A Tribute to Snow Chief

He remains the last California-bred horse to win an American Triple Crown race, a feat he accomplished twenty-five years ago. There are not enough superlatives to describe this wonderful horse with the sweet face and expressive eyes, who came from relatively humble roots to achieve great things and leave his own significant imprint on Thoroughbred racing.

Snow Chief, a smallish dark bay almost black colt, was bred by co-owner and breeder Carl Grinstead who was in partnership with Ben Rochelle, two elderly gentlemen affectionately known as the “Sunshine Boys.” Sired by Reflected Glory out of the Snow Sporting (ARG.) mare Miss Snowflake, Snow Chief was foaled on March 17, 1983 at Blue Diamond Ranch in California.

Family Ties

Reflected Glory, a Kentucky-bred dark bay/brown horse, was a racer of some quality, having recorded twenty-eights starts. At age two, he finished third in the one mile Remsen Stakes behind Damascus and Native Guile, then at three, won the 1 1/8 mile Flamingo, seven furlong Bahamas, and 1 1/8 mile Everglades Stakes. Miss Snowflake made only five starts with nothing significant to her credit, nor was she particularly distinguished as a broodmare. Her sire however, the dark bay/brown Snow Sporting, was a black-type winner from twenty starts, his most notable wins in the 1970 Charles H. Strub Stakes, contested that year at 1 1/8 miles, and the 1 ¼ mile Gulfstream Park Handicap. Snow Chief's grandsire was Jester, who made eighteen starts with victories in the National Stallion and Belmont Park's 6 ½ furlong Futurity Stakes. Jester was sired by the great handicap champion and 1953 Horse of the Year Tom Fool. Snow Chief's second dam, Bold Jewel, was a chestnut mare, who made only two starts, posting one win. Through her dam, Bold Contessa, Bold Jewel had roots tracing to Bold Ruler, while Bold Jewel's sire, Any Time Now, was out of the Khaled mare Time to Khal. Khaled also sired Swaps, widely considered the greatest California-bred racer of all time.

Building Foundation

Conditioned by Melvin F. Stute, Snow Chief began racing on June 19, 1985. Under jockey Rafael Meza, the colt won a five furlong Maiden Special Weight for state-breds by two and a half lengths at Hollywood Park, after covering a quarter in :22 4/5, the half in :45 2/5, and finishing in a solid :57 3/5. Eleven days later, in the Desert Wine, he finished a distant sixth in a field of nine, beaten by more than nine lengths. It was the only time he was off the board as a juvenile.

After sustaining bucked shins, Snow Chief returned on September 5 and captured the restricted six furlong Rancho Santa Fe Stakes at Del Mar by one and three quarter lengths, covering the distance in 1:10. The colt raced again a week later in the one mile Del Mar Futurity (Gr. 1), and finished third as the previous year's Eclipse two-year-old champion Tasso, outlasted the filly Arewehavingfunyet by a neck.

On October 2, Snow Chief moved across town to Santa Anita for opening day of the Oak Tree meeting and was entered in the seven furlong Sunny Slope Stakes against seven other runners. Louisiana Slew, a son of Seattle Slew, got the jump out of the gate and maintained his position as Snow Chief, giving the leader four pounds, pursued him gamely only to fall short by a neck at the wire. Snow Chief also had a new rider named Alex Solis, and it was Solis who would guide the horse to many of his momentous performances.

Eleven days later, Snow Chief turned things around with his first grade one victory, a decisive three length score in the 1 1/16 mile Norfolk Stakes, which also marked his first outing going a distance of ground. His time was 1:44 3/5. He continued moving forward on November 2 in the one mile B.J. Ridder Stakes for state breds, outlasting Variety Road by a head, while giving the runner-up seven pounds. After returning to Hollywood Park on November 29, Snow Chief's two race win streak was curtailed in the one mile Hoist the Flag Stakes, taken off the turf, as Darby Dan ran away from five rivals by five lengths on a sloppy surface.

Snow Chief's next start was the Hollywood Futurity (Gr.1) on December 15. Solis, after working the horse with added equipment, made a recommendation which proved to be a boom for the horse: blinkers. After breaking fifth of nine, Snow Chief soon gained the lead and never looked back, crossing the wire six and a half lengths ahead in the excellent time of 1:34 1/5. Back in second was Electric Blue and just a nose behind him in third was a horse named Ferdinand, conditioned by the great horseman Charles Whittingham, and whom Snow Chief would meet many times over the next two years.

His two-year-old campaign now concluded, Snow Chief had racked up nine starts with five wins, two seconds, one third, one unplaced finish and earnings over $935,000. He was named the Golden State's Horse of the Year and champion juvenile male.

Million Dollar Horse

Snow Chief would make a historic run at Santa Anita on January 12. His first start as a three-year-old was in the seven furlong state-bred California Breeders' Champion Stakes. Well back, he took the overland route and made a move turning for home, took the lead a furlong from the finish, and drew away by four lengths. The time was a swift 1:21 3/5. The purse worth over $115,000, netted Snow Chief $70,800, which put his career earning at $1,006,540. He was now the youngest horse in history to go over the million dollar mark.

Snow Chief now headed north and kept rolling with a two and a half length score in the El Camino Real Derby (Gr. 3) at Bay Meadows. The win raised Snow Chief's overall earnings to $1,144,040, behind only Ancient Title and Silveyville among all-time Cal-breds.

Snow Chief and Badger Land would now travel east.

Florida Invasion

The $500,000 Florida Derby (Gr. 1) was a major prep on the road to Churchill Downs. It was now being challenged by two invaders from the West Coast, and no California-bred had won the race since Candy Spots back in 1963. But on March 1, at Gulfstream Park, in Florida's biggest race for three-year-olds, the California-bred Snow Chief and California raced Badger Land, delivered a one-two knockout punch.

