| ||
 Danny
Pish Rodeo and Racing Roots in Texas - by Martha Claussen
for SureBetFebruary 2012 - Texas, once one of the strongest states for racing and breeding, has faced tough times in the last decade. The lure of higher purses and breeding incentives in neighboring states Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico have driven some of the state's finest horsemen elsewhere. Fortunately for Texas racing fans, one of its native sons, Danny Pish, has remained loyal to the Lone Star State. Since saddling his first winner in 1995, Pish has won 1,458 races with almost equal numbers in second and third-place finishes. His horses have earned close to $20 million, mostly through the claiming and allowance ranks, but he has had his share of Texas-bred stake champions as well. Rodeo Beginnings Born in Yoakum, Texas, Pish became a trainer after competing in the junior and professional rodeo circuits where his top event was bull riding. That circuit prepared him well for his racing career, juggling life on the road and the steely determination it takes to come out on top. In 1987, he began exercising racehorses at Sunny Clime Farm in South Texas. His mentor was noted Texas horseman, Tommy Oliphant, and Pish made steady progress each year, beginning at Gillespie County Fair, Sam Houston Race Park, Retama Park and Lone Star Park. Known for breaking his babies and working the majority of his horses in the mornings, he has earned three leading trainer titles at Sam Houston and 13 at Retama Park. “One of my first winners was a mare named I’m Allthat,” Pish said. “She was a stone cold runner and was extremely easy to train. She won several stakes and could handle sprinting, routing, running on an off-track.” The winners followed in every category, with Pish earning high marks for developing 2-year-olds as well as campaigning stakes winners. Pish trained Leaving On My Mind, who was honored as Texas Thoroughbred Association's 2004 Horse of the Year, for owner/breeder George Wolff. On October 11, 2007, Pish reached a coveted milestone at Retama Park when he earned his 1,000th career victory. Bye Bye Trey, a 3-year-old filly bred and owned by Wardlaw Ranch, won the eighth race on the Retama Park card. “It's fitting that the 1,000th win was a non-winner of two, as claimers are the bread and butter of my barn,” Pish said. “I’m also glad she was a Texas-bred, as I am sure that 990 of those wins were either Texas-breds or won in the state of Texas.” James Leatherman is the racing secretary at Retama Park and has a long-time association with Pish. “He is a very special horseman,” said Leatherman. “The fact that he works the majority of his horses gives him a step up on other trainers. He does not have to take an opinion from a jockey or exercise rider; he knows his horses first-hand.” Of course, the daily challenge of a racing secretary is to fill races to both the satisfaction of the betting public and horsemen, which is a daunting task. “Danny is one of the easiest horsemen to deal with,” said Leatherman. “He has a tremendous passion for what he does, but roles with the punches and is always 100 percent respectful to everyone on the racetrack.” Family Adds Balance With the ups and downs of horseracing, Pish has a strong family support of his wife of 23 years, Sabina. They have a 10-year-old son, Joe Dan, who has already racked up his share of belt buckles in junior rodeo competition. Sabina was 18 years old when she met Danny on the rodeo circuit. Her Dad owned a rodeo company and her brother, Joaquin Garza, knew Pish. Sabina looks back on the rodeo days and notes that Pish’s competitive nature prepared him well for his life in Thoroughbred racing. “Rodeo helped him to take defeats gracefully,” said Sabina. “You always want to win, but you have to be a good sport. We try to teach Joe Dan that now that he is competing in his rodeo events.” Sabina ably holds down the fort on their farm, where they have 25 young horses, and the Retama Park training center, where another 28 are stabled. Wolff, joins Leatherman and pretty much everyone else in Texas racing in recognizing the importance of Sabina to the success of Pish Racing. “She is a wonderful lady and big asset,” states Wolff. Strong Allegiance to Texas Racing Texas breeder and owner George Wolff of Boerne, Texas, has had much success with Pish. In addition to Leaving On My Mind, Wolff owned top Texas-breds Dynameaux and Action Tonight. “I've known Danny for 20 years, and he has trained horses for me for the past 15 years,” said Wolff. “He is a very astute horseman; hard-working and honest with a good team