Mighty Mayberger

     Maybe you know him, maybe you don't. But, through a pretty remarkable series of events he came to become a good friend, and essentially, the co-founder of Eclipse Sportswire. At the race track and away from it, Bob Mayberger is an amazing guy.

     Until Big Brown's disappointment in the 2008 Belmont Stakes, Bob was just a horse racing fan who took tons of racing photos.  Almost by fate, and a series of events too personal to write here, Bob was at the head of the stretch for the Big Brown Belmont, not at the finish.  This position led to what became the infamous "Loose Shoe" photo. Yes, it was Bob's.

     And because of that photo, I ended up meeting Bob at Monmouth Park during the Haskell the same year. We struck up a pretty solid friendship and ended up shooting the 2008 Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita together.  That was only the second time Bob shot on the other side of the fence with credentials.  The collaboration landed Bob a photo of Zenyatta winning the Ladies' Classic in Sports Illustrated.

     Fast forward to this year's Belmont Stakes where Bob took the time to mention an interesting fact to me. "You know, even though no one seems to care about this race, this is the 100th Grade 1 race I have shot with credentials."  Think about that? Since the 2008 Breeders Cup, his travels to shoot racing have taken him from Belmont, to Gulfstream, Golden Gate, Santa Anita, Sam Houston, Calder, Finger Lakes (we won't talk about the debacle), Monmouth and everywhere in between.

     As many of the regular photographers started to recognize him - everywhere - he soon became "Mighty Mayberger." I think it was first coined by Charles Pravata. This year, Bob added Ascot and the Arc de Triomphe to his resume.  Also throw in there the fact he met his wife, Linda, on a flight back from the Florida Derby in 2009.

     What a strange set of events. The head of the stretch for Big Brown all the way to the Arc. And if you ask anyone who has met him to describe him, after they mention his salt-and-pepper gray hair and the ubiquitous khaki photographer's vest, they will all say the same thing. "Man, what a really nice guy." There are many other photographers who count him as a friend now as well. I just feel particularly lucky to have run into him on the turf course at Monmouth Park that day in August 2008. He is now one of my best friends.

     As for his dedication to photographing the sport of thoroughbred horse racing, here is a little story.  We were all there photographing this year's Travers Stakes. Well, in the midst of checking remotes, Bob took a little tumble off of a foot bridge.  He mentioned a little discomfort, but nothing much. He also mentioned the next day he had gone to the hospital that night, but it was just a bruise, no biggie. Well, it wasn't until much later (weeks later) that Bob decided to mention, "You know the thing with my rib, I actually had two cracked ribs, and there was no way I was missing the Personal Ensign," he added, "I just didn't want you to worry."

     And now the part most people don't know, the part that makes Might Mayberger's story even more amazing. For a day job, Bob is a lawyer. And not just any lawyer. I think the words of Presiding Justice Anthony V. Cardona of the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department hit the mark.

     "Bob Mayberger has greatly contributed to our Court since he started here many years ago as an Appellate Court Attorney.  He has worked closely with Mike Novack since 1983 when he was appointed Deputy Clerk, and with me since I became Presiding Justice, in all aspects of our Court's operation.  He has a great insight into getting things done in an effective and appropriate manner, and we are very fortunate to have him assume this most important position."

     This is what the press release said as Justice Cardona announced the appointment of Mighty Mayberger as the Clerk of the Court on October 18, 2010. (http://www.courts.state.ny.us/ad3/PressReleases.html)  So how did Bob celebrate this accomplishment? He photographed some horse racing, of course. On the heels of his promotion Bob made sure he was at Belmont Park to make a few images from New York Showcase Day.

     Congratulations to Mighty Mayberger.