Snow Chief set the early pace along with Glow. In the backstretch the son of Reflected Glory took the lead, keeping to the rail, with Badger Land a close second. Having separated themselves from the rest of the field, the two came roaring toward the wire, with Snow Chief having a slight advantage. At the finish Snow Chief was ahead by one and three-quarter lengths in a pedestrian 1:51 4/5 for the 1 1/8 mile race, the slowest since Nashua's 1:53 1/5 in 1955, when he ran over slop. The manner in which Snow Chief had won was the important element however, the decisiveness of the move, and his superiority. He had defeated the Fountain of Youth winner My Prince Charming and Mogambo, the previous year's Champagne Stakes winner, and now stood at the head of the class. Mogambo would later defeat Groovy in the Gotham and Badger Land would annex the Flamingo Stakes. Both would make appearances on the first Saturday in May. The feeling was that his Florida Derby win put him on top of any three-year-old in the country.

Inspiring

Having conquered Florida, Snow Chief intended to do it again in his home state. But while the Florida Derby had comprised a field of sixteen, California's big prep, the Santa Anita Derby (Gr. 1), worth $400,000, would only have seven entries. Breaking from the rail was Variety Road, winner of the San Rafael and San Felipe Stakes. Next to him was Ferdinand who had won the Santa Catalina.* The favorite Snow Chief was in post three. When the gates opened, Snow Chief soon took charge of the proceedings, and set reasonable fractions of :47 1/5, 1:11, and a 1:36 mile. When Icy Groom made a challenge, Solis urged Snow Chief and he took off with a six length winning margin at the wire, with a final time of 1:48 3/5 for the 1 1/8 mile run. Icy Groom secured second, a length ahead of the third horse, who just happened to be Ferdinand.

Snow Chief would make his next start in America's greatest horse race. Ferdinand would be there to.

Critics

Snow Chief would arrive at Churchill Downs as a favorite for the 112^th running of the Kentucky Derby (Gr. 1). But he had detractors who didn't feel he would be up to the job, bringing up arguments not the least which was his California breeding. Snow Chief and his connections were certainly in it to win it. With a $784,400 purse, $609,400 would be given to the horse who crossed the wire first, very nice cash for roughly a two minute lick.

Disappointment

On May 3, 1986, Snow Chief and fifteen other three-year-olds entered the starting gate, for the Run for the Roses. Soon after the gates opened, Snow Chief, breaking from post twelve, was in fourth, three lengths back of the leader. Groovy, a fast sprinter, ridden by Laffit Pincay, Jr., broke from the fourteen hole and took the early lead. Ferdinand, in post one and under 54-year-old Bill Shoemaker, had broken poorly and left far behind in the early going. Snow Chief was fairly close to the pace as Groovy cut out a half in :45 1/5; but this was too fast and Groovy began to drop back preciptiously, ultimately to finish last, almost fifty lengths behind the winner. Snow Chief was among three others vying for the lead as they turned for home, and then called it an afternoon. Ferdinand, who had been as much as twenty lengths back in the earlier going, was eating up ground, was the new leader after a mile and advanced to the wire more than two lengths ahead of the English-bred Bold Arrangement, in a time of 2:02 4/5 over a surface labeled fast. Snow Chief had emptied out, perhaps trying to stay near Groovy earlier in the race, and faded to eleventh, nineteen and a half lengths behind the winner.

Snow Chief's connections were crestfallen over their horse's poor performance, but they would regroup and try again in two weeks at Pimlico.

Emulating Candy Spots

Not only had Candy Spots been the previous California-bred horse to win the Florida Derby, but he was also the last to win racing's second jewel of the Triple Crown. Could Snow Chief continue emulating him? There were over 87,000 spectators in attendance at Pimlico Racecourse on May 17, in addition to seven horses wanting to snatch more glory away from Ferdinand. Snow Chief would try and Broad Brush, who finished third in the Derby, also wanted another shot. And Groovy was back, but this time he had a new rider, named Craig Perret, who was able to get the mount to take it slower.

Snow Chief was parked in post position two, Groovy in four, and Ferdinand five. When they were off, Groovy once again dictated things, but this time he covered a half in :47 2/5. He continued through three quarters in 1:11, which was nearly a second slower than the Derby. Snow Chief, who was in the early mix again, took the lead after about a mile, run in 1:36, moved strongly around the far turn, and created separation in the stretch. Ferdinand was also moving well, but was never a threat, as Snow Chief crossed the wire four lengths to the good with Ferdinand next, followed by Broad Brush. Snow Chief's final time was 1:54 4/5 and with nearly $412,000 netted for the effort, his career earnings were now over $2 million.

Although Snow Chief's owners considered bringing him back for the Belmont Stakes, it didn't happen, probably at the insistence of Stute, who felt the 1 ½ mile grind would take too much out of him. The decision was made to opt for the one million dollar Jersey Derby (Gr.2) contested at 1 ¼ miles in nine days.

Impressive Moves

Snow Chief, Mogambo, and Tasso were among the ten runners in the lineup at Garden State Park, New Jersey for the Jersey Derby. Out the gate, Snow Chief wasted no time taking the initiative from Mogambo, and led the group around the oval, widening his advantage in the backstretch, setting splits of :47, 1;11 2/5 and 1:37, before coming home two lengths ahead in 2:03. Mogambo followed one and a half lengths in front of Tasso.

Snow Chief returned to California for a brief respite, before taking on eleven rivals in Hollywood Park's one mile Silver Screen Handicap (Gr.2) on July 5. Also among the starters was an gray Cal-bred filly named Melair, trained by John Sadler. Melair was extremely fast and undefeated in five starts. When the dust finally settled, Melair had run the fastest time ever for a female racer, stopping the clock in a blistering 1:32 4/5, with a six and a half length winning margin. Southern Halo was next, and in third, another four and a half lengths back, was Snow Chief, who had carried high weight of 127, giving the winner twelve pounds and runner-up fourteen.

During the summer, a bone chip was discovered in Snow Chief's right knee. He undersent arthropscopic surgery and was out of action until late December when he returned in the seven furlong Malibu Stakes (Gr. 2) at Santa Anita. Under high weight of 126, he dropped a one and a quarter length decision to his old rival Ferdinand, in receipt of three pounds.

