CITATION: A Love Story

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

It was hoped that Citation would usher in his 1949 campaign in the Santa Anita Maturity and Santa Anita Handicap. These plans now had to be scrapped. Instead, racing's greatest living horse, if not the greatest of the century, headed back to Hiahleah to rest and recover from the injury he had sustained at Tanforan. Now the goal was to get Citation ready for the spring, but he was still unable to train. The plans were pushed back further, but the horse couldn't come around and wasn't able to begin light work until later in the year. Jimmy Jones and Citation's ailing owner Warren Wright, were faced with the realization that their superstar would not compete as a four-year-old. This was an age when Thoroughbreds are generally in their prime, although it's difficult to imagine Citation improving on what he had already done, which included his proven dominance over older horses. But there was still an objective, one last great achievement for the horse. And it involved money; however, the ease with which Citation had built up such an incredible bankroll as a three-year-old was in the past. Some of the brilliance, so infused in him when he was younger and sound, had dimmed during the year he was idle; and it could never be restored.

* * *

During Citation's absence, Coaltown, out of his stablemate's shadow, tore up the league. He won twelve of fifteen starts, with seven of his wins coming under 130 pounds, and was never lower than second. His win in the 1 1/16 mile Edward Burke Handicap, at Havre de Grace, on April 23, was actually a walkover. This was but another example of the depth of Calumet Farm. The Thoroughbred breeding and racing empire had seen two of their horses win races by walkover in successive years, Citation's Pimlico Special in 1948, and Coaltown in 1949. It wouldn't happen again for thirty-one years, until Spectacular Bid's last race, the Woodward Stakes, in 1980.

Coaltown's victories included a world record performance of 1:34 in the mile Whirlaway Stakes at Washington Park. He finished second in the Equipoise Mile, under 132, after giving the winner, Star Reward, sixteen pounds. He also equaled the world record of 1:59 4/5 in the 1 ¼ mile Gulfstream Park Handicap. Coaltown earned his second consecutive championship, this time in the handicap ranks, and would have been named Horse of the Year if he hadn't lost to Capot, the three-year-old duel classic winner, who defeated him in both the Sysonby Mile and Pimlico Special, the latter by twelve lengths. Capot was awarded the top honor.

While Coaltown had his day in the sun, Citation stood in his stall.

PART FOUR: COURAGEOUS STRUGGLE

Sweet Sixteen

After being out of competition for thirteen months, the five-year-old Citation returned to racing in 1950 and would try to pick up where he left off two years earlier. But that was going to be impossible. Although Citation was still considered the sport's premiere horse, he would find his previous residence, the winner's circle, remote.

For the remainder of Citation's career, Jones would race him exclusively in California with his first five starts at Santa Anita Park. Things started smoothly enough as Citation made his first start as an older horse on January 11, in a six furlong affair. Steve Brooks would now be Citation's primary rider. The track had been made sloppy by rain and Citation won by one and a half lengths in 1:11 2/5, carrying 124 pounds. It was a solid first effort, the connections breathed easier, and the objective was the Santa Anita Handicap on February 25. The win was monumental because Citation had now won sixteen races in a row for a modern day record, not equaled by another North American runner for decades and finally eclipsed in the twenty-first century.

It was natural for everyone to be relieved over Citation's triumphant return; but tough times were on the way.

Wall

It was as if Citation had suddenly hit a wall. Entered in another six furlong sprint, fifteen days later, he was now asked to carry 130 pounds for the first time in his career. Among a small field of six, Citation broke sharply, then relinquished the lead, as Royal Blood, under Johnny Longden took charge. At the far turn, Citation and the Argentinian-bred Miche, under 114, put Royal Blood away and the two new leaders dueled down the stretch. Miche dug in, Citation hung tough, but as they crossed the wire, Miche was a neck in front. It was Citation's first loss since April 1948.

Citation came back in the San Antonio Handicap on February 11, again under 130. His stablemate Ponder, the previous year's Kentucky Derby winner, was also entered, and assigned two pounds less. The result was a one-two Calumet finish but it was Ponder first by a length, after he had successfully rallied late to catch Citation. Eddie Arcaro was back aboard “big Cy” and would stay on for the next two starts, before Brooks would regain the mount. Ironically, Brooks was Ponder's rider in this race. Citation's take for the effort was $10,000.

An Irish-bred finished third, only a half length back of Citation, after carrying 114 pounds. He and Citation would meet four more times, much to Calumet's chagrin. His name was Noor (IRE.).

The Great Nemesis

Noor, a brown colt, was bred and originally owned by the Aga Khan. Sired by Nasrullah (GB), Noor's dam, Queen of Baghdad (GB), was by 1935 English Triple Crown winner Bahram (GB), the last to sweep the country's three events for thirty-five years until Nijinsky (CAN.) in 1970.

