BELMONT Stakes & Jim DANDY
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D O G W O O D S T A B L E N E W S L E T T E R
VOL. XXXVII No. 2 OCTOBER 2013
BELMONT Stakes & Jim DANDY
It has been the “Mother of all Summers!” for a jolly time at Saratoga except for a few September 28, reunited with Mike Smith.
It is no secret that Palace Malice won disheartening minutes right after the running Naturally, we hope to make a serious move
the $1 million Belmont Stakes down state, of the Travers (in which he stumbled at the on the three-year-old championship.
then went to Saratoga and knocked off the break, loitered in the back of the pack behind We are, of course, supremely grateful
$600,000 Jim Dandy. The general consensus a pokey pace, then closed like a freight train to for this talented, sound, likeable race horse.
is that he should have knocked off the Travers. be fourth by a length for the win). Dogwood hopes to run him a few more
At any rate he has had a magnificent year, Palace Malice goes next in the $1 mil- times this year, give him a winter break,
with earnings to date at $1,281,135. It made lion Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont on and then campaign him as a four year old.
ab BA
ab BA
EGAD! One and a half hours (door to example of what makes this sport
door) from SC to NY ...20 degrees hotter in soooo great.
upstate NY. Very sad news from Aiken to- Saratoga WarHorse founder Bob Nevins, with his strong right
arm, Marilyn Lane, with Cot and me.
OUR “NEW” rental house (circa 1790) is a day. The legendary Dogwood barn
gem. Located on several acres of rolling land burning. It’s old news at this reading but quite come of the race.
decorated with an apple tree, flower beds, Ad- a shock at this writing. The miracle, of course, July 25: A trip to the track early morning
pictur- was the providential Mexican wedding and for Cot, a Chaplaincy meeting for me and then
irondack chairs on a stone terrace, and a pictur
esque red barn. We are so happy here. A mile horse parade that brought so many Dogwood the rest of this pristine day at home chilling,
from the track but feels like Vermont. grooms (equine, not marital) near the fire at reminiscing, reading, knitting, backgammon-
We almost could have canceled the flight precisely the time the conflagration got seri- ing. Perfect ways for us to commemorate the
from Aiken. We are still flying so high after ous. They were the heroes who rescued all last 54 years. The card I found for Cot express-
the Belmont win; still over the moon... In the twenty four horses. Devastating, still, for Brad es my feelings precisely: WE JUST MIGHT
clouds. It’s got to be the highlight of Cot’s and Ron. BE THE LUCKIEST PEOPLE ALIVE. Well,
long, illustrious career. PM had a wonderful prep this morning for yes. Indeed we may well be.
We have settled in (almost)... grocery the Jim Dandy. His works are a little stressful This is Sunday, the day after the Jim Dandy.
shopped, figured out electronics, put away for his connections. But not for him. He seems I am overwhelmed and overjoyed.
clothes for seven weeks and There are too many moments
made our obligatory tour up and memories to describe. I’m in
Broadway, past the racetrack and a daze...still... But I’ll give it a try:
to Todd’s barn to see PM. He’s The walk to the Winner’s Circle,
gorgeous, big, powerful and a like no other. People clapping and
sucker for peppermints. Walking exulting all the way. Standing next
down that shedrow is like walk- to that noble, indomitable, Very
ing through a Hall of Fame. Each Large animal, looking him in the
stall occupied by a killer-diller eye with tears in mine. Hearing
stakes winner. Remarkable. Mike Smith’s glowing report on
I would argue that Familiar
Familiar- PM’s race, his courage and poten-
ity Breeds Affection, contrary to tial. Champagne in the Director’s
conventional wisdom’s admoni- room with all our partners. My cell
tion predicting Contempt. To drive phone lighting up with messages
around this town anticipating fa- from so many dear friends.
miliar landmarks – and still finding Walking into the Reading
them – makes this feel like coming Rooms for dinner to applause.
