rains.  It was here in the G2 Firecracker Stakes, in the dark of night in pouring rain and under the glare of the Churchill lights, that Wise Dan proved beyond doubt, for any doubters that could possibly remain, the difference between a very talented, very good horse, and a great horse.  Breaking from post position one, and giving from 11 to 13 pounds to his competitors, Dan was quickly trapped down on the rail throughout the race, the riders of his competitors attempting to keep him corralled in the heaviest part of the rain soaked track for as long as possible, this strategy appearing to them to be at least as important as riding their own mounts to their best advantage, for to these riders doing so was one and the same.  Turning into the stretch with less than 3/16ths to run, John Velazquez had a ton of horse with nowhere to go, Wise Dan running  with mouth open and head high as he fought his rider’s restraint.  Approaching the 1/8^th pole, however, the leader Seruni  drifted off the hedge ever so slightly and in an instant, before John Velazquez could possibly ask him, Dan hit that hole and hit it hard.  Seruni battled on, coming back over in an attempt to close the tiny gap, in so doing actually knocking Dan into the hedge.  Bad mistake!  Ears pinned, tail flying, nostrils flaring, Dan surged through this tiny seam, forcing his opening wider, and once free exploding to the fore, eventually winning by widening lengths.  Speaking to his confidence in this great champion, jockey John Velazquez in fact at no time even cocked his whip.  A grade 2 victory, very expected, is what the record will show.  Only watching the tape will show the real story!  The G2 Fourstardave at Saratoga was next, and here again Dan gave from 11 to 14 pounds to the field  while once more toying with his opposition and winning in hand.  A return engagement in the G1 Woodbine Mile was next in order and once more he was called upon to give weight to his competition, and once more Dan responded with an exemplary performance.  To quote from the Racing Form official chart, Wise Dan “…drew even with the duelers 3/16ths out, took command and widened on his own,” while establishing a new course record of 1:31.75.  One can only speculate how fast he might have run had Velazquez asked him, but such was his ease of victory on this day that breaking the 1:31 mark does not seem improbable.  He returned to the comfortable confines of Keeneland where a repeat victory in the G1 Shadwell was highly anticipated but, alas, was not to be.  Heavy rains forced the race off the turf and onto the Polytrack, an occurrence that truly was not an issue for Dan who in fact loved the surface.  However, a slow, uncontested pace by a very good horse and a 6 wide trip proved Dan’s undoing on this day, proving too much for even Dan to overcome as he finished a very game and steadily closing second.  Following this very unexpected loss, and with some individuals sensing possibly a slight chink in the great horse’s armor, his final race for the 2013 season was again the G1 Breeder’s Cup Mile, held for a second consecutive year at Santa Anita.  Stumbling at the break, Dan raced off the pace early, then began his patented move around the final bend.  Carried six wide turning for home and cornering poorly, he lost several lengths at this juncture and straightening for home it appeared he might have been left with too much to do by jockey Jose Lezcano, substituting this day for the injured John Velazquez.  At this moment Dan had to call upon all his class and quality, had to reach deep into the well of greatness, and reach he did!  Almost visibly lowering his center of gravity as he accelerated,  with ears pinned and eyes blazing, mighty Dan powered down the short Santa Anita stretch, quickly closing the gap with his incredible burst of speed, collared the leader about 70 yards from home, then drew comfortably clear as he hit the wire, the mile run in 1:32.47.  Another great year, victorious in six of seven starts, with four G1 victories, two G2 wins, and a second in another G1, culminating in a consecutive Breeder’s Cup Mile victory, with year-end honors again including Champion Turf Horse, Older Male, and a remarkable second Horse of the Year Eclipse.

At the wire, 2013 Maker's Mark Mile

                                                                                

Celebration, 2013 Maker's Mark Mile

DANcing in the rain, 2013 Firecracker Stakes

Wet, but unfazed

Post parade, 2013 Shadwell Mile...not this day

The champion returns after 2013 Breeder's Cup Mile victory 20 hours earlier at Santa Anita

Exercise rider Damion Rock proudly stands with the great one

Back home!

