Just say the words “Highland
Ice” within earshot of any of the race fanatics around here and you’re bound to
see some heads turn.
“He had a presence unlike any other horse I’ve known,” jockey Glen Murphy recalls about the speedy gray sprinter.
“He had a presence unlike any other horse I’ve known,” jockey Glen Murphy recalls about the speedy gray sprinter.
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| Highland Ice in the '97 Oklahoma Classics |
“It really was a great feeling to be on him. He
knew he was fast, and he made sure to keep you on your toes. He knew when you
weren’t looking, and he’d switch directions on you. He liked to have fun like
that in the mornings.”
Sired by Highland Blade with whom he shares a
first name, Highland Ice is best known for his domination of the Oklahoma
Classics for five consecutive years between 1995-1999. That’s first place,
every year, for five years. That’s why he’s a legend around here, a true
Michael Phelps of the track.
Bred by Walter Merrick, purchased by Gerald
Dixon, and trained by Chuck Turco, Highland Ice showed no favoritism for
beating only Oklahoma-bred horses. He posted stakes victories locally in both
open and state-bred company alike – winning the Remington Park Spring
Championship twice, and the Silver Bullet Centennial Handicap twice.
When he retired in 2001, Highland Ice had set a
record for career and stakes victories at Remington Park, earning a total of
$474,090 while finishing in the top three in 33 of 48 attempts.
And on Wednesday, September 26th,
Remington Park guests will get a rare treat for Oklahoma Derby day by getting
to see the retired celebrity lead the post parade. Murphy said although he’s
excited to see the old champion, he doesn’t think he could bear getting on his
back again. “It’d just excite him for the race, and I can’t let him down like
that.”
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| Highland Ice is currently enjoying his retirement in Edmond, Oklahoma |
The induction ceremony for the Oklahoma Horse
Racing Hall of Fame at Remington Park is part of Oklahoma Derby week, leading
to the state’s biggest Thoroughbred race on Sunday, Sept. 30. The ceremony is a
ticketed event, open to the public, benefitting the Hall of Fame. Reservations
can be made now by calling 405-424-1000.
Horserace can also teach the game by offering interactive handicapping lessons. Rather than fret over a steep learning curve, racing needs to teach handicapping skills using all the incredible tools of the internet.
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