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Monday, September 18, 2006

Lost in the Fog Is Lost

- Lost in the Fog has been euthanized, as reported first (as usual) on Bloodhorse.com. (Even the Pedigree Query site had the news of his death before the Racing Bible.)

"We accomplished what we wanted to do," said trainer Greg Gilchrist Sept. 18. "It was all about giving him quality (time). We did everything we could for him. He was happy and content right up to the end. He went quietly and easily."

Gilchrist had just finished grazing Lost in the Fog outside his barn at Golden Gate Fields on the San Francisco Bay Sept. 17, which he did twice daily, and was heading to the paddock to saddle a horse when Lost in the Fog went into distress.
The Champion Sprinter of 2005 (and deservedly so) epitomized much of what is good about the sport. He was a horse of modest beginnings who earned his fanfare on his ability, rather than from prominent connections and fancy bloodlines. His connections shunned the temptation to run him in Triple Crown races at distances far beyond his ability, as well as the lure of big money offers from others who likely would have done exactly that. His campaign was a fair balance of stakes races at the major race meetings, along with opportunities for the fans at his home base in Northern California to see him in action. He won ten races in a row, showing brilliant speed, and the heart to prevail in seven furlong races that were probably an eighth of a mile beyond his optimal distance.

Yet you could feel Lost in the Fog's detractors dancing a jig when he went down to defeat in the Breeders Cup. I'll never understand why some people were so anxious to see him lose, especially considering the integrity and modesty of his human connections. I suppose they were putting their own egos and reputations ahead of what undoubtedly would have been far, far better for the sport. Some even suggested that a horse from the barn of a trainer who was suspended for illicit medication should win the Eclipse award instead. I hope they all feel really stupid now.

5 Comments:

Anonymous said...

"Yet you could feel Lost in the Fog's detractors dancing a jig when he went down to defeat in the Breeders Cup. I'll never understand why some people were so anxious to see him lose, especially considering the integrity and modesty of his human connections." My feeling exactly. But thru the years, I have come to know that the West Coast v East Coast thing runs deep in a lot of people. If you can't root for Greg Gilcrest and a Korean War Vet, I dont know who you can root for.

Anonymous said...

Strangely enough, my favorite Lost In The Fog moment was when that ESPN reporter asked Harry Aleo how owning Lost in the Fog compared with the Battle of the Bulge. What a nimrod. As for the horse though, he had a helluva career, from that maiden race @ Golden Gate straight thru to the Breeders Cup Sprint, where sadly he fell off form due to the cancer (i don't think anyone can dispute that now). Personally, i think a lot of the anti-Lost In The Fog sentiment stemmed from Gilchrist/Aleo's refusal to jump onto the Triple Crown trail with their supremely talented animal. I think a lot of people never forgave them for that. In my opinion, they did right by their horse, and consistently put him in the best position to win. Perhaps they could've taken a shot in the Met Mile, but aside from that i think they campaigned him flawlessly. Hats off to Gilchirst, Aleo, and most of all Lost In The Fog. May he rest in peace.

Anonymous said...

I miss 'Fog, too. I hope a stakes race with a fat purse gets named after him. And I hope, in particular, DRF's Mike Watchmaker is attempting to pry his foot out of his mouth. ;)

ballyfager said...

I agree completely with your comments on Lost In The Fog. Everything about this story was good and yet some people didn't seem to appreciate him and the classy way he was handled.

As for Mike Watchmaker, the man should take up bowling.

Anonymous said...

A big thank you to "Team Fog," for how they handled their wonderful equine when he was healthy and winning and equally important how they showed their class when he became so ill. We are so sorry, but will always remember Lost in the Fog and the thrills he gave us.