HANDICAP PERFECTION

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

In April 1954, it was reported that Gaga, the dam of Tom Fool, was named Broodmare of the Year for 1953 by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Her recognition was undoubtedly due largely to the merits of her son, the great racing champion. It was now up to him to pass along his gifted genes to future generations, not yet born.

PART FIVE: THE GENERATIONS

Returning to Greentree, Tom Fool began what would become a successful career as a stallion, with a starting fee of $5,000. Within a few years he was syndicated at $50,000 per share for a total of thirty shares, with Greentree retaining fifteen.

Tom Fool produced 280 foals, and was represented with 203 starters for progeny earnings of $8,574,504. Many of his children possessed good range, and competed well at both sprints and distances.

THE SIRE

Tom Fool was the father of thirty-six black-type winners. A few of his kids are discussed below:

Jester – Bay colt, b.1955

Jester was out of Golden Apple by the multiple stakes winner Eight-Thirty.  From eighteen career starts, Jester won the Futurity at two, and finished third in the Cowden, and third the following year in the Jerome Handicap.

Dunce – Bay colt, b.1956

Out of the Mahmoud (Fr.) grey mare Ghazni, Dunce was a multiple stakes winner and multiple stakes placed from thirty-nine starts. At age two, he finished second in the Arlington Futurity, and third in Belmont Park’s Futurity Stakes. After turning three, Dunce captured the one mile Arlington Classic and 1 1/8 mile American Derby, and posted runner-up scores in the Blue Grass Stakes, behind future Kentucky Derby winner Tomy Lee, and a third place effort in the Preakness Stakes. Later, against older horses, Dunce finished second in the Washington Park Handicap behind the great champion and reigning Horse of the Year Round Table.  As a four-year-old, Dunce showed good form and stamina on the turf, winning the 1 3/16 mile Stars and Stripes Handicap, and running second in the 1 1/2 mile Bowling Green Handicap. On the main track he ran third in the seven furlong Carter.

Tompion – Brown colt, b.1957

Tompion, out of the unraced Count Fleet mare Sunlight, started thirty-nine times. He won the 6 1/2 furlong Hopeful Stakes, and was runner-up in the Hollywood Juvenile Champion Stakes, Saratoga Special, and Champagne Stakes, all at six furlongs. At three, Tompion annexed the Santa Anita Derby, and Blue Grass Stakes, and went into the Kentucky Derby as the favorite, finishing fourth. Later, he won the Travers Stakes. He finished second in both the 1 5/8 mile Lawrence Realization, and 1 1/8 mile Jersey Derby. As a four-year-old, Tompion won the Aqueduct Handicap and finished second in the San Fernando Stakes, and United Nations Handicap.

Funloving – Bay filly, b.1958

Funloving was out of the stakes placed mare Flitabout by two-time Horse of the Year Challedon. Funloving, from twenty-eight career starts, posted a victory in the Mother Goose, a second in the 1 1/4 mile Coaching Club American Oaks, and third place efforts in the Delaware and Monmouth Oaks.

Dinner Partner – Bay filly, b.1959

Dinner Partner was out of the winning mare Bluehaze by Horse of the Year Blue Larkspur. Dinner Partner was a black-type winner from twenty-nine starts and the future dam of Jim French, winner of the Santa Anita Derby, runner-up in the 1971 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, and third place finisher in the Preakness Stakes.

Silly Season – bay colt, b.1962

Silly Season was out of the bay mare Double Deal II (GB) by Epsom Derby winner Straight Deal (GB). He raced in England, and at age two won the Dewhurst Stakes, and the following year the Champion Stakes, while finishing second in the Two Thousand Guineas and Sussex Stakes.

Two of Tom Fool’s sons deserve special mention:

Tim Tam – Dark bay colt, b.1955

Owned by Mrs. Gene Markey, the former widow of Calumet Farm’s original owner Warren Wright, of all the horses this writer has studied, there were none more courageous than Tim Tam. The colt’s dam was the two-time champion Two Lea, another Calumet standout, and a daughter of the great stallion Bull Lea, also the father of racing immortal Citation. Tim Tam raced only once as a two-year-old, finishing fourth in a Maiden Special Weight. The following year he was outstanding, and the first legitimate Triple Crown threat in ten years. Tim Tam, doing much of his prepping in Florida, hit the ground running, and won six and seven furlong allowances within a span of five days in January, the latter on a muddy track. After dropping his next two races, he went on an eight race winning streak, going through two-thirds of the classics. He began on February 15, with a victory in the 1 1/8 mile Everglades on a good track. Two weeks later, he annexed the 1 1/8 mile Flamingo Stakes upon disqualification of Jewel's Reward for interference. Tim Tam followed this with wins in the 1 1/16 mile Fountain of Youth, and 1 1/8 mile Florida Derby, before cutting back to annex a seven furlong allowance at Keeneland. Under rider Ismael Valenzuela, Tim Tam captured the one mile Derby Trial at Churchill Downs five days before the Derby itself. He then won the Derby and followed it up with the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.

