W.Va. welcomes BOB THE COB
By ITCH
Old Waterford track owner Edson Tarneault has rolled out the red carpet for both owner and horse this week as Nextbonus Bill brings his aging superstar BOB THE COB to these here mountains for his 98th career race.
It is no secret that Mr. Bonus is a big favorite here in West Virginia, from the hot dog stand to the press box. When word began to leak in the chat room about a possible visit by Bob the Cob, track management got excited and started making special preparations. The stall in which Bob the Cob stands this week has gotten seven coats of fresh paint, and special kosher Nathan’s hot dogs from New York City were shipped in, with fancy French mustard.
Leading jockey Sam Tate bought himself a new suit, and wore it to the track Wednesday to meet Nextbonus. He was sure the honor of riding Bob the Cob would be his.
“Hello, Mr. Bonus,” he said, extending his hand. “I’ll be glad to ride your horse.”
“Oh, Sam, I’m sorry,” Nextbonus said. “I’ve already got a rider.”
With that, Nextbonus went trackside, where Bob the Cob would have a leisurely gallop around the Mountain Oval. In all of his travels, from Tennessee to the Far East and back, Bob the Cob never has raced here in West Virginia. Mr. Bonus wanted the horse to get familiar with both track and rider.
In the paddock with light bulbs flashing and Tarneault fawning like a star-struck teenager, Nextbonus called for his jockey.
“Where is Maloney?” he asked.
With that, out came a stretcher.
Jocko Maloney, that Irish hillbilly legend, was too drunk to stand. Four of his friends carried him out, and dumped him on the ground at Nextbonus’ feet.
“For Pete’s sake,” Nextbonus said. “Are you OK to ride?”
“Agh,” Maloney said, and his friends propped him up in the saddle.
Once in place, Maloney’s back straightened, and his balance became sure. Bob and Jocko were led out to the track, and loped along effortlessly around the grass oval. When they got back, a remarkable thing happened: Jocko spoke his first words since arriving here from Ireland some five years ago.
He looked Nextbonus right in the eye and said plain as day: “We’ll win.”
A cheer went up and the happy mob went to the bar. With a cold beer in one hand and a kosher dog in the other, there was time for Nextbonus to explain Bob the Cob’s unlikely trip to West Virginia.
“In chat one day, a bunch of us were talking. I don’t remember exactly what exactly was said to bring it up, but Squirrel (Tracy) mentioned the idea of Bob racing there before he retires. Old Waterford is one of my favorite tracks. I participated in the trainers competition there for several years. And although I never did much good against those guys, the camaraderie and esprit de corps we shared was a wonderful experience. Great bunch of guys and really good, tough, hard nosed competitive racing.”
At 38 career wins, Bob the Cob is oh-so-close to the Sim record for career wins: 40. He would have to win two of his last three to tie. Alas, Bob hasn’t been himself in his last two. After picking up career win No. 38 three back, Bob has been sluggish since.
“Bob has been remarkably consistent over the years,” Nextbonus said, “but like almost every other horse, he has a form cycle. He obviously was not right those last two starts. Can he regain his good form for any or all of his final three starts? I don’t know for sure. But I’m guessing he’ll put in at least one big effort.”
Win or lose, Bob will ship from here to Tennessee to finish up his illustrious Sim career.
“Reunion with RBokie for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays barring injury,” Bill said. “It is a yearly tradition for Bob to spend the holidays with Bokie in Tennessee. Been doing it since 2002. RJBokie rode Bob in 2002, 2003 and 2004 before he retired. His son, RBokie, has ridden him ever since. Bob gets along great with Junior, just like he did with his dad. Although he doesn’t ride any more, the elder Bokie comes back to Nashville every December from his Florida retirement mansion to share Twinkies and Labatts with Junior and big Bob, his favorite horse.”
Nextbonus has had a lot of very, very good horses over the years, but somehow, Bob is his favorite.
“I really get attached most of my horses,” he said. “Even the cheap ones. But a few stand out above the rest. Half A World Away was my first and only Eclipse winner. Manifest Destiny and Minesweeper were multiple Grade I winners and multiple stake record holders. I could name a hundred more that really meant a lot to me. But Bob was always special. Turf marathoners are my favorite category of horses. And Bob has been a very good one forever. So longevity plays a big part in my feelings for him.”
To end this missive, we will share with you a wonderful poem Bill wrote about Bob in April 2005. It is reprinted here with his permission, and is entitled:
PHOTO FINISH
The scene is Nashville Racetrack, the year two thousand eight.
The final race for Bob The Cob about to leave the gate.
Bob The Cob’s a thoroughbred. A millionaire, a star.
Fifty thousand racing fans are here from near and far.
The race is a turf marathon, a long one on the lawn.
The stands buzz with excitement but to Bob it’s just a yawn.
Anticipation in the air as nerves begin to fray.
But not for Bob because to him it’s just another day.
Bob is owned and trained and bred by a gent named Mars.
He’s spent his life in just two places. Racetracks and in bars.
Bob’s jockey knows him like a book. His name is Ryan B.
They’ve teamed up many times before. He suits Bob to a tee.
The gates are sprung. The steeds are off. The fans begin to cheer.
Fourteen runners on their way with Bob way in the rear.
No need to fret. That’s big Bob’s style. Relax until the end.
Ryan sitting patiently until the final bend.
They’re in the stretch and Bob’s still last. Now’s the time to move.
Ryan gently clucks to Bob to get him in his groove.
The big brown blur is closing fast. Tenth then sixth now third.
Swooping down is Bob The Cob just like a preying bird.
Bob’s gotten into second, the leader in his sight.
The chestnut colt along the rail and Bob just to his right.
Bob’s lungs and legs are burning now, and Ryan weighs a ton.
But Bob runs on and just won’t quit until the race is won.
The chestnut digs down deeper. He won’t let Bob get by.
Bob pricks his ears and bares his teeth for one last gallant try.
The crowd is in a frenzy. Two horses race as one.
Side by side and stride for stride until the race is done.
The chestnut edges clear again as they approach the wire.
But Bob has one more final surge, that champion’s desire.
Two gallant equine warriors giving it their all.
Two noses flash across the line. Way too close to call.
Photo finish!
GOOD LUCK NEXTBONUS AND THANKS FOR COMING!!!!!!!!