                                                                                 

Spoils!

                                                                                     

                                                        

                                                                                   

                                             

A tough 2013-2014 Kentucky winter meant significant loss of training time for all at Keeneland, and the opening of the 2014 Spring Keeneland meet found Wise Dan, like many other permanent residents of the Rice Road contingent, several weeks and several breezes short of where Charlie Lopresti would like to have had him prior to his seasonal bow in the G1 Maker’s Mark Mile.  When your debut race is against Grade 1 competition missed training time is especially critical.  Charlie, however, hoped that Dan’s inherent class would see him through.

Keeneland glory

Dan and Damion

                                                                                 
                                                                                   

Charlie...winter growth!

                                                                                 

Further, Charlie was  well aware of how Dan had become “the people’s horse,” very aware that seeing him run was vitally important to his fans as well as to the prestige and welfare of Keeneland Race Course…so he ran, quietly hopeful that “class will prevail.”  And prevail it did.  Giving three to five pounds to the entire field, including the very good Za Approval who had finished second to Dan in the Breeder’s Cup Mile just five months previously, Dan turned in a highly professional performance with jockey John Velazquez constantly looking back and assessing his competition as he raced down the stretch, asking Dan for just enough effort to get the task accomplished.  Winning by a measured length, the race was just what Dan needed after being short on conditioning.



                                                                               

2014 Maker's Mark Mile

John Velazquez and Dan

His blistering turn of foot again on display...

The stick is put away...

Reeve, Dan, and Kelly

Profile of equine greatness

Off this race he was certainly now ready to give his best effort at a mile but, unfortunately, the next race on the agenda for Dan was again the G1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill, contested at not the mile but 1 1/8 miles, again a distance slightly beyond what Dan was primed to run at that particular time.   Breaking alertly from his one hole, Velazquez quickly angled Dan off the hedge to avoid being trapped.  An eager Wise Dan misinterpreted this as a signal to “go” and attempted to take the lead.  There then ensued a brief power struggle between horse and rider as they passed the stands the first time, with Velazquez finally getting Dan to settle into third in a stalking position.  Turning for home Dan launched his challenge in earnest while circling the leaders.  At that very instant the G1 winner Seek Again, benefiting from a ground saving trip, found a perfect seam along the inside and charged to the fore along the hedge.  The two horses hit the lead almost simultaneously, Seek Again accelerating along the hedge while Wise Dan raced nearer the middle of the track, some three or four horse widths separating the two as they charged down the stretch together while widening from the rest of the field.  Surely sensing fatigue from his gallant steed, John Velazquez now did what he knew would incense and inflame Wise Dan…he pulled on his left rein, dropping Dan down towards the rail, in so doing bringing Dan immediately beside his younger foe.  Looking his adversary now squarely in the eye and sensing the impudence of this challenger, this grand champion reached down deep within where only the greatest can go and found some magical power, some incredible strength to overcome the fatigue, ignore the lactic acid accumulation, defy the oxygen debt…and he surged, one last time…and victory was his!  Once again, facing defeat, he would not be denied!  This indomitable spirit, this “rather die than lose” courage, again defying all logic.   And that is why he, like only a handful of horses in the history of the American Turf, is so very special!

                                                                           

Gut check!  Both horses passed with flying colors, Seek Again, inside, battling gamely and just losing to Dan

Nothing separating them...

Synchronized racing!

Eight off the ground, still nothing to separate them...but at the wire, Wise Dan by a nose, short this day on conditioning, as always long on class and courage...the indomitable spirit that refuses to lose!

