Grisham honored at Walk of Fame in Hot Springs

Don Grisham, a columnist for nearly 35 years for Daily Racing Form and now a

member of the Media Relations Department at Oaklawn Park, was honored by the

selection committee with a place in the Hot Springs Walk of Fame, located in the

Hill Wheatley Plaza in downtown Hot Springs, Arkansas, on Monday.

The Hot Springs native, who first sneaked into the racetrack in the 1940s,

enjoyed the company of many of his friends at the celebration which took place

under sunny skies. Grisham's commemorative plaque sits alongside many of the

greats from Arkansas, including former President Bill Clinton, baseball star

Brooks Robinson, football legend Frank Broyles, racetrackers Bob Holthus, Larry

Snyder, Pat Day and Earlie Fires, Oaklawn President Charles Cella and dozens

more.

Joining Grisham in induction during the ceremonies was producer-director

Dick Powell, who was honored posthumously.

The ceremony began with a declaration of the day as "Don Grisham Day" by Hot

Springs mayor, Mike Bush. Comments by longtime friend B.J. Smith and Oaklawn

track announcer Terry Wallace followed.

But Grisham, who Wallace alleged tried to "fly under the radar", shone like a

real star on this occasion.  He regaled the group with stories of the many

people who helped him to his successes, including a tale about meeting the

famous Calumet Farm trainer, Ben Jones, on the Oaklawn backstretch as a

13-year-old.

"I was told Mr. Jones was too busy for a 13-year-old, but I said I had to

try," Grisham related. "So I took my bicycle to the backstretch and saw Mr.

Jones sitting atop his white pony. 'You looking for me boy?' he asked. 'Yessir,'

I said. 'Whirlaway is my favorite horse.'

"Well then, rest your bicycle against that tree and follow me into the

shedrow," Jones told him. 

Grisham followed and after seeing a few of the other starts of the barn,

including Ocean View, which Jones had brought to Oaklawn to win the Arkansas

Derby for Calumet Farm, there was Whirlaway. Jones went into the stall and

turned Mr. Longtail around to where Grisham could pet him and feed him. Then,

before Grisham could get away, Jones fed him a little philosophy. 

"You mind if I give you some advice, young man?" the legendary trainer asked.

"Why, no sir," was Grisham's reply. "Well there are three things you need to do.

Obey your parents, get a good education and never lose that enthusiasm you have

for the game."

The story got a great response from the crowd, after which Grisham uncovered

his commemorative plaque and received the congratulations and admiration of the

many gathered for the occasion.