JAN 2011 - Dogwood Stable

D O G W O O D
VOL. XXXV No. 1
S T A B L E
N E W S L E T T E R
JANUARY 2011
Dogwood Stable has now been
the morning, the obligatory,
in Thoroughbred Racing during
enthusiastic chit chat in the
six decades!
paddock, and their creativity
In 1968, Dogwood ran Social
(and more often honesty) after
Asset at River Downs. And when
a race.
we ran Sky Music in a stakes on
Partners
News Year’s Day 2011, we had
There have been many, and
raced in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s,
I thank them all.
1990s, 2000s and now 2011. Six
What started as a lark with
different decades with our yellow
some pals in Atlanta, Georgia,
and green colors. Wow!
so many years ago, slowly
The time has gone fast, and
evolved into what has become a
what a ride it has been with the
vital aspect of furnishing horses
wonderful horses – and even the
for the race tracks of America
ones that were supposed to be
today. In the beginning, racing
wonderful, but were not.
people tended to look askance at
We’ve run seven horses in six
the idea of a partnership owning
Kentucky Derbys. If the name of
racehorses. Now, everyone and
the game is getting to the Kentucky
his dog is doing partnerships.
Derby… in the last 20 years Julep cups represent Keeneland wins, seven Kentucky Derby starters. Breeding farms, bloodstock
Gold Cups are Keeneland stakes wins.
Dogwood ranks fourth among all
agents, trainers, enthusiastic
stables in the number of Derby
fans, brokerage houses… you
starters, with seven. We’ve been second, third
Some trainers we have used and then name it – they’ve all been taking a whack at
and fourth. We won the Preakness, had two drifted away from for one reason or anoth- forming partnerships.
Eclipse Champions, and 75 stakes winners. er… and sometimes we have drifted back
We started it. With some success from early
We’ve also had our share of flops that could together. We have always sought rapport, horses – and some knowledge of how to make
not outrun a fat man going up a hill!
luck, success, and communication.
that known – our Dogwood Stable partnerAnd there would not be many race tracks
We sent a very young Todd Pletcher ships soon were attracting people from all over
in this land that have not seen our silks.
four horses in 1996, when he was at America. Some of the most sophisticated leadI’m sure there are outfits through the Hialeah with eight. He was glad to get ers in our industry became partners with us:
years that have had flashier, meteoric them. That gave him 12. He has a slightly Bob and Beverly Lewis, Warner Jones, Will
records, but no one has tried harder to do bigger outfit today! We train currently with Farish, George Strawbridge, Dick Duchossois,
right by the horse, and by our partners. You him, Neil Howard, George Weaver, Frank Jim Tafel, Helen Alexander, Tommy Valando,
cannot knock our integrity.
Alexander, and Chris Grove.
Wayne Lukas.
We are grateful that our industry has
We understand their problems and
Our client roster is of Blue Ribbon vintage,
amply recognized any achievements we appreciate their efforts.
and we are proud of it. We salute them all.
have made to it.
Jockeys
We agonize over their failures, and glory in
Trainers
While avoiding an excessive walk down their successes.
We have used a lot of them. The first “Memory Lane,” in earlier days we benWe must mention three partners and friends.
horse was trained by the old hardboot, efitted from the services of such as Pat
Paul Oreffice, a keen racing man, has
Lewis K. Haggin. Then Harry Shillick, Bill Day, Angel Cordero, Jean Luc Samyn, Bill participated in every Dogwood venture for
Gateman, Elwood McCann (associated for Passmore, Eddie Maple, Craig Perret, Jean well over two decades. We salute Margaret
40 years). Next we jumped to New Jersey Cruguet, Jacinto Vasquez, Vince Bracciale, Smith, a fine, major partner for some time,
with Larry Jennings, and to the Big Apple Bill Shoemaker, Jerry Bailey, and Chris and Hayes Clement, now in his fifth decade
with Steve DiMauro (the rage in his day). McCarron. And so many more brave riders.
of Dogwood involvement.
