Posted By:
Bob PomillaOne last post for me on this thread, but I hope this quote from Sham's jockey Lafitte Pincay Jr., will put to rest once and for all whether or not Sham broke down in the Belmont.
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Sham broke down in the Belmont, after dueling for the early lead with Secretariat through scorching early fractions, and never raced again. He was retired to stud.
``They were going awfully fast,'' Pincay said of the 1:09 4/5 opening six furlongs. ``I was just following instructions to keep Secretariat in sight. I don't know if he would have lasted, but I sensed something was wrong and I started easing him off.''
Frank Martin, Sham's trainer, was upset with Pincay after the race. But the Hall of Fame jockey said Martin called him a couple of days later when X-rays disclosed a bad fracture.
``He thanked me for saving his horse,'' Pincay said. ``I didn't know for sure, but I just had a feeling something wasn't right. I just started taking a hold of him, and some horses when you take a hold of them, they still want to try. But as soon as I took a hold of Sham, he gave up.''
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If this statement from Sham's jockey isn't enough for someone, then there's no point to any further discussion with that person.
The quote is from:
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ALMOST+A+GREAT+MOMENT.(SPORTS)-a083607767