Saginaw

[miff]

Hard hitting warrior broke down today at SPA and reportedly did not make it.

[Al Caught Up]

This one left me about as melancholy as I can remember, up there with Prairie Bayou and Barbaro. My dad passed away a couple of weekends ago, and I have, as one of my very earliest memories of him, listening to the Ruffian-Foolish Pleasure match race on CBS radio. It\'s funny how these things get intertwined. Saginaw was a true throwback horse, and reminded me a lot of Caixa Electronica\'s sire, Arromanches.

RIP to a real tough racehorse.

[Fairmount1]

This, (the connection to horses, our lives, and breakdowns), is (are) one reason (reasons), and a big one (ones), why horse racing is different than any other game or gambling.....in both a great way and a horrible way....

I appreciate that post Al Caught Up.  I really do.  Condolences to you regarding your father, a true fan.

[richiebee]

Al:

Sorry for your loss. I was following today\'s proceedings online at work today,
first hearing from Steve Crist that Saginaw had been pulled up, then hearing
from Grenig that Saginaw seemed comfortable back in the barn, attacking his hay
net, and then ultimately hearing that Saginaw had suffered injuries which
necessitated that he be put down. Hope and despair, all within the the span of
an hour.

In my mind I want to believe that all horseplayers are horse lovers. We are awed
by their speed and beauty, but the game we play sometimes puts us in a position
where racehorses are numbers on a page and it is easy to forget that all
racehorses, some more than others, experience a very human range of emotions,
taking comfort in familiar surroundings, fearing the unknown.

Maybe today\'s sad turn of events will cause Mike Repole to retire Caixa
Electronica, who has done more than enough over the years.

I will repeat that for all that is wrong with this game right now, there are
very positive things going on regarding retasking thoroughbreds when their
racing careers are over, whether they are retrained as a hunter jumper on some
huge verdant estate, or sent to a penal institution to aid in the rehabilitation
of criminals.

[Al Caught Up]

Fairmont and Richie, thanks to you both for your kind words, and Richie, I agree with everything you said in your last paragraph. I think when I first saw Grening\'s post that they might be able to save Saginaw, and then when I read the sad news, it just felt numb. I wasn\'t even playing today, just curious as to which of the old vets--Caixa Electronica or Saginaw--would prevail.

I never bet on Saginaw in my life--in fact, I think I tried to beat him a few times--but I loved to see whenever he would run. He reminded me of so many horses I just would always be happy were out there--Say Florida Sandy, Arromanches (ironically, the sire of Caixa Electronica), Xtra Heat, and happier times. It took me out of betting and got me back to the fan i was when I first began to love this sport. Away from Timely Writer, Go For Wand, Union City, Eight Belles. Ugh. I think you know what I mean.

It takes a lot to feel sad for Jacobson, but I guess this works. Better days tomorrow...

[drbillym]

Richie, it is so true and important that you point out that horses go through all sorts of human emotions.  I had a very sad experience this summer when I was called out to a farm to euthanize a horse that had broken its leg while running in a field.  This gelding had spent years in the company of a mare in the same field.  After the euthanasia was complete, and I was standing facing the gelding lying on the ground, I felt a nudging on my back.  The mare had come over and was gently pushing on me, as if to say, save my pal.  Very sad, and something I will not forget.
Yes, in our handicapping, we don\'t really think about the horse\'s emotions, so for me, this was a good reminder.

[Beau]

Sad to hear the bad news! What a RACEHORSE he was!!!!!

I\'m sure carrying 130 pounds didn\'t help. Ridiculous!!!! The horses these days are not the same as the old timers. Although Saginaw was a running warrior the weight bothers me.

[Topcat]

The amber light\'s always flashing when he bobbled out of the gate, like he did, yesterday . .