John Pricci

For lovers of thoroughbred racing, Hall of Fame day is an opportunity for the sport to revisit its past, a special occasion for the people enshrined to visit with the colleagues who helped define the game, a time for all to contemplate racing’s future. It was the back-story of racing’s future as the Hall celebrated its golden anniversary.The notion of racing’s future sends a mixed signal these days, an unfortunate sign of the times. Lenny Hale, noted racing official and horseman, asked that future keepers of the sport remember its rich history, that racing is more than just a vehicle for new exotic forms of wagering. Then, in what could be perceived by some to be a departure from the senses, Hale had a suggestion that might prove one day to be a masterstroke: Use steeplechasing, of all things, to market the sport’s future to new generations.Steeplechasing is nothing but a long turf race with fences, it was said from the podium yesterday. For better or worse, however, most horseplayers look askance at this part of the sport because it involves wagering on animals that leave the ground. It is this facet that makes Hale’s conception so controversial.Far outside-the-box in its thinking, the suggestion is brilliant because since steeplechasing has always provided the flat game with some of its greatest horsemen; Sid Watters Jr., inducted into the pantheon yesterday, and Billy Turner, still the only trainer ever to win a Triple Crown with an undefeated horse, to name a few.Steeplechasing as a marketing tool could work because tens of thousands of horse lovers, many of them families living in the red states of America, come to see up-and-over equines do battle without any form of wagering. To these countless hundreds of thousands at steeplechase meets all over the country, who pay dearly to see this part of the game, it’s the horses and sport that matter. They are among the converted. And corporate sponsors already acknowledge they exist. Keynoter and entertainer David Cassidy, by Jack Cassidy from Evelyn Ward, a Saratogian via Broadway‘s bright lights, used the opportunity to ask for a job as racing’s ambassador. The game needs a face, he said, a spokesman, and when he said that it truly would be his honor to do so, no one in the house had the sense he was playing a part.And racing has its problems but this is not a time for continued negativity. The sport has always survived and will again because as one of racing’s newest Hall of Fame members, Nick Zito, said yesterday: “This game was built on a rock, not a feather.”It is apropos, really, that on the golden anniversary of the National Museum and Racing Hall of Fame two of its greatest practitioners--one retiring from the sport while the other labors at the pinnacle of his craft--played such a huge role. And by their actions, both on track and off, the modern game has been better for their participation.Pat Day, the most gifted communicator on horseback this side of Bill Shoemaker, and Nick Zito, the most gifted media communicator this side of Wayne Lukas, are now members of the same exclusive club. Until David Cassidy gets the job, Zito will continue to make friends for the game at every opportunity. Until he dies, Day will dedicate his considerable communicative skills in pursuit of a higher calling, doing God’s work to help others, thankful for the past and hopeful for the future, a theme which all lovers of the thoroughbred racing can relate.* * *

Slide show: The Week in Sports Pictures   Oct. 3 - 9 Images from the baseball playoffs, NFL, college football, and more.

They stood there like racing’s version of the 1927 Yankees: Leroy Jolley, winning the Derby with a filly; Allen Jerkens, slaying giants in his path; T.J. Kelly, beloved trainer of champions; Wayne Lukas, revolutionizing his sport; Shug McGaughey, wave upon wave of champions; Bill Mott, more fun with a cigar than smoking; Scotty Schulhofer, giving women a classic ride; Jonathan Sheppard, an up-and-over phenomenon, and Frank Whiteley Jr., burning from the start forever.And the rider’s version Murderers’ Row: Joe Aitcheson Jr., the most jump wins ever; Braulio Baeza, stoicism on horseback; J.D. Bailey, the smartest kid in the room; Pat Day, a cut above; John Rotz, Grade 1 classy; Gary Stevens, new meaning to versatility; Ron Turcotte, Captain Courageous; Bob Ussery, turning alleys into boulevards; Jorge Velasquez, elegant timing, and Manny Ycaza, competitive luminosity.Hall of Fame day, at once, a tribute to history forever aspiring to greatness. And the game is good.