View Full Version : Is The Chief done?
misscashalot
11-21-2008, 09:43 PM
Allen Jerkens had recently been ill requiring hospitalization. He has since returned and according to reports is incapacitated. His barn is being run by assistant Abreu. During this current meet the operation still under his name has 1 winner. though they still consistantly send out horses which are fairly bet well. When Jerkens was fully in charge, many times he would use a low name recognized rider, and had some winners with them. Now his horses have mostly no-names, but with no success. Is the Chief's time up? Can anyone add some information or opinion?
point given
11-22-2008, 09:40 AM
Allen Jerkens had recently been ill requiring hospitalization. He has since returned and according to reports is incapacitated. His barn is being run by assistant Abreu. During this current meet the operation still under his name has 1 winner. though they still consistantly send out horses which are fairly bet well. When Jerkens was fully in charge, many times he would use a low name recognized rider, and had some winners with them. Now his horses have mostly no-names, but with no success. Is the Chief's time up? Can anyone add some information or opinion?
I know as much as you, but, I'd bet my bippy that he will show up in florida for gulfstream . These things take time .
the little guy
11-22-2008, 10:09 AM
Allen Jerkens had recently been ill requiring hospitalization. He has since returned and according to reports is incapacitated. His barn is being run by assistant Abreu. During this current meet the operation still under his name has 1 winner. though they still consistantly send out horses which are fairly bet well. When Jerkens was fully in charge, many times he would use a low name recognized rider, and had some winners with them. Now his horses have mostly no-names, but with no success. Is the Chief's time up? Can anyone add some information or opinion?
My opinion is that it is unfortunate that people write this kind of stuff on the internet.
joanied
11-23-2008, 10:29 AM
My opinion is that it is unfortunate that people write this kind of stuff on the internet.
Yeah... sounds like someone is more :ThmbDown: worried about the barn's win rate than the great man himself.
Continued best wishes for a full recovery, Mr. Jerkens.
Grits
11-23-2008, 12:17 PM
The Chief is almost 80 years old, undergoing open heart surgery in late October, then wheeling back into surgery to implant a pacemaker a week later--is as tough as it gets on the human body.
Obviously, there may not be any understanding here regarding the extent or the monumental effects of this surgery--one's chest has been cut open, one's heart and lungs placed on cardiopulmonary bypass, and one's breastbone wired and stapled back together after repairing the heart valves. Needless to say, its a surgery that involves several intense hours.
Its purely amazing that he was able to withstand, and come out of, the anasthesia, and the procedure itself, at his age. My son, during his teens, had this surgery. One doesn't measure its recovery in days or weeks. One measures it by months, at any age. For the majority of 80 year olds, the surgery wouldn't have even been attempted.
Again, its remarkable, the strength this man has. I feel for him, deeply; and for his amazing fortitude. I hope he winters in Florida, where the warmth will aid him, helping him to make steady improvement, each and every day.
Some horses take time; so does heart surgery.
joanied
11-23-2008, 12:50 PM
GRITS...well said:ThmbUp:
I'd hope most do understand what Mr. Jerkens has been through..especially at his age...bless him...he's amazing and a testament to what most folks should aspire to...he's as good a human as there can be. I loved spending time at his barn, so long ago, and marveled at all he did. Not only one of the greatest trainers ever, but a man who would give you the shirt off his back... a person just felt good being around Mr. Jerkens.
Hail to 'the Chief'....:1: always!!
Spendabuck85
11-27-2008, 10:57 AM
Article from NYRA.com on 11/26 states that he is back to driving himself to the barn and that on Wednesday he was back on top his stable pony, Circus.
http://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/stories/TopFlightadv.shtml
Tom Barrister
11-27-2008, 11:39 AM
The man will be "done" when he's dead or no longer able to function. Until then, he'll be at the barn every day, doing what he loves to do. Hopefully, the surgery will allow him to do this for a good while longer.
joanied
11-28-2008, 07:26 PM
Best medicine in the world for Mr. Jerkens is to be back at the barn and actually getting on his pony!!
