Triple Crown Thoughts
Yesterday we had a moment to witness greatness. When American Pharoah turned for home and simply flowed away from his rivals in the homestretch of the Belmont, he created history and stamped his name as legend.
You don't have to love his owners, his trainer, his jockey or even the sport of horse racing to appreciate what he accomplished. You must simply appreciate his greatness as a horse.
His greatness allows us to, for a moment, put aside the politics, personalities and problems of horse racing and simply bask in the glow of a being that is above it all. An animal that knows only the love of running, the feeling of the wind in his face and leaving his rivals far behind. The greatness belongs to the horse alone; the rest of us are just bystanders to what he and only he could accomplish.
I have met so many people involved in every part of the Thoroughbred racing industry--from million-dollar handicappers to small-time trainers on the leaky roof circuit to those involved in the many aftercare programs. Too often I see them caught up in worrying about their petty differences, the ugly politics that divide and the money that drives too many decisions at all levels.
But at one time, long ago, we were all drawn to this sport for one thing--the magnificent Thoroughbred horse that is the center of it all. We were all captured by their heart, drive and determination to win. We all fell in love with the beauty, the grace and yes, the greatness we witnessed when they set foot on the track.
And yesterday we finally had a few blessed moments where the rest didn't matter and we could again focus on what we all love, honor and appreciate--the horse.
Thank you American Pharoah for that moment. And now if only we can all, in every level of this sport, work together to make that moment last.
You don't have to love his owners, his trainer, his jockey or even the sport of horse racing to appreciate what he accomplished. You must simply appreciate his greatness as a horse.
His greatness allows us to, for a moment, put aside the politics, personalities and problems of horse racing and simply bask in the glow of a being that is above it all. An animal that knows only the love of running, the feeling of the wind in his face and leaving his rivals far behind. The greatness belongs to the horse alone; the rest of us are just bystanders to what he and only he could accomplish.
I have met so many people involved in every part of the Thoroughbred racing industry--from million-dollar handicappers to small-time trainers on the leaky roof circuit to those involved in the many aftercare programs. Too often I see them caught up in worrying about their petty differences, the ugly politics that divide and the money that drives too many decisions at all levels.
But at one time, long ago, we were all drawn to this sport for one thing--the magnificent Thoroughbred horse that is the center of it all. We were all captured by their heart, drive and determination to win. We all fell in love with the beauty, the grace and yes, the greatness we witnessed when they set foot on the track.
And yesterday we finally had a few blessed moments where the rest didn't matter and we could again focus on what we all love, honor and appreciate--the horse.
Thank you American Pharoah for that moment. And now if only we can all, in every level of this sport, work together to make that moment last.
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