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Couldn't find the video...
This race stuck with me.
Cold normal day on the inner track before the stupid racino opened and we actually had a place to watch races live (what a nobel thought....).
Philip X, I believe was his name. A gritty non descript State Bred was running in another NY Bred race.
He was fighting his heart out in deep stretch when he went down 70 yards from the wire.
The black curtain came, he was lying on the ground for 5-7 minutes. I rushed down to the 1/16th pole, from the finish line, to get a better view with my binocs. I kept screaming his name, Philip, get up Philip.
After 5-7 minutes, I think "the guy" also known as the grim reaper had showed up. It's almost as if the horse knew he was going to be laid to rest, Philip X shot up...He kept standing and moving in place as if showing the grim reaper he's alive and well.
I guess age has gotten to me. I am not sure if he was put down on track but I do remember him getting up. Not sure if he was vanned off, not sure if he lived.
It was before, I sadly had acquired this thing called internet access I believe and I don't know what happened. But I'll never forget screaming his name to get up and by golly he did.
Hope he's on a farm somewhere living happy.
To me a great performance to fight for his life.
Story #2: Belmont mid 2000's. No video. Poor horse broke down at the 3/8 in a dirt race. Refused to go down. He limped all the way to the 1/16 (with no jock) trying to get to the line. That absolutely broke my heart. He was trying to do what he was taught to do, despite having a completely shattered leg.
Those are the performances on track that struck me, while I was standing feet away in person.
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