(This is the first of a five part series.)
Note to reader: The following was originally a one-part story, published on Gallop Out, on September 17, 2010; however, due to line spacing problems it was eventually deleted from the archive. The original text has been revised and expanded in what will be a multiple-part narrative. The title has also been changed.
The year 2013 marks the sixtieth anniversary of this great horse's remarkable season, and a good time to commemorate his career.
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In 1953, on Thoroughbred racing's biggest stages, Pinza won the Epsom Derby, La Sorellina the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and Wodalla the Melbourne Cup. And in a seismic event that sent aftershocks rippling along fault lines of the American turf, Dark Star upset iconic Native Dancer by a head in the Kentucky Derby. Nicknamed the "Grey Ghost," Native Dancer's loving public mourned what would be his only defeat in a fabled twenty-two race career. The Dancer commanded national celebrity, a sterling reputation, and had no equal; with one exception. And this other colt was making a shambles of the older handicap division during one of the greatest campaigns in modern times.
PART ONE: SEEDS OF GREATNESS
Roots
Bred in Kentucky by Duval Headley, the horse was sired by the dark bay Menow, out of the Bull Dog (Fr.) bay mare Gaga, and foaled in 1949, the year another Menow son, the duel classic winner Capot, would be voted Horse of the Year. Menow had been a two-year-old champion after a campaign that included wins in Belmont Park's 6 1/2 furlong Champagne Stakes and Futurity. The following season, Menow made his first three starts at Keeneland, with a win in a six furlong Starter Handicap, and two placings behind the future stallion sensation Bull Lea, a third in a 1 1/16 mile allowance, and a second in the 1 1/8 mile Blue Grass Stakes, when he fell a neck short. Menow finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby, and third in the Preakness Stakes before scoring wins in the one mile Withers and 1 1/8 mile Massachusetts Handicap. Menow's sire, Pharamond II (GB), was a half-brother to the great English champion and sire Hyperion (GB), also the broodmare sire of American immortal Citation.
Gaga was a modestly successful stakes placed racer from twenty-six starts before her stint as a leading broodmare. Through her sire, Bull Dog, Gaga was a product of the revered Teddy (Fr.) line, which would also produce the progeny leading to Sword Dancer, and the great Damascus.
The Menow-Gaga offspring, named Tom Fool, would develop into an attractive, sturdily built sixteen hand bay colt with a gentle and easy going disposition. Depending on the images examined, he appeared to have a left rear half pastern, and a right rear coronet, although in black-and-white photographs these markings are not as clearly evident. There were no markings on his face except for perhaps a vestige of a small star, which cannot be ascertained.
Supporting cast
Tom Fool was owned by John Hay Whitney and his sister, Mrs. Charles Payson, and the colt's racing career would be under their Greentree Stable colors. John Gaver conditioned Tom Fool, and the only jockey to sit on the horse's back was Ted Atkinson. Gaver was a graduate of Princeton University, and a teacher and athletic coach before embarking on a career as a trainer for Greentree. In 1942, Gaver conditioned Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Shut Out, in addition to Devil Diver, a co-Handicap Champion the same year, and outright champion in 1943. Later he conditioned the stable's Capot, who was ridden by Atkinson. Gaver would also train Three-Year-Old Male Champion Stage Door Johnny in 1968. In the mid-1960s the horseman made his way into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, nine years after Atkinson was inducted.
Off smartly
At Saratoga, in August 1951, Tom Fool won his first three starts, beginning as the favorite in a 5 1/2 furlong Maiden Special Weight against eleven other two-year-olds. Breaking from post eight, he steadily improved his situation, taking the lead a furlong out, before hitting the finish four lengths ahead in 1:06 2/5. Just one week later he leaped into the six furlong Sanford Stakes, among a field of eight. This time he kept close to the pace, eventually overtaking the Alfred G. Vanderbilt colt, First Refusal, in the final eighth and crossed the wire with a margin of two and a quarter lengths, in a time of 1:12 3/5. He contested the Grand Union Stakes on August 25 with a purse of $21,350, and faced a smaller field of four other runners; but three of them, Jet Master, Hannibal, and another Vanderbilt colt, Cousin, were already standouts and multiple stakes winners. Jet Master had posted six wins in eight starts and Cousin was on a five race win streak. Tom Fool was assigned 122 pounds, four less than Jet Master and Cousin, who were asked to carry the three-year-old classic weight of 126. He was again victorious after being put to the task in the turn, and with encouragement, prevailed at the finish by a length. Cousin, who stumbled out of the gate, arrived next followed by Jet Master. The winner covered the six panels in 1:11 4/5.
