Remembering Jaw-dropping Performances of the Past
Following Flightline’s remarkable victory in the Pacific Classic, Jay Hovdey wrote a column about the most memorable performances he had seen in California that pretty much blew him away and left a lasting impression on him. That inspired me to do the same from an Eastern point of view. So here are the moments over the past 55 years that left me awestruck.~ Steve Haskin
Remembering Jaw-dropping Performances of the Past
By Steve Haskin
With the final Breeders’ Cup Classic preps in the book, most everyone has to be wondering if any of the top horses are capable of posing a threat to Flightline. Life is Good’s expected romp in a depleted Woodward Stakes at odds of 1-20 never happened as he could only manage a workmanlike 1 ¼-length victory over 26-1 shot Law Professor while America’s favorite bridesmaid, the gutsy but unlucky Hot Rod Charlie, winner of last year’s Secretariat Vox Populi Award, showed his gameness by battling back to nip Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike in the Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs.
Although racing fans across the country were hoping and expecting to see Life is Good blow his field away, there were a number of positives to take from his effort, which we will get into in a future column. In the meantime, Flightline looks more imposing than ever coming off his fifth spectacular victory in as many starts in the Pacific Classic, which brought back memories of races over the past half century that were so eye-catching they left yours truly stunned and still do after all these years. It is tough ranking these races and the thrills they provided, but we’ll give it shot. So here are those races that left me in awe. I’m sure everyone has their own list, so feel free to share them.
Exciting close finishes such as Zenyatta’s Breeders’ Cup Classics, Forego’s Marlboro Cup, Personal Ensign’s BC Distaff, and the Sunday Silence — Easy Goer battles in the Preakness and BC Classic and many others are for a future column.
1—Secretariat, 1973 Belmont Stakes – It would be a great injustice to Big Red’s performance to waste mere words on it. This is the one race in history where only three words are needed – “Secretariat” and “Belmont Stakes.” That will be followed immediately by “31 lengths” and “2:24.” All you have to hear are racecaller Chic Anderson’s words “Secretariat is moving like a tremendous machine” for all the memories to come flooding back and the goosebumps and tears to begin all over again. In short, we will never see anything like this again. It is truly racing’s one moment that will forever remain frozen in time.
2—Damascus, 1967 Travers Stakes – Even though this was a perfect setup for Damascus with only four entered and two of them speed horses, who dueled through fast fractions, this race was visually spectacular with Damascus coming from 16 lengths back midway down the backstretch to win by 22 lengths eased up and equaling the track record in the mud. I can state emphatically that no horse ever went by two leaders as quickly as Damascus did. When he caught Tumiga and Gala Performance on the far turn, if you blinked your eyes once and then opened them, you would have seen Damascus already six lengths in front and just coasting along with Bill Shoemaker sitting perfectly still on him. Like Secretariat’s Belmont it mattered little who he beat. It was something you never saw before and would never forget. When Damascus did face a Hall of Fame field in the Woodward Stakes, dubbed “The Race of the Century,” he again demonstrated that explosive move and cat-like quickness, and rabbits or no rabbits he still was able to annihilate two of the greatest horses of all time, Buckpasser and Dr. Fager, by 10 lengths. Considering who he beat, and with such disdain, this performance certainly could easily have been ranked in the Top 10, but we’ll just mention it here.
3—Dr. Fager, 1968 Vosburgh Handicap – If you never saw this race live, sadly you will never see it, as NYRA personnel in charge of the video department admitted that the race somehow was lost or destroyed and was gone forever. So one of the most remarkable performances in the history of the sport has not been seen for 54 years and never will be seen other than through the eyes of those who were at Aqueduct on November 2, 1968 or watching at home on TV. A week before the seven-furlong Vosburgh, NYRA winterized the track (this was before the inner track was built), which made the surface some two seconds slower than normal. This was Dr. Fager’s farewell and trainer John Nerud asked racing secretary Tommy Trotter to put 145 pounds on Dr. Fager. Trotter said he couldn’t do that but did burden him with a staggering 139 pounds. He was also going against the brilliant sprinter Kissin George, who had just romped in the six-furlong Sport Page Handicap after being sent east and turned over to Allen Jerkens. To watch Dr. Fager run Kissin George into the ground through blazing fractions of :43 4/5 and 1:07 4/5 over a track that slow and with that much weight and then go on to romp by six lengths in a track-record 1:20 1/5 was simply mind-boggling. That record would last 31 years before being broken by sprint champion Artax, who ran a fifth of a second faster carrying 25 pounds less than Dr. Fager.
4—Dr. Fager, 1968 Washington Park Handicap – Although Dr. Fager’s world record mile in 1:32 1/5 arguably is the most iconic record second only to Secretariat’s Belmont Stakes, I am putting it just below the Vosburgh because almost everyone was expecting a world record over the lightning-fast Arlington surface, which was the scene of the previous three world record miles. But what blew everyone away was how easily Dr. Fager won carrying 134 pounds and being eased the length of the stretch, drawing off under wraps to win by 10 lengths. This was after running his second quarter in :20 3/5, believed to be the fastest quarter ever run within the body of a race, and six furlongs in a scorching 1:07 3/5. It is now 54 years later and no one has run a faster mile on dirt. Hall of Fame jockey Ted Atkinson said after the race, “Hell, if he had been asked he could have done it in 1:30 and change.” As Dr. Fager was pulling up, out of the silence came a single faint word from track announcer Phil Georgeff: “Wow!”
5 and 6—Arrogate, 2016 Travers Stakes and 2017 Dubai World Cup – Because both victories were so completely opposite it was difficult deciding whether to put Arrogate’s victory in the Dubai World Cup or the Travers Stakes at No. 5, so I am putting them both here because both were equally jaw-dropping in different ways. No one had a clue who Arrogate was when he came to Saratoga for the Midsummer Derby off a so-so 1 ¾-length allowance victory at Del Mar and wasn’t even the more highly regarded Bob Baffert two horses in the Travers field. No one could have imagined the performance that was follow, as Arrogate went to the front and absolutely demolished his opponents, winning by 13 ½ lengths in a spectacular 1:59 1/5, shattering General Assembly’s 37-year-old track record by four-fifths of a second. So the following year when Arrogate got left badly at the start in the Dubai World Cup and dropped back to a distant last in the 14-horse field, everyone felt the race was over for him. But those same people were awestruck when Arrogate charged past the entire field and blew by the top-class Gun Runner in the stretch to win going away by 2 ¼ lengths. When I started to write my column on the race I was literally at a loss for words until I just let my feelings pour out reflecting my amazement at what I had just seen.
7—Canonero II, 1971 Preakness Stakes – There are several degrees of shock when watching a horse race. You can be shocked by a huge margin or a record-setting time or a sensational stretch run. But Canonero set a new standard in the Preakness. It would seem nothing could top the shock of his Kentucky Derby victory when this ribby, crooked-legged Venezuelan import, who had sold as a yearling for $1,500, rallied from 18th, 20 lengths off the pace to win by 3 ¾ lengths. If he hadn’t been in a six-horse mutual field he surely would have gone off at odds nearing 100-1. So going into the Preakness with a classy Calumet speed horse in Eastern Fleet appearing to be the fastest horse in the field and the one to catch, there seemed no way that the plodding Canonero could rally from that far back at a shorter distance and come even close to catching Eastern Fleet or out-close the plucky little Derby runner-up Jim French, who was tough as nails and always right there at the finish. Canonero also was breaking from post 9, which was not ideal at Pimlico. I cannot remember being more shocked than I was when Canonero went right after Eastern Fleet approaching the clubhouse turn and dueled head and head with him through testing fractions of :47 and 1:10 2/5. Turning for home they were still eyeball to eyeball, but Canonero would not quit. He finally put Eastern Fleet away inside the eighth pole and not only drew off to a 1 ½-length victory he broke Nashua’s track record by three-fifths of a second. To this day that performance astounds me and I still can’t believe he was able to do what he did coming off the Derby. That convinced me this was no ordinary horse.
8—Secretariat, 1973 Preakness Stakes – This is the one race that left me awestruck by something that did not occur in the stretch, but earlier in the race. Remember, at the time Secretariat had established himself as something special, especially after his record-breaking performance in the Kentucky Derby, but visually he hadn’t done anything we’d never seen before. When Secretariat was running last early on in the Preakness everyone assumed we would see the same type of race he ran in the Derby, which was gradually moving up and picking off horses before unleashing his closing kick. I was watching the race from the roof, so I got a great start-to-finish look at a move I, and everyone else, had never seen before. As he approached the clubhouse turn Secretariat decided it was time to move and when Secretariat decided it was time to move you just gave him his head and held on, which is all Ron Turcotte could do. In a flash, Big Red blew by horses so fast on the turn he was in front by two lengths before anyone could comprehend what they were seeing. Jockey George Cusimano on the front-running Ecole Etage said he was going along easily and had plenty of horse when he heard what sounded like a freight train coming up behind him. Then he looked over and saw Secretariat, who went by him with such force he blew the number off his sleeve. Everyone was stunned, but as Sham moved out and took up the chase many wondered if Secretariat had done too much too early. But he went on to win comfortably, which pretty much assured everyone that a Triple Crown sweep was imminent, as they now knew this was a horse who could do things other horses were incapable of. And that was before they found out years later he had shattered the track record. This was another moment frozen in time that still leaves people stunned every time they watch it.
