RIVA

(This is the final part of a three part series.)

From July 8 to October 28, 1972, Key to the Mint made five starts, all in major stakes races, ranging from 1 1/8 to two miles, with four against older horses. He posted four consecutive victories, followed by a runner-up finish.

From July 4 to November 18, 1972, Riva Ridge’s two-year-old chestnut stablemate, Secretariat, made nine starts, and won seven, with his average winning margin four lengths.

From August 5 to November 11, 1972, Riva Ridge made five more starts, and lost all of them.

While Key to the Mint and Secretariat exploded on the scene, Riva’s firepower declined.

PART THREE: OUT OF THE SHADOWS, INTO THE LIGHT

Drought

Five weeks after Riva Ridge’s win in the Hollywood Derby, a race that clearly took some starch out of him, he resumed his bid for another championship, but the going would be difficult, and the glory days of spring apparently gone.  

Riva’s next outing was the 1 1/8 mile, $100,000 Monmouth Invitational Handicap, on August 5. Over a fast track he ran fourth as Freetex, a horse Riva had previously defeated twice, rallied late for the score.

The Return of Canonero

On June 11, 1955, two California-bred, Kentucky Derby winners, Determine and Swaps, met in the 1 1/16 mile Californian Stakes at Hollywood Park. Swaps, getting eleven pounds from his older counterpart, won the contest by just over a length. Seventeen years later, on September 20, 1972, two Derby winners were about to meet again. Riva Ridge, and four-year-old Canonero II, would face off in the 1 1/8 mile Stymie Handicap at Belmont Park.  Canonero, a former racer in Venezuela, the previous year’s American duel classic winner, and three-year-old male champion, had gone winless in his last seven starts, going back to his record setting Preakness performance on May 15, 1971. Plagued with physical issues, Canonero had been put away after a fourth place finish in the Belmont Stakes. Thus far in 1972, he could only manage two runner-up efforts, in the seven furlong Carter Handicap and an allowance over the same distance, when he finished six lengths behind a horse named Onion of Hobeau Farm. Eventually purchased by King Ranch, the colt decided he would pick on Riva Ridge in a return to his winning form. Riva was ahead coming home, but Canonero, staying close, surged past him, before powering away to a five length win in a time of 1:46 1/5 to equal the American record on the dirt. Riva Ridge was next after carrying thirteen more pounds than his elder, and six lengths to the good of five-year-old Loud,  who had received an eight pound allowance from the three-year-old Riva.

Key to the Mint

Following his fourth place finish, more than a dozen lengths behind Riva Ridge in the Belmont Stakes, Key to the Mint found a new life. He went on a win streak beginning with Aqueduct’s 1 3/16 mile Brooklyn Handicap. Two lengths back in second was the well regarded four-year-old Autobiography, carrying ten more pounds.  ‘Mint next visited Saratoga and took the 1 1/8 mile Whitney Handicap, again against his elders, the winning margin two lengths. After defeating Tentam by a length in the 1 ¼ mile Travers Stakes, Key to the Mint was ready to take on Riva Ridge again in the Woodward Stakes on September 30.

The Woodward Stakes, then contested over 1 ½ miles at Belmont Park, was a $100,000 added affair for three-year-olds and up. The filly, Summer Guest, a stablemate of King to the Mint, also threw her hat in the ring. Summer Guest was a chestnut by the gray Native Charger by the “Grey Ghost” Native Dancer, and out of the bay mare Cee Zee. She had won five straight races, before losing to Susan’s Girl in the Beldame Stakes earlier in the month.  Freetex returned, boasting the win over Riva Ridge, in addition to victories in the Gotham and Ohio Derby. Loud, who finished behind Riva in a previous outing, had won the Travers Stakes two years earlier as well as stakes races at ages four and five. Another five-year-old was War Heim, a winner of the Strub Stakes in 1971, and Inglewood Handicap during the current year.

In a field of ten, Riva, under regular rider RonTurcotte, would break from post five and Key to the Mint, under Braulio Baeza, from post three. In the weight-for-age contest, the sophomores were assigned 119, the filly got in at 116, and the older horses 126.  Riva and ‘Mint sparred for much of the race with ‘Mint just ahead. Riva finally weakened as’Mint prevailed by one and a quarter lengths in a time of 2:28 2/5.  Summer Guest and Autobiography were second and third respectively, but the filly was called for interference and dropped to the show spot, with Autobiography elevated.  Riva finished fourth.

