Gallop Out

Friday, January 28, 2011

Courageous Champion: A Story about Tim Tam

By 1958, ten years had passed since Thoroughbred racing's last Triple Crown winner. The climb up racing's Mt. Everest, in hopes of seeing a horse sweep all three classics, was once again about to begin. Only one horse proved up to the daunting challenge, and he nearly succeeded. What made him so special wasn't the fact that he barely missed, but rather, why he did, and how he responded to the greatest moment of adversity in his life. He was Tim Tam.

Heritage

Tim Tam, a dark bay colt, was bred and raced by Calumet Farm and trained by Horace A. "Jimmy" Jones. The farm, first owned by Warren Wright, was in the hands of his widow, the remarried Mrs. Gene Markey. Calumet's dynasty was legend, made especially famous by two Triple Crown winners, the colorful Whirlaway in 1941, and the immortal Citation in 1948. Now the farm had another potential superstar in Tim Tam. Sired by the great handicap champion and 1953 Horse of the Year Tom Fool, Tim Tam was out of the champion mare Two Lea, who was sired by Calumet's amazing stallion Bull Lea. Two Lea also demonstrated prowess against males, finishing third in the 1950 Santa Anita Handicap, behind Noor and Citation. The bloodline was fabulously rich, with Bull Lea and Tom Fool's dam Gaga both sired by the French racer Bull Dog, who led the American sire list in 1943 and was leading broodmare sire three consecutive years in the '50s. He was a full brother to Sir Gallahad III, father of 1930 Triple Crown winner Gallant Fox. Tim Tam was inbred to Bull Dog, and thus to the great European racer and sire Teddy.

Tim Tam raced only once as a two-year-old, making his debut in a six furlong Maiden Special Weight on October 18, 1957, when he finished fourth.

Off On The Right Foot

On January 17, 1958, Hialeah opened its meeting, where three-year-old Tim Tam would make six consecutive starts. Under jockey William Hartack, the colt recorded his first win by almost three lengths, covering six furlongs in a time of 1:11 1/5. Five days later, under muddy conditions, and asked to carry ten more pounds, Tim Tam scored by a half-length in an allowance at seven furlongs, clocked in 1:25 1/5. Beau Daumier, in receipt of eight pounds, followed.

Markey's barn also had the promising dark bay/brown colt Kentucky Pride, winner of both his starts at two. A son of Bull Lea, out of the multiple stakes winning mare Blue Delight, Kentucky Pride's damsire was the 1929 Horse of the Year Blue Larkspur. In his three-year-old debut, Kentucky Pride raced six furlongs and romped home by eight lengths. On January 28, both Tim Tam and Kentucky Pride returned in a six furlong allowance against eight others. Kentucky Pride prevailed to record his fourth win. Tim Tam, sitting well off the pace, caught fire in the stretch to finish third, behind the Christopher Chenery owned speedster Yemen.

Prepping in Florida

Kentucky Pride and Tim Tam returned as the favorites on February 5 in the seven furlong Bahamas Stakes. Among eleven runners, Kentucky Pride led the parade, but found himself caught in a speed duel with Alhambra. The brown son of Olympia got the worst of it, but the fight also took its toll on Kentucky Pride, and in the stretch, Olymar started to pick up the pieces, going inside the tired leader, before finishing the job a half length in front in a rapid 1:22 4/5. Tim Tam was wide but made an impressive late run to finish third, a nose behind his stablemate. Ten days later Jones brought his pair back for the 1 1/8 mile Everglades. It had rained earlier in the day, but by the seventh race, the Hialeah track was sufficiently dry to be labeled good. Tim Tam, assigned 114, was in receipt of three pounds from Kentucky Pride. Yemen held a sizeable lead until Kentucky Pride ran him down around the far turn. Tim Tam was also rolling, saving ground on the inside, and caught Kentucky Pride in the stretch, before drawing away by 1 1/4 lengths in a time of 1:51 2/5. Tim Tam had made five starts within a month, posting three firsts, and two thirds. He would return in two weeks.

Nine three-year-olds showed up for the 1 1/8 mile Flamingo Stakes, on March 1. Tim Tam was the favorite but another highly regarded colt was Elizabeth Graham's Jewel's Reward, the two-year-old champion of 1957 (Thoroughbred Racing Associations). Each horse carried 122 pounds and all left the gate in good order. A furlong out, Tim Tam and Jewel's Reward hooked up, with Tim Tam getting bumped repeatedly. At the wire Jewel's Reward was a head in front, clocking 1:48 4/5, but because of the interference to his rival, the stewards moved him down to second. Tim Tam was declared the winner.

On March 19, Tim Tam was at Gulfstream Park for the 1 1/16 mile Fountain of Youth Stakes, a tune-up for the upcoming Florida Derby ten days later. A field of ten loaded and Tim Tam broke the fastest, but was then taken back. He trailed most of the field going into the clubhouse turn, advanced at the far turn but was still only fifth turning for home. Kept near the rail, he surged to the lead and cruised home by two lengths over E.P. Taylor's Grey Monarch. The time on the fast track was 1:42 4/5. Building on the the pultry sum Tim Tam had earned the year before, in less than three months of 1958, he had pocketed close to $138,000.

Tim Tam would prevail in the Florida Derby, on March 29, but he had to earn every speck of dirt to do it. Lincoln Road, a huge longshot, had the audacity to turn what should have been a procession for Tim Tam into a horse race. From the start, Lincoln Road flashed his heels, and just did relinquish the top spot in the final strides. Tim Tam broke slowly. Through three-quarters, Lincoln Road held a sizeable advantage, but Tim Tam advanced steadily and into the turn had overtaken every runner but the leader. As Tim Tam headed for home, Lincoln Road came out, giving Tim Tam an inside opening, and the colt catapulted to the wire a half length in front, going 1:49 1/5 for the nine furlongs, well short of the world record of 1:46 4/5 set a year earlier by General Duke in the same race. Grey Monarch was seven lengths back in third.

Kentucky or Bust

Tim Tam made his next appearance on April 18 and won a seven-furlong allowance at Keeneland. His time of 1:22 1/5 eclipsed the track mark by a fifth of a second, previously held by Your Host and Iron Liege. Through fractions of :23 2/5, :45 2/5, and 1:09 3/5, Tim Tam bolted down the stretch and hit the wire a half-length ahead of Nadir.

Following the allowance, Bill Hartack had broken his left leg in a starting stall mishap. Jones needed a new rider and among the aspirants, the 24-year-old Ismael Valenzuela was selected for Tim Tam's next start, the Derby Trial on April 29. Among a field of seven other runners, Valenzuela kept the horse well off the pace, while Ebony Pearl was in front. When it was time for Tim Tam to go, he had to check twice, and move outside of horses, but once clear, Ismael guided him inside and the colt blasted home, a neck ahead of Ebony Pearl. Giving the runner-up six pounds, Tim Tam finished in 1:39 3/5 on a surface labeled slow.

Pesty Lincoln Road

On May 3, the eighty-fourth Kentucky Derby was dampened by rainy weather and a muddy track, cutting the field size to fourteen. Each runner would carry the classic weight of 126 pounds. The favored Tim Tam drew the 2-hole with Jewel's Reward just to his outside. Ebony Pearl, was coupled with Jewel's Reward and would break from thirteen. Also entered in the race was a chestnut who had captured the media's attention. The exciting California-bred closer Silky Sullivan, trained by Reggie Cornell, had been stopping hearts on the West Coast, coming from out of the clouds by as many as forty lengths to win. "Silky" was simply spectacular to watch, and Bill Shoemaker would be aboard, breaking from post twelve. Lincoln Road, who had put a scare in Tim Tam in their previous meeting, was again one of the longshots, and parked in seven.

At the break, Lincoln Road, under rider Chris Rogers, broke first and would maintain his position almost the entire way. Tim Tam was well back through a half, then began to gradually move forward along the inside, before encountering some traffic around the far turn. As Valenzuela urged him on, the colt swept past the field but was all out in the stretch to collar the leader at the finish. The margin was a half length. Lincoln Road had put his heart on the line, not to mention his speed, and Tim Tam was again reminded of it, needing everything he had to snatch racing's biggest prize from his grasp. Bringing up third, another half length back, was Noureddin, who was six lengths ahead of Jewel's Reward. The final time in the slop was a pedestrian 2:05. Calumet had now won the famous race seven times.

