Monday, November 24, 2008

Fio Rito Equine Hero



I have a picture of Fio Rito in my office. He was Finger Lakes Race Track horse of the year in 1979, 1980, and 1981. There was a moment today when I looked up from my writing and had a flashback to the '80s.

It was a time when thoroughbred racing was at its peak in upstate New York. I feel privileged to have been able to watch Fio Rito run. In 1996, at age 21, Fio Rito was euthanized. He's buried at the track infield.

Finger Lakes Race Track isn't the same anymore. A casino has been added. The quiet grace of the horse has been replaced by the deafening "ca-ching, ca-ching" of the slot machines. It makes me sad. There is one consolation. When I go to the track now, and look toward the infield, I know a great hero is buried there.

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