Miracle Horse Mr Cowboy Breaks Maiden
Trainer James Bond has won a lot of big races at Saratoga, but Sunday’s maiden victory with Mr Cowboy ranks among the most memorable.
“There are miracles in this world, and I
think he was a miracle,” said Bond the morning after the chestnut
gelding’s 1 ½-length victory under Ramon Dominguez.
When Mr Cowboy was foaled three years ago
at Cabin Creek Farm – which also is a retirement home for several
former racehorses, including Bond’s 1996 Travers winner, Will’s Way –
the little son of Stonesider appeared to be stillborn. Thinking
quickly, farm owner JoAnn Pepper performed some impromptu
human-to-equine resuscitation, and after several heart-wrenching
minutes, the foal began to breathe. Weak and unable to get to his feet,
he was hand-fed and monitored around the clock until he finally stood
up and began walking four days later.
“A lot of people would have just said,
‘He’s not going to make it, I’m sorry,’” said Bond. “But the biggest
miracle is he got to be with Mark and JoAnn. They believed in him and
they never gave up.”
Pepper and her husband, Mark, initially
had no plans to race the youngster. Mr Cowboy apparently had other
ideas and grew into a strapping chestnut with the look of a racehorse.
Forming a partnership called “Team Cowboy,” the Peppers sold shares to
two dozen local individual investors and sent the horse last spring to
trainer Bill Allyn. In November at Aqueduct Racetrack, Mr Cowboy
finished ninth at 64-1 and then was transferred to Bond. After an
inauspicious start for Bond April, when he ducked into the rail and
lost his rider, Mr Cowboy began to mature, hitting the board in three
subsequent starts prior to his maiden win.
The Saratoga winner’s circle was jammed
with Mr Cowboy’s owners, all of whom appeared ecstatic. Happiest of all
may have been Bond.
“It was unbelievable to see all those
people, who are so respectful of the horse and his time,” said Bond. “I
hope they all had as much fun as I did, because they sure seemed to.
Their hearts are really in it. They really love the horse.”
Next up?
“I was looking for a spot in a Grade 1 in three days, but I couldn’t find one,” joked Bond.