Horse Racing: Class of 2010 inducted into Hall of Fame
Saratoga Springs served as host as seven new members were inducted into the Horse Racing Hall of Fame class of 2010. Jockey Randy Romero, Don Pierce, trainer Michael Millerick and Harry Basset along with 3 thoroughbreds were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“This is a dream come true,” Romero said. “I've finally, finally made it”. Romero went on to say he had been waiting for the day that he would be inducted into the hall of fame for a long time. Randy had been placed on the Ballot for the first time eight years ago, but was not inducted into the Hall of fame until now. The 52-year old Jockey has 4,294 wins in his extraordinary career that spanned 26 years. Over the years Romero’s mounts totalled more than $75 million in earnings. He has 122 graded stakes victories in addition to racing titles at tracks including Belmont, Arlington, Gulf Stream, Keeneland and Fair Grounds, among others.
What Romero is best known for are two of his Hall of Fame mares, ‘Go for Wand’ and the undefeated ‘Personal Ensign’. Romero won Breeders Cup titles with both the Hall of Famers of a total of three titles.
Horses to be inducted into the hall were Azeri, Best Pal and Point Given.
Azeri won 17 times in 24 starts placing second four times. She earned over $4 million in earnings through her racing career. At the time of her retirement that figure was the all time high in earning for a female horse. Michael Paulson accepted the award on Azeri’s behalf. Voted Horse of the year in 2002, Azeri won the title of the champion older female that year and in 2004. In that year she won the Breeders Cup Distaff, Milady Handicap, Santa Margarita Handicap, Apple Bossom Handicap and Vanity Handicap. She also won the grade II Clement L. Hirsch and Lady’s Secret stakes. Azeri retired in 2004.
Accepting the Award for Best Pal was Larry Mabee the son of the Late John and Betty Mabee. Larry’s acceptance of the award was one of the most memorable moments of the day. “The only thing we’re missing (today) is my mom and dad”, Larry said adding that they would have been proud at having their horse inducted into the hall of fame and to be present at the event. “They loved their horses”, Larry said.
In Larry’s opinion Best Pal was a “big, tough, ugly son of a gun”. Larry added that Best Pal was a mean horse and not a horse you could turn your back on when it came to racing, he knew exactly what had to be done and did it. “He was there to race and he was there to win, every time he could”.
Best Pal won 18 races in his career with a total earning of $5.6 million. More noteworthy of his wins, was the Santa Anita Handicap and the Hollywood Gold Cup. He finished second in the Kentucky Derby and the Santa Anita Derby.
The third horse inducted, Point Given, was trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. Point Given won $5.6 in earning in his relatively short career. He won 9 of his 13 starts with three second place finishes. The award was accepted jointly by his trainer and Terrence Collier, an associate of the late owner, Prince Ahmed Bin Salman. “Racing champions come and go, but members of the hall of fame endure”, Terrence said.
After finishing fifth in the Kentucky Derby, Point Given began to display the colours of a champion. In that year the horse went on to win the Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, the Haskell Invitational, Travers Stakes, Santa Anita Derby and the San Felipe Stakes. He also won the Eclipse Award as Horse of the year and Champion 3-year old.
Delivering the Hall of Fame address at the event was Hall of Fame Jockey Gary Stevens. He said that Hall of Fame greatness requires more than just one particular moment of Stardom but a consistency throughout a career and hard work.
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