John Berry: Thanksgiving is ThanksLIVING

This is, probably, the most difficult Mane Attraction to write as we approach Thanksgiving.

There are certain things in life that really have a great influence on one…maybe an incident of some sort…maybe a speech along the way…or a simple sentence or words in a sentence.

Many, many years ago—say, about 70 years ago—I had heard a speech one of the most prominent orators of his time, Dr. Louis L. Mann, where he said, “Thanksgiving…is ThanksLIVING.”

Those words have stuck with me over the years, and I think about those words often, especially now that I am 80 with this, as they classify it, “end-stage” kidney disease.

Just a few years later, a lady of somewhat less prominence in our world, Julia Redmond, came into my life.

She was the lady who came to our modest home and helped my mom when she was recovering from surgery and, boy, she cooked the best fried chicken EVER.

Julia Redmond wrote something in my grammar school remembrance book—you know, the little books where everyone wishes you well for the future—that has transformed my life dramatically…”You can judge a tree by the fruit it bares or the bark it wears…but you can’t judge a man by the clothes he wears or the skin he bares.”

Those brief words—the ones by the giant statured Dr. Mann and the five-foot-tall dark skinned wonderful lady, Julia Redmond, have had a profound effect on my life.

We used to listen to Dinah Washington, Duke Ellington and Fats Waller on my record player and I still listen to them (along with many others, of course) to this very day.

But, over the last few years, with all that has been happening, I am beginning to question those words.

From the wars thousands of miles away to the incidents that have happened to all of us recently that are in our own backyard, the shell of optimism is eroded as pessimism eats away of our very existence.

Every time we hear of the passing of one of our own in this sport…it erodes a bit of the hard shell of our soul…and when we hear the news of any horse suffering injury or dying on the racetrack, it does more damage to each of us.

When the news of the Tioga Downs tragedy came to me, it felt like, well, there are no sufficient words…

Yes, for the first time in my 80 years, I am beginning to wonder if the words brought to me by Dr. Mann and Julia Redmond are losing their validity in a era where are world is eroding due to climate change, leadership morality and now, dealing with issues like lunacy in a stable area taking away the equine lives of the innocent.

Much has been mentioned about the trainers who lost horses during this senseless tragedy.

Folks, it’s a lot deeper than that…a LOT DEEPER!

This tragedy makes the importance of a 1:46 mile a small “pip” on the scale of importance.

Sure, “time” is big conversation among those involved in our sport…but its really only significant to very few…the owner(s), trainer, driver, a breeder…and, for mere moments, to those cashing win tickets or exacta tickets or whatever…

Lee Morris, who I first met at Pompano Park when he came over from his homeland to race, had his entire future erased.

Better Call Saul, It’s Rigged, Market Mayhem, Mc Mach, Prairie Duchess, So Watch Me Now, Ruff Montana Lane…all lost…plus equipment.

But equipment can be replaced…these grand equine athletes cannot be…

And what about the owners?

These are the people that keep our sport alive.

Yes, what about Robert Biagini, my friend Mindy Findling Repko, the Forward Step Stable, David Yarock, a great amateur driver in his own right, and Lee, himself.

Again, Better Call Saul, Hunts Point, It’s Rigged, Market Mayhem, Prairie Duchess, So Watch Me Now, Ruff Montana Lane…

I, myself, remember many of these from the “Pomp,” so this, especially, hits close to home…

Trainer Kevin Reynolds suffered greatly in this senseless tragedy, as well.

Hot Shot Joe, a young three-year-old, gone. Birdie Three, a sophomore pacing filly having her best year…gone. Da Boogie Man, having another great year, gone. My Delight, now eight and having another excellent year, erased from our sight….a fan favorite who won his last start, too.  Payara, the five-year-old mare who had never won in UNDER 1:55…but with $108,000 on her card, gone, never to pace another step forward.

Kevin owns much of his stock…but what about Ross Bonney and Cathy Bonney who own Hot Shot Joe, having his best year at three this semester….his promising career cut short in this senseless act.

Allison Kolesar has suffered greatly from this tragedy.

She lost the $125,000 winner Silverhill Misty, the $200,000 winner Grand Me This and Buzzards

R Flying, a two-year-old son of Artiscaape who never had the opportunity to become a champion, whether it be on the record books or in Allison Kolesar’s eyes…and that really doesn’t matter to those of us who love horses.

My friend Sparky Clarke lost Danzon Hanover, having his best year at five, Lone Wolf American, having his best year at four, Pocket Watch N, having his best year at seven, Hall It Off, having HIS best year at six and Slave Labour…yes, having his best year at four.

The latter two, Hall It Off and Slave Labour, were owned by Jim McDonald, a great trainer in his own right.

By the way, Edgar Clarke, yes, Sparky, was the one hero who tried to combat the fire himself…and could have lost HIS life in doing so.

Sparky is the definition of a “hero!”

Dan Harvey lost Blazzin Mooss, a four-year-old that had won two of his last three starts with Dan on his sulky up New York way. He was in-to-go for November 15 and, tragically, that won’t happen because an arsonist was said to be trying to escape from authorities.

Karpathos was on the list of horses that perished…

Heck, I remember Karpathos from his racing days at Pompano Park…22-years-old. He probably won close to 50 races during his great career.

One guy said, “well, he was 22 and…”

I cut him off saying “I know what you’re going to say. That’s as ludicrous as saying that a person of 65 can no longer contribute…and that IS ludicrous!”

Horses can be mentors, just like older persons. No one should pass before their time is up. And all of these horses passed before their time…especially if they were two and even if they were 22!

Dale Allen lost a promising three-year-old pacer, Pineapple Sundae, just learning the trade.

We’ll never know if he was destined to be a champion…and neither will Dale Allen, who co-owned with Shawn and Paul Warner.

Ashley Bako lost Ideal Chance, a consistent six-year-old pacing gelding and recent arrival in the stable. Ideal Chance left this earth with 153 lifetime starts and $115,121, filling racing programs for several seasons!

And then there’s Timothy Miller, who lost a two-year-old In The Arsenal pacing filly named Always Smooth, who will never have the opportunity to become a champion on our racetracks.

He also lost Diamond Express, a two-year-old filly by Dude’s The Man, that will never have the chance, either.

So, what’s more important…a 1:46 mile or tragedies like this?

This is a dog-eat-dog business, yes, but, in times like this, our industry becomes a closely knit bond of people that help our brethren in the days, weeks, months and years ahead.

When hurricanes strike…when wildfires erupt…when storms ravage a city or town in an attempt to destroy, a rebuilding occurs resulting in a younger, stronger and resilient future.

I, today, grieve for every one of these trainers and owners—whether I know them or not.

But the longer we wallow in our grief, well, that takes time away from that rebuilding projects, whether it be a building, a barn or a life and the future of those lives both equine and human.

Yes, I love watching our champions of racing but, then again, in my eyes, whether it’s a million-dollar event or “4” claimer, they are all champions in my eyes and, considering everything at this age, with, still, an ability to grieve and pray for everyone that has suffered, and the future rebuilding that lies ahead, I have to say, Thanksgiving is ThanksLIVING.

by John Berry, for Harnesslink