9—Rachel Alexandra, 2009 Mother Goose Stakes – I could have put any one of three of Rachel’s victories in this spot, including her 20 ¼-length laugher in the Kentucky Oaks or her six-length drubbing of top colts Summer Bird and Munnings in the Haskell Invitational in near track-record time in the slop. But the one that really took my breath away was the Mother Goose even though she faced only two opponents. But those two opponents, Flashing and Malibu Prayer, were coming into the race off impressive winning streaks and both would go on to be grade 1 winners. Here was the speedy Rachel Alexandra sitting five lengths off the lead before pouncing on the two leaders, coming between both of them. In a flash she was gone and even though Calvin Borel eased her to a mere gallop nearing the sixteenth pole while looking back twice, she still won by 19 ¼ lengths in a blazing 1:46 1/5. The only horses I can recall who ran a faster mile and an eighth at Belmont were Hall of Famers Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Forego, and Precisionist, and champion older mare Riboletta. And none of them won anywhere near as easily as Rachel did. This victory was very reminiscent of Flightline’s 19 ¼-length romp in the Pacific Classic and even his 13 1/4-length score in the seven-furlong Malibu Stakes, the way they both extended their leads with every stride despite being eased up in the stretch. I can only imagine how fast Rachel would have gone had she been asked to run even a little in the final sixteenth.
10—Ruffian, 1974 Spinaway Stakes – Good luck trying to choose only one Ruffian victory that blew you away. How about all of them? I could even choose her career debut when no one knew much about her and she was sent off at odds of 4-1. I remember being at the track and my friend assuring me Ruffian would stop after setting a blazing :45 1/5 half. Well, all she did was win by 15 lengths equaling the track record at Belmont Park. In her stakes debut, the Fashion Stakes, she equaled her own record winning by 6 ¾ lengths over Cragwood Stable’s highly regarded Copernica, who had also romped in her debut. She then blew the doors off a very fast filly named Laughing Bridge in the Astoria Stakes, winning by nine lengths in a stakes-record 1:02 4/5. But after stretching out to six furlongs, Laughing Bridge won the Schuylerville Stakes by 13 lengths in 1:09 4/5 and the Adirondack Stakes by five lengths and seemed ready for a rematch with Ruffian in the Spinaway Stakes. That turned out to be her misfortune as Ruffian burst out of the gate and quickly opened a two-length lead. She just kept pouring it on, winning eased up by almost 13 lengths in a blistering 1:08 3/5, just three-fifths off the track record. And we’re talking about a 2-year-old filly. To win that easily going that fast and by such a huge margin and crushing a brilliant filly like Laughing Bridge it confirmed that we were looking at some sort of freak.
11—Ghostzapper, 2003 Vosburgh Stakes – At the beginning of Ghostzapper’s career he looked destined to be a sprinter, as trainer Bobby Frankel started him off in seven straight sprints. But it reached a point that Frankel felt compelled to stretch him out in the 2004 Iselin at Monmouth and two races later he wound up winning the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Classic in stakes-record time But the race that sticks out in my mind was the 6 ½-furlong Vosburgh Stakes. That’s when everyone came to the realization that this was a very special horse. Before making the transition to becoming a horse who wanted to be on or just off the lead Ghostzapper had been a closer who had come from the clouds with an explosive stretch run to be beaten a half-length in the seven-furlong King’s Bishop Stakes. Then came the Vosburgh, dropping back in distance against older horses, and Ghostzapper was so far back, racing in 10th and last, 13 lengths off the pace, no one could imagine him even finishing in the money. He began to kick in on the far turn, but nearing the top of the stretch he was still seventh, 10 lengths back. Then came an explosion very few had seen before. At the eighth pole he had already collared the leaders and was moving with such momentum he just kept pouring it on and opening up on the field, eventually winning by 6 ½ lengths in a blazing 1:14 3/5. To show how special Ghostzapper was, despite making only 11 career starts, he was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2012.
12—Frosted, 2016 Met Mile – I still would like to know where this performance came from. Frosted was always regarded as a good horse who unfortunately came along the same year as American Pharoah. He did win the Wood Memorial and Pennsylvania Derby by two lengths and the Maktoum Challenge in Dubai by five lengths before finishing fifth in the Dubai World Cup. Many horsemen feel it takes several months to recover from a trip to Dubai. Frosted was in Dubai for two races and then returned to the U.S. where he had eyes popping with a performance in the Met Mile that defies all logic. Despite not having run in a one-turn race since breaking his maiden two years earlier and having won both his mile and an eighth stakes in a mediocre 1:50 and 1:50 1/5, he somehow demolished his field by 14 ¼ lengths in a blazing 1:32 3/5, two fifths off Dr. Fager’s world record on dirt. In his final three career starts following the Met Mile he did manage to win the Whitney by two lengths and then was beaten at 2-5 in the Woodward before getting beat over 19 lengths in the Breeders’ Cup Classic to close out his career. How he did what he did in the Met Mile I have no idea.
13–Arazi, 1991 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile — This is a last-minute addition that I definitely overlooked and deserves to be higher up. All I can say is “And Arazi runs right by him!” as Tom Durkin frantically called as Arazi blew by Bertrando so fast after making the most amazing and explosive move ever seen by a 2-year-old. “Bertando stunned by the move of Arazi. Just incredible!” And coming off sprints in France no less. No one had ever seen anything like this and surely no one was expecting it. So began the most unusual Derby trail ever, with Arazi training in France after undergoing knee surgery following the Juvenile.
There have been a number of other brilliant performances with horses winning by huge margins, such as the Belmont Stakes victories by Risen Star, Point Given, and Bet Twice or Alydar’s demolition of the Whitney Stakes where he crushed top-class older horses by 10 lengths in 1:47, which made people wonder once again how this colt could get beat so many times by Affirmed. And has any young 3-year-old ever run as fast as Alydar’s son Easy Goer. who romped by 13 lengths in the Gotham Stakes in an unreal near world record 1:32 2/5, eased up? No one could have expected such a performance by 3-year-old in March. There was Arts and Letters’ 15-length score in the 1969 Blue Grass Stakes in which he won eased up and still missed Round Table’s track record by only two-fifths of a second. On the Derby trail, who can forget Bellamy Road’s other worldly performance in the Wood Memorial, in which he won by 17 ½ lengths in a swift 1:47. And this was coming off a 15 ¾-length allowance victory at Gulfstream Park.
Although his margins weren’t as big, there are few back-to-back performances I can remember that left me as amazed as Prove Out’s dominating victories over Secretariat and Riva Ridge in the Woodward and Jockey Club Gold Cup. As surprising as it was winning both races, it was how he did it that boggled the mind. You will have to read my column on both races to fully grasp the enormity of what Prove Out accomplished.
And then this year we had Charge It’s stunning 23-length romp in the Dwyer Stakes. Unfortunately a foot abscess forced him to miss the Travers. There was Gamine’s jaw-dropper in the Acorn Stakes, and I must also mention the spectacular runaway victories by Autobiography, Borego and Waquoit in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Inside Information in the Ruffian and BC Distaff, Bertrando in the Woodward Stakes, and the dominance over top-class older horses by Holy Bull in the Woodward.
And finally I must mention the shock of seeing Mine That Bird not only win the Kentucky Derby at 50-1, but come charging through the entire field like a horse possessed to win by 6 ½ lengths. That is another baffling performance that will never be explained by rational thinking.
I’m sure I’m overlooking several other jaw-dropping performances that escape me at the moment, so please feel free to add your own and share them in your comments.
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.
How about a jaw dropping insane race? Go back and watch Spectacular Bid win The Florida Derby 1979. Worst ride ever!
Not on the list but worth mentioning. 1980 Woodward and Spectacular Bid’s walkover. Unless I am wrong I don’t think there has been another walkover in 42 years. No jaw dropping stretch run just all alone!
You pretty much nailed the ones I remember except beholders race and I think the pack classic?
My comments on #8 Secretariat Preakness. Before the race I moved from the infield to the stable area and walked down to the outside rail at the 3/4 pole. It was impossible to see all the race but I could get a real good view of part of it. They broke and I could hear Ecole Etage in the lead. George Cusimano was Delp’s regular rider and I worked for Delp so this was exciting. Then, coming straight at me was Big Red. I was looking head on directly at his chest. He seemed wider and bigger than the field. As they went by I watched him going down the backside. Then they were out of sight. I could hear the call and they crossed the wire. I watched Red gallop out. Ron told the outrider he was Ok. They stopped about 20 feet from me. Big Red wasn’t even blowing and his coat was dry. He was glistening in the late afternoon sun. Do you think I had a camera? Nope!
Last week Ron Turcotte called me. We talked for an hour about all three Triple Crown races. He gave me a blow by blow of his rides and how they played out. he told me that Red was just galloping in the Preakness and that is why he wasn’t at all tired. He said if he had wanted to ask him he could have won by 10.
Also, in the past I think there was some comments from Jockey Tony Black. He was on Deadly Dream and got the first call out of the gate. Tony said that when Turcotte and Secretariat passed him on the turn it looked like Secretariat was running off with Ronnie (this is fuzzy in my memory so feel free to correct).
Steve had a great and unique view from the top of the grandstand but I can say that I had my own memory too.
Watching that Pacific Classic, when he starts to separate, Flightline reaches out with tremendous strides, and that is likely why he needs time between races, his joints get stressed—I’ve seen great Quarter Horses have trouble walking into the winners circle, after a big win….that kind of physical greatness can strain an animal…they are flesh and blood….but his works look as good as ever, they’re not going to beat him, he will have to not handle the track, or get injured—its like when Secretariat lost the Whitney, to Onion, with Rule By Reason closing on him, too….nobody thought any less of Big Red, because they knew he was great…..perhaps IF Flightline lost the Classic, he would be raced another year—I expect he WILL win, and by a large margin, because this is a great animal.
(Oops!) Meant this for the newer column .)
Hi Steve. Wonderful article. I never would have put Arazi in any conversation . Saw him run in the Breeders Cup, he was 3/4 the size of the other thoroughbreds. One hit wonder in the 2 yr. old race. Best race I ever saw was Holy Bull in the 1994 Travers. Held off Concern after ridiculous fractions. Concern went on to win the Classic. Also the 1994 Woodward against older horses Holy Bull crushed the field. The Met Mile that year?
