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![]() Affirmed, Steve Cauthen Up '78 | "Not since 1978 has there been a Triple Crown winner, since Affirmed won it, 29 years ago. Jockey Steve Cauthen, was aboard at age 18. Affirmed was the 11th horse to accomplish the feat of winning the prestigious three races. Trained by Laz Barrera, Affirmed was Horse of the Year in '78, and won the award again in '79. Known best for his rivalry with the great Alydar. Laz Barrera once was quoted as saying, "Affirmed was greater than Secretariat, Seattle Slew and all the rest, why? Because none of them had to face Alydar." Tom pushed back the background, leaving only an illusion of the trees. Tom has muted the colors, except for the pink of the jockey's silks making the young rider the focal point here. This image depicts Affirmed around the Clubhouse turn at Churchill Downs, 1978 Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the Triple Crown." |
| "The last week in November of 2006 proved to be a tough time for jockey Russell Baze as he neared breaking the record for world's leading jockey in wins. We waited breathless for Russell to make horse racing history and to pass fellow Hall of Fame Jockey Laffit Pincay, Jr. who'd won 9,530 races before injury forced his retirement. In the fourth race, on December 1, 2006 at Bay Meadows aboard "Butterfly Belle" Russell Baze made history, and will forever be in the record books as one of the greatest jockey's there ever has been! As of 01/23/07, Russell had won 9,587 races. A hero to some, we watch in awe of your accomplishments. You've honed your craft to a finely tuned art and show us dreams do come true! You're truly the best of us Russell Baze!" |
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Barbaro Dominates in the Derby | "Not since the 1946 Kentucky Derby has there been a horse win by such a margin. Ridden by Edgar Prado, and trained by Michael Matz Barbaro's 6 1/2 length romp in the 2006 Derby looked like an afternoon gallop. All were looking ahead to the first Triple Crown winner in twenty eight years. Tragedy struck in the Preakness Stakes when this "would be king" pulled up 100 yards after the start. The powerful Barbaro had broken his right hind leg in this 131st running of the Preakness Stakes. Hopes were dashed, dreams crushed, and hearts broken. This painting commemorates Barbaro, a brave hero, who never was to realize his full potential on the racetrack. This champion is gone forever but leaves behind a legacy unlike that of any horse before him." |
| "Great racehorses seem to have a special look in their eye. Or so it has always seemed to me and many others at the tracks. I don't know, . . . it's a certain quality, a spark, or glimmer that one can either see or feel. It's said the eyes, are the windows to the soul. By looking closely into the eye of such greatness, it's very magnetic and even empowering. Secretariat had this look, as did Seattle Slew, Ruffian, Charismatic, Go For Wand, and the list goes on. But when you're in such a presence, it's hard to ignore it. Barbaro had such a presence. He had this special quality, and it shined brilliantly in his 2006 Kentucky Derby performance. It isn't all that common, and some people go a lifetime and never get to know what I'm speaking of. Some might not even recognize it. This is the stuff heroes are made of. This painting of Barbaro is a tribute to this proven talent who had the Look of a Champion. This powerful piece of art would compliment that of any racing fan's collection." |
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![]() | "He stormed onto the scene, and won his first ten trips to post. He broke his maiden at Golden Gate Fields in CA. where he'd known the track as his home base track. Trained by Greg Gilchrist, he was the greatest sprinter ever to come out of the Bay area of N. CA. He was Lost in the Fog, fastest sprinter in the country in '04 & '05. Owner Harry Aleo's, Lost in the Fog, a striking dark bay colt, with a trademark,crooked blaze down his face. He was unforgettable, to all who'd seen such his presence. He left crowds in awe. Blistering speed, he'd had a power on racetracks, coast to coast. The 2005 Champion Eclipse Sprinter of the Year Award, belonged to Lost in the Fog. noteworthy, yet all too brief his career. He stole the hearts of millions the world over, winning 11 of his 14 career starts, earning $978,099. He dazzled them with a trademark face, and flew over racetracks, as records shattered. Lost in the Fog was diagnosed with Cancer of the spleen/ abdomen. He raced to victory with a very large tumor in his abdomen when he'd won the G-III Aristides at Churchill Downs on June 3rd in decisive fashion. Lost in the Fog was euthanized on Sept. 18, 2006, at age 4. Jockey Russell Baze, "he's the best horse I ever rode. A one of a kind horse." Gilchrist recalls, "he was like living a dream" Remembering, Owner Harry Aleo, died June 23, 2008" |