Going into the 1 ½ mile Belmont Stakes on June 7, 1958, Tim Tam was poised to become the first American Triple Crown winner since Citation. He faced seven other three-year-olds including an Irish-bred named Cavan.

“In the backstretch, he and Cavan ran virtually in tandem and coming for home, the Irish-bred was close to the rail, with Tim Tam to his outside. After about ten furlongs, Valenzuela went to the stick and the colt bore out, then as he urged the colt once more, Tim Tam was unsteady...Cavan was long gone and hit the wire six lengths in front...Tim Tam was lame, yet on only three good legs and in obvious distress, he gallantly pushed himself in the final quarter to secure second money…”

Cavan finished first. But there was another runner in the race who was equally a winner, if not more so. And his name was Tim Tam.”  (1)

Tim Tam had fractured a sesamoid in his right front leg, which ended his career; but for his campaign the colt was deservedly chosen Champion Three-Year-Old Male. As a stallion Tim Tam perpetuated the legacy of his sire. To name just a few of his offspring were champions Tosmah and Davana Dale, and through his daughter, Tamerett, European champion Known Fact. Tamerett was also the second dam of Gone West. 

Tim Tam passed away in 1982, and three years later was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Tim Tam, the model of courage, was certainly Tom Fool’s finest offspring of the 1950s.

Buckpasser – Bay colt, b.1963

“He was a perfectly conformed, nearly 17 hand horse, and beautiful to look at.” (2)

Without question Tom Fool’s greatest progeny was Buckpasser, an extraordinary racehorse and a real looker. In each of his three seasons, the great colt won or shared a championship. After finishing fourth in his juvenile debut in 1965, Buckpasser rattled off eight straight victories. Voted that year’s Champion Two-Year-Old Male, he was so good that despite missing the entire Triple Crown series the following season, he was voted Horse of the Year in 1966. After losing the first race of his sophomore campaign, Buckpasser went on another tear and won fifteen races in a row before his streak was finally snapped when he attempted the turf for the first time in the 1 5/8 mile Bowling Green Handicap. Carrying 135 pounds, he finished third behind Poker and Assagai, assigned 112 and 127 pounds respectively. A horse who tended to pull himself up when on the lead, Buckpasser’s wins were not by substantial margins, but were none-the-less consistent. In his last start, he met two fellow racing greats in the “Race of the Decade,” the 1967 Woodward Stakes, and finished second, just ahead of the speed marvel Dr. Fager. Buckpasser, plagued with a sore foot, was subsequently retired and went on to become an tremendously influential stallion.

Buckpasser sired thirty-five stakes winners including Relaxing ,the dam of the great Easy Goer, and Eclipse Two-Year-Old Champion Filly Numbered Account, the dam of Private Account, sire of the extraordinary undefeated filly champion Personal Ensign.

Buckpasser was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1970, and died in 1978.

THE BROODMARE SIRE

Tom Fool’s daughters produced ninety stakes winners, including the following:

Meadow Court (Ire.) – Chestnut colt, b.1962

Meadow Court, by Court Harwell, out of Tom Fool’s daughter,  Meadow Music, was foaled in Ireland and became a multiple group winning and placed runner in England and Ireland, and Irish Champion at age three. Among Meadow Court’s wins were the Irish Sweeps Derby, and King George VI & Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. He recorded runner-up efforts in the Dante Stakes, Epsom Derby, and St. Leger Stakes. In the Derby he finished behind the European legend Sea-Bird (Fr.).

Stop the Music – Bay colt, b.1970

Sired by champion Hail to Reason, out of the Tom Fool mare Bebopper, Stop the Music made thirty starts, and was a multiple stakes winner and stakes placed. His wins included the Champagne, Saratoga Special, and Dwyer Stakes. He also finished second in the Laurel and Belmont Futurities, Cowden, and third in the Youthful and Hopeful Stakes. The following year Stop the Music was runner-up in the Travers and Withers Stakes, and at age four ran second in the Stuyvesant and Vosburgh Handicaps, and third in the Whitney Handicap. As a five-year-old, Stop the Music finished second in the Metropolitan and Carter Handicaps, and third in the 1 1/4 mile Brooklyn Handicap.

Stop the Music later sired 1980 Eclipse Three-Year-Old Champion Male Temperence Hill, and multiple stakes winners Dontstop Themusic and Missys Mirage.

