Prodigous Fund announced at Emerald Downs

[monicabee]

This has been in the works for over a year:

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/hors ... 132169.asp

[Marli]

Hey Monicabee!

Glad to see it got accomplished!! It's also been suggested at other tracks as well. Certainly hope we see more come on board!!!

[monicabee]

Marli, the idea came from M a program in Phoenix, I believe. So it is already "a trend" - hopefully one that will pick up some momentum.

For both of the operations involved, it is a predicable source of donations that will enable them to help more horses.

[Swaps1955]

What a wonderful program to get started for Washington! It should be a national law where horses are involved for paid entertainment or sports.

I looked up Prodigious in pedigreequery and found a gelding by Son of Briarctic with a 38-9-7-6 and $225,332 record as of 12/8/02. Since this program is named for him, does anyone have any updated information, a photo or information about where he is/ or was and what happened to him? It would be really nice for non-Washingtonians to know more about him.

[monicabee]

The Emerald Downs press release gives the following information:

The Prodigious Fund is named in honor of the former racehorse that finished his career at Emerald Downs in 2007 as a 10-year-old. He raced 52 times, 15 percent of his starts in graded stakes races, everywhere from Emerald Downs to Del Mar, including two appearances in the Longacres Mile. He ended his career in a $3,500 claiming event, but still managed to finish with a performance record of 50 percent in the money.

I'm working on getting a picture pf Prodigious in retirement. I believe Katie told me he was owned by Ron Crockett, President of Emerald Downs.

[Swaps1955]

What a classy horse! Thanks so much for the information. I'll look forward to a picure!

Wendy

[monicabee]

On another board someone informed me that he broke down in his last race. So I don't think there are any happy retirement pictures. I guess naming the fund after him is a memorial gesture - which the racing community will understand but I think the general public might be a little taken aback.

I am stilll awaiting confirmation though.

[Swaps1955]

Thanks again, Monicabee! I hope that this story has a good ending...

I am still worrying about Full Moon Madness (now 13 and earner of over one and a quarter million). Haven't seen anything on him for a long time. Also Danthebluegrassman, who I know is running poorly in the bottom ranks back east.

[certifiedgirl]

Someone posted on the Emerald Forum that Prodigious is in retirement at Oak Crest Farm- I can't confirm either way but hope they are right!!

[Swaps1955]

I did some checking around and found the name of Katie Merwick (recipient of a Special Award from Emerald Downs) of Second Chance Ranch. She emailed me the following about Prodigious: "I am not at liberty to disclose where he is (he is not with me) but I can say he had a minor injury in his last race and they retired him. He is living a very comfortable and well-deserved life of retirement! I will pass on the concern if the owner or an Emerald Downs Rep would like to comment. Thanks very much! Katie Merwick, Second Chance Ranch(www.secondchanceranch.org).

Sounds like a very worthy place to donate money!

Wendy

[nferro9925]

SWAPS1955:

I found out sone current information about Danthebluegrassman.
Here is an email I got from Valerie Grash.

Hi Nancy,

Yes, and unfortunately it's not good. He ran at Penn National on Tuesday (for a $7,500 tag), and finished sixth of seven, more than 14 lengths back and never near the lead. The partnership group that owns him has a discussion board (viewable by the public) so you can see the hard debate they are having on there about whether to retire him, drop him in price or just keep plugging away:

http://www.randjhorses.com/forum/viewto ... ebe51465e3

They are also talking about him over at Thoroughbred Champions:

http://thoroughbredchampions.com/forum/ ... ic=23449.0

It's interesting...he's not a gelding, so he could very well have a future at stud. Nothing big, but certainly something decent. Here's hoping someone does the right thing by Dan

Valerie

[Swaps1955]

Thanks so much. Looks like things might be looking up for Danthebluegrassman as a poster thought he might be going to Old Friends. Don't know how true that is, but sometimes the furor created causes action to be taken before an injury occurs. I talked about retirement repeatedly with a trainer/owner who had one of those gallant old geldings. He assured me he'd never run him if he thought he was unsound (the horse had just come off the vet's list). Horse broke down the next race and was euthanized.

[Tucumcari]

The Emerald Downs press release gives the following information:

The Prodigious Fund is named in honor of the former racehorse that finished his career at Emerald Downs in 2007 as a 10-year-old. He raced 52 times, 15 percent of his starts in graded stakes races, everywhere from Emerald Downs to Del Mar, including two appearances in the Longacres Mile. He ended his career in a $3,500 claiming event, but still managed to finish with a performance record of 50 percent in the money.

I'm working on getting a picture pf Prodigious in retirement. I believe Katie told me he was owned by Ron Crockett, President of Emerald Downs.

Did he not run at Hastings as well? I think that's where his career began with Kim Hart and Steve Bryant... though I could be wrong. I haven't looked him up, but if I am thinking of the right horse, he is/was a big chestnut horse with a white face? Maybe?
Ah ha! I was right.

[monicabee]

Yes, Katie Merwick and Second Chance Ranch are a very deserving cause.

I am working on another story right now about a horse who was retired sound because of a group effort by a bunch of racetrack people. It is almost too good to be true - but it is.

In the case of Tuker, the horse who was with Slew City Gem, the mare whose body was found in a ravine, he was given to a good home even though his owner thought he could probably run him a few more times, just because he wanted the horse to be able to have a good life. In that case, the "good home" didn't work out so well.

This is the dilemma of racehorse owners - so many TB's end up in dire circumstances once they leave the track. That is the reason for Second Chance Ranch and Chez Cheveaux and the Prodigious Fund - to ensure more happy endings and to do the followup to see they stay that way.

Unfortunately, breakdowns and injuries at the track will continue to happen - not even the wealthiest magic wand could make that go away.

[Secretariat73]

This has been in the works for over a year:

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/hors ... 132169.asp

Do you know how this actually evolved? Whose idea was it? What groups were consulted...HBPA, owners, track, racing commission? Whose approval was needed for implementation?

We need to do something like this in Ohio...

Chris