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

[gilmanr]

Thanks. That’s reassuring, as is this portion of an article posted by the Chronicle regarding his relatively slow work:

Lost in the Fog, unbeaten in eight starts, worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.96 on a muddy track Sunday morning at Saratoga. Although it was only the sixth- fastest of 10 workouts at the distance, it was by far the best of the three that were officially declared “breezing.”

“He did everything by himself,” said jockey Edgar Prado, who worked Lost in the Fog. “I was concerned how he was going to handle the track because it was greasy with water underneath the surface. But his class and talent just carried him through.”

And let’s remember that his slowest work prior to this (five in 1:00 and 3) came exactly six days before breaking the track record at GG.

[Glimmerglass]

Assoc Press/Fox Sports 10-21-05 “Horse of Year contenders up for grabs at Breeders’ Cup”

excerpt:

But don’t count out Lost in the Fog, who looms six furlongs away from a chance to claim three Eclipse Awards - for top sprinter, top 3-year-old and Horse of the Year.

[snip]

“Basically, in my eyes, it comes down to Afleet Alex and whoever wins the Classic,” trainer Todd Pletcher began before correcting his omission: "Lost in the Fog. I left him out. If he were to win the Sprint, I think he puts himself in position to make a strong case for not only Horse of the Year, but champion 3-year-old."

[Glimmerglass]

This is going to be one heck of a challenge against him. But he is up to the task largely because he can run his final fractions even faster then his first.

Some assorted bits of updates …

Blood-Horse 10-20-05 “Mulhall Aboard for Imperialism’s Drive-By Drill”

“I have all the respect in the world for Lost in the Fog, but I think they are going to be attacking him,” she said.

DRF 10-20-05 “BC Sprint: Fog fails to scare off competition”

If all 14 make it into the starting gate, it will be the first time a full field has contested the six-furlong Sprint since the Breeders’ Cup was last held at Belmont Park in 2001.

Attila’s Storm and Lifestyle were the most surprising of the pre-entrants, and their presence could have a major impact on the race. Both horses have been on or with the pace in each of their seven career starts, and they should provide Lost in the Fog with his stiffest challenge for the lead in the Sprint.

San Fran Chronicle 10-20-05 “Lost in the Fog lifts the haze from the Breeders’ Cup Sprint”

excerpt:

[I]“The Sprint is pretty much the same every year,” Gilchrist said. “When the man kicks it open, it’s going to be 21 (seconds for the first quarter-mile), 43 (for the half-mile), and it’s going to be an all-out jailbreak.”

Lost in the Fog has led from the start in all but two of his races and ran in second place early in those.

“He’s been on the lead, but that’s not necessarily by design,” Gilchrist said. “We take him off of horses in the mornings. If he draws way to the inside (post position), we’re going to send; it takes away the other option. He’s faced pretty much all of it; there will be nothing new. He’s doing just as well as he ever has, so I see no reason that he is not going to go out and turn in a real good one again.” [/I]

[system]

The final list for each race will come out on Wednesday (they’re posted 3 days before the race). Mom, Harry & Greg think Bellamy Road will run in the Travers for the prestige of it rather than against LITF in a lesser pursed race. There was mention of the large ego’s of certain owners & trainers that were involved in making a decision but I won’t repeat all that here…grin

[Lord_Helpus]

I dunno. His connections seem flakey to me. Pass up the first nomination: “NO WAY will we go to the Derby”. now it’s “The Derby is our goal”.

Then “We’ll probably run in the Florida Derby to see how he does around 2 turns”. Now it’s “We are going home and not shipping all the way back across country again for the Florida Derby”.

BUT, “Our two options are The Santa Anita Derby or the Wood Memorial”. HUH? Where do they think the Wood is run? In Utah?

And, if they opt for the Santa Anita Derby, he has to up against Declan’s Moon. At least one of them will have to go all out and possibly leave his best race in California and not be able to run at his peak in Ky. That would be too bad.

