Those beloved battle tested warriors! (Nee "Our Best Man" ..)

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;4541862]
After the heartbreaking narrow loss in the Breeders Cup Marathon one month to the day your ‘old’ man made it happen this time in Canada: 12-6-09 “Cloudy’s Knight rerallies in Valedictory”
100% heart and determination! Sensational run by the senior man[/QUOTE]

Thought to be done after a workout injury this beloved “old man” made his most unexpected return to racing this weekend. While he didn’t win, he did show that he still has heart and talent. Maybe - just maybe - he will try the BC Marathon again for 2010!

Courier Journal (KY) 09-11-10 - Grade 3 $150,000 Kentucky Cup Turf

Cloudy’s Knight was coming off a year’s layoff and a tendon injury when he captured this Grade III stakes in 2009, the runner-up being Rezif at 33-1. Cloudy’s Knight, trained by legendary Jonathan Sheppard, this time was coming off an 81/2-month layoff after sustaining an inflamed ligament. No 10-year-old has won a graded stakes on the flat.

And Cloudy’s Knight appeared the winner under jockey Rosemary Homeister Jr. in upper stretch, until the 5-year-old Rezif — a horse given away as a 3-year-old — came flying on the outside to give trainer and co-owner Matthew Jacobson of Versailles his first stakes victory.

Next time, my friend, next time!

Props too for Rezif as had they scratched from the race his connection were planning on running him next Saturday in a mere starter-allowance race for horses who have run for a $5,000 claiming price or less. He too earned a pint for his effort as well.

Video replay is available here - note the pronounced uphill course.

[Glimmerglass]

As spied by equidaily.com: Another old guy going to the post and tough as shoe leather. Although today the weather is lousy in Chicago - ice cold rain - for the 10-year old. Coach Jimi Lee

Battle tested? Check out Coach Jimi Lee’s past performances: 54 18-15-3

Daily Racing Form: Coach Jimi Lee still dangerous at age 10

The fastest sprinter in the history of Illinois racing, age-defying Coach Jimi Lee, hasn’t actually raced in Illinois since June 2009, but the 10-year-old gelding is scheduled to make his first Hawthorne appearance in more than two years when he starts in the featured sixth race on Wednesday.

Coach Jimi Lee was one of nine horses entered in a fourth-level allowance race also open to $50,000 claimers, by far the best weekday race of the Hawthorne fall meet.

Coach Jimi Lee turned in the fastest six-furlong clocking ever recorded at Hawthorne or anywhere else in Illinois. But which is more remarkable? The three-quarters of a mile in 1:07.27? Or the fact that Coach Jimi Lee ran that fast on Dec. 12, 2003, and remains a competitive allowance horse almost seven years later?

“Jimi” is still listed as go in the 6th race (approx 4pm CST) (He is #6)

[tradewind]

how did he do?

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=tradewind;5242141]
how did he do?[/QUOTE]

Coach Jimi Lee finished off the board in 6th, yet just a couple lengths back from the winner, and that after being forced five wide in the turn.

[Glimmerglass]

An interesting article in the Daily Racing Form (Dec 9, 2010):

“How old is too old for a racehorse?”

excerpt

Nine hundred and thirty-eight 9-year-old horses have made one North American start in 2010 – as a Thoroughbred either in a flat race or a steeplechase or as a Quarter Horse in a race with Thoroughbreds. Another 371 10-year-olds have raced at least once, as have 169 11-year-olds and 54 12-year-olds.[And 14 13-year-olds].

But older horses have consistently made up a large part of the racing population. [Dr. Larry Bramlage] conducted a study some years ago that found one-third of the population is at least 5 years old, a proportion that has remained unchanged through many years.

“It’s interesting how many 8- and 9-year-olds always are racing,” Bramlage said. “If they’re productive, they stay racing, and that hasn’t changed much. The average number of starts actually is pushed down by the younger horses we try that don’t have talent, get injured, or whatever.”

The limbs of a Thoroughbred mature at about age 3, Bramlage said, and by 4 or 5, horses’ growth plates have disappeared, and the skeleton basically has become fixed. The lone exception is the withers, the raised area between the back and the neck, which can grow – for reasons unknown – until a horse is 11 or 12.