This is such wonderful news...and on Thanksgiving too...every person involved in racing needs to give thanks wd have such a man among us.
Keep getting better, 'Chief'
:ThmbUp: :ThmbUp: :ThmbUp:
Its funny how things work out---all this went right over my radar--then I see Jonied---Always check into what she has to say---Many things fly thru here without any heart attached to them--Not her------
Me I'm 42 half the Chiefs age----I just got worse- then worse medical reports---So I look for anything Positive to find a glimmer of hope-----
I did some googling --searching etc-------SOB-----If he can do it at his age--------Man I can do it at mine------If at 79 he is back out to the barn following his life long passion-----SOB---I can relearn How to walk---get rid of this pain---Or live with it and Enjoy my new Passion of Passions---This Game-----
That's for the inadvertent inspiration------
Maybe one day I will walk again and meet this inspirational fella at the Backstretch and tell him he was an inspiration to me...
In Boston we would say Hail to the Chief---#9 Johnny Bucyk--
Hail to the Chief Mr Jerkens and his wonderful human spirit--
Grits
11-28-2008, 08:11 PM
Bud, I'm wishing you much good luck; and the strength and will to keep pushing, to persevere!!!
Take good care.
Its funny how things work out---all this went right over my radar--then I see Jonied---Always check into what she has to say---Many things fly thru here without any heart attached to them--Not her------
Me I'm 42 half the Chiefs age----I just got worse- then worse medical reports---So I look for anything Positive to find a glimmer of hope-----
I did some googling --searching etc-------SOB-----If he can do it at his age--------Man I can do it at mine------If at 79 he is back out to the barn following his life long passion-----SOB---I can relearn How to walk---get rid of this pain---Or live with it and Enjoy my new Passion of Passions---This Game-----
That's for the inadvertent inspiration------
Maybe one day I will walk again and meet this inspirational fella at the Backstretch and tell him he was an inspiration to me...
In Boston we would say Hail to the Chief---#9 Johnny Bucyk--
Hail to the Chief Mr Jerkens and his wonderful human spirit--
joanied
11-28-2008, 08:52 PM
Its funny how things work out---all this went right over my radar--then I see Jonied---Always check into what she has to say---Many things fly thru here without any heart attached to them--Not her------
Me I'm 42 half the Chiefs age----I just got worse- then worse medical reports---So I look for anything Positive to find a glimmer of hope-----
I did some googling --searching etc-------SOB-----If he can do it at his age--------Man I can do it at mine------If at 79 he is back out to the barn following his life long passion-----SOB---I can relearn How to walk---get rid of this pain---Or live with it and Enjoy my new Passion of Passions---This Game-----
That's for the inadvertent inspiration------
Maybe one day I will walk again and meet this inspirational fella at the Backstretch and tell him he was an inspiration to me...
In Boston we would say Hail to the Chief---#9 Johnny Bucyk--
Hail to the Chief Mr Jerkens and his wonderful human spirit--
Hey there Bud,
Thanks for your kind words :) you made me blush:blush:... they mostly do come straight from my heart, for better or worse, there ya have it!!
It would be excellent if you could ever get down to NY and Belmont Park...with a visitors pass...and go meet Mr.Jerkens...if you want to talk to someone with heart, his is huge and golden...under any circumstances, he is an inspiration.
On days you feel like giving up, on days you feel resentment, on days when the pain seems too much, on days that seem to last too long, nights that darken your dreams...look to your heart for courage...it's never too far away...you can reach down and find that strength, the 'will to win' is there for you, and it can help you reach the finish line...crossing it first does not matter...as long as you have that will, that courage to push a little harder, reach out...and in the simple act of passing beneath the finish line...you have won....you are a champion.
Hang in there.
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