Images taken from TV screen at the Jim Dandy finish. Need no explanation. Dinner a deux, re-hashing every
home. The town is putting forth its
Sunday best for its 150th anniver
anniver- moment. A visit to the barn to just
sary. It couldn’t be prettier. Or hotter, I might to relish the action. look at this magnificent creature one more
add. Still brutal, even for veteran southerners Golf later in the morning. Then an afterafter- time. In spite of his imposing persona, he
like Cot and me. noon at the races followed by two cocktail par
par- slurped our peppermints voraciously. No signs
First weekend... Too hot for racing on Fri- ties. We did our part today. of weariness here, except on Cot and me.
day. Didn’t stay long. Paul and JoAnn Oref Oref- It’s not possible to describe what it’s like Two year old filly Miss Frost (also by Cur Cur-
fice’s glam party a hot affair thanks to the to be here with Cot Campbell, Winner of the lin) had a surprising, impressive win today.
energy of so many congenial people and a dy- Belmont. He has already ascended to legend- Seems like more than we deserve! But, oh my,
namite performance of their fourteen-year-old ary status, given forty years of doing the right we’ll take it. Funny how you forget the losses
granddaughter, future pop star Jillian O. thing in this business. He has accrued enor enor- and disappointments. That’s what makes this
Little jaunt to Vermont, blown away as mous respect and affection along the way and quirky game so compelling and appealing.
always by the beauty of the pastoral drive I believe people are genuinely happy to honor The surprises and unpredictability. And the ab-
through favorite vistas. him. I certainly am. And that’s after fifty four solutely delectable savoring of the wins. Over
Wonderful party at the country club ben- years of living with him!!! We will be celebrat- and over and over.
efitting “Old Friends,” a home for former turf ing those 54 years on July 25 at Chez Pierre, a There is so much more happening here than
performers. Our great campaigners Wallenda thirty-something year tradition. the obvious. I believe the success of PM has
amd Lou Brissie are residents. A remarkable NBC SPORTS did interviews with both opened doors for bigger things to develop. For
man named Michael Blowen left his job as of us to be aired on their Jim Dandy cover- example, the remarkable response of connec-
movie critic at the Boston Globe to devote age on the 27th of July. It was great fun talk- tions in support of Saratoga WarHorse. We have
his talents to saving these admirable equine ing about PM and Cot. Hope the interviews received over 60% of our goal two weeks af af-
heroes. Michael, one of my heroes, is a stellar turn out to have some significance at the out- ter the solicitation letters went out. If you don’t
2
know about this program go to its website. Sale: Cot WAS involved. He bid on a handsome Needless to say, not a dry eye. It was indeed
Cot and I witnessed a SWH session with Malibu Moon colt and Lee Midkiff signed the appropriate that the table centerpieces were
six vets yesterday. A barbecue supper with sales slip for Eclipse/Dogwood. Now THAT’S packets of Kleenex!
them afterward at Bill and a merger. COUNTDOWN TO TRAVERS: At the
Tina Mott’s serene spot Sara- Post Position draw we drew Number 8. Perfect
The quintessential Sara
on Saratoga Lake. I heard toga Day: Barn in the morn- spot. But, of course, when you hear each train-
some hairy, unimaginable ing, lunch with a dear old er extolling the virtues of his horse and why he
stories and I also saw the friend (Charlie Fenwick), thinks he has a good shot to win, you become
seeds of hope sprout out of racing in the afternoon, me- VERY humble. Nine horses will run. Eight
arid, hopeless despondency. morial service for a friend will lose. Now I’ve got the proper perspective!
Pretty powerful stuff. An (Mike Freeman), basketball Well, it’s a good thing... You know what
email from one vet’s wife game between jockeys and happened. Bottom line: there was NOT an ab-
came the next day. This trainers (trainers won again). sence of bad luck! The good “luck” is horse
is part of what she said: 2013 Museum Ball: people are VERY resilient. By seven o’clock
“Please don’t stop. Your The most magical ever. that night our family was having drinks and
program works. This is the Lanterns of all sizes float- fun at the Reading Rooms. After all, WE
first time he has rested in ing overhead, huge roses, STILL HAVE THE BEST HORSE.
years. He can’t quit talking peonies, lilies; pink and The presence of our family is just the best on
about this experience.” white table cloths, Bob many levels. Their visits now span forty years.
Then there’s my long-standing affection Hardwick’s Orchestra, Glorious (yes) Food’s Three generations. Some of our most treasured
for the NY Chaplaincy. Now get this scenario: catering and several very good dancers, in- memories have taken place in Saratoga. The
I’m standing by Chris Kay, the impressive new cluding Cot. stories have now become family legends.
