How about this for a Dream Race?

Horse racing to me is about the loyalty and feeling of inclusion, what it brings to social history, the collective essence of the sport. It's about seeing the whole picture, and what it all means,..from the races that lead up to the Kentucky Derby/Triple Crown to those races that lead to the Breeder's Cup, it's all relevant... some don't know it or understand horse racing quite in that way. All the horses you mention are apart of the whole picture, whether they're still with us, retired, still in the loop of racing, breeding or otherwise. They are, and will remain our "Old Friends" ...the truth is once introduced we don't know how long we will have them, so we enjoy them while we can, and is how I've learned to deal with many of today's disappointments. I often visit them at "Old Friends" often to see them, reunite or to read about them if applicable. Some say I'm too sentimental, yes, I am, and I have a spirit needed to be a true Horse Racing Fan! Yes, absolutely it would be awesome to see all of them race one more time, a "Dream Race" for sure..and who knows I just may dream about it tonight..lol. Thx, for your question, and the fact that there was something from each that you took with you in order to ask this question today says a lot. It's time we remember our "Old Friends" more often. Here's a couple sites to do just that.. Enjoy :)

http://www.facebook.com/oldfriendsequine

http://www.oldfriendsequine.org/

Whether it was long or short I've enjoyed their stay.

Of the bunch, I only know Bodemeister, Hansen and Union Rags. For some reason, Went the Day Well is a name that I know, but can't remember having seen him race. I don't really care much for Derby Horses, because they are not champions. They are more like rookie prospects who retire after their 1st or 2nd season. Hansen just retired the other day, but what did he "really" accomplish in his career? Personally, I like to see the longshots win the triple crown races. It brings me great joy to see only the owners of the horse excited in the crowd and thousands of shoobee fans ripping up their tickets and contemplating whether or not they'll come out for the next triple crown race. I didn't bet any triple crown this year, but last year I bet Ruler On Ice. Guess who was the only one that was happy after the race in a room full of a couple hundred people? Yep, me. Felt great! Let the shoobees stay home. Do you really think that the majority of people who bet Bodemeister in the Derby had seen any of his previous races? Do they go betting all the time? Had Bode won them money before? NO. They were people who come out once a year and bet Bodemeister cuz they kept hearing his name on TVG or HRTV. Why even bother coming out?

Yeah, but if we're going to regret champions who were gone too soon, my biggest regret is that the Aga Khan's great filly Zarkava, who won the Arc in 2008, didn't get the chance to race against Sea the Stars, who won the Arc in 2009. Zarkava was retired at the end of 2008 as a 3-year-old, and it's arguable that with maturity, she would only have gotten better. She was undefeated against the best that Europe had to offer.

If she'd stayed in training as a 4-year-old to try for a second Arc victory, she'd have come up against Sea the Stars. I believe that would have been a race for the ages.

I'd love to see them all again.

My dream race would be Ta Wee versus Black Caviar.

Hey Sandra, I love Old Friends too! I wish I lived a little closer so I could volunteer there. The other day at the track, I bet a horse just because Marquetry is her broodmare sire. She came through for me on an exacta.:-) Marq is a great favorite of mine. I love Patton, Creator, and 'Tator too. Do you have a soft spot for anyone in particular?