Foaled the same year as Citation, in 1945, Noor's race career began with modest success in England. He made his debut on May 3, 1947, in Birmingham, England, among a field of six in the five furlong Compton Wynyates Plate. His impost was 124 pounds, and after running well back, his finishing kick made him a credible runner-up. One month later at Epsom, in the six furlong Woodcote Stakes, Noor made a strong showing only to tail off near the end, but still arrived in time to pick up third. The colt's next two races, both six furlong sprints, were at Goodwood and Newmarket respectively, but he didn't break his maiden until September 13, at Doncaster, going another six furlongs. In a field of eight, Noor won the Bradgate Park Nursery Handicap, drawing away by three lengths. Returning to Newmarket on October 3, he won the six furlong Bretby Nursery Handicap, prevailing by a neck over William the Lion, who receive a generous weight concession from the winner. Noor made seven more starts in England, six of these the following year as a three-year-old. Although he posted only two additional wins, Noor demonstrated a liking for distance. He ran third in both the 1 ½ mile Epsom Derby and 1 ¼ mile Eclipse Stakes, the latter at Sandown. He then romped in Epsom's 1 ½ mile Diomed Stakes by open daylight, and in his European farewell, took Newmarket's 1 ¼ mile Great Foal Stakes. Also noteworthy in that win, was the 133 pounds he carried, giving the next two finishers twelve and fourteen pounds respectively.

Noor's life was about to change dramatically. He was bought by Charles Howard, who had owned the folk legend Seabiscuit, and brought to the United States. A European turf runner, Noor would race for two more years, and never see grass again, except to graze on it. His road to stardom came slowly. After winning his first American race by a nose, a six furlong allowance at Bay Meadows, Noor lost his next seven starts. When he finally hit his best stride, he not only won, but set records and became a champion. In 1950, Johnny Longden, with one previous ride on the horse, would stay aboard for the duration of Noor's career.

Money

Citation was running well but had lost two straight races, something that would have been unheard of during the formative seasons of 1947 and 1948. He needed to get back on the beam and the reasons were largely a matter of money.

Money was paramount for Citation; or it was paramount to Warren Wright who was now seriously ill with cancer. Citation had one remaining milestone in front of him and he would race until he reached it. It would be an arduous task, but his owner was determined he achieve it. For the time being, Citation could become the sport's all-time richest Thoroughbred if he won his next race.

Stymie

Like Seabiscuit, who preceded him, Stymie had been a horse of the common people, a plain ordinary horse, and very loved. Born in 1941, Stymie, a chestnut colt by Equestrian out of Stop Watch by On Watch, was trained by Hirsch Jacobs. He raced for seven years, beginning in May of 1943 until October 1, 1949, campaigning along the East Coast and Florida. Stymie's long record showed 131 starts, 35 wins, 33 seconds, 28 thirds and $918,485 in earnings, making him history's leading earner. During his nearly decade long career, Stymie was named handicap champion in 1945.

This amazing racehorse spent most of his first two years in claiming and allowance races. His first start in a stake came in the mile and seventy yard Ardsley Handicap, at Jamaica, in the fall of 1943, where he finished second, one length behind the winner. Stymie would go on to win the Metropolitan Handicap twice, the Whitney Stakes, Saratoga Cup twice, Pimlico Cup Handicap, Grey Lag Handicap, New York Handicap, and Gallant Fox Handicap twice. He would place in several other key stakes races, competing against many of the best runners of his time. With Citation trying to catch him, Stymie's earnings record was in jeopardy. While it's true that Stymie amassed all that money over a very long career, that in itself was an extraordinary achievement, and a tribute to the horse's work ethic.

The “Big 'Cap”

On February 25, three of Calumet's runners, Citation, Ponder, and their eventual handicap champion mare Two Lea, challenged eight others in America's premiere handicap for older horses, the Santa Anita Handicap at the Arcadia, California racetrack. Citation, with $879,200 in career earnings, was $39,285 shy of Stymie. The first race to offer a purse of $100,000 back in the 1930s, the 1950 edition of the “Big 'Cap” would be worth $135,000 and the winner would collect $100,000. In order to move ahead of Stymie, Citation needed to win. In the field of eleven, Two Lea, under 113 pounds, would break from the rail. Ponder, under 124, from post four, and Citation, assigned the high impost of 132, from five. As Citation stood in the gate, he had two targets in his sights: the wire and Stymie. But he also had a small problem. Two doors down, in post three, under a mere 110 pounds, was Noor.

When they were sent away, the speedy Two Lea went out in front. Noor had lagged behind, but down the backstretch began to advance. Citation, who had also been kept off the early pace, encountered some traffic trouble, but managed to find daylight and was moving. Going around the far turn, Citation had to go outside, while Noor, also traveling wide, caught Two Lea in the stretch with a furlong to go and assumed control. Citation was still advancing strongly but couldn't close the deficit, as Noor rushed home. Citation closed with stout determination, but was still one and a half lengths back. Noor's 2:00 clocking clipped more than a second off Seabiscuit's track record and came close to the world mark. After the first two hit the finish, Two Lea and Ponder were next in line respectively. A good day for the Calumet trio, but obviously not the outcome they had hoped for. Citation's paycheck was $20,000, raising his total earnings to $899,200, still $19,285 short of Stymie.

