"What A Show"

 
"Put On A Show" - June 26, 2010 Fan Hanover Stakes from Thomas Allen Pauly on Vimeo.

One of the top honors that an equine artist could receive is a commission by the owner to portray their fine champion. Unfortunately, this usually happens after the horse is retired and one does not get to experience their subject's racing career. Owner Craig Henderson loves horse racing and he loves to share racing with his friends...On the 32nd anniversary of my introduction to the sport, I was commissioned by Craig to portray Put on a Show. She is a very talented 3 year old champion filly by Rocknroll Hanover, she's a millionaire and happens to be a harness horse. Although it has been years since I painted a Standardbred, my heart and roots are in harness racing.

On Thursday, I received a call from Mr. Henderson inviting me to watch his filly race. Not just any race, it is the $666,000.00 Fan Hanover Stakes. Not just any track, it is Mohawk Raceway in Toronto, Canada. And not just any plane, it is a Beechcraft Hawker private jet.

We arrive at Chicago Executive Airport at 2:30 pm and we take off at 2:39pm. No security, no x-ray machines, no shoe removal and you could bring on bottle water.  Wow! This is the only way to fly...We arrive 52 minutes later in Hamilton, Canada  and limo to the track. Weather is perfect. Mohawk Racetrack looks great and is packed (compliments of casino gambling). We have tables reserved on the terrace overlooking the finish line. Drinks and fine food were abundant. The host was beaming.

It was like going back 32 years, clicking hundreds of pictures of the breed that started me on this journey. Talking with Hall of Fame driver Dave Magee, who has 3 of my paintings, including my very first harness driver portrait (see image). Meeting driving legend John Campbell and reminiscence about his portrait that his wife commissioned me to paint 22 years ago.  Experiencing the paddock again, forgetting that numerous races are harnessed here at once. The barn was filled with much energy, excitement and anticipation.

"Put on a Show" is #5 in the 5th race. The favorite at 1:1.  She is trained by Chris Ryder, driven by Tim Tetrick. One minute to post: I decided not to photograph her race from my usual position at the finish line. I wanted to experience the race with Craig, his co-owner Richard Young and their many friends.  Nerves are setting in, everyone is pacing(pun intended). And They're Off...she breaks slowly from the gate and is 7th at the clubhouse turn. Her usual style. At the 8th pole she is is flying on the outside like a Hawker jet. Just misses at the wire. An awesome race, with a little quicker pace she would have won going away. But, it wasn't meant to be... She is the best filly in the sport and she will get them next time.

10:30pm: the car takes us back to our jet. I am home by midnight.

WOW!!! One of the greatest experiences I have ever had in horse racing. Thank you Craig for "Putting On A Great Show"  and returning me to my roots.

Thomas Allen Pauly (circa 1986) up on one of my pacers "Royal Rhyme" that I co-owned with trainer/driver Robert Williams Jr...I used to help jog my horses at Sportsmans Park every weekend. I miss those mornings.