The Hall of Famer No One Knows
If you were big fans of grass specialists who attained the ultimate honor of Horse of the Year and went on to be elected to the Hall of Fame, there is a horse who ran more than half a century ago who opened the door for these stars that most people know little about. It is time his story is told. ~ Steve Haskin
The Hall of Famer No One Knows
By Steve Haskin
Fort Marcy winning the 1970 United Nations Handicap over Fiddle Isle.
There is no doubt that the world of horse racing has gotten much smaller since the sport’s “Golden Age” in the 1960s and ‘70s, especially on the grass with the ever increasing domination of European horses following the advent of the Breeders’ Cup in 1984.
Two decades before its inaugural running at Hollywood Park the biggest names of major stakes winners on grass were horses who excelled mostly on dirt, but could handle the grass, which was not very popular at the time with only a handful of top grass races on the east and west coast.
In fact, from 1956 to 1963 the Champion Grass Horse was a superior dirt horse who could run well on the grass as well, from Belmont Stakes winner Career Boy to three-time grass champion Round Table, who held 16 track records on dirt and grass, to T.V. Lark, who won 10 stakes on dirt as well as the Washington D.C. International, United Nations Handicap, and two other major stakes on grass, to Mongo, who won 12 stakes on dirt and the D.C. International and United Nations twice on grass.
Later in the 60’s we also saw five-time Horse of the Year Kelso set a world record in the 1964 Washington D.C. International following three straight second-place finishes. In that race he easily defeated arch rival Gun Bow for Horse of the Year honors. In 1968, the legendary Dr. Fager became the first and only horse to win four championships in a single year by gutting out a victory in the United Nations Handicap in his only start on grass under 134 pounds.
But it was the 1967 Washington D.C. International in which the nation first took notice of a plucky little gelding named Fort Marcy. Favored for the race was Damascus, who had presumably nailed down Horse of the Year honors with victories in the Woodward Stakes and then the The Jockey Club Gold Cup, was making his first ever start on the grass. But it was Fort Marcy, who dug in when challenged by the great champion, and refused to let him get by him, winning by a nose. No one realized that they were watching the pioneer of grass racing in America; the first pure grass horse to gain national recognition
But it was the 1967 Washington D.C. International in which the nation first took notice of a plucky little gelding named Fort Marcy. Favored for the race was Damascus, who had nailed down Horse of the Year honors with a spectacular 10-length victory over defending Horse of the Year Buckpasser and Dr. Fager in the Woodward Stakes before adding The Jockey Club Gold Cup, and was making his first ever start on the grass. But it was Fort Marcy who dug in when challenged by the future Hall of Famer, and refused to let him get by him, winning by a nose. No one realized that they were watching the pioneer of grass racing in America.
Fort Marcy would go on to make history by becoming the first grass specialist to be voted Horse of the Year and elected to the Hall of Fame; the first horse to be voted grass champion three times, and most notably three years apart; the first horse to win the coveted Washington D.C. International three years apart; and the first horse to break the cross-country travel barrier at a time when horses rarely traveled from one coast to the other for a single race.
Just to set the stage, traveling cross-country back then, in either direction, for one race was an uncommon practice and rarely successful. Two eventual Hall of Famers that did succeed were Dr. Fager in the 1968 Californian Stakes and Riva Ridge in the 1972 Hollywood Derby, which took its toll on him that year. Those who failed badly were Kelso (Los Angeles Handicap), Seattle Slew (Swaps Stakes), and Arts and Letters (who bowed a tendon in the Californian Stakes). Coming west to east, the pride of California, Hillsdale, was defeated in the 1959 Woodward Stakes in his bid for Horse of the Year; J.O. Tobin, the conqueror of Seattle Slew in the Swaps, ran into Forego in the ’77 Woodward and was out of the money, and eventual Hall of Famer Cougar II won the 1971 Woodward only to be disqualified.
One California horse who broke the west to east barrier was the marathoner Quicken Tree, who won the two-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup in 1968 when heavy favorite Damascus was eased with a bowed tendon, as well as the two-mile Display Handicap twice and the 1 ½-mile Manhattan Handicap. But there had been no success traveling east to west for one particular race, as all the championship races were in the east, mainly in New York.
Then came Fort Marcy, who from the ages of 4 to 7 traveled from New York to California an amazing seven times, each time for only a single race and then returning home, with almost every one of them a fight to the wire against some of the greatest California horses of all time. Those battles resulted in six photo finishes and arguably the greatest and most extensive East vs. West rivalry of all time with its showdown event in the United Nations Handicap which would be promoted on a popular late night TV talk show. But more on that later.
First let’s look at the unusual and often overlooked career of Fort Marcy and his remarkable and meteoric rise to stardom. Owned and bred by Paul Mellon’s Rokeby Stable, the son of Amerigo, out of the Princequillo mare Key Bridge, wasn’t even the best horse in his own barn, which had 1969 Horse of the Year and future Hall of Famer Arts and Letters at the time. Then, the year after Fort Marcy’s Horse of the Year campaign in 1970 they had the 1971 grass champion Run the Gantlet, and the following year came Fort Marcy’s half-brother Key to the Mint, champion 3-year-old colt of 1972.
So this was a magical time for Rokeby Stable with back-to-back Horses of the Year in 1969 and ’70 and champions in 1967, ’68,’69, ’70, ’71 and ’72. Their success spread to England in 1971 when Mill Reef stamped his place in the history books by winning the Epsom Derby, Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and Eclipse Stakes, giving them two American Horses of the Year and a European Horse of the Year in three successive years.
What separated Fort Marcy from Rokeby’s three other American champions was that he made more starts than all three of them combined (75 to 73), while racing until the age of 7. He retired with five championships – three for Champion Grass Horse in 1967, ’68, and ’70, one for Champion Handicap Horse in 1970, and one for Horse of the Year in ’70.
What made his career all the more remarkable was that Rokeby couldn’t give him away and anyone could have had him for dirt cheap. Being a gelding he had no stud value, wasn’t a horse you would give a second look at physically, and certainly had no speed. His first 12 starts, all maiden and allowance races, were in sprints and he managed just two wins. It had taken six starts for him to break his maiden.
Rokeby’s trainer Elliott Burch then tried him on grass and when he lost his first two starts it was back to the dirt. After three defeats Burch tried the grass again. When he finished sixth, beaten nine lengths, in his stakes debut, the little known Spring Handicap, his record was a dismal three victories in 19 starts and Rokeby was through with him.
One June 26, 1967, they put the 3-year-old in a paddock sale at Belmont Park and when no one was willing to shell out the moderate $77,000 reserve they put on him they had no choice but to him back and return him to Burch, who was always known for making bold and aggressive moves, such as running Sword Dancer, Quadrangle, and Arts and Letters in the Met Mile despite coming off hard races in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. Sword Dancer and Arts and Letters won the Met and Quadrangle finished second, and all three came back in one week to win the Belmont Stakes and then went on to win the Travers.
So when Burch got Fort Marcy back he said the heck with it and ran him two days later, apparently in over his head, in the one-mile Long Branch Handicap on grass at Monmouth Park and the recent reject drew off to a two-length victory, missing the course record by three-fifths of a second. He followed that up over the next five weeks with dominating victories in the Nashua Handicap at Arlington Park, equaling the course record; the Tidal Handicap at Aqueduct, and a division of the Bernard Baruch Handicap at Saratoga, defeating the reigning grass champion Assagai, missing the course record by two-fifths of a second.
Where did that sudden transformation come from? What had happened since that paddock sale? If this was a human drama you would have to believe it was about an athlete who had been a big disappointment his whole life and had suffered the indignity of having his manhood taken from him now with a huge chip on his shoulder motivated by proving all those who rejected him wrong, as well as those who gave up on him and tried to get rid of him.
But this was not a human drama, just another facet of horse racing and the complexity of the Thoroughbred that makes the sport and the species so unexplainable and fascinating.
Fort Marcy continued to move up the class ladder, getting beat a troubled neck in the prestigious United Nations Handicap, beaten a head in the Man o’ War Stakes by Tartan Stable’s Ruffled Feathers, and then concluding his 3-year-old campaign with the biggest upset of the year when, as mentioned earlier, he refused to let superstar Damascus get by him in the stretch of the Washington D.C. International, winning by a nose. Damascus was coming off the Woodward Stakes, dubbed the “Race of the Century, in which he demolished Buckpasser and Dr. Fager by 10 lengths to secure Horse of the Year honors, and then followed it up with a stroll in the park in the two-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup.
In 4 ½ months, Fort Marcy had gone from an unwanted gelding at a backyard sale with only three wins in allowance and maiden company in 19 starts to the Champion Grass Horse and conqueror of the mighty Damascus.
Fort Marcy would go on to win major grass stakes in 1968, 1969, 1970, and 1971, either defeating or holding his own against many of the top horses in the country, including no less than eight champions.
But with all his feats, we are going to concentrate on his remarkable and unprecedented seven trips to California and his nationally publicized rivalry in 1970 with the Charlie Whittingham-trained Fiddle Isle, the first ever major rivalry between grass horses, one that captured the public’s attention.
Fort Marcy’s first cross-country journey came on July 22,1968 when he traveled to Hollywood Park for the 1 ½-mile Sunset Handicap and outdueled their two best horses to the wire, defeating Quicken Tree by a neck, shattering the course record by a full second and a fifth, with Fiddle Isle a half-length back in third.
To demonstrate the quality and versatility of Fort Marcy’s two California adversaries, Quicken Tree won or placed in 31 stakes on dirt and grass on both coasts, and Fiddle Isle won California’s most prestigious grass races, setting three course records, and finished second to Quicken Tree in the Santa Anita Handicap on dirt.
Fort Marcy’s next trip west was on June 21, 1969, winning the Hollywood Invitational Turf Handicap and he again had to dig in gamely to win by a nose over the American Handicap and Hollywood Derby winner Poleax, giving him seven pounds.
Then came 1970, the year one can say grass racing truly was born in the United States.
The year actually started with Quicken Tree beating Fiddle Isle in the Santa Anita Handicap, run in a swift 1:59 3/5, while Fort Marcy began slowly with a pair of defeats in a stakes and allowance race at Hialeah.
Back on the grass three weeks after the Big Cap, Fiddle Isle set a new American record for 1 ½ miles, winning the March 21 San Luis Rey Stakes in 2:23.
It was time for Fort Marcy to head west again. The three faced off in the 1 ¾-mile San Juan Capistrano, and it was a race for the ages, as they again battled down the stretch, hitting the wire together with no one able to separate the three horses. When the result was posted it was Fiddle Isle and Quicken Tree in a dead-heat for the win with Fort Marcy a nose behind.
Undeterred, Fort Marcy was back three weeks later for the 1 3/8-mile Century Handicap at Hollywood Park. Although hemmed in down the stretch, he put in a strong late run but again came up a nose short while giving eight pounds to the winner Quilche, a Chilean-bred who shattered the course record and also captured the San Luis Rey and San Luis Obispo Handicaps at Santa Anita.
Fiddle Isle, meanwhile, shortened up to a mile and won the May 10 Lakeside Handicap at Hollywood Park in a course record 1:34, with Fort Marcy returning home to win the previous day’s 1 ½-mile Dixie Handicap at Pimlico by 3 ½ lengths over the hard-knocking warrior War Censor, once again shattering the course record,
After winning the 1 ½-mile Bowling Green Handicap at Belmont on June 13 in record-time under 127 pounds over the top-class turf mare Drumtop, who made a career beating up on the boys, Fort Marcy was back on a plane to California for the Hollywood Invitational Handicap only one week after his hard-fought battle in the Bowling Green.
Waiting for him was his old nemesis Fiddle Isle, and the two once again put on a show. Fort Marcy sat five lengths off the pace and rallied in the final furlong, but at the wire it was Fiddle Isle by a neck.
Charlie Whittingham was starting to feel that Fiddle Isle had a good chance at the grass championship, having beaten Fort Marcy twice in photos, even though he had a home field advantage. He knew if he was going to take the title from the two-time champion he would have to beat him back east. And the biggest race was the upcoming Sept. 16 United Nations Handicap at Atlantic City. The previous eight grass champions all came out of the U.N. and ironically the only one not to have won it was Fort Marcy, who had finished second and third.
