Neat story in our paper today about one of this year's HOF inductees, Planet, and his local connection.

ASHLAND, Va. --

The great Secretariat was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1974, a year after his remarkable Triple Crown run.

Secretariat's Hanover County neighbor, Planet, another historically significant horse, has had to wait a little longer for the same honor.

How much longer? Well, servants at the old Bullfield plantation used to hide Planet in the woods whenever Union soldiers came around.

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/state-news/2012/jul/09/tdmet01-lohmann-a-great-hanover-county-horse-final-ar-2042750/

OMG that is an awesome story!!! 

I thought you'd like it!!

I love it Linda!   Love that they are inducting a pre-Civil war horse into the HOF!  The story is amazing.  And amazing that Planet survived the Civil War.  Also really cool about the train that ran past that Viriginia plantation back then to Saratoga.  Need one of those to get you and Greybird up here, lol.

What a wonderful story! Too bad the horse, and its' history got lost all these years. So glad The Meadows was written, so this horse and his story could come to light!

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Actually it does still run LOL.  We know a couple here in Richmond that go to Saratoga every year and take the train, not sure where they end up in NY though.  Albany? 

It really is amazing Planet wasn't spirited off by either side. 

I know, it's very cool that their research on the Meadow led them to rediscover Planet :)

Right to Saratoga Springs.  That would be a neat way to travel.

http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak

Oh neat, I didn't realize it went right to Saratoga.  Yes it's certainly better than driving!

Took me a minute to dig up this thread...

Saturday we were at Colonial Downs.  There was a horse entered in the 11th race, hadn't raced in TWO years.  Program listed only one work this year.  Anyway, as you might guess, the horse was eased in the stretch and taken off by ambulance.  I was hopeful because he didn't seem to be in distress and walked on without assistance.

Anyway I emailed CD asking about him and what kind of vet checks he had, and received a very nice response from the veterinarian for the Racing Commission.  He said the horse had been working up at Laurel, checked by vets there as well as the vets at Colonial and cleared for racing because the original injury appeared completely healed.  The good news is the new injury was not severe and he'll be retired from racing.

I was impressed that they had the vet respond to my inquiry, nice job Colonial!