“They aren’t born with the skeleton that’s needed to race,” Bramlage said. “That has to be trained into them. Once you make 4 to 5 starts, the incidence of knee problems and stuff goes way down: The training has made them into full-scale racehorses. The skeleton is always hardest to bring along. Once it’s fully mature, then you have wear and tear that the horse has to keep up with.”

[system]

I like to see the older guys keep at it as long as they’re happy and doing okay for themselves.

[Glimmerglass]

The 9-year old Joey P rang in 2011 with a victory at Gulfstream Park on Jan 15th:

Jockey Joe Bravo probably said it best when summing up the performance by the amazing old pro Joey P. after the 9-year-old had reasserted himself after relinquishing the lead near midstretch to outgame the favored Safe Trip and win Friday’s fifth race.

“How cool is that?” said Bravo who has been aboard Joey P. for 13 of his 18 career victories.

Not only is Joey P. a millionaire and still going strong at the age of 9, he’s doing it at a high level. His win here Friday came under second-level optional claiming conditions, with Joey P. entered under a $62,500 claiming tag. The New Jersey-bred is still owned by his breeder, John Petrini, and is trained by Ben Perkins Jr. after having spent the majority of his career with Frank Costa.

His lifetime career is now: 43 18-9 -1

[Third_Glance]

^^

That was my favorite result of the weekend. Joey B. bringing home Joey P. Or, vice versa. <g>

[Calamber]

[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;5363843]
The 9-year old Joey P rang in 2011 with a victory at Gulfstream Park on Jan 15th:

His lifetime career is now: 43 18-9 -1[/QUOTE]

Go Joey squared. Keep the stride!

[Glimmerglass]

The old man keeps going - Brisnet May 20-2011 “Brass Hat still going strong at age 10”

“He seems to still like his job and he is sound and willing,” said Buff Bradley, who trains the homebred that is owned by his father, Fred Bradley. “We will find a spot for him when he tells us he’s ready, but if he’s not right then I have no problem retiring him and sending him back to the farm.”

But that day seems to be still in the future as Brass Hat is back training at Churchill Downs for an undetermined start.

When Brass Hat’s racing days are over, that doesn’t mean his days at Churchill Downs will be over.

“I may bring him back for Derby Week and let people come by and have their picture taken with him,” Bradley said. “He usually gets a lot of visitors and a lot of people came by last week.”

Sounds like his connections are continuing to just having fun with him and are keeping his best interest in mind.

[Glimmerglass]

Joey P runs at Monmouth again! A great article on him

Asbury Park Press May 26, 2011 “Joey P. is a horse people love to root for” (excerpt)

He’s always been one to attract a crowd, that Joey P.

Like the time he escaped from a field with a mare and the two were out on Landis Ave. heading for downtown Vineland when the cops and about a hundred locals gathered to see what all the ruckus was.

It was another two hours before they could finally catch him.

That was almost nine years ago. But on Saturday, Joey P. will once again be surrounded by his people, the legion of loyal supporters circling the Monmouth Park paddock to see the homebred gelding, whose story has resonated with rank-and-file race fans, before he tries to win the John J. Reilly Handicap for a fourth time.

“I think Joey P. has more fans than I do in New Jersey,” said Joe Bravo, who will be hoisted into the saddle by trainer Ben Perkins Jr. late in the afternoon.

Like every older athlete, it takes Joey P. longer to recover nowadays. And at some point in the next year or so he will likely take up residence at the farm in Millville where Petrini boards all his horses, including Joey P.'s mother, Luckey Lipco.

He’s earned it. Because for the past eight years, Joey P. has embodied a lot of what’s good about the sport. He’s a horse you want to root for because many of those who plunk down $2 on him can find parallels between his story and theirs.

DRF May 27, 2011 “Monmouth’s Reilly features fan favorite Joey P.”

The Reilly shares top billing Saturday at Monmouth Park with the $70,000 Lamplighter for 3-year-olds on the turf. The 12-race card kicks off the Memorial Day weekend, which includes cards Sunday and Monday. First post is 12:50 p.m. on all three days.

A six-furlong race for statebreds, the Reilly is an early-season fixture at Monmouth and the first major event for New Jersey-breds since last fall.