Whittingham gave Fiddle Isle one more start in the July 4 American Handicap and he won in 1:47 3/5 for the 1 1/8 miles. After an eight-week break, Birch sent Fort Marcy back to the track on Aug. 21 for a 1-mile allowance race on dirt at Saratoga as a tightener, then again on Sept. 5 in the U.N. prep, the Kelly Olympic Handicap. Drawing post 11 in the 13-horse field, he dropped back to 10th, while losing ground and closed furiously in the stretch to finish second by a nose. Considering the post, the trip, and conceding 11 pounds to the winner, it set him up perfectly for his big showdown against Fiddle Isle with the grass championship likely on the line.
Even though these were grass horses, the U.N. began to receive a great deal of media buzz. A Peb cartoon on the front page of the Morning Telegraph and Daily Racing Form showed Shoemaker standing on the roof of the United Nations building playing his fiddle.
A field of 10 was drawn for the 1 3/16-mile race with the fans making Fort Marcy the 3-2 favorite. Jorge Velasquez was content having Fort Marcy settle in fifth, eight lengths off the lead. When he asked him for his move on the turn he accelerated quickly to reach contention and just kept pouring it on leaving Fiddle Isle in his wake and drawing off to a commanding five-length victory. Fort Marcy was now the clear-cut leader of the division.
Fort Marcy came back to win the Man o’ War Stakes impressively, and if there were still any doubts after the race who was America’s top grass horse it would be settled in one final showdown with Fiddle Isle in the Washington D.C. International. There was so much interest this time, Charlie Whittingham and Fiddle Isle’s jockey Bill Shoemaker appeared as guests on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson the night before the race, which was unprecedented for Thoroughbred racing.
As it turned out, Fort Marcy erased all the doubts with a victory over a star-studded international field, with Fiddle Isle plodding home in fourth over soft going.
Among the beaten horses from Europe were runner-up Miss Dan, coming off a strong third-place finish in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe behind the French Derby and French St. Leger winner Sassafras and England’s superstar Triple Crown winner Nijinsky, and Lorenzaccio, who was coming off a victory over Nijinsky in the Champion Stakes.
Those last three victories in America’s three most influential grass races not only gave Fort Marcy his third grass championship (two from DRF and one from the TRA), but the first Horse of the Year title won by a grass specialist.
Fort Marcy returned as a 7-year-old and although he had lost a step or two he still made two more trips to California, but unfortunately ran into future Hall of Famer Cougar II both times. But he still gave “The Big Cat” all he could handle, finishing second to him in the San Juan Capistrano (but was disqualified for bearing out) and then closing fast to be second again, beaten a neck, in the Hollywood Invitational.
He also romped by six lengths in the Dixie Handicap but again was disqualified. He uncharacteristically had trouble all year keeping a straight course, which cost him victories in the Hialeah Turf Cup and Bowling Green Handicap, both of which he appeared to have won in the stretch, and it seemed obvious he wasn’t the same horse. After a fast-closing third in the Kelly-Olympic, again as a prep for the U.N., a wrenched ankle forced his retirement.
He was sent to Rokeby Farm in Upperville, Virginia, where he was born, to spend the rest of his life, having amassed over $1.1 million in earnings in 75 career starts, breaking course records at Belmont, Hollywood Park, and Pimlico, and equaling another at Arlington Park, while facing the best horses in the country.
He was named by Blood-Horse magazine as one of the top 100 horses of the 20th century.
Fort Marcy depicted in bronze by acclaimed sculptor John Skeaping.
In 1975, the New York Racing Association honored the gelding by inaugurating the Fort Marcy Handicap, which has continued to grow and is still going strong 50 years later, with megatrainer Chad Brown winning the race five years in a row from 2018 to 2022. That streak was broken by the powerful international team of Charlie Appleby and Godolphin.
Fort Marcy died in 1991 at the age of 27. Seven years later he was elected to the Hall of Fame, having paved the way for the American grass horse as a dominant force in the sport. He was a true pioneer who, with nothing more than a warrior’s heart and a spirit of adventure, created his own niche in the history books.
Title photo courtesy of Skip Ball Collection/Maryland Horse Library.
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.
Great, great column, Steve. Lovelovelove Fort Marcy and turf racing. Thanks for highlighting this wonderful horse!
Frrday’s card at Keeneland moved to Monday and Saturday’s card to Tuesday.
Kentucky Governor Bashear has declared State of Emergency.
Better start thinking about how climate change affects everyone, like the Pentagon has for years …
Fortunately HRN appears to be wrong….There’s an article on Doug’s runners in the DRF, and Rank wasn’t mentioned. Plus, he hasn’t worked since his last
Whew
Hey, at least the poor horse isn’t being pushed to fire bullets, like in another barn our west.
Burnham Square’ 3rd dam is Beautiful Noise. She was by KD winner Sunny’s Halo and out of the Secretariat mare Listen Well. A rarely seen mare with such a sire and dam sire.
In Burnham Square’s 2nd start he finished 3rd by 3/4L to Monet’s Magic in an 8 1/2F MSW completed in a decent 1:43.52. He closed a 10L gap from 10 of 11 to get close to the winner and was travelling best of all when the line intervened.
Monet’s Magic finishes 5th by 51/4L in the Southwest and was assigned an Equibase figure of 94. That performance flatters Burnham Square and suggests he is a live entrant in the Holy Bull.
His 8L romp to break his maiden at the venue with first time blinkers is noteworthy.
I am very surprised that this pedigree gets a D on True Nicks. Put some Secretariat mares and a shot or two of Ta Wee in a pedigree (I always did like Liam’s Map), and I’m going to like it. Hope he turns out, and a fly goes into the Nick soup. He is a gelding, so maybe we get to follow him for a while.
Rank….who ran (in my opinion) his best race to date, against Rodriguez (Rodriguez probably not going)….is listed as “probable”, for The Lewis..
Matt,
Your enthusiasm regarding Journalism was evident in your post below. I have carefully reviewed the videos of the colt’s 3 starts and I am still not convinced he is as good as you have assessed.
Let me be clear. My opinions of the colt are no more or less meaningful than those you have formulated and should be viewed accordingly. Do not delve into the Ill-will nonsense posted by an obviously misguided follower of this forum.
Journalism doesn’t possess the stride overreach that suggests he will be effective over 10F against the top routers in the division.
I do not consider him very athletic and that required him to be used early to get into contention. This negative will cause early depletion of energy resources in a 10F race
He doesn’t accelerate smoothly from his cruising speed when given the que and has to be pushed hard to get on terms with the stamina deficient leaders he has raced against to date.
He appears to use a lot of strength to cover ground as opposed to horses that cover ground effortlessly with very little wasted motion.
He is a nice colt but will be vulnerable to high cruisers that can remain resolute to the line when exiting their cruising speed.
After that less than flattering assessment. Journalism is likely to go out and prove how unqualified I am to comment on young developing horses.
Counter point, though your post was directed to another, i want to commend you on the quality of your essay. I have no expertise to form an opinion about your analysis or conclusions, but the post is clear in making points based on your observations. Enjoyable reading.
He possessed the “stride overreach” to beat Gaming handily. Dunno why we should consider you to be some gait analysis expert, but I think your opinion is somewhat biased to start with.
As I have said….only ONE horse wins the Derby—so every time you pan a horse—you are highly likely to be right, about them not winning The Derby. …but I post about horses I LIKE—
Oh no…
I hope HRN is wrong
I was hoping he’d get a break …..that means shipping to the FG and getting to run longer …plus avoiding BB horses for the time being
I don’t know when the Lewis is, but Rank hasn’t worked since his last, which is why I was hoping they’d given him a rest
Rank has no shot – Doug needs to be better than this
Happy Heavenly Birthday Penny!
Was this one of yours, Lynda? The heart has room for more, but we never forget the ones who have left us earthbound.
Penny Chenery Tweedy
I bet on Irad, twice on Saturday, and twice he gave me a terrific ride but both times took a hard beat—he was dialed in, on Sat….Prat, also—has been riding lights out there is a true jockeys battle, in 2025! Prat got the Eclipse, for a fantastic year, Irad wants it back! Saratoga 2025 will be where it’s at!
Davids…I saw the video of JMac taking the big bottle of champagne..shaking it….opening it and sending champagne everywhere—he won three the other day, when he rode Romantic Warrior at Meydan. .two paid well….and he looks like quite the character!..
Looks like he’s taken the mantle, from “Ollie”….the great Damien Olliver…
Matthew, although totally different in character, ‘JMac’, reminds me most of the great Australian jockey George Moore. They both had/have this ‘divine’ ability to win despite impossible circumstances.
Moore won the Sydney Jockey’s Premiership 10 times while also traveling overseas to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Epsom Derby, 2,000 Guineas, 1, 000 Guineas, Eclipse Stakes, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes et al.
Matthew, I responded to your post comparing the mercurial George Moore with James McDonald but the post is awaiting moderation.
A few thoughts on the upcoming Stakes racing on Saturday, Feb. 1st.
G3, Holy Bull, at GP: Even though Ferocious has not raced since his 5th place finish in the BC Juvenile, he’ll probably be the post time favorite. I noticed Luis Saez will remain aboard Tappan Street (Into Mischief) rather than ride MMM Stakes winner Guns Loaded. I was impressed with the other Into Mischief colt, Burning Glory, and the way he closed from far back to break his maiden, going a mile in 1:35.40, at Churchill. Those three colts, and Guns Loaded appear to be the top four entered in the Holy Bull, IMO.
Withers Stakes: A short field of 7 horses are entered and appears to be wide open.
Robert B. Lewis: The official entries have yet to be announced, but three will probably be entered from the Baffert Barn, (Citizen Bull, Rodriguez and Madaket Road).
From my perspective, Citizen Bull appears to be the one the others will have to beat.
Swale Stakes: No Derby points on the line in this one, but the Swale is usually considered a steppingstone for the Fountain of Youth on March 1st. Donut God, by Into Mischief has looked very impressive in two career starts, both winning efforts. Grayscale, by Frosted, is the colt that interests me the most, and he’ll have Irad Ortiz Jr. in the irons. I consider Grayscale the one to beat in the Swale.
If both go—Bob will have Citizen Bull on the lead, although Rodriguez led in his maiden win….I’m bullish on Rodriguez…
Withers:
Need to take a 2nd look at Global Steve.
Like Captain Cook and Omaha Omaha, will give the edge to CC. For exotics Mo Quality.
Good overviews!
Steve,
Thanks for bringing the story of Ft Marcy to light. I remember hearing the name back in the sixties just like Dr Fager and Damascus but did not know much about them. Back when these horses ran I was living in the Los Angeles (Northridge in the San Fernando valley to be exact) I was in my early teens and was more interested in baseball (Angels and Dodgers) then horse racing. I probably got my first taste of horse racing while watching every Saturday ( my dad was a big horse racing fan back then )afternoon a race of the week from either Santa Anita , Hollywood Park or Del Mar broadcast by the local CBS outlet and hosted by a sportscaster named Gil Stratton . I actually might have seen Ft Marcy thru one of these broadcast but like I said I don’t remember him and If I did it was on a 19 inch B & W TV ( Didn’t get a color TV until the early 70’s) I actually liked grass racing back then especially if it was run at Santa Anita and if the race was run on the hillside course. My favorite race was the San Juan Capistrano. Only trainer I remember back then was Charlie Whittingham and only jockeys I remember were Bill Shoemaker , Johnny Longden, Don Pierce and Jerry Lambert. Charlie and Bill were tied at the hip back then. Jerry Lambert and the great Native Diver and Johnny Longden riding George Royal. We had no internet back then. No sports talk radio back then and my only means of sports news was thru the 2 LA newspapers the LA Times and the Herald Examiner. Actually like you said at that time horse racing was in a “Golden Era” and both newspapers actually allotted a good portion of the sports page to racing but it was devoted mostly to the local racing and not to east coast racing but then again I was more interested in baseball then horse racing. I knew little about horses from the east coast and actually did not know the racing form existed until the 70’s.