Speaking of Fillies and Mares, I always like to remember Lady’s Secret. A true “Iron Lady”. She was trained by D Wayne Lukas and Lukas worked her hard. In 1985 she ran 17 times, winning 10 and finishing 2nd 5 times. In 1986 she “only” ran 15 races. With 10 wins, 3 seconds, and 2 thirds. She won the Breeders Cup Distaff and the Whitney in 1986. That same year, she also ran 2nd to Percisionist in the Woodward and finished 3rd in the Met Mile just 9 days after winning the Shuvee. The “Iron Lady” competed against Colts many times. She really earned her nickname. Will we ever see a top horse of either gender run 32 races in two years again? Doubtful.
Tommy Mc, Thank you for giving Lady’s Secret a shout out, she was definitely her fathers daughter and a wonderful champion not often given the recognition she deserves.
Steve, did Nest remind you of anyone? Nest shares a dam sire, AP Indy, with Royal Delta. Nest reminds me so much of the late champion Royal Delta. They are both big powerful fillies with an attitude on the track. Although their sires are different, they so remind me of each other.
What a great Breeders Cup it will be for mares and fillies. Lots of great horses this year.
I can see that. Distaff is all about Pletcher vs. Pletcher.
Steve, and it reminds me of what you said about racing several years ago. I paraphrase what you wrote: It’s the women who will save racing. And three of the the top females: Malathaat, Nest, and Clairiere were bred by Barbara Banke at Stonestreet. And the owner of Malathaat is Shikah Hissa who runs Shadwell.
All three fillies share the same sire, Curlin, and their dam sire is from the AP Indy line.
There is just so much class in those three running in the Distaff this year.
Like I said in previous post …. Pletcher has a way with fillies and mares… a real ladies man !!!
Letruska just isn’t close to being the same horse this year at 6 years old. Tyler Gaffalione not being ready for the start didn’t help today. But, Malathaat ran by her like she was standing still. No offense. A good day for Todd Pletcher’s probable Distaff starters.
When a mare that age goes offf form they rarely come back. She showed last out she was over the top. Needs top be retired.
I’m afraid you are right. Letruska had a pretty good run though.
Letruska has been given a lot of poor rides previously and I think she has become discouraged and is not trying no more. I think it is time to either give her a long rest or to hang it up. Same with Secret Oath !!!
I just watched a replay of Cave Rock’s(2-5) romping win in yesterday’s American Pharoah at Santa Anita. He looked very impressive in what was basically a BB Stable workout. BB swept the SUPERFECTA. But, it’s hard to tell what he really beat out there in California. Cave Rock was never challenged on the lead and had a perfect prep for the Breeders Cup Juvenile. Loggins and Cave Rock to the wire in four weeks unless Forte INTERFERES with somebody AGAIN. I have a hunch that Cave Rock will run very well on November 4th as that will be BB’s Kentucky Derby before another trainer takes over next May. BTW, the BC Juvenile needs to be a Saturday race IMO.
To say that about Forte is wrong. Loggins was the Keeneland pick all week. Instant Coffee, Newgate, Lost Ark were given more of a chance by online handicappers, than Forte. He should and could have won by more. He has more racing experience so that may have helped.
Beyers….
Golden Pal 106
War Like Goddess 105
Cave Rock 104
In Italian 104
Annapolis 103
Forte 92
I’m no expert, but that 104 for Cave Rock seems exceptionally high for a 2 year old Colt. He looked like he did it very easily. If he moves forward off that number in the Breeders Cup, he might be very special. Let’s see how he trains up to the Juvenile. Cave Rock led a parade of BB horses down the stretch in the American Pharoah yesterday.
Cave Rock was almost 3 seconds faster than the fillies in the Chandelier Stake….. same day, same track, same distance.
Agreed on the Juvenile being run on Saturday. Having the BC a 2 day event has taken away from the general idea I believe of having a 1 day showcase for the best in the world. I’m a big fan of the card on Belmont Day. Nobody comes close to the card on that day, IMO.
We’ll see if Cave Rock ends up in Derb minus his barn. Same movie…. see Bezos, Coliseum.
A 105 BSF for Warlike Goddess yesterday. Looking good! All I heard from the commentators when I was watching
The Arc de Triomphe telecast were things like “it’s wide open” and “no standouts this year”. Does that mean an American horse can win the Breeders Cup Turf? I’m not sure, but Warlike Goddess is our best hope IMO. And if a horse like Vadeni comes over for the race, remember that he ran a very hard race to finish 2nd in The Arc. Plus, I think he’ll be needing a new jockey. Other than Baaeed, I have not been overly impressed by any European horse this year. Except one. Desert Crown. I’ve lost track of him. He’s dropped off my radar. I last saw him in June when he blew away the Epsom Derby Field(I think they call it the Cazoo Derby now or something like that).
Alpinista hasn’t impressed you? Desert Crown was ‘out for the season’ back in July 22, due to an unspecified injury.
Thanks for the info on Desert Crown. I was listening to the prerace comments on Arc Day and Alpinista’s trainer, Sir Mark Prescott, downplayed her chances in the race even though I think she went favored at something like 7-2 that day. She has won something like 8 in a row. The last 6 in Group I company. 3 for 3 this year. I know that in her winning streak she has beaten last year’s Arc winner at least twice. Frankly, I thought that Tarnawa ran the best race in last year’s Arc to finish 2nd. Nothing against
Hurricane Tasso. I haven’t heard that Alpinista is coming for the Breeders Cup. If she does, it could be a showdown between two
5 year-old mares. Alpinista and Warlike Goddess. But, like Tarnawa last year, Alpinista really laid it all on the line in The Arc. Can she recover just 5 weeks later to run another race like her Arc win? I think she ran every bit as hard as Tarnawa did in 2021. Meanwhile, Warlike Goddess had a much easier time of things in her BC prep yesterday. On the other hand, Alpinista has only been out 3 times this year. Maybe she can move forward off her hard fought victory over 19 rivals in The Arc. I hope she comes over. It would be another great story.
There are at least 4 other great stories shaping up for this year’s Breeders Cup. Zia Park hero Slammed. The Iowa-Bred and Prairie Meadows raced Tyler’s Tribe. The return to the national stage of BB with Cave Rock and Taiba. How about a possible BC Turf Sprint showdown between Golden Pal and Highfield Princess? Two 5-year old Mares in the BC Turf would be awesome. It would be left up to Flightline to put a candle on that cake.
Modern Games and Annapolis could be another BC showdown.
Tommy, don’t forget the QIPCO British Champions QIPCO British Champions Day this Saturday at Ascot. Baaeed is the hot favorite for Qipco Champion Stakes (British Champions Middle Distance) (Group 1). It’s a great day.
Kirsten Rausing, owner of Alpinista, stated that she intends to bring her back to the stud after the season has finished but would consider races such as the Breeders’ Cup Turf if the mare came out of the Arc in fine order. So, you might be lucky.
Sir Mark Prescott, 3rd Baronet, was originally a jockey, leaving school at age 15, often says amusing, outlandish things and enjoys blood sports. Controversial figure, love him, hate him kind of guy.
Davids I watched an interview with Sir Mark Prescott and mentioned I think the Japan Cup. The organizers of the race are offering a big incentive to rhe winner of the Arc and one other race (do not recall the name of the race, but Alpinista did win the race).
From what I gathered Sir Mark might be considering the Japan Cup as her next race.
Alpinista certainly impresses me.
Lynda Sir Mark was probably talking about, shameless promotion here:
“QIPCO British Champions Day is the Ultimate Raceday and the finale of the British Flat racing season. Ascot Racecourse plays host to the UK’s richest raceday which sees the best horses, trainers and jockeys step out onto the hallowed turf for one final, thrilling showdown” this Saturday, October 15, 2022.
Don’t miss it. Weather looks good to ok as well.
I was glad to see Warlike Goddess win her race, and as easily as she did, but what brought my heart to mouth about her, was the way she moves. She glides, flies like she is mostly running above the ground, just touching it enough to move her forward, because she must. Otherwise, not too certain that she would. Perfectly formed, totally aerodynamic. Exquisite mover.
Forte was green going inside in the stretch and staying even with the hyped up Loggins instead of passing him, but he increased his lead just before the wire. There was no interference, Geroux pushed back before the wire and he and his horse weren’t touched.
This column brought back some good memories, Steve! Thank you. I would add Afleet Alex’s Preakness victory in 2005. Falling to his knees late in the race, then bounding up as if nothing happened and scoring a dominating win–what an incredible performance!
Say, on another topic, does anyone know why Keeneland has such odd payouts now? $10.86? $4.56? I don’t get it.
That goes in my next6 column on thrilling finishes and courageous moments
I look forward to reading it!
Kentucky is paying out the “breakage” to the nearest penny now. A good thing and long overdue IMO. Look at it this way: a $20 win wager with that $10.86 payout pays you $108.60. A $100 wager would payout $543. That’s $3 more than you would normally have gotten. Over an entire year it adds up for people that play every week.
Thank you for explaining this! I’d never seen anything like that before.
Warlike Goddess had a good prep for the Breeders Cup today. Not a jaw-dropping performance by any means. She’ll have to run better if she does go to the BC Turf. I think she can and I think she will. Gufo was a “no-show” today.
Golden Pal’s decline has been highly exaggerated. He looked pretty good today at 1-5. There’s a European sprinter named Highfield Princess that’s getting plenty of “buzz”. I don’t normally like the Euro’s in the BC Turf Sprint, but didn’t a Euro Sprinter win the turf sprint the last time that the BC was at Keenland? My memory might be off on that one.
