Seabiscuit: An American Legend
Page 40
21 “only word he knows is yes …”: “Sports,” New York Journal American, SB, fall 1938.
22 Mexico banned gambling: “Biscuit Given Big Edge,” SB, March 26, 1938, FD.
23 Yummy: David Alexander, “Four Good Legs Between Them,” Blood-Horse, December 24, 1955, pp. 1558–1563; Alexander, A Sound of Horses, pp. 184–85, 187; Harold Washburn, telephone interview, November 9, 1998; Keith Stucki, telephone interview, February 11, 1999; Sonny Greenberg, telephone interview, December 24, 1999.
24 Pollard’s six percent win average: Jockey statistics for 1/11/36 to 8/25/36, Daily Racing Form, August 1936.
25 car wreck: “King of Horses,” Morning Telegraph/Daily Racing Form, March 17, 1940.
26 27 cents: Alexander, A Sound of Horses, pp. 184–85.
27 Pollard meets Seabiscuit: “King of Horses,” Morning Telegraph/Daily Racing Form, March 17, 1940; Moody, Come On Seabiscuit, pp. 35–37.
CHAPTER 7
1 so thin that hips could have made a passable hat rack: “Both Barrels,” San Francisco Call-Bulletin, March 2, 1940, FD.
2 Seabiscuit’s condition and behavior, Smith’s treatment: Keith Stucki, telephone interview, March 25, 1998; Beckwith, Seabiscuit, p. 30; “Seabiscuit Makes Debut,” Los Angeles Times, December 28, 1936; “Seabiscuit Was Bad Boy,” SB; “Seabiscuit Trainer Says He’s Another Discovery,” San Francisco Chronicle, February 13, 1937; “Seabiscuit Crossed Up Clockers,” Los Angeles Times, March 1, 1937; “Seabiscuit Was a Stall Walker,” SB, fall 1937.
3 wooden-legged racetrack cat: Palmer, This Was Racing, p. 226.
4 goat: “Seabiscuit Was Bad Boy,” SB; Beckwith, Seabiscuit, p. 36.
5 JoJo, Pocatell: Joe Hernandez, “Horse of Iron,” Turf and Sport Digest, November 1938 p. 66; Beckwith, Seabiscuit, p. 40.
6 feed: “Hey for Seabiscuit,” San Francisco Chronicle, May 14, 1938; Moody, Come On Seabiscuit, p. 89; “Both Barrels,” San Francisco Call-Bulletin, March 5, 1940.
7 Let him go: “Seabiscuit Makes Debut,” Los Angeles Times, December 28, 1936.
8 “Why rate him?”: “To the Point,” San Francisco Examiner, March 3, 1940, section 2, p. 2.
9 allowing horse to do as he pleased: “Hugh Bradley Says,” New York Post, SB, May 1938.
10 swerving around dogs: “Seabiscuit Crossed Up Clockers,” Los Angeles Times, March 1, 1937.
11 adjust the horse’s speed with steering: Keith Stucki, telephone interview, March 25, 1998.
12 gate training: Beckwith, Seabiscuit, p. 34.
13 “You got to go … slowly …”: Ibid.
14 Horse’s affection for Pollard, Smith: Charles Hatton, “This Is a Horse,” Turf and Sport Digest, pp. 16–32; “Hugh Bradley Says,” New York Post, SB, May 1938; “Hey for Seabiscuit,” San Francisco Chronicle, May 14, 1938.
15 “the best horseman …”: Keith Stucki, telephone interview, March 25, 1998.
16 Race against Myrtlewood: Hatton, “This Is a Horse,” pp. 16–32; “Biscuit Trainer Hails,” San Francisco Examiner, March 12, 1940.
17 “that horse can win the Santa Anita!”: “The Sun,” The Baltimore Sun, October 30, 1938, p. 1; “Difference of Opinion,” San Francisco Chronicle, February 21, 1940, FD.
18 “more natural inclination to run …”: “Seabiscuit Trainer Says He’s Another Discovery,” San Francisco Chronicle, February 13, 1937.
19 “as gentlemanly a horse …”: “Smith Recalls Stipulation That Could’ve Stopped Seabiscuit Sale,” Daily Racing Form, February 13, 1953.
