“Did You Know That…?”
This week we are delaying our thoughts on the Whitney to do more research on the implications of that race, as well as the big 3-year-old races, as they pertain to the Breeders’ Cup Classic with several angles thrown in, and instead take a light, but historical look back at several fascinating horses and events of which most racing fans are not aware. ~ Steve Haskin
“Did You Know That…?”
By Steve Haskin
Did you know that there are volumes of facts in modern day Thoroughbred racing, mainly regarding its equine stars, that most people would find surprising and enlightening and deserving of their own place in the sport’s history books under trivia?
Many of these facts tell us something about the horses and the races and other facets of the sport we didn’t know. It is difficult to decide where to begin, so we’ll just start with the exciting finish title image you see above. Hold on to your hats and get ready for a whirlwind ride through history.
–Did you know that three future Hall of Fame fillies competed in the same race…a Grade 1 (equivalent) sprint against colts? The race was the 1969 Vosburgh Handicap and the three fillies were Ta Wee, Shuvee, and Gamely, all champions. Ta Wee (far right above), who won by a head after refusing to be passed the entire length of the stretch, was voted Champion Sprinter that year and although Shuvee and Gamely were distance fillies and finished sixth and eighth, respectively, Shuvee was beaten only 1 ¾ lengths and Gamely 2 ½ lengths, with both flying at the end. Ta Wee’s final time of 1:21 3/5 was reported at the time to be the fastest seven furlongs ever run by a filly.
–Did you know that there was a horse you probably know little or nothing about who raced at ages 2, 3, 4, and 5, compiling a nondescript record of eight wins (seven allowance races and a maiden race) in 57 starts, all but one on dirt. He also was 0-for-27 in stakes races, finishing out of the money in 18 of them. During that time he competed at 14 different racetracks and was ridden by 22 different jockeys. In short, after four years of racing his career was going nowhere, and as a complete horse he had little value as a stallion.
Then in 1988 at age 6 he was sold and sent to trainer Craig Lewis in California, where, following three mediocre performances on grass, he returned to the dirt, running in six major stakes at Hollywood Park, Santa Anita, and Del Mar. Not only did he win all six stakes by an average margin of over three lengths, he defeated four champions, three Hall of Famers, four Breeders’ Cup winners, including two Classic winners and two Sprint winners (Precisionist and Gulch), and two Kentucky Derby winners (Alysheba and Ferdinand), who he defeated by 6 ½ and 12 ½ lengths. His name was Cutlass Reality, and as for the story of his remarkable and astonishing improvement at age 6, your guess is as good as mine. Oh, yes, he did venture outside California twice that year and was beaten 10 lengths and eight lengths. Figure that one out.
–Did you know that from October 1987 to October 1988, Forty Niner made 13 starts and was involved in nine photos, all major stakes. He won the Breeders’ Futurity, Fountain of Youth, Haskell, and Travers by a nose and the Cigar Mile (then known as the NYRA Mile) by a neck, and was second by a neck in the Kentucky Derby, Florida Derby, and Woodward Stakes, and second by a head in the Lexington Stakes.
Of his defeats, it took a track record 1:59 2/5 by Alysheba to beat him in the 1 ¼-mile Woodward, he barely missed catching eventual 3-year-old filly champion Winning Colors in the Kentucky Derby, and was just nipped at the wire by eventual Preakness and Belmont winner and 3-year-old champion Risen Star in the Lexington after having to steady early on, while finishing 12 lengths ahead of the third horse. So, three of his four photo defeats were to a champion. Forty Niner may have been small, but he sure loved a good fight.
–Did you know that the aforementioned Shuvee became the second filly to sweep the Filly Triple Crown (later to be known as the Triple Tiara), consisting of the Acorn, Mother Goose, and Coaching Club American Oaks, and also won the Alabama and Ladies Handicap against older fillies that same year and did not receive a single vote for Champion 3-year-old Filly? That honor went to her arch rival Gallant Bloom, who had beaten out Shuvee for the 2-year-old filly championship in 1968 by defeating her in the Gardenia Stakes and then beat her soundly in the Gazelle Handicap in ’69 to nail down the 3-year-old championship en route to a sensational 12-race winning streak.