A very tired Wise Dan.  He gave everything on the track

“Nephrosplenic entrapment.”  It sounds ominous, and it is…and was for Wise Dan.  May 16, 2014 was the day that Wise Dan and all of those who care so much for him faced the grim reality that he had been attacked by an adversary that for once even he could not look in the eye and whip, could not brush up against and intimidate.  This was a foe that struck absolute fear into the hearts of family and fans alike, which brought tears to the eyes of the Lopresti family and left a gaping hole in the hearts of all who had grown to care so much for this grand horse, this one who had given us so much, and for who we all felt now powerless to help.  But the racing gods were kind.  Charlie Lopresti and his racing family quickly recognized a potential dire situation as Dan began his attack of colicky pain and immediately summoned urgent veterinary assistance.  The veterinary staff of Rood and Riddle was equally excellent and up to the task, making a much needed decision to operate, never a lightly undertaken decision but even more difficult when you speak of the two time Horse of the Year.  Perhaps it was fate, however, which was most generous that ominous day, threatening tragedy but ultimately giving back to Dan a little of what he had given to others.   At this very moment of most dire concern, that instant when the decision to operate was made, his nephrosplenic entrapment unknowingly spontaneously resolved, most probably occurring during the manipulations required to prepare him for surgery.  Unaware of this changing circumstance the laparotomy was performed but, upon finding that the internal herniation had resolved and the previously incarcerated bowel was healthy and uncompromised, no resection of intestine was necessary.  Within 24 hours the black pall over the racing world began to lift as news filtered out that Dan had successfully survived his surgery, this welcome news followed by reports that he was again eating and behaving normally, then finally the awaited-for announcement that Dan appeared to be out of immediate threat of complication.  The racing world rejoiced with this awareness, gladly accepting that the great one’s career was over, a small price to pay for the belief that he would live to enjoy a long retirement.  Then, the almost unthinkable…the announcement came that he was back in training!  Not for a 2015 comeback, not even for a 2014 late fall campaign…but for summer, 2014, with Saratoga in his sights!  Incredible.  And return to training he did, and did so in such a manner that defied all logic, and  Charlie Lopresti just shook his head in awe and spoke of the wonder of this horse, this creature of apparent unlimited strength and fortitude, this horse called Wise Dan.

                                                                           

Early days back after surgery...Amy talks with Damion Rock, outrider Dale Malory looks on beside Dan

Initial baby steps to test the waters

Admiration from Darley trainer, Johnny Burke, a man of great wisdom and experience, who knows a thing or two about a great horse and holds Wise Dan in his very highest esteem

Morning bath, feels good!

Dan with his long time groom

On 8-30-2014, Wise Dan entered the starting gate for the running of Saratoga’s G2 Bernard Baruch Stakes at 1 1/16th mile on the turf, a mere106 days after undergoing an open laparotomy for colic caused by the aforementioned nephrosplenic entrapment.  He was being asked to carry 127 pounds while conceding from 8-13 pounds to his highly accomplished competitors…106 days after undergoing his surgery!  But we are speaking of Wise Dan here, and of course he again prevailed, refusing to be defeated by an oncoming Optimizer, looking that foe directly in the eye and prevailing at the wire by a narrow margin.  And what of the time in his comeback race?  Certainly this was not the easy race one would hope for as he ran the 1 1/16^th mile in a blistering 1:39.08, less than one tick off the 23 year old track record set by the wonderful Saratoga favorite, Fourstardave.  What superlative does one use to describe such heroics?  Carrying on as this was all commonplace, Wise Dan again returned to his home on Rice Road at Keeneland, now to prepare for the $1,000,000 G1 Shadwell Mile, the first million dollar race in the history of Keeneland.  Included among his opposition were Optimizer, defeated by only a nose by Dan in his last out; Seek Again, who ran Dan to a very close finish in the Woodford Reserve Classic in May of this same year; and Silver Max, the speed horse who had upset Dan in this very race last season when the race was taken off the turf.  As misfortune would have it, Dan again missed the break, stumbling as he accelerated from the gate, while Silver Max again sprinted uncontested to the lead in a leisurely 24.58 and 48.27, fractions not at all taxing to a horse of his caliber, the race threatening to be a replay of the previous year’s race.  Johnny Velazquez quickly moved Dan into the race, with Dan pulling hard behind the leading group as they entered the first turn and moved down the backstretch.  Approaching the final turn and trapped behind a wall of horses, Velazquez again chose the overland route and swung Wise Dan into the five lane as they turned for home.  Silver Max charged down the lane and was still full of run after ¾ mile accomplished in a rather leisurely 1:12.02.  With five lengths to make up and the length of the stretch to accomplish this, Velazquez set Dan down for the drive.  He did not pull out his stick and flail away in desperation for Johnny realized he was aboard one of the greatest horses in the history of American racing, a specialist miler who is very probably the greatest American turf middle distance horse in history, a turf miler as good as any to ever run in any land!  You do not flail on such an animal, for that beast is already giving you everything he has in those aging bones and muscles, is drawing upon all of his experience in determining just how he will prevail, for given the opportunity prevail he will and, to the wonder of all but surprise of none, prevail he did, victorious by a rapidly widening length in Keeneland’s first million dollar race!   His eleventh G1 victory was now history.  

