Patrick Mahomes, Meet Buckpasser
With the NFL season winding down and the playoffs right around the corner, and racing in a bit of a lull until we hit the Derby trail next month, let’s do the logical, or illogical, thing by combining football and racing history as an odd way of introducing one of racing’s all-time greats to those who may not be as familiar with him as they should. ~ Steve Haskin
Patrick Mahomes, Meet Buckpasser
By Steve Haskin
For the past 35 years, whether writing for the Daily Racing Form, Blood-Horse, or Secretariat.com, I have been writing in-depth columns on the great horses of the 1960s and ‘70s, as those were my early heroes who first exposed me to the magical world of Thoroughbred racing.
But as we reach the 60th anniversary of Buckpasser’s emergence as a superstar and his first of five championships I realize I have never written an entire column on him to demonstrate just what a great horse he was and the powerful influence he was at stud, especially through his sons and daughters, forming the foundation of the Phipps family dynasty along with Bold Ruler.
So why haven’t I written about him until now? There have been plenty of anniversaries to do so. Perhaps it is because I haven’t been able to fully explain what made Buckpasser so great. He wasn’t brilliant or dominant like so many of the superstars of that era and he had pacesetters, or rabbits, in a great many of his races to set it up for his late-closing style of running. I just couldn’t find the angle I needed to best describe him to today’s younger racing fans who know little about him and don’t exactly have a burning desire to learn about the great horses of that era. But because many who read my columns do remember those horses I felt it was time to close/revisit that chapter in history by remembering this special horse. But I still needed to have a hook, even if it was a bit far-fetched.
Then in the last couple of weeks I found that hook, and yes it was far-fetched, but who cares. And it didn’t even come from the racing world. It came from professional football and the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs and their superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes. I heard so many football analysts complaining every Monday that no matter how unspectacular the Chiefs look and how many times they appear on the brink of defeat, even in the closing seconds, they always somehow pull out a narrow victory in the closing stages of the game.
It was starting to frustrate many football fans who were getting tired of the Chiefs winning every week and in the same manner. How do you beat this team when they always find a way to win?
Up until the last couple of weeks when Mahomes suffered an ankle injury in a game in which the lowly Cleveland Browns turned the ball over six times, the Chiefs had won 12 of their 13 games and their average margin of victory in all those starts was a mere 5.4 points. Of those 12 wins, 10 were by one score, with margins of one point, two points three times, three points, five points, six points, and seven points three times. During that time Mahomes engineered seven game-winning drives in the fourth quarter.
Then to silence the frustrated critics, they waited for the important final few games of the season to assert their superiority, winning their last three games by an average margin of almost 14 points. Yet they managed to do it without reaching 30 points.
That’s when it hit me. Buckpasser was the Kansas City Chiefs, mainly their miracle worker quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who had the remarkable ability of constantly turning defeat into victory.
That was Buckpasser. You always felt like this was the race you were going to beat him, especially in the final furlong, but he just kept finding a way to win. Yes Buckpasser had his rabbits, but like his fellow magician Mahomes, he also kept pulling them out of his hat week after week. Then in the final races of the year with the championships on the line he managed to win his last two starts by open lengths. It sounds so simple, but like the Chiefs he just seemed to know how to win and in what manner, and in the end compiled one championship after another. And also like Mahomes he had the ability to fight through minor physical issues and still emerge victorious.
The other similarity is that the Chiefs dynasty took over from the longest running dynasty ever, the New England Patriots, who dominated football for two decades. Buckpasser came along at the end of the Kelso dynasty after the gelding won an unheard of five consecutive Horse of the Year titles. Racing desperately needed a new hero, especially one that could continue to draw huge crowds to the New York tracks on a regular basis. Just like with Kelso, it seemed as if Buckpasser’s name was in the Sunday newspapers almost every week. In 1966 he became even more reliable than the beloved gelding. Simply put, like the Chiefs he had no concept of the word defeat, was machine-like in victory, and would dangle that carrot oh so close to his opponents and then yank it away at the last second.
We provided you with statistics that tell you all you need to know about the Chiefs and how unique they are. Buckpasser’s statistics are equally as revealing. As for the horse’s record, for a moment let’s focus on his 3-year-old campaign in portraying what a pure winning machine he was.
After finishing second to his favorite and fastest pacesetter Impressive in a seven-furlong exhibition allowance race at Hialeah, Buckpasser won 13 consecutive races, 11 of them stakes. In those 13 races his average margin of victory was only three-quarters of a length, with 10 of them by less than a length. Like the Chiefs, he did just what he needed to and always found a way to win. Then in the big year-end races at 2 and 3 he won his final races with a measure of authority.
Just as a point of reference, Buckpasser was coming off a championship 2-year-old campaign in which he won six stakes, with four of them by less than a half-length (including a dead-heat), before easily winning the Champagne Stakes by four lengths in his final start of the season. So that is 17 stakes victories at 2 and 3, with 13 of them by under a length.
In fact, from May 29, 1965 to May 30, 1967, he won 24 of his 26 starts with two seconds — the aforementioned seven-furlong exhibition race and the 6 ½-furlong Futurity Stakes to the brilliant filly Priceless Gem. We know Buckpasser did not like to embarrass his opponents, and not passing a filly and losing by a half-length was perhaps to him the gentlemanly thing to do. Well, that’s one way off looking at it.
What all this means is that Buckpasser was the ultimate pack animal who needed competition at all points of a race, even in his workouts, and unlike two of his Hall of Fame contemporaries Damascus and Dr. Fager he had no desire to separate himself from his opponents. As long as there were horses to catch and eyeballs staring back at him he was virtually unbeatable. As his trainer Eddie Neloy said, “The only horse who could beat Buckpasser was Buckpasser. He just gave you a heart attack watching him.”
He was particularly rough on his weak-hearted fans in the 1966 Flamingo Stakes, Hialeah’s signature event for 3-year-olds. This definitely is one you need to watch on YouTube.
The 1 1/8-mile race was one of the most talked about and controversial races in years. Despite the Flamingo drawing nine entries, Hialeah, feeling Buckpasser was a lock and fearing a big minus show pool, decided to make it an exhibition race, which outraged the bettors. No one had ever heard of a nine-horse field run with no wagering. The result was the race being dubbed “The Chicken Flamingo.”
Buckpasser sat just behind the pace and ranged up on the outside to stick his head in front turning for home, which was extremely early for him, and he began to pull himself. In a flash, the hard-knocking Abe’s Hope charged right by him on the far outside and opened a two-length advantage inside the eighth pole. Not even Buckpasser could switch gears that quickly. The race looked all but over. But in one of the most remarkable comebacks ever seen, Buckpasser, as if flooring the gas pedal, came charging back at Abe’s Hope. But the finish line was nearing and he appeared to run out of time. Then, as if out of desperation, he somehow was able to give one final lunge, sticking his nose in front right at the wire, saving Hialeah officials from an embarrassment that would have been difficult to live down.
Buckpasser, #2 inside, wins the 1966 “Chicken” Flamingo Stakes by a nose over Abe’s Hope. The stakes was run as a non-wagering exhibition event at Hialeah Park. Original press photo available for purchase.
But for Buckpasser that was the end of the Triple Crown trail, as a nasty quarter crack would sideline him for three months.
When he returned in early June there was no one to stop him. The other superstar that year, Graustark, who was the shortest priced Kentucky Derby favorite of all time in the Caliente Future Book, was retired after fracturing a coffin bone in the Blue Grass Stakes.
Over the next four months the Buckpasser juggernaut would steamroll his opponents race after race and he became a sure thing every time he ran despite turning every stretch run into an adventure. From Delaware Park to Aqueduct to Arlington Park to Saratoga (Belmont Park was being rebuilt), Buckpasser kept mowing down the opposition, winning his next seven starts all by three-quarters of a length or less before asserting his superiority, by “romping” in the Lawrence Realization (Program Available) and Jockey Club Gold Cup, winning by 2 ½ and 1 ¾ lengths, respectively.
Along the way he defeated older horses in the Brooklyn Handicap, Woodward, and Gold Cup. And don’t think that because he constantly won by narrow margins and had pacesetters clearing the way for him he was not a brilliant horse. He simply had no desire to “show off” and was content to do only what was necessary to win, letting his stablemates do all the early dirty work. But let’s remember before he ever saw a stablemate at 2 he managed to win six consecutive races from five furlongs to six furlongs.
As a 3-year-old, with Impressive scorching the Arlington track with an outrageous six-furlong split of 1:06 4/5 in the Arlington Classic, Buckpasser was able to make up four lengths in the final furlong to set a new world record of 1:32 2/5 for the mile. In the 1 1/8-mile American Derby he came from eight lengths back at the quarter pole under topweight of 128 pounds to set a new track record of 1:47 flat. And in the Travers, he came from 12 lengths back to defeat Belmont Stakes winner Amberoid, equaling the track record of 2:01 3/5.
Buckpasser, with jockey Braulio Baeza aboard, following their track-record equaling victory in the 1966 Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.
In short, he could beat you running as fast as he had to or as slow as was able to. He ran the fastest mile in history, and also the second slowest winning time in the final 30 years the Jockey Club Gold Cup was run at two miles. Unlike today, no one cared about speed figures. Whether he ran fast or slow he was still Buckpasser and you could always find him in the winner’s circle.
Following his two marathon victories at the end of 1966 Buckpasser went to California and captured the seven-furlong Malibu Stakes and two weeks later the 1 1/8 miles San Fernando Stakes. Another quarter crack kept him sidelined for more than four months before he returned to win the May 30 Met Mile under 130 pounds, extending his winning streak to 15 races.
Buckpasser’s winning streak ended after the Met in a rather unconventional way. It was decided by owner Ogden Phipps and Eddie Neloy to point him for the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in France even though he had never run on grass. They decided to prep him with a race on grass in the June 17 Bowling Green Handicap at 1 5/8 miles even though he had only one start in the past five months and had to carry a staggering 135 pounds. He ran a solid race to finish third to his stablemate Poker, who was in receipt of 23 pounds. Finishing second was that year’s grass champion Assagai, getting eight pounds from Buckpasser.
Even still, some observers felt as if Buckpasser, despite the heavy weight, would have won had he worn standard U.S. shoes instead of the “slick” shoes that are worn in Europe.
Learning little, with Poker stealing the race and getting so much weight, the overseas plan was scrapped and Buckpasser showed up 2 ½ weeks later in the Suburban Handicap under 133 pounds. From the quarter pole to the eighth pole it looked as if he was about to taste defeat again. He could not make up any ground on the front-running Ring Twice, winner of that year’s Widener Handicap, who was carrying 22 pounds less. But this was still Buckpasser and like he did in the Flamingo he pretty much willed himself to victory with a spectacular late closing burst of speed to win by a half-length.
What was historic about Buckpasser’s victory in the second leg of the Handicap Triple Crown was that he joined his sire Tom Fool and his dam Busanda as winners of the Suburban Handicap.
Although he had won the the Brooklyn Handicap the previous year as a 3-year-old, he now had an opportunity to join Tom Fool, Kelso, and Whisk Broom II as the only horses to sweep the three big New York handicap races in the same year with another victory in the Brooklyn. But Allen Jerkens, the trainer dubbed “The Giant Killer” stood in his way with the speedy and classy Handsome Boy. As it turned out, Buckpasser had little chance with Handsome Boy being the only speed in a five-horse field and Buckpasser, carrying a burdensome 136 pounds, having to give his rival 20 pounds. Handsome Boy, as expected shot to the front, ran the field off their feet with a 1:09 4/5 three-quarters and coasted to an eight-length score over Buckpasser in 2:00 1/5, three-fifths off the track record.
But the handicap races were now over and the more friendly weight-for-age races were coming up that usually decide the championships, mainly the 1 ¼-mile Woodward Stakes that Buckpasser won the previous year over a deep sloppy track.
Buckpasser, however, came out of the Brooklyn with a slight problem in the area of his right front pastern. For the rest of the summer it was something they had to deal with, but he continued to train well for his highly anticipated showdown against the two superstar 3-year-olds Damascus and Dr. Fager in the Woodward Stakes on September 30. That meant that Buckpasser would have to go into the race off an uncharacteristic nine-week layoff.
During those same nine weeks, Damascus would win three major stakes, breaking the track record in the American Derby with a seven-length romp over In Reality, equaling the track record in the Travers Stakes in a literal canter by 22 lengths, and defeating older horses in the Aqueduct Stakes on Labor Day giving six actual pounds (and 11 pounds on the scale) to Ring Twice, the horse Buckpasser narrowly defeated in the Suburban.
Dr. Fager had defeated Damascus in their only encounter in the Gotham Stakes back in April. His trainer John Nerud felt The Doctor was not quite ready early on to tackle Damascus at a mile and quarter, so he gave him his final Woodward prep in the rich Sept. 2 New Hampshire Sweepstakes at 10 furlongs at Rockingham Park and he answered the distance question by defeating In Reality in 1:59 4/5, shattering the track record by three full seconds.
So the stage was set for the Woodward, which was dubbed “The Race of the Century,” and for good reason. You had one Horse of the Year and two eventual Horses of the Year and three Hall of Famers who, between them, would capture an amazing 12 championships, equal or break 11 track records, set two world records, and win carrying 130 pounds or more 12 times. Six of those records have never been broken.
The Sept. 30, 1967 Woodward Stakes, featuring Buckpasser, Damascus, and Dr. Fager, was called the “Race of the Century,” Each member of this future Hall of Fame trio would be named champion Horse of the Year. Original gem mint condition program available for purchase.