Champion

Snow Chief collected a $20,000 paycheck for the Malibu Stakes which brought his year's earnings to $1,875,200, making him the sport's money leader. He had recorded nine starts, six wins, three of these grade one races, one second, one third, and his only unplaced effort was the Derby. His overall performance was superior to any other three-year-old and in January 1987, he was voted the '86 Eclipse three-year-old champion. Stute also trained the year's Eclipse two-year-old champion filly Brave Raj.

Turning for Home

The four-year-old Snow Chief would make six starts in 1987, five of these grade one races and a grade 2, starting with the 1 1/8 mile San Fernando Stakes at Santa Anita on January 18. He finished third, three and a half lengths behind the winner Variety Road and Broad Brush. He returned on February 8 for the 1 ¼ mile Charles H. Strub Stakes and his fifth encounter with Ferdinand. Snow Chief led throughout, but Ferdinand was stalking closely and the two rivals hooked up in the stretch run. At the wire, Snow Chief had his nose down first in the very good time of 2:00 flat but well off the stakes, track and world record of 1:57 4/5 set by Spectacular Bid in 1980.

In his rivalry with Ferdinand, Snow Chief had won twice, Ferdinand twice and Snow Chief finished third to Ferdinand's fourth in the San Fernando. One month later, in the Santa Anita Handicap (Gr. 1) the two brilliant horses would meet again, neither finishing on top, but Ferdinand had the better run, finishing second, beaten only a nose by Broad Brush, while Snow Chief was fifth, seven lengths behind the winner.

At the end of the month Snow Chief traveled back to Florida for the Gulfstream Park Handicap and his third consecutive 1 ¼ mile race. Giving six pounds to eventual winner Skip Trial and four to runner-up Crème Fraich, Snow Chief came home third. One of his best races was still ahead of him.

The son of Reflected Glory traveled to Oaklawn Park in Arkansas for the Oaklawn Handicap (Gr.2) on April 17. In a field of seven, Snow Chief and Lyphard's Ridge vied for the lead until Snow Chief grabbed it for keeps in the backstretch. Rounding the far turn, he began to pull away while covering six panels in 1:10 1/5 and a mile in 1:34 3/5. He roared home keeping late closer Red Attack safe by three-quarters of a length. Snow Chief had negotiated the 1 1/8 miles in 1:46 3/5, which eclipsed Wild Again's old mark set in 1984.

Exit

Snow Chief resumed racing on June 7 in Hollywood Park's 1 1/8 mile Californian, but finished third after carrying 126 pounds, conceding eight and eleven pounds to winner Judge Angelucci and second horse Iron Eyes respectively. He did not come out of the contest unscathed and suffered an injured tendon to his left front leg. It was Snow Chief's last start.

This wonderful colt excited with 24 starts, 13 wins, 3 seconds and 5 thirds. His career earnings of $3,383,210 was the fourth highest ever at that time. Snow Chief then became the first California-bred horse to become a stallion in his home state after receiving an Eclipse award.

The Stallion

Snow Chief began his second career as a stallion at Mira Loma Farm before moving to Eagle Oak Ranch. Among his progeny were grade 2 winning gelding College Town from 64 starts, and black-type winner Snow Blink, a dark bay/brown horse from 97 starts. A few of his non-black-type winners were the gelding Arp, from 119 starts, Arriving Snow from 36 starts, and the gray/roan filly Mimi's Cafe from 38 starts.

Named after the great horse, Hollywood Park's 1 1/8 mile Snow Chief Stakes is the richest California-bred race.

Farewell to a Champion

Snow Chief enjoyed a long life in California. On May 15, 2010, the same day as the 135th Preakness, where he had experienced his greatest moment a quarter of a century ago, Snow Chief died of an apparent heart attack at Eagle Oak at age twenty-seven. Snow Chief was a worthy champion, a horse who came from relative obscurity to do great things. His legacy and achievements will never be forgotten and Thoroughbred racing will always be indebted to him for the significant contributions he added to it.

*The Santa Catalina Stakes was renamed the Robert B. Lewis Stakes a few years ago.

Resources and Suggested Reading

Daily Racing Form, The American Racing Manual, 1992 (Highstown, N.J., Daily Racing Form, 1992).

Daily Racing Form, Champions: The Lives, Times, and Past Performances of America's Greatest Thoroughbreds (New York: Daily Racing Form Press, 2005).

Associated Press report, Ocala Star-Banner, September 5, 1985.

Associated Press, “Louisiana Slew Scores,” Ocala Star-Banner, October 3, 1985.

Associated Press, “Snow Chief's new headgear an improvement,” The Miami News, December 16, 1985.

Emily Shields, “Snow Chief: King Of His Domain,” California Thoroughbred, July 2010.

“Snow Chief youngest to top a million,” New Straits Times, January 14, 1986.

“Rich Horse Wins,” The Spokesman-Review, February 3, 1986.

Art Grace, “Stute, Snow Chief could do no wrong,” The Miami News, March 3, 1986.

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

Bernie Dickman, “Snow Chief Takes Big Step With Florida Derby Victory,” Ocala Star-Banner, March 2, 1986.

Joey Holleman (Associated Press writer), “Hialeah Taken By Badger Land,” Aiken Standard, April 6, 1986.

Larry Bortstein, “Snow Chief makes derby race old hat,” The Orange County Register, April 7, 1986.

Bill Christine, “Derby Favorite Snow Chief Gets Little Respect” (from the Los Angeles Times), The Post-Standard, May 3, 1986.

Associated Press, “Snow Chief pulls away to capture Preakness,” The Salina Journal, May 18, 1986.

Larry Bortstein, “Melair shows the boys with 1:32 4/5 mile,” The Orange County Register, July 6, 1986.

Associated Press, “Surgery For Snow Chief,” Toledo Blade, July 12, 1986.

Associated Press, “Ferdinand and Snow Chief take the battle to the Wire,” The Miami News, February 9, 1987.

Harry King, “Snow Chief Shakes Off Challenges,” Schenectady Gazette, April 18, 1987.

U.P.I., “Snow Chief's run could be over,” The Courier, June 14, 1987.

Associated Press, “Snow Chief Stays Put. Famed Horse At Mira Loma,” Ocala Star-Banner, July 9, 1987.

