GULFSTREAM
Marcas
1)5-4-3 2)1-7-5 3)1-2-4 4)1-5-8 5)2-8-1 6)1-9-5 7)4-11-3 8)2-1-10 9)2-4-8 10)1-8-3
Bases Jugadas
4carr 1 Sampson County
9carr 2 Golden Lad
TURF PARADISE
Marcas
1)3-5-6 2)1-5-7 3)3-4-8 4)2-7-6 5)7-6-4 6)3-6-4 7)7-8-6 8)8-9-6 9)9-2-1
DELTA DOWNS
Marcas
1)9-4-6 2)4-1-3 3)8-3-1 4)1-8-4 5)3-6-5 6)4-6-10 7)1-3-2 8)10-7-4 9)8-6-2 10)12-2-7
Bases Jugadas
5carr 3 Cry Summation
Ponies of the Track - Rocket: Not Your Ordinary Pony
Photo: Pat Lang Photography
There are many forgotten heroes at the racetrack of the human variety: grooms, hotwalkers, EMTs, veterinarians, and jockey valets among them. But there are also equine heroes outside of the obvious racehorses: the outrider horses and lead ponies. They are kicked, they are bit, they are slammed into, and they are pushed around. They tolerate the immature two-year-old, the testy mare, and the lazy gelding. Their riders often endure the same difficulties. But these horses also provide guidance and comfort for many racehorses, as well as a best friend for many young children and loyal racetrackers that visit the track.
For racing enthusiasts that frequently watch racing on television or visit the track regularly, a pony horse may become familiar in appearance, but it is rather unusual for a pony horse’s name to be known. The name of the racehorse alongside the pony is in the program, on the television monitor, and in pedigree databases, but the pony is largely anonymous. But for hours upon hours – whether it be in the morning or afternoon – the pony works tirelessly, often encountering unruly racehorses and unpredictable weather. It is time to shine a light upon these hard workers.
Please enjoy the newest installment of my series featuring these horses, called “Ponies of the Track.”
Rocket: Not Your Ordinary Pony
Among the regal Thoroughbreds whose gleaming coats and defined muscles attract the eyes of fans and bettors, pony horses stand out as is. Oftentimes, their coats are colored or patterned far different from the racehorses they escort to the starting gate. More often than not, they are ridden in Western tack with a rider aboard whose attire differs greatly from that of the jockeys aboard the Thoroughbreds. But at Turfway Park, racing fans are often surprised to see a pony horse that is not even a horse. He’s a mule, named Rocket.
Aboard Rocket is Lori Montgomery, who has grown up around – or rather, on the back of – horses and ponies. While growing up, she spent much time showing Saddlebreds before she began galloping Thoroughbreds at a nearby farm. But it wasn’t until Lori met her eventual husband, Turfway outrider Hoppy Montgomery, that she became involved with mules.
“I always wanted a mule [but] I really don’t know why, because I had never been around them,” Lori said. “I had a friend at the track, Kim Martin, [who] went to look at a horse to make into a track pony. The guy [who had the horse Kim was interested in] had a mule he wanted to give away. Kim called me on the way home and I talked my husband into going to get him the next day.”
And so Lori’s journey with mules began. The mule, named Willie, had been mistreated before he became Lori’s. Due to this, he was a challenge for Lori to work with, but also the perfect learning experience. Thanks to Willie, Lori ventured into the world of competing with mules.
“[Willie] has won many titles at the mule shows, but is most known for the Craig Cameron Extreme Cowboy Races,” Lori stated. “He has won two of them competing against horses. Willie also won the Versatile Horse and Rider at The Equine Affair in Ohio.”
Willie inspired Lori to continue working and competing with mules. She has encountered great success with them, as evident in her accomplishments attained with her show mule, Fancy’s My Name. With Fancy, Lori has garnered multiple world championship and high-point titles. Her successes led to her being honored as the recipient of the North American Saddle Mule Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.
But showing is certainly not the only activity she enjoys doing with her mules. One of her mules, Rocket, has emerged as a fan favorite at Turfway Park, where he has served as a lead pony for the past six years. While a mule may seem like an unlikely candidate for a racetrack pony, Rocket has served as a fine example that mules are capable of performing the job well.
“I find there is not much difference in a mule from a horse,” Lori said. “The mule is strong; most horses are faster. . . I just love my mules and like to show people how versatile they are.”
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Rocket
Photo courtesy of Lori Montgomery |
Lori purchased Rocket when he was a green-broke six-year-old, never intending to show him. Instead, she began taking him on trail rides. But the mule had such a good demeanor that she began to consider a new career for Rocket.
“Rocket has always been a big gentle mule with a very good mind,” Lori stated. “I started riding Rocket and taking him on trails rides, [but] then I decided to train him to pony. Rocket always tried to please. I knew he would be good at the track, but I also knew he had to be perfect.”
In order to earn a place at the track as a pony, it was necessary that Rocket be on his best behavior. A lead pony must be tolerant, responsive, and calm. Fortunately, Rocket maintained all of these qualities when he began ponying at Turfway Park in the mornings. But even though Rocket was capable of being a good pony, he was clearly unlike any other pony at Turfway. Would trainers be willing to use a mule – an animal that has earned a reputation for being stubborn – to escort their horses?
“Here is where the true horsemen shined,” Lori said. “They saw that Rocket could do the job and it did not bother them that his ears were longer. We had a few that thought Rocket’s ears would scare their horses, or [that] he would sit down on the job. Yes, licensed horsemen actually asked that.”
Eventually, Rocket graduated to ponying at the races. The pressure was heightened; like he had when he began ponying in the mornings, Rocket needed to be on his best behavior.
“When the day came for Rocket to actually take his first race, I was very nervous,” Lori stated. “I knew he could do it, but I also knew there could be no mistakes. . . The very first horse we took was bad. He bucked his rider off in post parade, [but] Rocket handled it all like an old pro. [After that], the trainer, Jeff Greenhill, said Rocket could take any of his horses, because he did a great job.”
While Rocket’s appearance has drawn the attention of many, some do not even notice that he is a mule – not even Hall of Famers.
“We took Kent Desormeaux the first [time] Rocket worked for four races in a row,” Lori recalled. “When we were going to the gate for the third race, he looked at me and said, ‘That is a mule.’ I laughed and said, ‘Yes, but we just took you the last two races, too.’ Kent said he didn't pay any attention. I said, ‘That's good; that means Rocket is doing his job.’ Kent said he was great. [It] made our day.”
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Rocket
Photo courtesy of Lori Montgomery |
In his years ponying at Turfway, Rocket has gained many fans. Perhaps his long ears are charming, or maybe it is his kind personality.
“He has a lot of fans,” Lori said. “Rocket has a great personality and loves to greet his fans, especially if they have a treat.”
The love that fans have for Rocket has become even more evident to Lori during this year’s winter/spring meet at Turfway, as he is absent from the track this year.
“I started a new gray horse this year, so Rocket has just been going trail riding,” Lori stated. “People are always asking where he is this year.”
While Rocket may no longer be working at the track, he has certainly left his mark. He has found a place in the hearts of many Turfway racegoers, as well as several racing fans from across the country. As unique as a lead pony can be, Rocket has proven exactly what Lori hopes people will realize: that mules are versatile and capable of performing nearly any job. And along the way, Rocket – like other animals of the equine variety Lori has been affiliated with – has earned a place in Lori’s heart.
“All of my mules are special to me because once you earn the trust of a mule or horse, there is nothing they won’t try to do for you,” Lori said. “I have started many ponies since I started ponying at the track, [but] I think Rocket is one of the best.”
Fuente: horseracingnation.com
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