It was a tough loss for Citation, particularly with the disparity in weights, but greater disappointments were coming.

San Juan Heartbreak

If there was any race more heartbreaking for Citation to lose, it was the next one. He was reeled back one week later in the 1 ¾ mile San Juan Capistrano Handicap. He would pack 130 pounds. Noor was running to, and got in with 117. Citation was settled comfortably in third until the pacesetters Moonrush and Rockport cooked each other off. Citation went out in front and Noor, who trailed far behind for the first twelve furlongs, moved swiftly, engaged the new leader around the far turn and was alongside him in the stretch. Now the battle was on, Citation in front, Noor in front, ding-donging it to the finish. When they hit the wire, neither horse could be separated until a photo determined the winner. It was Noor by a nose. Howard's horse picked up a cool forty grand, while Citation had to settle for $9,285. He had been second to Noor once again, and was still second to Stymie.

Noor had set another record, this time an American mark of 2:52 4/5. He would only get better, and against Citation, would add more insult to injury.

Heading North

Citation didn't race again for more than two months. He then traveled upstate to Albany for a six furlong sprint at Golden Gate Fields on May 17. He lost again by less than a length to Roman In at equal weights of 120 pounds. The winner equaled the world record of 1:08 2/5. Citation earned a paltry sum for his place spot while trying to boost his pay. He was never a quitter and always did what was asked of him. He had no say in the matter except to give signals if he was hurting, at which point he would be backed off. But if he was able to run, he ran. The heart was still willing to lay it on the line but the body had changed and couldn't do the things Citation tried to get it to do. But there was a time when the incredible brilliance of the horse shined through again.

Hitting the Mark

Although past his peak years, Citation was still a competitor of the highest caliber; and sooner or later, his virtue was going to pay off in a big way. It happened on June 3 in the Golden Gate Mile Handicap.

In a field of six, Citation, carrying high weight of 128 pounds, broke from the outside. Among his opponents was Bolero, a speed freak who just the week before had set a new six furlong world mark of 1:08 1/5, on the same track. Another of Cy's rivals was the highly regarded California-bred On Trust.

When the gates popped open, Bolero, not surprisingly, jumped out in front and kept to his business, but Citation was stalking him in second. In the backstretch Bolero opened up his lead to more than three lengths but Citation was running very well and within himself. Citation made his bid around the far turn, came to terms with Bolero as they hit the stretch, and streaked by, hitting the finish three-quarters of a length in front. They were the only two horses actually in the race as the third finisher, On Trust, was another five lengths behind. Citation's time of 1:33 3/5, broke Coaltown's previous world mark. In addition, he had finally overtaken Stymie in all-time record earnings. With the $14,550 he collected, his bankroll was now $924,630.

Of course being the all-time money leader wasn't enough. Wright wanted very much for Citation to become the first Thoroughbred to hit seven figures.

Drought

Citation's time basking in the glow of the Golden Gate Mile lasted fourteen days. Noor was in town and ready for another tussle with Citation. Their fourth encounter would take place in Golden Gate's 1 1/8 mile Forty-Niners Handicap on June 17. Citation would carry 128 pounds and Noor 123. Roman In also returned under 111.

Against four rivals, Citation was parked in post three with Noor next to him in four. On Trust set the pace with Citation next. Noor had been trailing until the far turn, where Citation put On Trust to task. As they rounded the bend, Citation made the lead, and Noor, with encouragement from Longden, closed resolutely, and got even with Citation. Down the stretch the two rivals raced in tandem, but when they crossed the wire, Noor was in front by a neck, with a world record time of 1:46 4/5.

It seemed no matter what Citation tried to do, he wasn't going to beat Noor. One week later, on June 24, the two horses were at it again in the 1 ¼ mile Golden Gate Handicap with an added purse of $50,000. This time however, Citation, under 126 pounds, got a pound from his nemesis. It didn't make any difference. When the dust settled Noor was in front, his margin three lengths, the largest since the two began doing battle. Citation arrived next, a length ahead of On Trust who got in under a feathery 103. For the sixth consecutive time, Citation had been in a contest with record implications, either on a world or American level. He had set one world mark himself, lost as Roman In set one, and the other four times, the standards had been raised by Noor. The son of Nasrullah had sped the distance in a blistering 1:58 1/5. Again trailing early, Noor picked up steam after a mile. Citation had been settled in third. Both tagged the leader On Trust, sped on by, but Citation could not keep up with Noor as the Irish-bred drew away. It was the last time the two horses met.