But Steve, from reading your story about Ft Marcy he was quite a horse and I would categorize him as a “Hero” horse and ran when a trainer was not afraid to race his horse against the best out there then. I wish I had a greater interest in racing back then but then again we did not have the means and availability of communications like we do today. Like I have said before you are the best and enjoy when you bring a jewels of stories of the past to the forefront.
On another note in the Lecomte Stakes although we had a clear winner , Disco Time, and a puzzling final time you can almost make a case for the first eight finishers. Will watch with interest how they do in the future races.
Yesterday’s Southwest was sort of a head scratcher especially for Gaming and Patch Adams. I have watched the race several times and still did not see a horse touch Gaming in the stretch at the beginning of the race yet he pulled up twice and after the race I did not ready that another horse did . All I read is that Juan Hernandez state that Gaming hates the inside. Very strange race for this horse Patch Adams, I did not expect him that far at the beginning of the race. But in the end it looked like he needed the race … expect better in his next race…. we will see.
Pegasus , White Abarrio was much the best. Will he duplicate in his next effort??? I would not send him to Saudi Arabia or Dubai.. Find spots for him in the US. I did not like the ride Mystik Dan got. … would not have had him that close to front of the race..
All have a GREAT week. !!!
Downthestretch, I enjoyed reading about your introduction to racing. Mine was similar, thoug a decade later and on the east coast. My father was a racing fan, and I always watched the NYRA race of the week, hosted by Frank Wright. So much has changed in the way racing is consumed that younger generations can never feel the same as we did. Racing was bigger and we were smaller. There is so much information clutter in the world, and racing is just another video game. We have lost the wonder we can never get back, and current and future generations will never know.
Thanks Todd, I totally agree with your last sentence. It says it all !!!
Downthestretch,
First of all, thanks for your input.
Here is my take on Patch Adams, who ran a good first race dueling and faded to third place.
Think we all agree that the numbers for the race was average. The winner was David of Athens and the place horse was Camp Hale.
Let’s see what the two horses who finished ahead accomplished before that race and after that race.
As far as David of Athens is concerned, that was the only race he ran (10/11/2024) and has not yet worked since.
As for Camp Hale, three lifetime starts and all three times finished 2nd.
His 1st race was the above race, his 2nd race he finished 2nd to Guns Loaded by a neck. Like Patch Adams, Guns Loaded had a good number in that race, his next race was the Mucho Macho Man (Listed) which he won with a very poor numbers and he won that gate to wire by a neck after leading into the stretch by 3 lengths.
His 2nd race in which he sorts of pressed the speed and won by 10.5 lengths.
Let’s look at the horses he beat, he ran 4 times and that 2nd to PA was his best race, the other three were not much (two MSW before that race and one MSW after that race which was very poor.
So, my red flag went up.
Have seen this happen before a lot.
What’s your take on that?
There was a Saturday feature race show, hosted by John Forsythe and Bill Shoemaker. ..Shoe would usually have a mount in the race—great show, Shoe was pretty funny—they had a big model, with horses on rails—Shoe would show how he thought the race would be run…one time before a commercial…Shoe was pushing his toy horse way in front, John said “my co host is preoccupied with his toy”….
Downthestretch-do you remember LA radio sports icon Jim Healy (KLAC/KMPC)? He famous audio clips include “That’s a bunch of bull!” or “Is it true….?”
Name sounds familiar but not sure. But I do remember Tom Harmon, Vincent Scully and Jerry Doggett, Buddy Blattner and Don Wells. Moved from LA in 1969 to Phoenix AZ were I still reside today.
Also Dick Enberg whan he was a sportcaster at KTLA Channel 5 before he went big time. Did Jim Healy end up doing sports for ABC channel 7?
Don’t recall. But I believe that the sports radio personality (Tick-Tock McLaughlin) in the movie ‘Seabiscuit’ played by William H. Macy was based upon ‘The Jim Healy Show’.
John , I did a little bit more research on Jim Healy and he did do the sports for KABC channel 7 in Los Angeles from 1969 to 1984. I visited LA many times between those years as I still had family that still lived in LA. so I am sure I saw him on TV. Another personality I remember when I lived in LA was a columnist for the LA Times he was the late great Jim Murray who wrote about anything sports and he wrote many a great articles on horse racing. As Archie Bunker used to say….. ” Those were the days “
Gil Stratten..”time to call them as I see them”….
Yep, I remember him saying that phrase.
His did sports for CBS channel 2 in Los Angeles. Matt do you remember him doing the Saturday afternoon feature race in the sixties?
Steve, thank you for the article on Fort Marcy.
Admittedly I did not follow American turf racing until Wise Dan came on the scene. However, I think Secretariat’s final race on turf was thrilling to watch.
Guess I have a lot of catching up to do on the history of turf racing in the 20th century.
Looking forward to your Derby Dozen this coming week.
CITIZEN BULL –
Winner of 3 of 4 starts including an upset win in the BCJ.
Many are high on this colt. What’s my opinion of him? I try to formulate my opinions on available facts with no emotions driven by either a connection to horse or trainer.
This colt has only been the favorite once in 4 starts. This suggests he is rarely seen as the best entrant in the field. In the BCJ he was the 6th choice in the wagering. He emerged a 1 1/2L winner over stablemate Gaming whose has since been beaten a combined 23L in 2 starts.
The quality of Gaming’s post BCJ performances doesn’t flatter Citizen Bull. But then Citizen Bull won the BCJ at 16/1 as the 6th choice. Therefore, he was not highly considered. Did his BCJ win significantly change his status?
For those who ignore cold facts and bear allegiance to BB, he is now a top colt on the KD Trail. Ahead of the Bob Lewis. How should Citizen Bull evaluated as BCJ winner form the barn of BB? A trip down history lane might provide some answers:
2021 – Corniche (Fav – $1.40)- Disappeared for 8 months after victory and returned under new trainer for 1 start in which he finished last by 33 1/4l and retired.
2018 – Game Winner (Fav $1.00) – Beaten in both KD preps and finished 6th in KD
2013 -, New Years Day (11/1) – This last out MSW winner never made another start.
2008 – Midshipman (2nd Choice) – Switched trainer thereafter and won 2 of 4 starts
2002 – Vindication (2nd Choice) Never made another start; last son of Seattle Slew to sell a public auction
From 5 BCJ winners only one made a start in the KD and that resulted in an off the board finish. Game winner was BB’s shortest price BCJ winner and only one starter in the KD,
Based on the above cold facts. What does the future hold of a 16/1 BCJ winner from BB’s barn?
His previous longshot winner never made another start. No help there!
The only longshot winner of the BCJ (Street Sense) to win the KD, won the BCJ by a record margin of lengths.
The last 2 BCJ winners from the barn of BB were beaten next out. Both won as short price favorites.
I am not high on this colt for the above reasons. However, I might just be using the wrong set of cold facts to evaluate him.
Counter Point, I must say I agree with your reservations about Citizen Bull. Nothing in his past performances at 2 prepared me for his win in the Breeders Cup Juvenile. He IS working lights out, so he may well win his first Derby prep but after that. who knows? As for other Baffert trainees, one or more will likely be a good one, but I have no idea which one will be a contender come the Kentucky Derby. That why we follow the trail so closely.
That’s, I mean!
Ms. B .. Citizen Bull won the American Pharoah G1 race @ 1¹⁶ before he won the BC Juvenile. He served notice.
CB is a grinder with speed just like Medina Spirit.
Both of them had similar numbers which were just a cut below the top.
It may all depend upon them getting to the derby first and then when the gates open have luck go their way.
Yesterday, the only other speed American Promise broke slow.
Gary,
I am with you that Citizen Bull is a lot like Medina Spirit. He should win next week if he gets a clean start.
After Vindication was injured Baffert took an absolutely unknown Utah-bred with two wins in Panama named Indian Express to the Derby following a remarkable effort (2nd by a nose) in the Santa Anita Derby Indian Express got injured in the Derby but still getting there was a great accomplishment for a $4.5K horse…
Midshipman was out of the Derby trail due to a soft tissue injury but Baffert managed to develop Pioneerof the Nile (5th in the BC Juvenile) to win the Santa Anita Derby and to finish 2nd in the Derby.
In 2009 Lookin at Lucky lost the BC Juvenile by a head to Godolphin’s Vale of York to earn the championship. The son of Smart Strike went on to be the unluckiest Derby favorite but ended up being 3-year-old champion.
American Pharoah was champion 2-year-old, champion 3-year-old and Horse of the Year…
but of course you refute to aknowledge the Triple Crown champion because you wrote that you will never ever write any post if American Pharoah wins the Belmont…
Justify did not run as a 2-year-old but, still, his feat attests Baffert’s zeal for the Triple Crown…
Authentic and Medina Spirit ran only once as 2-year-olds …
So, if you take 2-YEAR-OLD CHAMPIONS or just good 2-year-olds for Baffert you can count on the Hall of Fame trainer training them hard to get a good shot in the Triple Crown series… if his horses can endure his regime then they can do well down the road… Citizen Bull looks “happy and healthy” so far ready to move forward but there are a succession in the elite barn waiting to shine in due time.
No amount of your cherry picking will change that hot fact this year…
Just a note, Indian Express was ridden by Tyler Baze and the winner Buddy Gill was ridden by his uncle Gary Stevens.
uh ….. no.
His uncle is Gary BAZE.
Bob Baffert will be up against it to have a win in this year’s Derby. Or any other year.
GAMING –
Ahead of the Lo Al Futurity I asserted that BB’s entrants shouldn’t be feared as I considered them modest. I was admonished by a contributor for asserting that G1 winner Gaming was modest.
Well, the G1 winner who was previously seen fading to a 6 1/2L 3rd place finish in the Los Al, was only able to finish ahead of the Maiden Bob Temps in the Southwest. He was beaten by 16 3/4L. He didn’t have the best of trips but emptied early. His action in the initial phase of the race suggested his trainer should try him on turf as I seen no future for him on dirt.
BB’s last two entrants in the SW have been beaten by a combine 45L. For those of the opinion BB has the Midas touch, such results reveal a program that has devastating side effect on many of the horses subjected to same.
PATCH ADAMS
A contributor requested cements on PA’s powerful 7F maiden breaker a CD. I asserted that the colt’s stride mechanics, stride rotation and the way he hit the ground hard suggested he is a sprinter miler at best. The contributor was not very happy with my assessment which could still be wrong. However, what I witnessed in the SW hasn’t changed my assessment. There is still time to prove me wrong.
SANDMAN
I once referred to this colt as $1M worth of slowness. A rather unflattering assessment which was done for humor but with an element of truth. He had to be considered the unfortunate loser of the SW given his horrible start and being 5W into the stretch. Will he build on this positive effort? I have very little confidence in this colt trainer. His horses will run big and then inexplicably go sour.
TISTATIC –
My Franklin on this longshot went up in flames but he ran well early and late. It was the middle portion of his race that remains puzzling. He was the best position top 3 that finished behind the winner. He gradually fell further behind and appeared flat when PA and Sandman ran by. It was surprising to see him closing on both late. If he can get to CD, he might find a turf type friendlier dirt surface.
Are any of the above a likely the KD winner? Keep an open mind.
Here was my take on Patch Adams, which was posted on another site about 6 days ago.
In the last race he earned a very high number, after looking into that win a bit deeper, I have some questions as to the horses he beat.
In his 1st race, he had no excuse, but dueled and faded.
The of two horses who beat him one has not yet turned in a work, the other has raced three times and all three times come in second. The numbers he earned are not much.
Gaming is not among the top tier, but this last race yesterday is a toss.
He got bumped twice even before reaching the club turn and one of those bumps was pretty hard. At times those bumps cause to knock the air out of the lungs and the event is over.
Gary,
Was he bumped or just skittish ??? I looked at the race several times and cannot see the bump. Hernandez did not mention it after the race but said that Gaming hates the inside. But I am with you …. put a line thru this race.
Downthestretch
You are correct, I should have said something other than bumped.
I just viewed the head on, the 1st that I mentioned on was when he almost went very close to the rail which was minor, the second he had to steady when tight but that was due to a slight bump when tight by the horse next to him whose jockey had a red hat.