in place. He breaks all his babies, which I have always considered an asset. He tells me which have ability and if we are on the right track.” It was a significant honor that Leaving On My Mind was named TTA Horse of the Year. “Danny took really good care of him,” said Wolff. “He was a very sound racehorse and loved to win. It was a proud accomplishment winning the Horse of the Year title; we wouldn't have gotten there without Danny.” Pish is grateful for the support of his owners and feels the pressure to win races and offer a positive return on investment for the men and women who support his stable. “If people thought rationally, they would probably not invest in racehorses,” said Pish with a smile. Top Horses His stakes winners include Goosey Moose, Alleged Hug, Waco Hug, Spoonerism, Daddy Warbucks and Guacamole. But one, in particular, will always have a special place in Pish’s heart. Boots On Sunday, bred and owned by Wilton E. Scott, made 36 starts, beginning in 1999. He won seven stakes at each of the Texas tracks and competed in the Grade 1 Joe DeFrancis Mile at Laurel Park in 2001. He was retired in 2006 and the 15-year-old bay gelding remains on the Pish farm in Cibolo, Texas. “Lots of people love that horse,” admits Pish. “During his career, at least two to three times a year, he would step up and run above his level. Gamblers loved to bet on Boots On Sunday. He pulled a lot of upsets against horses better than him.” It’s no surprise that Boots was not ready for grazing in the pasture and that rodeo events might be his calling. Joe Dan rode him in the grand entry of the Poteet Strawberry Festival Rodeo, he has a short tenure in barrel racing, and recently took on the challenging task of roping bulls. “Most tall horses are not good at pulling,” explained Pish. “You need a lower center of gravity to stand firm once the bull has been roped. Boots pulled two bulls by the second rodeo; he looked like he had done it 100 times.” Perhaps Boots could have been a regular on the rodeo circuit. However, Sabina, who proudly regards Boots as a family member, voiced strong objections to Boots squaring off against a 1,800-pound bull. “It almost cost me a divorce,” admitted Pish with a grin. Riders Admire Pish Roman Chapa, Lindey Wade, Don Simington, Quincy Hamilton, Chris Landeros and Justin Shepherd are a few of the riders that have high regard for Pish. “He’s a hands-on horseman,” said Wade, who won two Texas Champions stakes for Pish in 2011 at Sam Houston Race Park. “His horses are always ready when they step onto the racetrack. Plus, he never has harsh criticism after a race; he always knew I tried every time.” Pish and Chapa have a long association and devoted friendship. Chapa was badly hurt at Retama Park in 1999. While riding in a 2-year-old maiden race on the turf, Chapa’s mount clipped heels and he fell. His injuries included lacerations to his liver and a ruptured kidney. He underwent surgery to remove his kidney and remained hospitalized for two months. His physicians advised him to stay away from riding for eight months to one year, but Chapa’s courage and tenacity dug in, and with the encouragement of his family, and Pish, Chapa returned in January, 2000 at Sam Houston Race Park. His first win, was, of course, aboard Boots On Sunday. “I was supposed to be out for a really long time,” recalls Chapa. “Sabina showed her support every day, but it was Danny who pushed me and wanted me to make a comeback. They are great people and will give you the shirt off their backs. Danny is a special person; he's still a cowboy and tough as they come, but he's got a huge heart.” On the Road Again Once Texas was the only state Pish traversed, but the 47-year-old conditioner has branched out to Louisiana and Oklahoma in recent years. “Fair Grounds is now part of my circuit,” said Pish. “My horses run in each of the three Texas tracks as well as Oklahoma. My number of starts in surrounding states has pretty much doubled for the last five years. Just like my rodeo days, I am accustomed to putting a lot of miles on my vehicle.” Both Danny and Sabina hope that legislative changes in Texas will take place in 2013 and want to remain in the Lone Star State for the rest of their lives. They have talked about having to relocate out of state to keep their business solvent, but try to remain upbeat. “Danny tells me that I could become a ‘Cajun queen’ if we moved to Louisiana or an ‘Indian princess’ should we choose Oklahoma,” jokes Sabina. Perhaps we might need to recruit a few of the 1,800-pound bulls to persuade Pish to hang on just a little longer. | ||
|
|