The Breeders Cup Juvenile should be a real good race this year with a rematch of Loggins and Forte along with whichever horses that BB and Chad Brown send to Keenland. Forte cruised up nicely today, but I wouldn’t give up on Loggins who was down inside the entire trip on a contested pace. Loggins was interfered with in the stretch and the Stewards apparently didn’t see it. He was racing on short rest(21days) as he tried 2 turns for the first time. Loggins fought back after being passed in the stretch and probably would have won if not for the interference IMO. Forte was racing with 33 days since his last win.
Annapolis looks very serious as he keeps getting better and better. The Euros might not be “locks” in the turf races this year. In fact, I might be backing “home team” horses this year. The lone exception might be that Highfield Princess since Golden Pal is likely to be very low odds. I’ll have to watch some replays and see if Highfield Princess has ever run around a turn or just competed in “straight” races.
Cave Rock was impressive. He ran nearly 3 seconds faster than the filly divisional prep for the juvenile.
It would be great if we could get consistent Steward’s rulings from around the country. I realize that it’s a tough job, but what counts as a DQ one day is allowed the next.
Winx gave birth to a filly this morning (10.08). The sire is Pierro.
Mom and foal both doing well.
Congratulations to all!
Just so, so happy! Must admit a few tears of joy reading the announcement.
Lynda, did you catch the photograph in TDN of Winx, foal, and Chris Waller?
Yes! I follow the official Winx FB page.
Saw that photo and her first photo and the cutest one of the little filly yawning.
Winx looks absolutely gorgeous. Rarely do I see a broodmare as beautifully conditioned as Winx is.
The little filly is gorgeoous…a mini-me of Winx.
Lovely shoulder and long legs and that little face is so sweet.
Winx adores her little foal.
Her sire is a very good looking stallion.
Wishing her the very best!
Davids, responding here to a comment below about ancestors:
Tory Conspiracy name list
7 Jun 1780
Bedford, Virginia, USA
List of names of men who were held in Bedford County Jail (gaol) on suspicion of treasonous activities against the United States, part of the larger Tory Conspiracy of 1780. The involvement of Rev. John Ayers leads me to believe, for some of the men, this may have had something to do with the Church of England’s allegience to the King. “the Church of England clergy were required to swear allegiance to the British monarch, who is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England. Starting July 4, 1776, Congress and several states passed laws making prayers for the king and British P arliament acts of treason.” –
Bedford County, Virginia
“Origin of The Lynch Law 1780 – A Study in Patriotism” by Alfred Percy
My 4th great grandfather was one of the men arrested. He was later released for lack of evidence.
Lynda, by chance have you read “Origin of The Lynch Law…?
Davids I have not read the book by Percy.
If you have time look up Charles Lynch and his brother John Lynch.
Charles Lynch was a member of the Virginia General Assembly (Senate) during the Revolutionary War.
There was a widespread belief that there was big Loyalist movement in South West Virginia that was planning an insurrection agsinst the patriots during the Revolutionary War.
Charles Lynch is credited with Lynch’s Law and the term “lynch”.
I am guessing that in his book, Percy included Charles Lynch and Lynch’s Law.
John Lynch was the founder of the city of Lynchburg, Virginia which is roughly 20 miles from the town of Bedford (where I am from).
I do not know why my great grandfather was arrested (he was one of about 35 arrested at the same time). It might well have been for the reason Percy alluded to. Eventually the Virginia General Assembly (at the end of the war pardoned all the men who were arrested).
There is another possible reason. My 4th great grandfather was the grand son of an immigrant who came to the Virginia Colony as indentured servant. When immigrants arrived in the Port of Pittsburg (Pennsylvsnia) they had to sign a loyalty oath to the King of England before they could leave the ship. They were told that if they violated that oath, they would be hung for treason.
Fast forward to the current day and the movement in the United States to change names of colleges, towns, military bases etc that had been nsmed after or in honor Confederate Generals etc.
There was a petition and a push by certain political groups to rename the city of Lynchburg because the founder was a racist, a slave owner and lynched slaves.
Both John and Charles probably owned slaves but the “Lynch Law ” had nothing to do with slavery.
Lynda have you read the book below?
“The Price of Emancipation
Slave-Ownership, Compensation and British Society at the End of Slavery” – Nicholas Draper
A short taste:”When colonial slavery was abolished in 1833 the British government paid £20 million to slave-owners as compensation: the enslaved received nothing. Drawing on the records of the Commissioners of Slave Compensation, which represent a complete census of slave-ownership, this book provides a comprehensive analysis of the extent and importance of absentee slave-ownership and its impact on British society.”
I was astounded to find out that it wasn’t until 2015 that the UK taxpayers had finally finishing paying the above debt to the slave owners and their inheritors. Absolutely scandalous, to imagine that other tax payers, including children of former slaves, were compensating former slave traders all the way up to 2015 for the ‘property’ they lost due to the abolition of slavery.
Many notable people were slave owners including 2 Prime Ministers Gladstone and Peel.
I hope Steve Haskin doesn’t mind me stepping outside the world of Thoroughbred racing for another “jaw-dropping” performance that I saw in my life. Many years ago, I was a regular at the nighttime Harness races at Hollywood Park. I don’t remember if it was a Friday or Saturday night. It doesn’t matter. The great Standard-Bred Niatross made an appearance at the Inglewood, California oval. Niatross ended up winning 37 of his 39 races. So, it was a big deal. Especially, for the regulars who were used to the “same old, same old”. Seeing the same horses week after week. Anyway, Niatross went right to the lead and “blew away” his overmatched rivals. But, I remember the track announcer calling out at the 3/4 pole “the track record is history”. Sure enough, Niatross finished up his Mile race and broke the track record. My friends and I were so excited. We had never seen a Harness horse that much better than his competition before. Like Flightline, his race that night was against the clock rather than any other horses.
Steve Haskin’s columns are always thought-provoking. This week’s possibly as much as any.
I was at Roosevelt Raceway and was blown away by Niatross’s sire Albatross, who won 59 of 71 starts. A brilliant and amazing horse.
I really enjoy watching the races from Keenland. I hope we get this same weather for Breeders Cup Weekend. Now, if I can just figure out how to get the sports betting info off of the bottom of the screen as I watch on FanDuel TV. If they do this on BC Weekend, I’ll definitely be watching the NBC Broadcast.
I’ve got to make sure that I get to Keenland before my expiration date expires.
Keeneland is one of my favorite US tracks, you’ll feel so comfortable there. Go when it’s warmish though, the winds can be frigidly cold. You have missed out on something special though, not until 1997 did Keeneland have a race caller over its public address system it was slightly surreal at times.
I was at Keenland before they. Had announcers The horses break and silence. Very weird for sure.
Royal Delta and Careless Jewel more than once walloped their opposition by double digit lengths but I’m not sure you would call those wins ‘jaw-dropping.’ Then there is Beholder’s Pacific Classic win by over 8 lengths, is that a jaw-dropping performance? I say yes, yes, and yes but am I right?
When you think of jaw-dropping what is the actual criteria? Steve, you need a finer filter to define your ‘jaw-dropping’ event. All your above examples, plus some others that have been mentioned below, are once in a lifetime experiences to witness, is that the criteria by which to judge?
They call Beholder’s Pacific Classic “The Move”……Lava Man’s first Hollywood Gold Cup, also was a big win….
Matthew, those calls of Lava Man winning major races, by caller Vic Stauffer, we’re spine chilling at times. Stauffer got Lava Man over the line sometimes…”Lava Man…YESSSSS!!!”
Let’s say spine tingling rather than the iPad’s choice of chilling. ha ha
As I mentioned this was inspied by Jay Hovdey doing a column on his west coast jaw-droppers. Mine is just east coast.
Yes, Steve, I realize Behoder’s Pacific Classic triumph was out of bounds but Royal Delta and Careless Jewel were east coast and they did have extraordinary wins at times which some described as ‘jaw-dropping’ performances so I was wondering if those wins fitted your criteria or not. On the cusp, possibly?
There were quite a few I didnt mention. Cant name them all over 55 years. As for those two, they were impressive, but I honetly didnt even think of them. I dont think they belong with the ones I did mention, but its all a matter of opinion. Thanks for sharing them. Each person’s preferences are welcome.
Think I have mentioned before that Carry Back was my first favorite race horse. No TV coverage of races back then at least for me, only 2 page coverage of races in the Sunday paper and sometimes there might be a photo. If the horse won the Derby , it was usually front page news.
The writers back in the day would write up the calling of the race for the newspaper article.
When Carry Back won the Kentucky Derby the write-up said that he “destroyed the field coming from 16 lengths back” to take the lead and win.
I was lucky to find some very old footage of his Derby win; not the entire but just the last quarter when he made his move.
You might recall that way back then that a video called “The News Reel” played before the start of a movie in theaters.
Carry Back’s Derby that I watched a couple of fays ago was included on the News Reel.
Churchill Downs looked very different back then as did the racing fans who attended the race.
Point being for my comment is that there have been (in my opinion) “jaw dropping performances” before the recent history (50 years ago to the present).
For me, Carry Back’s Derby race was jaw dropping.
Sure there are many, many more.
Would thoroughly enjoy reading a column about those thrilling, jaw as dropping performances by those greats from the “Iron Age of Horse Racing”.
Finding that clip of Carry Back was exciting and has now created an interest in finding more.
Carry Back was the first horse that made me aware of horse racing. I was 13 and kept reading about this horse who came rom far back to win the Kentucky Derby and then the Preakness and I kept asking why dont all horses run like that? Made a lot of sense to me. That wqas the first I heard of the Triple Crown and loved the name Preakness Stakes because I had no idea what it meant. I thought Carry Back was unbeatable running that way until I picked up the Sunday paper at my local candy store and saw the headline on the back page of the NY Daily News that some longshot named Sherluck had won the Belmont Stakes and Carry Back wasnt even close. I thought, how could that be with his unbeatable running style. That was my first lesson in horse racing 101.