I just hope that all of this wishy-washyness will not hurt this wonderful colt.

On another racing forum someone who lives in SF is saying that “the owner is NOT a nice man at all”… Evidently he is so far right of conservative, even a skin head would steer clear of him. THIS IS ALL THIRD HAND, so take it for what it’s worth. I believe it is partially based on signs and articles he puts up in the windows of his real estate office in SF. I did read an article in which he took pride in behing the last conservative in a land of crazed liberals.

[Glimmerglass]

Originally posted by Drumbiggle:
“How can you compare a horse that’s won 8 straight races with the GODDAM Battle of the Bulge?”

Those sharp multi-talented folks over at Equidaily.com happened to snag the audio of that odd question and reply.

Foolhearty ESPN Q&A with Harry Aleo

Good thing for the reporter Harry didn’t have fist like Burt Reynolds and his run-in with a dope of an interviewer

It does appear that Harry & Co will put up the money ($90,000) to supplement LITF for the Breeders’ Cup, which he is otherwise not allowed to enter.

SF Chronicle 8/28 “‘Fog’ remains undefeated – 9-for-9”

excerpt:

[I]Before the race, Aleo snapped at an ESPN reporter who asked about Lost in the Fog in the context of a lifetime that included fighting in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.

“You’re asking me to compare a horse that’s 8-for-8 with the God-damned Battle of the Bulge?” Aleo answered.

[snip]

Lost in the Fog completed 7 furlongs in 1:22.56, assuring that his Beyer Speed Figure will exceed 100 as it did in all of his previous races.

“I can’t think of another horse that’s done that,” said Andrew Beyer, the father of the respected speed figures that are published in the Daily Racing Form. “Formal Gold ran 16 times in a career that started when he was a 3-year- old, and he once dipped to 99. He ended his career with 126, 124 and 125. He never won an Eclipse Award, but he certainly was the best horse of the 1990s figure-wise.”

Lost in the Fog tied Ema Bovary for the second-longest winning streak by a Northern California horse, trailing only Hap Logue, who won 11 in a row in 1973. But while Hap Logue ran in starter allowance races in the Bay Area, Lost in the Fog has won eight straight stakes events and three each in New York and Florida.

Gilchrist said he would be inclined to train Lost in the Fog up to the Breeders’ Cup rather than run in another race beforehand. Lost in the Fog has been shipped back to Golden Gate Fields to train between each of his starts and will return there again Tuesday.[/I]

[JER]

IIRC, it was the “Battle of the Goddam Bulge.”

I loved the image of a spotless, gleaming LITF cruising home with a fading group of dirt-covered horses behind him. If we saw this in a movie, we’d all be poking fun at it.

When that objection came up, I figured it had to be at the start because it was the only time any of those horses got anywhere near LITF.

[Glimmerglass]

Looks like the DRF was able to get a better idea of a start …

Lost in the Fog targeted for April 22 return
By CHUCK DYBDAL
DRF 1/3/06
SAN MATEO, Calif. - Trainer Greg Gilchrist was happy to greet an old friend this week when Lost in the Fog returned to his barn at Golden Gate Fields.

Lost in the Fog got two months’ rest and relaxation at the Southern Chase Farm in Florida, where he grew up, following his seventh-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, which snapped his 10-race winning streak. His Beyer Speed Figure of 98 also snapped his streak of triple-digit Beyer Figures at 10.

Gilchrist says Lost in the Fog’s first start of 2006 will be in the $100,000 Golden Gate Fields Sprint on April 22. The six-furlong race for older runners was originally planned as the Golden Gate Breeders’ Cup Sprint before the track decided to use the Breeders’ Cup funds on a different race, since Lost in the Fog isn’t Breeders’ Cup eligible.

Gilchrist said he would take his time getting Lost in the Fog back to the races, especially because of the wet weather in the area. He said the April 22 race would give him plenty of time without having to rush Lost in the Fog back.

“You like to target something,” he said, adding that the chance to race Lost in the Fog on his home track made for an attractive starting point.