In the weeks leading up to the race, Neloy had to keep working on Buckpasser’s leg, believing the ailment was of an arthritic nature. But the champ kept up his impressive series of works. On September 13 he breezed a full mile in 1:38 3/5 without taking a deep breath. Four days later Neloy gave him a sharpener in the slop and he blazed five furlongs in :59 flat. In a bold move, perhaps to test the colt’s soundness over a distance, he worked him 1 1/8 miles four days later and Buckpasser blew around there in company in racehorse time, covering the nine furlongs in a sensational 1:49 1/5, a second slower than it took Damascus to win the Aqueduct Stakes. But he wasn’t through. Five days later, and four days before the race, he drilled six furlongs in 1:11 flat. There was no doubt he was fit and sharp to take on Damascus and Dr. Fager, as well as Handsome Boy, who had crushed him in the Brooklyn with a huge weight concession.
Neloy sent out Great Power, while Damascus’ trainer Fank Whiteley used former mile world record holder Hedevar in a two-pronged attack to make sure the speedy Dr. Fager didn’t have an easy time of it on the lead. The Doc was being ridden by Bill Boland for the first time with his regular jockey Braulio Baeza, the contract rider for the Phipps horses, committed to Buckpasser.
As history has shown, the two rabbits, especially Hedevar, did their job forcing the tempestuous Dr. Fager into suicidal fractions. Although Damascus took full advantage of it and demolished the field by 10 lengths, Buckpasser could only muster up a mild bid, passing Dr. Fager in the final yards for second.
Unfortunately, he came out of the race with some heat in his right front pastern and was retired to his birthplace Claiborne Farm the next day. “This was the same area that has troubled him all summer,” Neloy said. “It required constant medication during his preparation for the Woodward. While he trained extremely well for the race, Baeza did not think he was his old self on Saturday.”
Baeza added, “Buckpasser wasn’t Buckpasser on Saturday,” he said., “He was not putting out like he can. He tried to run out from the first turn until he got into the stretch. The real Buckpasser was always eager to catch the horse in front. He was not that way on Saturday. I am certain Mr. Phipps made the right decision to retire him, I hate to see a champion not at is best.”
Buckpasser retired with 25 victories in 31 starts and earnings of $1,462,014, becoming the first horse ever to earn $1 million before turning 4. He entered stud having been syndicated for $4.8 million, with Ogden Phipps retaining 50 percent of the shares. One thing he brought to stud with him was a conformation many experts felt was as flawless as any horse they had ever seen.
Buckpasser as a stallion at Claiborne Farm
Buckpasser would go on to become a tremendous class and stamina influence at stud, especially as a broodmare sire through his daughters Relaxing (dam of Belmont winner Easy Goer), Numbered Account (dam of Private Account, sire of Personal Ensign), Alluvial (dam of Belmont winner Coastal and two-time champion and Hall of Famer Slew o’ Gold), Passing Mood (dam of Belmont winner Touch Gold), Con Game (dam of Seeking the Gold), Sex Appeal (dam of El Gran Senor and Try My Best), and Toll Booth (dam of Plugged Nickle and Broodmare of the Year), just to name a few.
His sons Silver Buck and Buckaroo sired Kentucky Derby winners Silver Charm and Spend A Buck, respectively, and his grandson At the Threshold sired Kentucky Derby winner Lil. E. Tee. In addition to siring champion fillies Numbered Account and Relaxing he also sired U.S, and Canadian champion La Prevoyante, who was undefeated in 12 starts as as a 2-year-old.
And to think he was only 15 when he died in 1978 of a ruptured aorta.
The great Charles Hatton wrote of Buckpasser. “He was resolution itself once the heat of battle was on him. Those who have observed him were invariably impressed by his poise and unshakeable self-confidence. He was totally free of nerves.”
As it says atop this story, Patrick Mahomes, meet Buckpasser.
Images courtesy of Bloodhorse Library, New York Racing Association and Secretariat.com Archives.
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.
Horrible news here, the historic Caulfield racecourse Grandstand is on fire. All that history has gone up in flames. It was a beautiful setting for people to gather and not just for racing. Misery starts the year.
So sorry to hear this devastating news, Davids. Caulfield is synonymous with Australian racing. My heart goes out to all the horsemen and fans who regarded Caulfield with affection. I pray that no human or equine casualties were reported?
Dewey, horses ceased training at Caulfield in late 2021 due to massive community development around the racetrack so there are no casualties, human or horse. Thankfully. However, the fire is suspicious. No doubt, the historic Grandstand was holding back what some developers wanted to fully extend.
Caulfield is a suburb within the Glen Eira City Council, a group of suburbs within the City of Melbourne, it’s the richest Council in Australia. I used to work in the Caulfield Hospital/Caulfield Community Health Centre.
All of that is so sad, and I hate to hear it, Davids!
Here in the midlands of SC, we have seen a whole lot of suspicious fires just like that. They usually occur here when a developer takes on a property with historically significant buildings that they were supposed to improve/preserve alongside the new development. Conveniently, the new parking garages and high rise apartment buildings never catch on fire.
I am really sorry that this is apparently an international phenomenon. Add careless overdevelopment to my beefs with humankind.
So true Katy, Caulfield Racecourse now is not the same Caulfield I visited 18 years ago when I worked at Caulfield Hospital, the surrounding areas is being developed, it’s massive.
In case you may be interested, you can search under Caulfield Structure Plan 2022 you can see the huge development around the Caulfield Racecourse.
As you have noted in SC, it’s totally quiet here at present in the early summer holiday period with most people on holidays so ‘things’ can happen undercover.
Oh no, David – I’m heartbroken for you!
Betsy, it’s irreplaceable I’m not sure what was saved. So sad.
That’s terrible, I feel bad for you Davids. But they’ll rebuild the damaged section, won’t they? If there’s a fund for it, post it on here, if that’s ok with the blog.
Discopartner, yes they’ll rebuild the grandstand but it was connected to the rooms where historic treasures, paintings were housed. Where famous racing identities once gathered etc. Breaks your heart.
That’s a shame, sorry to hear that.
Oh Davids, I just saw that on X. I am so sorry
Yes, Lynda, it’s bad enough that horse racing is being squeezed out around the world but watching the physical historic structures vanish is just horrible.
I am so sorry to hear that, Davids! I remember how devastated I was when Arlington Park’s grandstand burned down in 1985. It’s hard to lose a beloved place.
Exactly right, arlingtonfan, a beloved place where you felt connected to the past. It won’t be the same.
That’s very true, and applies to plain buildings with a past, not just famous places. I don’t know why, but any place can be special. Not to downplay this huge public grandstand and gathering place.
From news reports, looks like only a portion of the grandstand was on fire. But the entire structure could be compromised. So sorry to hear about this.
Yes Ms Blacktype, but it’s the historic grandstand and the rooms behind the grandstand are where the historic treasures were housed. Fingers crossed they were able to save the paintings, cups, plates etc.
Police have arrested a 50 year old man caught on CCTV intentionally and strategically setting fire to a wheelie bin full of paper on the upper deck of the Norman Robinson Stand.
What has been heavily damaged is the 1876 Bar and the Medallion Bar. According to Melbourne Racing Club Chairman, John Kanga, these historic settings will be preserved due to their heritage value to the racing community.
Ceasars Sportsbook has updated the odds on the 2025 KD. I’m not surprised that three out of the top four betting choices were sired by Into Mischief.
Barnes, 15-1
Patch Adams, 22-1
Sovereignty, 22-1
Journalism, by Curlin, is listed at 20-1.
Two big longshots to consider, Disco Time, by Not This Time is 66-1. He could be pointed to the Lecomte, on Jan. 18th.
Burning Glory is a Juddmonte homebred, by Into Mischief, out of a Tapit mare, is listed at 100-1. He broke his maiden at Churchill on Dec. 1st, going a mile in a good time of 1:35.40. Betting a few bucks on Burning Glory, at 100-1, might be worth the risk, IMO.
Bill:
Barnes is now 10-1; pretty low odds at this point of Derby trail. I agree with you re Disco Time, now 60-1 and Burning Glory; definitely worth a few $ at those odds…So far, I have Journalism at 79-1, Bullard at 44-1, Barnes at 27-1, Admiral Dennis at 79-1, and Patch Adams at 60-1…now waiting to see how things shape up as distances and competition increase…Best of luck this year; hope you cash a big exacta!
Also, Rodriguez was just added at 50-1…
Thanks for the reply, biggy312.
Journalism, at 79-1, was a steal. It appears he is pointed to the Robert B. Lewis, on Feb. 1st. Also, getting Patch Adams at 60-1 was a great bet as well.
Great insight on your part.
So far, I haven’t placed any Derby Futures bets, but I just might get a few down on January 17th when KD Futures Pool #3 opens. It all depends on the odds.
If in fact Disco Time runs in the Lecomte Stakes and wins it in convincing fashion, his odds will drop substantially.
Anyway, best of luck with your futures bets.
Good luck on your Journalism bet at 79-1. I bet Journalism at 52-1 in KDFW2 to win and boxed him with the field. Journalism will get tested again by the Bafferts in the R.Lewis with Citizen Bull running. Journalism won round 1 in the Los Al Futurity.
Joe P:
Good luck to you as well!
Hi Bill…thanks for pointing that out as
I am a huge fan of Into Mischief!!
I’m also (or was) a huge of handicap and weight for age races as Mr. Haskin speak of here….gosh….i miss those days
Gerard
You’re welcome, Gerard, and thanks for the reply.
I find it amazing that Into Mischief has some many prospects on this year’s Derby trail. Little wonder he’s been the top National Sire, year in and year out.
I’m anxious to see how he’s crop of 2yr. olds perform this year. Stay tuned for that.
Currently, I would rate Barnes as the top Into Mischief colt on the Derby trail, followed by Patch, Citizen Bull and Sovereignty.
Good luck, Gerard.
Coal Battle’s trainer talks about him in some short interviews on the web. He seems like a nice man and is bringing him along steadily, says he’s unique and sounds pleased about him. I noticed he’s as game as can be when he races, animals always give their all.
I haven’t been too interested in any of the 3 yo nominees so far, 7 furlongs isn’t far enough to judge a horse’s ability to win the Derby, so that lets out a few from current consideration. Even though Coal Battle had one of the slower times at one mile, his response and instincts were good during the race, and I think horses can go faster, once they race a few times, and if they have to, as last year’s 3 yo crop proved as the season went on. His trainer mentioned pace, and having had fast horses, he knows what he’s doing.
7 furlongs with small fields is not a way to gauge a horse’s abilities. Year after year, we see precocious horses run fast 6 and 7 furlongs with high “speed numbers”.
Eventually, the routers with stamina come into the picture around March and April. I’m curious to see what transpires in the next couple of months.
I really like Coal Battle as well.
In the one interview I watched his trainer said next race would be either the Rebel or the Arkansas Derby.
If the Arkansas Derby, he will probably be facing a Baffert trainee or maybe two. I stand to be corrected but I think Baffert’s colts have won the Arkansas Derby multiple times. He seems to prefer running in the AD rather than other East Coast points races.
I believe Coal Battle has won twice at two turns.
I hope he goes to the Rebel, then the Ak Dby, to give him more races before the Kentucky Derby. I think Baffert has Barnes pointed there.
Evidently there were some serious futures wagers at William Hill after Barnes recent win: he is now 10-1! Not sure I would bet at that price, but glad I have him at 27-1.. Journalism and Patch Adams are currently 20-1, Admiral Dennis moved from 60-1 to 45-1…Rodriguez just added at 50-1
Thank heaven the incredible achievements of Buckpasser will never die. I understand the Chiefs got skunked 30-zip in the playoffs today.
It wasn’t the playoffs – just the last game of the season where they didn’t play any starters
Oops, I was premature! Guess this means Mahomes can still pull another rabbit out of the hat.
Yes, yes he can….yay!
I’m a Bears fan, but I like the Chiefs …
I am celebrating the 15-2 season the Detroit Lions put together! I bought myself a new Lions sweatshirt for Thanksgiving this year. I’d have shelled out for it years ago if I’d thought it would have helped. Goodness knows, for years the only word for the Lions was hapless. My cousin and I grew up idolizing Barry Sanders, so watching the success this year with a running back as exciting as Jahmyr Gibbs has been a thrill! Not to mention that they’ve had so many injuries, they’ve had to shuffle players’ positions weekly – in baseball, we would call those guys super-utility players. I haven’t enjoyed the NFL this much in 25 years!
Buckpasser was before my time, I was eight when the three all time greats met in a race, the only time that has occured…but I have a Buckpasser story, of sorts….
I was a “number prodigy”—I could do number multiplications very quickly—and I would tinker with baseball and football and basketball stats—Horse Racing was my passion…..
As a high school junior, during Novel class…I started making out my dream field—14 horses at Churchill Downs, 10 furlongs—and I also figured out the odds, complete with a 15 1/2% takeout! Mind you this was around 1975…..the four horses I had under 10-1 were: Secretariat as $2.70-1 favorite…Man O War $3.10-1….Citation $5.30-1 and Swaps $8.80-1…….every other horse was double digits, and I used numbers in my hat—to decide the order of finish—-I “played” a three-horsr exacta box of Secretariat, Swaps and 38-1 Exterminator! I remember Dr Fager was 22-1 (my friend said that price was ridiculous)….