                                                                             

Post parade, 2014  G1Shadwell Mile

The best I'll ever see...

One more time

The patented charge to the finish

Victorious once again

These two....they wrote history together!

Buddies!

John Velazquez dismounts for his final time...but no one knew

                                                                               

How could we ever doubt?  Would we never learn?  We speak of immortality here, for when we speak of Wise Dan we speak of as wonderful and special a race horse as has ever lived and raced or likely will ever live or race.  Have there been more talented horses, horses with more inherent running ability?  Perhaps, even probably so.   Have there been horses with comparable courage, with an absolute necessity to prevail?  Perhaps, but if so only a rare few.   Have there been horses combining his rare talent with his equally rare absolute need to win, the very exquisite of the exquisite?  Such a list must be very, very short, and certainly ultimately amounts to personal opinion.  Accepting that such conclusions are subjective, and as such truly counting for nothing more than opinion, in my now rather lengthy lifetime such a list is counted on the fingers of two hands.

The greatest horse to eer call Keeneland "home" departs for the final time after capturing his seventh graded Keeneland stake, four of which were of Grade One quality...highly unlikely to be seen again

                                                                           

Several days after his Shadwell victory, his fourth G1 and seventh graded stakes victory at Keeneland, Wise Dan was found to have a slight filling in his right front fetlock.  He was not the least lame with this, the finding detected by Charlie on a routine daily check.  Subsequent evaluation revealed this to be the result of a non-displaced fracture involving his right distal cannon bone.  How fortunate, and a reflection of the quality of care given these horses, that his connections detected the subtle changes associated with this injury because, unrecognized, it may well have evolved into a very serious, even catastrophic, injury.  The disappointment surrounding the announcement of this season-ending, and possibly career-ending, injury was near palpable, for Charlie had never been more confident entering into any Breeder’s Cup race than he was in the immediate aftermath of the Shadwell Mile prior to discovery of the occult fracture.  Differences of opinion were rampant following this announcement regarding the potential racing future of Dan, but Charlie always left the door open to the possibility of a return to the track depending of course upon the healing progress of this fracture.  Dan returned to the Lopresti farm outside Athens where he spent the ensuing months  “just being a horse,” growing out a furry winter coat, rolling in mud, cavorting in a 17 acre field, while intermittently exchanging cross-fence banter with his half-brother and near millionaire, Successful Dan.   Periodically a visit with Dr. Larry Bramlage of Rood and Riddle Veterinary Clinic occurred and with this came of course an assessment of the healing process.  With each visit the probability increased for a return to the track.

                                                                         

The champ emerges from his barn into the morning winter air

Dan and his girlfriend, Amy Lopresti

Just what do they see when they look tis way?

Looking to the future

The look!

Successful Dan, living the good life, with his...ahem, "lady friend!"

Dan checks out his brother and girlfriend!

What's all the fuss, Charlie?

