Michael Souza has followed thoroughbred horseracing since 1973. He is a regular contributor to a variety of racing web sites and a frequent inhabitant of Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Track. Farewell Gorella...
Five-year-old Gorella was forced to retire Monday morning, February 5, 2007, because of bone chips in her ankle. For fans of horse racing everywhere, she will be sadly missed. The filly won four of six races last year and finished second in Eclipse Award voting for female turf champion. The only horse considered her superior in the division was the globe-hopping and future Hall of Famer Ouija Board.
A French invader, last year she came of age in America. Her trademark late kick and flashy orange silks made her seem like a lightning strike down the stretch, and she was one of the few fillies who could aggressively compete with the colts. This year promised to be one of her best. Her retirement means that the turf division has lost one of its best, and it is questionable if anyone can fill the void.
She will be remembered for her effort in the 2005 Breeders' Cup Turf Mile at Belmont Park, when despite being boxed in, she hugged the rail, broke loose at the end, and came within one length of beating Artie Schiller and Leroidesanimaux for the BC championship. The race proved she was one of the best turf horses, colt or filly, in the world, and she was only three years old!
Seven months later she reappeared at Belmont Park in what may have been her very finest performance. On Belmont Stakes day, June 10, 2006, Gorella accomplished one of the most memorable stretch runs seen in recent memory. At the time she was a four-year old filly and a 6 to 5 morning line favorite. For those who were there it was a sight to behold. For those watching on TV, they will never understand.
The race was the Just a Game Handicap, a one-mile turf contest for fillies and mares, a Grade II race worth $300,000. It wasn't the money and it wasn't the competition, but it was the way this gutsy filly won that will forever stay in the minds of racing fans.
It had been cloudy and rainy in New York all week, clearing late Friday night, less than 24 hours prior to Belmont Stakes. The Widener turf course was soggy, officially labeled as yielding. The field was set for six competitors, however, the turf was so wet that two horses scratched.
At the start of the race, Pommes Frites took the early lead. The lead widened to over eight lengths after only four furlongs, and as they came down the backstretch and rounded the turn for home, she was all alone, still by an eight length margin. Meanwhile, Gorella was behind horses and with two furlongs to go was just beginning to make a run. At the time it looked as if it was way too little, and way too late.
With one furlong left, and then one 16th, Gorella slowly and almost painfully crept forward, inching closer to an obviously tiring Pommes Frites. The 60,000 people there at Belmont sat stunned as the drama unfolded. Gorella was the obvious heavy favorite, but it was just a matter of seeing if she could get to the wire in time. She closed the distance in what could only be described as poetry, a picture of beauty and elegance, all while under a hand ride by jockey Julien Leparoux.
As she crossed the line winning by a neck, the crowd and announcer Tom Durkin exploded in sheer appreciation for what she had done. Despite poor footing and a huge lead to overcome, she once again proved that she was as game as they come, instantly earning the admiration of all who were there to see it in person. Everyone knew this filly was a closer, but to win the race coming from so far back, and in the manner that she did was just simply amazing.
Horses with this kind of speed, talent, courage and desire to win are few and far between. Unfortunately, and it seems to happen all too frequently, she must unwillingly go into retirement because of health issues. We may not see the likes of her for a long time.