Hatchet Man – Grey or roan colt, b.1971

Sired by multiple stakes winner The Axe II, out of Bebopper, Hatchet Man recorded thirty-two starts, and was victorious in the Widener, Haskell Stakes, and Dwyer Handicap. Hatchet Man’s son, the bay gelding Beboppin Baby, won the Washington Park and Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicaps in the latter 1990s.

Late Bloomer – Bay filly, b.1974

Late Bloomer was sired by Three-Year-Old Champion Male Stage Door Johnny, out of Dunce Cap II by Tom Fool. She made twenty-four starts, posted eleven wins, five seconds, five thirds, earned $512,040, from 1976-1979, and was named Eclipse Champion Older Mare in 1978. Her dam, Dunce Cap II, would later become Broodmare of the Year in 1985.

Majesty’s Prince – Chestnut colt, b.1979

Sired by His Majesty, out of the Tom Fool mare Pied Princess, Majesty’s Prince made more than forty starts and was especially good on turf, winning both the Sword Dancer Handicap and Man o’War Stakes twice. He also finished third in the 1 5/8 mile Rothmans International Stakes behind the 1983 Eclipse Horse of the Year, European Champion, and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner All Along (Fr.).

A grandson of Tom Fool, through daughter Fool-Me-Not, also deserves special mention:

Foolish Pleasure – Bay colt, b.1972

“…,Foolish Pleasure became a leading runner right out of the gate,…” (3)

The Florida-bred Foolish Pleasure, sired by What a Pleasure, was Eclipse Two-Year-Old Champion Male in 1974, and the following year won the Kentucky Derby, before finishing second in the Preakness Stakes, a length behind the winner, and second again, by a neck, in the Belmont Stakes. Unfortunately, what this exceptional colt is largely remembered for is his heartbreaking match race with the immortal Ruffian, which cost the beloved filly her life.

“Foolish Pleasure was also a casualty—his sterling reputation dimmed, his place in history tinged with sadness. It’s a harsh reality he didn’t deserve…over an entire career, Foolish Pleasure gave more joy than heartache.” (4)

Foolish Pleasure raced for three years, and posted twenty-six starts, for sixteen wins, 4 seconds, 3 thirds, and earnings of $1,216,705. His outstanding merits on the track were worthy of induction into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1995. 

After retirement from racing, Foolish Pleasure had a successful stallion career at Greentree. He produced 484 foals, of which 401 were starters, for nearly 300 winners, and 41 black-type winners, with over $19 million in progeny earnings. His standouts included European champions Baiser Vole and What Nonsense, and Bayford, a Two-Year-Old Champion in Canada. He also sired Santa Anita Derby winner Marfa, and Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap victor Kiri’s Clown. Foolish Pleasure was damsire of more than forty stakes winners.

The ultimate honor  

Living out his days at Greentree, Tom Fool was pensioned from stud duty four years before his death in 1976 at the age of twenty-seven. Hailed by many as the greatest handicap horse of the 1950s, and by turf writers as that decade's top horse, Tom Fool was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1960. Any discussion of the sport's greatest handicap champions must always include Tom Fool, who earned a significant place in racing history through what he accomplished in that magical season of 1953: perfection. His footprint remains indelible on racetracks, and his name remembered with admiration, respect, and affection.

Bibliography

A.P., “Gaga, Dam of Tom Fool, Named Broodmare of ’53,” The New York Times, April 6, 1954.

“Tom Fool,” Thoroughbred Champions: Top 100 Racehorses of the 20^th Century (Lexington, KY: The Blood-Horse, Inc., 1999), p. 53.

“Tim Tam,” equineline.com, http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=508760&registry=T&horse_name=Tim Tam&dam_name=Two Lea&foaling_year=1955&nicking_stats_indicator=Y

Thoroughbred Times Co., Inc., The Original Thoroughbred Times Racing Almanac 2009 (Lexington, KY: Thoroughbred Times Books, 2008), p. 91.

“Jester,” Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/jester

Richard Sowers, The Abstract Primer of Thoroughbred Racing; Separating Myth From Fact To Identify the Genuine Gems & Dandies 1946-2003 (Stockbridge, GA: Old Sport Publishing Company, 2004), p. 126.

Daily Racing Form, The American Racing Manual 1992 (Hightstown, N.J.: Daily Racing Form Inc., 1992), p. 787.

“Dunce,” Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/dunce

Sowers, The Abstract Primer of Thoroughbred Racing, p. 101.

Daily Racing Form, The American Racing Manual 1992, pp. 661, 667, 694, 722, 1013.

“Tompion,” Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/tompion

Sowers, The Abstract Primer of Thoroughbred Racing,  p. 185.