The “winner” was Buckpasser, at $12.70-1….Secretariat 2nd and Man O War 3rd! The two Big Reds were battling, when Buckpasser came up the inside—just like he did in The Malibu—the day Buckpasser paid $27.40!….
Next up on the 2025 Derby prep trail, the Lecomte Stakes at the Fair Grounds on Jan. 18th., with 20 points going to the winner. If Brad Cox chooses to enter Disco Time in the race, I like his chances for the win.
We could see Steve’s top fifteen 2025 KD prospects on Jan. 18, or thereabouts.
Currently, my top 15 are as follows (not necessarily in preferential order).
Barnes
Citizen Bull
Sovereignty
Patch Adams
Built
Journalism
Rated by Merit
First Resort
Disco Time
Bullard
Grayscale
Rodriguez
Poster
Sandman
Donut God
Nice list, Bill! Here’s my top 15 (too many trained by You-Know-Who, but they’ll sort themselve s out eventually):
Patch Adams
Barnes
East Avenue
Chancer McPatrick
Gaming
Journalism
Coal Battle
Bullard
Built
Croix du Nord
First Resort
Madaket Road
Rodriguez
Sovereignty
Sandman
Thanks, Ms Blacktype
Question: Is there any particular reason you left Citizen Bull out of your top 15 list?
I go back and forth on him. He’s done nothing wrong, he’ll be 2YO champion, and he has a great pedigree. On the other hand, he won on an easy lead in the Juvenile, and wasn’t tested in the American Pharoah either. I’d have room for him in the Top 15 if I omitted the Japanese horse, who I understand has bucked shins and is being rested.
I like you have a king of the Far East on your list. He would definitely add some intrigued to the KD field if they decide to go that route. They have 2 chances remaining to collect qualifying points in the Hyacinth in February and the Fukuryu in March. The last option would be to come to USA by nominating in a race or be supplemented. Interesting nonetheless.
Thanks, kmi.
Hey Bill .. great list. We still have a few in the “wait n see” mode. Donut God, Grayscale, Bullard, Barnes, Disco Time, and Patch Adams. Not all of them will pass the grade on their 1st attempt, but some of those will have a decent showing and show their real abilities at a 1⅛ mile. Glad to see East Avenue and Citizen Bull back to preparing for their 3 year old debuts. Hope all stay healthy and safe.
Thanks for the reply, kmi
Yes indeed, it’s still very early on the 2025 KD trail, and as you mentioned, the upcoming Derby prep races, at 9 furlongs, will be a major test for stamina.
Finding a colt with impressive speed, and the ability that speed over a distance of ground, is the key factor in determining a potential Derby prospect, IMO.
Good luck, kmi.
edit: “and the ability to carry that speed over a distance of ground”
My list is extremely similar!
Pnutbutter Whisky got my year stated in a big way with a score at 44/1 at Turfway Park. It was a classic case of trip handicapping after reviewing the video of his last race.
My burden is now to manage my bank roll throughout the TC Trail. That will be difficult as far too often I lack discipline.
I do not know how many contributors saw my post below regarding Coal Battle. The little colt has lined my pocket again whilst Hot Property was a no show.
How serious is Coal Battle as KD Prospect? As stated in my post, there are 5 horses sired by Seattle Slew in his fist 5 generation. It wouldn’t be stretch to assume he has inherited some of the TC winner’s ability.
He isn’t flashy but flashy isn’t what it takes to get a horse to the line in front. It’s ability and the will to win
The nominees for the Eclipse for Champion 2YO male excluded East Avenue whom I think is deserving of the honor.
As usual, let me hasten to state the I envisage no shared perspective regarding this opinion.
In 2019 I was adamant that the undefeated Maxfield was deserving of the Eclipse despite his absence from the BCJ. His impressive win in the G1 Keeneland Breeders Futurity would have propelled him the past time favorite in the BCJ. But an injury kept him out.
The BCJ winner Storm The Court was awarded the Eclipse. That colt didn’t win another race in its 26 starts subsequent to its BCJ win. He proved to be an unworthy recipient of the Eclipse that rightful belonged to Maxfield. Maxfield won either 6 or 7 races subsequent to missing the BCJ.
The likes of American Pharaoh and Share Belief didn’t contest the BCJ but were awarded the Eclipse for Champion 2YO based on their BOW leading up to the BCJ.
East Avenue wasn’t absent from the BCJ. However, his misfortune at the start equated to him being absent as he had no chance of winning thereafter.
I was told that Citizen Bull defeated East Avenue on the square. Whilst that disclosure was not entirely correct. It is a fact that Citizen Bull finished ahead in East Avenue in the BCJ. But the why cannot be ignored. Has there been an instance in which a defeated BCJ entrant was awarded the Eclipse over its victor?
The then undefeated Lookin At Lucky was defeated by Vale Of York on the square in the 2009 BCJ. Lookin At lucky was awarded the Eclipse. This example suggests it isn’t always the case of who defeated whom.
East Avenue has the most impressive resume leading up to the BCJ which resulted in the colt’s post time favoritism of $1.80. Citizen Bull won the BCJ at 16/1. The post time odds for both colts is an indication of the significant difference in which their pre BCJ performances were viewed.
Counter, liked EA from beginning. Interesting one to follow going forward.
Me too!
I was surprised that Chancer McPatrick was a nominee and not East Avenue — although perhaps Chancer got the nod because he won two grade 1 races and East Avenue only one. I like both horses immensely and will follow the progress of each with great interest.
I like East Avenue more than Citizen Bull….but ‘Bull deserves the award…..
My fellow contributor,
If a contributor goes by the ID Counter Point. What would be expected from form said contributor’s keyboard?
This why I am grossly disappointed with the labels assigned to me that run contrary to what I believe I bring to this blog. But I might be presumptuous to assume that I bring something to this blog. It could very well be I am misplaced antagonist/provocateur.
The comment on Barnes can best be classifies as driven by unbridled emotions due more to reverence for the colt’s trainer, rather than its performance. A performance that was on average with those by previous winners that were not acquired for $3.2M and engulfed in pre debut hype.
In 2016 Nyquist established the SR (1:20.71) for the San Vicente for dirt. That is considered to be the high bar for the stake. Just as the high bar for the KD was set by the colt in whose legacy this website is named in honor.
In 2023 Nysos won the 7F Best Pal in 1:21.71. Was Nysos the subject of some of these overblown accolades regarding Barnes?
In the previous 10 renewals of the San Vicente 3 winners (Sparky Ville/ Ilaid/Nyquist ) recorded faster final times than the 1:22.15 by Barnes. One winner (Lord Nelson) recorded the same time as Barnes.
If the records for the 10 renewals prior to the last 10 years is accessed. It will reflect that 5 winners recorded times faster than that which Barnes recorded.
Given the above, why is Barnes performance deemed so impressive?
The high-water mark for 7F for the 2022 crop (1:20.77) by Patch Adams. Having watched Patch Adams’ explosion in the stretch, with ground devouring strides. Why are so many in awe of Barnes’ 1:22.15?
Barnes was assigned an Equipage figure of 99. Patch Adams was assigned a 110 for his 7F win. An 11 points difference. But this cold fact is rendered meaningless because Barnes is trained by the Divine One.
Barnes performance was nothing special. It should be noted for comparison to Swale another 7F stake that is devoid of KD points.
Time only matters when you’re doing it! You cannot compare times like that! Be honest, IF–Barnes were in another barn…say—your favorite Mr Cox—would you be as dismissive, regarding the colt? Why hate the horse? Just LOOK at him, he looks incredible! 1:22 yesterday, on THAT track—hand ridden home.. ..that’s a nice colt..
Not only do i not like Cox, Pletcher,Asmussen,Miller,many others as well.
Matt,
You make too much sense but you can preach all you want but it won’t matter to some here as long as a certain trainer is training them.
Lol.
Aee you seriously endorsing the hate conclusion?
Patch Adams won over 7F in 1:20+. he isn’t at the top of any KD list.
Barnes wins over 7F in 1:22+ and he is suddenly the favorite to win the KD
Does the above make sense to you.
Matt,
I provided some comparative information on the colt’s performance and gave my opinion that I didn’t consider it e to be anything special. Patch Adams was more impressive over 7F.
You have equated my assessment to hate.
Come brother, you ae much beet than your hate conclusion.
Bill Dawson requested comments on Patch Adams. I provided one and he got upset.
Some folks see a glass as half full whilst other see it as half empty.
Steve.
Now with the holidays out of the way and with visiting of family and friends and the parties out of the way it back to the business of reconnecting with horse racing especially with your upcoming soon to be published and always anticipated Derby dozen. I found the article on Mike Repole and his love for Uncle Mo very insightful and touching. Mr Repole is very good for this game and hope it continues.
Your article here on Buckpasser was also very informative as I knew the name but not the story behind him. I found it interesting that being owned by Ogden Phipps that he was sent to run at Santa Anita as Phipps always seemed like a New York kind of guy and did not think much or racing out west. Also did not realized he ran against the likes of Dr Fager and Damascus. He was quite a horse in his own right.
Love these kind articles and always appreciate when you write them. Have great week !!!
Steve, I went over to you tube after reading your article to see some of Buckpassers old races and they are just jaw dropping. What a magnificent thoroughbred. I admit I only watch the NFL during playoffs as I switched to the NHL many moons ago, I don’t have much viewing of Mr. Mahones and his team but Buckpasser was simply phenomenal on the track. One of lifes pleasures is to be curled up in a favorite chair on a cold winters night with a very good book, i received a lovely cloth covered 1st edition of John Henry for Christmas, life is good !! Wishing all here a Happy and Healthy New Year and thank you Steve, your writing brings enjoyment to so many.
That was a impressive run by Barnes. Seems comfortable and well within his capabilities, how ever high that ceiling is. Getting him more fine tuned with a good attitude only makes him more efficient and tough to beat.
Looking forward to Barnes and Bullard to stretch out. Rodriguez took care of biz with his 1st time routing with a excellent time to boot.
By the results of the G2 San Vincente, Barnes has taken a step forward in supplanting Bullard in the #10 spot on my Top 10 + 1 list.
I puzzled by the fact that Counter Point, (AKA Cold Facts, AKA Pointofview) has not posted a comment on Barnes’ impressive win in the San Vincente Stakes.
I take it he is not a Barnes/Baffert fan. Oh well, to each his own.
Edit: I’m puzzled
Just as puzzled couple weeks ago ‘John’ went missing after a five horse race in which a barn had three horses,failed to prevail. It’s still early Bill.
I am thrilled for Lonnie Briley and Coal Battle’s win today.
When a relatively unknown trainer in his later years finds success with a $70,000 colt it makes for a special moment in the sport of horse racing.
There is a great interview with Lonnie on the FanDuel FB page if anyone is interested.
The colt’s record so far is 6 starts 4-0-0 and $453,875 in earnings.
Wishing him the best of luck going forward.
Barnes looked very good winning the San Vincente. Journalism has one more race under his belt than Barnes and I’m sure M. McCarthy will have him ready to take on Citizen Bull or whoever else shows up in the R.Lewis on 2-1.
A 7f non-prep. Don’t count your roses just yet …
Yes, Michelle still early in game.
Citizen Bull, another Baffert prospect on the Derby trail, is likely pointed to the Robert B. Lewis on Feb. 1st., with 20 Derby points going to the winner. Journalism, the impressive winner of the Los Alamitos Futurity, is likely pointed to the RBL as well.
I’ll go with Citizen Bull.
JJ Hernandez commented on hiw Barnes briefly came off the bridle, and when ge re-enaged him Barnes reached out and re-broke—good luck beating him! JJ loves him—and Bob likes JJ, now, I doubt he will change riders, I think JJ Hernandez has become Bob’s #1 …..when Prat rides out here—I have a hard time distinguishing between the two, they look alike, on a horse, both have long arms, for a jockey….Hernandez got beat on the 1-5 Las Flores favorite, beat by a good filly from Chile named Richi, who got a terrific ride by Kimura—JJ won five today. ..Barnes and Rodriguez both looked very good….
Matt, JJ Hernandez has been BB’s #1 jockey for about a year now. BB does use Prat on some of his horses when Prat is in town but I think Prat has move his tack back east and rides a lot now on C. Brown and B. Cox’s horses.
Barnes looked very impressive today and we will see if he can carry his speed a distance but he is a very big horse and looked like he can go longer.
BTW how is your eyesight? Has it improved in that one eye? Hope the best for you in that dept.
Well…..when Bob goes east—JJ stays home….I’m saying THIS is the year JJ becomes #1—and rides his #1 horses in the big races..
Thank you and others for your concern about my eye….unfortunately it has not recovered, I am diabetic, but this came rather sudden…a headache and then vision loss….I like to read at night—and have found those CBS Nystery Theatre episodes, and have been listening to them at night, when it gets too hard to read….again, thank you for your concern…
Matthew W, I am very sorry to learn your eye has not improved.
My Dad lost most of his sight in his left eye when I was 15. He had undiagnosed hypertension that caused a blood clot.
Over time he did learn to compensate for the loss of vision. Hopefully you will too.
Sorry too hear that Matt, Diabetes is a horrible disease as it ran in my dad’s side of the family as along with himself his mother and all his brother’s and sisters had it and all died from complications from it. You have to be vigilant and stay on top of it as it creeps up on you fast (like you have found out) . Good luck and take care.
Matthew, I have to overwork my eyes for work so whenever possible I use audiobooks, audio plays as a means to rest your eyes. Don’t give up on regaining your sight there are advances in health extraordinarily with the help of AI.
