A Visit to Dyna King / “Gifted”

Heart of Tucson Rescue

April 9, 2011

Mike Relva and Diana Stuart

(All photos provided by Diana Stuart)

On an uncharacteristically cold and rainy April day, Family of Barbaro Blog members Mike Relva (Tennessee) and Diana Stuart (Arizona) had the honor and pleasure of visiting Heart of Tucson Rescue to get up close and personal with Dyna King (“Gifted”) and the “heart of Heart” Judy Glore and her husband Mark. What an amazing visit! Judy and Mark graciously introduced us to Dyna King and most of the other rescue horses on the property. Some had wonderful stories. Some had tragic stories. Some stories remain unfinished. But all the stories of all these animals point to one Big Thing: Every living creature deserves a second chance at a quality life and the care of loving hands!

We brought carrots, peppermints, alfalfa pellets, supplements, and money. But we took away something far more valuable - a deep seated respect for what Heart does, how they do it, and the incredible results they are able to achieve on a virtual shoestring. We became part of the family. And of course, we nuzzled, kissed, petted, and loved on Dyna King, son of Dynaformer, genetic half brother to Barbaro, and the unwitting emergent poster child for the critical needs of horse rescues throughout the equine world!

In spite of the showers and muddy ground, Dyna King was friendly and frisky, doing a “happy dance” with his hind legs as he trotted around his covered paddock. Tendons and muscles still healing and strengthening from his abuse and neglect, his “happy dance” was unthinkable even two months ago. His shovel-shaped hooves of four months ago look mostly normal now thanks to little nips and tucks and tweaks almost daily. The x-rays of his fetlocks and foot structure show almost dramatic improvement. His coat and body condition don’t even come close to the skeleton with fur we all saw in early photos. He has put on a lot of weight and his coat is sleek and smooth to the touch.

Dyna King is a happy horse; a happy-to-be-alive horse; and most importantly, a horse that tells you when he looks at you that he is not done fighting yet. Not even close. Some may say he is unlucky, but I say he is one of the luckiest horses in the world. Fate dropped him into the perfect helping hands at just the perfect moment. He is alive! He is thriving! And if his body English and behavior can be believed, Dyna King is clearly bent on proving the naysayers wrong and living up to his nickname: Gifted!



Dyna King & Judy
"Hi Big Guy"



Dyna King & Judy Having a Chat



A Sweet Moment. 

It is not hard to see the love and trust between Dyna King and Judy.

Judy Whispers to Dyna King



Diana Stuart Meets Dyna King



In the Presence of Royalty?  Dyna King & Diana





Diana Watching Dyna King Eat

Dyna King Finishing Off His Bucket

A Kiss for a King,  Dyna King & Diana

Mike Relva Meets Dyna King

Dyna King Nuzzles Mike

Where's My Carrot Mike?

A Beautiful Face and a Happy Story
Mike and Judy with a 27-year old Quarter Horse rescue
 who gives horsemanship lessons to small children---and timid
adults maybe?

Sadie Wants Some Love Too!
This sweet Percheron mare was rescued from a PMU operation and after
further traumas along the way, given a well deserved retirement
at HEART of Tucson.

Hitting Cinco's Sweet Spot
Judy foaled out this stunning paint.  He was born at
5:55 AM on 5-5-2005!


Here are some more photos of Dyna King and
HEART of Tucson's newest member,
little eight week old Geevers !
(Photos taken by Mia Larocque)

Little Geevers
"The Introduction"

Geevers Learning to Walk the Horses !

Well done little Geevers !

Dyna King Proudly Wearing His New Blanket !
Joining the Dance once again :)

Dyna King !!!

A Huge Thank You to Diana, Mike, Judy, and All the Amazing Volunteers
at HEART of Tucson.


Remember,
Dyna King has come so far in such a short time, but, he still has a long way to go.
With his incredible will to live,  the loving care he receives every day, and
with the help of everyone that has donated and continues to do so,
I just know he will make it!


Here is a link to HEART of Tucson's website,
You can help Dyna King/Gifted by donating in the left margin,  
any amount would help in his continuing care.


HEART of Tucson Website



 Dyna King has touched my heart more then
you know, and everyone that has helped in his cause, Thank You !!!

*For those not familiar with Dyna King's story,
here is a how he found Judy and his new lease
on life:

"In the Spirit of Christmas"



Nicanor Racing Today (April 3rd), Post Time 4:33, Race #8...

Nicanor will be making his second start of the year today at Gulfstream Park in the $100,000 Emirates Airlines Appleton Stakes (Grade III).  The race will be run at one mile on the Gulfstream Turf, Julien Leparoux will get the mount for his third time on Nicanor, post time is about 4:33.  On what is sure to be an incredible day of racing at Gulfstream, Nicanor's race is race number eight of twelve races on the card, including the $1,000,000 Florida Derby (Grade I).  Nicanor will be breaking from post position three, "Sayif" was scratched this morning, so we are now down to a field of eight.

$100,000 Emirates Airlines Appleton Stakes (Grade III).
Four year olds and upwards, to be run on the Gulfstream Park turf at one mile.

The field:

1. Little Mike (four year old gelding, high weight of 123 pounds).  Jockey Joe Bravo will get the mount once again on this extremely fast and talented horse, trained by Dale Romans.  Little Mike has a  career mark of 12 starts, with 6 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds, with earning's of $305,970.  Morning line of 5/2 odds(clearly the favorite!)

2. Cherokee Artist (six year old, will be carrying 119 pounds).  Jockey Ramon Dominguez has the mount for Graham Motion's experienced colt.  Career mark of 26 starts, 6 wins, 6 seconds, 2 thirds, with earning's of $623,910.  Morning line of 8/1 odds.