–Did you know that there was a Filly Triple Crown winner who won all three races by an average margin of nine lengths, and was a champion and Hall of Famer, who went off at odds of 101-1 and 112-1 as a 2-year-old? That was the first Filly Triple Crown winner Dark Mirage. Talk about a late bloomer, she went off at 101-1 in her second career start, finishing second, and 112-1 in the Gardenia Stakes, finishing fifth after rallying from 10th to be beaten 2 ½ lengths. In between, she ran in six consecutive races going off at odds ranging from 16-1 to 34-1. In all, as a 2-year-old she was 2-for-15, winning a maiden and allowance race. Not exactly your typical start for a future Hall of Famer.
–Did you know that the winner of the 1968 inaugural Haskell Invitational (then called the Monmouth Invitational), was a 33-1 shot named Balustrade, who won one other stakes at Monmouth, returning three years later to win the Midsummer Hurdle at 2 1/16 miles, setting a new course record of 4:00 2/5?
–Did you know that one of the greatest horses of all time was by a sire who stood for a $500 stud fee? Did you also know that this legend of the Turf was sold twice as a young horse for $1,100 and $2,200 and began his career at the bush tracks of Louisiana, eventually becoming the first horse to earn 3 million dollars, the first horse to earn 4 million dollars, the first horse to earn 5 million dollars, and the first horse to earn 6 million dollars, and also the first horse to be named by People Magazine as one of the Top 25 Most Intriguing “People” of the Year? Of course it is John Henry, who had become such a celebrity he was greeted at the airport following his retirement by the governor of Kentucky. One final piece of trivia regarding this horse’s storybook life, he somehow wound up in the hands of a Jewish bicycle salesman from New York City, who when told he had bought a gelding, replied, “What color is a gelding?”
–Did you know that at the 1973 Saratoga meet, highlighted by the appearances of superstars Secretariat, Desert Vixen, and Riva Ridge, the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes was won by a horse named Gusty O’Shay, who two months earlier had run in a $5,000 claiming race at the five-furlong bush track Shenandoah Downs in West Virginia, which closed two years later? Not only did Gusty O’Shay rise from the deepest depths to win a Grade 1 at Saratoga, the horse who finished second to him, Take By Storm, was owned by the Phipps family.
–Did you know that from 2017 to 2025, horses who won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont, Breeders’ Cup Classic, Dubai World Cup, Whitney, Woodward, two Breeders’ Cup Dirt Miles, Haskell, Santa Anita Derby, Pegasus World Cup, Stephen Foster, Forego Stakes, Churchill Downs Stakes, and Breeders’ Futurity all were broken and trained at Bridlewood Farm in Ocala, Florida by farm trainer Meda Murphy? (I’m sure you said yes if you’ve read my columns regularly this year).
–Did you know that Kentucky Derby winner Unbridled would have achieved the rare feat of winning Grade 1 races on dirt and grass as a 3-year-old; the rare feat of winning four Grade 1 stakes at 1 ¼ miles at 3; the unprecedented feat of winning four Grade 1 stakes at 3 with four different jockeys; and compiling a five-race winning streak after the 1990 Triple Crown IF he hadn’t finished second in back-to-back Grade 1 stakes…to his own stablemates? He was second to Super Abound in the Secretariat Stakes and second to Home At Last in the Super Derby; all three trained by Carl Nafzger. In their other 53 combined starts they would win a total of one graded stakes between them.
–Did you know that in a world where a Beyer Speed Figure of 110 is now rare and considered extraordinary, Skip Away ran a Beyer figure of 110 or higher 23 times, four of which ranged from 120-125. In a span of 31 consecutive races, 30 of them stakes at 14 different racetracks, he ran 29 triple-digit Beyer figures and also finished in the money in 29 of those 31 races, with his only two out-of-the money performances coming at Churchill Downs, a surface he despised. To further demonstrate this colt’s speed and toughness, in between all those races he turned in over 60 bullet works.
In addition, Skip Away’s arch rival Formal Gold ran 16 times before a serious injury ended his career. In 15 of those 16 starts he not only earned 15 triple-digit Beyers, his last three races resulted in Beyer figures of 126, 124, and 125.