Same here, no idea what the Triple Crown was then. Yes he was considered to be unbeatable. He did go onto to redeem himself though. It is because of Carry Back that I love a deep closer to this day.
I think I became aware of the Triple Crown when we started getting live coverage of the TC races on TV.
I lived at the time in a very rural area and the reception for the ABC required a lot of jiggling of the rabbit ears. My Dad would not install an antenna on the house. Thought it would make the roof leak, LOL.
He managed the TV and the rabbit ears and would always fuss whenever I messed with the rabbit ears. He did not as I recall watch anything on ABC, only the CBS and NBC affiliates out of Roanoke.
I truly loved reading the accounts of those races though in the newspapers.
It has indeed been an extended learning curve for me about horse racing. And just when I think I have it all figured out, rhe game changes.
It’s crazy about the things you remember. I remember when I heard he won the Preakness I was playing whiffle ball. Thats when I was convinced he was unbeatable.
Steve, one of the things I love about reading your columns and stories is those memories that come to mind from so many years ago. Thank you!
I remember the oddest things.
Lynda, it was the reading of horse racing feats of import, in newspapers, that entrenched those long ago memories forever in your psyche. Newspapers, once, authenticated importance for generations. Not anymore. I remember when major race results were headline news.
Davids, the demise of the printed newspaper is a great loss in my opinion.
Do not think that today’s journalists (? ) can hold a candle to the writers, reporters from years ago whether it was reporting on major events or horse racing results.
The growth of the television industry after WW ll was the beginning of the end for newspapers. I cannot remember a time when we did not have a TV. My Dad was the first person in his family to buy a TV. In fact, very few people had TVs back then.My Grandmother passed away in 1995 at the age of two weeks shy of her 99th birthday, never had a television.
TV brought news events into our homes as they were happening. We got to watch John Glenn’s space flight live in school. I happened to be watching TV when Jack Ruby shot Lee Harvey Oswald. And the embedded journalists snd cameramen covered the Viet Nam War and every evening the lead story on NBC Evening News at 6:30 was always the lead story.
Ted Turner’s CNN 24 hour news channel was another leap that further endangered newspapers.
And of course, fast forward to the beginning of the Internet age and people could surf the net and get the news.
Here we are today, almost 70 years later and we can live stream news events, horse racing and the Olympics.
I think something has been lost over the years with the near extinction of newspapers. We have so many options today that most people, in our busy and fast moving world only take the time me to read the headlines and do not bother or read the story behind the headline.
Those cherished memories of sitting on the floor at my Dad’s feet, reading the horse racing results on Sunday mornings are embedded in my brain as you say above.
I too miss the wonderful newspaper reporters and columnists who covered racing in the 60’s and 70’s. Jack Mann was one of the best writers of any genre that I’ve ever read, and of course, there was also Red Smith, Joe Hirsch, Charles Hatton, Gene Ward, Pete Axthelm, Mike Casale, and many others. It was a golden age of writing as well as racing.
Lynda, have you ever watched “Pretend It’s a City” with Fran Lebowitz and Martin Scorsese as they discuss what has happened to the world, particularly New York, but is more general than specific over the past 50 or so years. I think you would enjoy the show immensely. Netflix has it.
I just finished my seventh re-run at lunch today.
Davids, I have Netflix and will look for that documentary.
I would like to suggest a movie to you, “The Book of Eli”. The lead part is played by Denzal Washington (one of my favorite actors). It is a futuristic movie about what happened to books after some sort of cataclysmic event took place.
As to the Internet and researching one’s family history, I totally agree.
I had actually started researching my ancestry when I was 16. All I had to go on were entries into family Bibles, things my parents, grandmother told me, visits to cemeteries and researching records in the county courthouse.
Not sure exactly when I joined Ancestry, around 2004 I think. Since then I have managed to build an extensive family tree.
It was around 2008 or so that I did take one of those early DNA tests. I am somewhat of a mutt…Scot (Highlander), Native American (Cherokee), German (Lutheran and Palatine), English, French, Welsh, Dutch and Scandanavian.
Lynda: Just now checking in from the South Pole (actually Athens). As a former newspaper reporter, you nailed it. I’ve read the New York Times since I was 12 and they ran the race result charts from Saratoga and Belmont in the Sports section. I learned how to read race results from this neat black and white charts. I only have an online subscription now, but I know I miss so much from the print edition. We used to have it delivered, only to have the delivery person go AWOL. Flying home tomorrow and really looking forward to watching videos of Saturday’s races, especially the American Pharoah and the Breeder’s Futurity.
Davids, another lost art is letter writing.
Because long distance as needed phone calls were so expensive when I was growing up, My Mom and Grandmother znd one of my Mom’s sisters wrote letters back and forth every week.
When my Mom sent my Dad’S trunk to me (from WW ll) I found letters that my Dad had received from the girls back home (not girl friends but girls he had grown up with).
One of my most cherished letters is one my aforementioned Grandmother sent me b a ck in the 80”s. I had asked her to tell me about her family (I was studying and learning my ancestry. My Grsndmother had lovely handwriting and she was a talented writer.
A few years ago I was going through my Mother’s things after she passed away. I was very surprised to find a certification of successful completion of a handwriting and letter composition class she was asked to attend in Richmond the summer before her Senior year in high school. Her handwriting was crisp , clear with perfect formation of the letters up until she passed away.
Can you imagine how much history would have lost forever of we did not have the letters that Jefferson and Adam’s exchanged after they both left the office of President or Jefferson’s letters to Madison from France during the Constitutional Congress? Or the letters, journals and diaries written by women that documented the hardships and heartaches they faced as they traveled West on wagin trains.
Learning my family’s history would have been much harder, perhaps impossible of not for archived newspapers.
Yes Lynda, I remember the ‘art’ of letter writing. As a child, my parents would rebuke you for always starting Dear Grandma and Grandpa, I hope you are well…lol. Every child.
I’m lucky to have a handful of my parents and grandparent’s letters from the 80s and 90s, the last age of letter writing, that were saved by accident in a leather travel bag because I was too lazy/busy to put them somewhere ‘safe’ at the time. A friend kept them safe because she thought the bag contained university essays I might need later on. Time capsule.
Speaking of family history, now there’s a positive for the internet. An aunty of mine, had traced all the family on my mother’s side back to Cornwall and Scotland but wasn’t too sure about my father’s family but thought Cambridge (UK) might be right. By shear serendipity, I found the family from a distant relative that lived in South Africa. He had traced the male line way back to the 15th century to a tiny church town outside Cambridge with photos of some family members. One father had 8 surviving children.
Alas, there is a German family connection that runs cold prior to arriving in Adelaide, Australia, in 1843. He had the names of all the ships arriving in South Africa, United States, Australia departing from England as my Aunt had as well departing from Cornwall on her side.
Jiffy, very well said; “the golden age of writing as well as racing”.
Carry Back was my 3rd favorite, following Hillsdale in ’59, then Bally Ache in ’60. I recall him making his 1st start at Hialeah in one of those 3/8 races out of the chute for 2 year olds. Had to be an iron horse to meet his /trainer’s demands. True plain brown wrapper with pedigree to match.
Got to meet Johnny Sellers 30 years later at Fair Hill.
How exciting! Thank you for sharing. I seem to recall Hillsdale. Need to look him up.
Buckpasser. No clue where the other name came from.
Buckhalter sounds like a good name though. LOL.
Loved all of these picks Steve. But to this day, my favorite racing performance of all that I have seen is the 1978 Belmont with Affirmed beating Alydar. I watched Damascus, Buckhalter, Secretariat, and Ruffian. Big Red was awesome and made me cry but the 1978 Belmont left me speechless. Great article sir. Thank you for returning my memories to the forefront.
What an interesting article. I did not see many of those performances but sure wish I had. I did see Secretariat’s phenomenal Belmont but the other one you mentioned that I saw was Secretariat’s Preakness. Even after all these years the image of him breaking last and then looping the field and vaulting into the lead is still crystal clear in my mind. I remember thinking that he would win the Belmont by 50 lengths. Well, I was close.
Excellent article and I can’t really contribute any more words to match how amazing all these races were.
Several races in my lifetime I was able to see with my own eyes have blown me away like Gamine’s Acorn and of course Flightline’s Pacific Classic (Seriously he may be the closest I come to seeing a Secretariat-like performance. Just amazing!) But one I don’t really see anyone talk about is Win Win Win in the 2020 Forego Stakes. Sure, it was no Belmont track but he was running against some pretty tough competition on a sloppy rainy track and to come from that far behind (I honestly thought he got hurt and was being pulled up with how far back he fell) and win after a wide turn in the mud was crazy. My husband and I were watching and I at first said “Ah damn he’s out” and then right after the turn. my husband said “Wait who is THAT?” to which I said, “Oh my god he’s gonna do it!!” It was great to see and I just wanted to give Win Win Win a nod for memorable performances. Here’s hoping for many more to come from stars we have yet to see!
Kudos to all of these horses and their accomplishments, but give me Forego and Kelso any day. Both carried weight in the low to high 130’s and still came out victorious.
These two are the epitome of a racehorse.
Great job, Steve.
Forego’s and Kelso’s victories dont fit with this column.
Love that you said “Good luck trying to choose only one Ruffian victory…” My favorite was the CCA Oaks at that time 1&1/2 miles. Could she carry her speed that far was the only question. She took the lead easily and led by several lengths. King Ranch’s filly Equal Change made a sudden burst going into the far turn to approach Ruffian and a gentleman in the row in front of me jumped up and said, “SHE’S GONNA GET BEAT!” I just chuckled as she glided to win in 2:27 4/5 winning by 2 3/4 lengths. I believe the time was the 3rd or 4th fastest time for the distance at that time.
