What a better way to spend the eve of the greatest thoroughbred race meet; Saratoga , than with "Old Friends". That's exactly what I did this past Thursday afternoon when I made the trip to Greenfield Center , which is just a few minutes from downtown Saratoga Springs . The destination was the new "Old Friends" thoroughbred retirement farm which had it's grand opening and dedication to the late Bobby Frankel. "Old Friends" is the brainchild of Michael Blowen, who created the original Old Friends thoroughbred retirement farm in Kentucky several years ago. While spending the summer in Saratoga a few year back, he came up with the idea of opening a satellite farm right here in the Saratoga Springs area, after all where would be a better place than where horse racing was king.
This is where Jo-Ann and Mark Pepper stepped in with their farm; Cabin Creek in Greenfield Center and helped Michael Blowen realize his dream for the Spa. It was announced last Fall that this new facility would be up and running just in time for this year's Saratoga meet. With the passing of the Hall of Fame trainer; Bobby Frankel last Fall, Blowen felt it would be appropriate to dedciate the Saratoga version of his "Old Friends" farm to Frankel and have a ceremony on it's official opening day.
A very nice crowd of thoroughbred lovers came this past Thursday afternoon to welcome it's first set of retired thoroughbreds to the farm and it's dedication to Frankel. They came to see former Travers winners; Thunder Rumble and Will's Way, the lovable "loser" Zippy Chippy, the recently retired 13 yr.old - Cool N' Collective, NY breds - Moonshadow Gold, Red Down South & Mr. Cowboy and Bobby Frankel former trainees; New Export and Watchem' Smokey. Plus Karakorum Patriot and Midnight Secret, this group of 11 great old thoroughbreds entertained the crowd at the farm just like they entertained us on track as racehorses.
In the two paddocks at the front of the barn were Watchem' Smokey and Cool N' Collective. These two got a lot of attention when the crowds came into the facility. New Export was confined to his stall, since he likes to bite! Thunder Rumble and Will's Way have their own paddock area to themselves. Moonshadow Gold & Mr.Cowboy was grouped together, as well was both Red Down South & Zippy Chippy. Both Red Down South and Zippy Chippy were extremely playful with each other, with "Red" leading the way. Both Karakorum Patriot and Midnight Secret got a lot of attention in their paddocks located at the top of the hill.
The ceremony of dedication to Bobby Frankel was quite moving with speeches by jockey agent Ron Anderson, Frankel's family members and Hall of Fame jockey; Angel Cordero Jr. A collection of trophies that were given to Old Friends in Bobby's will were on display and there are plenty of more at the Old Friends in Kentucky. Other racing personalities were also in attendance; jockeys, Edgar Prado, Richard Migliore and trainer H. James Bond. A good time was had by all and the crowd in attendance marveled over how grand the Cabin Creek Farm looked in such a short time. For those who missed the festivities on Thursday, there will be another open house on Saturday afternoon (today) from noon until 3pm. For more information go to - http://www.oldfriendsequine.org/newyork.shtml
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