Porfido

[algobbi]

just won the 7th at Santa Anita. 10 years old too.

[Spahny]

The story is Humberto Ascanio.

I've never met him but I have been pulling for him to be successful. He seems like a genuinely kind and humble man. He has suffered a stroke and his horses have been dispersed to other trainers. I'm not seeing that story discussed here, but if I've missed that thread I apologize. I have no idea about his status. Any news would be appreciated.

I'm still pulling for him. And I'm also wondering just a little bit about where Fluke is now?

[second_glance]

The story is Humberto Ascanio.

I've never met him but I have been pulling for him to be successful. He seems like a genuinely kind and humble man. He has suffered a stroke and his horses have been dispersed to other trainers. I'm not seeing that story discussed here, but if I've missed that thread I apologize. I have no idea about his status. Any news would be appreciated.

I'm still pulling for him. And I'm also wondering just a little bit about where Fluke is now?

There's been some discussion the Jockey and Trainer Watch thread.

He has a long rehab ahead of him. But even today one of his assistants referred to Porfido being temporarily in Harty's barn. I don't know how realistic it is, but those around him believe he'll be back.

[Spahny]

There's been some discussion the Jockey and Trainer Watch thread.

He has a long rehab ahead of him. But even today one of his assistants referred to Porfido being temporarily in Harty's barn. I don't know how realistic it is, but those around him believe he'll be back.

Thanks. Found it.

[The Tin Man]

Yeah ... I LOVE Porfido ... One of my favorite ponies out here!

He used to run against Lava Man back in the day, so I've got a real soft spot for him.

He's really been on his game for the last 8 months or so. Running at a nice level too and against some pretty good horses too!

Had him singled today in my Place Pick All ... Pretty much figured he'd be in the exacta for sure. He's been in the trifecta now in 5 of his last 6 races, running for 30-something thousand dollar purses.

Once they swept around the final turn and he had a straight shot to the line, I knew it was his! Pretty much won in a cakewalk by about 3 lengths or so!

Way to go Porfido!! Love him!!

(And he's still a horse, so I'm hoping to see his babies on the track one day soon!)

And his owners are the same people who bred him, so I hope that means he'll have a happy home once he hangs up his shoes ...

But he's still running at a very high level, so here's to a great and SAFE year for the old warrior!!

For those who may be curious, here's his updated PedigreeQuery ... Along with a picture from Santa Anita that I took of him last year.

Great looking pony!

He's also won over 600K in his career ...

(Thanks algobbi for starting a thread for him ... He's very deserving.)

http://www.pedigreequery.com/index.p...g=5&p=0&f=1&l=

[The Tin Man]

Ah ... What the heck! Here he is!

Can't help it ... I LOVE this guy SO much!!

For those who ,ay be interested, go to CalRacing and watch this 10 year old just coast to an easy win today ... It was very impressive!

[JT Dancer]

I'm a big Porfido fan, and I too have been rooting for Humberto Ascanio since he went on his own after Frankel's death- he seems like a true horseman. Porfido looks fantastic. In addition to Fluke, I have been wondering what Proudinsky is up to these days; anyone know?

Eoin Harty was very classy in giving all the credit for the win to Ascanio; he said in the post-race interview that all he did was work him twice and follow Ascanio's directions on how to prep him

[The Tin Man]

I'm a big Porfido fan, and I too have been rooting for Humberto Ascanio since he went on his own after Frankel's death- he seems like a true horseman. Porfido looks fantastic. In addition to Fluke, I have been wondering what Proudinsky is up to these days; anyone know?

Eoin Harty was very classy in giving all the credit for the win to Ascanio; he said in the post-race interview that all he did was work him twice and follow Ascanio's directions on how to prep him

Oh wow ... Is there a link to that interview? I would LOVE to see it!

If not, did Harty say anything about Porfido himself or just about Ascanio?

And yeah ... I've been wondering about Fluke and Proudinsky too. Don't know what they're up to.

If memory serves, Proudinsky ran against Lava Man before too. Am I correct in that?

And yeah ... Porfido looks in fantastic shape! He certainly defies his age. I know it's likely a pie dream, but that win was SO impressive and he won so easily, it got me thinking how cool it would be to see him in an UNgraded stakes off of this. I'll bet he'd hit the board. He's very consistent and still running mid 80's Beyers each time out ... And if Raffy stayed on board? Raffy and Porfido work VERY well together.

[JT Dancer]

Oh wow ... Is there a link to that interview? I would LOVE to see it!

If not, did Harty say anything about Porfido himself or just about Ascanio?