Jack Shinar, “Snow Chief Stakes Tops Hollywood's Gold Rush,” BloodHorse.com, April 21, 23, 2011.

Equineline.com. http://www.equineline.com/

Pedigreequery.com. http://www.pedigreequery.com/

Copyright 2011, 2012 by John Califano

Beacon of New Orleans - Part Two: Path to Prominence

In appearance, the leggy son bore no resemblance to his father Secretariat, but instead had the looks and color of grandsire Bold Ruler, while inheriting the athletic gifts of both. The progeny, Risen Star, would develop into a beautiful 17-hand dark bay colt, bred for the American classic races, where he would bring the fullness of his potential over the maximum range of these distances. Possessed of tremendous talent, great stamina, and the capacity to carry speed, he would climax his career in a manner that didn't merely defeat his opponents, but overwhelm them.

Promise of Youth

On September 24, 1987, Risen Star, with Bobby Walker aboard, made an auspicous debut, breaking his maiden in the 6 1/2 furlong Minstrel Stakes at Louisiana Downs. Well back through the first half mile, he came on with a strong late run a furlong out to beat Chadra by a length. The time on the fast track was 1:19. Three weeks later, in the venue's seven furlong Sport of Kings Futurity, in a field of six, the colt kept closer to the pace but couldn't sustain his run, finishing a distant second as Success Express ran off by fifteeen lengths. Success Express later went on to capture the Breeders Cup Juvenile in record time during one of the race's few editions contested at a mile. Risen Star had been soundly beaten but it was in a contest where the trip and shorter distance did not suit his style.

Surface Versatility

In addition to co-owning and training the colt, Louis Roussel III was also principal owner of the Fair Grounds racetrack where Risen Star made his next five starts under jockey Shane Romero. He had apparently been blessed with his sire's affinity for the lawn. On December 6, in his lone start on turf, Risen Star easily won a 7 1/2 furlong allowance by four lengths over eleven rivals. Well back after the start, and in mid-pack at a half mile, he moved around the far turn, then advanced with authority in the stretch, increasing his margin to the wire. His brief juvenile stint of three starts, two wins and a second, was over.

Preliminaries

Risen Star's three-year-old season began on January 2, 1988 in an allowance. Stretching out for the first time to 1 1/16 miles, he broke from post five in a field of seven, bid his time through four furlongs, assumed command around the far turn, then proceeded to run up the score by ten lengths as he crossed the wire in 1:47 3/5 on a good track.

In the February 6^th, 1 1/16 mile Le Comte Handicap, Risen Star conceded ten to fourteen pounds to six other horses. Among the entries was the front running Pastourelles, ridden by Walker, Risen Star's first rider. At the break, Pastourelles was the first away and maintained his position, while Risen Star, who had drawn the outside post in a field of seven, raced wide in the backstretch. He attempted to engage Pastourelles aound the far turn, but when they arrived home, Risen Star was one and a quarter lengths shy, with Run Paul Run another three lengths back in third. Three weeks later, in the one mile, 40 yard Louisiana Derby Trial, Risen Star faced Pastourelles again. Another good runner entering the fray was Jim's Orbit, who had won or placed in eight of his ten previous starts, earned more than a quarter of a million dollars, and had faced some of the best runners as a two-year-old; but he hadn't raced in four months and would carry high weight of 122, giving two to thirteen pounds to eleven horses. Risen Star, breaking from post eleven in the twelve-horse field, was under 120. Longshot Lousiana Bred led through six furlongs in 1:12 2/5, before giving way to Pastourelles in the stretch. Risen Star had been well off the pace again, before making his powerful late bid, caught Pastourelles approaching the finish, and crossed the wire one length to the good in a sharp time of 1:40. Jim's Orbit didn't have the best trip and finished more than three lengths back in third.

Close Call

Risen Star would be the favorite going into the 63^rd edition of Fair Grounds' signature race, the 1 1/16 mile Lousiana Derby. Run on Sunday, March 13, Risen Star would break from post position one in the field of seven, and because imposts were assigned based on earnings, he would carry three pounds less than four other runners, Jim's Orbit, Honest Roy, Never Force and the sprinter Dee Lance, who all topped out at 123. Pastourelles was also in, under 118, and would break next to Risen Star. In post five was a California invader named Word Pirate, just off a win in a one mile and forty yard allowance, and had finished fifth in the 1987 Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Riding Word Pirate would be one of the preeminent jockeys in the sport but who currently did not have a horse for the Kentucky Derby: Eddie Delahoussye.

The day before the race, Risen Star had given his connections a scare. While being bathed, the colt reared and fell on one of his hocks and shoulder. Fortunately there were no broken bones, but none-the-less, he had been traumatized, and there was some uncertainty whether he would be ready to start. The mishap had been a close call, but on Sunday, Risen Star showed up ready to run.

Risen Star kept near the rail and bid his time in sixth. Dee Lance set solid but reasonable fractions of :24 1/5, :47 3/5, and 1:12, but having never traveled beyond six and a half furlongs, was all in at this point. Pastourelles inherited the lead but Risen Star was moving powerfully and surged between him and Dee Lance. He opened daylight and crossed the wire one and three-quarter lengths in front. Word Pirate was able to close for second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Pastourelles. Risen Star sped the distance in a rapid 1:43 1/5, that hovered near the track mark.

Meeting a Champion

Risen Star finally left his familiar Louisiana, and journeyed to Keeneland for the 1 1/16 mile Lexington Stakes on April 16, where he would meet the previous year's juvenile male champion Forty Niner, an extremely good colt, and worthy of an Eclipse title. Forty Niner, a son of Mr. Prospector out of the Tom Rolfe mare File, was trained by Woody Stephens, and had already made ten starts since his two-year-old season, capturing such prestigious races as the Sanford, Belmont Futurity, Champagne, and Breeders' Futurity, before continuing at age three to win the Fountain of Youth. He lost by a neck to Brian's Time in the Florida Derby, while giving the winner four pounds, but returned in early April to take Keeneland's seven furlong Lafayette Stakes. He had won or placed from six to nine furlongs, and could run on various surface conditions, but there was a question whether he'd want ten furlongs on the first Saturday in May.