Struggle

Riva Ridge, Key to the Mint, and Autobiography met again one month later at Aqueduct in the two mile Jockey Club Gold Cup, and this time Autobiography dominated his younger rivals. Carrying 124 pounds to Key to the Mint and Riva Ridge’s 119, Autobiography ran off by fifteen lengths in a time of 3:21 2/5. Key to the Mint, his four race win streak snapped, finished second, followed by Riva Ridge, three lengths behind the runner-up and eighteen behind Autobiography. In a somewhat strung out field, Riva was ten lengths ahead of the fourth horse. The winner collected $68,220 of the $113,700 purse.

Riva’s final race in 1972 would be his first attempt on the grass, in Laurel Park’s $150,000 Washington D.C. International, on November 11, with rider Jorge Velasquez now in the irons. In a field of nine, on a soft course, Riva set the early pace in the 1 ½ mile race but couldn’t sustain it, eventually finishing sixth. There had been a soft spot at the start of the backstretch and two horses, Boreen of Ireland, and Jumbo Jet of Singapore, went down after running over it, but fortunately the accidents were not fatal. Riva also stumbled but managed to keep his footing.  Droll Role, an American horse, was clear of the fallen runners and powered home to a four length win over the English runners Parnell and Steel Purse. Finishing fourth, after a compromised trip, was the filly and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner San San. Just one horse, Mejiro-Musashi of Japan, finished behind Riva, who had lost five consecutive races. It was a nice pay day for Droll Role, who came away with $100,000.

Riva Ridge would now get a six month rest before beginning his four-year-old campaign.

“Super Red”

On July 4, 1972, the big chestnut colt, Secretariat, from the Meadow Stable, stepped into post two against eleven other two-year-olds in a 5 ½ furlong Maiden Special Weight at Aqueduct. His rider was Paul Feliciano. When the field was sent off, the four-horse ducked in, hitting the three-horse, causing a cascade effect which struck Secretariat, causing him to hit the horse along the rail, who careened back into him. By the time the “green” but enormously gifted Secretariat hit his stride, he was hopelessly far behind; yet undaunted by the rough going, he built up speed down the stretch, made up ground, and finished fourth. It was a race he probably would have won with a clean start.  Secretariat came roaring back on July 15, in a six furlong Maiden Special Weight, and crushed ten rivals by six lengths. He then proceeded to reel off seven more consecutive victories, although was disqualified from first and put second in the Champagne Stakes for bearing in.

It was inevitable that the dazzling Thoroughbred, Secretariat, would see his shadow expand tremendously, his immense presence threatening to engulf every horse in American racing. And with his striking good looks, incredible physique, and enchanting charisma, the horse called “Super Red” became a national equine hero for a bruised American esteem, hurting from a myriad of troubles, namely Vietnam, Watergate, and an energy crisis.

Wait until next year

On December 26, 1972, the Eclipse awards were announced by the three consolidated voting entities, the Thoroughbred Racing Associations, Daily Racing Form, and National Turf Writers Association.  Two juveniles were the top finalists for Horse of the Year. La Prevoyante, a Canadian-bred filly by Buckpasser, out of the Nearctic mare Arctic Dancer, won all twelve of her starts, amassed $417,109, and was named two-year-old champion female.  But she lost the big prize to Secretariat, who posted seven victories, and earned $456,404. Although Secretariat wasn’t the first two-year-old ever to be selected, he was the first to win the award unanimously. In 1952, in a split vote, the two-year-old Native Dancer was selected by TRA, while sophomore One Count, a son of Count Fleet, was picked by DRF. In 1965, another juvenile, the filly Moccasin, received the trophy from TRA, while DRF selected the four-year-old gelding Roman Brother.    

Riva Ridge, despite winning the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, failed to repeat as a divisional champion. Key to the Mint’s exceptional runs in the summer and early fall, had earned him the title of three-year-old champion male.

In 1973, Riva Ridge would work his way back to top status, and Secretariat would make his assault on the Triple Crown. The new year also marked the beginning of American Thoroughbred racing’s graded stakes classification system.

Return Engagement

Four-year-old Riva Ridge returned on May 12, 1973 in a six furlong allowance at Aqueduct, and handily disposed of a small field of four other horses by a four length margin. One week earlier, Secretariat won the Kentucky Derby (G1), covering the 1 ¼ miles in a time of 1:59 2/5, still the fastest ever recorded. Pimlico’s Preakness Stakes (G1), on May 19, was his next conquest, albeit in a controversial time of 1:54 2/5, despite being caught by two Daily Racing Form clockers a full second faster, a performance which would have eclipsed Canonero’s 1:54, if the time had been deemed official.* Now only one more race stood between Secretariat and immortality.