| "The starters job is not always an easy one in beginning the horse race. Before the starter releases the horses he/she should not do so until all horses are lined up and all 4 feet are on the ground. Or would be for an ideal start anyway. This is not always possible, as you may have noticed that some horses aren't alltogether at ease within the confines of the gate. This painting Tom has done gives you a look at an ideal start of a race. Horses leaving in their given path and breaking straight." |
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![]() | "As the field of horses leave the starting gate at Bay Meadows, one is quick to notice the strong, muscular hindquarters of the race horse. These powerful hindquarters thrust a horse so hard from their alotted numbered stalls, that often they leave a deep groove in the track where the hindfeet had rested in the gate, . . . as a rut a car might leave in the mud after spinning it's wheels. Behind the gate is a great place to watch the start of a race. Looking at the field from this angle shows the strength and their willingness to race as they dig in hard to gain their momentum. One can learn a great deal by watching a horse and how he/she leaves the gate." |
| "People called him Big Red, or Destroyer. These were among his titles. A destroyer of records. Since his hay days of 1973, we have not seen his equal in smashing records. He's best known for his Triple Crown triumph. But more specifically, his Belmont win. He won that race by 31 open lengths. He is the only horse in history to complete the Belmonts 1 1/2 mile race by such a wide margin. He broke that track record by knocking 2 3/5 seconds off the old record to finish the gruelling mile and a half distance in 2.24. The Belmont is the longest and toughest test in the Triple Crown Series. Tom's portrait painting captures the likeness of the great Secretariat, as he appeared back in his youth when he claimed his Triple Crown glory.. This dark background makes the image stand out in such a way, that it almost appears as though Secretariat might come to life again as the Champion he once had been." | ![]() |
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"Outside of the usual art world circles, Tom is fast becoming well known for his "Name That Painting" contests! In September of 2003, this was the painting Tom had, that was needing a good name. We've had some good contests in the past, but this was by far our biggest; as the turn out had nearly tripled from previous contests. We had so many participants, that Tom gave consolation prizes to four runner ups. This is an image loved by near all who know Toms works. It is a widely appreciated favorite. And as we believe, it hits us right where we'e gonna end up someday." |
| "Tom began painting this upon accepting an invitation from Aimee Smith (Turf Club Director at Hollywood Park) to be the 2002-2003 feature artist showcased to represent the Turf Club at Hollywood Park beginning Nov. 8. The painting depicts a 6 horse blanket finish on the Hollywood Turf course. We combined this memorable occasion with our Name That Painting contest held from Sept. 25 - Nov. 1. The title we chose out of 150 plus entrants that sent us names for the paintings title." |
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"Horse of the year in 1938, it was the year he won the greatest match race in history. Best Older Male in '37. The upper right depicts the match against War Admiral, winner of 1937's Triple Crown. The match, run on Nov. 1, 1938 in Maryland, was "The Pimlico Special". Seabiscuit, was the much under-rated underdog, with George Woolf up. Experts said he'd never touch the Triple Crown winner. The race earned him 'Horse of the Year' title in '38. The main image is the post parade of the 1938 Bay Meadows Hcp. which he won, George Woolf up. Top left, he's shown in the winners circle after winning The Santa Anita Hcp. on March 2, 1940 with Red Pollard, up. It was his final race and made him the worlds leading money winner of those times, with a record of 33-15-13 from his 89 starts, and earnings of $437,730.00." |
| "This is a dynamic painting of champion Tiznow, and his jockey Chris McCarron. The painting was unveiled at the Del Mar Yearling Sale on August 13, 2001. Tom, along with Chris McCarron were there on hand to sign autographs, and prints of this great champion. Tiznow is owned by Michael Cooper, and Cecilia Straub-Rubens Trust. He is trained by Jay Robbins in So. California, and is ridden by jockey Chris McCarron. Among his many accomplishments: The Super Derby at Louisiana Downs (where Tiznow romped), the Breeders' Cup Classic (the only Cal. bred ever to have won it) defeated Giant's Causeway by a neck. More recently he won the G-II San Fernando Breeders' Cup Hcp., and the G-I Santa Anita Hcp. He captured two highly esteemed Eclipse Awards in 2000. Three Year Old Colt Of The Year, and Horse Of The Year. This painting is a tribute to Tiznow, a great champion." |