Much of the discussion following the Derby was about Silky Sullivan's dismal performance. Whatever the reason, his trainer didn't offer any excuses, while many criticized the track conditions. “Silky,” an extremely popular horse, would have another chance to strut his stuff in the second jewel.

Black-Eyed Susans

Tim Tam headed next to Maryland for the 82nd running of the 1 3/16 mile Preakness Stakes on May 17. This time the weather was good and the track fast. Seven of the Derby horses would return to challenge Tim Tam, and there would be four new shooters. Tim Tam would break from post eight. Silky Sullivan's loyal followers never wavered and many were hoping he would still provide the excitement that he failed to demonstrate two weeks earlier. Lincoln Road had finally earned respect, and was bet way down. At the start, Tim Tam settled back and saved ground. Lincoln Road controlled the proceedings until Tim Tam emerged at the top of the stretch to take the lead and draw off to win by a length and a half. Lincoln Road, the bridesmaid once again, was more than three lengths ahead of Gone Fishin. The splits had been :46 4/5, 1:11 3/5, 1:37 4/5 and Tim Tam's final time was 1:57 1/5, well off Nashua's 1:54 3/5 set three years earlier. Silky Sullivan, coming late, could only manage eighth. To go along with their Derby victories, Calumet now had a sixth Preakness, and Tim Tam had recorded his eighth consecutive win.

A Tough Climb Up the Hill

In the years between Citation and Tim Tam, five horses had won two of the three Triple Crown races. In 1949, after finishing second in the Derby to Ponder, Capot won the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. The following year, Middleground captured the Roses, and was runner-up to Hill Prince in the next leg, before winning the third. In what has been undoubtedly the most shocking Derby upset in history, in 1953 the great Native Dancer, after a very troubled trip, lost by a head to Dark Star, before going on to win the Withers, and final two classics. Nashua finished second to Swaps in 1955, then in the California-bred's absence won the last two races. In 1956, Needles took the first and third jewels, but finished second to Fabius in the middle.

Tim Tam was unique. He was the only horse during that period to make a legitimate assault on the Triple Crown because he had already won the first two races.

Great Loss...Greater Honor

The Belmont Stakes, named after August Belmont I, whose son would become breeder and first owner of Man o'War, would run its 90^th edition on June 7, 1958. Tim Tam had never raced at Belmont Park but worked that week on the track, was in top form, and would attempt to gain membership in the exclusive fraternity of Triple Crown winners. While racing on the most competitive level for the third time in five weeks, the Belmont Stakes, at 1 1/2 miles, was the most demanding test of a horse's stamina, perserverance, and courage. Tim Tam would now show the depth of his character but the manner in which he had to demonstrate it was regrettable.

Entering the race, the Derby and Preakness winner would meet seven other horses, including a highly regarded Irish chestnut named Cavan. Bred by F.E. Tuthill, and owned by Joseph E. O'Connell, the colt had won four of his five starts on the year, including the Peter Pan Stakes a week earlier. Under rider Pete Anderson, he would break on the extreme outside with Tim Tam next door in post seven. Lincoln Road sat this one out. Under ideal weather conditions and a fast track, the field was off with Page Seven showing early dash. Tim Tam, as was his custom, began well back. 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. Valenzuela then realized that something was wrong and did not perservere. Cavan was long gone and hit the wire six lengths in front. After fractions of :48 2/5, 1:13 3/5, and 2:04 1/5, he stopped the clock in an unremarkable 2:30 1/5, nearly four seconds slower than Gallant Man's record time the year before. 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, five and a half lengths ahead of C.V. Whitney's Flamingo. Tim Tam's injury had cast a pall over the day, and the door leading into racing's highest patheon had been slammed shut.

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.

Damage Control

Tim Tam's right front leg was immediately X-rayed. The vet's final diagnosis revealed not only the full extent of the leg's condition, but also the enormity of the colt's heart. Tim Tam had fractured one of the sesamoids, apparently during his run in the stretch, yet despite the trauma, the horse had been determined to go out a champion. On June 17, ten days after the race, bone fragments were surgically removed at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. The procedure went well and Tim Tam remained under care before being discharged a few weeks later. Although there was optimism that the horse could eventually resume training, in August he was officially retired.

Heart of a Champion

In December, the Thoroughbred Racing Assocations and Daily Racing Form named Tim Tam the 1958 three-year-old champion. In 14 lifetime starts, Tim Tam compiled a record of 10 firsts, 1 second, and 2 thirds. His only non-placing had been fourth in the lone start as a juvenile. Tim Tam had career earnings of $467,475, almost all of it in his three-year-old season.

Legacy

The following year Tim Tam began his career at stud for Calumet. He sired the champion filly and later older mare Tosmah, Kentucky Oaks winner, Nancy Jr., and Royal Entrance, the sire of champion three-year-old filly Davona Dale. Tim Tam's daughter Tamerett is the dam of European champion Known Fact and the second dam of the great sire Gone West. Tim Tam was also broodmare sire of male grass champion Mac Diarmida, juvenile filly champion Before Dawn and multiple grade one winner Tentam.

Three years after his death in 1982, Tim Tam was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Like many Thoroughbreds that had preceded him, and others that would follow, Tim Tam had possessed the highest virtues of his breed. The colt's notable victories made him a champion, but in defeat, Tim Tam had achieved greatness. His remarkable courage and perseverance, despite severe hardship, had been his ultimate triumph.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

The Toast of New York Part Three: Great and Beautiful

Easy Goer and Sunday Silence would go their separate ways over the summer, with plans to meet up again in the autumn at Gulfstream Park for the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Supremacy

Beginning with the Belmont Stakes, Easy Goer remained in New York and gave one of the most dominating runs in history. He made four more starts over the next two months, three of these against older horses, beginning on August 5 at Saratoga in the 1 1/8 mile Whitney Handicap. After a compromised trip in close quarters, Easy Goer found a sliver of daylight, bolted to the lead about two furlongs from home and recorded a four and a half length win, finishing in 1:47 2/5, only two-fifths of a second off the stakes and track record.

Easy Goer returned two weeks later for a comfortable three length score in the 120^th Travers Stakes, the three-year-old marquee event of the summer season. He covered the 1 ¼ mile distance in 2:00 4/5, the third fastest in the race's history. In his typical manner, Easy Goer stayed off the pace, but in striking position as Clever Trevor took the lead. He made his move turning into the stretch, and went in front with about a furlong remaining. Clevor Trevor's credible effort earned him the runner-up spot, nine lengths in front of Shy Tom.

At Belmont Park on September 16, Easy Goer again defeated his elders in the 1 ¼ mile Woodward Stakes. Carrying top weight of 122 on a muddy track, and stuck in tight quarters on the inside, Day was finally able to maneuver him out where he began to roll after a mile. He assumed the lead a furlong from the wire, then widened it to two lengths at the finish, giving runner-up Acedemic thirteen pounds.

Three weeks later, Easy Goer contested the 1 ½ mile Jockey Club Gold Cup, scoring his fifth consecutive win against six others, including Prized who in July, defeated Sunday Silence in the Swaps Stakes, at Hollywood Park. Getting a five pound break in weight, Easy Goer went ahead going into the far turn, shook loose of Cryptoclearance, and ran off by four lengths.

Meanwhile following his defeat to Prized, Sunday Silence romped to a six length win in the 1 ¼ mile Super Derby at Louisiana Downs, on September 24.

Easy Goer and Sunday Silence were about to meet again on the biggest stage in North American racing and Easy Goer would regain his favoritism. It seemed he had clearly validated himself as the best horse in America; but there was one hitch. Nobody bothered to tell Sunday Silence.

