Yet another great video, cf1970. For the record that was Jim Hannon, the legendary old school Suffolk Downs announcer from 1969-1989, narrating this piece beautifully. Hannon also was the voice of Narragansett Downs in his fabled career. Hannon's highlight was the 1987 MassCap when he called the ding-dong battle between local hero Waquoit who bested Broad Brush by a beak causing Big Jim's voice to crack at wire's end! That would be awesome if someone posted that 1987 Massachusetts H'cap.
I saw Swaps run at, I think, Hollywood Park, beating Mr. Gus and Porterhouse that day. Thrill. He was injured later, and I recall that he was saved by then-revolutionary method of having him elevated off the ground after the operation, and it being - quite miraculously - successful. Although he wasn't very successful as a breeder. And I seem to recall a match race with Nashua, his Eastern rival?
First I'd like to say Nashua was a great horse. The only thing that match race proved was Nashua was better on 4 legs, then Swaps was on 3 legs. I think that they were very close in ability.
@qvetch Just the mention of Porterhouse brings back so many great horses: Determined (the gray), Terrang, and, of course, the wonderful Round Table and Gallant Man. I seem to recall Baghdad, and the filly Silver Spoon (I believe), as well as Candy Spots and Silky Sullivan/El Pueblo. I was thrilled when my dad pulled my out of first and second grade to go with him to the races. I learned to read a form before learning how to read prose. Those were the days!
My husband's uncle, Mish Tenney, was the Swaps' trainer.
MissMaria10 2 years ago
Yet another great video, cf1970. For the record that was Jim Hannon, the legendary old school Suffolk Downs announcer from 1969-1989, narrating this piece beautifully. Hannon also was the voice of Narragansett Downs in his fabled career. Hannon's highlight was the 1987 MassCap when he called the ding-dong battle between local hero Waquoit who bested Broad Brush by a beak causing Big Jim's voice to crack at wire's end! That would be awesome if someone posted that 1987 Massachusetts H'cap.
terjer01 3 years ago
I saw Swaps run at, I think, Hollywood Park, beating Mr. Gus and Porterhouse that day. Thrill. He was injured later, and I recall that he was saved by then-revolutionary method of having him elevated off the ground after the operation, and it being - quite miraculously - successful. Although he wasn't very successful as a breeder. And I seem to recall a match race with Nashua, his Eastern rival?
qvetch 4 years ago
First I'd like to say Nashua was a great horse. The only thing that match race proved was Nashua was better on 4 legs, then Swaps was on 3 legs. I think that they were very close in ability.
BE109 4 years ago
@qvetch Just the mention of Porterhouse brings back so many great horses: Determined (the gray), Terrang, and, of course, the wonderful Round Table and Gallant Man. I seem to recall Baghdad, and the filly Silver Spoon (I believe), as well as Candy Spots and Silky Sullivan/El Pueblo. I was thrilled when my dad pulled my out of first and second grade to go with him to the races. I learned to read a form before learning how to read prose. Those were the days!
phddddd 1 year ago
Swaps is my favorite racehorse of all time. He's been it for two years, ever since I saw his grave at Churchill Downs.
Felldohfansquirrel 4 years ago
brilliant post. Didn't they run a match race later in the year?
tigerboy1966 4 years ago
The western invader. Swaps holds 'em off. Looks like Nashua wasn't gaining on him right at the end. Strong finish.
gfn02 5 years ago