[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1173-E1174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CAPTAIN BODGIT GAVE THIS OWNER THRILL OF A LIFETIME

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CLIFF STEARNS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 10, 1997

  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, a former colleague, Congressman Tom Evans 
has captured the essence of horseracing in America. I'm pleased to make 
this part of the Record because of its significance.


[[Page E1174]]



               [From the Daily Racing Form, June 7, 1997]

          Captain Bodgit Gave This Owner Thrill of a Lifetime

                        (By Thomas B. Evans Jr.)

       ``My Old Kentucky Home,'' so symbolic of all that the 
     Kentucky Derby represents, was a song I had always loved to 
     sing on many trips to Louisville the first Saturday in May. 
     This year it was even more special, but I could only finish 
     the first few lines. I'm sure it was in part because it's so 
     unlikely that I would ever again have the chance to sing it 
     as an owner, albeit only a small percentage one, of a 
     wonderful horse like Captain Bodgit.
       The shared excitement and joy felt by the many owners of 
     Captain Bodgit was contagious and added to his increasing 
     popularity and to the excitement of the moment. As I glanced 
     at the tote board indicating the odds, the Captain was 
     clearly the favorite of the majority at Churchill Downs as 
     well. I was aware of the crowd, and through tears, also of 
     the many people offering encouragement and good luck. 
     However, my thoughts were of the sacrifice, the discipline 
     and hard work that it took to get to the Kentucky Derby.
       I thought of the young trainer. Gary Capuano, I was 
     standing behind, and Captain Bodgit's grooms, and exercise 
     rider. Sammy Davis, all of whom cared so much about Captain 
     Bodgit. I thought of the passion with which the Captain 
     approached his races and his workouts and the marvelous 
     example that sets for everyone.
       Years of going to the races and enjoying many great times 
     at Derbys past could never prepare you for this incredible 
     moment played out in two electrifying minutes in arguably the 
     greatest classic in American sports. From my own perspective, 
     the anxiety that accompanies political campaigning cannot 
     compare with the anxiety you feel in the days, hours and 
     minutes leading up to the Kentucky Derby.
       I thought of so much in those few minutes before the race, 
     including the marvelous support of racing fans, friends and 
     family, and some of my former colleagues in Congress--all of 
     whom I knew were rooting for Captain Bodgit. I thought of my 
     mother and father and the many fun times we had at Delaware 
     Park. As the starting gate opened, the exhilaration and rush 
     of adrenalin I felt were almost beyond comparison.
       The stirring stretch drives of the Captain and the courage 
     he displayed along with Free House and Silver Charm will 
     forever be etched in my mind. Taking nothing away from any of 
     the other horses, and especially Silver Charm and Free House, 
     I will always believe in my heart that our horse could have 
     won both races with any degree of racing luck.
       Being forced to change leads in the stretch robbed him of 
     his momentum in the Derby, and still, he lost by only a head. 
     Drawing a post position in the Preakness next to a very 
     nervous and fractious horse did not help his start in that 
     race. Starting from 13 lengths behind at Pimlico is difficult 
     to make up, especially on a track that was not kind to 
     closers.
       All day long, the track favored speed; therefore Captain 
     Bodgit's sensational close at the end to lose by only a neck 
     was all the more remarkable. The courage he displayed in the 
     last 70 yards of the Preakness was truly unbelievable, and 
     without detracting from the superb talents of Silver Charm, 
     Free House or Touch Gold, I believe the Belmont at a mile and 
     a half was Captain Bodgit's race.
       Sadly and unfortunately, we will never know. Out dreams 
     were shattered when word came of Captain Bodgit's injury, 
     which was probably caused by his all-out desire to win in 
     Baltimore. Although the news was bad, I believe most all of 
     us feel that we are indeed fortunate to have had such a 
     marvelous experience.
       Although I had dreamed of owning a horse in Kentucky Derby, 
     I never thought it would happen. I will always be thankful of 
     the thrill of owning even a small part of such a wonderful 
     horse.
       These great 3-year-olds produced sensational racing and 
     thrilled millions on television. In the process, they have 
     done a lot of thoroughbred racing, which adds so much to so 
     many communities in the United States. From a purely 
     practical standpoint, thoroughbred racing accounts for 
     hundreds of thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions in 
     revenue, not to mention the great enjoyment it brings to so 
     many.
       It is sad about Captain Bodgit's injury, but a friend and 
     avid racegoer put it in perspective for me when he said, 
     ``Just think, Captain Bodgit will have a new girlfriend every 
     day.'' I only hope that his offspring will be bred here in 
     America. That way we can look forward to seeing young Captain 
     Bodgit giving us some of the same thrills and displaying the 
     same stamina and courage and the great Captain did for all 
     too short a time.

     

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