It wouldn’t be a Reilly without return appearances by Joey P. and Who’s the Cowboy, a pair of 9-year-old gelded warhorses who have had success here over the years.

Joey P., one of the most popular horses on the grounds, is 13-7-1 in 26 main-track appearances at Monmouth. A career winner of $1,063,667, he will be making his fifth Reilly start, having won the stakes in 2006, 2008, and 2009. He was second last year to Unwritten, who returns to defend his Reilly title.

Here is rooting for the 9-yr old!

[Drvmb1ggl3]

14yo, The Tatling, will make his 176th and final start tomorrow at Wolverhampton. Yes, you read that right, 176 starts. A top class sprinter at the height of his powers, he won the Kings Stand (a G2 at the time, now a G1) and was three times second in the Nunthorpe Stakes G1.
Tough 'ol nut…

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/veteran-sprinter-the-tatling-set-for-last-race/961016/

“He has got a little bit steadier and it is unfair to run him after he has been such a good servant to us,” the trainer said on Sunday. “He has just lost a bit of his sparkle.”

Bradley has had The Tatling since claiming him in 2002 and nominated The Tatling’s 2004 victory in the King’s Stand - then a Group 2 - as the highlight.

He said: “It was a big field and they didn’t give us a lot of chance, two furlongs out he had three behind him but he won going away, it was no lucky win.”

[Glimmerglass]

The old man was robbed in his last start, but certainly was game to the last stride of his career

Video: Bold Chieftain, Golden Gate Fields, Jan 16, 2011 Race 3

The 9-year-old horse, who will begin his stud career at Victory Rose Farm in nearby Vacaville, Calif., next week, finished his career with 18 victories, 14 seconds, and 4 thirds in 47 starts while earning $1,683,181.

“He was trying to win and wanted to win,” said Bold Chieftain’s regular jockey, Russell Baze.

“This horse gave us all he’s got every time, and he’s given us lots of wins,” said trainer Bill Morey Jr., who was also the co-breeder and co-owner of Bold Chieftain, a Chief Seattle horse.

Enjoy the gold watch, sir, in your retirement!

[Glimmerglass]

I’ve watched this horse race in person and saddled in the paddock and its been a honor and pleasure to see on old warrior go out firmly on top:

(Video) Grade 3 Singspiel Stakes @ 1 1/2 miles on turf; Woodbine ONT

10-year-old Musketier, the grand old man of the Attfield stable, who proved best as the 5-2 second choice with his 7-year-old stablemate Simmard, favored at 4-5.

Trainer Roger Attfield now has won five of the eight runnings of the Singspiel with three coming courtesy of Musketier, who also captured the 2009 and 1011 editions.

Musketier earned $90,000 to boost his career bankroll past the $1.1 million mark and Attfield said following the race that this year would be the horse’s last at the races.

Musketier with Lifetime Starts: 48; Firsts: 12, Seconds: 6, Thirds: 6.

A well deserved gold watch for retirement!

[Glimmerglass]

Whoops - some reading for comprehension needed on my part - as Musketier isn’t retired until the end of year and so he’ll be in Chicago this weekend!

Sat July 14 @ Arlington Park: Race 10 G3-Turf $150k Stars & Stripes

Also in this field, Working For Hops along with Sean Clancy’s Eagle Poise which will make it interesting.

[CAH]

Joey P Lands with ReRun, Inc…

by ReRun Thoroughbred Adoption on Thursday, July 12, 2012 at 10:10am ·
.

“A New Jersey Favorite Hangs his Racing Shoes”

Joey P Lands with ReRun Inc.

By: Tatiana Verenicin- Chan (ReRun Inc.)

“I want to fly like an eagle… To the sea…Fly like an eagle…Let my spirit carry me…I want to fly like an eagle… Till I’m free… Oh, Lord, through the revolution…”.(Steve Miller and Steve Miller Band–Album Fly Like an Eagle. January 1977.)

He was free on the track for nine years. Nine years, unheard of for most racehorses. Free to run and win; do what he was born to do, because he knew he could do it. Just ask those who spent any time with this Thoroughbred. Joey P, a Jersey bred, flew with spirit through the demanding industry of horse racing.