We started a stakes-winning association
In the current era, Robby Albarado,
* * *
with Frank Alexander that has existed for Johnny Velazquez, Edgar Prado, Ramon
For anything to function and flourish
the most part since 1978. We enjoyed suc- Dominguez, Calvin Borel, Garrett Gomez, during six consecutive decades is worth
cess with Leo Sierra, Neil Howard, Angel Javier Castellano. And, again… so many a little notice, we think. What a life and
Penna Sr., Nick Zito, Graham Motion. We more brave riders.
career it is for us. We are very grateful.
had jumpers with Charlie Fenwick, and
I thank all riders for their guts, athThanks to the thousands who have been
won an Eclipse Award.
letic skill, indefatigable efforts early in involved, one way or another.
What Industry Leaders and Clients Say About Dogwood
Editor’s note: To go along with our feature story, we thought it would be interesting to ask several respected individuals in the racing
world, as well as two of Dogwood’s longtime partners, to comment on Dogwood Stable.
Randy Moss (ESPN horse racing analyst):
Congratulations to Cot and the Dogwood
Stable team on six decades of bringing
new ownership into the exciting world of
Thoroughbred racing. Dogwood deserves
immense credit not only for pioneering
the concept of organized group ownership
of racehorses, but doing it in an economically conservative and responsible manner.
Over the years, partners have told me how
Dogwood taught them both the joys and
pitfalls of horse ownership, and how Cot’s
stories alone were almost worth the price of
admission. I’ve always believed you could
tell much about businesses and people by
looking at the number and quality of their
long-term relationships. On that count and
others, Dogwood continues to rate as one of
the sport’s true long-term success stories.
Nick Nicholson (President, Keeneland thought Cot Campbell was a little nuts in
Association): Keeneland is very much a place the early 1970s, and so did I. After my
of seasons and the racing season is very dif- father’s death in 1973 we had experienced
ferent from the sales season.
all the legal hurdles of mulOne of the constants is Cot
tiple horse ownership – how
and Anne Campbell. During
had he circumvented them?
the sales, Cot is here early,
Also knowing about the rarity
working hard to find that jewel
of owning a stakes winner,
for the Dogwood clients. I love
how could he sooth all the
to watch him pick yearlings. He
egos? How about arranging
has the confidence of judgment
for tickets to tracks, sending
that comes only with long-term
updates on purchases, etc.?
success. He knows what he is
How did he even decide on
looking for. When he and Anne
which horse to purchase? Cot
come to the races our day is
did persuade enough friends
brightened. Through the years
and fans to buy shares of
Nick Nicholson
they have brought wonderful
Dogwood Stable horses and
people with them, such as Paul
thus created a new venue for
and Jo Ann Oreffice. Most of all, I admire that Thoroughbred ownership – which succeeded
they have never forgotten that beyond all expectations. Many have copied
Brereton Jones (owner of
this is a game and it is sup- his M.O., but not his accomplishments. The
Airdrie Stud and former
posed to be fun. When I am joy he has spread among his partners, more
Kentucky governor): We all
around the Campbells, their even than the knowledge they have acquired,
know that our industry, like the
fun is contagious.”
has been his reward. His stature in the busieconomy as a whole, is going
ness rose from kook to Jockey Club member
through some difficult times.
Paul Oreffice (client and and we all owe him kudos for all the new
However, we can solve our
former chairman of Dow owners Dogwood has recruited. My joy has
problems if we keep a positive
Chemical): I have loved hors- been knowing Cot and Anne.
attitude and are willing to roll
es since childhood but, busy as
up our sleeves and fairly work
I was running a major com- Hayes Clement (client and former partner
our way to good natured,
pany, I could only get into in Arthur Anderson & Company): My wife,
logical conclusions. In other
racing through a partnership. Clem, and I knew absolutely nothing about
Governor Brereton Jones
words – we just need to take
Fortunately I hooked up with Thoroughbred horse racing when we visited
the Dogwood approach. I love
Cot Campbell, who pioneered Dogwood’s farm in Greenville, Georgia, in
doing business with Dogwood. Long may it the concept of partnerships and it’s been a 1979 as members of an Atlanta non-proflast!
