Just the mention of Porterhouse brings back so many great horses: Determined (the gray), Terrang, and, of course, the wonderful Round Table and Gallant Man. I seem to recall Baghdad, and the filly Silver Spoon (I believe), as well as Candy Spots and Silky Sullivan/El Pueblo. I was thrilled when my dad pulled my out of first and second grade to go with him to the races. I learned to read a form before learning how to read prose. Those were the days!
Yet another great video, cf1970. For the record that was Jim Hannon, the legendary old school Suffolk Downs announcer from 1969-1989, narrating this piece beautifully. Hannon also was the voice of Narragansett Downs in his fabled career. Hannon's highlight was the 1987 MassCap when he called the ding-dong battle between local hero Waquoit who bested Broad Brush by a beak causing Big Jim's voice to crack at wire's end! That would be awesome if someone posted that 1987 Massachusetts H'cap.
First I'd like to say Nashua was a great horse. The only thing that match race proved was Nashua was better on 4 legs, then Swaps was on 3 legs. I think that they were very close in ability.
I saw Swaps run at, I think, Hollywood Park, beating Mr. Gus and Porterhouse that day. Thrill. He was injured later, and I recall that he was saved by then-revolutionary method of having him elevated off the ground after the operation, and it being - quite miraculously - successful. Although he wasn't very successful as a breeder. And I seem to recall a match race with Nashua, his Eastern rival?
phddddd Says:
18/04/2010 1:39:34 AM
Just the mention of Porterhouse brings back so many great horses: Determined (the gray), Terrang, and, of course, the wonderful Round Table and Gallant Man. I seem to recall Baghdad, and the filly Silver Spoon (I believe), as well as Candy Spots and Silky Sullivan/El Pueblo. I was thrilled when my dad pulled my out of first and second grade to go with him to the races. I learned to read a form before learning how to read prose. Those were the days!
terjer01 Says:
20/04/2008 2:04:41 AM
Yet another great video, cf1970. For the record that was Jim Hannon, the legendary old school Suffolk Downs announcer from 1969-1989, narrating this piece beautifully. Hannon also was the voice of Narragansett Downs in his fabled career. Hannon's highlight was the 1987 MassCap when he called the ding-dong battle between local hero Waquoit who bested Broad Brush by a beak causing Big Jim's voice to crack at wire's end! That would be awesome if someone posted that 1987 Massachusetts H'cap.
BE109 Says:
22/09/2007 4:57:01 AM
First I'd like to say Nashua was a great horse. The only thing that match race proved was Nashua was better on 4 legs, then Swaps was on 3 legs. I think that they were very close in ability.
qvetch Says:
2/09/2007 11:58:22 PM
I saw Swaps run at, I think, Hollywood Park, beating Mr. Gus and Porterhouse that day. Thrill. He was injured later, and I recall that he was saved by then-revolutionary method of having him elevated off the ground after the operation, and it being - quite miraculously - successful. Although he wasn't very successful as a breeder. And I seem to recall a match race with Nashua, his Eastern rival?
Felldohfansquirrel Says:
25/08/2007 11:35:53 PM
Swaps is my favorite racehorse of all time. He's been it for two years, ever since I saw his grave at Churchill Downs.
tigerboy1966 Says:
10/06/2007 6:17:57 AM
brilliant post. Didn't they run a match race later in the year?