This was Risen Star's last stop before his own appearance at Churchill Downs for America's most famous horse race, and he was facing his most formidible rival to date in Forty Niner, under jockey Pat Day, the nation's Eclipse Award jockey over the previous two years. Risen Star hadn't raced in over a month and would carry 118 pounds to Forty Niner's 121, the latter who was making his second start in eight days.

In the small field of five, Risen Star, under Jacinto Vasquez, was parked outside with Forty Niner next door. When the group was sent off, Buck Forbes took the group along, covering a quarter in :24, the half in :48, and six furlongs in 1:12 2/5. Forty Niner and Stalwars were stalking, while Risen Star was trailing the field. Exiting the far turn, Forty Niner went to the front. Risen Star was also advancing, drew even with the new leader, and managed to get his head in front at the wire, stopping the clock in 1:42 4/5.

In three weeks, the gallant Forty Niner would attempt to even the score with Risen Star as the two prepared to run in the biggest race of their lives. They would have a lot of company including a colt unbeaten in seven starts, and a front running gray/roan filly who had just destroyed her male rivals in California's premiere three-year-old race. But for Risen Star, the path taken was clearly the right one.

To be continued...

Sources

Associated Press. “Risen Star wins in LaDowns debut.” The Times-Picayune, September 25, 1987.

Fair Grounds charts. The Times-Picayune, December 7, 1987.

Fair Grounds charts. The Times-Picayune, January 3, 1988.

Bob Roesler. “Le Comte stirs up ambition.” The Times-Picayune, February 6, 1988.

Bob Fortus. “Pastourelles edges Risen Star at FG.” The Times-Picayune, February 7, 1988.

Fair Grounds charts. The Times-Picayune, February 7, 1988.

Bob Fortus. “Jim's Orbit to carry top weight in Trial.” The Times-Picayune, February 27, 1988.

Bob Fortus. “Risen Star rallies from 9^th to win.” The Times-Picayune, February 28, 1988.

Fair Grounds charts. The Times-Picayune, February 28, 1988.

Bob Roesler. “Delahoussaye eyeing mounts.” The Times-Picayune, March 12, 1988.

Bob Fortus. “Risen Star favored on early derby line.” The Times-Picayune, March 12, 1988.

Bob Fortus. “Risen Star's status for Derby uncertain.” The Times-Picayune. March 13, 1988.

Bob Fortus. “Risen Star powers down stretch, wins Derby.” The Times-Picayune, March 14, 1988.

Fair Grounds charts. The Times-Picayune, March 14, 1988.

Steven Crist. “Risen Star Edges Forty Niner.” The New York Times, April 17, 1988.

Associated Press. “Risen Star Edges Aiken-trained Forty Niner.” Aiken Standard, April 17, 1988.

Daily Racing Form, Champions: The Lives, Times, and Pas Performances of America's Greatest Thoroughbreds (New York: Daily Racing Form Press, 2005).

Copyright 2011, 2012, 2013 by John Califano

Beacon of New Orleans - Part One: Legacy

The big, rangy colt had countless genes of greatness, and a talent he brought to fruition on June 11, 1988, that not only left spectators breathless, but gave them a fleeting glimpse into the past, back to a time when something even more extraordinary had been done by his father.

Risen Star, champion, and shining beacon of New Orleans, was bred in Kentucky by Arthur Hancock II and Leone J. Peters. As a racehorse he entered the starting gate only eleven times, but left a beautiful footprint, and enriched an already deep, glorious heritage. The following discussion offers a brief overview of many of the predecessors who from one generation to the next would produce Risen Star.

FEMALE LINE

Fifth Dam – Mumtaz Begum (FR.)

Mumtaz Begum was sired by Epsom Derby winner Blenheim II (GB), who would also sire American Triple Crown winner Whirlaway, and English champion and leading sire Mahmoud (GB), to name just a few, in addition to being broodmare sire of Coaltown, and Kentucky Derby winners Hill Gail and Kauai King, the latter who also won the Preakness Stakes. Mumtaz Begum's dam was the very fast English champion Mumtaz Mahal (GB).

Fourth Dam – Bibibeg (IRE.)

Third Dam – Quaheri

Mumtaz Begum produced Bibibeg, and although undistinguished as a racer, Bibibeg's sire was 1935 English Triple Crown winner Bahram (GB). Bibibeg was bred to Olympia, winner of the San Felipe, Flamingo Stakes and Wood Memorial and their foal was Quaheri.

Quaheri, also unremarkable on the track, reached the court of Hail to Reason. Sired by Turn-to (IRE.), by Royal Charger (GB), Hail to Reason was a two-year-old champion before becoming a prolific stallion, among his get, Halo, Irish/English champion and Epsom Derby winner Roberto, Kentucky Derby winner Proud Clarion, and Horse of the Year Personality (Thoroughbred Racing Associations). He was also broodmare sire of the great French racemare Allez France. His son Halo would sire Horse of the Year, dual classic winner/Breeders' Cup Classic winner Sunday Silence, and Derby winner Sunny's Halo. Roberto became the sire of Dynaformer, who in turn sired Barbaro.

From the mating of Quaheri and Hail to Reason came Break Through.

Second Dam – Break Through

The lightly raced mare Break Through received as one of her suitors, the stallion His Majesty, and from his cover, Break Through dropped a female foal, who would be named Ribbon.

Dam – Ribbon

Ribbon, a bay mare, was a multiple stakes winner from twenty-seven starts, among her wins the 1 1/8 mile Arlington Oaks, and the grassy 1 1/8 mile Pucker Up Stakes.