great ride for 22 years. Racing has a lot of it group. Cot and Anne Campbell’s enthuups and downs, but in total it has been excit- siasm in presenting “breeze” parties and
Ray Paulick (founder, The Paulick Report): ing and fun. Dogwood is a great organization Thoroughbred syndication caused us – the
Back in the early 1980s when I was working – small, compact, provery next day – to buy an
in the Los Angeles office of the Daily Racing fessional, and incredibly
interest in a three-horse
Form, Connie Ring – a kind and lovely efficient. To those who
partnership of two-yearwoman who owned Three Rings Ranch – complain that partnerolds. One of the twocampaigned a horse she bred in California ships cost you money
year-olds was named
named “Racing Is Fun.” He was a nice colt I simply say… it costs
Proctor, and he became
who won the Hollywood Derby and some a little more to go first
one of the top threeother big races. I thought that was a ter- class! Where else could
year-olds in the country
rific name for a racehorse, and it’s one that I get the expertise in
in 1980. We thought we
comes to mind whenever I’m around Cot and buying horses, selecting
had this horse investAnne Campbell and their various partners trainers, etc., as well as
ment thing figured out!
in Dogwood Stable. They can’t guarantee the information needed
We have been cona horse is going to win a big Saturday race to follow “my” horses?
tinuous investors in
– no one can do that, though they have won Where else could I get
Dogwood partnerships
their share – but you can take it to the bank the thrill provided by
over the last 31 years.
that you’re going to have a good time hang- 40-plus horses for the
While Proctor is still our
ing around Cot and Anne. That’s why so same capital required to
top winner financially,
many people have entered racing through own 15 of my own?
our real joy is our close
Penny Chenery and her “Cotton Anne,”
their partnerships, and many have stayed on
friendship with Anne and
named for you-know-who.
for years and years. Win or lose (and I know Penny Chenery (owner
Cot, races at Saratoga
they’d much rather win!), Cot and Anne of Secretariat): The Thoroughbred racing and Keeneland, and getting to know many
make racing fun.
industry, which is slow to change, at best, wonderful Dogwood investors.
2
It’s a Case of the Thumps…
And Other Weird
Equine Maladies
Editor’s Note: There are horse injuries
and illnesses that have been around for ages
(quarter cracks, shin splints, etc.) that we
hear about with some regularity, unfortunately! There are also maladies that seem to
be in the news a lot more, due to advanced
testing capabilities. Several years ago EPM
(Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis) was
all the rage and it seemed as though half
the Thoroughbred population was infected
by these minute organisms. Fortunately, we
don’t hear a lot about EPM anymore. There
are some new terms being bandied about,
and we thought you’d like to be brought up
to date. (Artwork by Chris Ware.)
Bruised cannon bones. The cannon bone
(between the bottom of the knee and the top
of the ankle) can fall prey to many ailments
(think bucked shins and splints) but we
now know that this bone can also become
bruised. Such an injury led to the retirement
of last year’s Kentucky Derby winner Super
Saver. A simple bone scan can show signs of
bruising – and time off is the best medicine.
Thumps. Synchronous Diaphramatic
Flutter (SDF) sounds like horse hiccups. Not
exactly the sound a jockey or exercise
rider wants to hear from the horse they’re
riding! Thumps can be caused by electrolyte imbalance and significant fluid
loss after an exhaustive workout.
Overeating and transport stress
are other common causes.
Holding their breath.
There are times when we
hear from a jockey that his
mount “held his breath” during a race. Why in the world
would a horse do this? We
asked the highly-respected Dr.
Robert Copelan for his opinion: “I know that some people
say that a horse holds his breath
because something has scared him,
but I can honestly say from experience that
an exercise rider or jockey is more scared
riding a horse that is holding its
breath than the horse is! When I
was an exercise rider and this happened I would reach back with my
stick and swat the horse on his belly
– and sometimes that would work.
Some horses seem to gasp when
the gate opens and they just hold their
breath – and there doesn’t appear to be any
rational explanation.”
Herpes Virus. A contagious viral disease
that can cause respiratory disease, abortion and occasionally neurologic disease.