Citation was still not sound. He had another ankle problem and ongoing soreness. Jones had no choice but to stop on him for nearly ten months. His 1950 record showed nine starts, two firsts and seven seconds, a far cry from his glory years; however, it was important to look past the numbers. Citation had struggled with physical problems, asked to carry weight, and had still never finished lower than second against some of the staunchest competitors, including one who was rapidly becoming a great racer. What made Citation's efforts so difficult were his dimininished earnings. On the year he had only made $73,480. If the horse was going to fulfill his owner's wish of becoming racing's first millionaire, he needed to win a very big race and be done with it.

Noor started six more times in 1950 and won three with three runner-up finishes. In his next race, he won Hollywood Park's 1 ¼ mile American Handicap, under 132 pounds. On December 9, in the last race of his career, Noor set a track record of 1:59 4/5 in the 1 ¼ mile Hollywood Gold Cup under 130. He was named the year's handicap champion male and took his final bow with thirty-one lifetime starts, twelve wins, six seconds, six thirds, and $383, 968 in earnings.

Citation, Noor in Perspective

Because of Citation's impressive resume, and also perhaps due to his competitive spirit, most people probably forgave his losses to Noor, and undoubtedly many still consider Citation racing's greatest Thoroughbred. But whatever the reason, there was no denying that in 1950, Noor was simply better, although with certain conditions. While he did have Citation's measure, Noor's wins usually came with weight concessions, and in two races his margins were very small. Yet his ability to consistently beat a racing immortal, albeit one past his prime, must always be recognized.

It might have been interesting to see Citation and Noor race at ages two and three, when Citation was practically invincible. Citation had always been, even during his lesser years, a great champion; and Noor became great himself partly because of Citation.

Noor, who was retired after his spectacular 1950 season, was certainly one of the most underrated horses of all time, and may have been the greatest nemesis in twentieth century American racing. His induction into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2002 was long overdue. Citation would get there much sooner, but for the time being, he would be asked to race another year and try to fulfill the wish of his dying owner, who would not be around to see it happen.

To Be Continued...

Resources and Suggested Reading

A.P. “Coaltown Sets Record In Gulfstream Win,” St. Petersburg Times, March 20, 1949.

Associated Press. “Capot Looks Like 'Horse of the Year,'” The Herald, October 29, 1949.

Associated Press. “Citation, 3-20, Wins In Return To Turf,” The New York Times, January 12, 1950.

Associated Press. “Citation Is Upset by Miche in Close Six-Furlong Battle at Santa Anita Track,” The New York Times, January 27, 1950.

Associated Press. “51,000 See Ponder Outrace Citation,” The New York Times, February 12, 1950.

Mary Simon. Racing Through The Century: The Story Of Thoroughbred Racing In America (Irvine, CA: BowTie Press, 2002).

Associated Press. “Citation On Coast For $135,000 Test; Earnings Mark Within Reach Today—Calumet Also Will Start Ponder, Two Lea,” The New York Times, February 25, 1950.

Associated Press. “Noor Clips Record To Defeat Citation In $135,000 Classic,” The New York Times, February 26, 1950.

U.P. “Noor Wins Santa Anita Handicap in Upset; Citation Fails To Overtake English Horse,” The Pittsburgh Press, February 26, 1950.

Associated Press. “Noor Sets Record, Beating Citation By Nose On Coast,” The New York Times, March 5, 1950.

“Noor Noses Out Citation in $50,000 Handicap at Santa Anita; Two Horses Engage In Stretch Duel,” The News And Courier, March 5, 1950.

Associated Press. “Roman In Defeats Citation By Length,” The New York Times, May 18, 1950.

Associated Press. “Citation in Bid Today For Earnings Record,” The New York Times, June 3, 1950.

Associated Press. “Citation Shatters World Mile Mark In Race On Coast,” The New York Times, June 4, 1950.

Associated Press. “Citation Eclipses Money Earnings and Mile Records,” St. Petersburg Times, June 4, 1950.

Associated Press. “Noor Nips Citation, Clips World Mark,” The New York Times, June 18, 1950.

Russ Newland (A.P. Sports Writer). “Noor Outruns Citation Third Time,” Miami Sunday News, June 18, 1950.

Associated Press. Noor Sets Record Beating Citation,” The New York Times, June 25, 1950.

Daily Racing Form. Champions:The Lives, Times, and Past Performances of America's Greatest Thoroughbreds. Revised Edition. Champions from 1893-2004 (New York: Daily Racing Form Press, 2005).

Pohla Smith. Citation Thoroughbred Legends No. 3 (Lexington, KY: Eclipse Press, 2000).

Phil Georgeff. Citation: In a Class by Himself (Lanham, MD.: Taylor Trade Publishing, 2003).

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

http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall-of-fame/horses-view.asp?varID=370

Copyright 2011, 2012 by John Califano

CITATION: A Love Story

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

Out of 114 three-year-olds, Citation, winter book favorite for the 1948 Kentucky Derby, was given high weight of 126 pounds on the Experimental Handicap by John B. Campbell, the racing secretary at the Metropolitan Jockey Club. Two stablemates also were notable on this list. Bewitch received high weight of 121 pounds, taking into consideration the five pound gender allowance, while Free America was also among the leaders. Although flattering to the horse at the top, Citation's assignment was six pounds below Count Fleet's Experimental 132 pounds for 1943, still the highest figure ever given.