Hang in there, Matthew. I get migraines during which I sometimes become temporarily blind, and it is scary as heck. I am always so relieved when things return to normal. I hope you can get the best care to get to the bottom of this, and preserve your sight.
Coal Battle made a convert out of me today. He was very impressive. That said, Barnes looks looked like a monster — at least at 7 furlongs. My Top 12 / Top 15 list is now overflowing thanks to today’s races. Others who impressed me as having plenty of upside: Treaty of Rome (just a jump behind a tiring Guns Loaded in the Mucho Macho Man); Rodriguez, who blew away a nice field of maidens early on the Santa Anita card (good job Rank! O’Neill needs to find you some softer competition — maybe Hot Springs?); and Cyclone State, in spite of the slow time. There was a nasty headwind at Aqueduct today.
Barnes and Citizen Bull appear to be the top two colts sired by Into Mischief moving forward on the 2025 Derby trail. To the surprise of no one, both colts are trained by Bob Baffert who would like nothing better than to have both of his colts in the Kentucky Derby starting gate on May 4th, 2025. Based on what I saw today in his San Vincente win, I would rank Barnes at number one and Citizen Bull at number two.
Zedan Racing Stables, Inc., purchased Barnes for $3.2 million dollars and were lambasted from all sides for paying such a high price. When all is said and done, it may turn out that Barnes was worth the purchase price. Time will tell.
Barnes got an outstanding female family which makes him a very expensive Sire especially if he is able to fetch a Grade 1 win.
Also, the success of many sires by Into Mischief makes Barnes even more attractive to breeders…
Nelson,
You’re right on when it comes to the $$$ Barnes might bring when it comes to his syndication value. If he can stay healthy and continues to win the sky is the limit to what value he may bring. Just ask the owners of Justify and Flightline.
And as far as Baffert going to $3.2 million for Barnes there were others bidding on him that inflated the price but saw what he saw in this horse and so far Barnes is paying dividends for him. Have a great day Mr Mann as I enjoy your post.
Still long way until Derby.
My point is that he is valued more than 3.2 million right now… if anyone is interested in acquiring his breeding rights right Now he should pay way more than that…
Sir,
your intellect is recognized and highly regarded in this forum. With that stated. your comments above is inconsistent with your status as an intellectual.
A Select Yearling is acquired for $3.2M. It wins a 5 1/2F on debut fully extended, not keeping a straight is course and inefficient with its lead change.
It follows up with a win in its G2 Stakes debut over 7F with it best opponent emerging as a fellow last our MSW winner.
Based on a MWS win <6F; A G2 Stakes win <8F. This colt's value has escalated beyond its purchase price of $3.2M
With almost of respect sir. Do you seriously believe what you have written? And do you believe this is reflective of your intellect?
If put up for sale today? What would be YOUR prediction, when the gavel drops?…
No, he is NOT valued at $3.2MM right now.
Someone paid that for him, but he only won a 7f non-prep stakes.
It was a nice race and a nice win in a minor stakes with no KD points.
Purchase price has no bearing on ability. After all, there has been only one seven figure auction horse to ever win the KD (FP). Sierra Leone came close last year…. lugging and bumping his way into second. As we’ve seen in the past, four months is eternity for these young horses. Also, attrition has a way of making things a bit more complicated.
Correct Zany!
Zany,
I don’t agree with you on most things but your quote of “Purchase price has no bearing on ability ” is one I will agree on. Just ask the people that purchased “The Green Monkey” The same can also be said of pedigree does not always guarantee a champion.
Equibase –
Citizen Bull -105
Barnes – 99
Patch Adams – 110
Congrats to Coal Battle. As stated couple weeks ago, a good horse can come from anywhere. Some lose their minds on high profile barns.
I love losing my mind on high profile… BARNES !!!
Sure! Funny and sad on a certain site this eve,individual posting and answering back to same. Btw, say hello to ‘Goodman’ Lol!
Again delusional Mike… this is the only site I post on
You wrote the book on delusional. Don’t cry when Derby goes sideways this year.
They sure do lose their mind(s) …
Always!
Coal Battle slays them in the Smarty Jones, Hot Property provides nothing.
I loved Coal Front…nice to see him with a good one!
Me, too! So happy for Coal Battle and his connections!
And he did it on the front end, showing versatility !
Arlingtonfan, it just makes your heart sing.
Yes indeed!
Yes, Betsy, Coal Front overcame so many problems and it’s great to see Coal Front give him a boost at stud.
He was just moved to Louisiana, I think – better off there than at Spendthrift
Love that he showed how versatile he is!
Yes, Betsy, Red River Farm.
Coal Battle that is. Ha ha
By the way, Rank did all the dirty work in pushing Bob’s colt – the runner up clunked up
Rank can run some – but he’s not good enough right now to beat the best colts on dirt, so I think they need to try him on turf. He’s not bred for it, but he has a turfy stride
He showed speed today, so that’s good
Betsy, Rank’s dam Fabulous Babe was stakes placed three times on turf. Just bide your time, eventually he’ll win a stakes race. I know how frustrating it can be but that’s racing, when you least expect it lightning will strike.
At Santa Anita—if you have a nice three year old you are running against Bob’s colts—Doug needs to either try turf or ship—Rank ran his heart out today, and battled a costly half brother to Mage and Dornooch named Baeza…Baeza got a close 2nd, as you said Rank did the dirty work—Baeza, Barnes, Mirahmadi it was a day of famous namesakes!
She was?
Thanks for that! Then it’s time to try him on that – can’t hurt!
It is frustrating – I’d just like to see him win a race first, lol
But you’re right – just waiting for that lightning !
Matthew, to be brutally honest, after previous experience I am very leery of getting too carried away with Bob Baffert, Brad Cox, Todd Pletcher ‘super colts’ that skyrocket early in the year.
Coal Battle was feeling so good today that he won almost wire to wire in a surprising change of running tactics… and still kicked strongly in the homestretch… let’s see how his burning coal lasts in the coming months…
LOL
Keep that coal fire stoked!
Love this boy!
Stop!
Don’t jinx him!
Nelson, you probably know more than I would but has Brad Cox’s ‘better Derby hopes’ been performing badly?
Admiral Dennis and Hot Property were dissapointing runners in their Stakes debuts.
But it could be better for other Cox’s hopefuls like Patch Adams, Disco Time, Uncle Jim, Gunmetal and the leading New Yorker 2-year-old Sacrosanct.
Brad Cox might have other good 3-year-old coming up the next two months…
Yes, Nelson, the established superstar trainers seem to have a conveyer belt of star colts that perform outstandingly for one or two races then vanish from sight.
Yeah, also like a barn out west.
Mike ,
you must be talking about trainer ,John Shirreffs, were 3 horses named Skinner, Justique and Mc Vay just vanished from his barn recently.
You have way too much time in your hands.
I’ve been very high on several Into Mischief colts on the 2025 KD trail.
In winning the San Vincente, Barnes has stamped himself as a major Derby prospect.
Other Into Mischief colts on the Derby trail:
Patch Adams
Citizen Bull
Sovereignty
Praetor
Donut God
Tappan Street
Burning Glory
Only Sovereignty and Praetor got Buckpasser in their female families… we should keep in mind this a Buckpasser column the first week of the year…
Barnes was more professional today … he was all business running straigth this time winning the San Vicente Stakes in 1:22.15 finishing in 12.55 the last furlong.
Let’s see how the son of Into Mischief does over two turns…
Pre-San Vincente notations: Smooth Cruisein again has been rambunctious, so they legged up Gonzales in the saddling barn….Bullard has also been a handful, tossing his head in the saddling barn, and kicking up a storm in the walking ring!
By the way—Bullard…no matter how he fares today—is tiny in size..
Wow, that is tiny.
Bullard is behaving well after warming up… BTW I was surprised to see that Bullard weighs “only” 996 lb… he is nimble indeed…
Romanesque weighs 1255 lb…!
Congrats Matthew for your faith in Barnes… I was not a believer after his not so pretty debut but he is getting better now…
Well I heard about that recent gate work, is all….he also has had a Churchill Downs ship….
Congrats Matthew!
Thanks, Mike, he was even money—Bob has a lot of good three year olds this year…maybe no Nysoss…or Charlatans..or Nadals–but maybe he can keep them on the track this year—I guess Gaming will be sent out to Oaklawn, and he still has a few that have yet to debut—I’ve hit big on the Derby five times.. but never on a Bob horse—Im standing pat with Journalism, who will stay like a mother in law!..
Rodriguez got hooked, by Rank–who was again bet down to 2-1—Rodriguez pulled away in fast time, that is going to Beyer high—
I love that Rank at least tried …I hope they try him on turf…
Rank is a good horse..Doug isn’t doing hom any favors, but I think the colt keeps “telling” Doug he is ready—but Bob has too much barn! If I owned Rank—I would give him six weeks off, then bring him back slowly—then move him thru his conditions, NO STAKES RACES—until he wins a couple times, and then—there are many big purses, in lessor Derbies….Rank could compete with those types, but not Bob’s Brigade, heck—even Cox, Pletcher, Brown and the rest–would have trouble winning maiden races against Bob….
Matt, I would have given him a break after the Los Al Futurity…..but Rank ran a huge race today, so I think I was wrong. He’s a very sturdy colt who apparently loves to race
I would ship him to FG so he could run longer than a mile. Well now I’d try him on turf – his dam was multiple SP on the grass, and he has the stride for it
Maybe he’ll be a much better turf horse…
San Vincente-Romanesque.
Jerome-Ican
MMM-Cool Intentions
Smarty Jones-Kale’s Angel. Longshot-Bon Temps.
McAfee is a late scratch in the Jerome Stakes, at Aqueduct. I’ll replace him Studlydoright as my pick in that Derby prep race.
In the Smarty Jones, I’ll go with Kale’s Angel.
MMM, Guns Loaded
San Vincente, Bullard.
Safe trips to all.
Bullard looks ready to continue knocking down other high-profile horses from Baffert’s barn.
Studlydoright is the class in the Jerome Stakes… the one to beat for sure. The value play is (3)Ican. My Superfecta is:
3-Ican/7-Studlydoright
3-Ican/7-Sutdlydoright
2/4/6
2/4/6
Peter Miller has done a great job with Kale’s Angel by running in a prep on dirt at Oaklawn to confirm the son of Complexity is an excellent dirt runner… His impresive 5.5-furlong win is a great prep for the Smarty Jones Stakes. The angle of turf to dirt has been working very well for these young prospects…
Kale’s Angel on top with 3-Optical, 5-Mo Quality, 5-Hot Property and 8-Coal Battle completing the high-5.
In the Mucho Macho Man I like 3-McKellen to win with Irad Ortiz Jr. up taking advantage of the impending early hot pace. 1-Guns Loaded, 4-Treaty of Rome, 5-Coal Intentions, and 9-Sonic Skidaddle to fill the Super.
Good luck Bill!
Correction: Optical (3) was scratched from the Smarty Jones Stakes…
Hey Nelson
The finishing time in the Jerome was relatively slow, but Cyclone State was clearly the best.
Yes Bill…Cyclone State was too fast for them… We are accustomed to see the speed dominating in the qualifying races in January and February
Good win wire to wire by Guns Loaded in the Mucho Macho Man … with the scratch of Rolando the son of Gun Runner got away with very comfortable early pace…
I hope Kale’s Angel wins the same way … I am surprised to see him as the fourth choice at 4 to 1 behind Mo Quality, Hot Property and Coal Battle …
I think Barnes will run well, tomorrow…and so will Smooth Cruisein—both will get the jump on Bullard! Karen Headley has a nice colt, $41k Florida bred yearling—got loose being saddled, while always acting up….broke behind the field, easily passing Mellancamp and Journalism…..there is huge upside for this colt…
Matthew,
I am a bit confused.
Barnes made his way into a KD Future Pool as an unnamed betting interests. He was the favored Betting Interest in the last Pool if All Others is ignored.
Why would it be necessary to state that you think he will run well? What exactly would inhibit him from running well given his hype and debut effort?
I have note Barnes and forgotten him. Why?
1) How many TC winners have been a dam sire of KD winner?
2) How many multi-million-dollar yearlings trained by BB have emerged as monsters?
3)Fast stride turnover rate whilst hitting the ground hard isn’t the mechanics for 10F.
Hitting ground hard,isn’t as we know, ideal for racing.
Well I heard he looked pretty good in a recent work….he did ship and win on the wrong lead, getting bottled inside—I heard he worked with another nice colt and beat him easily—and don’t overlook Smooth Cruisein, colt had every excuse in his debut run—yet he won…..
Barnes recent gate work he dominated Rodriguez, who ran 1:35 3/5 today, after battling with Rank….
Well OK…but how can you talk Kentucky Derby and not talk about the guy’s three year olds???….
I’m sure that CyberTruckin Barnes will run good. The main objective is to set him up for the longer, more lucrative races, win or lose the San Vincente.
Like Bullard for the win.
Hats off to you Matthew W, you had Barnes all the way.
Bullard didn’t live up to my expectations.
