Chicken Soup for the Racing Fans' Souls

by:Broseph10/22/08
WT With Breeder's Cup just around the corner, I thought I could sneak something in here about one of the Fillies running on Friday. (from today's Courier-Journal, Jennie Rees) Intangaroo (Filly and Mare Sprint): She's the best three-time Grade I winner this year you've probably never heard of, though the 4-year-old filly won Santa Anita's Santa Monica, Churchill's Derby Day Humana Distaff and Saratoga's Ballerina. Trainer Gary Sherlock was a longtime quarter-horse and thoroughbred trainer when he developed a blocked artery in his head, a potentially lethal situation that ultimately corrected itself. Still, it kept him out of training for 10 years -- though he stayed in the horse industry in other capacities -- before returning in 2005. Carl Grether, a lemon farmer, asked him to buy three yearlings, including Intangaroo, a $37,000 Keeneland purchase. With Intangaroo in her first race, Grether asked his ailing dad if he wanted to bet. Tom Grether told his son to bet $400 to win, in contrast to his usual across-the-board wager. Soon thereafter, Tom collapsed, never regained consciousness and was on life support until all the family could arrive. Carl sent a friend to make his dad's wager. Intangaroo paid $25.20 to win. Tom Grether died the next day -- and was buried with the win ticket worth $5,040 in his suit pocket. "He went out a winner," Carl Grether said. I mean, I love my pops and all, but 5 G's? That some pretty strong "Cat's in the Cradle" stuff right there! Stay tuned for some certain losers lead-pipe-locks from Intern and yours truly for this weekend. Rees' article: Horses to Watch this Weekend

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