Lost In The Fog: Feb 2002 - Sep 2006; godspeed to you!

[Glimmerglass]

@RainyDayRide

A moving tribute to the Fog and to his owner in today’s San Francisco Chronicle - Finish line comes too soon.

They both captured the imagination and heart of this foggy city some time ago.

Thank you, very much for posting this - it was very sincere and the SF papers and community truly was behind this horse.

I think Russ was riding for a purpose and it showed with a perfect 7 wins for 7 starts on the card yesterday (FRI) at Golden Gate Fields, which matches the record he set in 1992.

Baze goes 7-for-7 – has nine wins in a row
Larry Stumes, San Francisco Chronicle

Saturday, August 19, 2006

Russell Baze won with all seven of his mounts Friday at the San Mateo County Fair at Bay Meadows, equaling the Northern California record for victories on a single program that he set at Golden Gate Fields on April 16, 1992.

The Hall of Fame jockey won with Real Lift ($4.40) in the first race, Dons Champion ($3.60) in the second, Lemaire ($3.80) in the third, One of a King ($7.40) in the fourth, Tami’s Gold Bar ($6.40) in the fifth, Gold Bankers Gold ($5.80) in the seventh and Underhill ($6.40) in the eighth.

Baze also won with his final two mounts Thursday to give him a nine-race winning streak going into today’s program.

“Looking at the (Daily Racing) Form, I thought I’d win a couple today or maybe three,” Baze said. “Some of the horses jumped up and ran better than they looked on paper in the same races that some others didn’t run as well as it looked on paper.”

Baze, of course, was the regular jockey for Lost in the Fog, who has been diagnosed with incurable cancer.

“It’s really sad that such a great horse has such an unhappy end,” he said. "My prayers go out to Harry (owner Aleo) and Greg (trainer Gilchrist)."
Link to SFGate

[charlieo]

There are times when I am glad that horses live in the present. The Fog will go back to his life, as he knows it, for as long as he is comfortable. We will miss him, but his last days will be “home”. How kind and thoughtful of his people. Godspeed, fella.

[hunt_jumpfl]

@Glimmerglass

Yep, Beezer, the news really does break my heart. Just a year ago I was getting ready to go to Spa first and foremost to see him in the undercard of the Travers Day - the Kings Bishop. Now a year later its not just him retiring but likely gone for good in a few weeks.

The comments [from this Friday eve’s press conference] straight from the heart of Greg and Harry: Courier-Journal

I am so saddened to hear about LITF. But I am glad to hear they are taking him home to pamper him in his final days and let the people who love and care for him say goodbye. I lost my first mare to cancer. While losing a horse (especially one so special) is never easy, there is comfort eventually in knowing that it is time and being there to say goodbye. I was lucky enough to have several months with my mare, and while it broke me to say goodbye I am now thankful that I had that extra time. My thoughts are with the loved ones of this great colt.

[CrzyCorgi]

@MsM

Poor boy, struggling with the cancer growing inside! So young for something like this. You truly never know.
If anything good has come from his and Barbaro’s situations, it may be that more of the public has seen the human, humane, caring side of the owners, grooms, jocks, and trainers. All involved have been wonderful under very difficult situations.

My thoughts exactly MsM This is soo awful How wonderful of them all to want to take him home and make his last days peaceful! Racing needs more people like LITF & Barbaro’s.

Notice my quote at the bottom from Roy Jackson.

~Darci~

[Madeline]

He had to be fast, he didn’t have long…

[lisann]

My heart goes out to all of LOTF’s connections. He was a superb race horse. I really enjoyed watching him run. May he have a few more comfortable days, surrounded in love.

[Timex]

what a shame… :no:

[Louise]

I just went to the site, to light a candle for both Barbaro and Lost in the Fog. The number of candles lit for “The Fog” is rapidly dwindling. Please take the time to go and light one or two, both to light Fog’s way to the Rainbow Bridge, and to offer comfort and support to those around him who love him so much. http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=foggy

[ASB_Stars]

Such a terrible loss

Perhaps what burns so brightly is destined to only burn for a short period of time…this horse gave everything to those who asked it of him- and seemed to do so with such a glad heart.

This situation has made me think of all of the times we have a horse who isn’t doing quite right, and we wonder what we could change to fix it- if only they could talk!

It is a terrible shame that he ran with this- but I am so impressed, and touched by the deep concern and absolute dedication to this horse that all of the connections are showing.

Godspeed, Foggy…perhaps that is the only kind of speed you have ever not possessed of yourself…

[Glimmerglass]

So hard to say goodbye to Fog

Living ‘pampered’ last days

By Sherry Ross
NY Daily News, Sunday Aug 20, 2006

SARATOGA SPRINGS - Last year, the Travers was won by Flower Alley, but the day was won by Lost in the Fog.

Racing in the King’s Bishop on the Travers Day undercard, the then-unbeaten 3-year-old colt with the modest connections and the impeccable credentials was the people’s horse. Fans wore Lost in the Fog hats, carried handmade signs and lined the paddock railing to snap pictures or just get a glimpse of the smallish bay colt whose only mission in life was to run like blazes.

The word that Lost in the Fog is dying with a rare form of cancer was made even more poignant by his trainer Greg Gilchrist’s decision to bring the colt home from the University of California-Davis veterinary school, about an hour’s van ride from his base at Golden Gate Fields near San Francisco.