Hey Bill .. I wanted to reply to your query about Disco Time’s inbreeding to Storm Cat but there is no “reply” element beneath your last to me…
Anyway, I don’t see any problem with the 3×4 Storm Cat appearance in Disco Time’s pedigree. If the horse has an excellent conformation and speed I don’t see any ill effect of repeated sires in the pedigrees (3rd generation and further). BTW champion Forte is also inbred to Storm Cat (4×4)…
The dangers of excessive inbreading lie in the likelihood of negative traits being passed to the offspring. I would define inbreeding as consanguinity in the second and third generations for Thoroughbreds. Sometimes inbreeding also accentuates positive traits in animals. I believe that repeated sires from a male side combined with the same sire from mares could be actually beneficial in many cases.
You may remember how people were questioning Essential Quality’s excessive inbreeding in his 4th and 5th generation (4 repetions of Mr. Prospector, 2 of Fappiano, 3 Secretariat, 3 Northern Dancer and 2 In Reality) and he turned out to be just fine…and Medina Spirit who defeated the champion in their only two meets had Mr. Prospector 3 times and Secretariat twice in his 5th generation.
When you have 5 commercially successful Sires breeding 1000 mares the likelihood of inbreeding is greater.
But in our list of hopefuls there are 4 with no inbreeding in five generations (Patch Adams, Citizen Bull, Romanesque, and Praetor). The ones with the most inbreeding (4th and 5th generation) are Guns Loaded, Built, Rated by Merit). Again, some people may consider repetitions in the 5th generation as no inbreeding …
BTW we will have to bring back East Avenue (with no inbreeding at all) in our ranking as it was reported he has resumed serious training … worked 4f in 49.1 today at Fair Grounds with the Risen Star in his aim.
Nelson, I concur with most of your comments.
Close line breeding in horses is considered acceptable by most breed associations.
As of this point in time American Thoroughbreds are not as deeply inbred as the American Quarter Horse and Arabian.
Some years ago there were mounting concerns that the world renowned Lippizans were losing their ability to perform the “airs above ground”. In the past the mares, because they do not perform, were not trained to ride nor where they expected to demonstrate an ability to perform the maneuvers. That has now changed. Mares selected for breeding are trained to ride and must demonstrate ability, athleticism, dispostion and intelligence. If my memory is correct, all Lippizans go back to 6 foundation stallions.
On NYE, Rick Dawson announced on his FB page that he had negotiated a contract with Mountain Springs Farm in Pennsylvania to stand Rich Strike. He also intends to support Rich Strike by sending several mares to him. Standing fees have not been announced. Rich Strike is landing in a soft spot and wish him the very best of luck in his new career.
Only time will tell how successful he will be, no pun intended but he does have several strikes against him.
He is know for his bad disposition, is retiring unsound (sesamoid and tendon injurie). He is also closely inbred to Smart Strike 3S X 2D which equates in human terms to his great-grandfather in his paternal line and his grandfather in his maternal line being Smart Strike. Will this inbreeding results in soundness issues? Again only time will tell.
My conclusion is that line breeding that is not as close as 2nd generation and if the lines on both top and bottom do not go back to unsound horses 3, 4, 5 generations is acceptable. Any closer than that is, in my opinion, taking a big gamble.
Thanks Lynda for this very informative post (as per usual!)…
Genetics is a fascinating field. Selective breeding has been practiced for centuries … it is amazing how the Thoroughbreds evolved from being the stayers of the 1700’s competing in heats ranging from 2 to 4 miles to the modern ones being primarly sprinters.
Regarding inbreeding it seems like the American breeders are aware of its drawbacks. All the horses of 2024 Derby did not have any repetition in their first 3 generations.
Northern Dancer, Mr. Prospector and Secretariat remain omnipresent but now they appear relegated to the fifth generations in the pedigrees of the best runners. We can still get some kind of genetic diversity from the different lines derived from those three giants in combination with Hail to Reason, In Reality and Ribot blood lines .
I fell off my chair. The Nasrullah line has been forgotten. A. P. Indy, Tapit, Bernardini who are they? lol.
Lynda and Nelson, you may find:
“Genomic inbreeding trends, influential sire lines and selection in the global thoroughbred horse population” by Beatrice McGivney et al of interest.
You can download it free on academia dot edu website. You will have to answer a few enquires to get the full report.
Yes, Linda,but how many horses retire unsound ending up at high profile breeding farms?
Hi Nelson
Many thanks for taking the time to clarify the merits of inbreeding vs the detriment of same. I had to reach for my Webster’s to learn the meaning of “consanguinity”, which I was not familiar with. Is it reasonable to conclude that the jury is still out on inbreeding?
Anyway, thanks again for yet another insightful comment on the sport of horse racing.
I consider you the personification of a true horse racing analyst.
Best of luck moving forward on the Derby trail.
Thanks for you kind words Bill… your energy and passion brings out the same in other fans… so, thanks for triggering a unique synergy here… I hope you don’t have to look up for the word “synergy” now ….LOL
You’re welcome, Nelson.
To be honest, once again I had to refer to my Webster’s on the word “synergy”.
Bonehead English was not my long suit in college.
Synergy: to work together, combined or cooperative action or force.
🙂
The Smarty Jones…Jerome….Much Macho Man—I believe all three are Derby points races….The San Vicente has zero points. There are zero points being offered to western based three year olds until the Lewis, run in February….Bullard would he favored in all three of the Saturday points preps, Barnes would also…and likely would Romanesque—make it make sense! And don’t tell me about the 7 furlong distance, all four of the Saturday three year old stakes are preps, of preps! Santa Anita decided to drop the Sham, ChurDowns needed to adjust accordingly, The San Vicente has always been a Derby prep! Derby winners have run in it—Affirmed, Silver Charm, Nyquist have run in it and won The Derby, maybe also Majestic Prince….
Hey Matthew W
Just for clarification, the MMM Stakes does not offer KD points. Although, the winner of the MMM, could show up in the Holy Bull on Feb. 1st., which is a Derby prep race with points on the line.
I like Gun Loaded in the MMM.
Good luck, Matthew W
Edit: Guns Loaded.
Has the 7F now 6F Hutcheson ever been a KD prep? KD winners Swale and Spectacular Bid won the Hutcheson when contested at 7F.
The position that the CA horses would have been favored in all three of the KD preps outside CA has to be considered meritless. That is like saying, if Patch Adams was in the Hutchenson the race should be a KD Prep.
Points are not a thing in the Mavericks world. Most of his colts skip the allowance and stake races and go straight into graded stakes from maiden breakers, ie( Gaming, Citizen Bull, Getaway Car) and so on. Hence, Romanesque and Barnes from maiden to G2 race. If it was that important to get points, I’m sure he would ship if needed. Of course the KD is always a goal in his world annually. The main objective is to get graded wins for stud value as most trainers would like to do for their clients. I understand the concern about points but it really isn’t as important as graded wins.
Please.
I was trying to beat Gun Loaded, until the other speed scratched….I see a Chad Brown entrant—a recent purchase, I heard they paid a lot…..but I like a McKellen/Cool Intentions exacta box—Cool Intentions to win…
David & Nelson, Heart of Honor is REALLY good…the colt he clobbered in his maiden win romped in the Dubai 2000 Guineas Trial
Jamie Osborne must be kicking himself
Maybe not since apparently this race was only 7F
Thanks for the update Betsy. Indeed Golden Vekoma looked like a good one winning in an outstanding time of 1:22.69 for 1400 meters (~7furlongs). The son of Vekoma was third in his debut behind the brilliant Heart of Honor… It is good news for his trainer as it confirms the good quality of the field Heart of Honor submitted very easily… The track was playing faster than it was for Heart of Honor race though… As I commented after that first race at Meydan, Golden Vekoma also has a heart etched in his forehead…
Let’s see how Heart of Honor fares against the best 3-year-olds at Meydan in route to the UAE Derby.
You’re welcome, Nelson!
Assuming all is well, Heart will run on Friday – not sure when entries are taken. So hopefully he’ll win- I want to take it one step at a time!
Horses with hearts are especially lovable! They must really think highly of him to run him in a stakes as a maiden
I need this week to pass quickly, lol
Correction: the time for the 1400 meters by Golden Vekoma was 1:24.51 …
We must not forget that Golden Vekoma was a 33-1 up setter.
I guess because he was a maiden
Was he beating much?
The best horses on paper were two South American Stake winners:
Don Vaccaro (URU) winner of a Grade 3 in Uruguay and the Brazilian Nam Phrik (Hofburg-Breezy Hot by Put it Back) winner of 3 and Grade 3 placed in Uruguay; and Rammayy (3rd place) (Win Win Win-Just Like Lucy by Majestic Perfection) undefeated in 2 starts but at provincial track Jebel Ali.
The second place finisher Nimble Boy (Upstart-Funfortheholidays by Harlan’s Holiday) was a debutant.
However, the three co-favorites at 4 to 1 were Godolphin’s Castle Gates, Awab (Can), and 8-length debutant winner at Meydan the promising filly Arigatou Gozaimasu (Honest Mischief-Woodflower by Woodman).
I would say that it was a decent group led by Golden Vekoman the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial today…
Thanks, Nelson!
I do wonder how good the group is if the winner was a maiden going in and the runner up was making his debut?
Nelson, I wish the Dubai Racing Club had two seperate races for Northern and Southern Hemisphere runners. For me, it’s messy.
Hi Betsy, yes I just spotted the UAE 2,000 Guineas Trial result. It’s over 100 degrees today so I just spent 2 hours watering the garden and 50 large pots before the onslaught of the heat. It’s even worse tomorrow so I’ll be up and at it again tomorrow but much earlier so I don’t miss the races.
Check the Racing Post for Card details they are up to Thursday, January 9 so far. Fingers crossed that Heart of Honor runs well. There is a long time until Friday.
Oh geez David- be careful, and drink lots of water!
I will keep checking! I notice that either Heart hasn’t worked since 12/27 or Jamie just hasn’t posted the work. If it’s the former, should I be concerned?
It is a long time 😬😬😬
Betsy, I checked the Racing Post and Timeform and both say Heart of Honor has no current entries for this horse which is a bit unusual even though the race is outside of Europe and the US.
Maybe the race wasn’t drawn yet?
It wouldn’t show unless it was, right?
Hopefully he’s ok….I tweeted Jamie and the Dubai Twitter to see if he’s expected to enter
🤞🤞🤞
Betsy, the racing card for Friday January 10, 2025 isn’t up yet. You can check the dates/entries on the Dubai Racing Club website. You may know earlier than me if Heart of Honor is running or not. Fingers crossed.
Thanks David – I’ll let you know!
The early 1970s…Cougar II was tops, in US Turf racing….along with the filly Typecast…..but in 1973—Secretariat ran against older turf horses TWICE—and just DUSTED THEM! This after the Triple Crown, and three more races on dirt…..What that horse did as a three year old—has not been replicated, not even close….this after his stellar two year old season….I was thinking about Journalism—I’ve settled on him, right after his November maiden win—I thought that was the earliest I have settled….but then I remembered 1972, and Secretariat—I guess I was all in on him, before November, from way out in California I was settled on Secretariat, after reading about his two year old exploits, and he delivered a three year old season for the ages, Secretariat was more than a generational talent….
For those of us who are horseplayers, our participation necessarily perpetuates the sport. A situation at Fair Grounds today gives me pause. A 9 year old gelding named Temple is entered for a $10,000 claiming tag. He was claimed several years ago by trainer Mike Maker and went on to earn over $750,000, including stakes races. He ran only twice last year, once in a 20k claimer in which a claim was voided, likely because of soundness issues. Maybe I don’t know the full story, but connections who have done so well with a horse need to do better. I realize many horses don’t get soft landings, but this one certainly earned a dignified retirement.
Absolutely shamefull! I was present for Quarter Horse Kaweah Bar’s final race, ankle deep mud—6/5 favored and he trailed the field the entire way…..his owner sold him for $10K—-new owner drove him up to Boise to lead a parade, and for one final race—pulling a covered wagon! And on the way….Kaweah got excited and flipped in his trailer and suffered a fatal heart attack…. the legendary “Palomino Express “…two time Quarter Horse of the Year—could have had a dignified retirement, but for an owner’s lack of virtue—and abundance of greed..
There’s a 10 and 11 yo running also. Let’s hope they fare well, rather than casting doubt on them.
I’ve no problem with 10 & 11 year olds running—by that age a horse understands how to take care of himself—but a stakes class horse that won lots of money, dropping down to the lower rungs….is a horse that can no longer compete, like he once could—and deserving of a dignified retirement….
I think Michaeal Maker knows what he’s doing and cares as least as much as you do about the horses he trains. I think this is a made up controversy, the original poster said he didn’t know the specifics of the horse but needed to do some virtue signaling.
Todd, I’ve always argued that those who benefit from horse racing should be obliged to care for these athletes on retirement. Starting with the states et al.
The owners got what they wanted. Temple won and was claimed. Doubt this one ends well.
Todd, there has always been a part of my conscience, that I suppress, which allows me to enjoy watching horse racing. If the punters went on strike and demanded aftercare for all racehorses ‘those with power’ would have to act = immediately.
It has been reported that Godolphin has set a single season North American earnings record and will be leading owners for the 4th consecutive year.
Several years ago, a post in this or a similar forum, criticized Godolphin for sticking with a particular trainer whose record reflected very little achievements with a lot of support each year with well-bred youngsters. The trainer was characterized in the post as achieving very little with a lot.
The trainer was clearly not meeting the objectives of the Godolphin Operation and had proven after many years he wasn’t up to the task. The supporters of this trainer were livid with poster for suggesting that Godolphin sever ties. The poster was dispatched to the woodchipper to be reduced to sawdust.
