Yearly on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist assaults, previous wounds open because the nation remembers a horrific day in U.S. historical past when a coordinated assault by al-Qaeda killed 2,977 individuals.
Terrorists flew planes into each towers of the World Commerce Middle in New York Metropolis in addition to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., whereas one other hijacked airplane, Flight 93, crashed in Shanksville, Pa., after it’s believed the crew and passengers tried to regain management of the airplane.
The tragic lack of life and the concern of extra assaults briefly crippled a lot of the nation. In the meantime, first responders rushed to the scenes in a heroic try and rescue survivors and save as many lives as attainable.
The dual towers of the World Commerce Middle collapsed in 102 minutes between 8:46 a.m. ET when the primary hijacked airplane struck the north tower and 10:28 a.m., and shook the muse of the nation to its core.
Bizarre day-to-day life got here to a halt. Airports have been closed and concert events and sporting occasions canceled whereas the nation struggled to return to grips with the horrific actuality.
Slowly, nevertheless, New York Metropolis, started to return to some sense of normalcy. Sporting occasions resumed with Main League Baseball beginning again up on Monday, Sept. 17. On Friday, Sept. 21, the primary professional sporting occasion in New York Metropolis was held at Shea Stadium, the place Mike Piazza’s two-run house run within the eighth inning propelled the New York Mets previous the Atlanta Braves.
Two days afterward Sept. 23 the NFL resumed its season, however metallic detectors, bomb-sniffing canine, and armed guards served as a chilling reminder that issues would by no means be the identical.
The 2001 Breeders’ Cup World Championships have been to be held Oct. 27 at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., about 12 miles from Floor Zero the place the World Commerce Middle towers as soon as stood.
In response to BloodHorse, “Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships Day was in contrast to something ever seen at a racetrack. Police canine have been used to look random vehicles getting into the observe parking zone. Troopers have been stationed all through Belmont, armed with AKA assault rifles. Snipers have been positioned on the roof, observing the group with high-powered binoculars. The entire scene was surreal.”
The $4 million Basic was, as regular, the signature race of the Breeders’ Cup card with the sphere for the 1 ¼-mile race drawing some particularly robust worldwide competitors. Godolphin’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Sakhee joined Coolmore’s Irish and English Derby winner Galileo, Juddmonte Farms’ Jockey Membership Gold Cup winner Aptitude, and defending Basic winner Tiznow amongst a gaggle of 13 that entered the beginning gate Oct. 27 at Belmont.
Tiznow’s path again to the Breeders’ Cup had been a bumpy one as he was sidelined after successful the Santa Anita Handicap by 5 lengths in March. The 4-year-old by Cee’s Tizzy was off in his hind finish. A nuclear scan confirmed confirmed warmth in a vertebra and he had some muscular points as properly.
Coach Jay Robbins’ father, Jack, who had been one of many foremost veterinarians within the nation earlier than his retirement, was referred to as in to seek the advice of together with Dr. Rick Arthur and several other different veterinarians across the nation.
“Nobody thought he’d ever run once more,” Jack Robbins mentioned after the Breeders’ Cup. “He was so off behind, everybody was horrified.”
Given loads of time and relaxation, Tiznow returned to mild train in Might and steadily improved till he was capable of gallop. Tiznow ran a considerably disappointing third in each the Woodward Stakes in September and Goodwood Breeders’ Cup Handicap Oct. 7, and he had change into very tough to deal with whereas coaching within the mornings.
After cautious consideration, Tiznow’s connections determined to ship him east for a repeat bid within the Basic at Belmont. As soon as there, he remained a handful throughout morning train for coach Jay Robbins and train rider Ramon Arciga main into the 1 ¼-mile race, whereas Sakhee was coaching exceptionally properly for Tom Albertrani.
When the gates for the 2001 Basic snapped open, Aptitude was the two.35-1 favourite from post-position 12 whereas Galileo was the second selection at 3.35-1 odds, and Sakhee the third betting selection at 4.80-1. Defending Horse of the 12 months Tiznow was the fourth selection at 6.90-1 and he settled into third early below Chris McCarron behind Orientate and Albert the Nice.
Sakhee additionally discovered a very good place tucked in behind the leaders in sixth, simply behind Galileo, on a card that had been dominated by European Invaders Banks Hill (Filly and Mare Turf), Johannesburg (Juvenile), and Unbelievable Mild (Turf).
Albert the Nice seized command getting into the stretch with Tiznow launching his bid and Sakhee gaining momentum on his exterior. Albert the Nice fought gamely in early stretch, however Sakhee began pulling away whereas Tiznow, an enormous, menacing determine between the 2, pinned his ears again, went after Sakhee, and easily wouldn’t be denied within the ultimate strides.
The thrilling end would go down as probably the greatest in Breeders’ Cup historical past, and it supplied New York with a short escape from a harrowing new actuality.
Within the phrases of racecaller Tom Durkin: “On the surface Sakhee … Tiznow fights on! Right here’s the wire … desperately shut … Tiznow wins it for America!”
Word: This story was initially revealed in 2022 and has been up to date.
