Letter To The Editor: Ercel Ellis and The Decision That Altered My Life

For me personally, what a weird coincidence that earlier this week, TDN published a wonderful essay by its columnist Chris McGrath, who spent time with three of the industry's “elder statesman,” among them Ercel Ellis.

For it was Ellis who, 40 years ago this coming week, made a decision that altered the course of my life.

McGrath obviously had a wonderful time at Lil's Coffee House in Paris, Ky., listening to the yarns spun by Ellis, now 92, renowned veterinarian Bob Copelan (97), and the youngster of the trio, Stone Farm owner Arthur Hancock (81).

Forty years ago, when I was a mere 25 and Ellis 52, he decided to leave his position as breeding columnist for Daily Racing Form to train a small string of horses he and his wife owned.

I was interviewed by Logan Bailey, who managed the small Daily Racing Form office in Lexington, and was offered the position Ellis was vacating.

While Ellis grew up on Dixiana Farm–which his father managed–and had a wealth of knowledge about Thoroughbreds, my initial foray into the industry was as a handicapper (something I still enjoy today).

Now any good handicapper inherently learns about pedigrees, but, honestly, I knew very little at the time about such topics as breeding and sales.

During the interview, Logan (now deceased) asked me if I could spend time with any one person who would it be. I guess most people answer with the president, or an astronaut, or the Pope … I don't know. I said Secretariat.

There were only four persons in the DRF office, which was located in the Keeneland clubhouse, in some of the track's original stalls. I often wondered what horses had stabled where I now had my desk and typewriter.

I started the Monday after the Kentucky Derby, and that timing was also interesting. Because I had said I wanted to meet Secretariat, Logan had arranged for me to visit Claiborne Farm and do just that. The week after the 1984 Derby was special at Claiborne because the Derby winner, Swale (Seattle Slew–Tuerta, by Forli), was bred by Claiborne and raced by the farm in partnership with William Haggin Perry, Peter Brant and Edward Cox Jr.

Here I was, just a few days after the Derby and new at my job, being shown not only Secretariat, but the incredible roster of stallions, by farm managers John Sosby and Gus Koch.

That day, I briefly met farm president Seth Hancock, with whom I had numerous subsequent conversations over the years.

Of course, the story of Swale ended up being bittersweet. He also won the GI Belmont S. for trainer Woody Stephens, but eight days later collapsed and died. Though no definitive cause was determined, an autopsy discovered lesions in the heart area which could have been responsible for his death.

Chris McGrath, Ercel Ellis, Arthur Hancock and Dr. Robert Copelan | courtesy of Chris_McGrath.

When Secretariat died Oct. 4, 1989, Logan informed me we would be allowed to attend his burial at Claiborne. But, the following morning, farm officials decided not to allow press members. We always respected that decision.

I have seen Ercel only a few times over the years. But it is always a wonderful experience for me when I do because he has as encyclopedic mind when it comes to Thoroughbreds, able to recall races and pedigrees as if it were yesterday.

I was truly honored a number of years ago when Ercel phoned and asked me to be interviewed on his radio show. I will never forget that 15 minutes.

During my 25 years regularly covering racing and breeding at Daily Racing Form, The Racing Times and The Blood-Horse, Ercel is an example of those I always jumped at the chance to spend five minutes or five hours with–such as Bob Green, Bob Courtney, Henry White, Warner Jones, Carter Thornton, Alice Chandler, Ted Bassett, Gail Hughes, Brereton Jones, Johnny Griggs, Bruce Hundley, Johnny Jones, Charlie Nuckols… and countless others–because though green when I started, I became fascinated with the history and intricacies of the industry.

It is hard to believe I was 25 when I started at Daily Racing Form and Ercel Ellis was 52. Now, I have recently started Medicare and Ercel is 92.

Where would I be had Ercel Ellis not left Daily Racing Form? Yogi Berra said, “When you get to a fork in the road, take it.”

Because of Ercel, there was a fork in the road, and I took it.

I just hope those starting in the business today will find mentors not only as knowledgeable as those I was fortunate to have, but as willing to share their knowledge.

 

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A Brere Jones Remembrance: Letter to the Editor, by Dan Liebman

One of the first horsemen I met when hired to cover the Thoroughbred industry full time in 1984 was Brereton Jones, who with his wife, Libby, owned Airdrie Stud on Old Frankfort Pike.

As journalists, we must always keep a distance from those we cover, in order to remain neutral in our coverage. But when reporting and writing about a specific topic day in and day out, you can't help but become friends with some of those you encounter.

Brere and I instantly became friends.

We had many on-the-record conversations, and, perhaps more importantly, many off-the-record as well. There are others with whom I cultivated similar relationships, but perhaps none whose ear I bent more when needing information or advice about a particular Thoroughbred industry topic.

When I heard a rumor he was considering a run for lieutenant governor, I phoned Brere and he told me, off the record, the rumor was true. I suggested he meet my late father, Herb, an attorney in Frankfort, Ky., who had worked in numerous Kentucky political campaigns, all the way back to Happy Chandler and his second term as Kentucky governor in the 1950s.

We met at the Frankfort Country Club and subsequently raised funds and courted voters for Brere's elections as lieutenant governor in 1987 and governor in 1991.

I have many stories, but a couple come to mind after he passed away Sept. 18 at age 84.

I recommended he hire Larry Jones to train for him and together they won two Kentucky Oaks, with Proud Spell (2008) and Believe You Can (2012). He always thanked me for the suggestion, and I have lilies from the blankets won by both.

One time I was in New Orleans for an important day of races, and walking down Royal Street late morning, I noticed a man getting his shoes shined. No one knew it was the former governor of Kentucky, and we chatted as the shoeshine man never broke stride.