–Did you know that in 1975 an unheralded 2-year-old filly named Optimistic Gal won in order the Adirondack Stakes at Saratoga by 9 ¾ lengths, the Matron Stakes at Belmont by 6 ½ lengths, the Frizette Stakes at Belmont by 3 ½ lengths, the Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland by 21 lengths, and the Selima Stakes at Laurel by 2 ¼ lengths and was not voted 2-year-old Filly Champion, losing her only two starts against Dearly Precious, who beat her out for the award. Then at 3, Optimistic Gal won the Alabama Stakes by 16 lengths, defeated older fillies and mares in the Grade 1 Delaware Handicap and Spinster Stakes, and finished second in the Acorn, Mother Goose, and CCA Oaks to three different horses and was not voted 3-year-old Filly Champion, losing out to Revidere. Optimistic Gal may very well be the most accomplished and dominating filly not to win a championship.
–Did you know that in the 2004 Woodward Stakes, two improving colts, whose Grade 1 resume consisted of only one sprint victory, finished necks apart following a stretch-long battle. Both colts would go on to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic and be named Horse of the Year. They were Ghostzapper and Saint Liam.
–Did you know that the greatest homebody of all time was Native Diver, who ran 81 times, 80 of them in California, with his only venture outside the state where he was born coming in the Washington Park Handicap at Arlington Park, in which he finished sixth? In California, he won 33 stakes, including three consecutive Hollywood Gold Cups , and was one of the few horses at the time to earn $1 million.
–Did you know that although horses rarely run in all three Triple Crown races now because trainers believe three races in five weeks is too hard on a horse, Meadow Stable’s Hill Prince ran in five major stakes in the five weeks spanning the Kentucky Derby to the Belmont. After competing in the Derby, Withers, Preakness, 1 1/4-mile Suburban Handicap against older horses, and the Belmont Stakes, winning two, with a second and third, he ran seven more times in 1950, and never finished out of the money, winning four major races — the American Derby at Arlington, the Jerome Handicap and two-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont, and the Sunset Handicap at Hollywood Park — with a second and two thirds, all stakes.
–Did you know that 1968 2-year-old champion Top Knight, who romped in the three most prestigious stakes in New York, the Hopeful, Futurity, and Champion, and at 3 was the overwhelming early favorite for the Kentucky Derby after soundly defeating future Hall of Famer Arts and Letters in the Flamingo and Florida Derby, raced until the age of 9, concluding his career at tiny Lincoln Downs and Narragansett Park in New England? However, he lived out the rest of his years at a small farm near Rehobeth, Massachusetts in the company of donkeys, mules, and ponies. According to his owners at the time, Charlotte and Edward Pritchard, who would take in old run-down horses and find them a home, he was “having a picnic”. The last report on him was in 1992, and he was living a happy life at the age of 26.
Photo courtesy of Bob Coglianese/New York Racing Association
Racing historian, author, and award-winning retired journalist for the Daily Racing Form and The Blood-Horse, Steve Haskin was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame’s Media Roll of Honor in 2016. Known for his racing knowledge and insightful prose, he has been an exclusive contributor to Secretariat.com since 2020.
Did you know that on Inaugural Marlboro Cup day in 1973, 3 consecutive races were won by Desert Vixen, Secretariat, and Forego. If there was a “trifecta”, it would arguably been the GREATEST IN THOROUGHBRED HISTORY!
Today…..articles are about the yearling sales, and the breeding…..50 years ago—99% was about the RACING! Same in other sports—59 years ago NOBODY wrote about CONTRACTS, or earnings—they just watched the games—and in the stands—grown men were wearing grownup clothes, not baseball and football jerseys….
Totally agree Matthew W though admittedly I am sometimes guilty of the same.
Matthew, you should follow racing on YouTube, 99.9% of all racing comment is about betting and racing.
If you’re looking for a little inspiration, check out the replay of the 6th race at Saratoga on August 8th. First-time starter Aye Eye (a son of Essential Quality) broke slowly, vanished off the screen for much of the race, then came from the stratosphere with a sensational zigzagging run to win at odds of 26-1!
Yes, arlingtonfan, it was an extraordinary performance by Aye Eye. He looks a sprinter more than a Classic type runner. Late running sprinter are enthralling to watch.
Two things;
One, as I occasionally do, and before reading this column, I pulled up Ghostzapper’s videos last night and watched them all, including the 2004 Woodward. No reason, just felt like it.