Hiccup
The young Tom Fool would make his fourth start in less than a month in Saratoga's 6 1/2 furlong Hopeful Stakes, on a track labeled "good". Hannibal, who finished fourth in the Grand Union, and Cousin returned. Six runners in post order were Paramount Pete, Tom Fool, Color Guard, coupled with Cousin, Thymus, Hannibal, and Tom Fool's stablemate, The Minor. Except for the 117 pounds assigned to Paramount Pete and Thymus, the other four would carry 122. The race offered a purse of $63,400, with the winner's share $52,200. Tom Fool was favored at less than even odds, but matters didn't go swimmingly.
Perhaps because his winning streak had been derailed, Cousin showed up in no mood for games, and ready to take somebody out. He started with his own people, and dropped rider Eric Guerin following the load. When they got off, Thymus took the early lead, and kept it to the far turn, followed closely by the other maiden, Paramount Pete. Cousin had started as the trailer, then moved into fifth after a quarter, and at six furlongs made his bid as Tom Fool took the lead entering the stretch. On the approach to home, Tom Fool stayed in front with Hannibal and Cousin advancing. Atkinson went to his whip but his mount couldn't hold off Cousin who sped past him and across the finish one and a quarter lengths ahead in 1:19 1/5. The slick track might have made all the difference, a condition which Tom Fool wasn't accustomed to, while the winner donned mud caulks. Tom Fool was only a neck in front of Hannibal who checked in third.
Not today either
On October 1, Tom Fool made his first appearance, and fifth start, at Belmont Park in a six furlong Special Weight, known as the Anticipation Purse, on the Widener course, in a field of sixteen juveniles. The Anticipation was a tune-up for Belmont's 6 1/2 furlong Futurity, over the course, six days later. Tom Fool was again the favorite with Cousin next. Also entered was a dark bay Calumet Farm son of Bull Lea, out of the Bleinheim II (GB) mare Jane Gail, name Hill Gail, a winner of his first three starts, including the Arlington Futurity.
When the gates opened, Tom Fool, in post three, was quickest to leave, but got bumped around as he sat in third. Cousin jumped straight up in the air, costing himself valuable ground and position. Hill Gail, in second, was moving well. At the half Hill Gail and Tom Fool remained unchanged behind the leader Baybrook, but in the stretch Hill Gail took first, with Baybrook second, and Tom Fool third. Hill Gail drew away, hitting the wire with four lengths to spare as Tom Fool got his neck in front of Baybrook for second. Cousin made a late charge but his deficit was too much to overcome, and was factored out in seventh. After a quarter in :22 3/5, and the half in :45, the winner's time was 1:09 2/5.
Futurity
The usual suspects showed up for the big one on October 6, and Hill Gail's newly minted reputation earned him favoritism. Jet Master, Cousin, and Tom Fool were next in line. The fourteen entries sweetened the pot to more than $115,000, but at post time the number had been reduced to ten. Tom Fool would try to get back on the beam by duplicating the success of his sire fourteen years earlier.
Leaving stall seven, Tom Fool broke alertly, and secured a solid position in fourth as Jet Master began the proceedings, covering the quarter in :22 1/5, and a half in :45 1/5. Three quarters were clipped in 1:10 1/5, and Tom Fool, under considerable punishment by Atkinson, charged past Jet Master a furlong out, and headed for home commandingly, capturing the 6 1/2 furlong race in 1:17 1/5. Primate, who broke last, ran with stout determination, making up most of the ground, and finished second, a length in front of Jet's Date. Hill Gail didn't get off well, but eventually found his stride, and arrived fourth. The winner collected $86,710 of the $111,410 purse.