Yesterday, 1-25, Citizen Bull (by Into Mischief) worked a bullet 5 furlongs in 59:00 flat, 1/107) for trainer Bob Baffert. All systems are on go for his next start in the Robert B. Lewis coming up next Saturday, at Santa Anita.
Currently, I have Citizen Bull listed at #2, on my Derby watch list, just below Sovereignty, at #1. Obviously, Baffert is loaded with several top colts on this year’s Derby trail, but as it stands now, Citizen Bull just might be the best colt in the Baffert barn, IMO.
He displayed at ton of class and speed in the G1 BC Juvenile, going 8.5 furlongs in 1:43.07, earning an Equibase Speed figure of 105 for that winning effort.
If he breaks well in the RBL Stakes, he just might wire the field again.
Patch Adam’s lost his debut then ran lights out and then bounced…..Rodriguez lost HIS debut then ran a 101 Beyer—-is a bounce in HIS cards? His maiden win was around two turns..
I wouldn’t call it a bounce but more like unprepared and undertrained for the race…. He looked to me like he needed it
Well he went 1:20 3/5…..then trailed in a 1:45 4/5 race—that’s bouncing to the moon!
Steve—Belinda Stronach–who is hard to get an interview with—said to Brittany Eurton live on NBC yesterday ..”Racetracks in urban areas are bad for the horses”…..so—-that’s practically all of the big tracks….Royal Ascot…Aqueduct…Churchill Downs…Gulfstream….Santa Anita…Del Mar….Belmont—are all in urban areas—-what do you think she meant?..
John Sherwa of the LA Times just said Santa Anita will be gone in five years….
Matthew, was there any mention of replacing Santa Anita somewhere near Los Angeles?
Would not surprise me as the fields keep getting smaller and smaller and the politicians there do not seem to care one way or another about horse racing.
Flemington, Caulfield, Moonee Valley, Sandown, Randwick, Rosehill, Warwick Farm, Canterbury, Eagle Farm, Doomben are all in the suburbs on just the East Coast of Australia…
Are you the same one who used to post on B Bets?
No Gary, that isn’t me.
OK thanks.
Were you on B Bets? Don’t remember a Gary …
What she meant, I believe, is that she wants to close Gulfstream. She was given multiple opportunities to rule out the possibility, but she wouldn’t do it. Of course, most racetracks are in urban areas because that’s where the people are. This is true of venues for most sports. “Bad for the horses” is a euphemism for “bad for the pocketbooks of the owners,” who could get billions for the land underneath the tracks. Ms. Stronach did nothing to reassure fans about the future of Gulfstream.
America has become the land of quips that will come off sounding like real concern (to appeal to those who actually are concerned) as a way to deflect attention from the fact that all anyone with power – especially those who have money and power – cares about is cashing in big.
“It’s cuz it’s bad for the horses!” is such an irresponsible way for someone who makes a living off of racing to respond. Tell us you got an offer you can’t refuse. Tell us you see the writing on the wall, and you think the sport is destined to fail. Tell me you don’t want to work anymore and you don’t want your kids or grandkids to work, either. I’d believe those statements. But to feign concern for the horses, and use that as an excuse? Puh-lease. Shame on her.
Speaking of money, Pegasus Day had the most money wagered in its history. And the favorites went 1-2 in the big one, so the track won, too!
I am legit afraid that this is the middle of the end, y’all.
Katy the track makes exactly the same, no matter who wins—parimutual wagering is players vs players, not players vs the track….
I stand corrected. I ain’t smart enough to bet on anything much. Sometimes I try the weather, but this is SC, and she’s a schizo.
I’m still mad like a wet cat about this, despite bein’ a ign’ant yokel from a state that doesn’t allow parimutuel wagering.
It hits close to home, with some skeezy development deals we have seen locally, which were framed similarly. If you like to be mad, read about our glorious, Planet Earth saving Scout Plant. (That’s sarcasm.)
My doubts on Patch Adams were correct (very 1st post).
Pegasus was easy.
A note for UW bloggers:
“Hi X! Yes, unfortunately it seems like Unlocking Winners is caught up in a wider outage involving all the BH pages. I haven’t been able to load Unlocking Winners since Thursday night, and many other readers are having the same issue. Bloodhorse IT is aware we’re having troubles, so hopefully they’ll have the blog back up and running soon!
I hope you enjoyed the awesome racing today! That was quite a performance from White Abarrio in the Pegasus World Cup.
Have a great night!”
Two of the great comedy acts from the distant past were Bud Abbot/Lou Costello and Dan Rowan/Dick Martin. Abbot was the straight man and Costello was the clown. Rowan was the straight man and Martin was the clown.
I’ve come up with a great idea relating to comedy acts. May I suggest that Mike Relva and michelle form a comedy act similar to Abbot and Costello, and Rowan and Martin.
The only question, which one will be the straight man, and which one will be the clown?
I will leave it to others to answer that question. I will refrain from pointing out which one is the clown, and which one is the straight man for the time being.
So, Mike and michelle, at least give it some thought. Your comedy act could be a great success. 🙂
” Mike means well”. Enough said!
Steve is more understanding of your shortcomings than I am.
“ENOUGH SAID!
Perhaps you should focus on racing and refrain into turning this into a ‘wild west show’ like on another site.
Perhaps you should refrain from telling others what they can post and what they cannot post.
You started this back and forth by attempting to dictate policy on this blog. Give it a rest Mike.
You cherry pick whatever fits the narrative. Will ask again, where were you when another reader ordered Zany and myself to leave recently?
Old quote:
“Empty drum’s make a lot of noise”.
They should put a “like” button on here.
You should know.
Hint: could the two be Blue?
Anyone including a 7f non-prep winner in their Derby picks at this point is nuts.
Honestly don’t see it.
Now that the Southwest Stakes is in the books, we eagerly await Steve’s initial posting of the 2025 Derby Dozen.
I have Sovereignty listed at number one on my Derby prospect list, followed by Citizen Bull at number two and Barnes at number three. All three sired by Into Mischief.
The remaining nine colts are not necessarily in preferential order.
1) Sovereignty
2) Citizen Bull
3) Barnes
Coal Battle
Donut God
Rodriguez
Owen Almighty
Disco Time
Speed King
Getaway Car
Journalism
Rated by Merit
KOTD
Burning Glory
Madaket Road
Sandman
Poster
East Avenue
Jonathan’s Way
Grayscale
East Avenue
Just for fun here’s my guess for his top dozen. I don’t know all the horses, these are the ones I’ve seen:
Barnes
Sovereignty
Journalism
Citizen Bull
Disco Time
Coal Battle
Poster
East Avenue
Getaway Car
Speed King
Patch Adams
Sandman
Hey Discopartner
I’d be willing to bet that Steve will have a few surprises on his Derby Dozen Week One list. Possibly, a couple of maiden winners that impressed him by their respective margin of victory, speed figures, connections, pedigrees, etc., etc.
Will Sovereignty be listed at the top one Week One? Stay tuned.
I haven’t followed it closely the way you have. I just watched the races here and there and put down those I saw and read comments on. I agree, his list will have surprises, one maiden winner he might add is Grande, he’ll probably be in the footnotes. Good luck with your picks.
Thanks, Discopartner
Hypnus, Tappan Street and Rodriguez looked very impressive in their debut maiden wins. One or two of those three could show up in Steve’s initial list.
Good luck to you as well.
Bill, you listed 21! I have my own list, but I’m not confident it will match Steve’s more professional one, and it certainly will change over the spring. Here goes (it’s a baker’s dozen of 13).
1 East Avenue
2 Barnes
3 Citizen Bull
4 Sandman
5 Rodriguez
6 Journalism
7 Coal Battle
8 Patch Adams
9 Speed King
10 Sovereignty
11 Tiztastic
12 Madaket Road
13 Gaming
Wrong, Ms Blacktype, I listed 12 (for my Derby Dozen) and listed 8 on my KOTD segment. Please take a closer look, and you will see the last eight were preceded by the initials KOTD, which stands for “Knocking On The Door”.
Got it now (thought you were abbreviating the name of a horse, LOL).
Steve may come up with 15 horses for this first ranking.
1) Citizen Bull
2)Journalism
3)East Avenue
4)Barnes
5)Sovereignty
6)First Resort
7)Madaket Road
8)Romanesque
9)Bullard
10)Sandman
11)Poster
12)Coal Battle
13)Disco Time
14)Built
15)Cyclone State
The first KOTD segments usually includes a lot of prospects that have shown raw talent over one or two races and some Stakes horses who are yet to start serious training or that could be progressing from getting minor placings in graded Stakes …
I didn’t think White Abarrio could come back, but this is a great comeback, and in a good time of 1:48.05 (I use decimals not fractions which are easy to flub). He’s now 6, which is edging past his prime, but if he can win the BCC again, that would be more than fine. I also hope they skip the Saudi Cup, he didn’t like the track or the travel or both. Also glad to see Skippylongstocking hold third, he was too far back from the start, just like Locked. I wasn’t a fan of any in the Southwest stakes, but the winner complimented Coal Battle. I don’t think the time is a big concern, they finished up pretty fast. Sandman came on well but is kind of fragile looking.
“Fragile looking”?
If he were a bay horse, you wouldn’t think that …. smh
I know almost everyone is most excited about the 3-year-olds, but I really enjoyed the Pegasus today.
What an emphatic, dominating performance by 6-year-old White Abarrio! Skippylongstocking, also 6 and Saffie’s longtime trainee, for 3rd place. Mixto, shipping for Doug O’Neill, is 5 years old to pick up a check in 4th. Locked has nowhere to go but up, and leave us thinking about what might have been.
I really feel it when Saffie gets emotional after these races. He was penalized so harshly for bad luck, and I’m certain that every aspect of that hurt his heart – not to mention his career. Seeing Whitey doing it so emphatically today had to be overwhelmingly sweet. I loved that he humbly gave so much credit to WA’s groom.
And I’m still proud of Skippylongstocking!
Uh … it wasn’t “bad luck”
And I love Skippy
Ditto on Skippy.
Well said about Saffie, Katy.
Nice post Katy.
I was so happy for Saffie, White Abarrio and Skippylongstocking.
Katy, White Abarrio got a 109 BSF.
Dubai World Cup a possibility.
Lynda, I don’t know how to feel about the possibility of the Middle East trip. I was glad to see that Saffie thought he looked good today.
This horse has been on a Success, Loss, Redemption pattern that has cycled through two barns now. Is that a pattern he will maintain?
Personally, I’d be tempted to say, “He went out on top,” pull his plates, and send him to the farm. However, I think these owners are better sports than I am, and they may be committed to racing this year. On the downside, the desert didn’t seem to be White Abarrio’s bread and butter (or his peppermint) last year.
Arguing for: Rick Dutrow got two excellent races in a row out of White Abarrio in 2023… and he looked as good on Saturday as he ever has. Who else might he come up against that is this strong right now, and can take the travel? It would be majorly tempting to send him over, and see if he could keep writing a story good enough to become a legend. And you know what the Sheik wants!
Do they instead work backwards from Del Mar, and see if he can add on and repeat in stakes races stateside? Try to write his name with Tiznow’s?
I don’t envy them as they try to decide.
PS – how is it possible that Tapit (‘01) and Into Mischief (‘05) have been standing long enough to be White Abarrio’s grandsires? Time flies!
I tend to agree with you Katy.
I realize they don’t like this kind of conversation that you brought up, I will keep it singular and brief. The aforementioned trainer, in an interview, said the odds of this happening are a billion to one. I ask, which is the greater probability, the accusation or a billion to one.
Not only the same trainer on derby week, the same OWNER. Connect the dots.
I know there is a lot of interest in the 3yo races, but White Abarrio was the real racehorse today. Hope he can make a habit of it. They shouldn’t chase the money in the desert.
When WA runs well, no one can beat him. What a performance!
Very impressive! I was very happy to see him win!
A terrific run! I just barely made it home in time to see the race and am glad I did.
That horse loves Gulfstream! How DARE they develop it.