I asked him once about rising stud fees, and he launched into a soliloquy about the “free enterprise system,” one of his favorite topics. I got the same speech when I once broached the topic of limiting books of mares.

It pleases me Airdrie will continue under the direction of Brere and Libbie's son, Bret, who had an excellent mentor and even better father.

I will miss our conversations, whether about horses and politics. And I will say, on the record, I will miss my friend.

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50 Years Ago Today, I Was At Secretariat’s Derby

It hit me hard the other night how old I have become. My brain was slowly processing that it was 50 years ago I saw Secretariat win the Kentucky Derby.

I exaggerate. A lot.

I caught a brief glimpse of Secretariat as he flew by my strained vantage point.

After insistent begging, my older sister and her friends relented and took me with them to my first Derby.

It was May 5, 1973 and we were in the infield.

Frankly, at age 14, my day was already complete way before post time for the Derby rolled around.

I was allowed to stay up all night, since we had to get in the infield queue around midnight. On top of that, by noon on Derby day, I had witnessed more infield debauchery than I could wrap my young head around–alcohol, drugs, nudity.

Remember it was the '70s.

How could the day get better?

The day could get better by having seen Secretariat, the horse who would captivate America by winning the Triple Crown and chart the course of my future by hooking me on Thoroughbred racing and breeding.

Why was I processing that it had been 50 years since that magical day?

Because I just moved into a new home I built and was unpacking boxes.

I unpeeled the bubble wrap from my framed photo of Secretariat, bought to commemorate another anniversary, upon which his owner wrote: “To Dan, A Real Expert, Penny Tweedy, 1993.”
In a nearby box were other framed items: Secretariat's four-cross pedigree; his past performances as they appeared in Daily Racing Form on Derby day 1973; a copy of the first page of his syndication agreement; and a limited edition head shot, taken in 1973 by Tony Leonard.

Another box contained my four envelopes sealed in plastic when the Secretariat Stamp was unveiled–two from Keeneland dated Oct. 16, 1999; the other pair from Churchill Downs dated Nov. 20, 1999.

A plastic bin had my cache of bobbleheads of horses, trainers, and jockeys, among them a Secretariat model, wearing his trademark blinkers and saddle cloth 1A. In the same treasure trove I found my mini Secretariat Louisville slugger bat.

Among the more than 200 Derby, Preakness, Belmont and Breeders' Cup glasses that had been packed away were the glass from the year Secretariat won the Derby, the year after when his name first appeared as a a winner of the race; and two glasses issued on the 25th anniversary of his Derby win.

In a small box, carefully wrapped in tissue paper, a pair of jockey goggles purchased at auction last year. Inscribed on the goggles: “Ron Turcotte, TC 73.”

A Lifetime of Secretariat Memorabilia | Dan Liebman photo

There is a new addition to the collection of memories, just acquired; a 2023 Woodford Reserve Secretariat bottle. On the front stands a beautifully painted picture of Secretariat in the Churchill Downs winner's circle. It will fit neatly alongside my numbered 2003 Maker's Mark bottle, signed at Keeneland by Penny, then track president Nick Nicholson, and then Maker's president Bill Samuels Jr.

From that day in the infield I charted a course that saw me work for The Frankfort State-Journal (twice), Daily Racing Form, The Racing Times, and The Blood-Horse.

Of course I have watched, and handicapped, every Derby since Secretariat set the track record of 1:59 2/5 for the 10 furlongs. Here's hoping that record stands forever.

I've attended many Derbies along the way as well, both as a spectator and member of the press.

Never seen a horse as good as Secretariat. Never expect to. Maybe never want to.

As good as his Derby win was for this Kentucky-bred, Secretariat's move in the Preakness and domination in the Belmont were even more spectacular.

It is not so bad being 64 years old, knowing 50 years ago you saw the greatest racehorse run the fastest time in the history of the world's most well-known horse race.

It is what put Secretariat atop my horse pedestal.

I wish I had taken a Kodak to the Churchill Downs infield that day in 1973.

Alas, I have no photo of that day, but I do have a lifetime of cherished memories, and memorabilia collected ever since that reminds me every day of how special that day–and that horse–was.

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Letter to the Editor: Computer Assisted Wagering

Thoroughbred Daily News has written extensively about Computer Assisted Wagering and the players and clubs that by using such methods have placed a stranglehold on our pari-mutuel system.

Just a week ago in this space, Dan Ross had a wonderful column on the subject and what it has done to handle in California.

It is hard to say no to someone wanting to bet a huge amount on Thoroughbred racing, and it is understandable in giving them rebates to reward their action.

But it is harming the game and small players such as myself.

I witnessed an example April 23 in Kentucky when I bet $200 to win on For the Flag in the fifth race at Keeneland. She was 6-1 when the gates opened, 3-1 as they entered the first turn, and 5/2 as they exited the turn. She won and paid $7.98.

You can sell all the yearlings you want, have 2-year-olds work in great times, etc., etc., etc. Enjoy the big stud fees. Put together syndicates. But when the $2 bettor has had enough, or in this case the $200 bettor, then all you have left are the computer players and the folks who have a Derby party and are interested in racing for an hour a year. Maybe that is all that is needed for the game to continue.

But by doing so you are losing people such as myself. I find myself wagering less and less every year because the sharp change in odds while horses are running infuriates me.

No one loves the sport more than I do. No one enjoys handicapping more than I do. No one finds Keeneland to be as special a place as I do.

Make their last dump of money into the pools happen with a few minutes to the post. Or take them out of the win pools. Or …

Just do something. Because these kicks in the gut are becoming more than people like myself can take. This is supposed to be fun. For me, it is not any more.

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