Broodmare Sire – His Majesty

The racehorse His Majesty made twenty-two starts, won the 1 1/8 mile Everglades Stakes and later set a Hialeah track record of 1:46 2/5 for the distance. His Majesty's sire, Ribot (GB.), trained by the legendary Italian Federico Tesio, was undefeated in sixteen lifetime starts, including two wins in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and undoubtedly was Europe's supreme runner in the 1950s. His Majesty was a full brother to the tremendously talented Graustark, winner of seven of eight starts, before sustaining a career-ending injury. His Majesty's dam, Flower Bowl, also produced champion Bowl of Flowers by Sailor. Flower Bowl's sire, the unraced Alibhai (GB), by the great champion and sire Hyperion (GB), was also the father of Kentucky Derby winner Determine, champion handicap mare Bornastar, Your Host, and Hollywood Gold Cup winner, Solidarity. Your Host became the sire of the immortal five-time Horse of the Year Kelso. Determine would sire Decidedly, a California-bred, who followed in his father's footsteps with a victory in the Run for the Roses.

MALE LINE

Fifth Sire – Pharos (GB)

Pharos' father, Phalaris (GB), was the ancestral sire of Thoroughbred racing's most dominant male lines, three of these being through Native Dancer, Northern Dancer, and Buckpasser. Another line will be mentioned shortly.

A mating of Pharos and the Italian classic winner Nogara (ITY.) produced a bay colt, whose achievements on the racetrack made him a champion; but his later success as a stallion proved to be infintely more monumental. He was Nearco (ITY.).

Fourth Sire – Nearco (ITY.)

Nearco, also trained by Tesio, was a tremendously strong, dominant racer and superior to his contemporaries. When it was time to send him to the breeding shed, he proved equally successful, counting among his many sons, Epsom Derby winners Dante and Nimbus. Another son, Royal Charger, was himself a grand success as a stallion and produced such notables as U.S. female champion Idun and female co-champion Royal Native (Daily Racing Form), male turf champion Mongo, and Preakness Stakes winner Royal Orbit. Royal Charger's son Turn-to, in addition to offspring Hail to Reason, sired two-year-old champion First Landing, and was damsire of 1971 Horse of the Year Ack Ack. Through Royal Charger's daughter Gay Hostess, came dual classic winner Majestic Prince.

In 1954 a foal, produced by Nearco and the Hyperion mare Lady Angela (GB), became Nearctic (CAN.), the future sire of the fabulous sire of sires Northern Dancer (CAN.). Another mare brought to Nearco's court was Mumtaz Begum, and in 1940 the offspring from their mating was the beginning of the other dominant male line descending from Phalaris. This foal would be called Nasrullah (GB).

Third Sire - Nasrullah(GB)

Nasrullah was a two-year-old English champion and later a leading sire in both England and the United States, with an enormous output of stakes winners. One of his best sons, out of the Johnstown mare Segula, was Nashua, the Horse of the Year in 1955. Nashua would do well in the breeding shed, siring female handicap champion Shuvee. It was a daughter of Nashua, Bramalea, who gave birth to Roberto, while through another daughter, Gold Digger, came the legendary stallion Mr. Prospector, by Raise a Native, by Native Dancer.

Miss Disco by Discovery

Miss Disco, a bay mare foaled in 1944, had been sired by Horse of the Year and handicap champion Discovery, a son of Preakness winner Display, whose own sire Fair Play, had also sired Man o'War. Discovery made two great contributions as a stallion, both through his daughters, Geisha and Miss Disco. Geisha was mated to Polynesian and the resultant foal was the aforementioned Native Dancer.  Miss Disco was mated to Nasrullah, and on April 6, 1954, a bay foal arrived who would become one of his era's most brilliant runners and later a great sire of champions. His name was Bold Ruler.

Grandsire – Bold Ruler

Bold Ruler was among arguably the best crop ever in American racing, that group foaled in 1954 who became the three-year-old class of 1957. Among Bold Ruler's peers were Round Table, Gallant Man (GB), Iron Liege, Federal Hill, and General Duke. Bold Ruler was very fast, equaled the track record in the seven furlong Bahamas Stakes, and broke the track mark in the 1 1/8 mile Flamingo Stakes. After a torrid duel with Gallant Man in the 1 1/8 mile Wood Memorial, Bold Ruler prevailed by a nose in track record time. He finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby, before winning the Preakness Stakes, then succumbed to Gallant Man in the Belmont Stakes after he was cooked by the winner's rabbit, inserted specifically to soften him up. Later that year, Bold Ruler went on a rampage winning six of his next seven races, and also began showing his great weight carrying ability. He ran off by six lengths in the one mile Jerome Handicap under 130 pounds, won by nine lengths in the seven furlong Vosburgh, also under 130, won the 1 1/16 mile Queens County Handicap by more than two lengths under 133, and romped in the Benjamin Franklin Handicap by twelve lengths under 136. He won on fast and sloppy surfaces and always gave huge weight concessions. His year culminated with a showdown in the 1 ¼ mile Trenton Handicap against Gallant Man and Round Table with Horse of the Year honors on the line. Bold Ruler won by two and a quarter lengths, named Horse of the Year (Daily Racing Form), and champion three-year-old male. In 1958, he returned as an outstanding handicap horse winning five of seven starts, all stakes, with his lightest impost 133 pounds. As a stallion Bold Ruler was incredible and led the sire list eight times, seven consecutively; only Lexington, in the nineteenth century, led more often. Some of Bold Ruler's children were champions Gamely, Lamb Chop, Bold Bidder, Bold Lad, and Wajima. The great Bold Ruler was grandsire of Ruffian, Spectacular Bid, and great-grandsire of Seattle Slew.

Somethingroyal by Princequillo (GB)

Somethingroyal out of the Caruso mare Imperatrice, had an uneventful race career. She started once. Her dark bay dam, Imperatrice, had made thirty-one starts winning a few stakes races including a victory over males in the 1942 Fall Highweight Handicap in a swift time of 1:10. Somethingroyal's sire Princequillo, had recorded thirty-three starts, winning the Jockey Club Gold Cup and Saratoga Cup. He led the sire list twice, and several more times as a broodmare sire. As a stallion, Princequillo was also a promoter of soundness. His greatest son was Round Table, the 1958 Horse of the Year and multiple champion, who excelled on dirt and established greatness in American grass racing. One of the soundest horses to ever race, Round Table would go on to become an outstanding sire himself. Princequillo's other sons included Preakness winner Hill Prince and 1957 Horse of the Year Dedicate (Thoroughbred Racing Associations). Princequillo was also broodmare sire of handicap, two-time turf champion and 1970 Horse of the Year Fort Marcy (Daily Racing Form), European great Mill Reef and American standout Sham.

