Lite Light, 1998-5/5/07 by M.E. Altieri
June 3, 2007
I've spent the last five weeks thinking that I'd write about Lite Light—and then she died. Sadly enough, she died giving birth to a Mineshaft filly on May 5, 2007. Wonderfully enough—she died giving life.
How she died isn't as important as how she lived. She lived beautifully, taking four Grade 1 races, the Las Virgenes Stakes; the Coaching Club American Oaks; the Santa Anita Oaks and her greatest triumph, the Kentucky Oaks, by ten lengths.
Graceful, beautiful and the apple of her owner's eye, Lite Light brought great joy to MC Hammer (yes, the MC Hammer) every time he joined her in the winner's circle, and even when he didn't. (Mr. Hammer is no longer in racing, but I wish he were: I'm on a personal campaign to encourage more minorities to join us in this Sport. I dream of seeing a partnership of all Black women standing in the winner's circle at the Kentucky Derby. More on that in a future "View from a Broad," I'm sure.)
I hate to write that which looks like an obituary for a great horse. Most of the Historic Fillies & Mares on whom we'll report are either living (like Azeri) or so far back in time that the obviousness of their…deadness, as Plato would say…doesn't sting.
But it does sting when we read of a wonderful Champion who so recently passed from this realm to the next. I encourage you to really dig into the story and the victories of Lite Light, and come to truly appreciate her for all she gave the Sport. Listen to Bob Fox's show on www.attheracesandbeyond.com to hear one of the greatest, most enthusiastic race calls in racing history, and drop Bob a line. I'm sure that he'd love to talk about the ethereal, almost-too-beautiful-to-be-true Lite Light.
Fortunately for us, Lite Light left some progeny who will no doubt prove themselves soon: the Mineshaft filly, born May 5th; a Grand Slam yearling filly and a named son by Vindication. That colt, Light Sentence, is two, and is on his way to Churchill Downs, where Bobby Frankel will condition him. Hopefully soon we'll get to see Lite Light's beauty once-again pounding down the stretch toward home, the spirit of his dam (Mother) hovering above, guiding him to victory.
Good night, sweet girl. Thank you for the memories, and for gracing this orb with your presence, if only for a while. We'll keep an eye on your babies. I'm sure they'll do you proud.
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