Since moving on from this trainer and making other changes. The Godolphin Operation has experienced unprecedented success in its North American Operation. See below:
Kentucky Oaks winner
Champion 3YO Filly
Champion 2YO Colt
Champion 3YO Colt
Belmont winner
Multiple Breeder Cup winners
Horse of The Year
Dubai WD winner
Repeat BC winner
Godolphin is poised to have fantastic 2025 should the operation’s youngsters stay healthy.
The leader of Godolphin has many provocative quotes. But the one I have committed to memory is as follows. – In a race for excellence there is no finish line.
In the pursuit of excellence, changes are sometimes required. The change from the trainer referenced above was overdue and the subsequent excellence experienced by the global stable justifies its decision.
Well cowpokes, here we are heading into the start of the 2025 season ‘Run for the Roses’. To kick things off we have the Saturday Shootout featuring Gun Slingers in the wild west San Vincente Stakes. Bullard takes aim to remain undefeated against some shooters trying to make a reputation for themselves by taking him down, but it won’t be easy. Maverick Baffert will come out blazing with his double holster pistols CyberTruckin Barnes and the Practical Joking Romanesque kid. There’s sure to be plenty of smoking guns when the dust settles.
The pick: Barnes
Out in the Midwest in the Smarty Jones, we have Kale’s Angel who put on a dazzling show of his gun skills in the Advent. I heard he’s gonna be toting his long gun for those 2 undefeated dirt gun running varmits, toothpickin Hot Property and the spur sportin Coal Battle. We’ll find out if Hot Property can stand the heat when MO QUALITY comes out guns blazing too.
The pick: Kale’s Angel
The Jerome: Cyclone State
The MMM: Guns Loaded
Happy 2025 and Goodluck with your chosen Gun Runner.
I think I may have spotted an under the radar horse. Last Saturday, One Man Team, owned by Robert LaPenta and Madaket Stables, strolled home in the mud at Laurel, winning the Heft Stakes by 4 and posting an 85 Beyer. Nothing earth-shattering in the son of Nyquist’s performance, but then I looked up his pedigree: His dam is a half-sister to Justify.
Eddie Neloy, John Nerud, Allen Jerkens, Frank Whiteley, Ogden Phipps, Braulio Baeza….WOW-all names from the glorious past of horse racing. The only name that I notice might be missing is Manuel Ycaza.
Thanks Steve for reminiscing about these characters and what they brought to the sport. You have an uncanny ability to recount and narrate history with statements from these people decades and decades ago.
I remember these horses, Buckpasser, Damascus and Dr. Fager, making their obligatory travels to California to ‘see if they can do it’ (win). Thinking back I recall Baeza was tall for jockey or at least sat tall on a horse. I mostly remember Damascus running out west for a race because my father had the horse, Most Host, that beat him that day.
As for the three superstars, Buckpasser was probably the least written about, at least from my perspective. The only person I ever read that attended the 1967 Woodard was a blogger named Saratoga AJ that stated that Damascus was ‘not to be denied’ that day, but I believe he is no longer with us now.
Not a huge football fan…actually find it as something to watch between baseball seasons, but understand the brilliant analogy.
The name Buckpasser was a great name, at least better than ‘passing the buck’ and belongs in the list of great names such as Man o’War, Citation, Whirlaway, Secretariat and others.
Is it really appropriate to refer to a game as football when the ball only touches the foot of special team operatives i.e., punters and field goal/extra point kickers?
A ball is a round or roundish body of mass. Is a ball the same a solid or hollow spherical or egg-shaped object made from pig skin?
Does the mostly unconventional manner in which Mahomes’ delivers the shuttle his receivers unorthodox or innovative?
Well, as a provocateur I have to seek answers to questions I consider pertinent for the expansion of my knowledge.
A P Indy – Seattle Slew – Weekend Surprise
Avenues Of Flags – Seattle Slew – Beautiful Glass
Capote – Seattle Slew -Too Bald
Seaside Attraction – Seattle Slew – Kamar
Hier A Brain – Seattle Slew – Grezen
The above five horse are within Coal Battle’s first generations share between the sire and dam side.
It’s certainly not often that I have seen so many Seattle Slew sired horses in the first 5. Should this finding be considered significant? Hard to determine.
Would genetics be so unkind as to not allow for an influential bit of Seattle Slew to be inherited by Coal Front. Genetics has no master and operates like a loose cannon with no one being able to accurately determine which ancestors’ influence the canon will be shoot into which deserving foals.
I am somewhat conflicted as I am hoping Hot Property will win the Smarty Jones and validate my assessment of him. But I made a decent amount of money on Coal Battle’s Springboard Mile win. My loyalty should therefore rest with The Smarty Jones entrant that lined my pocket.
This is where emotions should be set aside in the interest of finance. Hot Property is the ML favorite and likely to be the post time favorite. Coal Battle was assigned a ML of 9/2 which should be higher at post time.
The logic thing to do is to combine the two. But why not a straight exacta Coal Battle- Hoy Property which would pay more? Why not Coal Battle with all and hope that Lukas maiden that worked 59 for 5F, is the real deal and finish 2nd.
It’s obvious Coal Battle is my key horse for wagering purposes, due to price. But there is more to the colt than its likely starting price. Five starts at 5 different venues, yielded a record of 3 wins and 2 off the board finishes on turf. The colt is undefeated on dirt over 3 different distances. But more importantly is how he won on dirt.
Coal battle has not run a dirt race that was the most conducive to a favorable outcome and still emerged the victor. The colt has not kept a straight course in the stretch of any of his victories. He spends time on the wrong lead, lugs in and drift out, but keeps running.
If this colt can execute a timely lead change and maintain a straight course, he might just be good enough to win the Smarty Jones. Given his pedigree is inundated with Seattle Slew. The KD might be on the table as well.
But then he might just be a low-level track colt whose connections are taking a shot to determine where he fits.
Really nice, Counter Point, and this colt did not disappoint.
I would love to see Coal Front have some success as a sire, as he was a favorite of mine in his crop.
Did you notice the connection to Steve’s horse this week? If you get into the 7th generation in Coal Battle’s papers, you pick up none other than Buckpasser. He is not just present as the sire of Lassie Dear, dam of Weekend Surprise, but of several others, and is especially well represented deep in Coal Battle’s damside pedigree.
As a side note, CB’s dam Wolfblade gets a whopping “D” from True Nicks. I wonder if she will get an updated rating, now that she has produced a BT Stakes winner? D or not, I like Caro, so I like her pedigree a whole lot.
Thanks Katy,
I do not know if you saw this submission before the race or found it whilst scrolling. But I made money on the colt again.
Many in this forum think I am crazy. But most geniuses are. That should elicit a good laugh from you. I hope some folks saw it and made money.
Coal Battle is a very good colt that will make some noise on the TC Trail.
I loved reading your column about Buckpasser. He was one of my all-time favorites, and it was fun to relive his races. He made his backers sweat out every victory, but it was always worth it. He had a tendency to ease himself as soon as he got to the front, presumably believing the race was over, so he had to take the lead right at the wire and not before. As you noted, there was always the feeling that he couldn’t make up all the ground to get there but he always did and he would leave you shaking your head and thinking “Wow!” And how many horses can set a world record for a mile and then win a major stakes at two miles?
The chicken Flamingo was a wonderful exhibition of his finishing kick, but it never should have happened because he shouldn’t have had the lead that early. Braulio Baeza, who rode him in most of his races, knew exactly how and when Buckpasser needed to go to the front and he never did it too soon. But Bill Shoemaker, who rode him in three races early in his three-year-old season, never really fit the horse. Of the three races, he lost the first, won the second by fouling his stablemate, and won the Flamingo only because Buckpasser could do the impossible. It was fortunate that he and Baeza got back together, even though the reason–Graustark’s retirement–was a very sad one.
Speaking of Graustark, his anticipated races against Buckpasser rank number one on my list of rivalries that should have happened but never did. If they had both been able to run in the Triple Crown that year, I have no idea what would have happened, but I know I would love to have seen it.
Happy New Year to Steve and to everyone on this forum. We’ll look forward to outstanding races in 2025.
Jiffy, did you witness Priceless Gem defeating Buckpasser in the 1965 Futurity Stakes? One race I’ve always wished to have witnessed.
On live TV, yes. I don’t remember all the details, but I know I was devastated–I couldn’t believe that was happening. In those days I lacked any appreciation for an excellent performance that involved beating a horse I loved, and I was not happy with Priceless Gem. In fact, I was pleased when Moccasin beat her for the two-year-old filly championship (and in some polls, went on to be Horse of the Year). But whichever side you were on, the race was definitely a memorable one.
Jiffy, I think everyone in their childhood years saw things very obliquely I know I despised any horse that beat my beloved favorites. Ha ha
I wrote a column for Bloodhorse titled The Greatest Rivalry That Never Was.
I didn’t know that, and I apologize for stealing some of your words. Is that column available online and easily accessible to computer illiterates? Could it be reproduced here sometime or does the BloodHorse own the copyright? I would love to know your thoughts about who might have won those races. After almost 60 years I still consider it “the greatest rivalry that never was” and I still like to think about it and speculate on what might have happened.
I have been awaiting the return of Hot Property for a while. His debut win around 2Turns whilst recording pedestrian fractions and a slow final time, was still good enough to capture my attention.
A deeper dive into the colt pedigree forced me to put him on my watch list, despite what appeared to be an average debut.
The colt is a homebred for Gary and Mary West. His sire the brilliant Medaglia D Oro who has been around for a while, but his progenies haven’t featured regularly in the KD. He is overdue for representation. His East Avenue appears top class but there have been no reported works since the BCJ. Not Good!
Hot Property’s dam is far more intuiting than his sire. If ever there was a mare from the Million-dollar Earner’s Club to produce a KD winner, Milwaukee Appeal is likely to be the one.
It’s not very often a filly’s first two starts are in claiming races and said filly’s future holds the prospect of being an Oaks winner and Champion 3YO. But that’s exactly what Milwaukee Appeal’s resume reflects.
When she finished 7th by 20L in her stakes debut in the Natalma. The future appeared bleak for an apparent misplaced Claimer/Allowance type. Even the most optimistic representative of C.E.C Farms, then owner of the filly, couldn’t have envisaged what unfolded thereafter.
In Milwaukee Appeal next 5 starts (All Stakes) she won 3 times including the Canadian Oaks. But her rise was far from over.
The next assignment for the debut claimer was against the boys in the 10F Queens Plate. She finished 3rd by a NK as the 3rd choice in the wagering. Her next start was also against the boys in the Prince of Wales, the 2nd leg of the Canadian TC. As the post time favorite, she finished 2nd by a NS.
In the 16 starts after her Oaks win, Milwaukee Appeal never revisited the winner’s enclosure. But he six 2nd place finishes and other placing allowed her to amass earning of $1.2M. Not bad for a filly whose career commenced in a $32K claiming race.
Gold Strike the dam of 2022 KD winner Rich Strike was a Woodbine Oaks winner; 3rd place finisher the Queens Plate and Champion 3YO. Milwaukee Appeals resume reflect the same win and year end honor. However, she finished much closer to the boys in the Plate in a time 4 seconds faster.
Can another mare with Canadian Oaks/Champion 3YO Filly on her resume produce another KD winner?
Rich Strike finished last on debut albeit on turf. Hot Property won on debut with a gate to wire performance. Milwaukee Appeal was as talented as Gold Strike but much tougher.
Hot Property’s pedigree reflects an inbreeding to NEARCTIC (5×5). This is due to two sons of Nearctic (Northern Dancer/Icecapade ) who interestingly, were both produced by Native Dancer mares.
This is a rarely seen inbreeding and if it has any influence, Hot Property could be worth following.
Happy New Year Mr. Haskin!
Same to you Mike
Smarty Jones, Kale’s Angel
Jerome, McAfee
MMM, Guns Loaded
San Vincente, Bullard
Interesting selections –
Kavod won the Advent in 2021 which was then over 6F and thereafter contested the Smarty Jones and finished 4th. He like Kale’s Anel finished unplaced in a route on turf before his Advent win. He has made 29 starts since and has recorded 4 wins between 6 and 7 furlongs. He is yet to win a route race.
Count De Monet and Valentine Candy won the 2022 & 2023 renewals of the Advent.
CDM has only contested 1 routing start in 13 stars since. It was his last for 2024. He won over 8F in a slow 1:40.
Despite Valentine Candy’s routing pedigree, the colt has been restricted to sprints.
Kale’s Angel is fast and should use his speed to his advantage. But history appears to be against a likely win for the Complexity colt. History can either be made, defied or repeated.
Good Luck with Kale’s Angel.
Now that last year’s crop of 2yr. old colts are in their sophomore year, the time is fast approaching to separate the contenders from the pretenders moving forward on the 2025 KD trail. Obviously, it’s way too early to make that determination, but several colts have displayed impressive performances last year and “some” will continue to do so this year, IMO.
As it stands now, my top twelve colts on the 2025 KD trail (in no particular order) are:
Bullard
Built
Patch Adams
Sovereignty
Rated by Merit
Citizen Bull
Disco Time
Praetor
First Resort
Journalism
Barnes
Showcase
Good List!
There are no reported works for Showcase since 09/05/2024. His inclusion merits view.
Barnes with only a narrow win over 5 1/2F is on ahead of Poster with 2 wins over 8F albeit on turf and 1 win over 9F on dirt. Interesting!
Romanesque is in my opinion BB’s best colt. I could made to look out of touch if he fails to be competitive in the San Vicente.
