11/29/2015
I have always maintained that the fundamental factor in achieving success with a any horse or person is believing in them. The Duke of Hycryflat, pictured here with Danny Warrington aboard, proved this axiom well. He was known only as Peepers in the stable because he was mild mannered and reserved. He never fussed or imposed a boorish personality on those around him. He was just there, ears always pricked forward taking you in. He was always glad to see you and never even thought of biting. In a way he was a Little Lord Fauntleroy of a horse. Even his coat was a smooth flawless copper sheen without a single rough spot or blemish. Peepers never ate, he nibbled like a bunny. He always finished his food so that he wouldn't be a worry to. anyone. I bought Peepers from the late Lucy Webb, sister of Sam Webb, both of whom I liked and trusted in horse dealings. Lucy warned me that she could out run Peepers on a dirt track. I believed her but found aspects of his pedigree irresistible for an attempt on the turf at a greater distance. His sire, The Name's Jimmy, was a son of Nijinsky II, a tremendous horse. While preparing Peepers for races on turf I ran him one last time on the dirt for $2,500 Cl at Penn. He had already been slaughtered for that price so I just let him do his peeper thing and finish last by many. I was not annoyed or disappointed. He performed without being a rogue or twit so I was satisfied. I did get the unexpected pleasure of receiving a pink slip from the Racing Secretary, inviting Peepers to never return to Penn National ever again in his equine life. Peepers had crapped out seven times since running for $3,000cl or less. Peepers really did not give two sh*ts about this. I swear to this day I thought I saw him flipping the bird at Penn as we drove away in publicly perceived disgrace.
Peepers made his debut on grass at a distance of two miles in the Meriwether Turf Bowl. Danny Warrington was commissioned for the ride. I owed Danny a trip to the winners circle since jocking him off for Jeff Teeter on another mount he rode for me as an apprentice back in the late 80's at Morven Park. Danny and Peepers entered the course with a score to settle and did just that, defeating a sizeable field with some notable horses. I was so delighted I could have vaporized right there. It was my second win in this race, the first time being with Avant Noche and fellow McDonough classmate Brook Boyer in 1972. Boyer broke his maiden in his first ride ever. Peepers glowed for weeks after this race. In another flat race at Unionville, Peepers finished second by a head to Eclipse Award winning Its a Giggle. Unfortunately, Its a Giggle passed away from colic a few days after encountering Peepers. We speculate that the effort required to defeat Peepers by this narrow margin proved too much for this Eclipse Award winner. It was that or the acute embarrassment and humiliation of nearly being beaten by a zillion to one shot. What ever it was. the result was unfortunate. Peepers would have liked to whip his fancy ass at two miles decisively but would never get the chance. I was never able to get Peepers back on the turf at major tracks because Hunt Race Meeting flat races could no longer count as valid form. Peepers was not a talented jumper despite much effort to improve his style and very adept handling by Richard Boucher over hurdles. He would always get you over a fence but dangled his legs like a squid out of water. Eventually I sold the Peeps as a hunter in VA. He remained in the Commonwealth until he passed away quietly under a tree one day. He was dreaming about that big day, as I often do. I will never forget that little mouse that roared like a lion in the Meriwether Turf Bowl.