Game, Match, Point

The sixth Breeders' Cup event was held on November 4, 1989. Easy Goer arrived after a four week layoff and Sunday Silence after six weeks. McGaughey had enjoyed wins in the Sprint with Dancing Spree and the Juvenile with Rhythm, and now was hoping that his biggest star, Easy Goer, would give him and Mr. Phipps the Classic. A field of eight was entered, with three million dollars and the Horse of the Year title on the line. Easy Goer and Sunday Silence, the latter under Chris McCarron, were at opposite ends of the parking lot. The Belmont Stakes winner was in post one and the Derby/Preakness victor in eight. The start was clean but Easy Goer broke a little slow and was behind most of the pack while Sunday Silence gained good position. Slew City Slew took an early lead and set a brisk pace covering the quarter in :22 2/5, with Blushing John a few lengths back and Present Value next. Mi Selecto and Sunday Silence followed them, but Easy Goer hadn't hit his stride yet. Slew City Slew maintained his lead after a half in :46 1/5, but at three-quarters, run in 1:10 2/5, Blushing John was on top. As the horses rounded the far turn, Sunday Silence made his move and Easy Goer closed in on him from the outside. But as Easy Goer advanced, Sunday Silence surged, and opened up a cushion. Down the stretch, Sunday Silence finally went past a stubborn Blushing John, while Easy Goer, now at full throttle, was eating up a lot of ground. He roared down the middle of the track, but arrived just late as Sunday Silence crossed the finish a neck in front. Blushing John salvaged third.

Although nobody knew it yet, the great rivalry was over.

Who Was Greater?

Sunday Silence had defeated Easy Goer in three of their four meetings, on America's biggest race days. Regardless of any speculation as to why Easy Goer couldn't get his rival's measure more often, it doesn't change what transpired nor should academic discussion influence their place in history. In any ranking, it is only fair that Sunday Silence be put ahead of Easy Goer. This does not necessarily mean Sunday Silence was a more talented horse, but perhaps he possessed certain athletic attributes that served him better on smaller tracks and off tracks. Sunday Silence was also quicker out of the gate, with more ability to change gears around turns, and adaptability over various track conditions. Easy Goer generally stayed off the pace, but depending on how aggressively he was ridden, could be closer. Easy Goer was particularly tough on larger ovals like Belmont Park, regardless of its surface conditions. The wide sweeping turns of "big sandy" were better for a physically imposing horse who could strike with power. Both colts demonstrated superiority at the classic distance of ten furlongs, but beyond this range, it's likely Easy Goer would have continued to prevail. It could also be speculated that Easy Goer may not have been razor sharp entering the Classic, having last raced over twelve furlongs. Coming into the race, he had made four starts after the Triple Crown series to Sunday Silence's two. Sunday Silence's largest winning margin over Easy Goer was two and a half lengths on a day when neither horse showed his top form, and his other two wins, were by very slim margins. Easy Goer's victory, albeit on his home track, was a runaway.

Could there have also been intrinsic factors? Both were game horses with great character, Sunday Silence, perhaps acquiring his virtues from adverse experiences, starting with his close brush with death at an early age, then later from being so often snubbed and constantly asked to prove his worth. Easy Goer's qualities may have been inherited from his sire. On the one occasion when they actually went eyeball to eyeball, neither horse gave an inch, and both demonstrated tremendous courage. The ending to the Preakness probably didn't result because Sunday Silence was a better horse, but due to trip scenarios, and positioning down the stretch.

Each horse affected the other's final place among the equine greats. Without Sunday Silence, Easy Goer would have been the 'horse of the 1980s.' Without Easy Goer, Sunday Silence would have been racing's twelveth Triple Crown winner. Sunday Silence didn't barely miss winning the Triple Crown. He never really had a chance. Comparing the two horses from this perspective could suggest that although Sunday Silence had a numerical edge, in the final analysis, the rivalry was a draw. None-the-less, when it was time for presentation of the annual Eclipse Awards for 1989, Sunday Silence was rightfully named Horse of the Year and three-year-old male champion. It must have been quite regrettable however that Easy Goer, a horse who had crushed one of Secretariat's records, run the fastest mile ever by a three-year-old, recorded the second fastest Belmont Stakes in history, and later won four more consecutive grade 1 races, three in older company, and finally lost the Breeders' Cup Classic by only a neck, went home with nothing.

Exits

Easy Goer and Sunday Silence had every intention of renewing their rivalry in 1990. The Breeders' Cup, at Belmont Park, would have provided an opportunity for Easy Goer, on his home track, to take another swing at his formidable foe, perhaps landing his punch squarely on the jaw. After a long layoff, and training in Florida, Easy Goer made his four-year-old debut on May 16, 1990, in the seven furlong Gold Stage Stakes at Belmont Park and cruised to a seven and a half length victory in 1:22 1/5. Just twelve days later he showed up again to contest the one mile Metropolitan Handicap and for the first time in his career, the colt finished lower than second. After giving the winner, Criminal Type, seven pounds and runner-up Housebuster fourteen, Easy Goer finished a close third. It had taken a weight concession and two advancing stars to defeat him. Criminal Type would ultimately be named Horse of the Year, and Housebuster a two-time sprint champion. On July 4, Easy Goer bounced back in the 1 ¼ mile Suburban Handicap and put away six others, giving runner-up De Roche and third finisher Montubio thirteen pounds each.

Sunday Silence returned on June 3, in the 1 1/8 mile Californian at Hollywood Park and held off Stylish Winner, after giving him eleven pounds. He returned on June 24 in the 1 ¼ mile Hollywood Gold Cup, again conceded weight, and lost by a head to Criminal Type.

At almost the same moments in time, both horses would leave the racetrack for good. In a workout in late July, Easy Goer fractured a sesamoid bone and was retired. Only two weeks later, Sunday Silence sustained a ligamentous injury, and also called it quits. Thus racing saw strikingly parallel exits for two great horses, whose accomplishments and confrontations enriched it with such a beautiful array of performances.

Easy Goer bowed out with 20 starts, 14 firsts, 5 seconds, and 1 third. His wins included nine grade 1 victories, highlighted by his sweep of the Belmont Stakes, Whitney Handicap, Travers Stakes, Woodward, and Jockey Club Gold Cup. His trio of wins in the Belmont, Travers, and Gold Cup would not be duplicated for twenty years until Summer Bird did it in 2009. Except for his juvenile debut, when he lost by a nose, the only horses who could beat him were champions. Like his contemporary Sunday Silence, Easy Goer was never out of the money, and amassed earnings of $4,873,770, a bankroll almost identical to that of Sunday Silence who finished with $4,968,554, after recording 14 starts for 9 wins, and 5 seconds. Both colts would now begin the next phase of their lives.

Enshrined Forever

In retirement, American breeders embraced Easy Goer but rejected Sunday Silence, who yet again had to prove himself, this time as a stallion. And just like every other challenge, the black horse met and exceeded all expectations. Standing at stud in Japan, Sunday Silence became the country's perennial leader and one of the world's greatest sires. In 2002, Sunday Silence was struck by the terrible equine disease laminitis and on August 19, died of heart failure. He was only sixteen-years-old. Sunday Silence's life, although not full in years, had certainly been so in substance.

Easy Goer's lifespan was even shorter, but no less noteworthy. On May 12, 1994, at the young age of eight, Easy Goer died of an apparent heart attack. His brief tenure as a stallion had appeared quite promising. He sired Whitney and Travers Stakes winner Wills Way, and graded stakes winning filly Furlough. His best offspring was undoubtedly My Flag, winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, Coaching Club American Oaks, Asland Stakes, and Gazelle, while graded stakes placed in several other races including the Belmont Stakes. My Flag went on to produce two-year-old filly champion Storm Flag Flying by Storm Cat.

Easy Goer was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1997 one year after Sunday Silence was so honored. Although Easy Goer's meetings with Sunday Silence were a large part of his remarkable career, these alone did not define him. Easy Goer was among the superstars of the last three decades, the toast of New York, and a true American equine hero. The great and beautiful chestnut, named Easy Goer, continues to be remembered with adulation and affection. His position among the equine legends is enshrined forever.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

The Toast of New York -- Part Two: Adversary

On January 4, 1989, the winter book favorite for the Kentucky Derby was officially crowned the previous year's Eclipse two-year-old male champion. Easy Goer had been vacationing in Florida since November, enjoying much deserved down time, his activity limited to a walking routine. By mid-January the honeymoon was just about over and the colt would now begin work toward a campaign geared to maximize his chances to secure for the Phipps family and McGaughey, the most coveted victory in Thoroughbred racing. Easy Goer's Derby prep races would be the seven furlong Swale Stakes on March 4, at Gulfstream Park, followed a month later with Aqueduct's one mile Gotham, and the 1 1/8 mile Wood Memorial on April 22.