Hot Property debut winner around 2Turns apparently didn’t impress you. A good Smarty Jones performance might.
Optical romped home by 14L whilst breaking his maiden over 8F in 1:35.65 at CD. That performance must rank amongst the best for 2YOs. His final start for 2024 was over 8F again at CD which he won by a NK in 1:35.6
This Medaglia D Oro colt could be very good if not for inconsistency. I like him to emerge as the narrow winner of the Smarty Jones. He has the numbers.
The Tapit colt Sandman was very impressive last out. He certainly could replace a few in your list.
How about stepping up to the plate and post your top twelve.
Bill,
In 2023 your initial lists excluded Sierra Leone. I Literally admonished you for the colt’s exclusion. You took no offense then.
When did you become so militant? My intent was never to offend.
I never post a list because it will have to be revised constantly. In any event, my list would have similar prospects to those on lists of others. So, I prefer others to do the work.
My comments reflect those I find as surprising exclusion, given pertinent facts that merit their consideration.
You are at liberty to ignore and/or dismiss the prospects I have highlighted.
I have gleaned from your abrupt response that you desire no comments on your lists and to this I will gladly accede.
Peace Brother. 🙂
Counter, earlier post regarding Rich Strike has my full agreement.
Happy New Year Bill!
I see you are keen to unriddle the puzzle of the new sophomores. As you said, it is early to ID a clear Triple Crown contender but it is always good to keep track of the most exciting prospects at this point.
We are in agreement about the potential of Bullard and Patch Adams and we have 6 more identic horses…
Bullard
Patch Adams
Citizen Bull
Sovereignty
Journalism
Built
First Resort
Barnes
Romanesque
Guns Loaded
Aviator Gui
McAfee
I am also watching closely the steadily improving Sandman and Poster
I got only 5 horses based in California but it could be many new strong contenders from the West in the coming weeks …
Thanks for the reply, Nelson.
It’s good to know that we’re on the same page with the eight colts that you mentioned. Do you have any thoughts on Disco Time moving forward?
He could be pointed to the Lecomte Stakes for his next start.
Happy New Year, Nelson
Disco Time has been spectacular in his two wins, especially in the last one overcoming a slow start and clocking 1:34 4/5 for the mile. His strengths are his great speed and his connections (Juddmonte/Brad Cox looking to win the Derby the proper way).
However, I did not feel his female family provides enough stamina for the 10 furlongs … i.e. his dam Disco Chick and her damsire Disco Rico are 6-furlong-specialists… which is not the case of Patch Adams for instance (another member of Brad Cox army of sophomores)
Anyway, as Disco Time is a kind of “too-good to be true” I will wait to see how he performs against Stakes horses at Fair Grounds…
Thanks for your insightful opinion Nelson, it’s much appreciated.
Occasionally., a horse is capable of out running his/her pedigree, which could be the case with Disco Time.
We’ll see.
One additional comment of Disco Time’s pedigree.
Disco Chick’s sire Jump Start is the son of A.P. Indy, a major source of stamina influence. Just saying.
And Not This Time is so versatile with brilliant Classic distance sons like Epicenter, Up to the Mark, Simplification, and the marathoner Next and super fast progeny like Cogburn and Arzak… so, again, Disco Time could be anything … an exciting hopeful for sure!
All good points Nelson.
Just out of curiosity, what are thoughts on inbreeding, good or bad? Disco Time is inbred to Storm Cat, Terlingua and Secretariat (top and bottom). Actually, Secretariat appears twice on his dam’s side.
If I recall correctly, there are several contributors on this site that consider inbreeding a no-no. Any thoughts on inbreeding?
Thanks, Nelson.
I’m keeping my list as small as I can, Journalism, Sovereignity (not my favorite name), are my top two—-Patch Adams looked like a good one…., and First Report has some upside—Mike McCarthy is a trainer on the cusp of top level status, I suspect he might be moving east, before long—I think on Journalism he has a big look, at Derby success..
Steve, you really got me with the line” seemed like Buckpasser was in the Sunday papers every week.” Sunday morning Dad came home with the papers and onion rolls. He hands me the racing page and Mom gives him that look and Dad gives me a wink. I was to young to really comprehend what I was seeing but it drew me in like a moth to a flame. Thanks Steve. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Derek. Every Sunday my dad came home with Onion rolls and salt sticks (crescent shaped rolls with salt and carraway seeds). We called them gun rolls
Will 2025 be the year in which the Right Click Option be reactivated?
Have the supporters of this blog not been punished enough?
I wonder what Secretariat would think of an action that runs contrary to his excellence?
A decision that adversely impact so many is selfish, uncaring and cannot be justified.
Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely – Lord Acton
The above quote by Lord Acton as incorrectly cited in the above post. The one intended was by Abraham Lincoln –
‘Nearly all men can stand adversity. But if you want to test a man’s character, give him power”
This emphasizes the impact of power on an individual’s true nature
We’re getting punished right now—stop it! No politics! Please! Doesn’t Horse Racing create enough opinions? You’re not going to change anybody politics or religion, on a Horse Racing site—stick with your strong suit–making cases for longshots in big races—You’re good at that. .
Matthew, I think he just wants his cut and paste back so he can make even longer posts.
Well I am fine with his long posts—he dies make interesting points, about breeding, past races and such….He does pound his points too much, about certain trainers….by now we all know his opinions, on that—but I’m fine, with the long posts about his longshot dreams! That’s Horse Racing—Happy New Year, Ms Blacktype, hope you find a few longshots of your own, in 2025!..
Happy New Year and plenty of longshots for you, too!
Ms Blacktype, I think you’re right! I dislike longwinded posts and no one needs to cut and paste anything on this website. It could be copyright infringement, you have to acknowldege sources at the very least.
Several on here cut and paste.
Interesting comment, since it’s not possible to do that here anymore.
Intended to state previously.
I’m so computer illiterate—I could not tell you WHAT is “cut and pasting”….
The dawn of a new year is upon us. It is my that this dawn finds the supporters of this space in the best of heath.
There are many events on the 2025 racing calendar that are eagerly anticipated. The most eagerly being BB return to the KD.
The suspension of the divine one was heavily criticized and CDI Inc, villainized for its imposed sanction. It remains puzzling as to why so many educated and knowledgeable folks, failed to reconcile an offence and a penalty, in a country that prides itself on Due Process and Jurisprudence.
I often write about views and decisions that are driven by misplaced emotions whilst cold facts are rendered meaningless. The BB case was one such.
Out of share misplaced emotions, it was predicted that the KD would lose supports and CD Inc would suffer the consequences of its heavy-handed action.
During 3 years of Mr. B’s absence, CD completed a muti-million-dollar upgrade to its racing complex and experienced record handles in the three KDs without his entrants. But, most importantly, there were 3 first time wining trainers that some might argue was due to the leveling of the playing field.
So, the emotionally driven, adverse perditions regarding CD Inc and the fate of its signature race, turned out to be the opposite. But the misplaced emotions have not stopped but rather has taken a new turn.
In 2025 BB is expected to return to Churchill Downs with a contingent of KD starters and one will emerge the winner and in so doing will, BB shock it to CD Inc., and show who’s boss.
These emotions are reflected in the fact that a BB trained MSW winner over 5 1/2F, emerged as the wagering favorite in the most recent KD Future Pool. Folks harboring these misplaced emotions have not learnt anything from their previous predictions.
So, the 2025 KD will not be about the BB’s continent versus the other entrants. But rather BB versus CD Inc.
The is a popular song with a portion of its lyric as follows – ‘Cant’s you see what that woman is doing to me.’
I wonder if some folks are able to see what misplaced emotion are doing to them.
I would prefer the best horse winning—Muth beat the Derby winner by nine lengths, and was peaking—so….in my opinion the race was not complete—don’t tell me about Muth’s subsequent 1 for 3 record, he was peaking on first Saturday—and they ran 2:03 3/5…..I get it, you don’t like the guy—but he buts good stock…works them hard….wins Triple Crown Races…..
Muth was never the best horse, he had a good day that day but nothing that exceptional. Fierceness had a better 9f. prep and tanked in the Derby.
So if you win a 9 f. prep and beat a horse, it means you’d beat that horse in the Kentucky Derby, automatically. That’s a fact?
The fact is he wasn’t in the race
The fact is you’re throwing shade on the 2024 Kentucky Derby.
Agreed!
He works many too hard….simple as that! Why not accept the fact,he’s not on all racing fans hit parade?
Always same song in regards to how “the world beater” trainer will prevail in every Derby.
Well I’ve correctly picked Mage and Mystik Dan, I don’t know if I benefitted from Bob’s suspension with Mage—I might have benefitted from the HISA scratch of Forte—last year I did benefit from Muth being omitted, in a race where Firceness, Sierra Leone, Forever Young all had problems—Muth could have won that race…my point being in response to the argument that the Kentucky Derby does not “need ” Bob’s horses—I want all of the good horses in the starting gate, all of the nine furlong big prep winners…I think that makes it a better race..
Matthew, my contention has never been regarding your skills. For my point of view, your knowledge of racing speaks volumes.
Thanks Mike—I only posted that because I wanted to point out I probably benefitted from Forte and Muth being omitted, from the race…Forte was the best horse in the 2023 field, going in….and in a race run in 2:03 3/5—Muth might have won that race, I want the top prep winners in The Kentucky Derby—
Betsy, you received a late Christmas present with Hollywood Beauty’s win. Never give up.
David, Happy New Year!
Indeed! She should not have paid close to $32 – her last race was an epic disaster…the chart doesn’t begin to describe the trouble she had, including clipping heels. It’s amazing that she was athletic and game enough to recover
I love that she showed versatility to go to the lead- and handle the slop. Her race was by FAR the fastest of all the 7F races – Beyer of 76 is pretty good
I really love this filly
Glee gets a pass – I’m shocked that Steve ran her back 2 weeks after her big performance in the Toby Keith
Between Mega Mil and Hollywood Beauty, things are looking up. AP Kid is back with Todd after being sick, and Meritorius is back in training as well
Rank runs Saturday. I guess he bounced back from the Los Al Futurity in good shape, but I’m shocked he’s not getting a break
I’ve lost some confidence in him – Bob’s horse will take some beating
Yes, Betsy, let’s hope Rank performs at his best but it’s tough in Santa Anita unless you have natural speed, especially early on. Fingers crossed.
🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞
Steve, it’s a perfect New Year’s Day here, not a cloud in the sky nor a whisper of wind and a warm 68. After last night’s party celebrations what a treasure it has been to reflect back on the exploits of the great Buckpasser. I’ve loved that name since childhood although just a dash too young to ever see him run.
As a broodmare sire, par excellence, and sire I followed all his progeny on both sides that carried his name. Infuriated when reading that some would describe him as quite a feminine looking stallion. Even more disappointed that the male line was vanishing but that type of thinking is more romanticism than genetics.
The mentioning of Priceless Gem, dam of the immortal Allez France, In Reality, and the great Dr. Fager warmed the heart but you snapped that daydream by mentioning Damascus and the “Race of the Century.” A child’s heart once bruised never mends over decades of forgetting. You are forgiven though, history is written by the victors.
Contemplating the trepidation of another year to come, the security that Steve Haskin’s Derby Rankings are just around the corner helps you ease into the fear of the unknown. 2025, please be kind to us all.
Davids, although your comment was directed to Steve, I’d like to point out that Buckpasser excelled not only as a broodmare sire in the U.S., but as a prominent sire of stallions in Argentina, where his sons Egg Toss (an Argentinian genetic giant and sire of sires), Logical, and others have an important tail-mail role. Superior blood will always out.
Yes, Ms Blacktype and Spend a Buck in Brazil. I had hoped that Einstein would be the spark to reignite Buckpasser’s sire line in the US but that was not to be.
All you need is that one spark of genetic dynamite. You never give up hope.
I never saw an official program that named him “Willie” Shoemaker—-I always saw “William”….
Thank you, Steve, for sharing Buckpasser’s story and influence on our present day breed. I thought your comparison between him and Mahomes and the Chiefs was great. Grit and determination can often win over pure talent and serve as an inspiration to us all to always give our best effort. I didn’t begin to follow horse racing until Secretariat’s era and missed out on some of the finest racers. Buckpasser was a regal, breathtakingly beautiful horse. It must have been thrilling to watch him close his races and catch his adversaries in the last few jumps.
In our present day, I’m hoping to see great things from another grand looking individual, East Avenue. I know he threw in a clunker at the Breeder’s Cup, but he looked outstanding in his first two races. Medaglia d’Oro has another good looking colt, a two year old named Harrigan who just won at 7 furlongs at Parx. He was covered in mud but came from behind and passed the frontrunner with beautiful long strides to win. I’m keeping my eye on him.
Hi Steve, this was a delightful read!
It tells us I that humans and horses have much more in common than we might think sometimes.
The KS Chiefs is the one pro football team I continue to follow and that is because of how they manage to bring it all together and squeak out a win when all odds seem to be against them and the talent that Mahomes has.
As Beth Koch mentioned, I too often see Buckpasser’s influence in so many pedigrees.
Thank you for sharing the photos. He was from a generation of what I sometimes I call “streamline” Thoroughbreds that I see in the 18th century paintings of racehorses.
Would like to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you and your families and everyone at secretariatdotcom a Happy, Healthy, Joyous New Year! For those with Scot ancestry, Happy Hogmanay!