"We three...forever"

       

Eventually the harshness of winter began to soften, short days, overcast skies and long shadows gradually giving way to the rebirth that is spring, and Dan was not immune to this change.  Indeed, the old warrior, now a venerable eight years young, was soon giving every indication to Charlie and Amy that he wanted to be at the track, that he was not yet prepared for a life of leisure and play in the abundant, beautiful, rolling hills of the Lopresti farm.  Such retirement was to be for another, later time.  For now his every mannerism cried out to them, there was training to be done, races to be run, further glory to be achieved, Eclipse awards still to be won.  And so, with optimistic trepidation, the decision was made to honor the old boy’s request, and in early March 2015, Dan returned to the track, again occupying stall eight in Barn 62 on Rice Road, again to exchange stories and lies with his Rice Road buddies.  Dan again was defying all the odds. Those of us who loved the old man, and there are many, were filled with mixed emotion as were Charlie and Amy, at one time thrilled at the prospect of once again seeing the magnificent chestnut charging the stretch, ears pinned, tail flying while again refusing to let any pretender challenge his throne, yet at the same time so concerned about the wellness and safety of our hero, so aware of how he will fight through any adversity and pain, fearful that his very spirit might become his worst enemy…but mostly we were secretly thrilled!

                                                                               

Shortly after returning to Stall 8, Barn 62 at Keeneland

The comeback process was, as imagined, very closely monitored.  The first weeks involved merely walking the shedrow under tack, the riding responsibility on occasion gladly performed by Amy Lopresti herself.  Repeated Rood and Riddle visits were undertaken, with Xrays and soundness evaluations carried out under the supervision of Dr. Bramlage.  Based upon these examinations a slow but steady increase in Dan’s work load ensued.  Shed walking gave way to walking on the synthetic training track, this in turn evolving into a month of alternating days of shed walking with jogging on the training track.  With continued evidence of healing, this pattern was replaced with alternating trot-gallop days and, when every indication suggested complete and safe healing, Dan was finally allowed to return to a progressive, standard, training program including unrestricted galloping on the main dirt track.  By the time this point had been reached, around the first week of July, Dan had been back at the track for four months and had put in countless hours of exercise under tack.  That fact, combined with the exceptional natural athleticism he embodies, resulted in him becoming racing fit very quickly, likely sooner than any would have predicted.  But, then again, he is Dan!

                                                                                 

In the hillside roundpen adjacent to Lopresti barn

Nothing like a good roll in the sand!

Surveying all about from his hillside perch

                                                                                     

Carefully supervised while grazing

To the training track

Dan and the braintrust

Kelly aboard Dan, and Amy aboard the pony...early jogging

Jeff Thornbury, left, and Kim and Bonnie Heath admire Dan as he walks the shed

Tender loving care

Grabbing a bite while on the vibration plate

                                                                                 
After just two weeks of progressive galloping Dan’s condition was such that Charlie felt he was clearly ready to breeze and, with the cooperation of Keeneland, the turf track was made available to him for his first breeze.  Dan’s exercise rider of the past several years, Damion Rock, had undergone arthroscopic knee surgery during the winter and was not adequately convalesced to be riding at this juncture.  He and Wise Dan had formed a wonderful team, with Damion being Dan’s rider throughout the seasons of Dan’s greatest successes.  With much cause Charlie worried that he might not find a rider capable of handling the strong-willed and exceptionally powerful son of Wiseman’s Ferry but to the great fortune of Charlie Lopresti and Wise Dan, a rider of extraordinary ability had recently re-located to Keeneland for the 2015 season.  Jenn Patterson had worked with Shug McGaughey for a number of years in the capacity not only of exercise rider but as assistant trainer.  During these years she was the regular rider of many outstanding horses, notably Kentucky Derby winner Orb and five time grade one winner Point of Entry among many others, and had been given supervisory responsibilities for many of the regally bred horses of the Phipps’ stable over this time span.  She was thus very familiar with the feel of a special horse and enthusiastically accepted the rather daunting responsibility of working with Wise Dan.  Theirs proved to be a perfect marriage.  Quickly they formed a flawless team, Jenn’s exceptional riding abilities working in unison with the powerful and headstrong chestnut. 