The virus is particularly nasty
because it can be spread
through the air as well as
transferred by humans
through boots, clothing, hands, feed, etc.
Because it is highly
contagious, when it
appears at a race
track or farm
there is an immediate quarantine.
The clinical signs often
mirror other equine diseases: Equine Influenza
(respiratory), Equine
Viral Arteritis (abortions) and West Nile
Virus (neurological). The
horses who are at risk include the young, old,
weak, immune challenged, and stressed.
Aiken Trials Graduates – Almost $41 Million Since 1987!
the same holds true today.
Thirty-eight champions have
In the 1940s, the Trials were
trained on the Aiken Training
often held over three days –
Track. But there is another
number that is absolutely
culminating on a Saturday
staggering. Since 1987, the
afternoon in front of crowds
horses who ran in the Aiken
that at times exceeded 3,000.
Trials went on to earn a
Today the one-day event
cumulative $40,965,127.
attracts about 8,000 – with an
When this year’s Aiken
official announcer, a starting
Trials are held on March 19,
gate crew, vendors selling
it will mark the 69th time the
everything from barbeque to
town has come out to witness
burritos. There’s even a polo
the local races – held since
pony race, a nod to the growthe beginning of the Aiken
ing popularity of that sport
Aiken Trials scene from 1964 (the Campbell family is part of the infield crowd).
Training Track back in 1942.
in Aiken.
In those days the Aiken
Aiken Training Track. The mighty Kelso was
The legendary jockey Eddie
Training Track was home to nearly 400 horses in Aiken and famously worked between races Arcaro rode in the 1946 edition of the Aiken
– and powerhouse stables such as Greentree, at the Aiken Trials back in 1964. And, of Trials. The headline of the Aiken Standard
Brookmeade and Lazy F Ranch, to name course, Dogwood’s own Summer Squall was and Review read: “Large Crowds See Last
but a few. Greentree regularly sat atop the trained in Aiken – albeit he finished third the Day of Trials… Eddie Arcaro Rides Largest
owners’ standings, with trainer John Gaver day he ran in the Aiken Trials (he was never Number of Winners.”
Nowadays it is the local exercise riders
sending out such horses as Devil Diver, Capot, beaten again during his two-year-old year!).
Tom Fool, etc. The great mare Shuvee (the
The Trials became an important tool in who ride in the Trials, getting their afternoon
Zenyatta of her time) was trained by Mike judging a young horse’s fitness before being of glory after riding throughout the season in
Freeman and nicknamed the Queen of the shipped to Kentucky and New York – and all types of weather.
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1
2
4
5
7
3
6
8
9
10
11
Aiken… 1. Robbie Shellhouse at the whip, with Pam Johnston executing the royal wave. 2. Fancy footwear at Aiken Steeplechase.
3. Railbirds Lauren and David Lail from Charleston, with Lauren’s parents Vicki and David Rider (Kentucky). The latter are partners in Thessalonian. 4. Jack Seabrook with partners Bill and Sharon Reichert. 5. Indiana horseman Jerry Walker and wife Mary
Jo. His horse is Ingenue, rider Miguel Ramos-Clara. 6. “Dancing Diva” Anne Campbell at Aiken’s “Dancing with the Stars”
benefit. 7. “Who dat?” 8. Mark Grier, Kristi Desrosiers and Anne. 9. Dogwood office kitchen. No further comment. 10. Longtime
Dogwood groom Elias Sanchez and son Christian. 11. Example of a “generous eye.”
4
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13
15
14
16
17a
18
21
19
22
17b
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23
24
At the races… 12. Keeneland paddock. Vickie and Mike Johnson, there to see Lou Brissie. 13. Joe and Shirley Ochman.
14. “Old Friends” gurus Valerie Mulgrave and Michael Blowen, founder of the famed equine retirement farm. Breeders’ Cup…
15. Photographers waiting for Zenyatta to jog back. 16. Cot, Angel Cordero and Ray Amato, Sr., Pletcher farrier extraordinaire.
