Eclipse Sportswire

Mighty Mayberger

2010-10-25T13:44:00.001-04:00

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.

From $10,000 Claimer To The Richest 3-year-old Filly Sprint

2010-09-19T08:01:00.007-04:00

It has been a while since I wrote about racing, but this is just too cool. Can anyone tell me where the richest sprint race for 3-year-old fillies is held? Saratoga? No. Del Mar? Nope. Churchill Downs? Not even close. The richest race is the $400,000 Charles Town Oaks. It isn't graded yet, but it will be.

Next question. Before last night, would anyone really have known who Derwin's Star is? I doubt it. Those really in the know could tell you she set the pace in the Delaware Oaks against Blind Luck back in July, but that's it. After last night, the 3-year-old chesnut filly by Wildcat Heir is probably on the radar of a few more people.

She was a $15,000 purchase in 2007 at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. From there she went on to rather inauspicious beginnings. You could have picked her up for a $10,000 tag as recently as last November. Trainer Steve Klesaris and Puglisi Racing picked her up privately shortly thereafter.

After her win, Klesaris called Derwin's Star an overachiever and stated he thought she had to be one of the top fillies in the country. Her plans for the future are not set quite yet.

The fact remains, she held the lead on Blind Luck (who is the top 3-year-old filly in the country) for close to a mile and held on for third against her. Then she managed to shake off clunker on the synthetic at Woodbine to win at Charles Town. She beat some solid sprinters in the likes of Beyondallboundaries, Belle of the Halls and CC's Pal. She also manages brisk fractions for the Charles Town surface of 23, 46 3/5, 1:10 4/5 and finishing out the 7-furlongs in 1:24 3/5.

Jockey Kendrick Carmouche was aboard for the win. He seems to be the upset jockey of record these days at Charles Town. He won the inaugural Charles Town Classic last year at the oval and now added this win to his resume on the 4.70-1 winner.

Klesaris was rather muted about the next race on Derwin's Star's calendar, but where do you go from here? Only in horse racing, right? From $10,000 claimer to Breeders' Cup F&M Sprint winner? Does a horse racing story get better than that? She is on my short-list for a feel good story for 2010.

I Am Living My Dream

2009-06-15T11:18:00.006-04:00

It is no secret that I love photographing sports. I will admit that when it comes to action, I do an OK job, but I am not great. There are some amazingly talented shooters out there. I love the little moments you find in sports. I love the features.

Well, Sunday I stumbled onto one of those moments. There on the yardage book of LPGA Tour rookie Anna Nordqvist was her own personal inspiration - I Am Living My Dream - in blue sharpie.

It was following her all week long. Just staring her in the face. I was there on Thursday when she started leading the pack. As crowds swelled to 100 or more around Michelle Wie, Natalie Gulbis and Paula Creamer, the rookie Nordqvist didn't have quite that big a following. On Thursday, maybe three tops, and one was her mother.

And here I was, following the rookie who had the lead. A few asked, "Who is leading?" Nordqvist was the answer. Then the slight confusion, "The short blonde? Minea something or other?" No, no, that is Minea Blomqvist. This is Anna Nordqvist. Oh.

Doesn't matter to me. Kentucky Derby post parade or 18th green of a major golf tournament, for someone who loves the drama of sports and loves photographing it, can there be a better place?

Anna Nordqvist won her first LPGA tournament and it happened to be the McDonald's LPGA Championship. She won easily. There was a slight challenge mid-way but she answered that with a birdie, and another birdie. And I just happened to capture that little moment as she stood on the seventh green during her final round. Her personal reminder - I Am Living My Dream.

And as an aside, as a police officer friend of mine borrowed my Sharpie to get her autograph. He got the autograph, she kept the marker. So I am up one little slice of history, I do love the photo, but, hey, Anna, can I get my Sharpie back?