                                                                                     

Dan with Jenn up, Amy and Charlie

To the training track, with Frances Karon, pedigree guru, turf writer and photographer, following behind

Dan, Jenn and Amy

First open gallop

Back to the barn, always checking for any sign of lameness

Loving it!

"Damn but I'm good lookin'"

Dan’s gallops, always awe-inspiring with his unbridled power, continued to be a thing of beauty to watch, with his early morning warm up trots past the stands giving the look and feel of a finely tuned dressage pairing.  Dan’s first breeze on the turf was effortless, and gave every indication that the old fellow had lost nothing.  He began a very regular work schedule over the ensuing weeks, with long gallops, occasionally exceeding two miles, punctuated with shorter gallops at a brisk two minute clip, with timed breezes of progressive increasing distance interposed every seven days.  The works were strong, fast and done with such ease that it became clear that Dan was rapidly approaching racing fitness.  A 5/8^th mile breeze in company left his work mate 15 lengths behind.   Another 5/8ths work was done in hand in 59.00 with a gallop out in 1:12.  A 3/4ths mile breeze was completed effortlessly in 1:14 with gallop out in 1:26 and change.  Very soon the big horse was ready and Charlie penciled in his debut race.  Wise Dan had already proven he loved the Woodbine turf course, and Charlie decided the $1,000,000 G1 Woodbine Mile, a race Dan had already won on two previous occasions, would be his target.  With a huge sweeping turf course unmatched in North America, the one turn mile featured a home stretch of some 1400 feet, more than ¼ mile for Dan to find his way through or around the crowd in the charge down the stretch.  After a move of 5/8ths mile in 59.00 with an exceptionally strong gallop out, Charlie decide he would gallop Dan up to his anticipated debut on September 13.  He was delighted with his physical condition. 

                                                                   

Best impersonation of a dressage horse

Poetry in motion

Wide open gallop on main track

Perfect team

         

Following the work a final exam from Dr. Bramlage found the fracture to be perfect, with absolutely no indication of any problems being present.  Plans were made to depart Keeneland around 4 PM on Thursday, September 10 and to travel to Toronto during the cool of the night, planning to arrive at Woodbine in the early morning hours of Friday, September 11.  Dan would gallop on the turf course on Saturday, school in the paddock during the afternoon races, and be ready for war on Sunday.   But fate had another plan.  After a strong gallop on Monday, September 7, Charlie was observing Dan getting his bath when he detected a very slight filling in his near front flexor tendon.  One can only imagine the dreadful feeling that must have come over him at that instant of recognition.  Summoning his veterinarian, an ultrasound confirmed Charlie’s worst fears, the study revealing evidence of a very slight tear on the outside of the distal aspect of the superficial flexor tendon.  After all Dan had been through on his road back, his fairy tale story was here destined to be derailed by the earliest signs of an impending bowed tendon.  The fractured distal right cannon bone, the source of so much concern, remained perfect throughout, healed to the point where it was no longer a concern.  The tendon injury was detected at the earliest possible stage and, in fact, the slight swelling associated with the injury had virtually fully resolved within 24 hours…but the hidden damage was there and known,  the evidence  irrefutable, and could not be denied.  A telephone conversation was carried out with Dan’s owner, Morton Fink, and at this time Charlie recommended that the time had come to retire the grand old horse, and Mr. Fink was quick to agree.  Was Dan a younger horse time alone may have healed the injury and allowed a return to racing at his previous level, so slight were the findings on the ultrasound.  But time is no longer Dan’s friend, and there comes that moment in the career of all horses, great and not so great, when it is time to say “enough,” and sadly that time is now for the great Wise Dan.  Communicating with Charlie one felt his anguish over being so close, but his pain was not for him but was for this horse that he truly loves.  Though fully understanding that with his impeccable resume Dan owed nothing to racing, as the dream of Dan’s return grew closer to becoming a reality Charlie wanted Dan to one more time display his greatness for all to see.  In spite of all his accomplishments he felt there was still a minority of horse people who failed to grasp the significance of Dan’s achievements.  Charlie expressed his love and understanding of his great friend best when he said, after I had expressed my condolences, “…we are so sad because this is what he loves.  I feel bad for him…he won’t understand why he can’t go to the track tomorrow.”  After reading fan commentary in which there was such an outpouring of love and respect for his champion, Charlie went on to say, “I cried all day after I read the stories.”  He went on to say, “He will remain at Keeneland through all his after care.  He is very special and he is happy.  He will (then) go with his (half) brother (Successful Dan) and they will never want for anything.  His tendon is already better today.”  Charlie, if you can imagine, then thanked me for “recognizing his greatness…we are so proud of him.”  A very humble man, an outstanding horseman who, through patience and understanding and listening to his horse, created the wonder that was and will always be, Wise Dan.