A.P., “Son of Tom Fool Kentucky Derby Favorite,” The Miami News, May 1, 1960, Google News, http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CrMyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vOkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3842,38035&dq=kentucky+derby&hl=en

A.P., “Hartack Rides Venetian Way To Kentucky Derby Victory,” Ocala Star-Banner, May 8, 1960, p. 10, col. 2, Google News, http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HfApAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DwUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3135,5589093&dq=kentucky+derby&hl=en

Daily Racing Form, American Racing Manual 1992, pp. 817, 821, 834, 863, 993.

“Funloving,” Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/funloving

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. 54, 82.

Sowers, The Abstract Primer of Thoroughbred Racing, p. 111.

Daily Racing Form, American Racing Manual 1992, p. 735.

“Dinner Partner,” equineline.com, http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=124280&registry=T&horse_name=Dinner Partner&dam_name=Bluehaze&foaling_year=1959&nicking_stats_indicator=Y

Daily Racing Form, The American Racing Manual 1992, p. 983.

Thoroughbred Times Co., Inc., The Original Thoroughbred Times Racing Almanac 2009, pp. 154, 165, 175.

“Silly Season,” Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/silly+season

"Silly Season," equineline.com, http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=454963&registry=T&horse_name=Silly Season&dam_name=*Double Deal II&foaling_year=1962&nicking_stats_indicator=Y

“Champion Stakes,” Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champion_Stakes#Winners_since_1967

“Dewhurst Stakes History,” Napit.co.uk, http://www.napit.co.uk/viewus/infobank/horse_races/g1_flat_races_uk/dewhurst_stakes.php

Daily Racing Form, Champions, p. 173.

Thoroughbred Times Co., Inc., The Original Thoroughbred Times Racing Almanac 2009, pp. 91, 96, 110-111.

"Known Fact," Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/known+fact

“Numbered Account,” Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/numbered+account

Thoroughbred Times Co., Inc., Thoroughbred Times Racing Almanac 2009, p. 86.

“Meadow Court,” Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/meadow+court

“Irish Derby Stakes,” Thoroughbred Heritage, Turf Hallmarks, http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/racecharts/Ire/irishderby.html

“King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes,” Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_George_VI_%26_Queen_Elizabeth_Stakes#Winners

“Sea Bird Wins Derby,” St. Joseph, Mo., News Press, June 2, 1965, p. 6B, col. 4, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UsBTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4DgNAAAAIBAJ&pg=4025,198091&dq=epsom+derby&hl=en

Reuters, “Provoke wins Stakes,” The Leader-Post, September 8, 1965, p. 35, col. 3, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=I-JUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YjwNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3137,1494378&dq=st+leger+stakes&hl=en

“Stop the Music,” Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/stop+the+music

“Stop the Music,” Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/progeny/stop+the+music

Daily Racing Form, The American Racing Manual, pp. 177, 725, 746, 765, 788, 821, 861, 993, 1016, 1035, 1048, 1055, 1058.

Daily Racing Form, Champions, p. 310.

“DontStop TheMusic,” Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/dontstop+themusic

Daily Racing Form, American Racing Manual 1992, pp. 649, 729, 891, 1010, 1045.

“Missys Mirage,” Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/missys+mirage

Daily Racing Form, The American Racing Manual 1992, pp. 739, 776.

Thoroughbred Times Co., Inc., The Original Thoroughbred Times Racing Almanac 2009, p. 459.

“The Axe,” Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/the+axe2

“Hatchet Man,” Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/hatchet+man

"Hatchet Man," equineline.com, http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=207431&registry=T&horse_name=Hatchet Man&dam_name=Bebopper&foaling_year=1971&nicking_stats_indicator=Y

Daily Racing Form, American Racing Manual 1992, pp. 674, 1055.

Thoroughbred Times Co., Inc., The Original Thoroughbred Times Racing Almanac 2009, p. 310.

“Hatchet Man,” Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/progeny/hatchet+man

“Beboppin Baby,” Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/beboppin+baby

Thoroughbred Times Co., Inc., pp. 418, 487.

“Late Bloomer,” Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/late+bloomer

,

Daily Racing Form, Champions, pp. 192, 252, 272.

Dacing Racing Form, American Racing Manual 1992, pp. 812, 855, 864, 878, 953, 963, 1024.

"Majesty's Prince," Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/majestys+prince

"Majesty's Prince," equineline.com, http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=763691&registry=T&horse_name=Majesty's Prince&dam_name=Pied Princess&foaling_year=1979&nicking_stats_indicator=Y

Thoroughbred Times Co., Inc., The Original Thoroughbred Times Racing Almanac 2009, p. 74. 

“Foolish Pleasure,” Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/foolish+pleasure

“Foolish Pleasure,” Thoroughbred Champions, p. 243.