CEO of NYRA, in the Winner’s Circle follow- No Moonlight in Vermont. Windham Hill is The week after the Travers is relatively
ing PM’s Jim Dandy win. I told him I’d like so wonderful we didn’t need it. A much-needed low-key. Between receiving comments
to speak to him at some point on behalf of the respite in this lovely spot. A wherever we go that we ran
Chaplaincy. He welcomed my interest, wanted rainy day spent in front of a fire, the best horse in the Travers
to hear more and is meeting with me today! literally chilling. Perfect. (from trainers, owners, fans)
Have I said in past diaries that “These are Big breakthrough for we have enjoyed a slower
the halcyon days???” Erase that. THESE are WarHorse. Diane Sawyer did pace, winding down, decom-
the halcyon days. The best ever balmy weather a short piece on Bob Nevins, pressing. Small dinners with
(after Opening weekend), the joy surrounding the veterans and the horses on pals, a rambling road trip
PM’s successes, the anticipation of the Travers her ABC evening news show. through bucolic Vermont, a
and of our family being here, the enthusiasm Phones have been ringing off stop at the Southern Vermont
of friends and unknown fans, the best rental the hooks since then. Arts Center and a lovely visit
house ever, nestled in a bucolic setting. We Millbrook speech: Cot with old friends Fred and
know how good this is and we are relishing gave his usual entertaining talk Judy Buechner.
every moment. to a most attractive group of The last time for everything
An idyllic day with granddaughter Camp- Mashomack Club members. An actual Saratoga WarHorse/ is bittersweet. The last trip to
bell (who just arrived): watching PM train, Beautiful club, spectacular therapist with me. the barn to see Palace Malice.
traveling around the backstretch in our golf countryside and the pleasure He gets excited now when he
cart schmoozing with pals, and then a trip to of reuniting with several Aiken/Millbrook sees us coming. Not so much for our company
Williamstown, MA. The Clark Museum, lunch pals. Near-disaster occurred the next morn- as for our peppermints. He’s mad for them!
with a view and breathtaking vistas all the way ing. Cot, unaccustomed to sleeping in a twin Goodbyes to people you’ve shared deep emo-
home. In the evening, Campbell and Mari- bed, turned over, misjudged his space and tions with through ups and downs... grooms,
lyn Lane and I lined up with plunged to the floor, taking ushers, trainers, jockeys. Golf caddies, part-
35,000 other fans to view the edge of a bedside table ners, old friends, new friends. WarHorse con-
the 150th celebratory Floral with him. It is scary and he nections, Chaplaincy staff, the Wonderful
Fete Parade. Just delightful... looks scary!!! That hand- Women I worked with and socialized with.
Conveyances and people some face looks like the A tight, close little world. But the timing is
festooned with flowers, an loser in a prize fight. perfect. For six weeks we’ve taken on all we
ice cream social in Congress Saratoga WarHorse event could of this rich fare. It’s been Crêpe Suzettes
Park. The Victorian flavor of at Fasig-Tipton sales pavil- all the way. Now it’s time for peanut butter and
the town oozing from every ion, emceed by me, was a jelly. This season has had exhilarating highs
pore!!! Uber-Jubilation. moving affair on many lev- (Jim Dandy) and crushing lows (Travers). It’s
Sale starts today. Aron els. Hearing from veterans had joy and laughs, fun and camaraderie in
Wellman of Eclipse has sug- whose lives have been trans- spades. The best season ever.
gested Cot look at horses formed by their connection We’re on our flight home now. I have bit-
with him though it has been with a horse; hearing the tersweet emotions. So looking forward to Life
announced Cot won’t be in- gifted writer Sean Clancy in Aiken and still looking back on Life in Sara-
volved in the purchase of fu- talk about horses that have toga. So blessed with both. Looks like we’ll be
ture sales yearlings. I must say More Aiken/Palace Malice moved and shaped him; a heading north again pretty soon for the Jockey
the transition between Dog- paraphernalia. naval commander endorsing Club Gold Cup (September 28). We’ll cel-
wood and Eclipse has been SWH as THE BEST rehab ebrate our sensational horse and Cot’s birthday
smooth, but confusing: Retired? Semi-retired? program available for vets. And then the ic- in New York. The beat goes on!
Choosing yearlings? Not playing a part? What
What- ing on the cake... Irish Tenor Anthony Ke- One more time, I thank God for sending us
ever. It’s a wonderful “marriage.” Day After arns singing Danny Boy and Amazing Grace. Saratoga 2013 and our beloved Palace Malice.