PART THREE: RACING IMMORTALITY

A Fast Start

Citation's first four races as a three-year-old were at Hialeah, beginning on February 2, 1948 in a six furlong allowance, also known as the Ground Hog Purse. It was worth $5,000, and Albert Snider was back aboard the two-year-old champion. The affair was supposed to be a tune-up for Citation's later appearance in the Flamingo Stakes at the end of the month, but he would have plenty to do before that. Citation would begin his campaign against older horses, including his stablemate and reigning Horse of the Year Armed. Breaking from post two, with Armed just outside of him, among a field of seven, Citation was kept off the pace by Snider before making his bid going around the far turn. He passed five-year-old Kitchen Police and hit the finish by three-quarters of a length in a solid 1:10 2/5. Armed had broken slow, needed time to get going, and had to settle for sixth. It was the third start on the year for Armed, now seven, and carrying 130 pounds to Citation's 113. It was still a noteworthy performance for the young Citation, who was biologically two-years-old until April, but according to the Thoroughbred calendar had turned a year older on January 1. The winner pocketed $3,250.

Citation returned nine days later in the seven furlong Seminole Handicap, assigned 112 pounds, and prevailed by a length over four-year-old Delegate. Only a neck farther back was Armed, who finished a credible third, while conceding sixteen pounds to Citation and five to Delegate. Citation had broken well, and stayed close to the action, before eventually bounding away in a time of 1:23 flat, with $8,525 of the purse going to him.

On February 18, Citation finally faced his own age group in the 1 1/8 mile Everglades Handicap. He was assigned 126 pounds, but only two other horses ran, Hypnos, under a feathery 109, and Silverling, at 112. The contest was worth $10,000, with $7,200 to the winner. Hypnos led for much of the way, setting brisk fractions of :22 3/5 for the quarter, :45 3/5 at the half, and six furlongs in 1:10 3/5. Citation then drew even and went ahead. Hypnos made another game challenge in the stretch until Citation put him away for keeps, and crossed the finish a length to the good in 1:49.

Citation's next outing would be the 1 1/8 mile Flamingo Stakes. Hypnos and Silverling would also run among the field of eight. Citation, breaking from post five, carried high weight of 126, with the swift Saggy, in post one, getting 122. The others were assigned 118. Saggy broke alertly and took the lead. Citation was just off in third, before eventually splitting horses and romping home by six lengths in 1:48 4/5, only a few ticks off the track record. Big Dial arrived next, followed by Saggy.

Citation and Snider were a perfect fit; but after the Flamingo, they would never ride together again.

Gone Fishing

Albert Snider was probably as good a jockey as any who ever sat on the back of a horse. At the very least, Snider was superb for a horse who would rapidly become a superstar. After the Flamingo Stakes, and before the big spring races still ahead, Snider had planned a fishing trip with two other men, off the Florida Keys. Upon his return, he would resume riding Citation into the Triple Crown. But on that fishing trip, the men were apparently caught in a severe storm and perished. A massive search and rescue team vainly tried to locate the missing individuals but their efforts had to finally be abandoned. Snider left behind a wife, young daughter and a grieving racing community. Snider's companions, lost with him, were Don Frazier of Toronto, and trainer C.H. Trotter.

Calumet and Jimmy Jones were temporarily without a rider for Citation, but with their reputation and resources, they could afford to go after the best and get it. And that meant Eddie Arcaro.

“The Master”

Eddie Arcaro wasn't called “The Master” for nothing. He was simply the best rider of his time and quite possibly the greatest American jockey ever. Arcaro started racing in the early 1930s, teamed up with Ben Jones in 1938 to win the Kentucky Derby with Lawrin, then swept all three classics three years later for Jones, aboard Calumet's Whirlaway. The Cincinnati born Arcaro won the Derby again in 1945 with Fred Hooper's Hoop Jr. Arcaro now hopped aboard Citation's back and it was another match made in Heaven; but not immediately.

Chesapeake Trial

Arcaro teamed with Citation in the colt's next race, the six furlong Chesapeake Trial at Havre de Grace. For Citation, it was a return to the old stomping grounds where he began his career in 1947. He would face a small field of five other three-year-olds, including Saggy, who had set a world record as a two-year-old in the 5 ½ furlong Aberdeen Stakes on the same Maryland track. This was Citation's third start at Havre de Grace and he had yet to see fast surface conditions. His two previous starts had sloppy and good surfaces and for the Trial he would race in the mud. Coming away with two previous wins at the venue, this day would be different. After breaking first, he dropped back to fourth as Saggy and Hefty vied for the lead. Hefty ran out of steam and Saggy went on as Citation made his move to catch him turning for home. Hefty bore out and apparently took Citation with him. Citation, having to cover more ground from a wide trip, couldn't catch Saggy in time, falling a length short at the finish. He hadn't lost to a weak adversary either and Saggy had just posted his eighth win in twelve starts. It was the only time Citation would lose all year.