Secondly, Formal Gold (and Will’s Way) is the greatest horse no one ever talks about. I’m glad Steve mentioned him.
Agreed. Great as Skip Away was, Formal Gold absolutely mandhandled him in fFormal Gold’s final two starts. Skip Away went on to dominate the JC Gold Cup and a weak BC Classic because Formal Gold wasn’t there. Doesn’t diminish what Skip Away did for a long time, but Formal Gold at his best was clearly the taster horse.
Skip Away was good LONGER…Formal Gold ran a few really solid races—no question..
Criminal Type never gets much credit akin to Formal Gold. He beat both Sunday Silence and Easy Goer when they were 4 year olds going on to become the US Champion Older Horse as well as United States Horse of the Year the same year.
True. I remember even into the 90s, interest in the older horse division was still pretty high. Part of that was sportsmanship, and horses were expected to prove themselves before the lucrative stud deals. Big money partnerships have largely ended that. Criminal Type was a racehorse.
Talent Alert! Spiced up—very impressive maiden win, two months ago—Bill Mott could’ve run in a NW1X—he sent Spiced Up onto a stakes….that was all you needed to know! Today—Spiced Up INHALED the competition, hand ridden HUGE strides—this is a good horse..
Sandman was reportedly “like a kid in a candy store” working on the grass this morning. Next stop, the Nashville Derby on the turf (August 30th).
Watched the video, he did well on the turf.
Saw a photo of Smarty Jones with his Hall of Fame blanket on from yesterday’s celebration at the farm he lives on. Must admit to tears. He looks absolutely gorgeous!
Sovereignty had a great work out. Just perfection and smooth as silk. He looks strong and powerful!
REBEL’S ROMANCE wins the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Berlin at Hoppegarten under Billy Loughnane .
I hope everyone is having better luck than I am watching the races from Saratoga today. I always tune in on the Fox networks. Today that required changing channels five times–ridiculous but possible. At 3:00 we were told to change from FS2 to Fox, which I did. That got me a football game. Presumably that problem was with the local channel, where football in August was apparently considered more important than the horse races Fox had been promoting all week. I thought oh, well, I’ll watch it on You Tube, where we’ve been told live coverage is ALWAYS available. There I got a notice that due to blackout restrictions I would have to go back to Fox. That meant football. Maybe when the game ends, they’ll show some races, but after all the hype all week, it’s absurd that with FS1, FS2, Fox, and You Tube, somebody couldn’t manage to present those races in our area.
Representing back on work tab. 2 furlongs yesterday.
Steve love your columns thanks for this skip aways speed figures were amazing as were all your other recollections! You’re the best !
Ron Turcotte is in hospital.
Prayers.
Oh, no! I hope he’ll be okay.
Just wanted to note that jockey Barrington Harvey, who won the Marathon Handicap at Ferndale (CA) in 2010 and 2011, passed away recently at the age of 62. I enjoyed cheering him on at Golden Gate Fields. He will be missed.
Condolences to family and loved ones.
Some of you might remember Fish Trappe Road. By Trappe Shoot (by Tapit) out of Electric Shock (by Cure the Blues).
He was born in 2013, raced a total of 63 times from 2015 to 2022 with a record of 11-9-8-7 and earnings of 679,407.
He won the Dwyer Stakes at Belmont in 2016. Across the course of his career he raced at Churchill Downs, Belmont, Saratoga, Keeneland, Oaklawn and Remington (partial list) and finally landed in Puerto Rico in 2020.
He was rescued from a dreadful situation in Puerto Rico where he raced at Camamero RaceTrack through the efforts of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and now lives at Racing For Home, a TAA rescue.
He was horribly underweight, had serious issues with his hooves and battled cellulitis in his hind leg which is responding to treatment.
Fish is one of the lucky ones, he landed in a soft spot.
If connections can afford million to 4 million dollars at these sales than they can all chip in more to save horses like Fish!
It’s sad that SOME prominent owners and trainers let horses fall through the cracks and wash their hands of the responsibility. I keep a mental list of a few well known trainers i cannot respect. Maybe one benefit of small foal crops will be less abused horses.
Agreed Lynda.