“Baiser Vole,” equineline.com, http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=914451&registry=T&horse_name=Baiser Vole&dam_name=River Rose (FR)&foaling_year=1983&nicking_stats_indicator=Y

“Tom Fool,” National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, Hall of Fame, Horses, http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall-of-fame/horses-view.asp?varID=152

"Bald Eagle Can Match Tom Fool," St. Petersburg Independent, July 3, 1960, p. 4-D, col. 1, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KkRQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OVcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4329,236310&dq=bald+eagle+horse&hl=en

"Tom Fool," Thoroughbred Champions, p. 53. 

Notes

1) John Califano, “Courageous Champion: A Story about Tim Tam,” Gallop Out, http://wwwgallopout.blogspot.com/2011/01/courageous-champion-story-about-tim-tam.html

2) John Califano, “A Salute to Buckpasser,” Gallop Out, http://wwwgallopout.blogspot.com/2010_11_01_archive.html

3) John Califano, “It Was a Pleasure,” BloodHorse.com, http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/finalturn/archive/2010/04/20/it-was-a-pleasure-by-john-califano.aspx

4) Ibid.

Copyright 2013 by John Califano 

HANDICAP PERFECTION

(This is the fourth of a five part series.)

Note to reader: Part Three of this story discussed three winners of the Handicap Triple Crown in New York. Shortly after posting that segment, it was discovered that a fourth horse, the colt Fit to Fight, also swept this triage in 1984. Part Three was edited to include information about Fit to Fight's achievement.

***

Although every effort has been made to provide good information in the segment below, it is still simply a sketch of a great horse, and not a comprehensive account. For the interested reader a more detailed study can be found in two excellent authoritative works strongly recommended by this writer: Eva Jolene Boyd's Native Dancer, in the "Thoroughbred Legends" series (Eclipse Press, 2000), and John Eisenberg's Native Dancer: The Grey Ghost; Hero of a Golden Age (Warner Books, 2003). 

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As Tom Fool continued to assert himself as the American turf king, and dominate the handicap ranks as no other horse had previously done, another colt was capturing much of the national spotlight, delighting spectators with his handsome grey looks, charisma, and superior form; and like clockwork, he was winning one race after another. In 1953, as television grew in popularity and rapidly reached millions of homes, one of its brightest new stars was a big “Grey Ghost” who streaked across those black and white picture tubes, into the living rooms, and hearts, of sports fans. The public was thoroughly enchanted by him…and madly in love.

PART FOUR: NATIVE DANCER, AND THE ASCENDENCY OF TOM FOOL

Color him grey

In the early 1950s, he might have seemed an aberration, a grey horse enjoying success on Thoroughbred racing's highest level. If people couldn’t see him in person at a racetrack, the novelty of television still made it possible to witness this equine marvel of strength and beauty. Native Dancer grew into a magnificent 16.2 hand, 1,200 pound colt with an incredulous stride of twenty-nine feet. Nickamed the "Grey Ghost" or simply "the Dancer” he enjoyed the kind of fame experienced by very few horses throughout history. As the newspapers had narrated the mighty feats of Man o’War earlier in the century, creating a gigantic persona, television was doing the same for Native Dancer in the early 1950s, giving him star power unrivaled by previous champions.

Native Dancer was bred in Kentucky by owner Alfred G. Vanderbilt, a wonderful man, World War II veteran, and a racing visionary.  A member of the rich, elite aristocracy, Vanderbilt recognized the dignity of every person, and related warmly to them regardless of their status in society.

The breed

Foaled in 1950, Native Dancer’s only five generational inbreeding was to the great English champion sire Polymelus (GB), the father of the twentieth century's foremost progenitor, Phalaris (GB). The Dancer's sire, Polynesian, was a top level stakes racer and champion sprinter in 1947, at age five, and retired with fifty-eight starts, twenty-seven wins, 10 seconds, 10 thirds, and career earnings of $310,410. 

Native Dancer's dam, Geisha, was unremarkable as a racehorse; however, her sire, Discovery, also owned by Vanderbilt, was a standout weight carrier in the 1930s, and the first official Handicap Champion in 1936. Through Discovery, Geisha's great-grandsire, Fair Play, sired Man o'War, the most revered of all American Thoroughbreds.  Geisha’s broodmare sire was John P. Grier, the only horse to legitimately test Man o’War in a race. Her maternal great-grandsire was Whisk Broom II.

Already the best

Conditioned by Bill Winfrey, the Dancer's storied race career began at Jamaica, on April 19, 1952. He was among nine juveniles in a five furlong Maiden Special Weight, and Eric Guerin, a Cajun from Louisiana, would ride the grey in all but one of his twenty-two lifetime starts. Native Dancer easily won by four and a half lengths, in a time of :59 3/5, under 118 pounds. He stepped up to stakes company just four days later, winning the five furlong Youth Stakes with a commanding six length margin, stopping the clock in :59 2/5. He started seven more times in 1952, all in major stakes contests, breezing to victory each time. In Belmont Park’s 6 1/2 furlong Futurity, on September 27, Native Dancer hit the finish by more than two lengths, equaling the world record of 1:14 2/5. He made his final start over a route of ground, winning the two turn 1 1/16 mile East View Stakes, and setting a juvenile season earnings record of $230,496 to eclipse Top Flight's old money mark set in 1931.