On Notice

Easy Goer had become quite imposing between the end of his two-year-old campaign and his three-year-old debut. With a bigger, stronger frame, he had been working impressively. A field of six lined up for the Swale with Easy Goer in post one. Breaking last, he was ahead of just one horse going into the backstretch as front running Trion went up by several lengths, carving out a quarter in :21 4/5, and a half in :44 3/5. Easy Goer now began to move, coming to Trion's outside before passing him in the stretch, and bounding away by more than eight lengths in the swift time of 1:22 1/5, fastest of the meeting. His strong start had put everyone on notice, and his next race would leave them gasping.

Dominance

Easy Goer returned to New York for his final two starts before heading to Kentucky. On April 8, in a small field of five, Easy Goer was parked outside for the one mile Gotham Stakes. When they left the gate, Diamond Donnie and Cantrell Road set a fast early pace. Exiting the chute, Easy Goer aggressively made a move to track the leaders, and after a wicked quarter in :22 2/5, retreated briefly. The front runners continued to blister the oval, covering the half in :44 1/5. Around the far turn Easy Goer advanced again on the outside, as they ran six furlongs in 1:08 3/5. Cantrell Road had dropped back, but Diamond Donnie went on, and coming into the stretch, Easy Goer ranged up beside him, before drawing away. By the sixteenth pole he was up by at least eight lengths and hit the wire by thirteen in an astonishing 1:32 2/5! He had crushed Secretariat's track mark by a full second and was only a tick behind Dr. Fager's world record, set in the Washington Park Handicap at Arlington Park in 1968. Easy Goer had carried 123 pounds, while the great Fager, at age four, was under 134. But Easy Goer's time was the fastest ever recorded by a three-year-old.

Two weeks later, Easy Goer carried his momentum into the two-turn Wood Memorial. He left post three in a field of six, as Diamond Donnie took the early lead, with Triple Buck in second and Easy Goer tracking in third on the outside. Around the first turn Easy Goer crept up to second. Down the backstretch Diamond Donnie stayed a length in front of Easy Goer, covering the half in :48 3/5. On the far turn Easy Goer moved up alongside the leader, before scampering away, his winning margin three lengths, with Rock Point and Triple Buck finishing second and third respectively. The time was a modest 1:50 3/5, but Easy Goer did only what was necessary, especially with the biggest race of his career in two weeks. The colt had also reached a milestone, going over the one million dollar mark in earnings. He seemed poised to enter a sphere of supremacy beyond that of any peer who sought to challenge him.

Meanwhile, a dark, powerful storm was approaching from the west.

The Black Horse

There was another colt raising a stir, in California, but so far had not received much national notoriety. His body wasn't a striking copper that glistened in the light, nor did he have the bloodlines or looks to raise eyebrows. He was more the color of coal, and like a black hole, threatened to swallow up any opponent that got in his way. He was a tough, gritty survivor who had already cheated death. He wasn't handsome or in possession of a lovely conformation. When his owner tried to sell him at auction, there was no interest, so horse and master went on home. That dark bay colt, so different from the glamour horse in the east, did have one thing in common however with Easy Goer, and it was the only quality that really mattered: he could run. His name was Sunday Silence.

Bred by Oak Cliff Thoroughbreds in Kentucky, sired by Halo out of the Understanding mare Wishing Well, Sunday Silence was Easy Goer's only legitimate contemporary, foaled the same year, and owned by Arthur Hancock III, who later shared that ownership with Dr. Ernest Gaillard, and the legendary trainer Charlie Whittingham, who conditioned him. The colt won once in three starts as a juvenile, finishing second twice, and never in stakes company. One of the horses to defeat him was a Seattle Slew son named Houston, who would return the following year. Sunday Silence grew into his shoes as a three-year-old in 1989, and like Easy Goer, would prep three times prior to the first Saturday in May, all at Santa Anita. On March 2, with regular rider Patrick Valenzuela in the irons, Sunday Silence started in a 6 ½ furlong allowance on a sloppy track, took charge early, and maintained his lead to the wire by more than four lengths. He was back on March 19 and captured the 1 1/16 mile San Felipe Handicap, by just under two lengths. On April 8, the same day Easy Goer put in his spectacular Gotham run, Sunday Silence made some fireworks of his own. In the West Coast's biggest three-year-old race, Sunday Silence destroyed ten other horses by eleven lengths in the 1 1/8 mile Santa Anita Derby in the scintillating time of 1:47 3/5.

The two best horses in the land were on a collision course.

Back to Mud

Easy Goer arrived in Kentucky with fanfare. On May 6, fifteen horses entered the Churchill Downs starting gate for the 115^th edition of America's most famous race. Others in the field included Easy Goer's stablemate Awe Inspiring, who had won the Everglades and Flamingo Stakes, the Garden Stakes winner Faultless Ensign, Dansil, who had taken the Arkansas Derby, Blue Grass Stakes winner Western Playboy, and Houston, who had earlier romped in the seven furlong Bay Shore Stakes in New York, but was spanked by Sunday Silence in the Santa Anita Derby. Although he had spiked a fever prior to the race, Houston also had a distance question he needed to answer. Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, Houston was given another opportunity to make the Derby lineup and proceeded to win the one mile Derby Trial on April 29.

As the favorite, Easy Goer, attempted to become the first Wood/Derby winner since Pleasant Colony in 1981, and the first two-year-old champion to win the race since Spectacular Bid in 1979, Mother Nature again interfered. The area had received rain over the past week, temperatures were cold, and the track was muddy as it had been six months earlier when the colt had lost. In front of more than 122,000 spectators, and after a nine minute delay to reshod Triple Buck, Easy Goer was led into post thirteen. A few doors down, in post ten, was Sunday Silence. When the group was sent off, Sunday Silence came in and bumped Triple Buck as Houston and Dansil got the jump. As they went into the clubhouse turn, Easy Goer was in fifth, just behind Sunday Silence, with the quarter run in :23. Down the backstretch, Houston maintained his lead, covering the half in :46 3/5, Sunday Silence remained unchanged, with Easy Goer farther back. As they rounded the far turn, Houston was still in front but tiring as Sunday Silence came along his outside and took the lead into the stretch, where he began to run erratically, in response to his rider's whip. Houston finally dropped back, and Easy Goer, struggling over the mud, rallied but it was too late to catch Sunday Silence who had separated himself, as he approached the wire. Easy Goer was next, two and a half lengths behind the winner, and managed to hold off Awe Inspiring by a neck, while three-quarters of a length behind him was Dansil, who was only a nose behind the fifth horse Hawkster. Houston finished eighth. It wasn't the prettiest run race and neither of the leading horses looked particularly formful. Easy Goer hadn't fired, and Sunday Silence's zig zag pattern nearing the finish, had concluded in a time of 2:05, the slowest since 1958, when Tim Tam, under Pat's uncle Ismael “Milo” Valenzuela, had recorded the idential clocking on the same surface conditions. There was no question that a line could be drawn through Easy Goer's performance, after being victimized again by a muddy track he couldn't grab. While the Sunday Silence people were now beaming with confidence over a possible Triple Crown winner, Easy Goer's backers were certain their horse would return to his outstanding form, given different circumstances. In round two of what would become an epic battle, Easy Goer would try to validate his reputation as a potential superhorse, and Sunday Silence would once more have to prove he truly belonged in his arch rival's class. In their next confrontation, they would put on quite a show.