Test of character
Tom Fool made one more start in 1951, at Jamaica on October 24, and for the first time would travel beyond 6 1/2 furlongs, in the 1 1/16 mile East View Stakes worth $53,400. The bettors pounded him, yet one of his two previous losses had been over a "good" track, and now he would run on a surface made sloppy by rain. It would be the toughest test yet of his young career.
The margin between the eventual top four was barely more than a length, with the first three in a photo. Tom Fool broke from post four and after a half mile was almost a half dozen lengths behind the leader, Mr. Turf. The Menow colt began making headway into the far turn, and with courage split horses in the stretch, and persevered to the wire, a neck ahead of Put Out, who in turn was a neck in front of Risque Rouge. Tom Fool, prevailing on his character and class, finished in a time of 1:45 1/5, and put $35,225 into his bank account.
Champion
The Greentree Stable colt was scheduled to run in the 1 1/16 mile Pimlico Futurity on November 2, but with a wet track he was scratched and put away for the year. The defection would not compromise his chance for a divisional championship. After concluding his juvenile season with five wins and two seconds in seven starts, and earnings of $155,960, Tom Fool was named Two-Year-Old Male Champion for 1951.
Mapped out on Tom Fool's three-year-old itinerary were the Triple Crown races; however, as circumstances sometimes dictate, his campaign would require an adjustment, and the eventual date with his destiny postponed.
To be continued...
Bibliography
Daily Racing Form, Champions: The Lives, Times, and Past Performances of America's Greatest Thoroughbreds. Revised Edition. Champions from 1893-2004 (New York: Daily Racing Form Press, 2005), p.63.
"Tom Fool," Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/tom+fool
"Tom Fool," equineline.com, http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=511385®istry=T&horse_name=Tom Fool&dam_name=Gaga&foaling_year=1949&nicking_stats_indicator=Y
Richard Stones Reeves; Edward L. Bowen, Belmont Park: A Century of Champions (Lexington, KY: Eclipse Press, 2005), p. 54.
Audrey Pavia; Janice Posnikoff, DVM, Horses For Dummies, (Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2005), p. 25.
"John M. Gaver, Sr.," Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_M._Gaver,_Sr.
"John M. Gaver, Sr.," National Museum of Racing And Hall Of Fame, Hall Of Fame, Trainers, http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall-of-fame/horse-trainers-view.asp?varID=17
Thoroughbred Times Co., Inc., The Original Thoroughbred Times Racing Almanac 2009 (Lexington, KY: Thoroughbred Times Books, 2008), pp. 154, 176.
Daily Racing Form, Champions, pp. 82, 91, 95-96.
"Ted Atkinson," National Museum Of Racing And Hall Of Fame, Hall Of Fame, Jockeys, http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall-of-fame/horse-jockeys-view.asp?varID=5
Daily Racing Form, Champions, pp. 173-174.
James Roach, "Tom Fool and Southarlington Win Sprints at Spa; Greentree's Colt Triumphs In Debut," The New York Times, August 14, 1951, p. 30, col. 1.
James Roach, "Greentree's Tom Fool Triumphs Again at Spa; 9-10 Favorite First In Sanford Stakes," The New York Times, August 21, 1951, p. 42.
James Roach, "Tom Fool, Jet Master and Cousin Head Field of Seven in the Grand Union," The New York Times, August 25, 1951, p. 16, col. 1.
James Roach, "Colt's 3D In Row; Tom Fool Beats Cousin, Jet Master in Grand Union Stakes," The New York Times, August 26, 1951, p. 1, col. 5, p. 4, col. 4.
Triangle Publications, Inc. (Daily Racing Form), "Saratoga Racing Chart, 'Fourth Race,'" The New York Times, August 26, 1951 p. 4, col 2-3.
James Roach, "Tom Fool Heads Field in Hopeful Stakes as Saratoga Meeting Closes Today," The New York Times, September 1, 1951, p. 16, col. 1.
James Roach, "Cousin Wins Hopeful; Tom Fool Second," The New York Times, September 2, 1951, p. 1, p. 4, col. 2.