“I’m a little selfish,” said Gilchrist, understandably emotional about losing a horse of a lifetime after more than 30 years in the business. “I wanted to bring him back.”

Voted the champion sprinter last year despite losing to Silver Train in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, Lost in the Fog was found to have a massive tumor under his spine after exploratory surgery Friday to determine if cancer had spread from a recently discovered tumor in his spleen.

Rather than make the immediate decision to have him euthanized in a sterile and foreign environment, Gilchrist said he will let Lost in the Fog live a pampered last few days surrounded by the people who have cared for him all his life before having him put to sleep with a fatal injection.

One other notable racehorse, the influential stallion Bold Ruler (sire of Secretariat) was euthanized after battling throat cancer at age 17. Cancer is so unusual in horses that UC-Davis is the only veterinary school in the country with a comprehensive equine oncology program, but Lost in the Fog was taken there only by coincidence, since Gilchrist had originally thought last week that the colt was experiencing a mild bout of colic.

The local hero gained a national following thanks to a carefully crafted cross-country campaign that saw Lost in the Fog race in Arizona, Florida and Kentucky as well as California and New York. His owner, crusty 86-year-old San Francisco businessman Harry Aleo, resisted the temptation to race his short-distance specialist in the Triple Crown races, and also rejected numerous offers to buy the Florida-bred colt.

“Harry’s a tough old guy,” Gilchrist said after breaking the news to Aleo. “But this is bringing him to his knees.”

Also …

Lost in the Fog to return home Sunday, no public appearance planned

A spokesman for Bay Meadows Race Course said Saturday that Lost in the Fog was scheduled to return to trainer Greg Gilchrist’s barn at Golden Gate Fields on Sunday. [Additional tests at UCD were to be taken Saturday]

Tom Ferrall, publicity director for Bay Meadows and Golden Gate, said that at present no public viewing of Lost in the Fog is in the works, and visits will most likely be limited to his racing family at Golden Gate Fields.

[texang73]

Aw, what a true shame about Foggy. I just lit a candle for him.

An amazing horse, he will be missed. :sadsmile:

[VirginiaBred]

As posted on The Barbaro Recovery thread: Lost in the Fog returns home. Excerpt:

Dr. Don Smith, the colt’s veterinarian, said the Eclipse Award sprinter was his normal, aggressive self when he returned to the barn and had eaten well after his arrival.

[msrobin]

I just lit a candle for the Fog. Watching the light flicker makes you wanna cry.

Everyone please light a new candle for him.

[CrzyCorgi]

I just lit a few candles myself…

This is soooo heart breaking…

~Darci~

[Wanderluster]

@Laurierace

I couldn’t disagree more. I can’t think of anything to be prouder of than wanting the horse more than wanting a ton of cash. And then seeing that he gets the best of everything until his final moments. To ensure that during every second of this animal’s short life, he didn’t want for anything. Believe it or not, its not all about the money and the people who won’t be getting anymore money. Thank God that life isn’t that shallow. If you can’t take pride in a life well lived, what can you take pride in? You don’t take your wallet with you when you go, so it doesn’t matter how much is in it.

That is PRESISLEY my point. That his owner cared less about the money and more about the horse . How many have done the right thing for the animal ? In a sport based upon a commercial value there are so few owners and trainers that live up to the romantic dream of DOING THE RIGHT THING in spite of the financial implications. I’m heartsick for Harry and congratulate and admire his choices.

[CeeDreams]

Lost In The Fog

I attended a Thoroughbred rescue/retirement fundraiser last month at Del Mar Country Club. Someone was selling horse shoes of popular horses to benefit the rescue/retirement organization. The shoes were perfectly shined with their names engraved on the back. In the middle of my shoe are orange rhinestones representing the colors of the stable. The horse shoe I have is from Lost In The Fog.

[witherbee]

Just saw this…

I just saw this thread - so very sad! Such a game horse and kind, loyal owners. I feel for them to go through the bittersweet last days, but it’s wonderful to see them doing what’s right for their colt.

I’m sure that breeding him is the furthest thing from thier minds right now - they just want to keep him comfortable, and that would not (not to mentione the logistics and timeframe).

How sad and I hope LITF enjoys his last days in peace.

[VirginiaBred]

Yes, I not have changed my thinking from “breed him if possible” to just leave him be and give him continued unconditional love, as it seems he has always gotten.

This is a horrible situation when an animal you adore is going to be put down. I am praying for all involved.

[Glimmerglass]

Daily Racing Form Tue Aug 22, 2006

Lost in the Fog update
By CHUCK DYBDAL

Lost in the Fog, who was diagnosed with inoperable cancer at at the University of California at Davis last week, remains his normal, aggressive self in his stall at Golden Gate Fields.

The 2005 Eclipse Award champion sprinter even took a nip at his veterinarian, Dr. Nancy Lord, when she visited during routine rounds of the barn Tuesday morning.

Trainer Greg Gilchrist, currently at the yearling sale in Ocala, Fla., is scheduled to return to California Wednesday night.

Gilchrist’s staff are carrying on in a professional manner, but the mood at the barn is undeniably subdued

[Kenike]

Still so torn up over this. I truly hope he has some wonderful last days at home with those who love him and that he passes with the most pampering he could ever imagine.

Poor Foggy…