Somethingroyal had to shine elsewhere and was able to enjoy success in the breeding shed, being named Broodmare of the Year in 1973. Among her earlier children were black-type winners Sir Gaylord by Turn-to, First Family by First Landing and Syrian Sea by Bold Ruler. Somethingroyal was later bred back to Bold Ruler and the two outdid themselves beyond imagination. With the offspring they produced, the bar was set so high that no equine couple since has been able to come even remotely close to reaching it.

On March 30, 1970, a large chestnut foal, by Bold Ruler out of Somethingroyal, with three white stockings and a star on his forehead was born. The owner went through a half dozen names for her colt, the first five being Scepter, Royal Line, Something Special, Games of Chance, and Deo Volente (Latin for “God Willing”), all which were rejected by the Jockey Club. Finally, the sixth name was accepted: Secretariat.

Sire - Secretariat

Secretariat's nonpareil racing performances place him on the highest plane of a very select few equine stars. Constantly compared to Man o'War, Secretariat's striking looks made him the equine equivalent of a movie idol. Possessed of talent and power unmatched in the modern era, Secretariat's persona had more widespread public appeal than probably any racer in history, Man o'War notwithstanding. Emerging in the public eye as a American hero, pure, innocent, and charismatic, during the time of Vietnam, Watergate and an energy crisis, his handsome image graced the covers of Time, Newsweek, and Sports Illustrated. What the racehorse Secretariat did on the track was incredulous, the stuff of legend and folklore.

Secretariat was the first two-year-old to be named Horse of the Year outright, an honor he repeated at three. He became the first horse to win the U.S. Triple Crown in twenty-five years following Citation's feat in 1948, and his wins in the classics were far more stunning, with a 1:59 2/5 record time in the Kentucky Derby and an otherworldly mark in the Belmont Stakes of 2:24 with a thirty-one length separation at the finish, considered by most to be the greatest singular performance of all time, and one which may never been equaled. The big colt's mark in the Preakness, after a tremendous move from last to first, may have also been in record time, but due to a teletimer malfunction his final clocking was set at 1:54 2/5, probably slower than he actually traveled. Late in his career, Secretariat demonstrated amazing prowess on turf, winning his last two starts, the 1 ½ mile Man o'War Stakes and 1 5/8 mile Canadian International by a combined eleven and a half lengths.

Although not considered a great sire, Secretariat was a very good one. A few of his best progeny were 1986 Horse of the Year Lady's Secret, and 1978 Canadian two-year-old male champion Medaille d'Or (CAN.). Another son, General Assembly, was a multiple stakes winner, and his 2:00 stakes record clocking in the 1979 Travers Stakes still stands. Secretariat's biggest stallion contribution certainly came as a broodmare sire, and through his daughters the industry has been endowed with such notable racers and stallions as Horse of the Year A.P. Indy, as well as Summer Squall, Gone West, Storm Cat, et al.

One of the mares Secretariat was bred to was Ribbon. From that cover a colt was born on March 25, 1985, and eventually purchased from Hancock by Louis Roussel III of New Orleans at a Fasig-Tipton two-year-old sale in Florida. His price was $300,000. Roussel would condition the horse and automobile dealer Ronnie Lamarque was brought in as a co-owner. Roussel was also a devout Catholic and gave his horse a name taken after the Star of Bethlehem and Risen Christ.

Secretariat's finest son, the large, dark bay Risen Star, would soon begin to shine his own bright light on the racetrack and family legacy.

To be continued...

Sources

Books:

Edward L. Bowen. Bold Ruler Thoroughbred Legends, No. 24

(Lexington, KY: Eclipse Press, 2005).

Timothy T. Capps. Secretariat Thoroughbred Legends, No. 19 (Lexington, KY: Eclipse Press, 2005).

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

Daily Racing Form. The American Racing Manual, 1992 (Highstown, N.J.: Daily Racing Form, 1992).

William Nack. Secretariat: The Making of a Champion (Second Da Capo Press edition. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press, 2002).

Daily Racing Form, Champions: The Lives, Times, and Pas Performances of America's Greatest Thoroughbreds (New York: Daily Racing Form Press, 2005).

Muriel Lennox. Northern Dancer: The Legend and His Legacy (Toronto: Beach House Books, 1995).

Richard Stone Reeves, Edward L. Bowen. Belmont Park: A Century of Champions (Lexington, KY: Eclipse Press, 2005).

Newpapers:

Peter Finney. “Risen Star, Derby Fever.” The Times-Picayune, February 5, 1988.

Steven Crist. “Risen Star Outruns Filly in Preakness.” The New York Times, May 22, 1988.

Online:

www.Equineline.com.

http://www.pedigreequery.com/.

Copyright 2011, 2012 by John Califano

The Five Generations of Maclean's Music

Last weekend an unknown and unraced three-year-old colt stepped into a starting gate and after disposing of his rivals with authoritative precision, became an immediate “buzz” horse.

Maclean's Music is a bay colt, bred by Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, LLC, owned by Stonestreet Stables, LLC and trained by Steve Asmussen. On March 19, 2011, he faced eight other horses in a six furlong maiden special weight at Santa Anita Park. Under jockey Mike Smith, Maclean's Music broke sharply from post postion six and took a quick lead, went up by a length and a half after a half mile, increased it to three lengths in the stretch, then widened his margin by more than seven lengths as he crossed the wire. After fractions of :21 1/5, :43 2/5, and :55, Maclean's Music finished in a fast 1:07 2/5, earning a Beyer figure of 114, the highest ever given to a first time starter since the system was first introduced. Because of the speed favoring bias of the track, there are individuals who understandably look at this time and figure with reservations; yet it can't be argued that the visual athleticism was one of the most impressive seen in a novice racer, and he pocketed $32,400 of the $54,000 purse. Maclean's Music won't be coming to the big party at Churchill Downs on May 7, but a Preakness appearance may not be out of the question. After coping with shin issues as a two-year-old, the connections have wisely brought the colt along slowly. That patience may eventually be well rewarded.