Starting Gate: Dreamlike Success. He stands a stately tall 17 +hands. He is a russet dark bay gelding, with jet black mane and forelock, engrossing deep black eyes, who commands attention and why not? He has been receiving it since he set foot on shavings and grass. His tale began March 22, 2002 with two families; his genetic family, Close Up (Sire), and Lucky Lipco (Dam), and his racing family; An extensive list of individuals; John Petrini (breeder/owner), Frank Costa and later Ben Perkins Jr./Chris Gardiner (trainers), groomer, and Joe Bravo, Chuck Lopez, Pablo Fragoso, (predominant jockeys) . Joey P stayed grounded with most of this group for nearly 10 years; atypical in horse racing circles. His first real brush with humans was Petrini who named him after his eighth grandson. Petrini pauses, “So much has been written. Let me see, a story. Yes, I remember this one time in Vineland, New Jersey, there was this mare he liked and suddenly she and Joey P are gone. Just gone. They are running down the highway…nowhere to be seen. Two hours later, he was back where he came from… Another time there was this lady. It was in February, before Joey was born. She would come by every night and just sit outside on a lounge chair staring at the barn. Waiting. Nine to ten babies were born that year but none like Joey P.”

As Joey P matured, his path to racing glory developed. Initial trainer Frank Costa (2011 Buddy Raines Award Winner) unleashed the Joey P magic. During their first four years, Costa and Joey P made headlines and earned nearly half a million dollars. A Costa colleague reminisces, “Frank and Joey won their first five races. He did a great job with him, it was pretty amazing.” In early 2006 and with a national racing campaign on his mind, Petrini changed strategy and approached Perkins Jr. The goal was to see how Joey P would do outside of New Jersey, trying Florida and other states. Joey P did not disappoint. He transcended Jersey bred racing boundaries, winning The Charles Town Dash Invitational (WV) and Gulfstream (FL). Petrini states, “He was and is the best New Jersey sprinter ever…such a classy horse. He got cranky as he got older but had his regalnes, though he comes from ‘soft pedigree.’” He chuckles, "Joey always wanted his own space, a tough guy. You wanted to greet him, you had to earn his respect or no way would he acknowledge you…“Ahhh…there was this one jock who rode against Joey P many times. His horse is running and catching up. Joey P is winning. Jock decides to try and squeeze Joey on the rail. Instead he takes his horse into open area where Joey P got a shot to look at 'em and as the jock explains it, Joey P grabbed the bit and took off…that jock almost had him beat.”

That was the problem. Almost having him beat, rarely worked when running against Joey P. If other jockeys and their mounts wanted to win, they had to be perfect and more calculating. Joey P’s career continued to boom under Perkins Jr. and, Assistant Trainer, Chris Gardiner (earnings of over half a million dollars). Gardiner recalls… “What a tremendous athlete. He was the biggest horse in the barn. Seventeen plus hands of agility and quick on his feet. So balanced for his size. Most racing careers last three years…Joey’s nine. I guess you could call him a ‘freak of nature’. A once in life time horse…a six furlong horse and never a better New Jersey bred…He was the Iron Horse of our barn…the Iron Horse.” Perkins Jr. and Gardiner agree, “He was one of our favorites…not replaceable…not ever… period.” Joey P’s track intimidation was in no small part due to the talents of Joe Bravo, coincidentally, ‘Joey’ to some. His agent, Mr. Nied, explains, “Joe loved that horse….Bravo was on him 80-90% of the time…what an iron horse…just amazing.” Bravo and Joey P partnered for 28 rides and 13 wins. Bravo exclaims, “Joey P….oh maaannnn… Joey P… awesome horse. He had the best personality ever. I will never forget him…made me mad once (chuckling)…so strong…one time just exercising him, kept getting faster…I was trying to slow him down you know…we weren’t in a race…couldn’t do it …can you believe it. He pulled my back out……Joey P. Man…I just loved that horse. He loved the run. Loved the run.” With as much adulation as Bravo’s recollection of Joey P, Chuck Lopez , three time rider of Joey P, shares, " Bravo rode him the most…First time I saw them was at Aqueduct. They won, of course. I always watched Bravo and Joey P. Always wanted a chance to ride him… I got a shot at this one race. …got the mount….I was standing next to Joey P and couldn’t believe it…So big…he was massive. I thought to myself this one is not like any other New Jersey bred. He meant business…ALWAYS wanted the wire."