It has been announced that Early Voting has been retired. I didn’t see that one coming. Early Voting looked to me like a horse that would win plenty of races as an older horse. Well, you won The Preakness buddy and no one can ever take that away from you.
That seems to be the way things trend nowadays where you have 3yo’s on the Derby trail, win or run well in a few of the preps then they’re off to the breeding grounds when they turn 4 years old.
This is exactly why we love horse racing! So many great races, great horses and great memories!!
Awesome list Steve, thank you!!
One of my jaw droppers was Afleet Alex turning for home in the Preakness, drops to his knees, almost hitting his nose on the ground, and still wins the race by 4 lengths! Incredible!
I couldnt decide whether to put that here or in the next column. But that was an incredible moment. It will be be mentioned next time.
In an earlier post I mentioned Afleet Alex in that Preakness. You told me many of my picks didn’t here. Not upset or anything but I feel like I picked some great races.
Either way I enjoyed the post….
An excellent list of jaw-dropping, blowout performances that Steve has put together here.
Steve – regarding your comment that the video of DR. FAGER’s win in the Vosburgh Stakes was either lost or destroyed, it really is unfortunate that these videos aren’t, or weren’t, preserved over time. After all, by the time DR. FAGER won the Vosburgh he was known as being a great horse, so you would think that the video of that race would have been safely stored.
On a somewhat related note, the video of the CBS broadcast of the 1973 Marlboro Cup was not archived by either CBS or Marlboro (I know, I wrote to them, and they said no), and I find that really strange because when the Marlboro Cup was contested SECRETARIAT was already being talked about as the greatest horse of all time, so you would think that the broadcast would have been preserved! I mean, who would erase that or throw it in the trash? Thankfully, though, the race itself is available on Youtube.
Racing is terrible preserving things like that . Its a shame
I guess I’m lucky that I have 9 minutes of that CBS broadcast of the 1973 Marlboro Cup! It’s better than nothing!
Steve,
I think I might add Barbaro’s Derby win to this list.
There was a surprise entry in Saturday’s Keenland Turf Mile. At least, I never saw Order of Australia mentioned as a “possible” entry. And look who Aidan O’Brien has named to ride the horse. None other than Christophe Soumillon. Wasn’t he the jockey that was suspended for 2 months for assaulting another jockey during the running of a race? Maybe that suspension hasn’t started yet, or maybe European suspensions are not recognized here in The U.S. Whatever, Order of Australia returns to the scene of his biggest moment when he won the 2020 Breeders Cup Mile at a big number and keying Aidan O’Brien’s trifecta sweep in the race. Order of Australia finished 12th in this same race last year at even-money. Which brings to mind the old racetrack adage: “You missed the wedding; do you really want to be there for the funeral”. I know. That’s harsh.
Order of Australia has had a good career by most standards. He’s won 5 of 20 starts, mostly in Group Company and banked over $1.8million. But, here’s what’s interesting: Order of Australia is just 1 for 12 at the mile distance with that lone win coming in that 2020 BC Mile. In fact, he’s 2 for 12 since that BC Mile win and both of those wins were at 7-furlongs. Both of those victories were at the Group II level. He’s 0 for 10 at the Group I level since his Keenland glory.
Uh, oh! Saturday’s Keenland Turf Mile is a Grade 1. On the bright side, he drew a better post position this year(#3) and you just know that jockey Soumillion will be riding “hard” as he will be mostly unemployed for the next couple of months.
Christophe Soumillon‘s ban is from October 14 to December 12, 2022.
Thanks.
TommyMc as I recall the United States racing authorities did not recognize Ortiz’s suspension at Ascot either. Would have to look up but I recall that being 60 days as well.
To his credit, at least in my opinion, The Aga Kahn has canceled his contract with Soumillon.
Guess I am a bit miffed that O’Brien is using him at Keeneland.
Just no use at all for any jockey who uses the elbow tactic and includes Leon and Soumillon and any other jockey who does it.
It was for 5 days, not 60.
Thanks.
I keep re-reading Steve Haskin’s list of jaw-dropping performances. Frosted caught my eye. Frosted is interesting because he only ran the mile distance twice in his career. Winning both times. He broke his Maiden at Aqueduct in 2014 running a mile and added the Met Mile in 2016. I have to admit that I wondered the same thing as Mr. Haskin: Where did that race come from?
The very next year, in 2017, there was another “where did that race come from?” performance in The Met Mile. Mor Spirit had won the Steve S**ton Mile at Lone Star in May of 2017 timed in 1:36.86. A month later, in June of 2017, Mor Spirit won The Met Mile stopping the clock at 1:33.71. Not far off Frosted’s 1:32.73 the year before. I mean no offense when I say that I had always thought of Mor Spirit as a bit of a “plodder”. So, his performance in the 2017 Met Mile was another “jaw-dropper” to me. I remember that Mor Spirit earned a huge BSF for that win in New York and I immediately put him on my “bet against” list. I eagerly awaited his next race. He finally resurfaced for the Breeders Cup Mile at Del Mar in November of 2017 where he finished a badly beaten 8th earning him a retirement after that race. While I was right about him being a “bet against” in that BC race, I bet on the wrong horse. I bet on Sharp Azteca who finished 2nd that day to Battle of Midway. “Bet againsts” are fine, but they really don’t mean much if you don’t come up with the winner.
I, too had wondered about Mor Spirit….to me he was more of a “grinder”, than a plodder…but his Met Mile came out of nowhere….Frosted was always a pretty good horse, but he, too…..never came close to that race.. .
Sharp Azteca appears to be having a decent freshman crop of 2yo’s. O’Neil has one, Sharp Aza Tack that’s 2-2 and won the Tyro plus there’s a poster here who mentioned the Iowa bred whose 5-5.
Before last weekend Tyler’s Tribe had 4 of the top 25 2yo Beyers….
Blazing Sevens 91 Beyer number…:12.46 last eighth….sneaky good race and he was drawing away—big frame on this one. .
Rarely is the crowd captured in photos during a race. The photo at the top is remarkable in showing, excitement , awe, some happiness and the guy on the bottom right displaying a ho hum look. I’m curious now if this was from a specific race of importance? I love how the photo taken captured the moment. Well done.
Leonard is great finding these photos. I’m glad you gave him some recognition
There have been so many blowout victories, of 10 lengths or more, over the years, on the west coast, the east coast, and all points in between, so it’s astonishing that some people are acting as if FLIGHTLINE is the only horse in the world who has ever delivered a knockout performance, and they’re moving him, very prematurely, ahead of SECRETARIAT, SPECTACULAR BID, DR. FAGER, MAN O’ WAR, NATIVE DANCER, etc., on the list of all-time greats.
It’s a good time to take a step back, examine the facts, pay attention to the 100+ stakes wins over the last 50 years where the winner won by upwards of 10 lengths, and gain a little something called perspective.
How about this for perspective? Win 3 grade 1 in first five starts at 3 different distance and 3 different tracks; Highest Timeform rating ever and 2nd highest BSF ever while running a 1 and a 1/4 for the first time. Win 5 starts by a combined 63 lengths. Good lord that’s perspective of a complete generational horse. Get real
Jeff, that 10 furlong performance, first time two turns vs some real seasoned toughies…is something I have never seen, Cougar was brought to the ’73 Big Cap on works, because Charlie did not want more weight….he won by a nose…..I saw Bid, and thought I would never see one like him, but I also have never seen anything like this horse…
Yes Matthew, I’ve never seen a racehorse like Flightline either and that includes some of the greatest European champion racehorses, along with the US racehorses, from the late 60s onwards. Flightline is a phenomenon.
TYLER’S TRIBE, a very nice 2-year-old colt, has won his first 5 races by 59-3/4 lengths this year, all within 73 days, but he does not deserve to vault past SECRETARIAT & SPECTACULAR BID as the greatest horse of all time. FLIGHTLINE has won 5 races, spread out over 16 months, all in amazing style, by 63 lengths, and he doesn’t enter the debate of greatest horse of all time either. And, yes, FLIGHTLINE is amazingly talented!
I’m not impressed by the handicap division in California. It doesn’t send memories back to the Marlboro Cup of SECRETARIAT, RIVA RIDGE and COUGAR II, that’s for sure! The handicap division here is mediocre, and someone has to win those races! But if you were to take these California handicap runners and send them to New York, or put them in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, I am pretty sure they would get dusted and finish out of the money. Good for FLIGHTLINE that he won by 19-1/4 lengths, because that’s amazing, but COUNTRY GRAMMER was about the only horse in that race that I would say was very good. And COUNTRY GRAMMER didn’t win the somewhat slow races he was in, before or after, the Pacific Classic.
FLIGHTLINE isn’t the only horse who has won by a huge margin. I came up with a list of 70 big races, almost off the top of my head, over the last 50 years, where the winner won by 10 lengths or more, so I would imagine the list is far over 100! That’s why I’m not getting carried away with the margin of victory. Also, dozens of wonderful horses have ran 10 furlongs in 1:59-2/5, or better, over the years. Oh, and while I’m at it, I see that FLIGHTLINE’s time in the Metropolitan Mile this year was tied for the 16th fastest in the history of the race.
By this point (October) of his 4-year-old year, SPECTACULAR BID was 26 for 30 lifetime, had won 23 stakes, was a perfect 24 for 24 from 7 to 10 furlongs, set a world record, set several track records, and carried 130+ pounds to victory 5 times. FLIGHTLINE has won 5 for 5, and has won 3 stakes, all by wide margins.