3
Dogwood Barn Fire…
Could Have Been Worse
A blow to the upbeat Dogwood short, it is felt – started at 1:30 that
mood during the Saratoga season Saturday afternoon. Incredibly, a
(and a distressing occurrence in Ai- group of our grooms and other local
ken, South Carolina) was the phone horsemen had attended a Mexican
call Cot Campbell got on Saturday wedding downtown, and, in keep-
afternoon, July 20, at 3 p.m.: Our ing with their custom, they had pa-
barn had just burned down. raded on their ponies from our barn
But 24 horses were saved and no to and from the wedding, dressed in
humans injured, thank God. full regalia. As they were dismount-
Dogwood did not own the barn. ing – near our barn – and putting their
It was leased from Rhett Riviere by mounts on trailers. they saw the near-
Brad Stauffer and Ron Stevens (Leg- by smoke. Luckily, around 12 experi- The Dogwood Barn Fire: Before…
acy Stable). When Dogwood moved enced horsemen jumped into action,
to Aiken from Georgia in 1986, Ron haltering the horses in their stalls and
was employed as farm manager and rushing them into paddocks. They
head trainer. He went out on his own were wonderful. They quickly saved
in 1990 and obtained the former 24 horses. Practically any other time,
Greentree Stable facilities. Dog- other than training hours, many or all
wood, of course, trained with him, of these horses would have been lost.
and subsequently, his partner, Brad Luckily a brand new barn across
Stauffer. Their public training opera- the road was unoccupied and the
tion was called Legacy Stable. whole outfit moved in there immedi-
The fire – caused by an electrical ately, and will remain there.
Brad and Ron (Legacy Stable) lost
all their equipment – hay, tack, blan-
kets, computers, furniture, and – not
the least important – great photos and
memorabilia from some of the stars
During…
they have trained out of that barn.
As always, when it comes to
horse matters, the Aiken community
has gone overboard in it’s support
of this unhappy occurrence involv-
ing a popular operation. The gray,
L-shaped structure reeked of senti-
ment involving the history of horses
in Aiken. Other than the Dogwood
stock – and many other good horses
from various outfits, of course – it
previously housed the fabled Green-
tree Stable horses, and would have
included through the years such stars
The official Palace Malice as Tom Fool, Capot, and Stage Door
Belmont Stakes Coors can Johnny, to name a few.
New Barn Location.
er. Eclipse/Dogwood horses, from here on year-old purchases will be sent to our opera-
out, will run in that name, and colors will tion in Aiken for training. And the majority
be alternated. of Eclipse-managed horses will campaign at
Existing Dogwood horses – Finalize, race tracks east of the Mississippi River.
purchased in June, being the last one – Dogwood has eased into this arrange-
will be managed by Cot Campbell and ment with Eclipse over the past year. We
will run as “Dogwood Stable,” and, of have become greatly impressed with the
course, in Dogwood colors. This numbers quality and integrity of Eclipse principles
Dogwood has officially merged with now at 25 horses Aron Wellman and Lee Midkiff. And their
Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. Dogwood will certainly maintain its of- equine purchases have been outstandingly
Effective July 1, 2013, all yearling and fice in Aiken, and Jack Sadler and Bill Vic- successful. We were asked to take a major
two-year-old horses will be purchased, tor, now on the payroll with both Eclipse role at the Saratoga yearling sales, and will
marketed and managed by Eclipse Thor- and Dogwood, will office at this location. be assisting at sales in the future. And in
oughbred Partners, as a result of our merg- Eclipse/Dogwood yearlings and two- any other way requested by them.
4
1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9
10a 10b 11
1. Typical Oreffice glam at their pre-Travers Party for Palace Malice. 2. Front walk. 3. Annual “Paul and his girls” shot. 4. Anne, Cary
Campbell Umhau, Jockey Mike Smith and Lila Campbell – Travers poster. 5. Jake Pletcher, Andrew and Cary Umhau, Angel Cordero, Anne
at Todd’s barn. 6. Josh Prain, hotwalker extraordinaire, and Palace Malice. 7. Saratoga Floral Fete, commemorating 150 years, 35,000 in
attendance. Tennis pros volleyed the length of Broadway! 8. Paul Oreffice, Cot, Anne, Brian Spearman and steeplechasing great Charlie
Fenwick. 9. Jim Dandy night – 9 pm. 10. Pristine Pletcher barn… demolished Dogwood barn (see fire story). 11. Queen of Hats – JoAnn O.
