For some time now we have recognized outstanding performance in the Thoroughbred racing game. Of course, we put a little Tennessee twist on each award for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, as the Volunteer state it is our duty to educate others with our culture. And while doing so, we hope to bring out a smile. The envelope please…
THE CAST IRON SKILLET
The staple of every cooking kitchen used to be a cast iron skillet. Versatile in nature, you could fry up squirrel, rabbit, chicken, or sausage in it, stick it in the oven for the cornbread, and then even make the sawmill gravy if so desired. A seasoned skillet cooks like a champ and one of the reasons is because it retains heat in a big way.
Goliad is a son of War Front that has done most of his running on the West Coast. Kentucky-bred and full of front-running speed, this Richard Mandella trainee took it back to his birthplace and enjoyed a September to remember. Kentucky Downs has become the most attractive spot for grass runners right around Labor Day because the money flows like a whiskey bottle on the weekend. Shipping in and running like a scalded dog on September 1, Goliad conquered the undulating turf course of Kentucky Downs in a one-mile Handicap race that saw him lead at every call and pocket $300,000 as the winner’s share of the purse. Understanding he had a hot horse that took to this unusual turf course, Mandella decided to run him back just six days later in the Mint Millions at Kentucky Downs. Could he retain that same form against a bigger and tougher field? And how about the heat a $2 million purse would bring?
The gates opened and there was Goliad on the lead from his outside post in a nine-horse field. The opening quarter mile was a sensible 23.14, but the pace quickened drastically as Goliad guided the field through a half mile in 44.92. That means Goliad went 21.78 in that second quarter just 6 days after his last score. Guiding Goliad to the rail, jockey Flavien Prat saved every inch of ground as they turned for home. Running with authority, Mandella’s charge made like the energizer bunny and just kept going. Crossing the finish a fat length to the good, Goliad proved he could maintain his heat…just like a cast iron skillet!!!
THE CHOCOLATE THUNDER
Me and my lovely wife were awfully young when we got hitched. She worked at a veterinarian while finishing up her ciphering classes at MTSU. Having a penchant for animals, she frequently brought home critters. One happened to be a half Chocolate Labrador half wolf pup. We named him Chocolate Thunder. Big and fantastically natured, he was as friendly a dog as you would meet, except when it came to wildlife. Old Choc would jump the fence and patrol the creek out behind our house. He brought home his kill and laid it in the back yard for us to see. He somehow scored a four-point deer head once (which was a family record at the time). One day however, Choc scampered off and didn’t come back. Two weeks went by and still no wolf-dog. We thought he was lost. Then one day while driving to the vet’s office the wife spotted him near some railroad tracks. She called him and he came running. He came home with her and all was good again as we had our Chocolate Thunder.
Soul of an Angel came into the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint as an afterthought to many. Yes, she had won the Princess Rooney Stakes at Gulstream Park in her previous race, but the victory percentage was far lower than most of her competition. A strong performance in South Florida at this same distance, however, gave trainer Saffie Joseph good reason to send this granddaughter of The Factor to Del Mar for the Cup.
Being partial to this five-year-old female because her name reminded me of one of our current canines, of course I had a ticket on her. The gates opened and the runners broke with authority. A sizzling opening quarter mile (21.94) was followed by a blistering half mile (44.22). But Soul of an Angel was nowhere to be found. Having broken very slowly, my Kentucky-bred longshot was so far back she wasn’t even on the tote board big screen with the other runners. Lost she was and I was in deep despair.
Then suddenly it happened. Under a masterful ride from Drayden Van Dyke, the Angel surfaced. Spreading her wings at the top of the stretch, she came running home to a half-length victory. I thought Soul of an Angel was lost, but when called on she found her way…kinda like Chocolate Thunder !!!
THE COUNTRY HAM
Ahh yes, the smell of some country ham frying in the skillet with the thoughts of it resting on one of them cathead biscuits with some apricot preserves spread on both. Delight for a country boy’s hungry stomach. Of course, the key to the country ham is the salting and aging of it. It may sit in the smokehouse for a spell, but if done right, it will not spoil but only get better.