Lynda, here in Victoria 2 % of all prize money won is supposed to go into rehabilitation and rehoming retired racehorses. Which amounts to 5.8 million.
However, an MP, over 2 years, investigated how this was going and found this wanting in so many areas. It’s similar around the world, governments take from racing but have little concern for the equine athlete on retirement.
In the middle 1980s, I went up to Salem, OR, to apprentice as a cabinet maker—it didn’t work out because I had horrible allergies to the sawdust—so I eeked out a living buying and selling, my biggest source being the Woodburn Farm Auction, where you look at everything on Tuesday…Bid on it on Wednesday—and then I’d sell what I bought over that weekend—I loved it…..
They auctioned everything, including broken down race horses, and I would always bring a bag of cut up apples, and feed the horses destined for slaughter—they always perked up….I always left there crying…and am now..
Excellent post, Lynda! There are a lot rescue groups now as well as individuals who save horses, but many Thoroughbreds still slip through.
Thank you Ms B.
The problem is funding, very expensive to transport, provide needed veternairy and farrier care.
Donna Keen does an excellent job rehabbing OTTBs. Skydog Sanctuary is amazing, saving wild Mustangs. There are others including a friend who lives in south Georgia.
Then there is the toll that it takes on we humans. It will wear you down over time.
And most rescues are dependent on volunteers to help out on the farms and private donations and fundraisers as well as assistance from national organizations.
It is not for the faint of heart!
Did you know that…..1972 San Fernando …Autobiography, Triple Bend, Unconscious, Wings Out, His MHesty, Good Councel—FIVE of them (I can’t recall which five) …all top level horses (would be gr1 winners, IF they had gr1 races then)…five finished within a neck….a couple weeks later The Santa Margarita—Turkish Trousers, Typecast, Convenience, Manta, Street Dancer,—-all top level fillies—another blanket finish….
Bittersweet story, Matthew. Thanks for sharing it.
This was fun to read, Steve. There are so many of these ‘little histories’ in racing which somewhat contradict the accepted knowledge/history in racing.
It’s the ‘did you knows’ that make life just a little bit more fun than what it is. Look ‘the King is not waring any clothes.’
Davids I do not recall his name but someone used to comment on Steve’s posts with all sorts of trivia.
From what I read 4 million was the reserve on the Into Mischief – Mopotism filly. Do not think they really wanted to sell her.
Tons of chatter on social media today about the prices these yearlings brought during the 2 day sale. Zedan racing spent close to 8 million.
I have mentioned before that economically speaking the reduction in foal crops is creating like a bubble that is going to burst eventually.
Peter Brant of White Birch Farm partnered with Magnier of Coolmore on several purchases.
Personally speaking, just not liking this trend of these long sloping pasterns that are slightly back of the vertical.
Finally, California Chrome’s fee has dropped way down in Japan. I have not checked the data base to see how his progeny have been doing. Saw a photo of him at the stallion exhibit from a few days ago. He is as beautiful and striking as ever.
Yes, Lynda, I know exactly who you mean. One of his nom de plumes was ‘Nick Caraway’ from “The Great Gatsby” then he went on holiday to Europe coming back as, darn I can’t remember now.
Anyway, just before he left, he was being told continuously by someone else, who has actually just left recently, that he wasn’t funny and why didn’t he just stop. His reply was “Done” and has never returned.
Nelson or Matthew may remember his ‘assumed name’ as he chatted with them quite regularly on handicapping. He used to argue with KYVET a lot and Coldfacts.
I don’t like the long sloping pasterns either, a disaster in the making especially on dirt, the indirect and direct influence from Unbridled’s Song I fear. All the success of Bernardini and Tapit broodmares may exacerbate the concern as well.
I’ve been watching the Peter Brant/Coolmore connection for a while now both in Europe and US. Both spotted Siyouni as an important sire around the same time.
I fear US racing is heading in the same direction as European racing has become a handful of dominant connections buying and breeding the top end. In Europe, especially in the UK, betting is what drives the sport. The prize money is pathetic really apart from a handful of Group 1 races.
Only those with deep pockets survive in the sport.
That’s right, Nick Caraway. Thank you.