Turf King

Citation met Saggy five days later in the 1 1/16 mile Chesapeake Stakes. It was a small field of four runners and Citation, Saggy and Dr. Almac took turns sharing the lead until the final turn when Citation turned up the heat and spurted away. Bovard also rallied but finished a distant second as Citation hit the wire more than four lengths ahead in a time of 1:45 4/5 over a good track. Dr. Almac was third, with Saggy trailing.

Citation's next stop was the one mile Derby Trial at Churchill Downs on April 27. He faced three horses, and won easily by a length and a quarter over a fast track. His reputation had soared so high that he was starting to scare off opponents. But Citation wasn't the only one  scaring off other horses. There was another colt, residing in the same Calumet barn, who was a rising star himself. Although he was originally entered in the Trial, Jones subsequently scratched him. In any other year, he might have been racing's biggest star. He was so good and so fast, that he set records, earned a championship in successive seasons, and would carry weight successfully as an older horse. He was truly great and ultimately found his way into the Racing Hall of Fame. But as a three-year-old, in the same stable, he was only second best. His name was Coaltown.

Coaltown

Another son of Bull Lea, the bay colt Coaltown was out of the Bleinheim II mare Easy Lass. Because of respiratory problems, Coaltown never even raced at age two. His primary weapon was his devastating speed but he could also win going a distance of ground. Coaltown made his sophomore debut on February 3, 1948 in a six furlong Maiden Special Weight at Hiahleah and won by two and a half lengths, in 1:11 2/5. Jones reeled him back twenty-three days later and he destroyed ten rivals in an allowance, covering six furlongs in 1:09 3/5, to equal the track record. Leading from just after the start, his margin of victory was twelve lengths.

Coaltown went back and forth between Jimmy and father Ben and had three different jockeys in his first three starts. On April 8, he went to Keeneland where he defeated seven others on a good surface, negotiating six furlongs in 1:12. Two weeks later, Coaltown would have the services of rider Newbold L. Pierson for the rest of the year. The colt put his three race winning streak on the line as he entered post five among six starters for the 1 1/8 mile Blue Grass Stakes. He led from start to finish, setting a track record of 1:49 1/5. Undefeated in four starts, Coaltown had never felt the whip. Finally, on the first Saturday in May, Calumet's two great colts, Coaltown and Citation would race each other for the first time.

Dominance

The six-horse field for the 74^th edition of America's most famous horse race was the smallest since 1907. Four brave runners would attempt to neutralize the power of Citation and Coaltown, among them, My Request, who was riding an unbeaten string thus far that year, including a victory in the Wood Memorial. Because the management feared a minus pool, they eliminated place and show betting. The Calumet entry was 1-5 for the $111,450 race. Coaltown would undoubtedly break on top and set the pace while Citation stayed back and bid his time. No game plan could have been written more accurately.

With Citation on the rail and Coaltown alongside him, they both broke fast. Citation was then dropped back in second, while Coaltown took a commanding lead. He was quickly ahead by six lengths, and cut out fractions of :23 3/5, :46 3/5, and 1:11 2/5, before hitting a mile in 1:38. Citation was still running second but well behind, with time and yardage starting to run out. He now had the daunting task of trying to catch one of the fastest horses in the world, who was far in front on an uncontested lead. Logic would say, no matter how good he was, it couldn't be done.

Nearing the far turn, Citation was closing the gap between himself and the speedster. As the pair rounded the bend, Citation was moving faster, catching Coaltown, before going ahead, and rapidly drawing away in the stretch. He crossed the wire three and a half lengths in front with Coaltown next, three lengths to the good of My Request. Previous rains had pelted the Churchill Downs track, creating sloppy conditions, and Citation's final clocking was a very slow 2:05 2/5 for the 1 1/4 miles, well short of Whirlaway's stakes record. Citation took home $83,400 of the purse, boosting his season total to over $176,000 and two year sum to nearly $332,000.

What would Citation do next to match a performance like that?

Encore

Coaltown bypassed the remaining Triple Crown races and instead won Belmont Park's seven furlong Swift Stakes on May 19 by six lengths. Four days earlier, Citation, running on a heavy Pimlico track caused by rainy weather, faced just three horses, all whom he had beaten already, in the 72^nd running of the 1 3/16 mile Preakness Stakes. In 1943, Count Fleet had also faced just three challengers. In 1882, '83, and '89, the race was contested by only two horses. Those for the 1948 edition were all new to the Triple Crown and included King Ranch's Better Self, winner of five of eight starts as a juvenile, runner-up to Citation in the Pimlico Futurity, and returning at age three to finish third in the Wood Memorial. The others were C.V. Whitney's Vulcan's Forge and Sylvester W. Labrot's Bovard, the latter bred in Maryland, and sired by England's last Triple Crown winner for thirty-five years, Bahram. Bovard had two things in common with Citation. He could apparently run under various surface conditions, and was supplemented into the race. The similiarities ended there. After the field was off, Citation made a mockery of the affair, taking the lead and drawing away by five and a half lengths at the wire, in a slow, albeit easily done, 2:02 2/5. Vulcan's Forge was next another three and a half lengths ahead of Bovard who just managed to get his neck ahead of Better Self. Another Jones runner, Faultless, had taken the race the previous year. Of the $134,870 purse, Citation collected $91,870 and boosted his career earnings to $423,700.