Happy, healthy and prosperous new year to you and your family Lynda…hope to continue reading your insightful posts here …
Thank you Nelson
Wishing you and everyone else here the same, Lynda! Glad you are part of “the gang”!
Thank you af
Happy New Year Lynda and to the entire family that graces this column with their vast knowledge and camaraderie.
Thank you Steve.
So enjoyed the photos of your darling and adorable Theo and Lily.
Happy New Year, Lynda. It’s actually New Year’s Day here. My Scottish relatives and friends were toasting Hogmanay to their heart’s content last night.
Auld Lang Syne was sung in a full throated roar. Please let 2025 be better than 2024.
Hello Davids.
I think Australia is the first country to celebrate NYE every year.
The displays were spectacular.
Japan has drones rather than fireworks, amazing!
Abu Dabi had fireworks that lasted a couple of hours.
Have a friend who was visiting England over the Holidays and she shared a video of the celebration in London.
Not as many this year where I live. A cold front came through after 7:00PM which produced sustained winds of 15-20 MPH and gusts up to 40 MPH. Warnings were issued by local LE to not shoot up fireworks under these conditions.
The New Year has started off tragically in New Orleans. A terrorist attack early this morning in Bourbon Street. The terrorist drove a pick-up truck into a crowd then fired upon others as he exited truck after he crashed it. 15 deceased and dozens injured including 2 police officer’s. Not confirmed but terrorist is said to have been eliminated by LE.
The Sugar Bowl that was to have been played today in NOLA has been postponed until tomorrow. Just saw a post from University of Georgia that all players and staff have accounted for and are safe.
Yes Lynda, the New Year has been ushered in by more tragedy. Stay warm, it’s another beautiful day here today no wind and around 72 but by Saturday it’s up to the mid 100s and alas, bushfires no doubt.
Misery seems to rule the day these days.
Stay safe!
A polar plunge will be impacting our weather here through the 15th.
Lows into the teens, days low thirties.
Possibility of some sleet or freezing rain this coming Sunday.
It is winter of course and January and February are typically the coldest months.
Believe it or not Atlanta gets more snow than my region.
Sadly it is the world we live in now. We have to be aware of our surroundings everywhere. There are no safe havens.
Stay safe, Lynda. As you wrote ‘there are no safe havens’ is so true.
I knew of Buckpasser’s heavy influence in so many pedigrees, but I didn’t know much about the details of his racing career. Fascinating stuff! I’m about as far from being a Chiefs fan as you can get, but I do have a grudging respect for Patrick Mahomes after the last few years. I know he’s always dangerous, just as Buckpasser was. And I guess that’s the ultimate compliment – instilling fear in your opponents, true for both of them. Happy New Year to you and yours, Steve, and to all your readers here.
Thank you Beth same to you..
Not a fan of the Chiefs, but I tip my hat to Patrick Mahomes for his accomplishments and for being a tough athlete. As for Buckpasser, I’ve read many stories about his accomplishment and heroics. A great equine athlete in his own right. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers to a new year and another chance to get it right. Happy New Year!
A reported deal is in the making to stand Rich Strike in PA.
The logical farm to stand the colt in KY would have been Calumet. The farm bred the horse and as far as I am aware, its stallion roster doesn’t reflect a KD winner.
Rich Strike is the best-bred horse to win the KD in the last 30 years and the greatest KD story during the period. Let me hasten to state that I do not expect no shared perspective regarding my acclaims.
His sire Keen Ice was sired by a HOTY and BCC winner Curlin and his dam was sired by robbed HOTY and BCC winner Awesome again.
His dam was a Canadian Champion 3YO and subject to correction, is the highest earning mare to ever produce a KD winner.
Above Perfection the dam of Always Dreaming who had earnings of $381K might have been the one eclipsed by Gold Stike the dam of Rich Strike.
Folks,
This inconceivable KD winner used his 11th hour opportunity, to displayed speed, stamina and an exceptional will to win whilst overcoming challenges that for most would have been insurmountable.
I see no reason he cannot rise to another occasion and become a successful stallion.
Wonderful reading and a great analogy of my 2 favorite sports. Also thank you for the story of a horse I had heard about but was not really familiar with his accomplishments. Glad to know he was a warrior despite his ailments, and toting all that weight while setting records. The ‘Chicken Flamingo’ was a giggle too. Your throwback stories are a treat.
Happy New Year to the Secretariat.com team and all the contributors.
Thank you and Happy New Year
I see that Steve is being visited by some Christmas muses inspiring him to write this great analogy between a modern Sports hero and the great Buckpasser.
Remembering the greatest feats of the iron horses is a tonic for the nostalgic hearts.
As for many of the greatest runners of the past, Buckpasser was the favorite in all his races except in his debut and in the Sapling Stakes where the 6/5 favorite was Our Michael with Buckpasser a close 8/5 in the morning lines. At that point Our Michael was the leading 2-year-old in earnings (with $76K) but Buckpasser became the new chief earner with his Sapling win (amassing $117K).
That afternoon at Monmouth non other than General Eisenhower was among the more than 38 thousand people in attendance… the 34th president commented that Buckpasser was going to win the 6-furlong Stakes featuring the best 2-year-olds of the nation… and the son of Tom Fool proved to be the best of the best despite a terrible start.
Even to these days there is discussion about what would have happened if Buckpasser was able to participate in the Triple Crown Series…
The 1966 Derby and Preakness winner Kauai King ran against Buckpasser only once in the Arlington Classic but the son of Native Dancer stumbled twice in the race and finishied 5th after injuring his (left-foreleg) suspensory ligament. Kauai King was retired to stud due to that injury but his owner Mike Ford always hinted that Buckpasser would have had a hard time trying to beat his horse in the Arlington Classic …
It would have been nice to see Buckpasser running against a healthy 1966 Derby and Preakness champion to resolve the controversy around who was better 3-year-old …
By the way, Buckpasser was also the (8/5) favorite in the historical 1967 Woodward Stakes against younger super stars Damascus and Dr. Fager. Again, I wonder what would have happened in the legendary race if Buckpasser had not suffered from lingering hoof troubles.
The spirit of Buckpasser lives on in the bloods of innumerable superior runners and sires to these days…
I just hope that the younger generations who love American Football also fall in love with the fascinating world of horse racing after reading this sagacious article… even better, it would be really great if Patrick Mahomes actually meets the spirit of Buckpasser by participating in the sports of kings…
Great post Nelson. Thank you very much. Also, I’m glad my muse has as warped a mind as I have.
Nelson, did you know that Buckpasser in 1965 as a 2 year old he held a world record in prize money of $586,020. That sum is impressive even now.
Thanks for the reminder Davids..I was really impressed by the prize money offered by the 2 year old Stakes ..the 335K of the Arlington Futurity , the 151K of the Futurity,and the 235K for the Champagne were the richest races Buckpasser won…it is amazing how important the 2 year old stakes were in a bygone era…I wonder what would be the impact of gonig back to that mentality …
Nelson, Australia probably best exemplifies the answer you are seeking with the Golden Slipper Stakes, the richest two year old race in the world, along with the Blue Diamond Stakes as well as the supporting prep stakes for both these races ensure that Australian breeders endeavour to produce precocious speed balls that rocket out of the gate.
These 2 year old races, conceived in 1957, have had such an influence in Australian breeding that the Classic three year old races simply don’t resonate as they do elsewhere. The Cox Plate is a different matter but should be discussed elsewhere.
With the Golden Slipper for 2 year olds worth over 5 million in prize money and The Everest for 3 years+ now worth 20 million both at 6 furlongs breeders/owners are focusing on blinding speed.
Arguably, Australia now has the world’s fastest/best sprinter/milers on turf it’s just unfortunate that the Melbourne Spring Carnival and Sydney Spring Carnival have races offering ridiculous prize money which dwarf what the Breeders’ Cup races have on offer that the Australian runners stay at home where the ‘grass is definitely greener.’
Thanks for the interesting information Davids…
I was trying to imagine what would happen with the longevity of the modern race horses in America if the Champagne Stakes and any other big race for 2-year-olds had a gross prize twice as that of the Kentucky Derby (like it was in the 60’s)… owners would be rushing their horses to start their campaigns earlier … would those young horses (with more starts) be “more fit” or more “worn down” for the Triple Crown ? It certainly did not matter for the iron horses of the past but it seems like the modern Thoroughbreds can not withstand such lenghty campaigns… Not sure if it is different in Australia with turf runners as opossed to dirt specialists…
Hi Nelson, sorry but have to be brief. I think the lack of Breeders’ Cup Juveniles winning the Kentucky Derby answers your question.
The money wins the heart over tradition.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Buckpasser is my all time favorite racehorse. I was only 11 when he started racing, and I immediately fell in love with him. I have a scrapbook filled with articles about him, augmented by my childish observations and feelings about every race and development in his career, it even continues with articles about Numbered Account and La Prevayonte. And when I spent the summer after my freshman year of college working at Tartan Farms, I was thrilled to find myself at the barn where his daughter out of Aspidistra–dam of Dr. Fager–was stabled, having read about that mating years prior. I had always wondered what happened to her, since she never raced.
And I have told that story about the “chicken Flamingo” many times over the years! Famed equine artist Richard Stone Reeves described Buckpasser as “close to the perfect Thoroughbred as can be found”, and this super-fan couldn’t agree more.
So thank you for spotlighting him and his amazing career.
Paula, we are almost the same age, and obviously had the same reactions to Buckpasser. He was the picture of magnificence: Richard Stone Reeves was absolutely right about his confirmation, but he also possessed a certain undefinable beauty that I will never forget. I still get chills when I see his picture. Steve has included some nice ones here.
Thank you very much for posting, P:aula. Scrapbooks were so great back then.
Nice post Paula… You must be talking about Magic (Buckpasser-Aspidistra). She is a great producer designated Reine De Course and is the third dam of Unbridled.
Yes, Magic. She never raced because she had a club foot, but the people at the farm told me that in spite of it, she had displayed some impressive speed–apparently they did put her through some initial training. She wasn’t in foal when I was there, that was the summer of ’72, and she would have been foaled in ’69. Can’t remember who she had been bred to that year but it was typical of the farm to keep a mare at home her first breeding season rather than ship to KY. It might have been Minnesota Mac, since he was at the farm and owned by Tartan, that’s who they bred TaWee to her first season. I actually had her in my barn when she and her colt returned from KY, where she’d been bred to Arts and Letters. For a horse that had been such a champion on the track, she was surprisingly laid back as a broodmare, she was far down the pecking order among the mares in her pasture!
Those horses sure were tough back then. It’s taken me awhile to appreciate Mahomes, but i guess he’s pretty tough too.
It’s too bad the older races are on lower quality video, otherwise you could see the quality of these horses in greater detail and in color. I guess some of the really old vintage films do convey the electric atmosphere at these events. There’s nothing like those crowds that gathered at the race track in the 30’s-60’s, unless it was the crowds at boxing matches and baseball games. They seem to move like water flowing in and around the corners and over the infield.
Buckpasser had one of the great names in racing, in my opinion, named with true wit and a sense of humor, unless I’m missing the meaning. I’m cheering for a Great Lakes team to win the super bowl this year, preferably the Detroit Lions, they’ll have to deal with Mahomes.
Steve: When I saw the headline, I instantly laughed. I’m a Chiefs fan by marriage — my husband grew up a short distance from Arrowhead — and Buckpasser is probably my all time favorite horse. I literally fell in love with horse racing on the basis of a tiny version of the picture of the Flamingo finish in my hometown newspaper. Because I lived in North Carolina for most of his career, I only caught a few of his races on TV. The most memorable was that epic Suburban in 1967. I didn’t believe he could catch Ring Twice, who was flying, but he did it not by a neck or a nose, but a full half length. As for the Chiefs, we’ll see if they can pull off a Buckpasser again in the coming weeks. Thanks for this wonderful piece, Steve, and Happy New Year!
Thanks Ms B. I guess I hit the exacta with you. Lol.
You did. LOL.
Hi Steve
Thank you for providing a brilliant analogy of these two remarkable athletes, who gave it their all, on every occasion. They say if you dislike an athlete, it’s probably because they’re good. Patrick Mahomes is disliked by the fans of opposing teams because he continues to beat their team year after year. I would venture to say that nothing gives Mahomes and the KC Chiefs greater satisfaction than winning back-to-back Super Bowls, and well on their way to making it three in a row.
Being a Chargers fan for the last 64 years, I’m hopeful that this could be the year that the Chargers take down the Chiefs at some point in the upcoming playoffs.
From my perspective, the Chiefs are not as good as they were last, but as you mentioned they somehow always find a way to win. Kelse is starting to show his age, and Mahomes is currently dealing with a few injuries. I suspect Reid will rest him when they play Denver on Sunday.
Back to horse racing. Two KD prep races are coming up on Jan. 4th, the Jerome and the Smarty Jones. In the Jerome, I like Studlydoright. In the Smarty Jones, I like Guns Loaded.
Any thoughts you might have on those two Derby prep races would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Steve.
Edit: Guns loaded is running in the MMM Stakes at GP. In the Smarty Jones, I like Kate’s Angel.
Havent looked at those races yet, Bill. But I will keep an eye on both horses. Thanks.
Thank you Steve! Buckpasser was one of my mom’s favourite horses (along with his sire Tom Fool) and your writing makes me understand why he was so special to her. Thank you for the New Year’s gift. And in return, all the best to you and your family. May 2025 be good to you.
Dawn
Thanks Dawn and same to you