Interesting article but not quite clear on what happened.
http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/izenbergcol/index.ssf/2015/05/chris_antley_preakness_stakes.html
I read that too, and thought it was a lot of prose but not much information.
Wow, I never really knew all that about Chris. That story is fascinating.
He was a favorite jockey to watch, and I remember the Belmont with Charismatic (what a race!). but I didn’t know about all the drug use. Even today jockeys live a crazy life. I think they are the world’s toughest athletes.
[QUOTE=Palm Beach;8672885]
I read that too, and thought it was a lot of prose but not much information.[/QUOTE]
Yes, strange. It was written like it was the introduction to a long piece. It provided no narrative, just a collage of phrases. Maybe that’s was the point, but I didn’t care for it.
[QUOTE=Gestalt;8672891]
Wow, I never really knew all that about Chris. That story is fascinating.
He was a favorite jockey to watch, and I remember the Belmont with Charismatic (what a race!). but I didn’t know about all the drug use. Even today jockeys live a crazy life. I think they are the world’s toughest athletes.[/QUOTE]
They really are. Have you read Gary Stevens’s autobiography? He was a good friend of Chris Antley, and his perspective on the whole saga will break your heart. The book is also pretty frank about what a jockey’s life is like.
Charismatic was “that” race horse for me - the one who captured me completely before he even ran in the Derby. I’ve always been a sucker for a chestnut with chrome, but there was just something about me. His Belmont was gut wrenching.
I watched a video or TV program about Chris a few years ago. His story really is heartbreaking. I think it was shown on TV before one of the races. This may be it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Hpr7RUu6P0
No, that isn’t it but it may give more info.
[QUOTE=Montanas_Girl;8673017]
Charismatic was “that” race horse for me - the one who captured me completely before he even ran in the Derby. I’ve always been a sucker for a chestnut with chrome, but there was just something about me. His Belmont was gut wrenching.[/QUOTE]
125% agree - I still think had he not broken his leg, he would have been #12. Antley saved his life that day, I had mad respect.
I haven’t read Gary’s book, but I put it on my list. He is another jockey that oozes talent.
His story has haunted me, just like any talented person who died or disappeared. Im a person who lives on the “What if?” Like what if they lived or what if the horse wasnt injured?
That Belmont was so sad, I get a lump in my throat whenever I remember it. The TV reporter who always rides, Donna Brothers, rode up as Antley was on the ground holding Charismatic’s leg and he was had tears through the mud on his face saying “he’ll be alright” and she was crying.
And yes, Antley did save that horse, just like Mike Smith did Holy Bull and Shared Belief and many, many jockeys.
I think Antley cared so much, that was part of why he had so many problems.