The spacing between that year's Preakness and third Triple Crown race, the Belmont Stakes, was four weeks. In the interim, Jimmy entered Citation in the 1 ¼ mile Jersey Stakes at Garden State Park on May 29. Carrying the classic weight of 126 pounds against four others, Citation cruised into the lead around the far turn, and gradually widened it, hitting the finish eleven lengths ahead with a new track record of 2:03. He earned $43,300 of the $50,000 prize money, and his new total of $467,000 lifted him past Seabiscuit into fifth place among the all-time money leaders. Still ahead of him were Stymie, Armed, Assault and Whirlaway; but Citation was closing fast.

Meanwhile on the same day at Belmont Park, Vulcan's Forge, whom Citaton had easily handled in the Preakness, upset Coaltown in the one mile Withers Stakes.

Triple Sweep

Citation worked out the day before the 80^th running of the 1 1/2 mile Belmont Stakes. Among the horses who would try and keep him from becoming the eighth Triple Crown winner were Escadru, who had won the Peter Pan; Yankee Handicap victor Better Self; Gasparilla; Vulcan's Forge; Salmagundi; the Sam Riddle colt Faraway; and Golden Light. Before a crowd of more than 43,000, on a sunny, humid day, Citation broke from post one, and stumbled as he left the gate. He was quickly gathered up by Arcaro, led every step except for a brief encounter with Faraway, before opening up an insurmontable lead, hitting the wire eight lengths ahead of Better Self, with Escadru next. Citation had equaled Count Fleet's stakes record of 2:28 1/5, while pocketing $77,000 of the $117,300 purse; and his career account to that point showed $544,700.

This was the second Triple Crown sweep for Calumet Farm and Eddie Arcaro, in addition to being the rider's fourth Belmont Stakes win. They had a horse who was unstoppable and Citation would continue his onslaught through the summer and fall races, mowing down any and all opponents who dared face him.

Horse of Steel

The accolades were pouring in for Citation as well as ongoing comparisons with Man o'War. Many of the same grandiose terms once used in describing Man o'War were now being expressed about Citation.

In a period of nine weeks Citation had raced seven times, including four starts within the Triple Crown series, and won virtually every race with consumate ease. After the Belmont Stakes, he returned approximately three weeks later for the 1 1/8 mile Stars & Stripes Handicap at Arlington Park against a good field of older horses. Among nine runners, Citation won by two lengths in a time of 1:49 1/5 to equal Armed's 1947 track record. His bankroll swelled, with more single season earnings than any horse in history, and a career total of $582,700, putting him past Whirlaway.

Citation was to run next in the Arlington Classic but he pulled a hip muscle in a mishap outside his barn. He returned in good form on August 21, in a six furlong allowance at Washington Park, and won in a solid 1:10 4/5. Seven days later, under 126 pounds, Citation won the 1 ¼ mile American Derby by a length over Free America with Volcanic in third, both runners getting eight pounds from Citation.

Incredible

Citation stands in the sport's highest pantheon as a result of many accomplisments. One of his greatest occurred over three days at Belmont Park in early autumn. On September 29, the colt lined up against five opponents for the Sysonby Mile, breaking from post six. In his usual manner, the handsome bay made his move coming into the far turn, turned up the heat in the stretch before being throttled down approaching the wire. His winning margin was three lengths. Following him at the finish was the four-year-old filly First Flight, who crossed the wire a neck ahead of Coaltown. Of the $29,250 purse, Citation collected $20,200. Three days later, Citation returned for the two mile Jockey Club Gold Cup, with six rivals breaking on his inside. Trying to beat him would be C.V. Whitney and Abe Hewitt's four-year-old Phalanx, the previous year's winner. When the group was off, Citation went right to the front, never threatened, and scampered home by seven lengths. Phalanx was next followed by Beauchef. Citation stopped the timer in 3:21 3/5, the same as Phalanx in 1947 and Whirlaway in 1942. The race, worth $108,800, netted Citation $72,700 increasing his career money to $744,650. Now only Stymie and Armed were ahead of him in earnings.