[Glimmerglass]

Liza, thanks for sharing that.

The good, the bad and the ugly here:

Pasadena Star News 10-30-05 “Lost in the Fog a ‘dog’”

[I]Owner Harry Aleo, the 85-year-old real-estate and insurance zillionaire from San Francisco, was on camera for a post-race interview on the path away from the track when a fan walked up behind him holding up a hand-lettered T-shirt.

“Lost in the Fog,” the T-shirt read, “Will Run Like a Dog.”

What inspired such vitriol in the fan, described by witnesses as a man in his 30s, is hard to imagine except that clearly Lost in the Fog’s unorthodox winning streak worked on people’s emotions in unusual ways.

Aleo, who has been described as cantankerous as often as Lost in the Fog has been described as quick, didn’t appreciate the guy’s evident handicapping prowess.

Aleo turned and got right up in the skeptic’s face and said something to him.

“You stick that you know where,” the old man said.

No punches were thrown. The fan was smart enough not to tangle with Harry Aleo.

But a message was exchanged. The Lost in the Fog doubters aren’t going to shut up and the Lost in the Fog camp isn’t about to back down.[/I]

“Hats off to the winner,” Gilchrist said. "Hats off to all of them in there that ran so well. I still like him (Lost in the Fog).

[Glimmerglass]

Perhaps this should be Foggy’s theme song

10-26-05: sprinter, Pomeroy, drops out of BC contention

He recently won the Alfred G. Vanderbilt (Grade 2) at Spa so he was one of the faster would-be challengers.

Although, CBS Sports suggest Gygistar will be a noted threat with his home-track advantage and then some.

10-26-05 “BC Sprint: Gygistar has home-field edge”

Note: Greg Gilchrist canceled Lost in the Fog’s scheduled gallop on Tuesday because of the Nor’easter. It was only 30-something degrees with wind chill Tuesday at Belmont! Lost in the Fog was expected to gallop Wednesday instead.

[Glimmerglass]

My girlfriend and I just flew back from Albany this afternoon after having a blast all day at the Saratoga track yesterday.

It was wonderful to finally see LITF in person - such a fantastic horse both on the track and simply being walked to the paddock.

Not sure if ESPN captured the on-track reactions. With LITF flying towards home everyone was up and cheering wildly even though it was no contest - we simply watched him as if he was as much our horse as Harry’s. Then when the foolish jockey objection was raised the crowd simply booed as we all knew who won fair and square. Upon dismissal - with Tom Durkin playing up the news - there was a great cheer.

No other horse walking back from the winner’s circle on the track all day (when passing the grandstand) received as much genuine applause as Lost In The Fog did!

I wonder if George & Nick wished they had taken on LITF instead of Roman Ruler & Flower Alley? The result would’ve still been the same as Bellamy Road couldn’t have touched Fog

[Glimmerglass]

side point - the only other Northern California (based) horse to win an Eclipse was Brown Bess. At 7 yrs old she won the 1989 Turf Eclipse Award for Filly/Mare.

Brown Bess had 36-race career and at 7 years-old she went 5-for-5 in graded stakes on turf for females - the shortest being 1 1/8 miles.

Brown Bess gave birth in 1997 to a filly - picture of both is here; today there is in her honor the $100,000 Brown Bess Handicap (for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on turf) held at Golden Gate Fields.

[foundationmare]

I was squirming when the interviewer was bumbling with Mr. Aleo. “What did you say???” I got a kick out of his responses. Tally: old dude: priceless; young interviewer: raspberry/loser!

Like I said, I was laughing my ass off!

And then I was cheering Johnny home in the Travers. First for him, first for Todd. I wish I could have seen it live. Just left message for JV’s agent and have a hunch that there’s going to be a hot time on the old town tonight! Woohoo!

[JER]

Pico Central is retired

Another one out of the BC Sprint.