17 A-B. Breeders’ Cup post paraders: Atoned (Robby Albarado) and Aikenite (John Velazquez). 18. Craig Jarvis and John Adger
in Sentient sky box. 19. Margaret and Ian Smith, Paul and Jo Ann Oreffice, Carl Myers. 20. Aikenite, smartly turned out, takes a
turn in the paddock. 21. A forlorn Abraham Lincoln??? Miscellaneous… 22. At Aiken’s annual Blessing of the Hounds (see story
in Editor’s Notebook) – Joanna Samson, joint master of the Fairfield County Hounds. 23. Master hosts Rob and Pam Johnston and
Campbells take to the field before the Falcons – Saints game. 24. Birthday (his) celebrants Jo Ann and Paul Oreffice.
5
Anticipation – The Unsung Hero
Editor’s Note: Back in 2006 we thought
it would be interesting to have Cot speak
his mind on a wide variety of topics on the
Dogwood Stable website, and we called
these podcasts “Cot’s View.” His 50th podcast went up on the website on December
20 and it may well have been his most
popular. Titled “Anticipation,” this podcast
deals with the unique aspect of our sport, a
common bond we all share – the emotional
thrill of anticipation. We have reprinted
the podcast below, and if you would like to
read/hear the other podcasts, please visit
the “Cot’s View” page on the Dogwood
Stable website.
Millions of people enjoy horse racing,
and they get their pleasure from different
sources and in different forms. Some from
gambling. Some from intimate physical
contact with the animal. Boardroom giants
like the challenge of entering the
game and trying to conquer it.
This is not a good idea, by
the way, for a precious few
do conquer it… but the making of plans to do it is pleasurable. There are those who are
attracted by social status that
comes with saying you
own racehorses. There
are those who simply
need an injection of a
little zest in drab lives.
Not enough credit is
given to the anticipation angle of
horse racing.
Now, I admit I am one who is enormously optimistic. In the morning I eagerly look
forward to the night. That night I dwell on
the fact that tomorrow morning is sure to be
wonderful. If there is X amount of pleasure
to be derived from a situation, I probably get
60 percent of X from looking forward to the
event, maybe 10 percent from the event per
se, and 30 percent from reflecting on what
Man o’War
Taken three days before he died (at
30); this is the final
portrait of what
many call the greatest Thoroughbred
of all time. The
photographer was
James Sames, who
visited Man o’War
at Faraway Farm on
October 29, 1947.
The photograph came
6
happened. If what happened was good, that
is. If it was bad, then I wipe it out of my
mind, after trying to figure out how it can
be fixed next time. Because I sure as hell
don’t dwell on it.
But I think most people don’t give enough
credit to – or even realize – the significant pleasure they get
out of anticipation.
It doesn’t make
much
difference where the
pleasure comes
from or how it
is apportioned, as
long as you glean
all there is to get.
Think of this
scenario. A guy buys a
yearling in September. He’s all
atwitter about this lovely colt that
could run in – and even win! – the
Kentucky Derby. He follows his progress
all fall and winter during the breaking process, hears how well the
young colt moves, what class
he demonstrates, and how
splendidly he has furnished
out physically. His mind
lands
upon
this happy horse
racing venture several times every day
– every day! – often offsetting
the unrelated glitches that occur in everyday
normal life. In the spring, his colt is sent
off to the races, and the happy anticipation
intensifies. For months he has told his longsuffering friends about this thrilling undertaking. Summer comes, and the young horse
is put in the entries. Now the excitement is
feverish. The colt runs… badly, does not
beat a horse! Crushingly disappointing, of
course. The owner has a bad night. But if he
has the same mental processes that most of
us in the horse racing game have, the poor
performance is soon justified, and future
adjustments put him back on a happy track.
And there is more pleasant anticipation.
If he does not get back on the happy
track, he should not be in horse racing.
Let’s say he sells the horse, leaves the game
in disgust. The fact remains that he has
benefited from months of hope and cheery
thoughts of anticipation, and – despite his
current disillusionment – the balance of
positive and negative is heavily weighted
on the side of positive. Many owners do not
stop to weigh the importance of anticipation, and what net gain it has contributed to
their lives.
