by MELANIE MARTINES
Life is full of fleeting moments. Time just quickly passes by and yesterday is all but a memory. It’s funny how sometimes life interweaves and that unforeseen circumstances can somehow connect us to places, people, and even a special filly.
This story involves a filly named, Heavenhasmynikki. She will be “running for the lilies” aboard Calvin Borel this Friday wearing the colors of Ron Paolucci’s, Loooch Racing Stable. With hopes to bring it home to the winner’s circle, this filly also comes with a special story of her own. She is named in honor of Ron Paolucci’s daughter Nicole who passed away 2 years ago at the age of 21. Ron has commented in the past that he names the best ones after his daughters.
When I first heard about my friend Christian’s story it was so incredible that I believed it wasn’t just a coincidence, but the definition of divine intervention.
Christian learned everything he knows about the sport of horse racing from his father, Nicholas. The father and son duo had many memorable moments at the race track. Nicholas was well respected in the Baltimore area and was adored by his family and wife of 51 years, who lovingly referred to him as “her Nicky”. He was passionate about the sport, and his ability to handicap a horse race impressed both family and friends. My friend would often speak of his father in admiration and definitely inherited his father’s love for the sport.
In March 2017, Christian got a call from his father’s cell phone. Days prior they had been handicapping the last of the Derby prep races so he thought maybe there was more information to be shared. The phone rang, but it was not his father on the other line. It was the neighbor calling in a panic telling Christian that his father had collapsed on the living room floor and that his Mother was desperately trying to revive him with CPR. Only a couple of hours later that same day, Nicholas had passed from a massive heart attack.He was not sick and the loss had left everyone in shock. There were no signs, no warnings, and no last goodbyes.
Christian and his sister Nichol would beam with pride sharing that their parents were the “fairy-tale” couple. Joann and Nicholas were married for 51 years. His father would joke and say that the first 50 were the hardest. The tragic loss has not been easy. In Joann’s words, “It was agony to lose your one and only love of 54 years”.
A year after Nicholas’s passing, Christian suggested to his Mother to meet him down in Florida for the Florida Derby. March 31st was her birthday and Joann felt it would be good to get away from Baltimore and enjoy the sun at Gulfstream Park. She shared with me that feeling the warmth of the sun again and the ocean breeze is what her heart and soul needed.
On Saturday morning before the Florida Derby, they were both relaxing before the races. Christian was out on the balcony handicapping while his Mother was enjoying the sun near the pool. Joann remembers praying (as she always does) and thinking, “Oh Lord, let me feel my Nicky”. Christian remembers looking at the race form and seeing a horse by the name of, Heavenhasmynikki. She was the #7 in the 12th race that day. It hit him like a ton of bricks since Nicky was what his Mother had called his Father. He quickly showed her what he had found. Chills went down her spine and she cried. Joann could not believe it. She cried even harder when she pointed out that Nicholas (Nicky) was born on December 7th! Although Heavenhasmynikki was scratched from the race that day it still brought a mother and son to tears. It was tears of joy knowing that Joann’s prayers were heard.
She had felt “her Nicky” at that moment.
This remarkable story can only warm your heart and bring you joy knowing that this was more than a coincidence. Was it divine intervention? A higher power? Or, was it simply a reminder that there is a grander plan for all of us?
This Friday, Heavenhasmynikki will be gracing not only the memory of Ron’s daughter Nicole but also the memory of Nicholas Radgowski. The filly will break from post 8 in the 144th running of the Kentucky Oaks, and blessing will be shining from above with a name that will forever keep a memory alive.
Melanie Martines is a Las Vegas-based freelance writer & photographer. She is covering the Kentucky Oaks & Derby for TwinSpires.com