Native Dancer was named Two-Year-Old Champion Male, and also became the first juvenile to receive at least a share of Horse of the Year (Thoroughbred Racing Associations), along with the Three-Year-Old Champion Male One Count (Daily Racing Form).

Triumph and heartbreak

In 1953, the three-year-old Native Dancer became the only legitimate challenger to Tom Fool for American racing supremacy.  On John B. Campbell's Experimental Free Handicap, the grey colt was assigned high weight of 130 pounds, four pounds over Tom Fool's leading weight the previous year. Bound for the Kentucky Derby, Native Dancer would have two preps at Jamaica.

Amid widespread anticipation, and almost six months to the day he ran his final juvenile race, Native Dancer began his campaign on April 18, 1953, in the 1 1/16 mile Gotham Stakes. Under 120 pounds, he effortlessly defeated eight rivals by two lengths. One week later, in the 1 1/8 mile Wood Memorial, the colt barely took a breath when cruising past six rivals by more than four lengths. 

Spring destination

On May 2, 1953, eleven horses entered the Churchill Downs starting gate for the 79th running of the Derby, before well over 100,000 spectators. Among the entries was the favorite Native Dancer, and the number two choice, Correspondent, a California-bred speedster, who set a track record in the 1 1/8 mile Blue Grass Stakes. Other horses who could factor into the outcome were Royal Bay Gem, a good stretch runner, sired by Australian-bred Royal Gem, and possibly Money Broker, winner of the Florida Derby. The wealthy philanthropist, Harry Guggenheim, owned a brown colt, who had never won a route race, and had been questionable for the ten furlong event. He was a fast horse who had shown signs of promise, but lacked consistency; somehow the "light went on" during Derby week, when he posted an impressive win in the Derby Trial, while skirting around the track record. That was good enough for Guggenheim and trainer Eddie Hayward, and the colt was given the chance to show his stuff in the race of a lifetime. His name was Dark Star.

Dark Star

Dark Star was another son of Royal Gem. The sire had raced in Australia, before standing at stud in the United States. Dark Star, a Kentucky-bred, was out of the brown mare Isolde, by the prominent stallion Bull Dog (Fr.), who was also the broodmare sire of Tom Fool. 

At age two, Dark Star got off to a quick start, winning the three furlong Hialeah Juvenile Stakes by two lengths. He then finished third in Belmont's Juvenile Stakes and third again, this time to Native Dancer, in the Futurity.

Conditioned first by Moody Jolly, the colt was later transferred to the Cain Hoy Stable of Hayward. Ranked twenty-third on the Experimental Free Handicap, the late Derby entry Dark Star had  Henry Moreno in the irons. Apparently somebody forgot to tell Dark Star that his odds were 25-1, because on Derby Day, the colt was anxious to show his appreciation for getting in.

Derby shocker heard 'round the racing world

Favored Native Dancer was coupled with stablemate Social Outcast at 7-10. He broke fast from post position six, but was out-footed by Dark Star, who subsequently dropped down to the rail, and led the parade, with Correspondent, under Eddie Arcaro, following his cue, ahead of Ace Destroyer. The Dancer, in early traffic, was holding a position in sixth. Entering the clubhouse turn, Moneybroker, under Al Popara, was just ahead of Native Dancer and to his outside. With instructions from Moneybroker’s trainer, Tennessee Wright, to get to the rail, Popara attempted to circle the big grey, then would clear him, and drop over; however, Moneybroker had other ideas and abruptly came down on the Dancer at the same time that Curragh King, to the grey’s inside, bore out, taking the Dancer with him. Squeezed hard between the two horses, Native Dancer was jolted, losing his stride, and causing Guerin to take him back in an effort to regain maneuverability. 

As they sped down the backstretch, Native Dancer had a lot of ground to make up and did just that, blowing by horses, and advancing to fourth. Through the far turn, he continued to race wide. Dark Star still held all the cards and was rating well under superb riding by Moreno, while Correspondent, holding his second spot, tracked about one and a half lengths behind the leader. Coming into the stretch, Guerin steered Native Dancer inside and it looked like he had a clear shot, but sensing the big horse’s approach, Moreno moved Dark Star toward the rail, and effectively shut off the lane. Guerin now redirected the Dancer out on the track and from there his twenty-nine foot strides propelled him relentlessly closer to his target. By now Correspondent had nothing left for the drive, leaving Dark Star all alone with the grey beast bearing down on him. Now the chase was on between two gallant horses, one desperately holding his lead, the other desperately trying to take it. Dark Star was tiring as Native Dancer got closer and closer. There wasn’t much real estate left. Would Dark Star hang on?