Riva’s next start wasn’t so pleasant. Meeting up with Key to the Mint again at Belmont Park, the occasion was the one mile Metropolitan Handicap (G1), on May 28, offering a purse of $114,300. On a damp day, eight runners would negotiate a sloppy track.  Riva Ridge and Key to the Mint both carried 127 pounds. At the break, ‘Mint got the jump but King’s Bishop, under 118, promptly went ahead with Tentam, under 116, next. Three furlongs out, Tentam took the lead and kept it to the finish, his margin one and a quarter lengths. Riva was never a contender, enduring a wide trip and finishing seventh, more than sixteen lengths behind. Key to the Mint, who also ran wide, finished second, with King’s Bishop a head behind in third.

The following day Secretariat worked three-quarters of a mile in preparation for the Belmont Stakes (G1).

“Super Horse”

On June 9, 1973, Secretariat faced four horses in the Belmont Stakes. As he went on his 1 ½ mile journey, under Turcotte, spectators watched in disbelief as he ripped over ‘big Sandy,’ with insane fractions of :46 1/5 for the half, 1:09 4/5 for six furlongs, and a ten furlong split of 1:59, which was faster than his final Derby time. The magnificent horse was also putting unreachable distance between himself and the hapless field, before soaring past the wire in an inconceivable 2:24 flat, with a winning margin of thirty-one lengths. Widely considered the greatest singular performance in the history of Thoroughbred racing, no horse since has come even remotely close to matching it.

Secretariat had become the modern day Man o’War. Or perhaps Man o’War had been the pre-modern Secretariat. In the same week, the beautiful image of the “Super Horse” adorned the covers of three national publications, Sports Illustrated, Newsweek, and Time.

While the sport's first Triple Crown winner in twenty-five years basked in his celebrity, Riva Ridge began to flourish in his own light again, and seemed poised to capture another championship.

Millionaire Dollar Baby

On June 17, Riva visited Suffolk Downs for the 1 1/8 mile Massachusetts Handicap, with a purse of $56,050. The track was fast and he faced six other runners, breaking from post position five. Bee Bee Bee, the horse who had “hijacked” the Preakness a year ago, was also in the contest. Turcotte was still aboard Riva and guided the colt to a three and three-quarter length win, equaling the track record of 1:48 1/5, shared by Whirlaway. Bee Bee Bee finished fourth. Riva collected $36,432 to make his total $942,527.

Riva Ridge returned to Aqueduct on July 4 for the 1 3/16 mile Brooklyn Handicap, worth $112,000. Key to the Mint was back, hoping for a repeat win. Assigned 127 pounds, one less than Key to the Mint, Riva broke from post three among a field of seven. He settled in third, and with less than a furlong to go, went out in front, passing Tentam and Key to the Mint. When he crossed the wire a head in front of True Knight, who was in receipt of ten pounds, not only did Riva set a stakes, track, and world record of 1:52 2/5, but his $67,500 share boosted his career earnings to $1,009,727, making him racing’s twelfth millionaire.

Lost... and lost...

Anticipation had been building for a meeting between Secretariat and Riva Ridge, with the occasion being Belmont Park’s Marlboro Cup on September 15; but prior to that, both horses had other engagements at Saratoga.  Riva would make his second attempt on the lawn in a 1 1/16 mile allowance on August 1.  Secretariat would start in the 1 1/8 mile Whitney Handicap (G2) three days later. Secretariat’s career earnings were currently $970,242, and if he won, would become the sport’s newest horse to earn a million dollars. There were only five entries and Secretariat, under 119, would be one of two sophomores. Five-year-old West Coast Scout, a multiple stakes winner, would carry 126. Another entry in the Whitney was Onion, whose previous race was a record setting performance over 6 ½ furlongs. Onion, also under 119, now had a golden opportunity to cut racing's darling and reigning Horse of the Year down to size.

Riva Ridge and Secretariat both lost. A horse named Wichita Oil, in receipt of eleven pounds from Riva, beat him by just over a length. Secretariat finished a length behind Onion, who wired the field under Jacinto Vasquez, and set a new mark of 1:49 1/5. With both horses going down in defeat, the Marlboro Cup lost some of its luster.