20 “You don’t have to tell good horses …”: Alan Goodrich, “All-Time Greatest Jockey,” Sir!, March 1951, p. 66.
21 Exhibit workout: “Like Mike and Ike,” San Francisco Chronicle, SB, winter 1936–37.
22 Sabueso: “Ligaroti Is Best Pampas Horse,” San Francisco Chronicle, SB, fall 1937.
23 “Did you ever see two stallions fight?”: Beckwith, Seabiscuit, p. 43.
24 “Let’s head for California …”: Ibid., p. 33.
25 Seabiscuit and trains: Ibid., p. 30.
26 “hang on to your hats …”: Ibid., p. 33.
CHAPTER 8
1 put on two hundred pounds: “Seabiscuit’s Odds Cut,” San Francisco Chronicle, February 11, 1937, FD.
2 He’s burning the top right off the racetrack: Beckwith, Seabiscuit, p. 34; “Best San Francisco Horse Is Seabiscuit,” San Francisco Chronicle, SB, late 1936.
3 world record workout: “War Admiral Race Causes Comment,” San Francisco Examiner, SB.
4 Smith scared by Seabiscuit’s speed: Beckwith, Seabiscuit, p. 34.
5 stable hands were shocked: “Seabiscuit Looms as Favorite,” SB, December 1936.
6 Pollard brags about having time to shop during race: “May Import Foe from South,” SB, n.d.
7 Seabiscuit “overrated”: “Keep an Eye on Collier Candidate,” Pasadena Star-News, December 25, 1936; “Mutuel Bells,” Glendale News-Press, December 24, 1936; “Seabiscuit Fails to Warrant Position,” Los Angeles Times, December 17, 1936.
8 rash: “Seabiscuit Gains in Skin Trouble,” Glendale News-Press, January 22, 1937; Moody, Come On Seabiscuit, pp. 65–66; Farrell Jones, telephone interview, January 28, 1998.
9 “Don’t tell me about bad breaks …”: Ibid.
10 Ollie overfeeding: “Seabiscuit Crossed Up Clockers,” Los Angeles Times, March 1, 1937.
11 Smith knew he had the best horse in America: “Seabiscuit’s Trainer Says He’s Another Discovery,” San Francisco Chronicle, February 13, 1937.
12 “If Seabiscuit loses …”: “Sports,” New York Journal American, August 7, 1937.
13 Howard betting: “Seabiscuit Threat to Sun Beau’s Record,” Los Angeles Evening Herald and Express, August 9, 1937.
14 running of ’37 hundred-grander: “The Inside Track,” Los Angeles Herald and Express, March 1, 1937; “Too Close for Comfort,” Los Angeles Times, February 28, 1937.
15 wire … close enough to touch: “Too Close for Comfort,” Los Angeles Times, February 28, 1937.
16 “faster, baby, faster …”: Ibid.
17 Howard’s premature celebration: “Sports,” New York Journal American, August 7, 1937, FD.
18 “Fortune … kissed the wrong horse …”: “There They Go,” Daily Racing Tab, SB, summer 1937.
19 Red and Harry talk: “The Inside Track,” Los Angeles Herald and Express, March 1, 1937; “Too Close for Comfort,” Los Angeles Times, February 28, 1937.
20 Neither he nor Smith blamed him: “Seabiscuit Totes 120,” Los Angeles Times, March 4, 1937; “The Inside Track,” Los Angeles Evening Herald and Express, August 11, 1937.
CHAPTER 9
1 85 million people a week: William Manchester, The Glory and the Dream: A Narrative History of America 1932–1972 (New York: Bantam Books, 1973), p. 120.
2 Radio history: Dr. Marvin R. Bensman, “Broadcasting History” online article (Memphis: Department of Communications, University of Memphis; accessed September 18, 2000); www.people.memphis.edu/~mbensman/homes30.dat.
3 Rural Electrification Administration, begun in 1936: “Rural Electrification Administration,” online article (Kansas: Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc.; accessed September 18, 2000); www.kec.org.