Gun Fire

In the two weeks leading up to the 114^th Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, Maryland, Easy Goer was back in New York and training well. There was a question however about Sunday Silence after he had bruised his right front foot. With treatment to the area, he worked in a temporary bar shoe, and was fit and ready on race day. In the days leading up to the contest, rain had made the Pimlico track sloppy, but by Saturday, May 20, it was dry and fast. In addition to Sunday Silence and Easy Goer, others returning for the 1 3/16 mile race were Dansil, Houston, Hawkster and Northern Wolf. New shooters were Rock Point and Pulverizing. Easy Goer was again backed as favorite, and broke from post position two. Sunday Silence would get away in stall seven. When the gates opened, Easy Goer hopped in the air, losing a step and getting off last, while Sunday Silence and the outside horse, Northern Wolf, made slight contact with each other. Pulverizing started the proceedings with Houston alongside. Going around the first turn, it was Northern Wolf in charge with Houston next. Sunday Silence was just behind them, with Easy Goer farther back but gradually gaining position on the outside. The quarter was run in :23 2/5. Down the backstretch, Houston built a three length lead, but Sunday Silence rapidly advanced to his flank, with Easy Goer looming up just as quickly on the outside. With a half in :46 2/5, Easy Goer caught Sunday Silence, and moved ahead, causing the Derby winner to be momentarily sandwiched between him and Houston, and forcing Valenzuela to check. Easy Goer was moving well, having engaged Houston, but Sunday Silence quickly regained his stride after six furlongs in 1:09 3/5. Houston bowed out and the gauntlet was thrown down, as Easy Goer and Sunday Silence sped away from the others. Racing down the stretch, they were practically glued to each other in a furious dog fight, with the conditions going against Easy Goer, who was pinned to the rail. If he was going to win this race, there was no margin for error. The two horses slugged it out, neither cracking, but Easy Goer was too tightly hemmed in. What made his situation even worse was the position of his head which was turned sideways toward his rival instead of focused on the finish line. When they crossed the wire in a photo finish, the outcome was uncertain, until the nose that had crossed over first was identified. It belonged to Sunday Silence, and he had recorded a time of 1:53 4/5, the third fastest in Preakness history after Tank's Prospect's 1:52 2/5 and Gate Dancer's 1:53 3/5.

With Sunday Silence now on the verge of Triple Crown glory, the distant hoofbeats of Affirmed and Alydar seemed to be crossing the expanse of time.

Cannon Fire

It had taken Sunday Silence not one, but two wins over Easy Goer before he finally gained the respect he had already been entitled to. He had beaten the champion fair and square on an off track and again on a fast dry one, and even the staunchest Easy Goer followers had to concede that perhaps there was a horse the equal of their own. This didn't mean they were jumping off the bandwagon, and hopefully back in his familiar New York surroundings, the final leg might be different. But this time, with the anticipation of possibly the first Triple Crown winner in eleven years, Sunday Silence would be favored.

Winning horse racing's Triple Crown may be the most difficult feat in sports, and remains the greatest achievement in Thoroughbred racing. There are only eleven members of this exclusive club. The demands placed on a young three-year-old horse require not only ability, but courage, perserverance, mental and physical toughness, maturity and stamina over a period of five short weeks at various distances of ground. The last leg is the 1 ½ mile Belmont Stakes, run in cavernous Belmont Park, and for most horses, is the only time they would ever be asked to go that far. Called the “Test of the Champion,” the Belmont Stakes is run after an already long and arduous campaign. This race was also the one remaining hurdle between Sunday Silence and inclusion into that special club. Sir Barton was the first to sweep the series in 1919 and Affirmed the last in 1978. In the ensuing years, three horses, Spectacular Bid, Pleasant Colony and Alysheba, won the first two races, then faltered in the third. Swale, in 1984, won the Derby and Belmont Stakes, but finished seventh to Gate Dancer in the Preakness. Risen Star, in 1988, finished third in the Derby behind the filly Winning Colors, then won the last two races. Now destiny was beckoning Sunday Silence.

On June 10, ten horses showed up for the 121st running of the Belmont Stakes: Hawkster, fifth in the Derby and Preakness; Awe Inspiring, third in the Derby; Rock Point, third in the Preakness; Irish Actor, seventh in the Derby and later second in the Peter Pan Stakes; Triple Buck, ninth in the Derby; and the two protagonists, Sunday Silence and Easy Goer. Also making their first classic appearances were Imbibe and Fire Maker, Peter Pan winner and fourth finisher respectively.

Sunday Silence was in post six and next to him in seven was Easy Goer. After being sent on their way, Sunday Silence jumped out in front but was immediately confronted and passed by the American-bred but European raced Le Voyageur, making his first start in the States and first try on dirt. Easy Goer was also in good position between these two. Rounding the first turn, Le Voyageur maintained his lead, with Sunday Silence stalking. Easy Goer had dropped back but was still in a good spot. The quarter was :23 1/5. As they made the half in :47, Le Voyageur stayed in front into the backstretch, with Sunday Silence sitting just off him, followed by Triple Buck, and Easy Goer to his outside. Le Voyageur had opened up a few lengths, covering six furlongs in 1:11 1/5, but Sunday Silence was closing the gap, as was Easy Goer, just off his flank. Le Voyageur was stubborn and would not bow out quietly. Rounding the far turn, Sunday Silence caught the leader, after a mile in 1:35 4/5. Right at this point, Sunday Silence caught a glimpse of immortality, that was gone as quickly as it had appeared. Easy Goer was moving up fast on his outside. Now with three horses across the track, Le Voyageur grudgingly gave way. Easy Goer on his home track, with its wide sweeping turns, was not going to be denied again. As they left the far turn, and entered the stretch, Easy Goer exploded past Sunday Silence, his lead increasing with every stride. He kept pouring it on, as the connections of Sunday Silence watched their hopes evaporate. When the dust had cleared Easy Goer's winning margin was eight lengths, and he had finished his run in a blazing 2:26. Only Secretariat, the horse many felt Easy Goer might come to emulate, had ever run the race faster. Sunday Silence, crossing the wire in second, was a length ahead of the gallant Le Voyageur, who was twelve lengths ahead of Awe Inspiring. Hawkster, who finished fifth yet again, would later distinguish himself with a twelve furlong world record time on the Santa Anita turf course.

The wait for another Triple Crown winner would continue. But for Easy Goer, he was back on top of the mountain, if not standing alone, at least sharing it with a great adversary.

To Be Continued

Thursday, December 30, 2010

SPECIAL TRIBUTE: Good-bye, War Pass

In seven years as a Thoroughbred racing fan, there have been few horses I've loved more that the lightning fast colt, whose story was too short; from his brief tenure on the racetrack, to what should have been a long, happy, and productive life. Like a devastating wildfire, the shocking news spread rapidly, our hearts consumed by grief. On Christmas Eve, 2010, only a day after a shuttle return from Australia, the beloved five-year-old War Pass died in his paddock. As of this writing, the cause of his death is unknown. As many of us anxiously wait in hopes of learning what cruel fate awaited him, the following is this blogger's testimony to a wonderful and forever treasured champion.

"Pure Lightning"

In the summer of 2007, a visually stunning dark bay/brown colt, streaked across the racing landscape. He was so fast that his Hall of Fame trainer would describe him as “pure lightning.” War Pass was an exhilarating rush of blinding speed, and so much fun, that when he crossed the finish line, dusting off his opponents with consumate ease and authority, I was swept up to. Everything about War Pass, from his very name, to his style on the track, bespoke an aggressiveness easy to admire. There were certainly some people who weren't sure he could carry such speed over the classic American distance, and one had to look closely at his bloodline to know he did have the capacity to run on.

Family

War Pass, foaled on April 17, 2005 at Cherry Valley Farm in Kentucky, was a son of champion sprinter and Preakness runner-up Cherokee Run, the sire of many standout runners, including two-year-old champion filly Chilukki. The colt's dam,Vue, although lightly raced, was a daughter of the great stallion and speed influence Mr. Prospector. War Pass' paternal grandsire, Runaway Groom, was 1982 champion three-year-old male in Canada, and holds the distinction of defeating Derby winner Gato del Sol, Preakness winner Aloma's Ruler, and Belmont Stakes winner Conquistador Cielo in the Travers Stakes. War Pass' great-grandsire, Blushing Groom, was a champion in France and later a leading sire. A few of his notable children included the sensational Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner, Eclipse two-year-old male champion, and European Horse of the Year Arazi, and filly triple crown winner and later champion older female Sky Beauty. Blushing Groom's daughter, Primal Force, foaled Breeders' Cup Classic winner Awesome Again, who later sired 2004 Horse of the Year Ghostzapper, while another daughter, Once Wed, produced Japan's T.M. Opera O, Thoroughbred racing's all-time leading money earner.