What added to Joey P’s peculiar success was his lack of superior bloodlines, or “soft” pedigree. Mom and dad were not exceptional racers but they produced a “special” foal. Joey P’s great-grandfather may have had something to say about “soft” pedigree. Seattle Slew, 1977 Triple Crown winner would be proud.

Home Stretch: Earned Tranquility. Joey P has retired. His racing days, a brilliant piece of history and storybook material, are over. Perkins Jr. summed it up, “If he wasn’t able to compete, he wouldn’t run anymore.” The truth is he still runs. But free of pressures. His home is now with ReRun Inc. He resides in the tranquility of Hill Haven Farm (Eileen Munyak). Munyak shares, “Joey P is the star…I love horses and try to be there when they need some help. Joey P is the star from birth to retirement.”

Joey P made it through the horse racing revolution and can just be. As a volunteer for ReRun I have the privilege of spending some time with Joey P. Each time we do breakfast I am in awe; speechless. He knows his stall. He owns his paddock. He is huge, brawny, confident; yet temperate. He listens to and watches everything around him. He knows his power but does not flaunt it. It was not long ago that he left others in the dust. He marches to his own beat. He knows who he is and what he has done. He knows it. We all know it. And no one will ever forget it. Joey P has found his peace and ReRun Inc. will safeguard it forever. Joey P has landed.

Joey P (G3) compiled a career record of 18-9-1 in 44 starts, with earnings of $1,063,667. He has at least one win in every one of his eight seasons of racing, and has never competed in anything less than stakes/ allowance company.

ReRun Inc. was founded in 1996 in Kentucky as a nonprofit501©(3) Thoroughbred rehabilitation and adoption program. On average, 30,000 Thoroughbreds are born annually to owners and breeders whose hope is to raise a champion. And every year thousands of Thoroughbreds are retired from the track to face an unknown fate. In the last 15 years ReRun has found homes and sponsors for over 500 OTTBs. ReRun takes in horses off the racetracks throughout the Mid-Atlantic and East Coast regions, and serves as the on-site aftercare program for Monmouth Park Racetrack (NJ). With contracts and close monitoring, ReRun knows its adoptees are in good loving homes. Whatever you are searching for in a retired Thoroughbred, ReRun will find the perfect match. ReRun maintains chapters in Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

SAVE THE DATE- September 15, 2012:

“Monmouth Park- New Jersey Thoroughbred Breeder’s Day at the Races- Joey P Retirement Gala Event”

Joey P retired in 2011 but his final send off is scheduled for September 15, 2012. Monmouth Park and ReRun Inc. invite all Joey P and racing fans to this exciting day. Give Joey P his final send off and cheer for your favorite Thoroughbred!

For further information please visit www.rerun.org or contact rerunnj@verizon.net

732-521-1370

[PeteyPie]

@CAH;6437185

What added to Joey P’s peculiar success was his lack of superior bloodlines, or “soft” pedigree. Mom and dad were not exceptional racers but they produced a “special” foal. Joey P’s great-grandfather may have had something to say about “soft” pedigree. Seattle Slew, 1977 Triple Crown winner would be proud.

I think his dam WAS exceptional in that she ran 63 times and raced for six years. Her record is 11 wins, 17 places and 5 shows, or 52% in the money. She was very tough.

She must have passed on her soundness: four of her other babies (not by Joey P’s sire, Close Up) ran a collective 258 races.

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;6432596]
Whoops - some reading for comprehension needed on my part - as Musketier isn’t retired until the end of year and so he’ll be in Chicago this weekend!

Sat July 14 @ Arlington Park: Race 10 G3-Turf $150k Stars & Stripes[/QUOTE]

A great race for the ‘old man’ and one heck of a fighting finish. My wife had $3 on the winner - Ioya Bigtime - good for about $125 but we both were pushing for 10-yr old Musketier who has now in his 4 races this year gone 1-1-1, all graded stakes races.

In the paddock he looks exceedingly lean with ribs showing, but isn’t one step behind the young ones.

Image = Musketier just before Joel gets a leg up

Video replay: Grade 3-T $150k Stars and Stripes, Arlington Park.