4 Golden Rod beer: “Yea, Verily,” SB, fall 1937.
5 Smith taciturn: Sonny Greenberg, telephone interview, December 24, 1999.
6 “He’s a horse …”: Alexander, A Sound of Horses, p. 185.
7 “long-distance conversationalist …”: “Seabiscuit Scores Hollow Triumph,” San Francisco News, SB, n.d.
8 sneak the horse out: “California Has New Turf Sensation in Seabiscuit,” SB; Keith Stucki, telephone interview, March 25, 1998.
9 “Damned if I know …”: “Smithiana,” Thoroughbred Record, February 23, 1957.
10 set out Seabiscuit’s bridle: Moody, Come On Seabiscuit, p. 163.
11 electrified a park bench: Bill Buck, telephone interview, January 28, 1998.
12 “Turf writers and clockers swear …”: “
Silent Tom Smith,” SB, March 16, 1940.
13 “Runs, though …”: Alexander, A Sound of Horses, p. 185.
14 “Seabiscuit and Greta Garbo …”: “Seabiscuit Turns in Sizzling Work,” San Francisco Chronicle, April 6, 1937, FD.
15 Howard goes to press box before races: “Seabiscuit Nips Track Record,” The Boston Globe, August 8, 1937, p. 24.
16 Howard tells reporters of itineraries: “Seabiscuit Rides Home,” San Francisco Chronicle, November 18, 1937.
17 Howard sends silver shoes to reporters: “Sports Mirror,” SB, December 1937; “Hit or Miss,” Los Angeles Examiner, February 15, 1938.
18 Howard’s champagne: “Cap’s Good Loser,” SB, March 4, 1937, FD.
19 “He’ll probably win …”: Alexander, A Sound of Horses, p. 178.
20 Oscar Otis’s excoriation of Pollard: “Jockey Richards Gives Rosemont Great Ride,” Los Angeles Times, February 28, 1937.
21 “Pollard deserves at least half the credit …”: “Seabiscuit Totes 120,” Los Angeles Times, March 4, 1937.
22 San Juan Capistrano: “Boots and Saddles,” Santa Monica Outlook, March 3, 1937, FD; “Hit or Miss,” SB, March 1937.
23 Grog: “Like Mike and Ike,” San Francisco Chronicle, SB, n.d.; Bill Buck, telephone interview, January 28, 1998; Wad Studley, telephone interview, February 6, 1999; Keith Stucki, telephone interview, March 25, 1998.
24 reporter sneaks to track cook’s house: “Turf King,” San Francisco Chronicle, SB, n.d.
25 “bring the old Biscuit out …”: Bill Buck, telephone interview, January 28, 1998.
26 artist painting Grog: Keith Stucki, telephone interview, March 25, 1998.
27 Stucki and Whitey fool horseman: Keith Stucki, telephone interview, March 25, 1998.
28 Seabiscuit was insured for $100,000: “Santa Anita Horses Worth Millions,” SB, October 1937.
29 Bay Meadows Handicap, “Who finished second …”: “Grand Manitou Runs Second,” San Francisco Examiner, April 17, 1937, FD.
30 Smith wants to hide horse from eastern handicappers: “Seabiscuit Must Carry Weight,” San Francisco Examiner, May 19, 1937, p. 27.
31 Pollard collapses: “Biscuit Iron Horse,” Los Angeles Evening Herald and Express, May 1937.
32 Pollard hits Otis: Farrell Jones, telephone interview, November 4, 1998.
CHAPTER 10
1 “One end bites …”: Dorothy Ours, e-mail interview, September 14, 2000; John Clark, Trader Clark: Six Decades of Racing Lore (Lexington: Thoroughbred Publications, Inc., 1991).
2 War Admiral compared to sire: “Admiral Likely Wilson Choice,” SB, n.d.
3 Stucki rides past Fitzsimmons barn: Keith Stucki, telephone interview, February 11, 1999.
4 “A single steed …”: “Turf King,” San Francisco Chronicle, SB, n.d.
5 “Hail the conquerin’ hero …”: “Seabiscuit Wins Massachusetts Handicap,” Boston Herald, August 8, 1937, p. 24.
6 “Let’s have some applause …”: “The Post Parade,” Morning Telegraph/Daily Racing Form, September 2, 1937, FD.
