Comments on: Better Talk Now retired

By: The Stars Attempt to Shine « THE ASPIRING HORSEPLAYER

The Stars Attempt to Shine « THE ASPIRING HORSEPLAYER — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:12:53 +0000

[...] in the Sword Dancer, and I’m not sure I’ll ever forgive him. That race wound up being the final in the career of Better Talk Now, and but for Telling, my beloved Blackie would’ve gone out a winner as he deserved. I try [...]

By: Kevin Stafford

Kevin Stafford — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:21:31 +0000

@Tony – indeed. Got used to penciling in Blackie for the Turf each and every year. Going to be shame he isn’t there this year – although I think they were planning on passing the BC this year anyhow. I just wish he would’ve won the Sword Dancer. That would’ve been the perfect final hurrah.

@Brian – Wow. I remember what a magical day that was – even though our boy lost. To have Breeders’ Cup champs finish 1, 2, 3 speaks volumes for how intriguing that race was.

About that Better Talk Now fan – I’ve noticed that he attracted a lot of the more deeply passionate fans who tend to really connect with their favorite horses. Folks who “love horse” tended to see much about Blackie that plucked at their heart strings.

By: Brian A.

Brian A. — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:25:58 +0000

I’m so glad you wrote a tribute about him. I remember we talked about him at Belmont for the Man ‘O’ War last year when he finished third behind Red Rocks and Curlin. That’s an incredibly distinguished career portfolio he’s created, who hasn’t he faced, where hasn’t he raced?
Just wanted to share this story with you, it’s a little long so bear with me: At the 2008 Man ‘O’ War Stakes I had just secured my spot next to the winners circle, (hoping to be close to Curlin if he won) when this lady came running full speed through the crowd and grabbed the only available slot at the rail next to me. She asked me if they had started yet, and was relieved to hear that the horses had only just steped onto the track. Come to find out she and her husband had driven four hours through NYcity traffic just so she could see her boy run. Her husband was with her two little children at the gate still and had told her to “Go, it’s ok, I got this” so she had bolted. I asked her if she meant Curlin, thinking everyone must be here to see the champ. But it was for the old veteran, Better Talk Now. A few minutes later when the horses loaded into the gate, my eardrum burst with a deafening cheer to my right. “THAT’S MY BOY! YOU CAN DO IT BLAKIE!” It was thrilling, the sheer joy that you could read on that ladys face as she watched “her boy” prepare to face the giants yet again. Anyone that goes to the races, or watches the races on TV with me will tell you that I scream like an elephant with a bee up it’s trunk when my horses are heading for home. (ask my Mom, we had a mighty volume war during the 2007 Belmont Stakes rooting for Curlin and Rags!). This lady was my toughest challenge yet, she screamed like there was no tommorrow when “blackie” made his move from the back of the pack. I was sorely pressed to keep “Curlin cries” heard above her symphony of cheering, and she kept it up till well after they had crossed the line. After it was done, and I got over my initial shock that Curlin had lost, I heard her cheering again. “He did it! Third place, way to go!” She didn’t care if he won or lost, she just wanted to support him in his daring endevors for the bliss of the moment, for the love of the horse.
I’d forgotten all about that lady untill I saw on the Blood Horse that Better Talk Now would be retired. She is the ultimate fan, and it takes a very special horse to make a fan like that.
I’m really going to miss the old guy, athletes like him are few and far between. Great tribute Kevin!

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:26:01 +0000

We sometimes differ in opinions but my big friend, we share the fellow love of the horses above all. He was one of my favorites. Doesn’t it seem weird to have a Breeders Cup upcoming without Better Talk Now running.

here is to a great retirement !

By: Kevin Stafford

Kevin Stafford — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:14:35 +0000

Thanks Julie – We will always be indebted to you for giving us the opportunity to meet him. Easily one of the greatest moments we’ve had over the years as racing fans. I wish everyone could see them (Herringswell Stables) in action, or likewise get that close to their favorites.

The good news is, next time you come up, he should still be up to his old self – pre-race antics and all (or as we saw, pre/post bath antics).

The image of him burned into my mind is one that I didn’t get a great photo of. It was when they led him out to eat some grass after his bath. He ripped out a giant weed – looked like golden rod or something, and as we were talking about him, he turned his head as if to inquire what we were saying (knowing it HAD to be about HIM), and had this hysterical look on his face with a gigantic weed sticking out of his mouth like Humphrey Bogart with a cigar.

Well, that and the hind leg crossing thing.

Great stuff – memories I’ll never forget.