Yes Todd, White Abarrio blitzed them!! Irad Ortiz Jr is not my favorite jockey but the you have to be impressed by the skill to place his mounts perfectly in a race.
Yes, I was impressed, and I was very happy for everyone involved in that win. It was good to see White Abarrio show his real abilities again.
The 2nd place (strong 2nd) in Breeders Cup and one of the (very) few, who ran under 1:21 ….1:45 3/5… WHAT year is this?…Not the 1950s….or any decade since. ..
Deepening track surfaces, afraid of breakdowns–I get it….but they need to do better, for a million dollar points race–don’t change the track so drastically, even Gulfstream—1:48 4/5—for a tour de force….we horses that much faster 60 years ago? Methinks not, tracks are deeper today..
Hope you got some returns Matthew. Sandman ran well.
Yes, Mike, after the start you may have expected Sandman to basically trail the field but the determination under difficult circumstances was a positive sign. Tiztastic was also finishing well.
Sandman ran great!
For some reason my post is awaiting moderation.
In brief, Sandman ran better than he possibly should have all things considered. Tiztastic was finishing well also. I’m happy. lol.
I didn’t bet the Southwest, Mike—I liked Patch but they hammered him down to low odds, Sandman was best!
Seems my selection didn’t prevail. Others certainly had it wrong today,also.
I’m going out on a limb and predicting that none of the top three runners from the Southwest Stakes will win the KD. Patch Adams broke poorly as did Gaming. However, neither showed anything to make one believe they can run better against top tier opponents.
More disappointed in Gaming than Patch Adams. Btw, did not bet this race.
I hope that Steve weighs in on the Southwest. I have never seen more than one horse stumble at the break. Imptessive win by Speed King but more than a little impressed by Sandman overcoming a.really poor break.
As I mentioned in an earlier comment, Speed King was my longshot pick in the Southwest. To say that Gaming had a rough trip would be an understatement.
Congratulations on picking Speed King, Bill. He certainly wired the field. I was also impressed with Sandman, who has joined my top 15 list. Unfortunately, Gaming and Patch Adams didn’t run well. Wonder how this will effect the first Derby rankings? At this point, it’s going to be tough to pick a number one.
I was impressed with Sandman, too. He did great considering his terrible start.
Yes, Sandman’s performance was extremely encouraging all things considered and Tiztastic was running on well also. Not sure if Speed King wants more than he ran today but you never know until they try.
I never get overawed by two year old performances, I’m guessing Steve Haskin has adjusted the result accordingly.
It’s always easy to say that after the results are in!
Matthew, PA for the win. Best of luck!
I picked Patch also…have not yet seen the race—I was happy to see Whitey crush THE Pagasus and am happy for Doug O’Neil and his Mixto–an odd horse that always falls back on the far turn and always keeps coming–4th money is FINE! I’d love to see Mixto, at Saudi on that wide far turn–but hail to the winner, White Abarrio and Saffie—and best wishes in Saidi Arabia! The 2025 Saudi Cup–‘Whitey, Sierra Leone, Forever Young (my pick), and the great Romantic Warrior!
An old clocker friend told me this AM—Gaming is locked and loaded!
How old is this clocker friend? Might consider retiring the stopwatch….🙂
Haha well this guy knows his stuff
Apparently not
Rattle and Roll won the Saudi Cup qualifier by five lengths—coming from 20th and last—
The sight lines at the Saudi Cup track are the worst I have ever seen! A constant head-on—you only get a pan shot in the stretch–
I hate that rail camera. Between the 20 horse cavalry charge and that, watching this one was total chaos.
I’m not entirely sure, but it looked like a really good ride. (Must have been – it was JoRo, and Rattle and Roll won.)
Steve, I LOVE these posts on the history of racing, and really enjoyed reading about Fort Marcy. As always, I love the gutsy geldings!
I had no idea about the evolution of turf racing. I wonder why dirt became the preferred surface here, but never took off in Europe?
Thank you for bringing these grand old campaigners back to life!
With that, best of luck today to another gelding who has become like an old friend, albeit not in the league of Fort Marcy. Skippylongstocking is a favorite of mine, in a field of horses I really like and don’t even want to handicap. Several of them are legitimately “older” horses (although Senor Buscador dropped out) – major anomalies in the current state of racing. I wish them all a safe trip, as Florida racing appears to be fighting for its life.
Lastly, I would love to see an article about Princequillo!
Mike and michelle
Now that the two of you have found me guilty of posting a comment unrelated to Steve’s article, what degree of punishment will be handed down? Will I receive just a slap on the wrist, a thorough tongue lashing, temporary banishment or total banishment from Steve Haskins’ blog? Just something to keep in mind, kmi and Gary received curt replies from Mike for posting comments unrelated to Steve’s current article as well. Whatever sentence is handed down, kmi and Gray should receive the same sentence as well.
Have a great day, Mike and michelle. 🙂
Go sit in the corner, Bill–and think about Fort Marcy!!.
LOL!
Over the years, I have posted numerous positive comments on Steve’s articles, and he responded in kind. He is well aware that I’m one of his most royal followers, and that I’ve never posted a comment that was disrespectful in any way, shape or form.
I’ve been so focused on this year’s crop of Derby hopefuls that I neglected to post a comment on Steve’s Fort Marcy article, although I certainly read it with great interest. Steve has forgotten more than I’ll ever know about the sport of horse racing, and I’ve learned a lot from reading his countless articles and comments.
Now, it’s time for the Southwest, which most of us are eagerly awaiting.
I remain convinced that Gaming is the colt to beat in the Southwest.
Now watch Patch Adams wire the field. 🙂
Brilliant typo, Bill! You are indeed a “royal” follower of Steve’s blog.
At this juncture on the Derby trail, I have Sovereignty as my top Derby prospect, closely followed by Citizen Bull and Barnes. Please note that my top three prospects were sired by Into Mischief.
Nice catch Ms Blacktype
Obviously, I meant “loyal” follower of Steve.
Well, you do have Sovereignty first on your list.
Gaming, eh? Well, how did that work out for you? You might want to reconsider your One Barn Only handicapping strategy …
Michelle, minus the trouble still think Gaming wouldn’t win today.
Matthew, PA for the win. Best of luck!
Your voice was MIA recently when Zany and myself were told by a reader to vacate. Seems reader thought they ran the blog. Where were you?
Maybe it really was “Bill”?
Glad to see you staying up nights worrying about our comments, “Bill”.
It’s so essential to a well-balanced psyche to worry about online comments.
Good job!
Zero words to describe behavior such as this.
Eagerly awaiting Steve Haskins Derby Dozen next week. I am confident in my 2 KDFW horses . Journalism at 52-1 in KDFW2. and Madaket Road at 47-1. Glad to see MR fire a 5F Bullet at SA today for his next race which seems likely to be a KY Derby points race. I Would love to see MR target the R.Lewis on 2-1. IMO he can win that race even with BCJ winner Citizen Bull in the race. I love MR Pedigree being by Quality Road, the longer the better . I like his running style for the derby. He’s plenty fast and tactical to get a big jump on the closers. His Jockey is the red hot Juan Hernandez. His trainer is Bob Baffert. IMO , MR may end up being the best of the Bafferts being pointed to the KY Derby. I will be anxious to see where Steve has MR in his rankings, hes only a MSW so far, but that could change very soon. Journalism deserves to be ranked highly, he’s by Curlin, and he was ultra impressive in his Los Al Futurity win. Glad he’s healthy and pointing for the San Felipe on MAR 1.
The casinos build next to the track—so they can draw from the gamblers—then they say they don’t want to share revenue….
Steve, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Fort Marcy and his career, his exploits and his travels. What a great horse! I was wondering if someday you could write about the horse, Exceler and how he is the only racehorse to beat two Triple Crown winners and in the same race?
Rob—Noor beat Triple Crown winners Assault and Citation…only not in the same race! I saw Exceller, in the 1978 Hollywood Gold Cup….#1 and 7-1…..his Chestnut coat glistened he was best looking in the post parade!….
Good luck Matthew on your selections.
Thanks Mike! I’ve made a few on tomorrow’s Pegasus card…plus I like a couple at Santa Anita! Gulfstream features a terrific card, Santa Anita has two maiden races of note..one for older and one for three year olds and some of them are promising….then over at Oaklawn there’s Patch Adams!
Be sure to include how similar to the 2024 BC Classic that race was!
Romantic Warrior won big—again, at Meydan….terrible breakdown of Measured Time, not sure what Buick was thinking opening more than ten in front. ..MacDonald…the winning rider—said The Saudi Cup on dirt was “a different ketel….being on dirt–but horse has a tremendous will…”….
I watched that race live on Fan Duel TV. My heart sank when Mrasured Time went down. RIP Measured Time.
Buick scheduled to ride tomorrow at Gulfstream..
Nothing prepares you for a breakdown….Measured Time was put on the engine—against the best horse in the world—after he was passed he dug in but went wrong—and it cost his life..
MacDonald—named “World’s Best Jockey”—had three winners, $4…$9…$28….
McDonald.
Thanks…I thought I read “Mac”….he is really good!
Matthew, James McDonald also has magnetic charisma. At the track fans idolise him like a pop star. My local baker, and family, know him personally she often shows me all her latest photographs with him. Not a hint of arrogance, all round good person.
James McDonald (J-Mac) is the New Zealander is the best jockey in the world. It’s a pity Australia has the best prize money in the world as well otherwise he may have ventured overseas.
Sure sounds like racing is healthier as a sport where you are, Davids! I’ll never forget the images of how many people came out to watch Black Caviar race, half a world away.
Katy, in Australia at present it is quite fashionable for the 20 – 35 cohort to attend racing as an event which is fortunate for racing. How long this lasts is unpredictable. The leadership of John Messara over the years has been phenomenal.
In the 1970s, Australian yearling sales would max around 60,000, now the sales toppers compare favorably with Saratoga, Keeneland, Tattersall, Arqana, Goffs et al.
The shuttle stallion boom has enabled Australian bloodlines to progress from stodgy, obscure domestic colonial lines to fashionable international pedigrees over the past 40 years. Stunning achievement really.
Australian sprinters are arguably the best in the world but the middle distance Classic type runners are still quite a bit behind their European cousins.
So, Nelson and David – an ok 2nd
I only saw the stretch run – he closed decently against easy winner Golden Vekoma, who he had walloped in their one meeting
Apparently he broke very slowly…which is becoming a habit, and which he really needs to fix it he’s going to lose his races at the “gate”, even if he runs 2 miles
I was concerned about the short rest going in – I don’t think it helped, but he ran ok so I’m not sure how much it hurt
His next race will be the Al Bastikaya most likely….
Too short of turn around.
Mike, I personally wouldn’t have run…but he ran fine, so I don’t think primarily it was that
I have not seen the entire race, so i missed the break – but this colt simply must improve there
I’m still disappointed, but he did close well
Hopefully he’ll come out of the race ok band point to the Al Bastikaya
I did just see the start – Heart didn’t break that badly ….so, no real excuses today. Hopefully next time
I would add that it seems a very poor choice by the jock to drop HoH back …..he’s not a plodder, that wasn’t necessary
Betsy after analyzing the sectional times of all the races of Golden Vekoma and Heart of Honor so far I can say that the son of Honor A.P. lost today because he was a second slower the first furlong than in his two prior runs.
Heart of Honor ran the last 800 meters in 48.44 today … faster than the 49.30 for Golden Vekoma. I agree that with a cleaner break and a furlong longer Heart of Honor will be though to beat next time (i.e. 1800 meters of the Al Bataskiya)…
Nelson, that’s interesting.
I don’t like jocks wrangling horses back for no reason, so I don’t understand why he did that. If that’s their intention, to make this horse a deep closer, then I’m not going to be confident in him going forward
I heard that that English commentators think they are evenly matched – so I’m not sure that’s a great thing
But we’ll see….
That’s right Nelson, they are preparing the colt to run longer distances than a mile.
Betsy, it was a good run for a colt that is being prepared for longer distances. As the race caller noted, Golden Vekoma was stopping while Heart of Honor was running on but was too late.
Remember Jamie Osbourne stated this would be the last time Heart of Honor would run at the mile distance. The longer the better, a learning curve for later.
