Free-Legged: Art, Action, and Auction
October 1, 2008,by Dean A. Hoffman
Dean Hoffman Columbus, OH —
As for me, I find that Kentucky Futurity Day is the best single day on the harness racing calendar. And perhaps that’s as much because of where it is as what it is.
The Kentucky Futurity is contested at The Red Mile, of course, the most historic track in the sport’s history. Champions have been showcasing their talents over this hallowed ground for more than a century.
But Kentucky Futurity Day is my favorite because it embodies other elements of the harness world, starting with the HTA Art Auction in the morning, then progressing to a racing program to die for, and then ending with yearling sales at night.
Neither East Rutherford, New Jersey nor Delaware, Ohio can begin to match the Bluegrass for appealing to horse lovers. If you have some extra time, you can even visit the Kentucky Horse Park, which is situated on what used to be Walnut Hall Stud, a great trotting nursery in the 1950s and early 60s.
Best of all perhaps is that since it’s on a Saturday, people who work during the week can get down there to take advantage of the sights without missing a day’s work. And since the University of Kentucky football team isn’t playing in town, rooms should be available. You can still make plans to be there. And you should.
Prepare for a long day, however, as the fun starts early when the HTA Art Auction begins at 8:00 a.m. You have a chance to preview the art before the sale in the grandstand, of course, and that’s essential. While the online images and catalog are helpful, nothing really takes the place of seeing the art in person. You get a much better grasp of the size, colors, details, and framing.
It’s ironic that the day begins with an auction of art and ends with an auction of yearlings. With art as with yearlings, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Leaf through the HTA Art Auction catalog and your eye will probably stop on a few pieces that seem to jump off the page at you. Those are the ones you want to see up close and personal.
It’s the same way with yearlings. People have different perspectives and tastes. No one is right; no one is wrong.
I’ve always loved the style of Zenon Aniszewski and others apparently feel likewise based on the bids his works bring. I also like the work of Susan Dorazio, Dave Pavlak, Jo Hodos, and Doris Turnbaugh. But you’ll have to inspect the offerings to find the artists that you like best.
You’ll find lots of Currier & Ives, stunning works by George Ford Morris, and a large collection from the estate of Stanley Dancer.
When the indefatigable Stan Bergstein has sold the last piece of art, it will be time for the parade to the post. If I only said “Somebeachsomewhere and Deweycheatumnhowe” (which is admittedly a mouthful), that should be enough to lure you to Lexington on Kentucky Futurity Day.
These are the two biggest stars in the sport and they’re both expected to do great things on Saturday.
Last Saturday, Somebeachsomewhere tied the fastest mile ever in a race with a 1:46.4 mile. It was basically a time trial without prompters. Earlier in the week, trainer Brent MacGrath had worked him a mile around 1:51-1:52 and virtually everything ceased in the stable area as people flocked to the track to see him.
Deweycheatumnhowe keeps rolling along, bowling over sophomore trotters with regularity and this time he’ll go heats in the Kentucky Futurity. Last year I remember being interviewed on Sirius Satellite Radio on Futurity morning. I was asked if going two heats for the first time would affect Donato Hanover. I said not in the least and then Donato proved me right when he trotted in 1:50.1 in winning the second heat.
We’ll also get to see Mister Big on Saturday as well as Art Official and Crazed, so racing fans have a chance to see the top five horses in the sport on one card.
That night the action will move to the Fasig-Tipton sale area and the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale will conduct its fourth session.
As I write this, I have no idea how the economic meltdown will affect prices, but it can’t be good. That means that buyers might have a chance to pluck off some yearlings at irresistible prices.
But how can any harness horse devotee resist that trifecta — art, action, and an auction? See you in Lexington on Saturday.