Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem Sept. 12, 2024

Jason shares some memories of trainer Chuck Simon after his passing this week. 

A good Thursday morning to you all! Writing to you from my home state of Washington and so glad to be back in the Pacific Northwest for a while. This will be my last column for a few weeks as I’m going to be taking a couple weeks' vacation until the end of the month. During these few weeks I try not to watch, read, or talk about horse racing. I mean, I’m going to go to Emerald Downs this weekend, but other than that, nothing! I really do relish the time to get a break from the sport and maybe more importantly from horse racing Twitter. I think we all need breaks from things we’re so emotionally and personally invested in. 

I was so saddened to hear about the passing of former trainer Chuck Simon earlier this week. I was driving through Illinois when a friend called me to tell me he had passed. I have two good friends who are close with Chuck and have been updating me on him. We texted just six days before he passed and talked about how bad this year’s Pacific Classic (G1) was and how he was doing. 

It was so nice to read all the tributes to Chuck on Twitter this week as well as in most of the major racing publications. I remember joking with Chuck one time about how Steve Byk does the best eulogies in racing and his remembrance of Chuck on his show was very moving. I’m sure Steve’s show was how so many of us first came to know Chuck, so I’m sure many like me tuned in on Monday morning to hear Steve’s thoughts on his friend. 

I wanted to share a few Chuck stories. One isn’t so much a story, just an example of what kind of guy he was. I saw several people on Twitter the day after he passed showing private messages and conversations they’d had with Chuck where he sent them good wishes or complimented them or just said something nice. I had two other friends privately share similar screenshots of messages he’d sent them that were just so lovely and both completely unprompted. Just Chuck wanting to reach out and be kind and encouraging to people. 

My favorite time with Chuck was closing night at Pompano Park. I got to hang with Chuck at the Pomp a few times as he lived close to there and I think he just like the vibe of the place. That last card had like 16 races or so and Chuck, Pete Aiello, and I all went and walked around the old grandstand for like an hour. It was closed but I don’t think it was condemned. Some of the offices had clearly sat empty for a long time. I was amazed how many halls and nooks and crannies there were in the old building. I was nervous the whole time because I felt like we were doing something wrong. But Pete and Chuck merrily led us all around the building. Chuck and I watched the last race at Pompano standing together and after the race was over, I saw someone run out onto the track. I tapped Chuck’s shoulder and said, “Look at this goofball running onto the track.” We both soon after realized it was Pete and died laughing. We stood there as everyone started saying their goodbyes. It was really late, but we weren’t in any hurry to leave. Eventually we all just walked around the track, hoping to delay the inevitable for just a few minutes more. 

One thing I always loved about Chuck was he was willing to mix it up about racing with anyone. And he never got over reactionary or even mean. He’d completely disagree with someone, but he wouldn’t start in with calling names or freaking out like most on social media do with any disagreements. We went to dinner after the races at Tampa one time with three friends, but between Chuck and I, I’m sure we hogged 95% of the conversation time to espouse our thoughts. Lots of hot air on our side of the table! 

The outpouring we saw this week was very moving and I’m so glad he touched so many people in this game’s lives in a positive way. I think a lot about people’s legacies whether it’s on the track or in person, and while successes in the arena are memorable, I don’t think they will ever carry on with people the way real friendship and kindness does. And Chuck will live on through the memories of many of us who got to experience his friendship and kindness.

Rest easy, big guy.