David, that’s fair
TBH, I expected Heart to beat GV, so it’s really just frustrating
He should thrive at longer distances, but I’m very skeptical if they insist on making him a deep closer….
Betsy, the European horses are trained/prepared totally different than US horses. They aren’t shot out like a cannon to dawdle home as in US racing, they have a slow burn then they flash home.
Has Osborne ever mentioned an interest of racing Heart of Honor in the US?
True, but that’s because they’re turf horses
If this horse stays on dirt, he can’t keep breaking slowly….and he’ll lose races being treated like a plodder. I’m not sure a Euro trainer is a good thing for a dirt horse
He was asked about it, but if I recall he just kind of was vague about it.
If Heart runs in the Al Bastikaya and UAE Derby, that will be a lot of racing in a short amount of time. I imagine he’d get a break – but after that, I don’t know – Jamie will be in UK, so …there’s nothing got the horse there
Betsy, that’s what I sense. They are going for the prize money in the UAE Derby then a break. You never know for sure in racing. ha ha
Well they went to Dubai to race on dirt …so really, if Heart continues to do well, the only place to go IS the US
I’d love to see it, of course, but first things first!
Performance profile of last two longshot winner of the Southwest:
2024 -Mystik Dan (11/1)
Debut – CD – 2nd
2nd Start – CD – 1st
3rd Start – CD – 5th
4th Start – OK – 5th
After being beaten a combined 11 1/4L in his last 2 starts before the Southwest. Only the colt’s most ardent supporters would have confidently expected him to demolish his SW opponents by 8L. But he a bigger surprise was yet to come.
2019 – Super Steed (62/1)
Debut – KEE – 2nd
2nd Start – CD –
3rd Start – FG – 4th
4th Start -Ok – 7th
After being beaten by a combined 14 1/2L in his last 2 starts before the SW. A victory in the SW appeared to be an elusive dream for the connections of this colt. A 3/4L finish ahead of the pack landed a 62/1 gamble.
Which 2025 SW entrant has a comparable profile ahead of the race?
Rendered Judgement (ML 15/1)
Debut – KE – 2nd
2nd Start – CD – 1st
3rd Start – CD – 5th
4th Start – FG – 3rd
This colt has been beaten by a combined 18L in its last 2 starts. A SW victory seems unlikely for this colt. But victory also seemed unlikely for Mystik Dan and Super Steed.
This colt is from a small crop of 69 mares bred by 2010 BCC winner and deprived HOTY, Blame. From small books, top class runners have emerged i.e. California Chrome.
Render Judgment has been scratched per trainer Ken McPeek. Foot Injury.
I really enjoyed this tribute to Fort Marcy. I am sure many of us learned about Fort Marcy being the first turf specialist earning Horse of the Year honors. The title appears extraordinary when you see that there were only five other (predominantly) Turf horses emulating Fort Marcy as the top horse of the year.
Fort Marcy also has the distinction of being the only winner of two Washington DC International Stakes two years appart (1967 and 1970). Bald Eagle was the only other one with two wins (in 1959 and 1960) in the most important international grass race over 43 years in the US.
As stated by Steve, superior dirt horses were implanted into major grass races for a long time. In fact, if you discount the European based horses, the first US champion grass horse who debuted in a grass maiden race was Paradise Creek. The son of Irish River started his career with an 11-lengts winner in a 7-furlong grass race at Belmont in July of 1991 … and Brick and Mortars was the only US based horse named Horse of the Year after running exclusively on grass.
Fort Marcy ran 12 times on dirt before taking the turf for the first time at Hialeah as a 3-year-old…
Fort Marcy defeating the overwhelming favorite Damascus in the 1967 Washington DC International Stakes was an extraordinary feat. Even after Fort Marcy drilled 5 furlongs in a fabulous time of 59 1/5 on the Laurel turf two days before the top race his trainer said: “Maybe we’ll get second money”.
Fort Marcy was a superior horse on the grass and his consistency on that surface led him to be horse of the year in 1970. He ran three times against the best grass horses of the world and won twice with a third finishing less than a lengths behind Sir Ivor the 1968 English Horse of the Year. Sir Ivor is ranked among the top ten best European horse of the 20th Century and in the words of Lester Piggott the best horse he ever rode.
Thanks Steve for this enlightening article that prompted me to look over not only Fort Marcy feats but also to reread about the great dirt horses of the past who ventured to compete in the best European races; also interesting to me was to compile the horses who were initially superior grass runners and ended up being equally or better dirt horses.
Well, you can count me as one who came to know Fort Marcy to be a worthy Hall of Famer after reading your illuminating tribute to the son of Amerigo.
So happy to hear that Nelson and thank you the extensive overview. The more people learn about him the better.
Johannes was 5 for 6 with a 2nd, in the BC Mile—gets edged out of The Eclipse, by Rebel’s Romance—who ran one North American race, in 2024…tough beat for Johannes, Tim Yakteen and Millie Ball….
Yes Matthew, they should have a a minimum number of races run in the US to be eligible. If City of Troy had won the Breeders’ Cup Classic would he have won Horse of the Year and Champion Dirt Horse. I think not.
Good point….Senor Buscador won the Saudi Cup–‘he wasn’t named best older horse—- Ecliose Awards should be for North American races….
Yes Matthew, totally agree.
Johannes is very popular out here….I sometimes attend the early morning works, the horsemen always talk about Johannes….
If Johannes is going to get beat out for The Eclipse—let it be by the Mile winner More Than Looks, who at least ran three NA races..
I played two in the Derby Futures— not this last round—the round before that one—got big odds on Journalism and Filoso—and they both worked today! Both went a half mile…Both are big framed three year olds! They both pass the “looks” test!
Sometimes greatness deserves to be rewarded.
Coldfacts—I have never jumped onto the Derby Bandwagon as early as I got onto Journalism’s—in mid-November! I was on Flying Paster’s ‘wagon, pretty early…also I’ll Have Another–I got on him around early February….but I’m all in on Journalism! Big long frame—not a big burst, but he reaches–keep him in the clear and he’ll love the tenth furlong!..
Derby Dreaming Matthew with our 52-1 bomber Journalism from KDFW2. McCarthy should have him cranked for the MAR 1 San Felipe. I added at 47-1 Madaket Road to my KDFW arsenal in KDFW3. I like that he is tactical , is by Quality Road, trained by Baffert, ridden by red hot J.Hernandez. MR seems to be getting good at the right time. I hope he runs in the R.Lewis to take on Citizen Bull. I think he can pull the upset . I bet MR to win and boxed him with Journalism and the Field in KDFW3. What’s your opinion of Madaket Road as a KY Derby prospect Matthew?
Well Joe—if McCarthy is staying put at SA. ..he will be facing Bob….he will get two chances, at getting in…
I enjoyed the Eclipse Awards’ focus on the fan. Hip, hip, hooray for HOTY Thorpedo Anna and Champion Male Sprinter Straight No Chaser!
I totally forgot the Eclipse Awards were on but after seeing the results…
I agree with the ones you mentioned above plus Flavian Pratt and Idiomatic but was surprised by all the others. Shocked with one in particular.
Seems like all the greats have a Princequillo in their pedigree.
Princequillo was, in my opinion, the greatest broodmare sire and long-distance runner of all time. I have read about him extensively; the story of the life and times of Princequillo is amazing. It is a must read.
BH has an article on him “Pedigree Time Machine: Princequillo”.
I would like info on his races like how many times he ran on dirt and how many times of Turf.
Contest up 6 sel. and 2 later
Have someone write to him, maybe at his T spire address.
Steve, I really enjoyed reading more about Fort Marcy. I remember the name as a young kid but with Dr. Fager, Brigadier Gerard, Mill Reef, Nijinsky et al all around that era, and entires, his name was somewhat forgotten.
I had written a longer post earlier but it vanished into the ether when posted. I can’t remember now but we’re the turf (grass) tracks better in the 60s, 70s than they are now in the US? I remember Atlantic City had a fine turf course.
Peter Brant has some fine turf broodmares that he’s bred to US sires and Mike Repole has bought European broodmares to breed with various lines so that’s a boost for turf races in the future and dirt races depending on what action the progeny prefer.
There are a couple of runners in the Southwest Stakes I’m hoping will show some sparkle because, thus far, the Derby Trail hasn’t been too exciting or perhaps other events have been overshadowing horse racing.
Can’t wait for your first Derby Ratings of 2025 and where you’ve placed them initially. By the way, good luck with that. Thanks again for the great piece.
Steve, did Fort Marcy always wear blinkers? It’s hard to find replays of his races online, his career was just before tv coverage of sports took off.
Yes you can see the photo above.
I was wondering about other races.
Hi Discopartner.
Fort Marcy ran without blinkers 8 times; for his first 4 races as a 2-year-old, his first three races as a 3-year old and only once in his first race of 1968.
Fort Marcy won only one race without blinkers…
Thanks Nelson. This is my first Apple Pencil post., exciting to hand write instead of type.
Great functionality there… I am honored your reply to me was a breakthrough for you.
Glad to see that Journalism has fully recovered from his fever following a vaccination after he won impressively in the Los Al Futurity. He posted a timed 4F work today at SA. Still Time to get in four more works as he is targetting the San Felipe on MAR 1. I’m sure M.McCarthy will have him ready for that race. Hoping Madaket Road targets the Robert Lewis on FEB 1. I’m confident this talented son of Quality Road can upset Citizen Bull.
Journalism earned some high points in his last race. Will be a factor moving ahead if everything is fine with him. Wonder why a gap of 40 days between his last work and last race. But maybe it was by design.
The other two I would say are a cut below.
Journalism spiked a fever after his last race. Hence, the long gap from race to first work.
Thanks
Cornucopian, by Into Mischief, out of Magical World, by Distorted Humor, has been working lights out for trainer Bob Baffert. Today, he worked a bullet 4 furlongs in 47:00 flat (1/13). Purchased for $1.1 million dollars, his pedigree reflects an excellent mix of speed, class and stamina, IMO. His tail-female side is inundated with some of the past greats, including Pleasant Colony and Buckpasser. His 2nd dam, Pleasant Home, earned close to $1.0 million in career earnings, including the BC Distaff.
I would think Cornucopian is set to debut at some time in the near future.
Keep an eye on this Into Mischief colt moving forward.
Thanks for pointing him out.
So far he has gone up to 4F, lets see how he does working longer. After all Justify debuted in Feb. and very soon after that 1st race I had not only pointed him out for the derby but had posted some numbers. That was on the BH site.
You’re welcome, Gary
I agree, there’s still time for Cornucopian to have an impact on this year’s Derby trail. I love the pedigree on this Into Mischief colt.
Maplejinsky, yes!
Sounds like someone else got the message Bill. Disrespect obviously ignoring article Mr. Haskin composed on Fort Marcy to focus on same old topic revolving around one barn. Maybe you should get a grip!
“Sounds like someone else got the message”.
Who might that be Mike?
Buckpasser and Princequillo are two of the greatest broodmare sires of all time.
They ALL train “lights out” in Bob’s barn.
Zzzzzzzzzzzz
Lol.
100 days 8 hours 48 minutes and 10 seconds until 2025 Kentucky Derby….But who’s counting!
kmi’s 10+1
JOKER’s WILD Gunrunner (Sandman)
Top 10 Gun Slingers
1) Citizen Bull
2) East Avenue
3) Chancer McPatrick
4) Gaming
5) First Resort
6) Poster
7) Ferocious
8) Journalism
9) Sovereignty
10) Barnes
+1 Young Gun
Disco Time
What will the Southwest reveal?
Will Gaming retain his #4 position in the Top 10+1 by winning a 2 turn? Will it take Patch Adams another ‘Cloud 9’ effort to break into the Top 10+1 list? or will this week’s JOKERS WILD Gunrunner ‘Sandman’ hit em with his ‘Sand Blaster’ to determine their fate? The results might leave you Flabbergasted!
What’s connection between that and Fort Marcy?
Same as Betsy’s obsession with “Heart”, the Honor AP horse … she didn’t much support the sire, as I recall.
I tend to use history differently than most. I review the history KD winners to see what is likely to occur that fits into the history of the race. This is what I use to eliminate some horses from the top spot.