In 2023, Rattle N Roll looked like he was on the way to becoming one of the best older males in the classic distance dirt division. After winning the grade 1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity at the age of 2, two dirt road derbies at three (St Louis, Oklahoma) and scoring in three consecutive graded stakes races at four (Ben Ali, Pimlico Special, Blame) it looked as if this son of Connect was ready for a place of prominence in the classic dirt division. But then injury struck after the Lukas Classic Stakes on September 30, 2023. Always putting the health of his horses first, trainer Kenny McPeek placed Rattle N Roll on the injured reserve and decided not to run him until he was right. So off he went to season in the barn.
Fast forward to September 2024. Rattle N Roll was entered in the starting gates for another Lukas Classic where he ran third about four lengths behind a winning Hit Show. After shipping to Del Mar as an also eligible for the Breeders’ Cup Classic some had to wonder what was on the mind of his handler. On the shelf for a year, was he ready for something like this?
Unable to draw into the race, this Lucky Seven Stable owned five-year-old headed back to Churchill for another stern test. The 150th running of the Clark Stakes was the target but the question again was how would this second start off a year layoff playout against a salty group?
As an astute horseman, McPeek had a feeling his runner was right. Breaking alertly under jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., this son of Connect ran in mid pack behind a mediocre pace. Moving with strength on the far turn, Rattle N Rol lengthened his stride and moved on the leaders. Gobbling up ground with every jump, he moved past a very game Most Wanted late to score by half a length.
Prancing into the winner’s circle for the first time in 15 months and off only one previous start in the last year, Rattle N Roll proved a little time curing in the barn can add to your flavor…just like a country ham !!!
COUNTRY BOY HARDBALL
The grand old game of baseball has long been a part of Southern heritage. I learned a long time ago there is no replacement for a boy on the mound that can flat bring the cheese. My uncle Larry was one of those guys and I heard stories about how he led his community-based squads to glory because of that sizzling fastball. Once I started coaching, I was faced with a situation where it was must win in a tournament game up in White House, Tennessee. We needed somebody with a little added velocity. That happened to be our starting catcher, but if he took to the hill, who would be behind the plate? The backup hind catcher was a younger kid with not much experience so what to do here as our city slicker opponent had a multitude of base stealers. We came up with a plan and decided to roll with it. I put my faith in this youngster and told him to call a bunch of high heat and don’t be scared to throw at any base runner. He cut down all three that tried to steal and also laid down a perfect squeeze bunt. We won 5-3 against a team that was supposed to blow us out by simply executing that country boy hardball.
Mystik Dan entered the starting gates of the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby as an 18-1 longshot. Yes, he had won the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park in impressive fashion, but a third-place finish in the Arkansas Derby and breaking from post three in a twenty-horse field left most doubting this son of Goldencents. Trainer Kenny McPeek had sent nine previous runners to post on the first Saturday in May with a second-place finish in 1995 (Tejano Run) as his best finish and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. was winless on four previous mounts. Now, here is the kicker, both rider and conditioner are based at Churchill and like his pappy, Mystik Dan possesses an explosive turn of foot.
Understanding what they needed to do to win the world’s most famous race, the Mystik Dan team went forward with eyes on the prize. Breaking alertly, and establishing position along the rail for a ground-saving trip, Dan stalked a solid early pace (22.97 opening quarter, 46.63 half mile). Gliding down the backstretch and maintaining his position the turn for home and the real running awaited. In a move that would make Calvin Borel smile, the Louisiana-born rider displayed some real Cajun courage. Seeing his opportunity, Hernandez Jr. urged his charge and exploded through the smallest of openings along the rail. Bolting to the lead at the top of the stretch, Mystik Dan was suddenly clear of all the others by open lengths. Under a strong urging, Mystik Dan fought off the on-coming closers and held on by a nose.
Mystik Dan’s magical win was the result of a great gameplan and flawless execution by the entire team…sorta like a little country boy hardball