Precocity

As a Keeneland sales yearling, War Pass was purchased by Robert V. LaPenta, and put under the handling of trainer Nick Zito. The colt would define himself as a juvenile, making his debut in a six furlong maiden special weight, at Saratoga, on July 28, 2007. Breaking just behind Globilization and Commandeered, War Pass was quickly among the leaders and soon grabbed the lead, covering the quarter in a solid 21.98, before drawing away to the wire by almost three lengths in 1:10.26. With Cornelio Velasquez, now as his regular rider, War Pass returned one month later. As pacesetter, he created a five and a half length separation between himself and five others at the wire, covering six furlongs in 1:10.61. Behind him in second and third were Fidelio and Pyro respectively. War Pass returned on October 6 in his first major test, the one mile Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park. In a field of eight, which included Pyro, Z Humor, Majestic Warrior, and Ready's Image, War Pass broke fast and wired the field, setting solid fractions. Although a rally by Pyro paired War Pass' winning margin down to one and a half lengths, he was never threatened, and stopped the timer in 1:36.12. The unbeaten War Pass would make his final start of the year in the Breeders' Cup. And before a national television audience, he would have an opportunity to seriously strut his stuff, with a championship in his sights.

No Equal

The 24^th Breeders' Cup, on October 26-27, 2007, introduced new races to its card, and was the first edition staged over two days. Hosted by Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey, the commendable efforts by grounds personnel were up against nature, which forced horses and riders to deal with adverse weather conditions that left the turf course a bog, the main oval a sea of slop, with the event ultimately marred on the second day by the fatal breakdown of the superb European runner George Washington in the Classic. Earlier that afternoon the Breeders' Cup Juvenile saw eleven two-year-old males vying for their share of glory. War Pass left from the two post, broke very fast, and never looked back. Before anyone knew what happened, the colt had run the socks off his rivals, skipping merrily over the slippery surface, his margin four lengths after three-quarters and seven lengths in the stretch, before hitting the wire four and a half lengths to the good of Pyro, who again rallied late after a compromised trip. Kodiak Kowboy was third less than a length ahead of Tale of Ekati. The winner had clipped off fractions of :22.76, :45.56, 1:09.65, 1:35.64, before finishing the 1 1/16 mile test in 1:42.76. He was later awarded a Beyer speed figure of 113, the highest ever recorded in the race. With four starts and four wins for the year, War Pass would be voted champion two-year-old male at the Eclipse Awards held in January. It was time for him to take a breather before a resumption of training as a three-year-old.

He Works and Romps

In 2006, the two-year-old Street Sense, under Calvin Borel, had rocketed home via the rail, in a compelling Breeders' Cup victory, then the pair virtually performed the identical act the following spring in the Kentucky Derby. It was now War Pass' turn to try and emulate Street Sense with a Breeders' Cup/Derby “Double,” and he began 2008 giving every indication he would succeed. Assigned the high weight of 127 pounds in the Jockey Club's Experiment Free Handicap, the colt had two nice works during the first two weeks of February at Palm Meadows Training Center prior to making his first start of the year in a one mile allowance race at Gulfstream Park. On February 24, against four mismatched rivals, War Pass broke fast from post five and ran off by seven and a half lengths in a time of 1:36.38, to start the year on the right foot, padding his career record with a fifth win in five career starts. His next race would not go so easily.

Nightmare

The champion was a huge favorite for the 1 1/16 mile Tampa Bay Derby on March 15. Entering stall three, War Pass did not break well, then was abruptly squeezed back, then bumped again, thus neutralizing his biggest asset, speed, which had always allowed him to get clear of other horses. The blown start had put him in a situation he had never encountered before. Instead of running freely, War Pass found himself stuck in traffic. Accustomed to being ahead of every horse, he was now in the middle of them, and his usual crushing impact was negated. From this point on, he was merely a follower instead of a leader, awaiting his fate instead of controlling it. As Gentleman James set the early pace, War Pass stayed within striking distance, a bit wide, but he was not used to being in a crowd, and didn't like it. Whether physically shaken from the rough start or discouraged, in the stretch run War Pass fell back precipitiously, as the Barclay Tagg trained Big Truck won a furious duel with Atoned, crossing the finish line first. But the outcome was baffling and unthinkable. War Pass didn't merely lose, he finished last, more than twenty-three lengths behind the winner.

War Pass' shocking defeat would no doubt pose questions and give any doubters reason to dismiss him as perhaps another precocious two-year-old who was now beginning to regress. It seemed as if the colt, faced with adversity for the first time, couldn't handle it, that he was merely a fast front runner who could only succeed if he had things entirely his own way. If he had experienced this kind of trouble against only six other horses, how could he succeed in America's premier contest, among as many as nineteen top three-year-olds, where front running speed is often heavily pressured by other speed? War Pass had never been pushed around, and never had to look another horse in the eye, much less his backside. It was a predicament he was always able to avoid because of his ability to get a powerful jump on his opponents and then run uncontested. It was also reported that the colt had a fever some days prior to the race, and perhaps this may have been a factor in his performance. In considering all elements, some might have wondered if this was War Pass showing another side of his character, or simply a racer who had suffered an off day, and would return to his good form the next time. War Pass would get a chance to redeem himself, and draw a line through the nightmare at Tampa Bay.

Heart

Twelve days later, War Pass put in a four furlong bullet breeze, and was on target for the East's premiere prep, the 1 1/8 mile Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 5. War Pass would break from post five in a field of ten. There was some concern that being in the middle of the pack could get him squeezed back again, but he broke well enough to get the advantage on the others. Another speed horse named Inner Light was also in the mix, employed as a rabbit to try and take War Pass out on behalf of Court Vision. Inner Light stayed with War Pass, pressuring him into punishing fractions. Going around the first turn, the two horses were more than three lengths ahead of Giant Moon and Tale of Ekati, but War Pass had run the quarter in a murderous :22.46. Midway down the backstretch War Pass maintained a one and a half length lead, with a half in :46 flat. By now Inner Light was through, and after six furlongs, the champ had run 1:11.50. By the time he came into the stretch, War Pass was essentially cooked but perservered. The wire couldn't come soon enough, and as he struggled gallantly to maintain his lead, Tale of Ekati was bearing down on him from the inside. Approaching the finish, War Pass, out toward the middle of the track, and still reaching for any residual strength left, was unable to hold off Tale of Ekati who passed him in the closing strides to win by a half length in a final time of 1:52.35. War Pass had done all the dirty work and despite the loss, he showed everyone what was inside him. This was the real War Pass with a huge heart.

Aftermath

War Pass possessed the virtues inherent in all Thoroughbred champions: class, courage, ability, and perserverance. Yet his bright star was soon to disappear. The year which had started so auspiciously, turned sour beginning at Tampa Bay, but what followed the Wood was even worse. The colt had sustained a fracture to the left front sesamoid and had to be taken out of training. He missed the entire Triple Crown series, and his racing future was uncertain. Surgery wasn't presently indicated and it was hoped that the injury would heal on its own, with re-evaluation after an extended period of rest. War Pass stayed largely out of the news for the next several months, until in early September, the fastest two-year-old his trainer had ever conditioned, was retired. War Pass had won five of seven starts, with earnings of $1,583,400. He probably didn't have enough time to stake a legitimate claim to greatness; but before he was injured, was on his way.

Beloved Horse

War Pass began the next chapter of his life as a stallion at William S. Farish's Lane's End Farm in Versailles, Kentucky. His first offspring was a filly and his first crop of foals will reach racing age in 2012.

It would be easy to think of War Pass as a shooting star, racing across the heavens with incredible speed, then just as quickly disappearing. And yet, that analogy would be wholly inadequate because a celestial body is likely to be soon forgotten. War Pass' children will carry his legacy, some of them perhaps becoming champions themselves, and through them, War Pass will always be with us, his name on our lips, and his memory certainly shining bright in our hearts. The beautiful young horse is now with the racing immortals, happily running free. War Pass always loved being on the lead and we can only wonder how far he'll go in this elite company.

Monday, December 13, 2010

The Toast of New York

The handsome red colt missed his appointment with immortality. Perhaps he wasn't a superhorse after all, but to his fans, and those associated with him, Easy Goer was certainly a “dream horse.” Born in Kentucky, he became vintage New York. And if there was any quality in a Thoroughbred that Easy Goer lacked, God hadn't created it.

Easy Goer had royal bloodlines, dazzling chestnut elegance, striking conformation, and enormous talent. The axiom “breed the best to the best and hope for the best,” defined Easy Goer. He was a marvelous creature of equine athleticism, the focal point of an endearing public, and the toast of New York racing. On a racetrack, Easy Goer had great range, with the ability to win decisively from 6 ½ furlongs to 1 ½ miles.

