I watched that race on a Saturday in November 1988 with my friend Marty Healey at the sports bar on 3rd Avenue and 33th street in Manhattan. Marty is gone, the bar is gone, now Personal Ensign in gone. Seems like yesterday but it was almost 22 years ago. Back in those days Marty and I would follow the horses. We would go to Belmont and spend the day mostly picking losers, but picking a winner ever now and then.
The 1988 Breeder's Cup was only the 4th time the event was held. It was still finding it's way in the horse racing world. Personal Ensign helped put it on the map with her win that day. I still get goose bumps watching it today.
Marty and I would take turns running up to Lexington Avenue in the rain, to an OTB to place our bets that day. Now it is legal to phone bets in or place them online.
I'll remember that November day fondly, I had the good fortune to spend it with two of my favorites a friend and a horse.