Dark Star was empty when he hit the wire. Native Dancer was right on top of him, and flew across the finish… just late.

The glory
It isn’t called “the greatest two minutes in sports” for nothing. Dark Star’s light was now brighter than any Thoroughbred in the racing universe. Aided by Moreno’s exceptional riding, Dark Star ran like he belonged, and this moment in history was his forever. His achievement was especially significant, and would never be forgotten, because of the horse he defeated. For Native Dancer’s large legion of fans, it was a moment of heartbreak, bewilderment, and mourning. Dark Star had given Native Dancer the only blemish on an otherwise spotless career.

Dark Star’s performance was anything but a fluke. He had set all the fractions, dusting off the initial quarter in :23 4/5, a half in :47 4/5, six panels in 1:12 1/5, and a mile in 1:36 3/5, before a fast finish in 2:02, only three-fifths shy of Whirlaway's stakes and track record. Dark Star ran the race of his life. He set the tone of the race, dictated it after taking the lead right from the gate, established perfect position along the rail, and avoided all the traffic, which enabled him to maintain leadership. He also rated beautifully under a fine ride by his jockey, and persevered with courage in the final critical yards to pull off a shocker. The winner also collected a nice paycheck worth $90,050 of the $118,100 purse.

Analysis

The Derby leaves practically no margin for error, and can be a merciless breaker of hearts. It doesn’t take the best horse to win the race, it takes the most fortunate horse to win it, and if the horse also happens to be the favorite, all the better. If circumstances go against the best horse, he has no more chance than a longshot.

There was speculation that the bumping incident in the clubhouse turn was intentional. The only person who knew with certainly whether it was or not was Al Popara, and he always denied any accusation. As an isolated event, it’s difficult to determine the degree of impact the bumping had on the race; however, based on the rider’s reaction and adjustments he felt needed to be made, the bumping probably set up a sequence of activity asked of Native Dancer, the dynamics of which even a great racer could not overcome. From his entry into the backstretch until he crossed the finish, the colt was simply too busy, racing wide and roaring down the backstretch, then going inside leaving the second turn, and finally forced wide again heading for home where he had to turn on the after burners in an attempt to catch the eventual winner. There were too many questions and the colt did everything in his power to answer them, and just about succeeded.

Moving forward

Native Dancer quickly regained his winning stride and would never relinquish it again. On May 16, he recorded a four length victory in Belmont Park’s one mile Withers. One week after that, he won the Preakness, just holding off Jamie K, by the skin of his teeth, the margin at the wire a head. Dark Star was also in the race and again took the lead, but sadly, bowed a tendon in the run for home, an injury that ended his racing career.  When it counted the most however, on that first Saturday in May, Dark Star came through with brilliance, determination, and courage.

Native Dancer next won the 1 1/2 mile Belmont Stakes, and in July, captured the 1 1/4 mile Dwyer Stakes at Aqueduct, over four others. He then moved to Arlington Park fourteen days later and romped by nine lengths in the one mile Arlington Classic, beating seven opponents, including Jamie K, over a heavy track while conceding weight.  

Meeting of champions?

The Maryland Jockey Club set a tentative date of October 24 for the Pimlico Special, the same race which fifteen years earlier had seen the matchup between Seabiscuit and War Admiral. They also increased the purse from $25,000 to $50,000 to attract Tom Fool and Native Dancer. The 1953 edition would have a full field. The Westchester Racing Association was hoping to bring the two superstars to Belmont Park, suggesting the one mile Sysonby on September 26. The race had been scheduled later in the meeting, but to accommodate Native Dancer, it was changed and the purse also increased from $20,000 to $50,000. The race would be weight-for-age, requiring the four-year-old Tom Fool to concede weight.

On August 15, Native Dancer ran in the 1 1/4 mile Travers Stakes, destroying four hapless rivals by five and a half lengths, under 126 pounds, giving runner-up Dictar six pounds and the third arrival, Guardian, a dozen. 

The meeting of Tom Fool versus Native Dancer was intensely anticipated. The fans were in Native Dancer’s corner, but many horsemen and turf writers felt that Tom Fool was the better horse, praising Native Dancer as an outstanding three-year-old, but of the opinion that the handicap leader would have the edge. Tom Fool would be a more aggressive runner, and especially tough at a mile, while Native Dancer would do his best running coming from off the pace, and closing powerfully. Tom Fool should prove superior, although at longer distances it was more uncertain, with Native Dancer having more chance of winning the farther they ran. Yet Tom Fool had won three races at 1 ¼ miles, one in which he carried 136 pounds. 