Secretariat was originally scheduled to run next in the 1 ¼ mile Travers Stakes (G1) on August 18, but instead would go right to the Marlboro. Riva would have another race, a 1 1/8 mile allowance, called the Mayor’s Purse on August 21. With a half mile out, Riva took over from Ride The Curl, and just held off the late flying Halo by half a length.

The Meeting

Secretariat could easily get to seven figures in earnings in the 1 1/8 mile Marlboro Cup Invitational, which would make him only the second three-year-old to achieve that milestone, after Buckpasser did it in 1966. The track on race day was fast and seven runners showed up including Riva Ridge and the Charlie Whittingham trained, California-based Cougar II (CHI.), ridden by Bill Shoemaker. Riva was assigned high weight of 127 pounds in the $250,000 contest. Key to the Mint would also run and got in at 126, as did Cougar. Kennedy Road and Tentam were weighted 121, while Annihilate ‘Em and Onion were under 116. Secretariat, who had worked a mile on Friday in 1:37, was assigned 124. 

In the event of rain, Secretariat would still go but Riva Ridge would possibly scratch. As an entry, Secretariat and Riva Ridge were 4-5, with the winner’s share $150,000. Then it was confirmed that Riva wouldn’t run if the track was sloppy. Turcotte piloted Secretariat and Eddie Maple was aboard Riva Ridge.

When the field was sent off, Kennedy Road got the jump, but Onion took over for about a half mile with Riva not far behind. Secretariat was back in fifth. Around the far turn, Riva took the lead and Secretariat advanced, eventually catching his older stablemate. He surged ahead, while opening up daylight, and crossed the wire three and a half lengths ahead of Riva. He had also crushed the world record for the distance on dirt, in 1:45 2/5. In the previous race, the filly Desert Vixen had equaled the track and American mark in the Beldame, going the same route of ground in 1:46 1/5.

Secretariat’s earnings were now at $1,132,089. Riva, who earned $55,000 for finishing second, was at $1,077,027.  Cougar II was already in the millionaire’s club and his take for coming in third was $30,000, which lifted his total to $1,149,741.

Send-offs

Riva Ridge would make two more starts before calling it quits. Secretariat would make three. For some reason, Secretariat seemed to have an aversion to races having names that started with the letter ‘W.’ He had lost the Wood Memorial (G1), prior to the Derby, the cause undoubtedly due to an abscess discovered in his mouth. He later proceeded to lose the Whitney (G2). His start in the 1 ½ mile Woodward Stakes, in the slop, again against older horses, would not be favorable either. A horse named Prove Out crashed the party, winning by more than four lengths, although Secretariat was an emphatic second, eleven lengths ahead of Cougar II. 

In Secretariat’s next race, named after the colt he was being closely compared to, he demonstrated a new and formidable dimension. In the 1 ½ mile Man o’War Stakes (G1), the colt showed a keen affinity for turf, bounding away to a five length victory. The horse’s swan song occurred in Canada in the 1 5/8 mile Canadian International (G2), also on the grass, and he called it a career with a resounding six and a half length win. Secretariat, now preparing to depart for retirement, would soon be accompanied by Riva Ridge. Riva’s final races would be the 1 1/8 mile Stuyvesant Handicap (G2) and the two mile Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1).

In the Stuyvesant, Riva accomplished something Secretariat didn’t. He not only won the race, but did so under 130 pounds, and in track record time.  He drew away from eight other rivals and crossed the wire by three lengths to establish the new mark of 1:47. His second attempt at a Jockey Club Gold Cup win didn’t go well and the bay colt, after being close to the lead early, gave way to Prove Out. Riva finished last of six, thirty-three lengths behind the winner, who had now defeated both of the Meadow’s biggest stars.

Companions forever

Riva Ridge and Secretariat both retired on the weekend of October 27-28, 1973, with Secretariat’s syndication planned out well in advance, at a then record price of $6.08 million. Riva Ridge was syndicated for $5 million. Secretariat’s syndication was necessitated by the Meadow’s inheritance tax burden. But in the beginning, it was Riva Ridge who energized the farm.

Both horses demonstrated a unique greatness all their own, each enriching the tradition of American Thoroughbred racing, and duly earning their respective places in history. The resumes of Secretariat and Riva Ridge, by the numbers, were similar. Secretariat made 21 starts for 16 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third, including the Triple Crown, and posted earnings of $1,316,808. Riva Ridge made 30 starts, for 17 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third, which included two-thirds of the Triple Crown, and a bankroll of $1,111,347. Both colts were two-time champions, and one, a dual Horse of the Year. And both were destined for the Hall of Fame.