3. NICANOR (can't believe he is five years old, where does the time go?).  Nicanor will be carrying 119 pounds today with Julien Leparoux getting the mount for his third time on Nicanor.  This will be just the 15 start for Nicanor, he will be going for his 5th victory, with two seconds and two thirds.  If he wins today, in what should be a very fast race, it would put Nicanor over $200,000 in career earning's, having $144,490 up to this point.  Morning line of 12/1 odds (IMHO, crazy odds, I would have had him about 8/1 odds in this field).

4.  Sayif (Scratched)

5.  Commandeered (four year old, carrying 117 pounds).  John Velazquez has the mount for this lightly raced six year old horse who is trained by Todd Pletcher.  Has a career mark very similiar to Nicanor's, with 3 wins, 2 seconds, 2 thirds, with earning's of $133,263.  Morning line of 3/1 odds (very surprised odds are so low, even though he won his last race in impressive fashion at Gulfstream on Feb. 9).

6.  Rivera Cocktail (five year old, carrying 119 pounds).  Switched trainers after his last race, he is now trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, Garrett Gomez will get the mount today.  Rivera Cocktail will be making his fourth start of the year, last racing at Santa Anita in the 1 1/2 mile San Luis Obispo Stakes (Grade II) where he tired and finished seventh in the field of nine (race was run on the dirt after being taken off the turf).  Career mark of 18 starts, 4 wins, 3 seconds, 2 thirds, with earning's of   $178,107.  Morning line of 6/1 odds.

7.  Successful Mission (five year old gelding, carrying 119 pounds).  Won last time out in an Allowance race on the Gulfstream turf on March 13.  He pulled away from Cherokee Artist in a very exciting stretch run to win by just over one length.  Elvis is in the race, Elvis Trujillo will get the mount again on this Edward Plesa, Jr. trained colt who has career earning's of $208,751 with 6 wins and 2 thirds.  Morning line of 5/1 odds.

8.  Asphalt (four year old colt, carrying 119 pounds).  Asphalt will be ridden by Javier Castellano and is trained by Eddie Kenneally.  He has a career mark of 15 starts, 3 wins, 2 seconds, 4 thirds, with earning's of $190,694.  Last race out, Asphalt finished a very close fourth in a blanket finish on the Gulfstream turf back on Feb. 26 in an Allowance race.  The next horse in the field, a five year old named "Mikoski", who is trained by Michael Matz, won the race!  Morning line of 10/1 odds.

9.  MIKOSHI (five year old, carrying 119 pounds).  Trained by Michael Matz and will be ridden by Jose Lezcano today, as previously mentioned, Mikoshi is coming off a victory after nearly a four month lay-off!  Mikoshi has a career mark of 4 wins, 6 seconds, 4 thirds, with earning's of $208,633.  LOVE this horse, and I expect a huge effort today.  Morning line of 8/1 odds.


What can I say?  At this point in his career, Nicanor will continue to face very talented fields, today is no different.  On paper, this race should be very quick, with at least four who like to have the lead from the get go.  Something will have to give, who will get the lead?  Little Mike will most likely go straight to the lead from the rail.  I will say this, if Little Mike runs like he did last time out, he will win this race hands down!  I am going to go on the record and say he will bounce and not perform like he did last time out, I know, wishful thinking on my behalf!

I will say this until I am blue in the face, Nicanor has to have the lead going into the turn, it is what HE wants and if he doesn't get the lead, he will not win this race.  Julien needs to go against conventional wisdom and do this, if it doesn't work, then Nicanor raced his race and was beaten by more talented horses, enough said.  Nicanor is a different horse in the lead, he is happy and comfortable, and it is what he wants, please Julien, listen to him!  Get the lead, slow him down to fractions around 24 seconds for each quarter, and Nicanor will try his best to hold the field off in the stretch.  If Nicanor is off the pace, he gets frustrated and will fight Julien, which will leave Nicanor not having enough in the stretch run.  I honestly believe Nicanor is a stakes winning horse, he just needs that first stakes victory to boost his confidence and show whoever rides him in the future, "Please listen to me and let me get the lead".  Let's all hope Julien listen's today!

So, if the race plays out like I hope, Nicanor will win his first Stakes race (only if he has the lead!), we shall see.

I will go with a Michael Matz exacta, Nicanor and Mikoshi to finish first and second, with Asphalt hitting the board in third place.

If Little Mike runs his race and doesn't bounce, the rest of the field are running for second place.



Above all, a safe race for all...


I HOPE Julien watched this replay numerous times!  Here is Nicanor's most impressive victory to date (IMHO). 

***UPDATE***



FYI,

Nicanor finished 7th in the field of eight.

He broke very sharp from the gate, was right next to Little Mike going into the first turn. IMHO, Nicanor COULD have passed Little Mike, but, once again Julien decided against it.

Nicanor then stayed in second for most of the first turn, within a length of Little Mike. Then, coming out of the turn, Julien seemed to have a hold on Nicanor, then two horses passed Nicanor going into the backstretch. Nicanor was now in fourth on the rail trying to save some ground, I guess? Two more horses passed Nicanor and Julien going into the far turn, now Nicanor was in 6th place.

Turning for home, Nicanor was last and showed some heart by passing one to finish seventh.

I have the utmost respect for Julien, but, he is a terrible fit for Nicanor, IMHO.

Nicanor is a different caliber horse if he doesn't have the lead, why can't these jockey's see this? To me, it is quite obvious, and these jockey's don't have the guts to take him to the lead and see what happens. It really is a shame, I know Nicanor is a better horse then this result.

A safe race for all, and congrats to Mikoshi for hitting the board and finishing fourth. 

Nicanor will be back, I just wish Nicanor's future jockey's will listen to him and let him take the lead, it is what he wants and needs to be able to compete with this class of horses, IMHO.

Race replay: