Breaking news I just saw over at Ron Correll’s site:

http://articles.tracksideview.com/2008/08/27/benny-the-bull-retired-with-ankle-chip/trackback.aspx

It would seem that IEAH stables sprinter Benny the Bull has finished his days as a word class sprinter.  Usually you wouldn’t think I’d be very upset when my not-so-favorite trainer Rick Dutrow loses a colt, but I really liked this guy.

I remember vividly having him keyed on a few bets this past Belmont Day.  During the undercard racing action, Benny was the overwhelming favorite in the Grade 2 True North Handicap.  He was coming back from Dubai and early on in the race did not appear he was even going to finish in the money. 

Then, in the final few hundred yards, he unleashed a charge unlike any I’ve had the pleasure of seeing first hand.  He blew past the field from about 6 wide and nailed Man of Danger by a neck at the wire.  It was unbelievable.  At the time it seemed to be a good omen for Big Brown, but we all know what happened later that afternoon and needn’t return there.

Now, truth be told, I really wanted Benny to continue his winning ways heading into the Breeder’s Cup Sprint.  Partly because I thought he’d be an obvious contender, but more appropriately because I wanted to play local California hero Street Boss against him.  Now we’ll never get that showdown, which ought to have been a good one.  Instead I’ll be stuck with likely favorite odds on Street Boss rather than an upset. 

That being said (I use that phrase entirely too much, I’ve noticed), as I like to do when a horse of name and record finishes their career in an unanticipated fashion, I’d like pause and tip my hat to Benny for a moment.  Here’s how I’ll always remember him from the True North Handicap.  Pay extra attention to the final 100 yards.  He’s like a projectile screaming out of a cannon.