Joseph C. Nichols, "Hill Gail Defeats Favored Tom Fool in Sprint at Belmont; $13.50-For-$2 Shot Wins By 4 Lengths," The New York Times, October 2, 1951, p. 36.
Joseph C. Nichols, "Hill Gail Favorite In Sprint Fixture; Tom Fool and Cousin Rate Highly in 62d Running of Rich Futurity Today," The New York Times, October 6, 1951, p. 27, col. 1.
James Roach, "Tom Fool, $13.50, Captures $111,410 Belmont Futurity," The New York Times, October 7, 1951, p. 1, p. 8, col. 2.
James Roach, "Tom Fool Takes $53,400 East View Stakes at Jamaica; The Top Ranking 2-Year-Old in Triumph Yesterday," The New York Times, October 25, 1951, p. 39.
A.P., "Tom Fool Heads 9 In Futurity Today," The New York Times, November 2, 1951.
A.P., "Cajun Captures Pimlico Futurity," The New York Times, November 3, 1951.
Copyright 2013 by John Califano
On October 1, Tom Fool made his first appearance, and fifth start, at Belmont Park in a six furlong Special Weight, known as the Anticipation Purse, on the Widener course, in a field of sixteen juveniles. The Anticipation was a tune-up for Belmont's 6 1/2 furlong Futurity, over the course, six days later. Tom Fool was again the favorite with Cousin next. Also entered was a dark bay Calumet Farm son of Bull Lea, out of the Bleinheim II (GB) mare Jane Gail, name Hill Gail, a winner of his first three starts, including the Arlington Futurity.
When the gates opened, Tom Fool, in post three, was quickest to leave, but got bumped around as he sat in third. Cousin jumped straight up in the air, costing himself valuable ground and position. Hill Gail, in second, was moving well. At the half Hill Gail and Tom Fool remained unchanged behind the leader Baybrook, but in the stretch Hill Gail took first, with Baybrook second, and Tom Fool third. Hill Gail drew away, hitting the wire with four lengths to spare as Tom Fool got his neck in front of Baybrook for second. Cousin made a late charge but his deficit was too much to overcome, and was factored out in seventh. After a quarter in :22 3/5, and the half in :45, the winner's time was 1:09 2/5.
Futurity
The usual suspects showed up for the big one on October 6, and Hill Gail's newly minted reputation earned him favoritism. Jet Master, Cousin, and Tom Fool were next in line. The fourteen entries sweetened the pot to more than $115,000, but at post time the number had been reduced to ten. Tom Fool would try to get back on the beam by duplicating the success of his sire fourteen years earlier.
Leaving stall seven, Tom Fool broke alertly, and secured a solid position in fourth as Jet Master began the proceedings, covering the quarter in :22 1/5, and a half in :45 1/5. Three quarters were clipped in 1:10 1/5, and Tom Fool, under considerable punishment by Atkinson, charged past Jet Master a furlong out, and headed for home commandingly, capturing the 6 1/2 furlong race in 1:17 1/5. Primate, who broke last, ran with stout determination, making up most of the ground, and finished second, a length in front of Jet's Date. Hill Gail didn't get off well, but eventually found his stride, and arrived fourth. The winner collected $86,710 of the $111,410 purse.
Test of character
Tom Fool made one more start in 1951, at Jamaica on October 24, and for the first time would travel beyond 6 1/2 furlongs, in the 1 1/16 mile East View Stakes worth $53,400. The bettors pounded him, yet one of his two previous losses had been over a "good" track, and now he would run on a surface made sloppy by rain. It would be the toughest test yet of his young career.
The margin between the eventual top four was barely more than a length, with the first three in a photo. Tom Fool broke from post four and after a half mile was almost a half dozen lengths behind the leader, Mr. Turf. The Menow colt began making headway into the far turn, and with courage split horses in the stretch, and persevered to the wire, a neck ahead of Put Out, who in turn was a neck in front of Risque Rouge. Tom Fool, prevailing on his character and class, finished in a time of 1:45 1/5, and put $35,225 into his bank account.
