Trainer James Bond has won a lot of big races at Saratoga, but Sunday’s
maiden victory with Mr Cowboy ranks among the most memorable.
“There are miracles in this world, and I think he was a miracle,” said Bond the
morning after the chestnut gelding’s 1 1/2-length victory under Ramon Dominguez.
When Mr Cowboy was foaled three years ago at Cabin Creek Farm — which also is a
retirement home for several former racehorses, including Bond’s 1996 Grade 1 Travers
winner, Will’s Way — the little son of Stonesider appeared to be stillborn.
Thinking quickly, farm owner JoAnn Pepper performed some impromptu
human-to-equine resuscitation, and after several heart-wrenching minutes, the
foal began to breathe. Weak and unable to get to his feet, he was hand-fed and
monitored around the clock until he finally stood up and began walking four days
later.
“A lot of people would have just said, ‘He’s not going to make it, I’m sorry,'”
Bond said. “But the biggest miracle is he got to be with Mark and JoAnn. They
believed in him and they never gave up.”
Pepper and her husband, Mark, initially had no plans to race the youngster. Mr
Cowboy apparently had other ideas and grew into a strapping chestnut with the
look of a racehorse. Forming a partnership called “Team Cowboy,” the Peppers
sold shares to two dozen local individual investors and sent the horse last
spring to trainer Bill Allyn.
Last November at Aqueduct, Mr Cowboy
finished ninth at 64-1 and then was transferred to Bond. After an inauspicious
start for Bond in April, when he ducked into the rail and lost his rider, Mr Cowboy
began to mature, hitting the board in three subsequent starts prior to his
maiden win.
The Saratoga winner’s circle was jammed with Mr Cowboy’s owners, all of whom
appeared ecstatic. Happiest of all may have been Bond.
“It was unbelievable to see all those people, who are so respectful of the
horse and his time,” Bond said. “I hope they all had as much fun as I did, because
they sure seemed to. Their hearts are really in it. They really love the horse.”
Next up?
“I was looking for a spot in a Grade 1 in three days, but I couldn’t find one,”
Bond joked.