Lynda, I took a hunch and went back to the 2022 Kentucky Derby Rankings and found Nick Caraway’s later name he used here, he was:
EddieF
…and KyVet had morphed into pro vet. Only 3 years ago but seems a lifetime away now.
Thanks Davids.
I read the reserve on Mopotism’s last foal was 4 million.
It would appear that you are correct about American racing going the route of European Racing.
Somewhat ironically though, the winners of major races still come from the homebreds and horses that go for the low six figures.
I have been concerned about the long sloping pasterns for quite some time. The Thoroughbred is starting to look like the American Saddlebred.
Spot on with the comparison, Lynda. A lot of the Into Mischiefs have that distinctive head carriage that American Saddlebreds have.
I remember when Gai Waterhouse toured the US a few years back she was asked the difference between Australian thoroughbreds and US thoroughbreds. Gai said Australian thoroughbreds have much better bone. Which is true.
The Seattle Slew line usually has good bone but 50 or so years ago US thoroughbreds had much better bone than Australian thoroughbreds.
I’m not sure the numbers now but 30 or so years back Keeneland used to advertise that their July Selected Yearling Sale (now defunct) resulted with 7% achieving Grade/Group 1 wins; 17% Grade/Group 2, or 3; while 30% overall would get black type.
Even then I thought saying that 70% of this elite sale wouldn’t get black was not a positive to promote.
Lynda, my plan is visiting Chrome next year in Japan.
That is wonderful Mike.
Hope I am still around to hear how he is!
Yes, for sure.
I recently watched the 1975 Travers, a five hirse Wajima blowout—it might be like that this year, too—it’s hard to believe it’s been 36 years since Sunday Silence/Easy Goer—I think this year is the best duo since then, better than Unbridled/Summer Squall, not quite Affirmed/Alydar or Secretariat/Sham…..
Jon Hardoon, the great Ragozin handicapper–yalked about how the strong older division has horses who can fire off huge performances, but hot always–these two three year olds just keep running big—-and Bae,a is pretty good, too—Magnatude could be a fourth good one—that makes two years of strong crops! Seeing the 42,000 packed into Saratoga—seeing the huge aution prices—seeing the good horses, both male and female—we are right now in a great vein, in a sport that has been on decline….
As always, an informative article Steve. Please keep them coming. I look forward to your “posts” every week. I saw John Henry at the Kentucky Horse Park long time ago. He was something else.
Flightline’s hip 111 warms up the sales at 875,000 his hip 118 goes for 750,000
Muth’s fullbrother goes for 1,000,000…
Davids, I watched a video from before the two day sale of the horses being walked around.
One that caught my eye was the Into Mischief out of I’m A Chatterbox.
Sold for 2.6 million! Union Rags is the damsire.
Lynda, the Into Mischief- Mopotism filly was a not sold for 3,900,000. There was that period when the sales really took off.
The Flightline – Park Avenue by Quality Road colt went for 1.8 million and showed much better than the video. One to follow.
The Into Mischief colt you liked was very nice and I loved the Gun Runner – Shedaresthedevil filly but there was a host of stunning individuals really.
Very surprised the last filly out of Mopotism was placed for sale.
If mine, I would hold onto for dear life.
Just fishing I’d say, Lynda. I’d like to know what the reserve price was.
Linda I heard they entered her in the sale BEFORE Mopotism passed, so they hung up a big reserve, not wanting her to sell…, $3.9 million….
That possibly could have happened.
The Into Mischief colt out of Lady Kate (Bernardini) went for 3 million to John Stewart.
Probably the best bone of any I have seen in this sale.
Just an around good looking colt or as my dear friend used to say from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail.
Much went for $2million as a 2yo—I thought he was pretty good…
,(Muth)..
Agree, Muth reasonably successful.
What a juicy read! In some instances (like the race pictured with Ta Wee), I knew she won and was sprint champion, but I did NOT know she defeated Shuvee and Gamely in the process. You could have gilded the lily further by mentioning she won the Fall Highweight H’cap toting 140 pounds! And I’m glad to know what happened to Top Knight. I always liked him. He was a world beater up until the Kentucky Derby where he finished fifth, and then crickets. Proved sterile at stud, so I’m glad he had a happy ending.
What color is a gelding, indeed!
Ron MacAnally kept Ol John good…also Paseana, Tight Spot and Bayakoa, and Candy Ride never lost—Mac kept horses good for years….
