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Blog Entry 2 of 2 The Regular Suspects and the Algonquin Round Table

I'll write about everything from Hollywood to Hurricanes and Horse Racing. I was born in Florida and almost blown away by my first hurricane. My mother and I both survived and during my military service in the Navy I was a part of Squadron 114 flying out of Masters Field, Miami into the Caribbean that developed the first Hurricane Warning System. I attended Middle Georgia College for English lit and the Pasadena Playhouse for drama. Worked for PBS TV on a historical series called 'Georgia's Heritage' as writer and host/narrator. Have written two novels 'Doc Holliday's Road to Tombatone,' and 'The Goring Collection,' along with a nonfiction remembrance 'The Hurricane Hunters and Lost in the Bermuda Triangle.' Website www.tombarnes39.com

Blog Url: http://valleynews.com/~TomB39

Triumph and Tragedy at the Derby

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Contributed by: Tom Barnes on 5/7/2008

Big Brown with Kent Desormeaux in the irons wins 2008 Kentucky Derby.

The filly Eight Bells crossed the finished line second and while decelerating from her tough and gutsy effort against the boys, took a wrong step, broke both front ankles and collapsed in pain to the racing surface.
The convening veterinarians and Eight Bells connections made the decision - and the brilliant filly was euthanized.

Big Brown while returning to the winner's circle shied as he passed the downed filly and bucked the jockey off his back. Desormeaux picked himself up and without missing a beat did a cowboy remount and continued to the applause of fans. But there was no doubt that the grandstand audience was somewhat subdued after experiencing the highest of emotional highs and the lowest of lows within the past two minuets.
Kent Desormeaux's fall and quick remount of Big Brown reminded me of the first time I ever saw the jockey.
Years ago after Desormeaux had won most of the racing titles in the east he moved west to join the Southern California jockey's racing colony.
I happened to be at Hollywood Park the day that new jockey was introduced to the fans.
The setting was similar to that of a winning golfer walking up the 18th fairway on Sunday afternoon. The difference being that the jockey was in racing silks and riding a horse. The introduction was perfect until the horse shied at the crowd noise and bucked Desormeaux off his back and onto the ground. The jockey picked himself up, did a quick cowboy remount, settled the horse down and continued the show parade.
Chalk up at least one new Kent Desormeaux fan.

Once the Derby trophy presentation was over NBC did an isolated replay of the race and asked Desormeaux to talk us through it. From the opening gate the jockey said, 'I'll tell you what; he broke listening to the crowd. He was attentive to the cheers. He knew something big was happening. He took a light hold right through here and I think in about fifty yards you're going to see me, my head's on a swivel trying to figure out where I want to tuck in. But this colt starts swiveling that left ear, he's gonna be like ok let's follow this guy. He's just an intelligence horse and a pleasure to ride.'
From that point in the race it was apparent to everyone that it was probably Big Brown's day. And it was as he circled the field and with gentle urging in the stretch he opened a lead and won by almost five lengths.

Notes from Doc Holliday's Road to Tombstone.
Doc Holliday's gambling skills, six-gun and caustic wit all helped to create a western legend. But his life back east tells far more about the real Doc Holliday and gives us the rest of the story.
Three years before the first running of the Kentucky Derby John Henry Holliday, a young Atlanta Dentist struggled to survive in the post Civil War reconstruction economy. When his hard work and long hours didn't improve his financial situation, he began looking around for something to augment his present income. He picked up a little magazine called 'The Guide to Atlanta' that advertised theatres, restaurants and told of tours to famous battlefields. He was rereading an article on the upcoming state fair that had gotten his attention.
The article read, 'Fair opens on the second Tuesday of October 1872 and runs for two weeks. NORTH GEORGIA STOCK AND FAIR ASSOCIATION: Was organized for the purpose of holding Annual Fairs in Atlanta, Georgia and in encouraging turf exercises for the improvement of stock and advancement of agriculture ... The races will surpass anything ever witnessed in this part of the country. $4,500.00 is being offered in regular purses plus additional bonus and added money. Racing every afternoon, engaging some of the most celebrated horses in America."
That magazine article gave John Henry an idea that might breathe life into his anemic financial portfolio. It was not a sound business decision in fact it was a long shot. His idea was to put his horse, The Gent in several of those fair races and hopefully pick up a purse or two. He was sure of only one thing, The Gent could flat out run; he had proved that in South Georgia in past races. But it was the middle of August, and there was one large question, was there enough time to get his horse in shape for the races? Only one way to find out he thought, engage a trainer and a jockey.
John Henry walked to the office everyday from his rented room up on Baker Street. He got a sense of excitement each morning when he passed Union Station. Horse and wagon traffic on cobblestone streets added a unique quality to the sights and sounds of growing crowds beginning to trickle into town. The newsboy hawked his papers. 'Read all about the biggest fair in the history of the state!'
A customer questioned, 'Does that paper have the race results from Saratoga Springs?'
You bet, Mister. Local entries, and Lexington's in there too, READ ALL ABOUT IT.'

Let's go to the Movies will return next week with the Lasky companies second Hollywood feature - 'Brewster's Millions.'

Writers Corner:
When you write an article or book for publication your work is just half done. Marketing is the other half and might be the most difficult.
In the future Writers Corner will offer writing and marketing tips. And by the way, if you would share your ideas and some of the things that have worked for you, they will be much appreciated.

Tom Barnes -- Actor, Writer and Hurricane Hunter.
Check out my website for books, blogs, western legends, a literary icon, reviews and interviews. Also my novels The Goring Collection and Doc Holliday's Road to Tombstone along with a non fiction remembrance of The Hurricane Hunters and Lost in the Bermuda Triangle.
www.tombarnes39.com
www.RocktheTower.com

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