Award-winning columnist Tom Archdeacon — an old-school storyteller in a brand-new venue — writes about sports, the city, southwest Ohio and anything else that catches his fancy… or yours.Home > Blogs > Through the Arch > Archives > 2011 > June > 30
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tom Archdeacon — Up and Running
Well, at least one of us is up and running.
Although I’m stuck on the DL for several weeks after my heart surgery, the other Tom Archdeacon is back healthy and doing just fine.
He showed that Wednesday night at Indiana Downs.
The seven year old gray gelding - who was given my name by George Smith, the heralded Washington Township horseman who bred him and now co-owns him - won the eighth race at the Shelbyville track with a stunning, late rally from deep in the pack that nipped Al Basha at the wire.
“He looked like Silky Sullivan,” Smith gushed after the race. The fabled Silky - who would always wait to the very last moment to make his move - is considered by many be the greatest closer of all time. He’s buried next to the tote board at Golden Gate Fields and is commemorated by a plaque, where one stanza of the tribute by Elaine Marfoglia reads:
Out of the gate like a bullet of red, Dropping behind as the rest sped ahead, Loping along as the clubhouse fans cheer, Leisurely stalking the field in first gear’’
Wednesday night, Tom - who was 10-1 on the Morning Line - was a non-factor in the 1 1/16th mile turf race until the leaders came down the stretch. That’s when he and his jock, Jon Court, came flying out of nowhere on the outside and ran down Al Basha to win the $37, 000 Don K Memorial race.
“He finished like a streak,” Smith said. “He looked like he was a three year old again.”
Tom - who is trained by George’s son Kep - is now stabled at Churchill Downs. He has overcome a quarter crack that may have been more nagging than everyone figured, George said.
Two weeks ago, Tom finished third at Arlington Park outside Chicago. In 40 career starts, he’s finished in the money 19 times. This was his fourth victory.
He paid $11.40 on a $2 wager to win and the exacta paid $61.60
“I’ll tell you the only person who made any money on him last night was Mick (Donoher),” Smith said with a laughing reference to the acclaimed former Dayton Flyers basketball coach. “He went down to Lebanon to watch and he bet him like he always does. He had the exacta, too.
“Yep, old Mick was happy as a lark.”
Tweet