When asked about Porfido, he said something along the lines of Porfido being the type you want a barnful of (honest, sound, hard-trying horse). I don't know if you could find the video; it was one of those post race interviews on HRTV with Zoe Cadman (who incidentally had picked Porfido as one who she was expecting to run big just before the race).

[MR.W]

A friend of mine went to Del Mar last summer for the first time and asked me to give him a horse to bet on. Of course I gave him Porfido at 14-1 and my friend paid for his whole day including a nice dinner. He still talks about it.

[The Tin Man]

A friend of mine went to Del Mar last summer for the first time and asked me to give him a horse to bet on. Of course I gave him Porfido at 14-1 and my friend paid for his whole day including a nice dinner. He still talks about it.

Nice!! Hope he thanked Porfido for it! ... and you!

[The Tin Man]

When asked about Porfido, he said something along the lines of Porfido being the type you want a barnful of (honest, sound, hard-trying horse). I don't know if you could find the video; it was one of those post race interviews on HRTV with Zoe Cadman (who incidentally had picked Porfido as one who she was expecting to run big just before the race).

Yeah ... He certainly is ... Brings it every time and still running at a nice level at age 10 ... With some pretty good horses!

As far as yesterday? Good pick by Zoe!

I was telling everyone outside of the paddock that they needed to bet Porfido, but I bet him at the top of my Superfecta and got screwed down the line ... So I didn't get paid.

I was kicking myself for not just betting him to win straight up. 5 to 1 is pretty darn good!

And boy did he romp! Once he straightened out entering the stretch run, I knew he had it then! I kinda got goosebumps just watching that valiant, old warrior put that field away with such ease.

[The Tin Man]

The nearest I can tell is that Porfido is an Italian word which means rock or stone in English ...

http://translation.sensagent.com/porfido/it-en/

[Plenilune]

When asked about Porfido, he said something along the lines of Porfido being the type you want a barnful of (honest, sound, hard-trying horse). I don't know if you could find the video; it was one of those post race interviews on HRTV with Zoe Cadman (who incidentally had picked Porfido as one who she was expecting to run big just before the race).

Harty also mentioned he had asked Mr. Ascanio about Porfido's training and just went by his guidance. It was a beautiful win. You can see the race on this link, at the 17:31 mark:

http://www.santaanita.com/content/sa...ta-replay-show

Blows the field away. Ten years old, still intact, still running strong. Old warriors are awesome.

[Starine]

From the DRF:

Porfido gets 11th win at age 10

Harty won Sunday’s seventh race for $25,000 claimers on turf with the 10-year-old Porfido, who won for the 11th time in his 50th start.

Porfido was previously trained by Humberto Ascanio, who suffered a stroke in late December and has disbanded his stable. Ascanio was stabled adjacent to Harty at Hollywood Park. Ascanio is continuing to recover from the stroke.

Harty said that Porfido is an easy horse to care for.

“He is so cool,” he said. “He gets in the round pen for 10 minutes twice a day, and he acts like a 3-year-old.”

http://www.drf.com/news/santa-anita-...ong-san-felipe

[The Tin Man]

From the DRF:

Thanks for posting this Starine! Always happy to read more about my boy!

I've never actually met him one on one, I need to track down Eoin Harty and set up a meeting while he's still competing. Very cool to hear that his attitude matches his looks. He looks fantastic for a horse of 10.

[Starine]

Thanks for posting this Starine! Always happy to read more about my boy!

I've never actually met him one on one, I need to track down Eoin Harty and set up a meeting while he's still competing. Very cool to hear that his attitude matches his looks. He looks fantastic for a horse of 10.

You're very welcome; just make sure you take plenty of photos when you meet him in person.

[The Tin Man]

You're very welcome; just make sure you take plenty of photos when you meet him in person.

Oh I will ... And I'll post the best of them here!

[TapitsGal]

Congrats to Porfido and his connections.I always love seeing the old guys run and win.Glad to see he's still going strong at 10 years old.I'm a fan

[The Tin Man]

Whoo Hoo!!

My boy, who continues to defy Father Time ... Porfido ... Steps up to a high level allowance race today($58K) ... And wins once again!!

If they step him up again next race, he'd be back in Stakes races again ...

He's now 7-4-1-1 in his last 7 races against some pretty damn good ponies!

Not too shabby for a 10 year old!!

He used to run against Lava Man off and on back in the day ... He's now earned about 660K lifetime and seems to be almost as good as his heyday still.

Love this guy! He's my favorite pony currently running.

Love the old guys and that he's doing SO well at the grand old age of 10 is pretty special.

He's freaking gorgeous too!

Today's race was 1 1/2 miles on Turf and the guy wasn't even breathing hard after the win.

I'd be ecstatic if he got back to Stakes level at age 10 ... And with today's effort, he just may!