Tony Black will likely be donning the Lime & Royal for the last time today at Philly. After a career that has spanned 40 years over 5 decades, his retirement is imminent at age 57. Tony is the 20th leading rider in thoroughbred racing history with more than 5,200 wins. As any ATR listener knows, he has been a guest weekly on the show since before I began hosting duties, and his frank talk and sunny outlook are continually a highlight. He has the admiration of the entire community of riders, owners, trainers, track management and patrons, and has mentored dozens of young jocks through the hazards of the game on and off the oval having encountered and overcome all the dangers of both.
That we have a win photo with Tony in our 'green jacket' is a great pleasure for me personally, and I don't think I'm being greedy in hoping for a second one today... Safe trip and Best of Luck to Tony and King this afternoon, and a gracious thanks to one of the best ever to get a leg up.
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All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind. ~ Joseph Conrad
A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right. ~ Thomas Paine
Don't let anyone tell you that your dreams can't come true. They are only afraid that theirs won't and yours will. ~ Robert Evans
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