The horse may breeze on Monday, March 28, but his next start is unknown. In the meantime, a look at his bloodlines should give some indication of what his true potential might be, and provide clues to what may lie ahead.

Sire - Distorted Humor

Maclean's Music was sired by Distorted Humor out of the Unbridled's Song mare Forest Music, and foaled on February 9, 2008 in Kentucky. Distorted Humor, also the father of Kentucky Derby/Preakness winner and three-year-old male champion Funny Cide, and Belmont Stakes winner Drosselmeyer, was among the sire leaders in 2010, behind only Giant's Causeway in progeny earnings. As a racer, Distorted Humor made twenty-three starts, was graded stakes placed and won Monmouth Park's Salvator Mile Stakes at age four, then at five took the seven furlong Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes at Keeneland, in stakes record time. He also won the Churchill Downs Stakes, and one mile Ack Ack Handicap at Hollywood Park.

Forty Niner

Distorted Humor's sire, Forty Niner, was an exemplary racehorse, and perhaps even a great one. A juvenile champion in 1987, Forty Niner won five of his six starts, from six furlongs to 1 1/16 miles, among these the Sanford, Futurity, Champagne and Breeders' Futurity, then continued the following year with wins in the 1 1/16 mile Fountain of Youth before losing by a neck to Brian's Time in the 1 1/8 mile Florida Derby. At Keeneland, Forty Niner won the seven furlong Lafayette by five lengths before dropping the 1 1/16 mile Lexington by a head to Risen Star. After a strong closing finish in the Run for the Roses, Forty Niner lost by a neck to the filly Winning Colors. A contentious dual with her in the Preakness cost him any chance of victory, and he finished a distant seventh. Forty Niner bypassed the Belmont Stakes, and proceeded to win his next four starts beginning with a romp in a one mile allowance at Monmouth. He then defeated Seeking the Gold twice by a nose, in the 1 1/8 mile Haskell Invitational and Saratoga's 1 ¼ mile Travers Stakes. In his first appearance against older horses, he fell a neck short to eventual Horse of the Year Alysheba in the 1 ¼ mile Woodward Stakes, won the NYRA Mile, and ended his career with a fourth place effort in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Forty Niner's dam was black-type winner File, a daughter of three-year-old male champion Tom Rolfe, who in turn was sired by the magnificent dual Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner and European champion Ribot (GB).

Danzig's Beauty

The dam of Distorted Humor was the graded stakes winner Danzig's Beauty, a daughter of the extraordinary sire Danzig by sire of sires Northern Dancer (CAN). Danzig's prolific production of stakes winning progeny included Danehill, Dance Smartly (CAN), Chief's Crown, Langfuhr and Hard Spun, to name only a few. Among his numerous descendents through his daughters is Fusaichi Pegasus.

Mr. Prospector

Through grandsire Forty Niner on his top and Gone West and Fappiano on the bottom, Maclean's Music is inbred 3x4x5 to the legendary stallion Mr. Prospector. Both a leading sire and a virtual perennial leading broodmare sire, Mr. Prospector fathered Miswaki, Conquistador Cielo, Gold Beauty, Kingmambo, Seeking the Gold, and Fusaichi Pegasus, et al. He was damsire of Pulpit and Mineshaft, et al.

Forty Niner's daddy, Mr. Prospector, made fourteen starts, and set track records at six furlongs. Mr. Prospector's sire, Raise A Native, was also the father of such illuminaries as Majestic Prince, Alydar, and daughter Genuine Risk. Raise A Native also sired Exclusive Native, father of American racing's last Triple Crown winner Affirmed. Mr. Prospector's dam, Gold Digger, by the illustrious Horse of the Year Nashua, twice won Pimlico's Gallorette Handicap on the turf when contested at 1 1/8 miles.

Dam - Forest Music

The dam of Maclean's Music is the gray/roan mare Forest Music, by Unbridled's Song. Forest Music made eighteen starts, winning the six furlong Adena Stallions' Miss Preakness Stakes, with third place finishes in Belmont Park's six furlong Prioress Stakes and the seven furlong Test Stakes at Saratoga. At age four, Forest Music won the six furlong Honorable Miss Handicap at the Spa.

Broodmare Sire – Unbridled's Song

Unbridled's Song, by Unbridled, won the 1995 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and the following year annexed the Florida Derby and Wood Memorial. Unbridled's Song also sired graded stakes winners Rockport Harbor, Thorn Song, Octave, Eight Belles, Old Fashioned and Zensational. Forest Music's grandsire, three-year-old champion Unbridled, by Fappiano, is among the few horses, including Ferdinand and Alysheba, to win both the Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic, and along with Sunday Silence has been the only horse to win the races in the same year.

Defer West

Forest Music's dam, Defer West, was sired by Gone West, the latter who won the Dwyer, Gotham and Withers Stakes. Gone West, also by Mr. Prospector, was out of Secrettame by Secretariat. Forest Music's second dam, Defer, was by the great Horse of the Year Damascus, by Horse of the Year Sword Dancer. Her third dam, I Pass, was sired by another great Horse of the Year, Buckpasser.

Fappiano

The other Mr. Prospector son related to Maclean's Music was the Florida-bred Fappiano, who won the 1 1/8 mile Discovery Handicap, then at four, took the mile Metropolitan Handicap and seven furlong Forego Handicap. Just past the first five generations of Maclean's Music, was Fappiano's dam, Killaloe, sired by perhaps the fastest Thoroughbred of all time, Dr. Fager, whose great range was from 5 ½ furlongs to 1 ¼ miles, with both dirt and turf prowess.

Where Now?

The pedigree of Maclean's Music suggests a good balance of speed and stamina lines, and a promising future. His next start will be widely anticpated, and whether or not he blossoms into a legitimate star still remains to be seen. But one thing is already certain. Many of the colt's ancestors have left a glowing heritage.

Copyright 2011, 2012 by John Califano