Champion
The Greentree Stable colt was scheduled to run in the 1 1/16 mile Pimlico Futurity on November 2, but with a wet track he was scratched and put away for the year. The defection would not compromise his chance for a divisional championship. After concluding his juvenile season with five wins and two seconds in seven starts, and earnings of $155,960, Tom Fool was named Two-Year-Old Male Champion for 1951.
Mapped out on Tom Fool's three-year-old itinerary were the Triple Crown races; however, as circumstances sometimes dictate, his campaign would require an adjustment, and the eventual date with his destiny postponed.
To be continued...
Bibliography
Daily Racing Form, Champions: The Lives, Times, and Past Performances of America's Greatest Thoroughbreds. Revised Edition. Champions from 1893-2004 (New York: Daily Racing Form Press, 2005), p.63.
"Tom Fool," Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/tom+fool
"Tom Fool," equineline.com, http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=511385®istry=T&horse_name=Tom Fool&dam_name=Gaga&foaling_year=1949&nicking_stats_indicator=Y
Richard Stones Reeves; Edward L. Bowen, Belmont Park: A Century of Champions (Lexington, KY: Eclipse Press, 2005), p. 54.
Audrey Pavia; Janice Posnikoff, DVM, Horses For Dummies, (Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2005), p. 25.
"John M. Gaver, Sr.," Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_M._Gaver,_Sr.
"John M. Gaver, Sr.," National Museum of Racing And Hall Of Fame, Hall Of Fame, Trainers, http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall-of-fame/horse-trainers-view.asp?varID=17
Thoroughbred Times Co., Inc., The Original Thoroughbred Times Racing Almanac 2009 (Lexington, KY: Thoroughbred Times Books, 2008), pp. 154, 176.
Daily Racing Form, Champions, pp. 82, 91, 95-96.
"Ted Atkinson," National Museum Of Racing And Hall Of Fame, Hall Of Fame, Jockeys, http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall-of-fame/horse-jockeys-view.asp?varID=5
Daily Racing Form, Champions, pp. 173-174.
James Roach, "Tom Fool and Southarlington Win Sprints at Spa; Greentree's Colt Triumphs In Debut," The New York Times, August 14, 1951, p. 30, col. 1.
James Roach, "Greentree's Tom Fool Triumphs Again at Spa; 9-10 Favorite First In Sanford Stakes," The New York Times, August 21, 1951, p. 42.
James Roach, "Tom Fool, Jet Master and Cousin Head Field of Seven in the Grand Union," The New York Times, August 25, 1951, p. 16, col. 1.
James Roach, "Colt's 3D In Row; Tom Fool Beats Cousin, Jet Master in Grand Union Stakes," The New York Times, August 26, 1951, p. 1, col. 5, p. 4, col. 4.
Triangle Publications, Inc. (Daily Racing Form), "Saratoga Racing Chart, 'Fourth Race,'" The New York Times, August 26, 1951 p. 4, col 2-3.
James Roach, "Tom Fool Heads Field in Hopeful Stakes as Saratoga Meeting Closes Today," The New York Times, September 1, 1951, p. 16, col. 1.
James Roach, "Cousin Wins Hopeful; Tom Fool Second," The New York Times, September 2, 1951, p. 1, p. 4, col. 2.
Joseph C. Nichols, "Hill Gail Defeats Favored Tom Fool in Sprint at Belmont; $13.50-For-$2 Shot Wins By 4 Lengths," The New York Times, October 2, 1951, p. 36.
Joseph C. Nichols, "Hill Gail Favorite In Sprint Fixture; Tom Fool and Cousin Rate Highly in 62d Running of Rich Futurity Today," The New York Times, October 6, 1951, p. 27, col. 1.
James Roach, "Tom Fool, $13.50, Captures $111,410 Belmont Futurity," The New York Times, October 7, 1951, p. 1, p. 8, col. 2.
James Roach, "Tom Fool Takes $53,400 East View Stakes at Jamaica; The Top Ranking 2-Year-Old in Triumph Yesterday," The New York Times, October 25, 1951, p. 39.
A.P., "Tom Fool Heads 9 In Futurity Today," The New York Times, November 2, 1951.
A.P., "Cajun Captures Pimlico Futurity," The New York Times, November 3, 1951.
Copyright 2013 by John Califano
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