In the American Derby on August 22, Native Dancer carried 128 pounds, and faced seven horses. After running eleven lengths behind in seventh during the early going, he advanced into fourth as the race progressed, before effectively closing ground and drawing away from Landlocked, under 120, crossing the finish by two lengths.  Landlocked finished next, one and a quarter lengths ahead of Precious Stone, given an assignment of 114. The time for the 1 1/8 mile trip was 1:48 2/5.

Any hopes for a meeting between the two titans became dashed when it was discovered that Native Dancer had bruised his foot in the race. Unable to compete at his best, and behind in his training, the decision was made to put him away for the year. The excitment and suspense over a meeting were over.

Great vs. great

Tom Fool and Native Dancer, undoubtedly the two greatest racehorses of the 1950s, never met. Speculation about which horse was actually better would go on to the present day with no foregone conclusion. With the passing of years, Native Dancer has generally been held in higher esteem, perhaps due to his participation in the Triple Crown races, and the ongoing allure that these and other three-year-old events maintain. It is also hard to argue against a horse who won twenty-one of twenty-two starts, with his lone loss by a mere head after a troubled trip.

Native Dancer became a true legend; however, in 1953, Tom Fool was probably better. This requires no apologies from Native Dancer. As all racing followers know, a great four-year-old will typically defeat a great three-year-old.  In future decades, four-year-old Seattle Slew beat his younger counterpart Affirmed, and the following year Affirmed, at age four, defeated the three-year-old Spectacular Bid. The superiority of the elder does nothing to diminish the credibility or greatness of the three-year-old, especially if the sophomore acquitted himself strongly. Tom Fool, as a four-year-old, was not going to be beaten by anybody. He won over a range of distances, against tough competition, and showed amazing versatility, while carrying burdensome weights, and becoming only the second horse at that point in time to win the Handicap Triple Crown.

Native Dancer was an icon. He was nationally better known, and whether by large margins or razor thin ones, the horse knew how to reach the finish line first. In the end that is the only objective, and Native Dancer must have had an intense will to win, and did so with amazing consistency.

Both Tom Fool and Native Dancer would certainly have elevated their historic status among the greats to even higher levels if not for conditions beyond their control. Tom Fool missed the Triple Crown due to sickness. Native Dancer had his three-year-old season cut short because of injury, and never faced older horses.

Native Dancer returned as a four-year-old, and although starting only three times, showed he could also carry weight successfully. After winning the Metropolitan Handicap under 130 pounds, he capped his career with a nine length victory under 137. Native Dancer earned $785,240 in his three years, and later equaled his achievements on the track with amazing contributions in the stud. He became one of the most influential sires of the second half of the century with a legacy which flourishes today.

Perfect

In the absence of his only credible threat, Tom Fool headed to Belmont Park for the Sysonby to face Alerted and the filly Grecian Queen. There had been four defections. He had put in a quick work during the week, covering a mile in 1:35 4/5, faster than the 1:36 2/5 winning time when he took the race the year before. Tom Fool took the lead soon after the start and kept it, eased off by his rider as he approached the finish, the margin three lengths in a clocking of 1:36 4/5. He profited $36,400 of the $54,500 purse. 

In the 1 3/16 mile Pimlico Special, worth $50,000, on October 24, Tom Fool put away Navy Page and Alerted by eight lengths after seizing the lead from the start. Posting fractions of :47 4/5, 1:11 4/5, and a mile in 1:37 1/5, the great colt hit the wire in 1:55 4/5 for a new track record, eclipsing Capot's old mark. It was his eleventh straight victory and tenth for the year without a defeat. He left the racetrack with first prize money of $30,000, giving him $256,355 for 1953. Navy Page outlasted Alerted by a nose for second, and received $10,000, while Alerted netted $7,000.

Closure
Tom Fool had run his last race in what had been one of the most extraordinary handicap campaigns in history. His conquests had ranged from 5 1/2 to ten furlongs, usually in dominating, decisive fashion. He had also set a track record, and equaled another.

Tom Fool retired with a record of thirty starts, for 21 wins, 7 seconds, 1 third, and career earnings of $570,165. He had finished out of the money only once. Even in his “sub-optimal” year of 1952, the colt had defeated older horses three times.

The greatest horse in America

Tom Fool deservedly earned three titles in 1953. He was named Champion Handicap Horse, Champion Sprinter, and Horse of the Year. Native Dancer was named Champion Three-Year-Old  Male, and returned in 1954 to be chosen Horse of the Year for the second time.

The next chapter

The racehorse Tom Fool would now return to Greentree to become the stallion Tom Fool. It was only a matter of time before his influence on American racetracks would extend into the breeding shed, and perpetuate a great legacy.

To be continued...

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Copyright 2013 by John Califano