Part One: A Champion

Family of Distinction

Ogden Phipps, patriarch of one of Thoroughbred racing's most prominent families, owned and bred Easy Goer. Foaled at Claiborne Farm in March 1986, the colt's sire Alydar, was a racehorse of significant promise, largely remembered for his fabled rivalry with the last Triple Crown winner Affirmed, whose greatness reached its summit due to his confrontations with Alydar. Bred by Calumet Farm and conditioned by John Veitch, Alydar had impeccable quality, character, and has been largely remembered for his keen perserverance. The horse's odyssey was a touching blend of triumph and loss, his fine voice giving song to a lovely lyric of 26 career starts, 14 firsts, 9 seconds one third, and $957,195 in earnings. He finished out of the money only twice, and was undoubtedly loved more in times of disappointment than success. Until Alydar's life was tragically cut short, he was one of the industry's best sires. In addition to Easy Goer, his other sons included Horse of the Year honorees Alysheba and Criminal Type, champion Turkoman, and Kentucky Derby winner Strike The Gold.

Easy Goer's dam, Relaxing, was by the great and beautiful Buckpasser, racing's first three-year-old millionaire and 1966 Horse of the Year. Buckpasser, in one stretch, won fifteen consecutive races, and was among the trio of titans in the middle of that decade who ran in the famous Woodward Stakes of 1967, along with Damascus and Dr. Fager. Relaxing was an accomplished turf and dirt runner, who first raced with moderate success in Great Britain, before arriving in the States. While competing almost exclusively at New York tracks, Relaxing won or placed in several graded stakes. In her last three starts, she finished fourth in the Woodward Stakes, won the Ruffian Handicap, and exited the scene with a third place effort in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, when she finished less than a length behind the future legend John Henry. In 28 starts, Relaxing recorded 13 firsts, 2 seconds, 5 thirds, nearly $600,000 in earnings, and named 1981 champion older female.

Moving forward

The young Easy Goer was put under the handling of Claude “Shug” McGaughey III, whose barn also had another Phipps star, the four-year-old filly Personal Ensign, who was on her way to a unique and distinguished place in the sport's history. Easy Goer made his racing debut on August 1, 1988 in a six furlong maiden special weight at Belmont Park. Pat Day, who had been voted the nation's top jockey three out of the last four years, was given the mount, and would stay in the irons for keeps. The colt broke slow, and after a compromised trip, came on with a strong rally to lose by a nose to Lorenzoni. It was a good beginning however, and Easy Goer would subsequently showcase his brilliance. He raced again less than three weeks later at Saratoga, and overtook Is It True, in a time of 1:22 3/5, in their first of four meetings that year. Easy Goer then won a Belmont Park allowance in early September, covering 6 ½ furlongs in 1:09 1/5. As the colt's reputation grew, other two-year-olds were catching some attention. Trapp Mountain would annex the Saratoga Special and Futurity Stakes, and Mercedes Won would do the same in the Sanford and Hopeful. Another promising youngster in McGaughey's barn was Fast Play, a son of Seattle Slew, who would win the 1 1/8 mile Remsen Stakes, while finishing second and third in the Hopeful and Futurity respectively.

Easy Goer's trademark style was to generally sit off the pace, before making a powerful strike in the stretch, his prowess amplified by remarkably fast times. The colt's dominance continued with a three length win in Belmont Park's seven furlong Cowdin, in 1:23 3/5. Winners Laugh was behind him, followed by Is It True. Two weeks later, on October 15, in the one mile Champagne Stakes that included Mercedes Won, Easy Goer ran down Is It True, and drew away by four lengths, his final clocking 1:34 4/5.

The 'Downs' Mud

It was finally time for Easy Goer to leave his familiar confines of New York and venture to Churchill Downs as the heavy favorite for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, its fifth edition run on November 5, 1988. The weather in Louisville had been rainy and for the first time Easy Goer would have to negotiate a muddy track, over 1 1/16 miles. He would always respond favorably to distance, but surface conditions were problematic. On the same day that Personal Ensign climaxed an undefeated career with a historic come from behind victory in the final stride over Winning Colors in the Breeders' Cup Distaff, Easy Goer faltered. Positioned in stall nine, he was a step slow out of the gate, veered out, bumping the outside horse, then couldn't get a good hold of the track. Going into the first turn, he was about eight lengths back in seventh, but began a bid into the far turn. With six furlongs left, he was gaining on the leaders, and from there his natural ability enabled him to pass every runner but one. Is It True, a horse he had previously beaten three times, finally turned the tables. He had taken an early lead, repelled one challenge, then another, and as Easy Goer continued to relentlessly eat away at his lead, Is It True hit the finish line 1 ¼ lengths ahead, with Easy Goer eight lengths to the good of the French racer Tagel.

Honored

With four impressive wins in six starts, and a bankroll close to $700,000, Easy Goer's two explainable defeats were overlooked, and he was widely recognized as the best two-year-old colt in training. In addition to 1988 Eclipse awards for Phipps as owner/breeder, McGaughey as trainer, and Personal Ensign as champion older female, Easy Goer was named juvenile male champion. He was also early favorite for the Derby. His two-year-old season in the books, he would take a break in Florida, where he would then begin preparation for a sophomore campaign geared toward the spring classics. In 1989, the grandeur that marked Easy Goer would reach lofty highs and unanticipated lows.

To Be Continued...

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

A Salute to Buckpasser

He was a perfectly conformed, nearly 17 hand horse, and beautiful to look at. In his two-year-old debut in 1965, he finished fourth in a 5 ½ furlong maiden special weight. He would never be unplaced again in 30 more starts, and immediately rattled off eight consecutive wins. On a later streak, he would almost double that number. In each of his three seasons, he was a champion, despite physical ailments in both his three and four-year-old campaigns. And even after missing the Triple Crown races, he was voted Horse of the Year at age three.

Buckpasser had wonderful talent, an easy disposition off the track, and a fierce desire to compete on it. He didn't always make winning look easy however, and after coming from off the pace, and taking the lead, if unchallenged by another horse, he tended to get lazy, sometimes pulling himself up, until faced with the prospect of losing. He would then dig in, giving the impression that he wouldn't get home in time; yet he usually arrived first, even if by the barest of margins.

Buckpasser was a bay colt, owned and bred by Ogden Phipps. Foaled in Kentucky, in 1963, he was sired by the great handicap champion and 1953 Horse of the Year Tom Fool. Buckpasser's dam, Busanda, was sired by Triple Crown winner and 1937 Horse of the Year War Admiral. Busanda was also a multiple stakes winner, among her credits the 1951 Suburban Handicap over males.

The Youngster at Two

Buckpasser was first trained by Bill Winfrey, who had previously conditioned the illustrious Native Dancer. The colt was ridden in all but three races by Braulio Baeza, making his first five starts at Aqueduct. His debut, on May 13, 1965, showed a lack of experience, and a fourth place finish, 1 ¼ lengths shy of the winner. He broke his maiden on next asking, going five furlongs on a sloppy track. He obviously liked the winner's circle, because he stood in it seven more times in succession. His wins included a dead heat with Hospitality in the 5 ½ furlong National Stallion Stakes in late June, the Tremont, at the same distance, Monmouth's six furlong Sapling, the 6 ½ furlong Hopeful at Saratoga, and the seven furlong Arlington-Washington Futurity at Arlington Park. Buckpasser then returned to Aqueduct, and fell a half length short at the wire in the 6 ½ furlong Futurity, when the filly Priceless Gem outlasted him. He concluded his juvenile year on October 16, with a four length victory in the one mile Champagne, one of the few times when he actually created good separation. With nine wins, and a second in eleven starts, and well over a half million dollars in earnings, he was deservedly accorded the two-year-old male championship.

