Dreams of the Triple Crown

(Posted on Monday, June 15, 2015)

Dreams of the Triple Crown On June 6, 2015, the dream of winning the Triple Crown came true for Victor Espinoza, Bob Baffert and Ahmed Zayat, the team surrounding American Pharoah. If horses can relate to human accomplishments and emotions, I believe American Pharoah knows he achieved something quite special. The Internet is abuzz with all things Triple Crown and Team American Pharoah – Victor and Bob throwing out first pitches in baseball games; the cover of Sports Illustrated; the speculation of the next race that American Pharoah will run. Will the focus on horse racing dwindle over the next few months, or will it sustain itself? Will the general public continue to stay engaged in learning more about the horses and people who make this sport so special? I hope so. Time will tell if American Pharoah will become the icon that Secretariat has become for many people. With the hyper focus on the industry right now, I would like to turn your attention back to Lilly Bear and one woman’s crusade in Virginia. Dreams do come true. My dream continues….. On May 26, 2015, Lilly Bear was taken to Shamrock Farm in Woodbine, Maryland. The time had finally come to breed Lilly. In order to race, thoroughbreds must be conceived via live cover, no artificial insemination allowed. Therefore, Lilly had to meet her future baby’s daddy in person, if you know what I mean. The stallion I selected is Rock Slide. While researching my book, I had settled on the name Shamrock Farm for the fictional name of the farm where Genuine Storm would train. When I mentioned this to a friend, she said, “Do you know there is a Shamrock Farm in Maryland?” I did not. I quickly started Googling information. Shamrock Farm was established in 1948 by the late Art Rooney, owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I grew up a Pittsburgh Steeler fan, so of course this was a sign everything happens for a reason. I looked over their stallions and was drawn to Rock Slide. I have to say it was for no particular reason except that I liked the look of him. I emailed to see if I could come for a visit. Christie Steele, the wife of the current manager, was gracious and welcomed me to visit the farm and see Rock Slide in person. On the day of my visit, the family was busily preparing for their son’s wedding, which was to take place on the farm over the weekend. Christie stopped what she was doing to take the time to show me Rock Slide, as well as the other stallions, broodmares and foals at the farm. I was smitten with Rock Slide. His sire is A.P. Indy and his dam is Prospectors Delite, by Mr. Prospector. During his racing days, Rock Slide ran 23 races, came in first nine times, second four times and third four times. He raced until he was five-years-old. He is ranked 12 (out of 37) within the Maryland Stallion rankings, and 27 (out of 249) within the Mid-Atlantic region. Rock Slide was born March 31, 1998. I asked Christie to tell me a little about him. This is what she had to say: “A couple of silly things: his turnout time is in the afternoon when all the other studs are inside. He has this problem of having to prove himself to the other boys by kicking the fences if they’re within sight. He’s the real “Macho Man.” He’s a tough guy, but has a soft nose. He’s the only stallion that wears a fuzzy roll on his halter, because the halter rubs his soft nose. Also, if other stallions are being looked at or talked to in the barn while he’s inside, he makes all kinds of a ruckus to get attention. And if another stallion is breeding (in the breeding shed attached by a walkway to the stallion barn) even with all doors closed, he really raises Cain! He just thinks he’s top dog!” Well, given that my girl Lilly thinks she is top mare in the field, I can only imagine what her baby will be like! I look forward to hearing the news that the breeding was successful and Lilly is pregnant. I should find out within the next week or so. Stay tuned…..

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