7 Los Angeles Daily News poll: “Biscuit Leads by a Nose,” Los Angeles Daily News, August 27, 1937.
8 Bing’s telegram: Bing Crosby, telegram to Charles Howard, August 7, 1937.
9 Seabiscuit in mud: “The Inside Track,” Los Angeles Evening Herald and Express, SB, n.d; “The Post Parade,” Morning Telegraph/Daily Raing Form, October 11, 1938; “Seabiscuit,” San Francisco Chronicle, July 19, 1938, p. 1H; Beckwith, Seabiscuit, p. 41.
10 “Bring on Your War Admiral!”: “The Judge’s Stand,” Morning Telegraph/Daily Racing Form, October 16, 1937, FD.
11 asked about training: “Smith Training System,” San Francisco Chronicle, SB, November 1937.
12 Fitzsimmons asks to hold Seabiscuit: Ibid.; “Seabiscuit,” San Francisco Chronicle, July 19, 1938, p. 1H.
13 Howard mocked for being afraid of War Admiral: “Belmont Board of Directors Meet Today,” San Francisco Call-Bulletin, SB, April 1938.
14 Vanderbilt: David Schmitz, “A Presence Well Known” online article (Lexington: Blood-Horse; accessed November 13, 1999); www.blood-horse.com/features/vanderbilt1115.html.
15 “I believe Seabiscuit can beat War Admiral …”: “Turf in Review,” Morning Telegraph/Daily Racing Form, November 3, 1937, FD.
16 tongs: “The Judge’s Stand,” Morning Telegraph/Daily Racing Form, SB, n.d.
17 He is befuddled: “War Admiral Race Causes Comment,” San Francisco Examiner, SB, n.d.
18 “Seabiscuit will lick him sure …”: “Seabiscuit Will Beat War Admiral,” San Francisco Call-Bulletin, November 23, 1937.
19 Crusader incident: “Milton Asks New Starter,” SB, October 6, 1938.
20 Howard kept his horses in town: “Seabiscuit to Stay …”: Baltimore Evening Sun, November 3, 1937.
21 telephones Otis: “Seabiscuit Rides Home,” San Francisco Chronicle, November 18, 1937.
22 Awaiting War Admiral: “Seabiscuit to Stay,” Baltimore Evening Sun, November 3, 1937.
23 homecoming: “Royal Welcome for Seabiscuit,” San Francisco Chronicle, SB, November 1937; “Seabiscuit Set to Race,” Oakland Tribune, November 22, 1937; “Home Town Fans Greet Seabiscuit,” San Francisco Chronicle, November 22, 1937, p. 6H; “Even Europe Knows,” San Francisco Chronicle, November 22, 1937.
CHAPTER 11
1 Exhibit: “Seabiscuit Voted Standout Horse,” San Francisco Examiner, December 10, 1937; “Seabiscuit’s Jockey Gets Suspension,” San Francisco Chronicle, SB, December 1937; “Looking ’Em Over,” San Francisco News, SB, December 1937; “Owner Refuses Entry,” Los Angeles Examiner, December 22, 1937, FD.
2 Horse of the Year: “Seabiscuit Voted Standout Horse,” San Francisco Examiner, December 10, 1937.
3 fog workout: “Clockers See Seabiscuit in New Workout,” SB, n.d.
4 Monday workout: “Howard Horse Has Three Quarter Run in 1:12,” Los Angeles Examiner, February 1, 1938.
5 dipping Seabiscuit’s hoof in ink: “Can Seabiscuit Cop?” San Francisco Call-Bulletin, 22, 1937.
6 minimum imposts in California: “Seabiscuit Weight Still in Question,” San Francisco Chronicle, SB, late March 1938.
7 lameness rumors: “Seabiscuit Sound?” San Francisco Examiner, SB, February 1938.
8 newsmen got down on their hands and knees: “Seabiscuit Works Out,” SB, fall 1937.
9 “‘mystery’ of Seabiscuit …”: “The Post Parade,” Morning Telegraph/Daily Racing Form, February 10, 1938.
10 “Doggone those clockers …”: “Smith Feuds with Clockers,” Los Angeles Times, February 2, 1938.