All this leads me to a slight tangent – that
moment when anticipation becomes reality
in a horse race. Two scenarios: the first is
when around the half-mile pole you see
your horse begin to lose ground. At first
you send the desperately hopeful message
to your brain that maybe the rider is giving
him a breather. About a sixteenth of a mile
later a more realistic message: “This ain’t
no breather.”
Then there is an indescribably delicious
moment. Around the eighth pole, or sixteenth pole, when you hit the front and you
are sure that the driving finish is such that on
this day you will not be denied. It is at that
moment – and perhaps a little before – that
it is time to scream… bloody murder, in my
case. There is an art to screaming at a sporting event, and to enjoy the event properly
it should be done. But I have a friend who,
when the horse is being engulfed by the rest
of the field, begins bellowing encouragement that is ridiculously futile. When there
is a legitimate shot, scream. And scream
like hell. There is nothing unseemly about
it. It is cathartic. You deserve it, and there is
nothing like it!
In the meantime, enjoy the anticipation.
to our attention when current-day photographer Barbara Livingston blogged about it
in the Daily Racing Form last October. She
beautifully retells the story of the photograph
and how it came to
be taken, as well as
how she met Mr.
Sames and was able
to purchase the negative of Big Red’s last
photo.
This is what
Barbara wrote about
the photograph: “The
aged stallion is set in
a muted backdrop of grass and bare trees.
His straight legs show solid bone, although
his fetlock hairs could use trimming. Ribs
show through his reddish-gold coat, his
lower neck is swollen and several lumps dot
his body. His tail is still thick and, although
his shoulder is not quite what it once was, his
hind end is powerfully sculpted. A simple
bridle is adorned with a ‘US’ cavalry rosette.
The sway of his back is accentuated by a
high croup and higher head. Man o’War’s
gaze is steadfast, his nostrils distended as he
soaks in the chilly autumn air. Would that
we all could be so noble, and hold our heads
so high, just days before our passing.”
horses, it’s hard to beat the Tom McCarthy/
General Quarters story. For $20,000 he claimed
a horse that won the Blue Grass Stakes and then
ran in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, I call
him Mr. McCarthy because he was my biology
teacher at Seneca High in Louisville. He claims
to remember paddling me.
What is it that you
most dislike?
That hard work is
sometimes not enough.
Favorite food?
Editor’s Note: Tom Prestigiacomo was born in Come to Memphis and let me take you to
Louisville, Kentucky, and jokes that he learned Rendezvous for ribs or to Huey’s for a world
to read by studying Churchill’s morning line famous Huey burger.
at the breakfast table with his dad. After high One word that describes you?
school, Tom took a
Spontaeno… spahtjob at the Louisville
enio… um, funny.
Zoo that led to his
Your favorite race
being on the animal
track?
keeper staff for a
Has to be Churchill
couple of years. His
Downs on the first
radio career began in
Saturday in May.
1976, and in 1979 he
Best advice you
moved to Memphis,
were ever given?
Tennessee, to become
At the very beginthe afternoon host on
ning of my career,
FM100. He would
radio host Gary
keep that title for
Burbank said to me:
28 years, changing
“Learn everything
to morning host at
you can and get the
another Memphis
hell out…”
station three years
Favorite racing
ago. Thanks to a forexperience?
mat change at that Tom Prestigiacomo with Gene Simmons of KISS... As an owner, when
station – and a timely
Golly Day broke his
back in 1979.
“gut check” phone
maiden at Saratoga.
call from an old friend – Tom stepped out As a player, reaping the rewards of having
of the broadcast booth last spring and onto the lifelong nickname of “Giacomo” and
the backside of Churchill Downs to work with betting the farm on the 2005 Derby!
ROC II Stables and trainer Rob O’Connor. He If you could own one racehorse, who
describes his entry level position in racing as would it be?
a “hotwalker’s assistant.” We caught Tom at I don’t think I’ve met him yet. But… if I keep
home for the holidays for a friendly question and working on the backside, I’ll know him when
answer session.
I see him.
How did your relationship begin with What is it like “behind the scenes” in racing?
Dogwood Stable?