Fusaichi Pegasus was the last and possibly the only muti-million yearling to win the KD. The $3M plus Sierra Leone went close in 2024.
What’s the prospect a $3M plus runner up in one year being follow by a $3M plus winner the following year? It’s horse racing and anything is possible. But I wouldn’t pick Barnes to win the 2025 KD.
This has nothing to do with the fact that the colt might have the talent to so do. His likely victory doesn’t fit into the history of the race. It might be a crazy reason to eliminate him from the top spot. However, the history of KD winner is there as a guide.
There is another bit of history that seems to influence most. That is BB’s 6KD wins. This has led to wild speculation that he is an automatic to win the KD if he has a talented entrant. He had Point Given and Looin At Lucky.
Little attention is paid to the history of other trainers. Bill Mott guided Cigar to 16 consecutive wins. John Sherriff guided Zenyatta to 20 consecutive wins. What do the two trainers have in common apart from respective horses with exceptionally long win streaks? Their respective KD winners entered the race with one win that was recoded in a MSW.
Give those two trainers an annual supply talented youngsters and who knows how many KD wins they would have racked up
Few might remember that Mott’s Resilience, a colt a cut below those in the upper echelon, finished 6th by 7L in the 2024 KD. I do not believe Mott has ever had a KD prospect the likes of Sovereignty
Given the trainer’s history of doing so much with less. The Sky has to be the limit for the Godolphin bred colt.
Goodbye my friends!
History is a good talking point.
What is more important is an individual horse and his/her own ability.
A trainer can extract the most from a horse, but the horse can only go up to a certain level.
The knack of handicapping is to use what is in front of us, the horses running record and to some extent the breeding (after a few non mishap races a horse gives us an indication as to what he/she can do) That is what comes into play leading to the Derby.
Towards the derby (last month) I would say we have enough information what THAT PARTICULAR horse can do.
Article is about Fort Marcy!
When last I checked, this was Steves website and I was replying to CP, as he is a history person, his handicapping is from history, but this is a horse racing website and we can mix history with breeding and handicapping, else Steve would not allow anything but what his current article is about.
Well said, Gary. Evidently, Mike has appointed himself as the “moderator” on this site. Hopefully, Mike will get the message that this site is in the capable hands of Steve and Leonard, not his.
Mike means well. I would love for more comments on the topic I write about but this has to be a a place for open discussion. What no one realizes is that I keep tabs and next week for the first Derby Rankings everyone who commented about the Derby this week will only be allowed to comment on Fort Marcy next week
Thanks Steve.
No one in horse racing is in the same zone as you in its history, I commend that.
Being more of a technical guy, I focus on future (in this case handicapping) and leave the history to others. Does not mean that I don’t enjoy reading them.
But, the only reason I pointed out what was going on is because I don’t want this site taking the same road as another site which Bill D is aware of (hint Do pey).
Ha ha Steve, that made me giggle.
LOL.
That’s brutal Steve. Have marcy on us.
Mike means well….just make sure you have your papers!….I couldn’t stop laughing at Bill’s “moderator” response, then you come back with the Fort Marcy only–response—this is a great blog–if you mention Bob you will get a response, from Mike—and that’s OK, too….
Yet the discussion always becomes engulfed in bragging about the horses in one barn. I’m with Mike: people should stick more to the topic you present each week.
That’s a good one Steve! You said that with your tongue firmly planted in your cheek.
It’s called an opinion Bill.
Mike
Your misguided attempt to dictate policy on a site that does not belong to you, is hardly an “opinion”. On several occasions you’ve scolded others for not restricting their comments to the article at hand. It is not your place to tell others what they can post or not post.
If Steve were to come out and say, restrict your comments to the current article, I’m sure his royal followers, such as myself, would heed his request. So far, I have yet to see that policy request coming from Steve.
Get a grip Mike.
Boom!
Hopefully, Steve will moderate any of the Derby hyping folks out of next week’s discussion!
Michelle, individual who thought I needed corrected believes it ends with them here.
Whatever … Some people just like to spew useless typing to take up space
Yes.
You’re right!
I usually spare some time to focus on the unfancied entrants in KD Preps. In the past some have delivered shockers.
Can Monet’s Magic deliver one such shocker?
I would never underestimate an obviously talented Good Magic colt. Has anyone taken note that Built is the switch of sire and dam sire of KD 2nd Place finisher Good Magic?
God Magic -Curlin-Hard Spun mare
Bilt – Hard Spun-Curlin mare
Back to Monet’s Magic- Good Magic -BCJ winner/ Dam by Big Drama – BC Sprint winner
The colt was beaten a combined 60L in its first 4 starts. It has since won its last two starts over 8 1/2F CD (Fast) and 8F OK (Muddy/Sealed)
In both wins the colt displayed a quick burst of speed from mid-pack that took him past opponents enroute to victory. I consider this colt to be a serious racehorse.
It’s not very often a race entrant is going along, seemingly uninterested and suddenly decides it’s time to go and inject serious pace to reel in leaders.
It will be very interesting to see how he acquits himself against this far more talented group. He might just run by all.
They still talk about that 1071 Woodward disqualification, of Cougar—well rules are rules, and he did impress Tinajero….
The 70s had another controversial disqualification, in the 1978 Travers Stakes—I will go to my grave thinking Alydar wouldn’t have beaten Affirmed that day—or any day Laffit Pincay rode him! Affirmed was better under Pincay. …who was the strongest rider of that time—Affirmed in nine races under Laffit—was never involved in a photo finish….
Steve Cauthen won the triple crown on Affirmed, nothing Pincay did on him came close.
Affirmed and Pincay were better together….I saw the SA and Hol Derbies Affirmed won SA by 8……Hol by 2 same horses….they were a special match
None of the Alydar races were close under Pincay. ..and Spectacular Bid also–3/4 lengths—just because I gloss Pincay—means not to insult Steve Cauthen!
That counts for more than the triple crown? The fractions were the same in those 2 races, the other horses must have run faster against Cauthen. I looked it up in the Champions book of records, bought it used years ago when J. Keeler Johnson recommended it.
I don’t believe Affirmed would have beaten Alydar by open lengths in the triple crown races, under Pincay, they couldn’t go much faster than they did in the Preakness and Belmont. Cauthen rode brilliantly to win the triple crown so new to the game in such close finishes.
Pincay only went once against Alydar on Affirmed and was DQ’d.
You are correct…I remember Pincay replaced Cauthen after two losses as a four year old, I don’t have the record—I think he lost twice at Santa Anita —Pincay went on him and they won several races together….Affirmed’s Big Cap over Tiller was one of the best performances ever, in the west— he also won the Hollywood Gold Cup under 132 lbs, before going east and winning out—and I stand by my opinion Affirmed and Pincay were made for each other–
Steve Cauthen was an outstanding jockey in Europe in the 1980s taking the mounts of the mercurial Henry Cecil. The US never saw the best of Steve Cauthen.
Competing with the legendary Lester Piggott, Pat Eddery, Willie Carson et al Steve Cauthen grew in stature.
What the ….?
Pincay got him DQ’ed in the Travers!
He is NOT the best jockey to sit on Affirmed.
Agreed!
Before the advent of The Breeders Cup—west coast horses had to travel east, to win awards….Sky Beauty was a top filly who mist certainly would have won awards before —but she had to go west, and list in the Breeders Cup…..ironically…Ack Ack won HOY in the initial Eclipse voting—despite only racing in the west, and retiring in July…..but he won because of Cougar winning The Woodward, Cougar beat another Chilean…Tinajero—who was favored, even though Cougar in 1971 had run a sol8d 2nd, to Ack Ack and defeated an older Fort Marcy twice—but Cougar was 4-1 in The Woodward…some horses didn’t travel cross country well…Lava Man never won back east …Kelso ran twice, at Hollywood Park and twice was 5th.. ..Slew was defeated by JO Tobin…After his 4th in the Hollywood Gold Cup–JO Tobin worked at Del Mar…a 7 fur work before the races, he was so beautiful—sent to Saratoga and won a 7fur gr1 by ten lengths—-but in The Whitney he met a three year old named Alydar—who won the Whitney vs ‘Tobin and 11 others–by ten lengths….
Matthew, the irony about Sky Beauty, and she was a favorite of mine, is that she never won a race outside New York. When Sky Beauty was voted Champion Older Female in 1994 she actually ran last in the 1994 Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Churchill Downs.
Florent Geroux has been Brad Cox’s “go to rider”, for some time. He was aboard Patch Adams in both career starts, the latest being his super impressive maiden win, at Churchill. Now that Cox has dumped Geroux in favor of Flavien Prat for Patch Adams’ next start in the upcoming Southwest Stakes, I can only imagine how Geroux feels about the switch. Will this have any bearing on their relationship moving forward?
How can it not. It has been said that horse racing is not for the “thin-skinned”.
Granted, Prat is one of the best riders in the country, but this rider switch could come back and bite Cox in his backside.
That said, I’ll go with Gaming in the Southwest for a number of reasons, including the rider switch on Patch Adams.
Prat has ridden fior Cox in past two Derbies (I think)….Prat has ice in his veins—Cox loves Patch and he sought Prat out….
I’m sure that bit of rationale will make Geroux feel much, much better. 🙂
Geroux is riding Saudi Crown in the $3 M. Pegasus stakes on Saturday, couldn’t make the Southwest.
Thanks for the heads up, Disco Partner. I wasn’t aware Geroux was riding in the Saudi Crown.
Edit: I wasn’t aware that Geroux will be riding Saudi Crown in the Pegasus Invitational.
Bill,
You are a brave man indeed.
Before were look at BB’s past SW winners. Let’s turn our attention to 2024. BB was represented in the Southwest by Wynstock who a surprise last out winner of the Los Al Futurity over subsequent SA Derby winner Stronghold.
As the 4th choice in the Southwest wagering ($6.70), Wynstock finished last by 28 1/4L. A very poor effort given the popular belief of many here that BB’s 2024, 3YO contingent was so strong, his second stringers were good enough to handle top horses from the opposing coasts.
BB’s SW winners
2023 – Arabian Knight – Ultra impressive last out MSW winner
2022 – Newgrange – Last out winner of the Sham G3
2013 – Super Ninety-Nine – Last out Allowance winner
2012-Castaway – Last outs MSW winner
2012- Secret Circle – 2nd Sham G3
You have made Gaming your selection to win the SW off a weaking 6 1/2L 3rd in the Los Al. How does Gaming’s last out effort compares to BB’s past winners of the SW?
It’s a different entrant, different year and Gaming could rise to the occasion. But the above cold facts are just too significant to ignore.
I’ll stand by my selection of Gaming in the Southwest Stakes.
Good day Counter Point
With respect to Gaming’s 3rd place finish in the Los Alamitos Futurity, please pay particular attention to this quote by Bob Baffert, “In the paddock he lost it. He just got antsy, he got hot in there. Prat said, he was not comfortable on the inside (in the race). I think you can draw a line through it. He’ll be all right.”
Bottom line, Gaming stands head and shoulders above the rest of the field in the Southwest Stakes, IMO.
There were several reasons Gaming ran so poorly. I see a big rebound effort
Hi Steve
Thanks for your Gaming support. He’s been class tested in three graded races, two of which were around two turns. As much as I’m impressed with Patch Adams, he has yet to be class tested or raced beyond 7 furlongs.
Bottom line, Gaming has been established as the morning line favorite for good reason.
The longshot that I like in the Southwest is Speed King, who worked a bullet 4 furlongs in 47:00 flat, 1/302 on Jan., on Jan. 18th. I like his chances to hit the board and round out the superfecta.
In addition to my superfecta p/w wager, 1,7/1,7/ 2,4,6,8,10/ 2,46,8,10, I’ll box Gaming, Sandman, Patch Adams and Speed King in a $1.00 superfecta bet.
Good luck if you bet the Southwest.
Bill, regarding your concern about Patch Adams not being class or distance tested.
Apparently, the people that bet Barnes down to 6-1 in the KD futures did not get the memo about being class the distance tested. That logic does not apply to BB or TP horses.