FLIGHTLINE is obviously an incredibly good horse, so let us assume that he has as much sheer ability as SECRETARIAT & SPECTACULAR BID. Of course, that’s something we can’t really know, but let’s pretend he does. What he will never have is the resume; the comprehensive career, the number of starts, the career longevity, that those horses had. I cannot extrapolate, speculate, or accurately project what FLIGHTLINE “might” do if he raced 20 or 30 times, and that’s why I can’t place him ahead of SECRETARIAT (21 starts), SPECTACULAR BID (30 starts), or any of the other all-time greats of the past, because they actually proved themselves over a long period of time, but I would happily place him behind those champions, due to the brevity of his career and the ultra-long spacing between starts.
Apples and oranges, Mike….Flightline will never run 30 times, will never carry weight…..and Mike—Nobody on here is saying he vaults past Secretariat and Bid, at least I haven’t read that and certainly have not posted it…probably going to be a six race career, but it is still historic, because we probably won’t see his like again..
Good list Steve, really enjoyed this column. A few of these races I saw live but most of these I will re-visit on You Tube. Some of these races were 30-50 years ago, and even now when I watch them and know who the winner will be I still hop up and down on my chair and root them home. I look forward to your future column on close finishes, I have two races in mind and will wait to see if either make your list. Thanks for writing Steve
diane, much the same here. Whenever I go back into the time vault and watch past performances I find myself being as mesmerized now as I was then.
Lynda, I implore to watch Seattle Slew’s win in the 1977 Flamingo Stakes. Search through google, YouTube doesn’t have it anymore. There is a brief part in the race when Slew accelerates and is allowed to roll before being restrained again. Awe inspiring!!
Davids, thanks.
To me, jaw dropping was getting to see American Pharoah in person. TV is not the same as seeing it in person. It was the Rebel & it’s hard to explain how he floated over the track. I was speechless. He could’ve skipped over egg shells. If you saw him live you understand.
His owner was a fool!
There was a first time starter, at Hawthorne named Donaguska….17-1….was far, far, far, FAR back…..at top of stretch you just think NO WAY….She won by three….
Memories, great memories! In 68 I was only 12 years old bitten by the bug 4 years earlier with the Derby but those were just snippets of memories. In 68 I just started to understand what was happening but when you say Dr. Fager carried 139 to a track record that held for 31 years let alone carrying 25 lbs. more than Artax absolutely blows my mind let alone Nerud requesting 145lbs. owners and trainers like that are long gone. The one race I might add is Pluck’s 2010 Breeders Cup Juv Turf. I bet him and when slow out of the gate I thought he was done. At the clubhouse turn when he avoided the 2 horses that went down in front of him I thought I was cooked. It looked he had no chance last coming out of the turn and he found daylight and blew past them. Like Phil Geogeff all I could say was “WOW”
Nice list.
As I was reading them, i was asking myself , what about Arazi. You answered.
Keep them coming.
Thank you,
Mr. Haskins!
This one probably isn’t in the spirit of Steve Haskin’s column because it was only a Maiden race, but I was on site at
Santa Anita the day that Maclean’s Music made his one and only start and won that Maiden race in 1:07.44 for 6 furlongs. I was sure that Steve Asmussen had himself a Champion sprinter and looked forward to his next start which never came. I promise you that my jaw dropped that day.
Steve Haskin already mentioned Arazi’s Breeders Cup Juvenile win and Secretariat’s Belmont & Preakness wins. As well as Arrogate’s Dubai World Cup win.
I didn’t start following horse racing until 1973 when I was drawn to the sport by Secretariat. I wish that I could have seen
Dr. Fager. He must have been something special. I lived in the Los Angeles area of California in those days. Long before simulcasting. The only time we ever got to see Eastern races was when they were on ABC’s Wide World of Sports. In fact, the only time that I ever saw Forego run was when I was in Las Vegas and the Sports Book showed a closed-circuit track feed of one of his races. Times have changed and the races are usually out there somewhere for us fans to see. We just have to be wily enough to figure out where. Holy Cow! 1973 was 49 years ago! Man, I’m an old-geezer!
TommyMc, I started following horse racing in the newspapers as a child.
Virginia did not have a racetrack back then. Closest ones to where I lived were in Maryland. There were tracks in Tennessee at one time as well. Not sure when the track opened in West Virginia.
We did not have an ABC affiliate station until I was in my teens.
Riva Ridge’s Derby was the first live televised race that I missed.
Fast forward to present day, I cannot watch live racing unless it is televised on NBC or sometimes on Fox SN.
Have better luck watching racing live in England, Ireland etc.
Cannot watch on TVG etc because one has to have an account and live in a state where betting on horse racingbis allowed.
Makes no sense to me that we have lottery and a casino is being built in Northeast Georgia but cannot bet on horse racing.
Lynda, Keeneland, Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita, Laurel among others can all be viewed live from their websites. America’s Day at the Races on YouTube have NYRA tracks and Churchill Downs live.
Don’t miss out!! Ha ha
Only the big races like the Derby are televised free. Have to pay for a membership for the rest or have a betting account.
There was time TVG and other sites were free but not now.
And unless NBC SN is in your cable lineup, one cannot watch the undercard races on Derby, Preakness and Belmont race days.
My husband has cable, I do not but I can sign in to Watch TV Everywhere with his cable account and watch some races.
It has become very frustrating for many of us.
When we had Comcast there was a horse racing channel.
When Comcast’s rates got up to almost $175 a month for two TVs, one DVR and no premium channels (HBO etc), I dropped Comcast and went with our local cable company. Almost $100 a month in savings.
I enjoy horse racing but it is just not feasible to pay a $100 a month for something I might watch a couple times a month.
Another downside is our FCC (Federal gov’t agency) has my area blocked from receiving stations from sports programming that is televised in Atlanta.
Tried to get Direct TV a few years ago. HA, the installer told me I would have to cut down my 50 year old pecan tree. Nope, that ain’t going to happen.
Been waiting for fiber optic cable here through AT&T for several years. Not available yet.
Watched several ARC races off a FB page.
Lynda, all those racetrack internet websites I mentioned above & NYRA + Churchill Downs through “America’s Day at the Races” on YouTube show their races live – free, gratis. I don’t even have to use a VPN.
Woodbine is another track you can watch free from their website. Hop on to your iPad to watch the races.
Whether in person or on tape the most jaw-dropping performances I’ve ever seen were and not mentioned before…
1. Silky Sullivan…made up 41 lengths to win a six furlong race at SA by 3 lengths going the last quarter in 22 flat.
2, Gamine…winning the Acorn by 19 lengths
3. Man ‘O War…winning a race by 100 lengths
4. Phar Lap….travelling by boat from half way around the world to win the Aqua Caliente Handicap in track record time
I didnt witness thee of the fourr, but have added Gamine along with several others I have thought of.
Great list. I know you have it as an also-ran/honorable mention, but I would have put Alydar’s Whitney and Point Given’s Belmont up there. Both were just devastating performances.
I would put Phar Lap’s win in Mexico as the greatest performance of all time. Nothing else compares.
Holy Bull, practically any race he ran. One could argue that his narrow win over Concern in the Travers was really his most impressive performance, but if we are talking about jaw-dropping wins by multiple lengths, I think his Met Mile and Woodward would certainly qualify.
I agree 100%. He was so fast and fun to watch.
His Woodward was added along with several others I have thought of.
All worthy mentions here but my moment was in 1982 when I was 15 at Hollywood Park. I begged my father to take me to see Landaluce run. What I witnessed is forever etched in my memory. A 21 length win at 6 furlongs in 1:08 flat. The Hollywood Lassie.
I believe it was 22 lengths, she was in front 3 lengths. As I recall…with a quarter mile left…
Definitely one of the most awesome performances, but as mentioned this column is restricted to East Coast racing. Hovdey aldready did the Weet Coast.
I was in attentance at Del Mar when Landaluce won the Del Mar Debutante Stakes, on 9-5-82. Prior to the race, I got a close up look at her during the post parade and was awe struck by her beauty and the way her coat just gleamed in the afternoon sun.
Undefeated in five career starts, she came down with Colitis X and passed away on 11-28-82.
I’ve heard that her trainer, D. Wayne Lukas, was crying as he held Landaluce’s head in his lap as she took her last breath.
I’m not sure if it’s true, but I’ve heard Mr. Lukas said he would never let himself get that close to another horse because Landaluce’s death took so much out of him.
Feel greatful Andrea Bouwkamp, that you were able to see Landaluce at the young age of 15. I was 42 when she won the DM Debutante, I’ll never forget it.
RIP Landaluce.
I found this:
“Finally, in the early morning hours of Nov. 28 — the day the Starlet would be run — Lukas saw that Landaluce was growing unsteady and he entered her stall to help and comfort her.
“I had gone in the stall, thinking she had taken a turn for the worse. I could see she was getting weak and she started to stagger and fell against the wall,” Lukas said.
When Landaluce fell to the ground, she knocked over Lukas and her head landed in his lap. As he tried to help her up, Landaluce died with her head in Lukas’ arms.
“It was so hard to handle when we lost her so quickly,” Lukas said. “It took me a long time to get over it, and I never let myself get in that position again with too many horses. It was difficult and it was early in my career, and I didn’t handle it well.”
Lukas wasn’t alone in his sorrow. He recalls having to arrange mental help for one of Landaluce’s grooms who was found days later sobbing in the horse’s stall.”
Thank you for providing a more detailed account on the circumstances surrounding Landaluce’s passing, the impact it had on her connections and to her fans as well. I can only imagine what Landaluce could have accomplished as a 3yr. old.
Landaluce died from colitis-x. Coincidentally, her sire, Seattle Slew had the same condition when he was in training but remarkably he recovered.
It is has been reported that Seattle Slew was infected by the virus when a intravenous injection of Bute was given before a race and the vein collapsed.
There is no vaccine for the virus and the only treatment is supportive care (fluids, antibiotics etc). Usually horses that are diagnosed with colitis are taken to an equine vet hospital.
