Saturday, November 29, 2008

Day of Horror

It seems that the days you most look forward to are the ones that disappoint the most. Today was one of those days. I have been looking forward to this day at Aqueduct for a while. Cigar Mile, Demoiselle, Remsen. Friends, good weather, and I picked the winner in the first!

I joked that I should have left after that early score, and now I kinda wish that I did. A wonderful performance by Springside in the Demoiselle......

led to her pulling up after the line and being vanned off.

Early word is that she is heading to New Bolton on Sunday and has a good chance to make it.

But, then there is Wanderin Boy. We were all marveling at the close finish between Harlem Rocker and Tale of Ekati. Then the INQUIRY light came on. We watched the replay. Tale fans thought he was pushed out. Rocker fans thought there was no offense. We discussed. Then someone realized that they didn't all come back. Who was missing? Oh no. It was Wanderin Boy. People were crying. Others were disgusted that he was even in the race. We waited and hoped for the best, but those in the know, knew it was bad.

I didn't find out that he was put down until I got home. The communication of this information is always poor. Wanderin Boy was a quarter mile from retirement. So sad. Here is my last photo of him as he walked to the paddock today.....

5 comments:

Valerie Grash said...

Sad, sad day :(

I saw earlier this week that Bug Boys favorite Rosie Napravnik is trying Aqueduct this winter: http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2008/November/24/Napravnik-to-move-tack-to-Aqueduct.aspx

She didn't have a mount today, but on Sunday rides Salt Water Reign in the seventh.

Anonymous said...

Saw it live on TVG. The only other thing I saw all day was at Hollywood and the Martin Garcia spill. I've never questioned the difference in surfaces until today...

I feel bad for all involved.

I'm left questioning what is the answer?

Can synthetics really be better?

Anonymous said...

:(

Wind Gatherer said...

That's a great shot of Wanderin Boy.

Superfecta said...

Great shot. I have a similar one of George Washington from just before the Breeders' Cup Classic (and I also had no idea he'd been put down until after I got home). Odd how it seems to happen that way.

 

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