Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Thank you Doc Alcasid
I don't know how to feel when I read Doc Antonio Alcasid's remark in the new HORSEMAN'S DIGEST magazine that MR VICTORY's win in the 3rd leg of the Triple Crown ,was the sign he was waiting if he would permanently reside in the US.
Now, everything comes back when I met him just few minutes after that stirring MR VICTORY win. As I approached the winners stand for the awarding ceremonies, I saw him on the left and I rushed to him to congratulate. But what I saw was a somber and teary eyed Doc. And the first words he told me was.... "Jake., salamat sa lahat... tutuloy na ako sa America....iiwanan ko na si MR VICTORY". The straightforward statement didn't move me except that I felt uneasy about this seemingly sad farewell amid our jubilation...
So , that was it... While preparing my horse to the Triple Crown races, Doc was grappling with the monumental decision of accepting his children's' proposal that he should now retire in the US and enjoy life while he and her wife Gloria are still strong...A loving advice from his children, now a doctor and a nurse, he both nurtured with his so called "pawis ng kabayo".
And he was waiting for that sign. A win by MR. VICTORY in the triple crown...
Now it gets me real straight to the heart.
Here I was , newly retired from my long years of a colorful and thankful broadcast career, seeking the dream of becoming the first mediaman to win the Triple Crown. I was also in a quandary on how I could make a champion out of a horse that comes only once in a lifetime for every owner.While we lost the jockey in the 1st leg, Doc was thinking about his children abroad and his life here. I was thinking of how unlucky I have been.
When our jockey pulled up our spent horse in the second leg, Doc was already fixed on staying here, maybe..
But when the third leg win came, it was both our triumph. Doc believes his MR VICTORY win was a statement that will resonate for a long time. What a fitting career ending. A retiring champion trainer relocating permanently and winning his last stakes race with the longest odds horse. One that came first from last position with the track announcer saying he just had enough for the afternoon at the mid-backstretch. For me, it was a dream come true. A fitting reward for a hardworking team...An unexpected moolah from the Lord above given to us who deserve. Thank you Lord for all these blessings.
Way to go, Doc... I know you will read this piece... but truly, me and my family thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you for bringing to our family the real life experience of championship racing... Salamat po..
Now, everything comes back when I met him just few minutes after that stirring MR VICTORY win. As I approached the winners stand for the awarding ceremonies, I saw him on the left and I rushed to him to congratulate. But what I saw was a somber and teary eyed Doc. And the first words he told me was.... "Jake., salamat sa lahat... tutuloy na ako sa America....iiwanan ko na si MR VICTORY". The straightforward statement didn't move me except that I felt uneasy about this seemingly sad farewell amid our jubilation...
So , that was it... While preparing my horse to the Triple Crown races, Doc was grappling with the monumental decision of accepting his children's' proposal that he should now retire in the US and enjoy life while he and her wife Gloria are still strong...A loving advice from his children, now a doctor and a nurse, he both nurtured with his so called "pawis ng kabayo".
And he was waiting for that sign. A win by MR. VICTORY in the triple crown...
Now it gets me real straight to the heart.
Here I was , newly retired from my long years of a colorful and thankful broadcast career, seeking the dream of becoming the first mediaman to win the Triple Crown. I was also in a quandary on how I could make a champion out of a horse that comes only once in a lifetime for every owner.While we lost the jockey in the 1st leg, Doc was thinking about his children abroad and his life here. I was thinking of how unlucky I have been.
When our jockey pulled up our spent horse in the second leg, Doc was already fixed on staying here, maybe..
But when the third leg win came, it was both our triumph. Doc believes his MR VICTORY win was a statement that will resonate for a long time. What a fitting career ending. A retiring champion trainer relocating permanently and winning his last stakes race with the longest odds horse. One that came first from last position with the track announcer saying he just had enough for the afternoon at the mid-backstretch. For me, it was a dream come true. A fitting reward for a hardworking team...An unexpected moolah from the Lord above given to us who deserve. Thank you Lord for all these blessings.
Way to go, Doc... I know you will read this piece... but truly, me and my family thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you for bringing to our family the real life experience of championship racing... Salamat po..