                                                                                   

On Keeneland turf course for work

Dan and Jenn, accompanied by Keeneland outrider, Dale Mallory

On his own...must stay between white cones

Very interested backstretch crew

Into the stretch

Poetry...

Doesn't every trainer graze all his horses?

A very special bond...

                                                                             

Charlie with his special one...

And so it is that Dan now retires with all the dignity and honor that he so richly deserves.  His exemplary resume includes 31 starts, with 23 victories and two seconds.  Included here are 19 graded victories; 11 G1s, six G2s, and two G3s.  Of these, seven graded victories have taken place at Keeneland, with four being of Grade 1 quality.  These numbers have never been approached by any horse in the history of Keeneland and, in all probability, will never be threatened.  Throughout his entire career Dan has resided under the care of Charlie Lopresti on the Keeneland backstretch.  Wise Dan didn’t just come in to Keeneland for the occasional race and then leave.  Keeneland was his home, and has been for his entire career.  He didn’t go to sunny Florida in December to escape the Kentucky winters, though he would go and spend a couple of months of rest and relaxation with Charlie and Amy Lopresti on their farm in nearby Athens.  No horse in the storied history of Keeneland has meant so much to this track or to this racing community.  He symbolizes all that is good and wonderful, not only about racing in general, but Keeneland in particular.  When Keeneland and its Polytrack was under so much attack by others throughout the industry, the quieting response could always be, “Wise Dan surely seems to do quite well with it.  If it’s good enough for Dan, we suspect it just might be fine for you as well!”  By his very presence on race days he brought a level of excitement and anticipation that had never before been seen at this track.  His anticipated races became the highlight of each meet such had become his following, other races quietly relegated to near secondary importance regardless of their stature.  His upcoming races were discussed for days prior to, and for weeks following, their running, superlative after superlative typically forthcoming.  Younger race fans, perhaps not quite capable of fully comprehending the historical magnitude of his accomplishments, nonetheless became excited by his brilliance and courage and captivated by his physical majesty.  Older, more knowledgeable fans were continually amazed and enthralled by his wonder, knowingly smiling as they shook their heads in confirmation, for this was not their first rodeo and they well understood the rarity and specialness of this grand chestnut gelding.

                                                                             