Each horse demonstrated a different style on the track. Secretariat was like a thundering herd, his hooves pounding the surface hard, as he overtook his opponents with breathtaking power. Riva Ridge was sleeker, more graceful, and  endowed with quickness. As to their looks and appeal, Riva Ridge must have been as cute as Secretariat was handsome.

Riva Ridge gave the Meadow its first Kentucky Derby trophy, its first dual classic winner, and he paved the way for its first Triple Crown winner in Secretariat. Given a fast Pimlico surface, it’s highly possible Riva would have won the Triple Crown first.

For 1973, Secretariat was once again named Eclipse Horse of the Year, in addition to champion three-year-old male, and grass champion.  Riva Ridge did not go away empty handed either, and was recognized as champion older male.

The Stallion, Riva Ridge, in Retirement

As a stallion at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, Riva Ridge was bred to mares who had been sired by many of racing’s greatest stars, including Tom Fool, Forli (ARG.), Round Table, Swaps, Damascus, Dr. Fager, Ribot (ITY.), Nijinsky II, Northern Dancer, Sword Dancer, Buckpasser, Princequillo (IRE.), Native Dancer, and Secretariat, et al. Out of 360 foals, Riva Ridge had 299 starters of which 228 were winners for earnings nearing $12 million. He produced twenty-nine stakes winners, including bay daughter Alada, out of the Bold Ruler mare Syrian Sea, a grade 2 winner from twenty-six starts. Alada later produced Eclipse champion three-year-old female Saratoga Dew. Tap Shoes, a chestnut son of Riva Ridge, out of the Bold Bidder mare Bold Ballet, made twenty-two starts including wins in the Futurity (G2), Hopeful Stakes (G1) and Sanford Stakes (G2) at age two, and the Peter Pan (G2) and Flamingo Stakes at three. Another son, the bay colt Encolure, out of Jabot by Bold Ruler, made thirty-two starts, finished second in several graded stakes races and won the Lecomte Stakes.

Riva Ridge and Secretariat spent most of their lives together, including in retirement, residing in nearby stalls at Claiborne. On the morning of April 21, 1985, after covering a mare, Riva Ridge collapsed in his paddock due to a heart attack. At age sixteen, death came too soon, but it was mercifully quick. Thirteen years later, in 1998, Riva’s greatness was validated , when he was accorded racing’s highest honor with induction into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

Riva Ridge did great and good things on the track, established his own wonderful legacy, and firmly secured his spot in history, not to mention in the hearts of those who loved him. And although there may have been greater racehorses than Riva, one wonders if there ever was a sweeter horse than this ordinary looking bay, with the floppy ears, and lovely personality.

*On June 19, 2012, the Maryland Racing Commission voted to lower Secretariat's Preakness time to 1:53, thus giving the horse, posthumously, the stakes record. The unanimous decision was based on information received and use of current technology, which finally determined his true time in the race.

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), pp. 271, 279, 278.

Gordon S. White, Jr., “Freetex Scores; Riva Ridge Is 4^th; 11-1 Shot Takes $100,000 Monmouth Stakes by 1 ¼ Lengths on Late Rally, The New York Times, August 6, 1972, p. S1.

Daily Racing Form, Champions, p. 169.

Associated Press, “Canonero defeats Riva Ridge in record time by 5 lengths,” The Miami News, September 21, 1972, p. 4-C.

Daily Racing Form, Champions, p. 271.

Associated Press, “Riva Ridge, ‘Mint Continue Rivalry,” The Spokesman-Review, September 30, 1972, p. 13.

Daily Racing Form, The American Racing Manual 1992 (Hights, N.J., Daily Racing Form Press, 1992), pp. 797, 918.

Associated Press, “Key to the Mint Eyes Crown With Woodward Win,” Ocala Star-Banner, October 1, 1972, p. 3D.

Times Wire Services, “’Perry Mason’ On Trial,” St. Petersburg Times, October 28, 1972.

Associated Press, “Autobiography Wins Gold Cup Race,” Daytona Beach Sunday News-Journal, October 29, 1972.

Ray Ayres (U.P.I. Sports Writer), “Droll Role gets stubborn with stud farm beckoning,” The Windsor Star, November 13, 1972, p. 21.

Associated Press, “Droll Role Wins on Turf of Spill-Plagued 21^st Int,” Schenectady Gazette, November 13, 1972, p. 31.

Associated Press, “Secretariat Horse of Year,” Palm Beach Post, December 27, 1972, Section D, pp. D1-3.

