As not even an Locomotive could have derailed the
Biscuit’ that November day!
Utilizing that well worn cliché, this book was
well outside of my wheelhouse. But I’m super happy I “read”, Err listened to it
this past December. Even if I’m one of the last to read this book, eh? Yet having
listened to the author Laura Hillenbrand’s second book Unbroken first. I
eagerly awaited reading Seabiscuit, which perhaps many of you already know
about, or have seen the (2003) movie?
The book chronicles the maturation of
Seabiscuit, a truly unique Horse. For which the nation’s thirst for reaches a
frenzied crescendo with the hugely anticipated Belmont “Stakes” Match race of
Memorial Day weekend 1938.
This event between the nation’s top two Horses was
so anticipated, that it basically squeezed out any national press coverage of
that year’s Indianapolis 500! With the Match race’s two protagonists Seabiscuit
and War Admiral being on the front pages of countless newspapers and magazines
while enthralling the nation! Seeing the Fan Francisco Chronicle’s coverage of
the 1938 Indy 500 being relegated
to page 24!
Belmont had been pressured into the Match race
by Seabiscuit’s owner Charles Howard, with a prize of $100,000 mandated. And
had spent $30k promoting the race and preparing the track. Reportedly if you’d
turned Belmont on its side, for which every seat had been sold out. It would be
nearly as tall as the newly built Empire State building!
Not to mention the multiple special trains
transporting fans from the west coast and other locales to the event, before it
was ultimately cancelled, due to Seabiscuit being scratched.
With the first two Match races cancelled at
Belmont and Suffolk Downs, the enterprising Alfred Vanderbilt successfully negotiated a Match race at His
little Pimlico Downs Horsetrack for November 1, 1938.
Slated for a Tuesday, in hopes of keeping the
crowd “manageable” for His 16,000 seat racetrack to no avail! As massive
throngs of people queued up beginning six and one-half hours early. With an
eventual overflow crowd of 30,000 spectators jammed into the grandstands and
another 10,000 in the infield. With a further 10,000 stranded outside!
Not to mention gathering an estimated radio
audience of 40 million, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who kept His
Advisors waiting as He listened to the race…
What I found so enjoyable about both of Laura
Hillenbrand’s books is that She makes the characters vividly come to life.
Giving us brief biography’s of the major characters, beginning with future
rider John “red” Pollard. So nicknamed due to His shock of red hair…
To Charles Howard, the owner of Seabiscuit with
His second wife Marcela. As Charles rose from beginning as a humble bicycle
repairman from New York. Who at age 26 in 1903traveled by train to San
Francisco, arriving with an entire 21-cents to His name!
Setting up His own bicycle repair shop before
teaching himself to repair the early, unloved Horseless carriages frequenting
San Francisco.
Howard then saw the promise of the automobile
and got Buick Boss and future General Motors leader William Durant to grant Him
the Buick dealership for San Franscisco, returning with three Buick’s in tow.
Following the devastating Sand Francisco
earthquake of 1906, where Howard had some of the only working automobiles to
aid in recovering and transporting injured people. He became so successful that
He eventually had the entire western states distributorship. And when Durant
went bankrupt in 1915, Howard bailed Him out with a $190,000 personal loan.
Which Durant paid Him back with General Motors stock and other Distributorship
perks.
Thus Howard became a very wealthy person,
buying a 17,000 acre “Spread” (ranch) 150 miles north of San Francisco in the
Redwoods. Fullfilling a dream of becoming a rancher after having been a
short-lived Cavalryman. Leading to what became His second career as a Thoroughbred
race owner.
The Howard’s didn’t want to take the easy way
into Horse racing success. Thus sending out the man who made Seabiscuit into
His prize winning status, out in search of a Horse needing reclamation.
Trainer “Silent Tom” Smith scoured Horse racing
venues countrywide before first spotting Seabiscuit in the summer of 1936 at
Suffolk Downs, then under the care of renown trainer “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons. Who’d
Previously taken Gallant Fox to the Triple Crown. And won the 1935 Triple Crown
with Omaha.
Seabiscuit, son of Hard Tact and Grandson of
Man o’ War. Was born in 1933, and was thought to be somewhat lazy, since He
enjoyed sleeping and eating. Although showing some promise, Ftizsimmons didn’t
have time to develop Him due to training Omaha. And thus Seabiscuit was sold to
the Howards for $8,000 in 1936.
Tom Smith, a reticent man of few words, hence
the nickname. Along with hard luck Jockey Red’ Pollard together developed
Seabiscuit into the nation’s premiere Horse. Yet just as Seabiscuit and Pollard
were looking set to win that year’s Santa Anita “Hundred Grander” (Stakes race,
injury struck Pollard!
In a “Tune-up” ride on Feb 19, 1938. After Seabiscuit had been scratched due to the muddy track. Pollard switched mounts to another of Howard’s Horses Fair Knightess. Since the Horse was known to be a “Mudder”. Yet unfortunately, Pollard and the Horse suffered a massive spill. With the Horse crushing Pollard’s lungs when landing on His chest! Incurring broken ribs, a shattered collarbone and a broken shoulder, along with internal injuries!