[Alibhai_s_Alibar]

Lost In The Fog has tremendous presence. I’ve seen him run three times now and each time, I’ve noticed him taking a good look at the crowds. He sort of swings his head to each side and looks at people- I got a good look from him at Aqueduct:

http://www.finalturngallery.com/album613/DSCF2175

I’ve heard other people say the same thing. I told my fiance that LITF is the fastest AND smartest horse out there

What a great day it was at Saratoga on Saturday! My photos of LITF’s win and the rest of the card (including that other big 3YO race, ha ha):

http://www.finalturngallery.com/Alibhai

[Glimmerglass]

Kinsa - I think this link to Equibase goes right to the Saturday Bay Meadows schedule of cards. This will be race #8 for the day.

Note the apropos entry in race #4 - “Mardi Gras Riot”

[Glimmerglass]

Tons of articles on LITF both discussing the TVG Breeders’ Cup Sprint race and his chance for Horse of The Year

Courier-Journal 10-24-05 “Lost in the Fog might find perfect way to the top”

excerpt:

[I]The last major horse to stay unbeaten for so long while racing strictly in the United States was 4-year-old Personal Ensign, who retired 13 for 13 (over three years) in 1988. Santa Anita Derby winner Mister Frisky went 13 for 13 in Puerto Rico and won his first 16 before losing the 1990 Kentucky Derby.

“Sure you think about it,” Gilchrist said of the unbeaten streak. "You know when you really think about that? When you run at Bay Meadows and you’re 1-9 and they’re giving out hats and T-shirts. You’re going, ‘What if we don’t win? Where’s the back door?’ "[/I]

Ocala Star-Banner 10-24-05 “Florida-bred win drought should come to an end”

Excerpt:

And all this from a horse that was born on a small Marion County farm that no longer exists in name, was by a sire that was not well known, and was offered three times at public auction, selling the first time for a paltry $13,000.

San Fran Chronicle 10-24-05 “Baze, Fog prepare for national spotlight; Jockey says career not on line Saturday”

Excerpt:

“One race doesn’t make a career, but it is a race that people will remember,” said Greg Gilchrist, Lost in the Fog’s trainer. “It would be a punctuation mark, but it’s not going to affect what he’s done before or what he’s going to do. He has a lot to be proud of.”

[snip]

“He breaks quickly, and when the other guys see how easily he’s doing it, they probably realize it would be suicide to try to go after him,” Baze said. “They think he’s going to crumble, but he doesn’t. I don’t doubt that one or two horses in the Breeders’ Cup will send hard, and we’ll play it by ear. He’s shown that he doesn’t have to have the lead if someone else wants to go too fast.”

[gilmanr]

Doesn’t LITF bring back memories of her? Not so much the way he moves (I’ve always thought his gate was a little unorthodox; he appears almost to be falling forward when he runs, and SP was as smooth as could be) but the even fractions that wear down opponents. Her loss in the final steps of the BC Sprint to Cherokee Run was heartbreaking! Hope it’s not an omen.

Also, I made a number of mistakes in my last post that I will attribute to fatigue rather than old age: Santana Strings lost to LITF at GP, not Calder. Frisco Star did break the track record in his first start, but the distance was 5 1/2 furlongs. And SS’s trainer is, of course, Asmussen, not Rasmussen. Also, I didn’t quite absorb Glimmerglass’s comment about Bellamy Road possibly opting for the Travers instead of the King’s Bishop. Too bad-- the Steinbrenner Aleo matchup would have been almost as intriguing as the one on the track! I suspect the KB will have a rather short field: LITF, SS, Acey Deucey, Sensibly Chic. . . still pretty formidable.

[lizathenag]

Lost in the Fog

Danzig grandson out of a Caro granddaughter.

Living in San Francisco and keeping my horse near the coast, I often ride in heavy fog. Thanks Glimmerglass for keeping us updated.

Now I need to get back to work!

[Kinsa]

LITF worked 4 furlongs in 47.20 handily this morning at Golden Gate Fields per GGF webpage.