Another horse who almost died from colitis was Paynter.
The 1976 Marlboro Cup is by far the the greatest race I ever saw. Two weeks after winning the Woodward carrying 135 lbs Forego was assigned 137 lbs in the mile and quarter race. On an extremely muddy track with a half mile to go he was 8th behind 3 year old Travers winner Honest Pleasure who was carrying 119 lbs. When Shoemaker got him in gear Forego came rolling down the center of the track passing 4 horses in the last eighth mile to nail Honest Pleasure at the wire. The roar of crowd was deafening. I urge your readers to watch this race on You Tube.
I lived in California and Oregon, but the racehorse on my wall was #10, laying it down in the mud, in the ’76 Matlboro Cup …
Sorry, I cant comment on that race or all the other close thilling finishes that dont belong in this column. Saye your comments for the future column on those races I mentioned in this column
Dreaming of Julia won the Gulfstream Oaks by a jaw-dropping 21 ¾ lengths. Her final time was nearly 2 seconds faster than the Florida Derby the same day.
Seattle Slew’s breathtaking performance in the Flamingo Stakes is equal to any of the races above.
Being this is a personal, opinion-based column, perhaps an IMO should be after your last comment.:). I agree Slew’s Flamingo was a brilliant race for sure, as I am sure others were that were left out. We are all for the most part affected differently by these jaw-dropping performances.
That’s true Steve, it has to be a ‘given’ that the view is ‘In my opinion.’ Shergar’s 10 length winning margin in the Epsom Derby has never be bettered and was a jaw-dropping experience to behold but all the salty experts will tell that Sea-Bird’s win was the most impressive.
I regret being too young to truly appreciate Dr. Fager’s magnificent wins/record but was so happy he won. Bernardini could have won by much larger margins than he did but was restrained, same with Flightline, often you are only seeing only a small picture of the real story.
Great list Steve. That move by Arazi certainly was jaw dropping. Calidoscopio winning the 1 1/2 mile Brooklyn Handicap in 2013 was also jaw dropping. The 10 year old horse won going away after trailing the field by 22 lengths. Tom Durkins call of Calidoscopio stretching those old legs is a classic line.
That was an amazing race.
That was an Amazing race. He was so far back even the the jockey’s silks weren’t dirty on a sloppy muddy track. Even his race in the Breeders Cup marathon was a worthy one.
Wow,
Nice list Steve. It will hard to match that but here goes: Please note that I am from the west so I didn’t get to see so many of these east coast races.
1. Dr. Fager’s world record mile
2. Damascus 1967 Travers
3. Secretariat in the 1973 Belmont Stakes
4. Ruffian in all of her races
5. Sunday Silence in the 1989 BCC
6. Rags to Riches defeating Curlin in the Belmont Stakes
7. Dr. Fager’s Californian Stakes win. Flew in 1 day won the race the next day then flew out on Sunday. All this carrying
130 lbs & never seeing the race track before hand.
8. Afleet Alex Preakness win having almost going down.
9. American Pharoah BCC win: Especially after raveling west to east & back so many times in 2015.
10. Ferdinand coming from far back to win the 1986 Kentucky Derby, Shoemakers jaw dropping ride.
11. Affirmed vs Alydar in the Belmont Stakes
12. Go For Wand vs Bayakoa in the 1980 Breeders Cup Distaff.
I am sure there are many more that will come to mind but 12 left a big impression on me.
Thanks for posting Steve, this topic is fun.
Many of yours dont belong in this column. As explained this is about jaw-dropping Flightline-like performances. Close thrilling finishes are for another column.
I guess my bar is set lower then yours as these races I mentioned were pretty jaw-dropping to me.
What is the definition of jaw-dropping?
I would like to add that the 1962 Travers Stakes with Jaipur vs Ridan was also pretty jaw dropping to me.
Enjoy your day……
As I explained, this column is to list races that compare with Flightline with a few exceptions like Canonero. I mentio9ned that I would be doing another column on thrilling close finishes
Nice topic this week… it brings back fond memories indeed. I was very fortunate and privileged to watch Arrogate’s romp in Dubai… I also enjoyed how Thunder Snow edged Epicharis in the UAE Derby that same day…
Since Steve is encouraging our treasured big margins of wins I would like to mention the following:
Landaluce winning the Hollywood Lassie Stakes by 21 lengths.
Easy Goer winning the Gotham by 13 lengths in 92 2/5 for the mile… everyone thought it was the second coming of Secretariat…!
Inside Information winning the 1995 Distaff by 13 1/2 lengths.
Street Sense 10-length-romp in the 2006 Juvenile.
We are accustomed to see close finishes in the Breeder’s Cup Classic, so it was outstanding to see Skip Away winning by 6 lengths in the 1997 edition… not over the greatest field though… the record winning margin in the Classic belongs to American Pharoah at 6 ½ lengths.
Curlin’s 4 ½ -winning-lengths in the 2007 BCC is also remarkable and revealing as well.
The Belmont Stakes is conducive to large margins of victory. In 1988 Risen Star won by 14 3/4 lengths, in 1987 Bet Twice by 14 lengths and the 2001 edition saw Point Given separated by 12 1/4 lengths from the field.
My question is: Where we place Flightline’s 19¼ lengths in the Pacific Classic… if we go by the general perception, it could be top five behind Secretariat, Dr. Fager and Damascus… Thoughts?
Missed mentioning Conquistador Cielo winning the 1982 Belmont Stakes on the slop by 14 lengths over Kentucky Derby champion Gato Del Sol and Preakness winner Aloma’s Ruler … the son of Mr. Prospector looked like a superhorse there after also winning the Metropolitan Handicap 6 days before in a track record (1:33) …!
A lot of great racing moments in the East indeed!
Nelson, I never get overly excited about large margins on sloppy tracks for obvious reasons. As for rating performances, I’m not sure anyone can be totally unbiased/objective. I saw Dr. Fager live a few times but never Secretariat, live, so I’d have Dr. Fager above Secretariat every time.
As for Flightline, how can you compare? Brigadier Gerard beat the best assembled colts in the history of the 2,000 Guineas, first run in 1809, that’s a lengthy comparison. If Flightline wins the Breeders’ Cup Classic by 10 lengths or more then you have a gauge by which to judge. It wouldn’t surprise me if he does.
Thanks for your reply Davids ..
You are right about sloppy tracks bringing up outliers… you made me remember the jaw-dropping debut of Hidden Scroll (14 lengths in 94 4/5 for the mile) and Exaggerator winning his biggest races on the mud.
I was just illustrating how the Belmont Stakes (being 1 1/2 mile-race) could be the Classic exhibiting the most number of big margins.
Yes… Fligthline could indeed be breaking the record for margin of victory for the BCC… (i.e. greater than 6.5 lengths) and it would be another great racing moment for sure.
Hey Steve.,
I feel privileged to have watched horses / races 1, 5-6, 8, 9, 12 and the honorable mention, Mine That Bird (live on TV ).
Someday I need to take the time to watch the others.
No other performance comes to mind, but if it does I will be back.
Thank you.
Point Given in the 2001 Belmont. I was always hesitant of betting west coast based horses who traveled east since it appeared to be a big disadvantage, until then.
Actually I have always felt west coast horses in general have run great in the east, but east coast horses do poorly when going out west
They’re pretty good, on turf….
Have lways wondered why our East Coast horses do not do well on the West Coast.
Lynda, did you read that the Aga Khan has terminated Christophe Soumillon of his contract as first rider for his stable. That is the real sting for that kind of behavior.
If we’re talking only about east coast races….there are four I’ll mention….The Distaff, with Winning Colin’s finally putting away Goodbye Halo, and then getting tagged, by Personal Ensign. …the 1989 Preakness, yhe best horse race I ever saw……the 1974 Whitney performance of Fred Hooper’s Tri Jet, which was a tour de force! Finally…the 1976 Marlboro Cup, Forego carrying 137 and going widest, chasing after that year’s 2/5 Kentucky Derby favorite Honest Pleasure who was receiving 18 lbs….Kenny Moe got that right!
Noe….
(I guess two of those races were at Churchill…hardly east coast ..)
None of those races belong in this column, inspired by Flightline. Close finishes is the subject of a future column.
Steve,
Once again thanks for the memories. A lot of Greats here and a lot or remarkable races. But one race that I will always remember and is embedded in my mind was Arazi performance in the BC Juvenile under Pat V. Absolutely stunning!!! Have a Great Week Steve !!!!
That is one that definitely belongs that I overlooked. I added it.
Thanks Steve,
I am glad you added it. Durkins call was Classic. If anyone has not seen it you have go to youtube and watch it. I don’t think of all the races I have see in my life I have seen another like. After the race NBC had an isolated camera on him and it is AMAZING !!! What is even more incredible about it is Bertrando was a very good and fast horse.
Steve, Would Zenyatta winning the Breeders Cup Classic be your #13?
I oringiinally had that race and even her loss in the Classic but it was decided to save thrilling close finishes for a future column
Awesome. Strike the Gold’s 1992 Nassau County Handicap win better be on that list or at least an honorable mention. Oh, man. I can still envision him coming around the turn and just grabbing the lead and just holding off a hard charging Pleasant Tap who was coming up on the rail, by a head. The 1991 Belmont, that Strike the Gold lost by a head to the eventual 3YO champion Hansel, who was running without his (Hansel) Lasix. Chris Antley (RIP) had Strike the Gold way back and if I remember right, at the top of the stretch, STG was out wide, but made a furious charge at a tiring Hansel, only to come up short by a neck. Either one would be awesome as an honorable mention, if they don’t make the list. IMO
I am sorry to have used the word “better.” Poor choice of words on my part, Steve. I should have said, I would like Strike the Gold ‘s 1992 Nassau County Handicap to be on the list. Sorry.