Associated Press, “Secretariat given honor,” St. Joseph (Mo.) Gazette, December 27, 1972, p. 2B.

"Secretariat," Thoroughbred Champions: Top 100 Racehorses of the 20th Century (Lexington, KY: The Blood-Horse, Inc., 1999), p. 17.

“Equine  Stars’ Groom: ‘Secretariat and Riva Ridge much alike but different,’”The Afro-American, May 19, 1973, p. 7.

Associated Press, “Tentam Surprises Favorites,” Schenectady Gazette, May 29, 1973.

Associated Press, “Riva Ridge Wins Race,” The  Gadsden Times, June 18, 1973, p. 13.

Associated Press, “Riva Ridge equals track record at Suffolk Downs,” The Free Lance-Star, June 18, 1973.

Associated Press, “Riva Ridge shines,” The Calgary Herald, July 5, 1973, p. 29.

"West Coast Scout," Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/west+coast+scout

Daily Racing Form, The American Racing Manual 1992, pp. 804, 806, 1061.

U.P.I., “Secretariat And Riva Ridge Lose,” Times-Union, August 6, 1973, p. 10.

Dick Joyce (Associated Press Sports Writer), “Secretariat, 1-20, Heads Whitney Stakes,” Schenectady Gazette, August 4, 1973, p. 17.

Associated Press, “Riva Ridge wins race,” St. Joseph (Mo.) Gazette, August 22, 1973, p. 2B.

“Riva Ridge draws the top weight,” The Vancouver Sun, September 11, 1973, p. 26.

Times Wire Services, “Secretariat Will Run; Riva Out If It Rains,” St. Petersburg Times, September 14, 1973, p. 3-C.

Associated Press, “Secretariat Demolishes Stablemate Riva Ridge In Belmont Invitational,” Ocala Star-Banner, September 16, 1973.

U.P.I., “Secretariat smashes world mark,” Star-News, September 16, 1973, p. six-C.

Associated Press, “Secretariat And Riva Ridge To Bow Out Of Racing Together,” Observer-Reporter, October 18, 1973.

Ed Schuyler, Jr., Associated Press Sports Writer, “’Super Red’ to retire,” The Free Lance-Star, October 18, 1973, p. 8.

Canadian Press, “Tail-end Charlie Riva Ridge booed,” The Leader-Post, October 29, 1973, p. 19.

Daily Racing Form, Champions, pp. 279, 278.

“Riva Ridge,” Richard Stone Reeves, Edward L. Bowen, Belmont Park: A Century of Champions (Lexington, KY: Eclipse Press, 2005), p. 102.

Michael, "Remembering Secretariat's Triple Crown of 1973," Michael W Compton.com, http://www.michaelwcompton.com/featured/remembering-secretariats-triple-crown-1973

"Riva Ridge," Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/progeny/riva+ridge

Thoroughbred Times Co., Inc., The Original Thoroughbred Times Racing Almanac  2009 (Lexington, KY: Thoroughbred Times Books, 2008), p. 96.

“Alada,” Equineline.com, http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=676813&registry=T&horse_name=Alada&dam_name=Syrian Sea&foaling_year=1976&nicking_stats_indicator=Y

“Tap Shoes,” Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/tap+shoes

“Tap Shoes,” equineline.com, http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=740415&registry=T&horse_name=Tap Shoes&dam_name=Bold Ballet&foaling_year=1978&nicking_stats_indicator=Y

Thoroughbred Times Co., Inc, The Original Thoroughbred Times Racing Almanac 2009, pp. 328, 351, 437.

“Encolure,” equineline.com, http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=886659&registry=T&horse_name=Encolure&dam_name=Jabot&foaling_year=1982&nicking_stats_indicator=Y

“Encolure,” Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/encolure

Thoroughbred Times Co., Inc., The Original Thoroughbred Times Racing Almanac 2009, p. 379.

Anne S. Crowley (Associated Press Sports Writer), “Riva Ridge Dies,” Times-Union, April 23, 1985, p. 9.

Associated Press, “Riva Ridge suffers fatal heart attack,” The Free Lance-Star, April 23, 1985, p. 9.

Anne S. Crowley (Associated Press Writer), “Riva Ridge Succumbs At Age 16,” Schenectady Gazette, April 24, 1985, p. 33.

“Riva Ridge,” Thoroughbred Champions, p. 163.

brisnet.com, "Secretariat credited with stakes-record Preakness time," BloodHorse.com, http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/70681/secretariat-credited-with-stakes-record-preakness-time

Copyright 2012 by John Califano