Streak and Setback

As a three-year-old, Buckpasser would now be conditioned by Eddie Neloy, and Bill Shoemaker would ride him in his next three starts. The colt returned on February 14, 1966 at Hialeah, in a betless exhibition, but lost to his stablemate and eventual sprint champion Impressive, by 4 ½ lengths, when the winner equaled the seven furlong track record in 1:21 4/5. Buckpasser would not lose again until mid-June of the following year, winning 15 straight races, beginning with the 1 1/8 mile Everglades. He next seized the 1 1/8 mile Flamingo Stakes by a nose, on March 3, then suffered his first setback. A quarter crack to his right front hoof knocked him out of the spring classics. He didn't race again for three months, returning in an Aqueduct six furlong allowance on June 4, and scored an impressive two length win over older horses, in the rapid time of 1:09 1/5. On June 18, at Delaware Park, he conceded twelve pounds to five others in the 1 1/8 mile Leonard Richards Stakes. Still well behind going into the far turn, he found a way to get the measure of Wood Memorial and Belmont Stakes placed Buffle, in receipt of twelve pounds from the champion, the margin less than a length.

Buckpasser made his next start seven days later in the one mile Arlington Classic, and in the field with him was Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Kauai King. Well off the early pace, he began to roll around the far turn, and came home with a new world record of 1:32 3/5, breaking the mark set only a week earlier by Hedevar in the Equipoise Mile, on the same track. Kauai King couldn't do better than fifth. Buckpasser continued his success at Arlington Park, winning the 1 1/8 mile Chicagoen on July 9, then took on older horses again in Aqueduct's 1 ¼ mile Brooklyn Handicap. Top weighted, the favored Buckpasser remained two to three lengths in back of the leaders before moving in the stretch, and just managed to get his head in front of the stubborn Buffle.

A Triple Afterall

Buckpasser visited Arlington Park again on August 6. Along with his two earlier wins at the venue, a score in the 1 1/8 mile American Derby would give him the Mid-American Triple. The colt would give seven to eighteen pounds to his eight rivals, including twelve pounds to Advocator, second in the Kentucky Derby, and third in the Belmont Stakes. Breaking slow and carrying 128 pounds, Buckpasser beat Jolly Jet, also under 116, by a neck, stopping the clock in track record time of 1:47.

Millionaire

A win in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga on August 20, would make Buckpasser racing's first three-year-old millionaire. After trailing early, he caught Belmont Stakes winner Amberoid about a furlong from the finish, finally forging ahead to the wire by three quarters of a length. The horse had also equaled the track record of 2:01 3/5 for the 10 furlongs. With his ninth straight victory, he now had a bankroll of $1,038,369.

On October 1, Buckpasser raced in the Woodward Stakes at Aqueduct, facing older horses, including the highly regarded Tom Rolfe, the previous year's Preakness winner and three-year-old champion. Tom Rolfe was a genuine star, who had also won the Mid-American Triple before travelling to France, and finish sixth behind the great Sea-Bird in the 1965 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Although Tom Rolfe had been more than sixteen lengths behind the winner, he had beaten fourteen other runners in his turf debut.

In the weight-for-age Woodward, Buckpasser carried 121 pounds to his elders' 126. The track was muddy and after trailing early, the colt moved toward the rail and outfinished Royal Gunner by three quarters of a length. Buffle, who had now lost to Buckpasser for a fourth time, finished third, and Tom Rolfe was fourth. On October 19, Buckpasser annexed the 1 5/8 mile Lawerence Realization by two and a half lengths, and ten days later, took the two mile Jockey Club Gold Cup, with the Argentinian bred Niarkos one and three quarter lengths behind.

Clearly the Best

In November, Buckpasser was named Horse of the Year, three-year-old male champion, and top handicap horse by Daily Racing Form and Morning Telegraph. The Thoroughbred Racing Association also awarded him two of the titles, while naming Bold Bidder handicap champion.

On the last day of 1966, Buckpasser won the seven furlong Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita Park, to complete a sophomore campaign of 14-13-1-0.

Still a Champion

Buckpasser didn't rest before he began to race as an older horse. On January 14, 1967, the four-year-old Buckpasser won Santa Anita's 1 1/8 mile San Fernando Stakes. His physical troubles recurred, starting with another quarter crack early in the year, and ankle trouble over summer. Buckpasser would race just five more times, all at Aqueduct. He did not compete again until the end of May when he captured his fifteenth consecutive win in the one mile Metropolitan Handicap, under 130 pounds, conceding twenty-two and seventeen pounds to the second and third finishers respectively. His earnings, now at $1,342,204, put him in third place on the all-time list behind only Kelso and Round Table.

Buckpasser needed one more start to join the immortal Citation in boasting the most consecutive wins; however, if he achieved it, he would have to do it on the grass, because his connections wanted to take the horse to France for the 1 9/16 mile Grand Prix de Saint Cloud. To get him prepared for such a race, he was next entered in the 1 5/8 mile Bowling Green Handicap. Not only was Buckpasser trying the lawn for the first time, he would also be required to carry 135 pounds, his highest assignment yet. He finished a credible third, giving the winner, Poker, twenty-three pounds, and runner-up Assagai, eight. Although his streak was snapped, and the prospect of going to Europe gone, Buckpasser still eventually scored sixteen straight wins on dirt.

On July 4, the horse carrried 133 pounds, and took the 1 ¼ mile Suburban. Behind him was Ring Twice, under a mere 111, and Yonder with a feathery 109. Having previously annexed the Met, Buckpasser had now won the first two legs of the New York Handicap Triple Crown and would try and join Whisk Broom II (1913), his sire (1953), and Kelso (1961) as only the fourth horse to sweep the series. The 1 ¼ mile Brooklyn Handicap was next on July 22. Assigned 136 pounds, against four other runners, Buckpasser was a distant second, as Handsome Boy, in receipt of twenty pounds from the great horse, romped home by eight lengths in a blistering 2:00 1/5, just a few ticks off the track record.

Final Curtain: The Great Race

Not since the Trenton Handicap had determined the Horse of the Year, ten years earlier, between future Hall of Famers Bold Ruler, Gallant Man, and Round Table, had there been a more highly regarded race than the 1967 Woodward Stakes, commonly referred to as the “Race of the Decade.” The contest brought together three horses who were among the biggest guns in the history of the American track: Buckpasser, Dr. Fager, and Damascus. One horse had already earned the sport's highest year-end honor, the other two would each receive it in succeeding years, and all three were later inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame. Between them, these three horses decimated records, won 12 championships, made 85 starts, for 64 wins, 13 seconds, 5 thirds, and $3,641,437, a good amount of money in the 1960s. Each horse was also unplaced only once.

Buckpasser entered the contest as the favorite with the three-year-olds Dr. Fager and Damascus the co-second choices. The other three runners were Handsome Boy, Hedevar, and Great Power, the latter two employed as pacemakers on behalf of Damascus and Buckpasser respectively, to prevent the devastatingly fast Dr. Fager from getting a lone lead, and to ultimtely soften him up for the closers. Both rabbits did their jobs, and sacrificed themselves for the privilege. Covering the first three-quarters in an insane 1:09 and change, Dr. Fager had already put Great Power away, and Hedevar was now ready to call it an afternoon. But the Doc's torrid pace, with a half mile still to run, had taken its toll. Damascus, who had been biding his time patiently in the background, was now powering up and ready to roll. Buckpasser, also coming from off the pace, gave it the old college try, but was no match for Damascus who blew by with the fury of a tornado. When the dust finally settled and the havoc examined, Damascus' winning margin was ten lengths. Buckpasser, in his final act, managed to cross over next, just ahead of Dr. Fager.

Buckpasser would again be named champion handicap horse (TRA). His remarkable career reflected thirty-one starts, twenty-five firsts, four seconds, one third, and earnings of $1,462,014.

Legacy

Retired to stud duty at Claiborne Farm, Buckpasser was a strong influence. Among his more than thirty stakes winners was champion Numbered Account, the future dam of Private Account, who would sire the incomparable Personal Ensign. Another Buckpasser daughter was Canada's illustrious champion filly and Horse of the Year La Prevoyante. Buckpasser was especially notable as a broodmare sire, leading this list four times, and siring the dams of Coastal, Slew o' Gold, El Gran Senor, Seeking the Gold, Touch Gold, as well as the great Easy Goer.

Buckpasser was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1970 and died in 1978. In his day, he had been one of racing's preeminent figures, exemplifying all the qualities of the great Thoroughbred: beauty of conformation, class, courage, tenacity, and talent. In an era when the Sport of Kings flourished, Buckpasser was one of the major stars who enriched it. His many descendents have carried his torch and legacy admirably.