*and, not the
Be careful, you might be called a BB supporter, even if you point some handicapping points.
My above comment regarding Fort Marcy, ‘Gary’ pertains to a little respect.
My older brother was at HollyPark in 1971 when The Big Cat (Cougar II) beat the reigning Grass Horse of the Year, Fort Marcy. He always remembered someone in the crowd yelling out “Send Marcy back on a Greyhound, Send March back on a Greyhound!”
It was quite a rivalry between Fort Marcy and Whittingham’s horses back then. There were some people that believed that the East racing establishment, particularly New York, didn’t take kindly for this upstart colt from Chile, Cougar II, to beat “Marcy” that day and probably wrapped up the 1971 Grass Horse of the Year later in the year, returning the favor and disqualified The Big Cat later in Woodward Stakes in October despite winning the race by 5 and half lengths.
Cougar was a bugger, lots of deep closers lug inwards, before changing leads—he impeded the third place finisher, had Tinajero run 2nd (the horse The Big Cat lugged in on) I’m sure stewards would have left him up….
(Lugger)
When is derby dozen coming out?
Next week
Steve, great story! Thanks for sharing.
It almost seems as if the TBs of that era were a different species. Although, Fort Marcy competed a decade before I took an interest in TB racing, I have a feeling handicappers did not rely on speed figures as most do today. The eye test was enough to tell if they competed to their capabilities and training methods.
Can anyone imagine a BB or TP horse running more than twenty races? The new era should be called…..Ten and done.
If that even.
Most handicappers these days barely know a fetlock from a forelock. They think everything can be deduced from numbers.
Wat’s the correlation between a horse’s anatomy and handicapping?
What’s
What could possibly go wrong with a horse’s anatomy?
Example…..Life At Ten.
Yeah, bet she loves her barn. Lol
During your handicapping. routine. Do you seek information about knees, pasterns, fetlocks, shoulders etc.?
No. But I do pay attention to horses in the walking ring, the post parade, and how they are warming up before the race.
Yes Michelle, some lose their mind over numbers.
I said something similar, to two Los Al Quarter Horse trainers, I said I could not tell the difference between a foreleg and a fetlock–and they said they look forward to seeing me in the track kitchen, they thought I knew my stuff—and liked to see how I thought of their horses….I really do know what a fetlock is, but I’m no horseman, not close—Steve’s story of Fort Marcy’s turf prowess informed me of things I did not know—I think Quicken Tree was Cal-bred, not sure….and Fiddle Isle was real good—Cougar was something! Turf or dirt, but it better not rain! And Typecast reminded me of Fort Marcy, skinny mare! Beat Cougar a nose, in the Hollywood Turf Invitational, ONE WEEK after her $250K winner take all match race, with Convenience…..
Thanks, there were no speed figures back then. Bettors made their own figures. We had the speed rating and track variant in th PP.s
You’re absolutely correct about the speed figures. Yet, the savvy handicappers knew what to look for in a race horse.
Today’s “handicappers” trip over themselves for Beyer speed figures after a big race is completed. Unfortunately, the “iron” horses of that era will never be duplicated again.
Looking forward to first DD list.
Yes, Zany Beyer back in the day stated Zenyatta was slow. Lol
I just read that Ed Bowen, a longtime editor at the Blood-Horse and author of historical classics including “Masters of the Turf” and “Matriarchs,” has died at the age of 82. His write-ups of the great horses of the past as part of a series that became the book “The Great Ones,” fueled my imagination when I was a horse-crazy young girl. Rest in peace, Ed.
Yes, Ms Blacktype, that was sad to read of his passing. I have most of Ed Bowen’s books and enjoyed reading his articles in “The Blood-Horse,” it seems a world away now.
Yes, he fueled a few self-proclaimed breeding “experts” , as well. Good author: knew his stuff!
One of the greats of the sport and a true gentleman
Steve: A big thank you for posting this column on Fort Marcy, who is right up there with the best who have (almost) been forgotten. I didn’t realize beat Damascus in the DC International — probably because I had forgotten Damascus raced not just once but two times after the Woodward that year. The International was the only grass race I followed at the time, mostly because the family bible, Sports Illustrated, made a big deal out of it when Kelso won in 1964. (Kelso had a hard time winning that race. He only won in ’64 because the turf was practically dirt to start with, as David Alexander noted in his chapter on Kelly in “A Sound of Horses.”) Since I knew this would be a historical column, I was hoping for a post on Dark Mirage. Keep that in mind for a column on the great fillies and mares of the late 1960s!
I loved little Dark Mirage. She was the first horse I ever photographed with my dad’s black and white cameera. Her ending was too painful
Such a contrast to the horses of today. If only there were still horses like Fort Marcy to garner and hold the interest of people today. Not everything was better in the “good old days” but I think horse racing was. When it was about racing, not stud fees and commercial sales. Thanks for keeping the stories alive, Steve.
I just love the Wayback Machine Mr. Peabody. Brought me right back to my tweens running in to watch the races on Channel 9 on the weekend. Couldn’t really appreciate what I was watching then but drew me in like a moth to a flame. Now I really do appreciate what I got to see and the Greats back then!
Thank you Sherman
Come to think of it, back then Saturday mornings I would watch Rocky and BullWinkel and in the afternoon the races! LOL
I had certainly heard of Fort Marcy, but there was so much I didn’t know. He was both an iron horse and a trailblazer. A horse of his qualities in this age would be the star of the sport. I always take great interest in anything related to Atlantic City or the UN. As an aside, Atlantic City had a series of paintings on the wall of UN winners, mostly from the 60s. At some point they were taken down, and I remember a few lying unceremoniously on a counter behind the tellers windows. As the days of Atlantic City wound down, I often wondered if I could walk out of there with one. Of course I didn’t, and the quality of the paintings was modest, but I sometimes wonder their ultimate fate. A small regret.
Too bad, Todd! If nothing else, let this be a reminder that we should acquire those sorts of things when given the chance, if only so they can keep history from being erased.
As usual Steve you are 100% right. I remember Damascus getting upset, but I am guilty of forgetting all about Fort Macy. Quests I am a product of the time and have just been more interested in the Dirt Racing. A great article bring back many memories. Thank you for continuing to bless us with such stimulating articles.
When I went to sleep last night, Disco Time was 28-1 in futures. There must have been some big bets on him because he is now 18-1, same as Patch Adams, and Journalism…
Current top horses in futures:
1. Barnes 10-1
2. Sovereignty 15-1
3. Journalism, Patch Adams, Disco Time 18-1
4. Gaming 20-1
5. Citizen Bull 22-1
My top 2 at this point are Journalism and Rodriguez (currently 25-1). I am looking forward to see how they all shake out…
Good luck on your bets Biggy. I agree with your enthusiasm about Journalism. I bet Journalism at 52-1 in KDFW2. His trainer states he should be back on the worktab either THU or FRI and is targeting the MAR 1 San Felipe. Also glad to get Madaket Road at 47-1 in KDFW3. Hopefully he targets the R.Lewis on FEB 1 to take on Citizen Bull. Madaket Road is flying under the radar, but IMO he has the talent to be a serious KY Derby contender.
Joe:
Good luck to you too with your futures bets. I agree with you re Madaket Road. If I had to vet on region, I think it’s likely Derby winner will come from the West this year. It has been a bit of a scramble this year to jump on contenders before their odds go down, however. William Hill has reduced odds of many contenders earlier this year compared to past years.
He does have Derby points.
David, Nelson …. Heart drew post 15 in a field of 26 😱😱
Eek…not happy
Betsy, are you sure they are final declarations? On the Emirates Racing website they are just a list of possibles before final declarations. Last year there was only 8 final acceptances.
Well initially I definitely thought 26 because the Dubai Racing Twitter had said it, but now it looks like 16 will run…which is not ideal, but much better than 26
It’s weird that it says drawn post 12, but there’s a No. 9 to the left of his name
Another HAP – who appears to have some talent- is an AE
Only 8 last year compared to 16 this ….wow
Betsy, that’s common in Europe, Australia racing the post position are in brackets next to the entry number. Post 12 isn’t that great either. Fingers crossed.
Thanks, David!
No, just guess it’s better than being all the way inside
Heart is right next to Golden Vekoma, who I suppose is his main competition…I need to go through the field & see who’s who
Betsy, the Racing Post has Heart of Honor as the favorite at 7/4 with Golden Vekoma the second favorite at 6/1. In their last meeting, which was in December, Heart of Honor beat Golden Vekoma by over 10 lengths.
Did you notice that the second reserve, On the Way, is also by Honor A. P.?There is quite a few A.P. Indy line colts in the field.
Hopefully the form from that race repeats itself in the Guineas! It will be a quick turnaround for Heart, so hopefully he can handle it
Yes! He seems to have some talent, but this would be a tough spot if he goes
Indy is a legend – his influence is massive, like his sire’s…gotta love it!
Betsy, the UAE Guineas is on at 1:05 am Saturday morning here in Melbourne so I’ll probably miss it live. I don’t have a good feeling when I’m not able to watch a race.
You and Nelson will have to get Heart of Honor over the line without me. I’ll watch the replay first thing when I wake up. Fingers crossed.
Hi Betsy… the race will be at 7:05 am (less than 8 eight hours from now).
The Past Performances I downloaded show Heart of Honor at 14 to 1 as the 7th favorite behind Golden Vekoma (9/2), the four year old South Americans, Giustino (7/1), Don Vaccaro (8/1), Awab (9/1), Royal Favour(11/1), Rafid (12/1).
The morning line does not reflect what it’s shown in the past performances of those horses… unless the South Americans and Golden Vekoma improve 5 to 8 lengths I don’t see them overpowering Heart of Honor… Anyway, we shall see…
I believe Heart of Honor will be the 5/2 favorite at Post Time.
Hi Nelson, the Racing Post has Heart of Honor at 2/1 favourite. Golden Vekoma is the second favourite at 13/2.
Nelson, I’m not familiar with those horses except Golden Vekoma, but it would be surprising if he ends up favored over Heart
Heart is running back only 2 weeks after his last win, so that could also be an issue…..Jamie said he’s looking fantastic, but there’s no way to tell if he’s got enough in the tank
David, I think the race comes on here at 9:30 am or so – which I won’t be awake for, lol.
My friend will DM me on Twitter – if it’s a GIF, it’s likely good news !
🤞🤞🤞🤞🙏🙏🙏🙏
Mr. Haskin, thanks for the interesting story on Fort Marcy.
Southwest:
Was tilting towards Patch Adams.
In his last race he earned a high number, but taking a closer look, I question the horses that he beat.
In his 1st race, he had no excuse, dueled and then tired. Of two horses that beat him one has not yet worked nor raced, the other raced three times in all and all the time finished second and his numbers were not much.
So I’m tilting towards Gaming, however I’m interested in a son of Good Magic to give Gaming a run for the money and also the son of Justify just behind them, Sandman and Patch Adams to round out the bottom of the exotics.
What am I missing?
A Bob Baffert Fan Club membership?
Yes,never changes.
Handicapping.
Have you ever done real handicapping , rather than just comment on blogs?
Not blind to trainers and jockeys.
So we not allowed to post what our handicapping leads to or shows?
Have you?
Gary, I share your suspicion of Patch Adams quality. He could be anything, but the horses he beat have been lacking in accomplishment so far.
If someone else did their research at certain horseracing websites they will be surprised to LEARN the results/predictions of at least three Triple crown years, including being probably the only one who hit the TC and having the top four among the top five finishers.
I will still post on handicapping and leave the rest to others.
Really ‘Gary’? Regarding your comment about Dopey, seems a charmer on another site, HR ‘Babs’ Goodman causes much chaos there- among other names she deploys. Sound familiar?
OK my last reply to you with respect to Steve (after this I will only talk about handicapping) you side stepped on the Handicapping part (I will not help you there). Like I said, if you can do your investigative research (not gonna help you there) you should find my handicapping result for at least the last three years.
Have a great day, you can always reply to me on what is called handicapping.
Side stepping,really? Numbers mean little in my point of view. As indicated many times,some lose their mind over numbers, while gnoring other factors. Btw, Patch is training like a beast. He’s the play!