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Not a big race, but still worth recounting. The great Dave Gall back in the 80s on a Dale Baird speedball named Seven Seas. Gall rode here during some harsh winters that saw extreme track-maintenance measures create wild and colorful biases.
Consequently, the man made a practice of walking the surface before the races, gauging the cushion in various spots with his boots. Gall, evidently, had complete faith in whatever his tootsies told him, as he would often apply unorthodox rides, even in the opener.
Seven Seas, went to the lead, as was his custom, in that day's first race, but saw the ENTIRE FIELD pass him when Gall steered to, literally, the outside rail for home. Please trust me that the horse had never passed anybody in his veteran career. Until that day, when Seven Seas, angled dangerously close to the apron fence to secure rock-hard footing, came again like Silky Sullivan to win going away.
It was THE most bodacious and self-confident ride I will ever witness. Gall was a wonder. An absolute freaking wonder.
Last edited by mountainman; 03-26-2020 at 09:40 PM.
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