Catholic horse...

Catholicforlife · #1 Jun 1, '04, 12:03 pm

Did you read the article in OSV about Smarty Jones? Gave me a little chuckle. Apparently there are some Dominican sisters who are praying for him and he wears a medal during his races. I am sure they are Protestant gasping at the thought of sisters gambling. There were some sisters (not sure if they are the same ones in PA) that bet and won and donated the money to a struggling school.
Any thoughts on this? I personally find it amusing and hope they win big. I know the money will be put to much better use in their hands

johnnyjoe · #2 Jun 1, '04, 12:07 pm

We don't get the OSV here...Kansas City is home of the National Catholic Reporter you know....all catholic dissent that is fit to print...can you provide a link to the article?

quasimodo · #3 Jun 1, '04, 12:09 pm

perhaps the horse is "on a mission from God"

Andrew Larkoski · #4 Jun 1, '04, 12:25 pm

First off, the Church has no real problem with betting as long it does not become impulsive and addictive. I applaud the sisters for their ingenuity and thoughtfulness in earning money to support struggling schools.

Catholicforlife · #5 Jun 1, '04, 8:06 pm

I get the hard copy but I know they have a website. www.osv.com I believe. I am sure they would be happy to put you on their subscription list

Very popular names in apologetics writing for them.

JCPhoenix · #6 Jun 4, '04, 6:51 pm

Hee Hee...I read about that either in our local paper or in an issue of "Bloodhorse". I'm a fan of Smarty Jones myself and the Catholic connection actually makes me root a little more for the little guy! I'd like to see him take the Triple Crown....we're long overdue for it, and the people surrounding the horse really seem deserving of the win. I, too, hope the sisters win big and think that their winnings would be put to good use!

Go Smarty Go!

a pilgrim · #7 Jun 9, '04, 1:21 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCPhoenix

Hee Hee...I read about that either in our local paper or in an issue of "Bloodhorse".

WOW!! I'm actually quite flabbergasted to find someone else here who also reads "Bloodhorse!" I'm a BIG horse fan myself... I love the pagentry, the ceremony, the "color," just about everything associated with the "Sport of Kings!" Besides, I find can spend a perfectly enjoyable afternoon for the princely sum of $20 (10-race card @ $2 wagered per race... just enough to keep things "interesting!") and a decent cigar! That's a lot cheaper than I'm usually able to get away from either of the two Casino Boats that are moored within minutes of my home! AND... sometimes I even come home with more than I left the house with!

...gotta love a creature as beautiful as a thoroughbred!

a pilgrim

BTW - as I understand it, Smarty's medal is kept sandwiched between his saddle and his saddle cloth when he runs!.

Richard Lamb · #8 Jun 9, '04, 1:34 pm

Did he forget to wear his medal....he lost the last race......?

a pilgrim · #9 Jun 9, '04, 2:20 pm

Yeah, but did you see the size of the medal that Birdstone, the winning horse, had under his saddle?

Veronica Anne · #10 Jun 9, '04, 6:38 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by quasimodo

perhaps the horse is "on a mission from God"

Hey... I got the T-shirt from CatholicPosters.com that has a picture of the Pope the first year he was a priest... he's taking a hike with sunglasses on... the words above his picture say: On a Mission... from God!

Check it out... it's pretty cool!

Viva la Papa!!

OriginalJS · #11 Jun 9, '04, 8:02 pm

Smarty Jones should be renamed "Bingo" so he would have a Catholic name!

Richard Lamb · #12 Jun 10, '04, 3:56 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by a pilgrim

Yeah, but did you see the size of the medal that Birdstone, the winning horse, had under his saddle?

No wonder he won it must have ocked him something awful

JCPhoenix · #13 Jun 11, '04, 7:24 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by a pilgrim

WOW!! I'm actually quite flabbergasted to find someone else here who also reads "Bloodhorse!" I'm a BIG horse fan myself... I love the pagentry, the ceremony, the "color," just about everything associated with the "Sport of Kings!" Besides, I find can spend a perfectly enjoyable afternoon for the princely sum of $20 (10-race card @ $2 wagered per race... just enough to keep things "interesting!") and a decent cigar! That's a lot cheaper than I'm usually able to get away from either of the two Casino Boats that are moored within minutes of my home! AND... sometimes I even come home with more than I left the house with!

...gotta love a creature as beautiful as a thoroughbred!

a pilgrim

BTW - as I understand it, Smarty's medal is kept sandwiched between his saddle and his saddle cloth when he runs!.

Wow! So nice to find another Catholic who also likes the races! I've always loved horses, and after I read the Walter Farley books, I fell in love with horseracing. For my 16th birthday, my Dad took me to Canterbury Downs (Now Canterbury Park, here in MN).

When I was a kid I decided I wanted to be a jockey...then I realized that although I was short, I wasn't small-statured enough, so I was going to be a trainer....then an owner. Then I grew up and realized that life doesn't necessarily follow our ideas...and for good reason! My idea to become a groom when I turned 16 was really not a good one, and I"m glad I was a lifeguard instead!

But just the same, I am working on a book about horseracing (fictional) and I am trying to incorporate Catholic elements and of course a very uplifting story. I hope to publish under the name "JCPhoenix". I'm thinking that a part of Smarty Jones will end up in my story, too...especially the medal under the saddle. :-)

IN watching the Belmont, I honestly thought that for one brief shining moment he was really going to win...and then he was surpassed...and I actually yelled "NO NO NO NO!!! GO SMARTY!!!!"

My dog was very concerned about this behavior and came over to investigate, but just the same I was not comforted..I really hoped we had a new champion. :-(