At its worst, it’s your basic barn work – muckI was working on a freelance article for the ing/bedding stalls and scrubbing buckets –
1994 Kentucky Derby and picked Dogwood’s but the horses and the people are incredible. I
entry of Smilin Singin Sam to write about. told a friend that working on the backstretch
That was the first time I met Cot Campbell is part “Organization of American States”
and his right hand man, Jack Sadler. They put because the vast majority of grooms and hotme on the mailing list for the Dogwood news- walkers are from Central and South America
letter, and every time I found it in my mailbox, and part “French Foreign Legion” because
I got pulled in a little deeper. I bought my first everyone has a story but no one tells theirs.
share in 1999 – the colt’s name was Con – Favorite vocal artist?
and I was hooked. I’ve owned shares in four Well, I sing with the Memphis Jazz Orchestra!
horses since then, including Limeheart, who is While I’m happy that Michael Buble is keepcurrently running in Florida.
ing the Great American Songbook alive, there
Who are your heroes in real life?
is no one like Frank Sinatra.
My dad Joe was in the 82nd Airborne in How many times have you been
WW II. He was just barely 20 years old when to Graceland?
he parachuted into Normandy on D-Day. He’s At least 50 times. I have taken every friend
86 now and when he tells stories, you can still who ever wanted to go and last year was the
hear the boy inside the man. When it comes to first time in 18 years that I missed the candle-
Q&
A
with TOM
PRESTIGIACOMO
light vigil in August. It’s an unbelievable
experience. Elvis is so much more than the
hype. You just have to see it to believe it.
If you could have dinner with any living
person, who would it be?
It’s a tie. Either Jimmy or Warren Buffett. I
would love to know each of their stories.
Who is the most famous person
you’ve met?
I shook hands with Fred Smith of FedEx and
talked with Kemmons Wilson, the founder
of Holiday Inn. Musically, Elton John, Jon
Bon Jovi, Boy George, and Gene Simmons
of KISS all came through the radio stations…
but the best talk I ever had was with Bryan
Adams. He did an interview on my show and
stayed for half an hour afterwards – talking
about photography and life in Canada.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
I have already had it several times in my life.
But, just like perfect sadness, it does not last
forever. And at this time of my life I’d have to
say success for my children.
What is the last book you read?
I am in the midst of reading Lord of Misrule
by Jaime Gordon.
Where did you go on your last vacation?
With polite arm twisting, I convinced my girlfriend Karen to go with me to Iceland. Though
it was too cloudy to see the Northern Lights,
we had a blast at the Blue Lagoon spa. There
are geysers and waterfalls and a national
beverage called Brennivin. The locals call it
“Black Death,” but it’s not! Drink it iced cold
out of the freezer… or a snow bank.
Caption Contest
This odd photo practically defies description,
but we dare you to try! Welcome to another
Dogwood Stable caption contest. The writer
of the zaniest caption will receive a Dogwood
gift bag and their words immortalized in the
May newsletter. Entries can be emailed (mjh@
dogwoodstable.com), faxed (803-642-2747), or
mailed to Dogwood Stable (address on back
page of newsletter). Deadline is March 21.
7
Editor’s Notebook
At the 2010 Galbreath Award Luncheon in Louisville on November
5, several former recipients of the award were on hand for a minireunion. Shown from left are Amy Shinitsky, David Willmot, Cot
Campbell, King Leatherbury (2010 award winner), Dee Hubbard,
and David Lewellyn. The Galbreath Award is presented annually to
an entrepreneur who has utilized leadership and management skills
to make a significant impact on the equine industry. The award was
established in 1990 by the University of Louisville’s Equine Industry
Program. (Photo by Tom Peterson)
When the fall leaves have turned and there’s a
time between South Carolina and Kentucky for
Clanton of All Saints Anglican Church in
chill in the air, thoughts turn to warm biscuits and
the rest of his training days. He was a regular at
the 2010 ceremony – in the coming year
apple butter – at least for
the Clocker’s Stand at the
another church will be represented at the
members of Missy Poe’s
Aiken Training Track, and
blessing. Although Aiken has several hunts,
family! Missy is the execwas well-known for his
the Blessing of the Hounds is the particular
utive secretary and office
Bloody Marys and cheese
occasion when Aiken citizens and visitors
manager at Dogwood, but
straws, which he served
alike can get close to the horses and hounds.
every three years her famfrom his rail side spot on
The ceremony is part of the Aiken Hounds’
ily back in Veto, Ohio, has
the Aiken
Opening Meet and officially
a tradition of making apple
Spring
kicks off the hunt season.
butter. This past fall, 15
Steeple* * *
members of Missy’s famchase.