5
12 13 14
15 16 17
18
21
20
19
12. Sherrill and Tom Hall, great partners from Anderson, S.C., in the paddock. 13. Palace Malice regalia on Andrew Umhau, Campbell Glenn,
Cary Umhau and Lila Campbell. 14. Museum Ball. Anne between Cot and Ian Smith. 15. Wheelock and Kathleen Whitney, Campbell’s and
Reggie’s Red Hot Feet Warmers – pre-Ball warm up. 16. Dancers, Anne Palamountain on left. 17. Dancing at the racetrack. Giselle and
impromptu student Miles Clancy. 18. Campbell Glenn flanked by Nets coach Avery Johnson and Frank Hamilton. 19. Elegant Mary Ella and
John Bitzer. 20. P.M. eating dirt in Travers stretch drive. Late start! 21. Belmont trophy “displayed” by Chase Ergle.
6
22 23 24
25 26 27
28 29 30
31 32
22. Telecast stars Jerry Bailey and Randy Moss flank Lila Campbell. 23. Saratoga racetrack dancing. 24. Michael Blowen (founder of Old
Friends Retirement Center), Anne, long suffering chauffeur, Paul O, Joe Bokan and Niall Brennan – at Old Friends benefit honoring Palace
Malice. 25. A star boarder at Old Friends – Thunder Rumble, Charlie Pigg and friend. 26. Lonely work over a hot ironing board. 27. Jolly
group of music lovers posing by the men’s room. 28. Lunch at the Reading Rooms with granddaughter Campbell. 29. Back home – Jack, Diane
and Campbells – celebrating with orange juice after the Belmont. 30. Saratoga front porch. 31. Todd Pletcher’s jubilant barn crew after the
Belmont Stakes with Palace Malice and the blanket of carnations. 32. Photogs and Pony Boys waiting for the Travers Post Parade.
7
Back in Aiken: Dancing in the Streets!
Delightful homecoming in one of America’s great towns.
After Dogwood won the Belmont Stakes with Palace Malice,
I said, on TV, “They will be dancing in the streets in Aiken, South
Carolina.” Fortuitously, that remark had great impact – in Aiken
and elsewhere.
Sunday morning after the Belmont, Anne and I arrived back
in Aiken around 11:30. We were flabbergasted to note when the
plane taxied in that the entire airport was festooned with yellow
and gold balloons and bunting. There seemed to us to be a surpris-
ing amount of activity for the Aiken Airport on a Sunday morning.
When we alighted, a small crowd suddenly appeared. But there
was more to come. We could hardly get in our car for the green
and gold paraphernalia.
Very pleased, we headed downtown and to our house. At every
intersection there were decorations in our colors, and signs, “Go,
Palace Malice.” And, when we got to the main intersection, there
was a loud speaker playing “New York, New York.” And there was
a group of ladies DANCING IN THE STREET.
Then, on to our house, where we were engulfed with a very
large crowd of celebrants, TV cameras, more decorations, flowers
and on and on.
It still continues. There are buttons, caps, T-shirts everywhere.
Wherever we go, people want to stop and tell you where they were
and how they went wild before the TV screen, after the Belmont
and later the Jim Dandy. And their spirits were not dampened by
his loss in the Travers, because even the most uninitiated felt that
an unlucky Palace Malice was the best horse that day.
Anne and I are Aiken’s greatest fans, and it is very heartwarm-
ing for this town and region to embrace this horse and his efforts
as they have. I think his exuberant run in the Derby, when he was
blinkered, and goosed himself into running off, and our colors
were flashing on the lead before inevitably fading, made an indeli-
ble impression on his hometown supporters. So when the Belmont
came up they were really glued
to their sets, primed for action.
When the colt romped home,
there were mini-explosions all Celebratory drawing by Marcy Leonard (pen name MEL)
over this part of the Southland. of San Diego, CA (www.dailyracingfunnies).
The great thing is this: Any-
one who has the vaguest con-
nection with this horse feels
like he owns him. Palace Mal- W. Cothran Campbell, President
ice, a large, four-legged animal, Address: 702 Chafee Lane, SW
possessed of much courage, Aiken, South Carolina 29801
athleticism and character, has Tel: (803) 642-2972 Fax: (803) 642-2747
generated much joy and excite- E-mail: office@dogwoodstable.com
ment – in some cases to sources DOGWOOD Web address: dogwoodstable.com
Rotary Club cake.
that could use some. -WCC STABLE, INC.
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