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| "One of the things that is so great about art, is that it allows for limitless use of the imagination. It makes the work such a joy to do. Tom did this painting with the upcoming Summer meeting at Del Mar in mind. It is such a scenic atmosphere there, that Tom was able to get very creative, while still keeping their,. . . "where the surf meets the turf" theme in mind. In Toms painting he shows the surf crashing with racing excitement as the Summer Meeting at Del Mar. . . draws close at hand." |
| "This is one of Toms favorite times of the day at a racetrack, and this is such a familiar site after the races at any given racetrack, anywhere in the world. This is also one of my own very favorite paintings that Tom has done. Even after the races, there is still a great deal of work left to do. Cooling out the horses after their bath, then feeding, rubbing down the horses muscles, bandaging and bedding the stall down nice and comfy after the horse has had a trying day racing. This is a very relaxing piece because of the late afternoon light, but also because the horse and his groom look ready for the days end. These animals often live a better life than many people do." | ![]() |
![]() | "Tom always wanted to do a painting with this view point. This one gives the viewer a feeling that this horse may run him down should he stay too long in that spot. The painting is fairly large, which helps make it to look a bit more dramatic." |
| "Point Given and Gary Stevens make for a vibrant, almost exotic painting. With the bright colored silks of owner Prince Ahmed bin Salman, to the rich chestnut color of Point Given. In 2001, he won 6 of 7 races, 5 of which were G-I stakes, including the Preakness, and Belmont. His only defeat in 2001 was the Kentucky Derby. He earned, in total $3,968,500.00. Trained by Bob Baffert, and ridden by jockey, Gary Stevens. Point Given stands at Three Chimneys Farm, in Kentucky." |
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"This painting shows the excitement of these young horses as they enjoy the winters' first snow. This painting will be available soon in Gicleé print. You will notice it also has come in handy as one of the most popular Christmas cards we've had on the site. You'll find it on the Specialties page" |
| "This is a whimsical look at horse racing. In the painting, the horses are wearing the colors, boots and pants, while the jockeys are nude. Every once in a while I like to make a joke in my paintings. Imagine how hard it was posing nude in front of a mirror while I painted the jockeys." |
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![]() | "One of Toms most dramatic pieces, and Tom has done a couple of others in similar poses. Tom has painted this with a lot of energy. Or one might even say it's got lots of heat. Tom has used a very dark background, and he used bright primary, and secondary colors trying to make the painting look as though it's glowing. Tom has certainly achieved his objective with this gorgeous, almost spooky look. It was named "High Octane", because the horse in this painting appears to be throwing off flames from behind. The painting just jumps out at you, and cries out to be looked at." Here is another very different view of High Octane. Click Here |
| "Tom decided to do this painting after the September 11, attacks on the World Trade Center,and Pentagon. He was inspired to do something with the colors of the flag in it. To show his love for this country, and how proud he is to be an American. He did another painting a few years back with this image, and decided to re-paint it, using different colors." | ![]() |
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"This is a close cropped view of the horses turning for home. The guys behind are just hoping, and praying for a hole to open up so they can drive their own horse through it." |
| "This scene depicts the dead of winter in Kentucky. The painting shows the inquisitive nature of horses. I believe they check us out as much as we do them." |
Yearlings First Winter |
| "Many jockeys, when they know that they won't get caught, they will pose real pretty for the photo finish. I close cropped this, and used neon-like colors to bring attention more to the jockey." |
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