Flames roared across North County, California on December 7th, mercilessly consuming everything in its wake. The Lilac Fire was traveling fast and there was no stopping it. The deadly flames were rapidly making their way to San Luis Rey Downs, a place where over 400 thoroughbreds called home.
Smoke overtook the land, obscuring everything in its path with ominous, black clouds. People worked fervently to evacuate their precious horses, but there wasn’t a lot of time. The unforgiving flames were moving in. Panic and desperation broke loose at the barns and the people found themselves faced with the inevitable. It was simply too late. There was no way they could evacuate every single horse. The fire was upon them. The only option left was to let the horses out of their stalls. Maybe they could make a run for it and find safety. And maybe they wouldn’t. There was no way of telling what would happen. The only thing for sure was that this would be their only chance.
One by one, the horses were let out of their stalls as their heroic caregivers rushed to open their doors, risking their own lives in the process. It looked like a scene from an apocalyptic movie as dozens upon dozens of horses fled from the barns, running loose in a frenzied state of confusion and chaos. Horses that were once racing on the track driven by the applause and admiration of the crowds, were now racing for their lives through disorienting smoke and burning flames.
While many horses ran for their lives at San Luis Rey Downs, a young, gray colt was making his way to Del Mar Racetrack, a safe haven for all who got caught up in the turmoil of the Lilac Fire. That horse was Greyvitos and he was one of the lucky ones who got out of his barn at San Luis Rey just before all hell broke loose. He got away from the deadly inferno in one piece when others weren’t as lucky. The thoroughbred death toll from the training track that he once resided at rose to a devastating forty-six. It was a miracle that Greyvitos got away when he did, or he could have ended up like the others.
In times of tragedy, sometimes the only way to make it through it is to have hope. And you could say that hope was embodied in Greyvitos. Life has to go on, and that is exactly what the young horse reminded everyone. After fleeing from his home and taking shelter at Del Mar, the unflappable horse then traveled to Santa Anita where he resumed training before turning around and traveling once again. This time he flew to Remington Park in Oklahoma, with his eyes set on the Remington Springboard Mile, a prep race for the prestigious Kentucky Derby. Overcoming a fire, an evacuation, and a long flight to a different track is a lot to overcome for any horse, not to mention one that’s only two years old. But Greyvitos was not about to let life’s hardships knock him down and he accepted the challenge with courage and gusto, once again proving that in the wake of a tragedy, you have to keep moving forward.
The obstacles weren’t over yet for Greyvitos. He drew the far outside post in the Springboard Mile, post 12. But once again, he overcame it. When the starting gates sprang open the speedy gray dauntlessly hustled out of there and got down to business. Greyvitos stalked the pace in third during the early stages of the race, but around the second turn, he could no longer hold back. He boldly stormed up to the leaders. He had to go wide in the process but his momentum never faltered. In the blink of an eye, Greyvitos swept past the leaders and took command, pouring it on and drawing away. There was no stopping him. Greyvitos romped over the wire by 2 ¼ lengths, stopping the clock in a final time of 1:37.14, a new stakes record.
Overcoming an evacuation from a lethal fire, traveling to different tracks, and competing in a stakes race with a less than desirable post position is a feat in itself. But to set a new stakes record in the process and establish elusive points for the Kentucky Derby make this story almost too good to be true. But it is true, and Greyvitos is now on the path to one of the most illustrious races in the world. He is living proof that with every struggle, there is hope. He is proof that if you pick yourself up and keep moving forward you can achieve heights greater than you had before. Perhaps that is why this young, gallant horse escaped the fire unscathed. Perhaps it is because this story needed hope, and Greyvitos was the one who could deliver the light at the end of the tunnel.
All photo credit goes to Robin Buchanan
While Greyvitos helped deliver hope in this difficult time, the people and horses of San Luis Rey could still use more help. If you want to make a donation, please click on one of the links below.
http://cthfcares.org/
https://www.carma4horses.org/
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