The Legend of Zippy Chippy (35 page)

Zippy, you ungrateful bastard, I love ya. I really do.

Although Zippy Chippy survived the brutally cold winter of 2015 to become Old Friends farm's elder statesman, Felix Monserrate passed away in late spring of pneumonia complicated by heart problems. He was seventy-two. A small man who walked tall, he will
be deeply missed by his family and fondly remembered by fellow horsemen. Like Zippy's incredible career of one hundred races, this book would also not have been possible without the patience and participation of Felix Monserrate.

First and foremost, I want to acknowledge the participation and assistance of Felix Monserrate, who trusted me with his collection of souvenirs and scrapbook material. He also trusted me to tell this story, which I hope will serve as a final tribute to a sweet man and a dedicated horseman. Felix Monserrate died in June of 2015, before this book was published. Thanks go to his daughter Marisa for the many conversations and emails, and for the time we had at the track. Thank you, Emily Schoeneman, for your time between hot-walks, and to Felix's extended family: Orlando, Odalis, Myra, Eileen, Edgar, and Karen.

At Finger Lakes, jockey Pedro Castillo and farrier Chris Roncone were very helpful. Big hugs of thanks go out to Kim DeLong, Administration Manager, Delaware North at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack; and Sandy Stanisewski, the last racing director at Northampton's Three County Fair. Much gratitude to Judy Peck Laplante, Zippy's biggest fan. In Rochester, thanks be to promoters like Dan Mason and John Blotzer of Red Wings Baseball, as well as Todd Haight at Batavia Downs Raceway.

Special thanks go to two successful sports icons, ESPN's Tony Kornheiser and golfer Jim Nelford, for their blessings in putting their words on these pages. I appreciate the assistance of Jim's friend and co-author Lorne Rubenstein. And to two great guys and trusted writers, Rochester talk show host Bob Matthews and L.A. scriptwriter Dave Latham – it was good to have you both in my corner. Too few words of Kentucky's Poet Laureate Frank X Walker grace these pages; “Praise Song” is the most inspirational poem I have ever read. Notes by friend and reader Heather McArdle moved the manuscript to a better draft. To Barb “I need another copy of the manuscript in five minutes” DeGuerre of Business Express: Quit closing up the shop when you see me coming.

A tip of the hat to Steve Bradley and Kevin Oklobzija at the Rochester
Democrat and Chronicle
, as well as Sarah “Skippy” Moon at Finger Lakes Community College. Old Friends farm – Michael Blowen, JoAnn, Mark, and Cody Pepper, and photographer Connie Bush – thank you for your enthusiastic support. Zippy's previous trainer, Ralph D'Alessandro, and first owner Charles “Bill” Frysinger were patient with my calls.

Simply put, this book does not happen without Scott Sellers, my publisher and publicist at Penguin Random House Canada, who loved this story from minute one. Thank you Don Bastian, who I can always count on for sage advice. To my editor at McClelland & Stewart, Bhavna Chauhan: Thank you for your guiding hand and your patience.

And a salute to the tote board for my track buddies Al Dicenso and Dan Patakfalvi who did nothing whatsoever to help me with this book.

Foaled:
April 20, 1991, at Capritaur Farm in Upstate New York

Sire:
Compliance
Dam:
Listen Lady
Damsire:
Buckfinder

Starts:
100
Firsts:
0
Seconds:
8
Thirds:
12

Earnings Per Start:
$308
Career:
$30,834

Team Monserrate. Ten years of tears, beers, and unrehearsed comedy. In the business of racing, they warn you to “never love a horse,” but …
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photo credit bm3.1
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To Zippy's halter plate, they could have added “And Crazy-Ass Horse of the Century.”
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photo credit bm3.2
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Hungry, Zippy tries to eat exercise rider Milton Delvalle, starting with his hoodie. Bored, Felix makes a note to bump up the feed bucket
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Later, Zippy goes after a pair of pants to match the sweater he ribbed off of Milton
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The Great Zippy Chippy, like Secretariat, only.
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photo credit bm3.5
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There will never be another like him
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The Zipster, with Pedro Castillo in the saddle, is about to disappoint 9,000 of his fans by losing to speedy center fielder Jose Herrera. Man – 1, Beast – 0
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photo credit bm3.7
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Felix and Zippy Chippy were possibly the two most stubborn players in thoroughbred racing. “We may be down, but we ain't done.”
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photo credit bm3.8
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At Rochester's Frontier Field, Zippy Chippy and Jorge Hiraldo are being led into the history book where they redeemed themselves by finally winning a race.
Man – 1, Beast – 1
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photo credit bm3.9
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Zippy loved racing at Northampton Fair in Massachusetts. He felt so close to his fans and the candy floss
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photo credit bm3.10
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Michael Blowen, owner of Old Friends at Cabin Creek, bet $5,000 that Zippy Chippy would earn more as “The Charmer of Cabin Creek” than he ever did racing. They both cashed in, big time
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photo credit bm3.11
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Old Friends at Cabin Creek near Saratoga, New York is a retirement farm for former racehorses; a peaceful refuge for them to spend their autumn years
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photo credit bm3.12
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