11 HOWARD HORSE PULLED UP “GROGGY”: “Howard Horse Pulled Up Groggy After Work,” Los Angeles Evening Herald and Express, January 31, 1938, FD.
12 “Sponging”: “Betting Coup,” Los Angeles Examiner, February 1, 1938; “Horse Is Well Guarded,” Morning Telegraph/Daily Racing Form, February 2, 1938.
13 Howard acts as decoy: “Seabiscuit Works Out,” San Francisco Chronicle, February 12, 1938.
14 Fair Knightess fall: “Santa Anita Jockey Hurt,” San Francisco Chronicle, February 20, 1938, p. 3H; “Before and After,” SB, n.d.; “Harry Richards Expected,” SB, mid-February 1938; “Pollard Will Be Idle,” SB, mid-February 1938; Moody, Come On Seabiscuit, p. 109.
15 hind end was paralyzed: “Harry Richards Expected,” SB, mid-February 1938.
16 Pollard asks Howard to hire Woolf: “Owner Refuses Entry,” Los Angeles Examiner, December 22, 1937, FD.
17 “Seabiscuit will run …”: “Howard Hunts New Jockey,” San Francisco Examiner, February 21, 1938, p. 16.
18 “as good as hands can make him …”: “Seabiscuit’s Sizzling Work,” Morning Telegraph/Daily Racing Form, February 21, 1938, FD.
19 Pollard meets with Workman: “Hit or Miss,” Los Angeles Examiner, March 4, 1938; “Biscuit Trainer Raps Jockey,” San Francisco Examiner, March 1, 1938.
20 San Antonio: “Workman Told to Hit Horse Twice,” SB, n.d; “Seabiscu
it Beaten by a Neck,” San Francisco Chronicle, February 26, 1938, FD.
21 Pollard listens to San Antonio: “Pollard Defends Workman,” Los Angeles Evening Herald and Express, February 28, 1938, p. A12.
22 Smith watches San Antonio: “Biscuit Trainer Raps Jockey,” San Francisco Examiner, March 1, 1938.
23 “All I want is a jockey who will obey …”: “Biscuit Trainer Raps Jockey,” San Francisco Examiner, March 1, 1938.
24 Woolf offered $1,000 to get out of contract: “There They Go,” SB, 1937.
25 Woolf meets with Howard, Smith: “Ice Man Jockey,” San Francisco Examiner, March 1, 1938, FD.
26 he’d split the riding fee: “Woolf Offers to Split,” SB, March 1938; “Small Field …” Los Angeles Examiner, March 3, 1938.
CHAPTER 12
1 barn security: “Stagehand Winner,” San Francisco Chronicle, March 6, 1938; “Owner Debunks Yarn on Seabiscuit Sponging,” SB, February 2, 1938.
2 plot to kidnap Woolf: “Stagehand Winner,” San Francisco Chronicle, March 6, 1938.
3 trainer … had to send to Miami to get … Wall: “Seabiscuit Was Best Horse in Handicap,” SB, n.d.
4 Red bows: “Jockey Pollard Recovering,” Morning Telegraph/Daily Racing Form, SB, July 1938.
5 Marcela in press box, Bing: “Wonder Horse Nibbles,” SB, February 11, 1938; “Sports,” New York Journal American, May 1938.
6 bet between Howards: “As Bill Leiser Sees It,” San Francisco Chronicle, March 5, 1938, FD.
7 Stagehand and Sceneshifter’s caps: “Turf in Review,” Morning Telegraph/Daily Racing Form, January 8, 1949; “Bill Henry Says,” Los Angeles Times, SB, March 1938.
8 All I need is luck: Salvator, “Marginalia,” Thoroughbred Record, SB, March 1938, p.203.
9 half mile world record broken: Beckwith, Seabiscuit, p. 44.
10 McCarthy’s call of race: Salvator, “Marginalia,” Thoroughbred Record, SB, March 1938, p. 203.
11 George realizes error: “Turf in Review,” Morning Telegraph/Daily Racing Form, January 8, 1949.
12 I am going to gallop by him: “Sports,” New York Journal and American, April 26, 1938.