Cougar II and Charlie….Affirmed and Laz….Spectacular Bid and Buddy….Ancient Title and Stuki….Forego and Whitley….John Henry and MacAnally….Cigar and Mott….Zenyatta and Shirreffs….Beholder and Mandella…..Skippy and Sonny…..Horses that ran for years and years, and their trainers who kept them good….
Skip Away has long been on my “gteatest” list…the rare horse than can go fast and last—to me that’s the ultimate sign of greatness. ..
One of mine as well.
Cutlass Reality was an enigma, he just got good, fir an underrated trainer that could keep a horse good….a similar horse was Acclamation, who was just a Cal-brwd allowance type, through his four year old season, and then he turned the corner, as a 5yo—turf, dirt, synthetic he just went out on the lead and refused to lose…his Pacific Classic where he turned back Game on Dude , and then staved off Twirling Candy—remaibs the best synthetic horse race, in my opinion, better than Zenyatta’s Classic….
Oh such a fun read. I love to read about an era that I wasn’t as heavily invested in. Raising a child , working, life…. But always watched the KD when it was on TV. My son was 2 when we watched Secretariat win the KD. All these incredible horses and their backgrounds and triumphs.
Bring it on. Mr. Haskin. …. You are chock full of great stories. Just love it!
Steve that was a fun read!
“What color is a gelding?”, laughed outloud.
Forty-Niner and Skip Away, both favorites of mine from that generation.
And Top Knight’s retirement to the farm, that was sweet.
Nice fun article. Maybe give Sam Rubin a little more credit than just being a bicycle salesman. He did pay $25,000 for John Henry. Got lucky , but to win in this great game , we all have to get lucky. Must have sold a lot of bicycles to make that kind of money.
Thank you Mr. Peabody, now I have to find a to find a Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoon to finish my coffee!
It sure was a golden age, and certainly had its moments for a little longer than that. Still does. Always happy to see Formal Gold get deserved recognition. Perfect ending with Top Knight’s odd journey and happy ending.
Flightline filly goes for 1,100,000 at Saratoga.
Davids that was the filly out of All American Dream I mentioned on the previous post.
Lynda, did you catch the sales? That Flightline filly had a wonderful temperament she just stood there without a hair out of place, perfect conformation. The other two Flightline fillies were a bit immature but nice just the same.
The Gun Runner colt, top seller, looked a lot like Bernardini but the two colts I really liked were the two Constitution million dollar sellers. Hip 97 and Hip 109. The Jack Christophers I also liked, and some Nyquists.
Ha ha, If you had the money you’d want too many. Tomorrow should be even better. Tell me who you liked.
Hip 97 by Constitution, bay colt
Hip 13 by Curlin, chestnut filly
Hip 11 by Not This Time, chestnut Filly (purchased by West
Point Thoroughbreds, always interested in who they buy)
Hip 42 Not This Time, brown colt
Lots of eye candy for sure!
Lynda, Hip 97 by Constitution was my absolute favorite.
Maybe she will run more than six times.
The Flightline saga was a testament to what has happened to Racing—Four starts off at least 6 months layoffs…one off three months and one off two—he became so valuable—it would’ve cost $5 million to insure him for a year….perhaps more—Horse Racing should have offered to underwrite his insurance, or tracks should have offered bonus purses, to get him to run….tracks could have charged more, to see him run—the way things are NOW—a great horse is far too valuable, to run—Horse Racing needs to address this, it will happen again and again….
Great comments Matthew.
Unfortunately the top end of racing is just financial speculation. These big prices for yearlings at Saratoga don’t thrill me. With the small, inbred foal crops, racing is dying before our eyes. I never thought Flightline was sound, and now his babies are being bought for crazy prices.
That was a fun read! I was stunned by the stats on Skip Away.
I did not. 😉 Any of it and I refuse to mention the word b**k to you again because it’s very clear you have too much in you for 1 b**k. I was up on Whitney Day and also look forward to your take on that when the thoughts coalesce. In an odd way, it’s comforting to have an interesting year going on. Cheers! Ang
Great trivia.
Was there a trainer change with Cutlass Reality?
I meant to add that and have done so . He was sold and turned over to Craig Lewis.