If Paynter survives & is still going by the time eclipse Awards have their vote, he should be "Horse of the Year" or at the very least, some kind of a commendation for sheer determination in the face of great adversity.
Hopefully there is a clause in the contract that requires I'll Have Another to be returned to the US after retiring from the stud.
It would, but with Belmont's surface, he could have suffered a fate similar to that of Giant Ryan. I'm sure you are referring to I'll Have Another without a tendon problem.
The race isn't always to the swift & I look for him to repeat what Drosselmeyer did this yr. in BC Classic next yr. How many horses in recent history have won the Belmont & then won big later on. We have to get away from all this speed figure stuff etc. to evaluate horses!!!
Animal Kingdom is my choice for more than one reason. He made all three Triple crown races, winning, arguably, the world's most famous one! He recovered from extreme adversity in the Belmont Stakes. Close examination of the beginning where he stumbled lets me know he could have dropped the jockey with one breath. Instead of that, he somehow righted himself seemingly to keep the rider from going off & then continued gamely to the finish! that's enough for me right there.
You always write so expressively, Brian, & you have honored Timely Writer beautifully here. I too was there that day, & will never forget the courage of this very talented horse.
Thanks for a great remembrance of Lawyer Ron, Brian. A wonderful horse & one of my favorites!
Well, Jorge Velasquez must be the jockey anyway!!!!!
Thank you, Brian, for a touching article about a very fine horse.
I love it Brian!!!