Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Y
Maiden day May 20, 1977 owners Collen Maderae and Dorthea Limco at the now defunct Jefferson Downs, Kenner Louisiana ran in a 4.5 maiden claimer
The well known Phil Marino (never heard of the guy) trainer
HUMBLE beginnings for John Henry
Rubin tells a story when the bloodstock agent told him he wasn't thinking and bought a gelding, Rubin supposedly asked "What color is that?"
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hello Tim Y, and everyone:
I haven't contributed much to the board but I'd like to share a thought or two. First, thanks alot to Jeff for supplying the John Henry pp's, which jarred some nice memories for me.
Phil Marino is one of racing's all-time nitwits, easily as bad a trainer as one could find. He also failed as a jockey if memory serves me well. A few year's back he had a stable at Monmouth Park, and would send horses to Phila. Park as well. I overcame the silly idea of asking him to ride my jockey (I was a jockey's agent there at the time.)
I am pretty sure he didn't win a single race and I believe that currently he has horses at Mountaineer Park. Why I can't figure out. Also, by word of mouth, I've been told that he never took it lightly when people razzed him about John Henry.
When Jefferson Downs (now defunct and located in Kenner, La., on Lake Pontchetrain, near the Airport and 10 or so miles west of New Orleans) was in operation, in the track kitchen, there was a very large 'win' photo of that maiden win of John Henry. The lone person in the winner's circle looking like a bum was Phil Marino.
I once interviewed Larry Munster, a former top-tier Louisiana-based jockey who was a JnD steward at the time I was there (1991). I asked him this: 'How good was John Henry and did you ever think John Henry would become the champion horse that he became?'
Munster smiled and said: 'Well, I can't really tell you how good John Henry was because I fell off as soon as they opened the gate." (See race on July 29).
Sam Rubin was one of those obnoxious, loud wealthy guys that hung out at the bar upstairs at Aqueduct, years before they built that nice, enclosed restaurant. He was a successful bicycle importer and was loaded, so to speak, not to mention that he drank alot and loved to be touted on a horse.
One day, as often was the case, he had a few too many and said loudly, 'I gotta get myself a horse. Find me a good horse. I'll pay $25,000 for a good one.' He said that basically out loud and not to anyone in particular, although more than a few horsemen were present in the immediate area at the time.
Soon thereafter, a pretty good trainer, blood stock agent and all-around hustler and operator, James Ferraro, told Rubin he found him a horse and the people want -- get this -- $25,000! Needless to say, Ferraro sold John Henry to Sam Rubin, and history was in the making.
On more than one occasion in those early years, I'd hear stories of the John Henry pre-Big Time New York legend. Most of those stories centered around how it was very hard to sell John Henry--poor pedigree, not real pretty, and a very tempermental sort, who would act up, never train, etc. I once heard that at one time they asked $5,000 for him and they couldn't find a buyer. He was for sale throughout Louisiana, Kentucky, Ohio...every where it seems. No interest at all until they found a New York sucker. (In fairness, who really got the last-laugh? Sam Rubin, of course).
So, needless to say, when Ferraro got Rubin to ante up $25,000 for John Henry, a lot of money was made on the transaction all around.
More later.....