More Gold

Citation's next start was fourteen days later in Belmont Park's weight-for-age Empire City Gold Cup, a thirteen furlong race (1 5/8 miles). Under 119 pounds, he was part of a field of nine, including Phalanx, who after conceding seven pounds to Citation in the previous contest, now had to do it again. Sent off as a 1-10 favorite, Citation won by two lengths over Phalanx with Carolyn A., five lengths further back in third. His share of the purse was $75,600 bringing his career total to $820,250, passing Armed as the second richest Thoroughbred in history. Only Stymie, with earnings of $911,335, was richer.

The Walkover

Citation made his next start at Pimlico for the 1 3/16 mile Pimlico Special. Nobody else bothered to show up. Arcaro kept him under wraps, then let him breeze the last two furlongs, when he finished in a leisurely 1:59 4/5. It was a $10,000 payday for the stroll around the oval.

The comparisons between Citation and Man o'War continued.

Heading West

Citation had achieved the status of racing immortal. The plan was to bring him back in early 1949 for Santa Anita's Maturity Stakes on January 29, followed by the Santa Anita Handicap. But before he was done as a three-year-old, Gene Mori, a friend of Jimmy Jones, had asked him to bring Citation out to Tanforan in Northern California. Mori, a racetrack owner, had added Tanforan to his collection. Citation made his way to California for two more starts, the first in a six furlong allowance, also known as the San Jose Purse, worth $5,000, on December 3. The surface was muddy and Citation swept by four other three-year-olds and won by a length and a half in a time of 1:12. Carrying 126 pounds, he had spotted runner-up Bold Gallant fourteen pounds and third finisher Barsard seventeen.

Tanforan Handicap

Citation returned eight days later for the 1 ¼ mile Tanforan Handicap. Conceding weight, he easily disposed of six runners in track record time of 2:02 4/5 on a good surface. For his five length win, the Bull Lea son made $31,800 bringing his overall earnings to $865,150. His epic three-year-old campaign was now finished.

Unbeknown to Mori, the Tanforan track had been “fortified” with concrete because of a problem with water run-off. Although Citation had once again drubbed his peers, Arcaro sensed that his mount did not like the track. Sometime after the race Citation's left front leg began bothering him. It soon became apparent why. The colt had developed an inflamatory condition with calcification called an osselet. In an effort to promote circulation and thus healing, a cautery procedure known as “pin firing” was done. It didn't help.

In 1948, this fabulous racehorse, Citation, made 20 starts, posted 19 wins, sixteen of these in stakes, one second after a compromised trip, and earned $709,470. He had defeated older horses seven times. He raced on nine different racetracks, over a variety of surface conditions, in seven different states, from coast to coast. He set records while easily defeating many of racing's best runners. He was voted 1948 Horse of the Year, three-year-old champion, three-year-old champion male, and handicap champion. Coaltown was named champion sprinter.

But now, in his last race of the year, Citation had been hurt; and he needed rest. After two dominant years of racing, with a resume showing 29 starts, 27 wins, two seconds, and earnings of $865,150, what more did he really need to prove as an older horse?

To be continued...

Resources

"Winter Book Derby Favorite" (from photo), The Independent, January 6, 1948.

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Associated Press. “Citation Wins Ground Hog Purse at 1-5 as Stablemate Armed Finishes Sixth,” The New York Times, February 3, 1948.

Associated Press. “Citation Will Be Horse To Watch In Kentucky Derby,” The Daily Mail, February 3, 1948.

James Roach. “Citation Annexes Seminole With Armed Third at Hialeah,” The New York Times, February 12, 1948.

Associated Press. “Seminole Handicap Is Won By Citation,” Joplin Globe, February 12, 1948.

James Roach. “Citation Takes Everglades Handicap for 11^th Victory in 12 Starts,” The New York Times, February 19, 1948.

James Roach. “Coaltown, 3-10 Choice, Equals Hialeah Track Mark for Six Furlongs; Calumet Sprinter Wins From Quebec,” The New York Times, February 27, 1948.

James Roach. “Calumet Colt 1-5 For Hialeah Race; Citation Seeks 12^th Score in 13 Starts Against 7 Rivals for $44,500 Top Prize,” The New York Times, February 28, 1948.

Associated Press. “Favored Citation Wins Rich Flamingo Stakes,” Joplin Globe, February 29, 1948.

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Associated Press. “Citation Rates 'Peake Choice,” The Charleston Gazette, April 12, 1948.

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Associated Press. “Saggy Registers Upset Over Citation in Sprint at Havre de Grace,” The New York Times, April 13, 1948.

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U.P., “Small Field For Derby Predicted,” Lubbock Morn. Avalanche, April 27, 1948.

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Associated Press. “Citation Tops Big Chicago Card Today,” Portland Press Herald, August 21, 1948.

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Associated Press. “Citation Triumphs in Chicago Dash And Colosal Annexes $43,950 Races,” The New York Times, August 22, 1948.

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James Roach. “Citation Captures Gold Cup By 2 Lengths Over Phalanx,” The New York Times, October 17, 1948.

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Copyright 2011, 2012 by John Califano