Reeve and Wise Dan

Add caption

Amy and Dan capture some golden rays of early morning

Morning glory

Amy and her "other" man

The Triumvirate...Charlie, Dan, and Amy

                                                                       
What could be more appropriate than to have a life size monumental statue of this horse standing at Keeneland, proudly and prominently displayed for all to gaze upon, to allow reflection and serve as a reminder certainly of his past greatness but, perhaps more importantly, to also serve as an inspiration to future generations of what once was and what again might be?  His like will very unlikely pass our way again, certainly not in my lifetime.  Wise Dan represents all that is wonderful about Keeneland and he has nobly served as its greatest ambassador now for the past five years.  Though steeped in tradition, it has interestingly never been the Keeneland way to honor individual achievement through any form of lasting memorial.  The time would now appear appropriate for this to change.  Change is difficult, and is usually accorded only under the most unusual of circumstances.  Such a circumstance is clearly now upon us, this being the gift of sustained excellence and consequent renown afforded Keeneland by the near heroic accomplishments of Keeneland’s own Wise Dan.   It appears now proper and the time most appropriate for Keeneland to repay in kind and grant him this most special of honors.  Wise Dan has earned this.  He is truly the people’s horse, loved and deeply respected, even revered, not only in the Bluegrass of Central Kentucky but throughout this entire nation and beyond.  One only had to listen to the resonating, thunderous applause from the crowd that greeted him as he returned from his final Shadwell victory, or understand that the cheers and exultations surrounding this victory were no less raucous on that day in the grandstand at Belmont Park in celebration of this victory, or know of the jubilation that took place in McCarthy’s pub on his victorious return in the Bernard Baruch at Saratoga.  Such outpouring of affection can only lead to the realization that the recognition of Wise Dan with such a monumental statue may well prove to be the most popular innovation perhaps ever put forth by Keeneland.  We understand that it is the nature of life and of horse racing that generations of  people will come, make their contribution, then move on; brilliant horses will appear, exciting two and three year olds who will get the blood churning and the heart racing, but ultimately they too will move through and pass on; renewal after renewal of Keeneland’s most prestigious races will be run, the winners accordingly recorded in the racing annals, but here too over the passage of time such worthy performances will be relegated to fascinating historical footnotes.  But, through all these times and occurrences, certain constants will eventuate.   First our children, then our children’s children, and even their children, will enter the hallowed grounds of Keeneland with the opportunity to be captivated, to fall in love with this place, with  these magnificent horses, with this grand sport, just as did we when we too were so young.  And as they look upon this wondrous place imagine, if you will, how they will slowly turn to gaze upon this place while their young minds and imagination assimilate the beauty and mystique of Keeneland.   Then, perhaps drawn by the flickering of reflected golden sunshine, they will suddenly come upon the most glorious sight of the magnificent bronzed horse, perched high upon his pedestal while commanding his domain of all within this august Keeneland paddock.  And one by one these children will walk to this horse, stand at its base, and look heavenly to this near mystical beast.  And they will implicitly understand that this horse was so very special, will learn of his name then, with the wonder and innocence of youth, will ask of their parent or grandparent, “Tell me about this very special horse, this great horse named Wise Dan”…and another youngster will come under the spell of Wise Dan and will fall in love with Keeneland, the Thoroughbred, and this most wonderful of all sports. And what better legacy could we leave our children than that?

                                                                                

It was shortly following the announcement of Wise Dan’s fracture in November of 2014, and with the high likelihood of his permanent retirement confronting us, that the case for a life size bronze statue of Wise Dan being erected at Keeneland was first presented.  An informal poll of horse men and women suggested overwhelming support for the idea and thus, with this encouragement from the racing community, a detailed proposal for such an undertaking was prepared with the most able assistance of one of America's foremost equine sculptors.   Courteous audience was afforded during this presentation to Keeneland but, before any meaningful dialogue could occur, the improbability of the proposal became clear when notification was given that Keeneland has an actual policy, apparently within its bylaws, which would not allow such an honor for any horse nor any individual.  The presentation fell, therefore, on courteous but quite inflexible ears.  The brief meeting concluded, written materials were left supporting Dan’s case, and it was said that the proposal would be given appropriate consideration in due time.  Unfortunately, some ten months have now passed and nothing more was ever heard from Keeneland regarding this proposal.  

Wise Dan

                                                                               

The erection of a monumental statue honoring Wise Dan seems so very appropriate, especially of course for Keeneland, but also for the benefit of the entire racing world.  Many people within the racing community have expressed their full support for such a plan.  Wise Dan owned this fabled race course and Keeneland and its fans adopted him in turn, and forever more Wise Dan belongs to Keeneland and his legion of followers.  I would hope that this proposal may be revisited and true consideration be given to the worthiness of such a project.  If indeed bylaws do exist which currently do not allow for such individual honors to be bestowed, then perhaps such bylaws can be re-visited.  Let us hope that the powers that control such issues will see the great wisdom in such a decision, a wisdom that will be applauded for countless generations to follow.  

Murray D. West

Paris, Ky.

9-20-2015