Cot Campbell has taken
ily – headed up by her
He and
several turns at the microphone
mother Norma Cain – conCharlie
over the past few months. In
tinued the tradition.
WhittingNovember he was a presenter
Dogwood’s Missy Poe and mom Norma
The process takes three Cain: it’s apple butter time!
ham are the
at the National Turf Writers
days, starting with buying
only two
Association’s annual awards dinfive bushels of apples which then makes 18
trainers ever elected to the Jockey
ner in Louisville – presenting the
gallons worth of applesauce! Norma oversees
Club. Mack was one of a kind.
Joe Palmer Award to Michael
this operation in her kitchen while the family
* * *
Blowen, founder of Old Friends.
builds and tends the fire, over which the large
The annual Blessing of the
The award is for meritorious sercopper kettle will bubble continuously with the
Hounds is a beloved Aiken Father Garrett Clanton of vice to racing. Old Friends is
apple mixture. Twenty-five pounds of sugar and
tradition, held Thanksgiving All Saints Anglican Church more than just a retirement home
12 ounces of cinnamon are used in the process.
morning in the Hitchcock “blessing” the hounds. for old Thoroughbreds – it’s
Family members take turns stirring the apple butWoods. Hundreds of towns- (Photo by Louisa Davidson) become the final home for stalter – the pot is never left unattended. Norma is the
people make the trek into the
lions whose breeding days are
final judge of when the process is complete, but
Woods to watch a ceremony that has been
over. Dogwood’s Wallenda is at Old Friends, so
suffice it to say it’s when the apple butter holds
happening for 96 years. The hounds, horses
we have long felt a special bond with Michael
firm on a plate. The 2010 batch took 10 hours to
and riders were blessed by Father Garrett
and the farm. Now there are 107 horses (stalcook down – making 129 pints.
lions, retired broodmares and geldings) at
“I grew up watching and helping my
Old Friends, which has recently expanded
mom and aunts make apple butter – and my
to New York as well.
mom has the same memories from when
Immediately after the Breeders’ Cup
she was a child,” said Missy. “It’s a wonderCot (and Anne) traveled to Georgia, where
ful family tradition.”
Cot gave a talk/book signing at the beauti* * *
ful Cloister at Sea Island. Stories were told,
One of Thoroughbred racing’s treasures
new racing fans were made, and plenty of
– trainer Mack Miller – passed away on
books were sold!
December 10 at the age of 89. Mack was
In February, Cot travels to Hobe Sound,
an incredible horseman, a true gentleman,
Florida, where he will speak to the local
and was instrumental in getting Dogwood
chapter of the “Whiz Kids” (alumni of the
to move to Aiken. Miller began his training Mack Miller (left) and Paul Mellon receiving congratulations Young Presidents Organization).
from Anne after Sea Hero’s Kentucky Derby win in 1993.
career in 1949, operating a public stable, and
then became the private trainer to industrialist Charles Englehard in the mid-1960s. In 1977
W. Cothran Campbell, President
his partnership with owner Paul Mellon began
Mary Jane Howell, Newsletter Editor
– and the pair retired from racing together in
Address:
Post Office Box 1549
1995. Miller trained four Champions: Leallah,
Aiken, South Carolina 29802
Assagai, Hawaii, and Snow Knight; 72 stakes
Tel:
(803)
642-2972
Fax: (803) 642-2747
winners and the Kentucky Derby winner of
E-mail:
[email protected]
1993, Sea Hero.
DOGWOOD
Miller came to Aiken in 1962, and divided his
STABLE, INC. Internet address: http://www.dogwoodstable.com