Starlet Series: Personal Ensign

Starlet Series
Number 3: Personal Ensign

Joseph Di Rienzi

This is the fourth of an occasional series on the careers of the six best female thoroughbred horses I have observed racing in the years 1959 to the present. I have chosen these females based on their performances in their respective races. This is my assessment alone and will undoubtedly differ with others’ opinions. This issue discusses the career of third ranked Personal Ensign.

(nyra.com)

A full sister to major stakes performer Personal Flag, Personal Ensign was a lanky bay daughter by Private Account owned by Ogden Phipps and trained by Shug McGaughey. She raced three seasons, but only her last as a four year-old could be considered a full campaign. Personal Ensign is best remembered as one of the few top class United States raced thoroughbreds to retire undefeated, and the thrilling way she concluded her career embossed an exclamation mark on her record.

Personal Ensign won at first asking at Saratoga Race Course in late September 1986 in a 7 furlong race in a faster final time than the prestigious Spinaway Stakes was run later in the day. Installed a prohibitive favorite for the Frizette Stakes at Belmont Park in only her second start, Personal Ensign fought gamely to prevail by a head over Collins. As she was preparing to race in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, Personal Ensign suffered an injury to her right hind ankle requiring surgery and the insertion of five screws. This ended her two year-old campaign and threatened her racing future.

September 6, 1987 marked the return of Personal Ensign. Missing from the racing scene since the fall of 1986, the tall bay daughter of Private Account was carefully brought back to the races by Shug McGaughey with two allowance wins at Belmont Park. In her first stakes race of the year, she ran away with the Rare Perfume Stakes at Belmont at 1 mile, winning by 4¾ lengths. Personal Ensign then returned 8 days later to run against a strong field of fillies and mares in the 1¼ mile Beldame Stakes and again showed her superiority with a handy 2¼ length victory. Undefeated now in six starts, Personal Ensign’s connections decided that they would forego the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and a chance for championship honors and bring her back for a full year of racing in 1988. This decision seemed questionable at the time, but it resulted in an unforgettable performance in the following year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

On Belmont Stakes Day 1988, spectators were also treated to a performance by an exemplary racehorse. Four year-old Personal Ensign was making her second start of the year in the 9 furlong Hempstead Handicap. She had won the 8½ furlong Shuvee Handicap to retain her unbeaten streak in her initial 1988 start. Carrying top weight of 123 lb., the rangy daughter of Private Account won with complete authority by 7 lengths in a good final time. Her mastery of her division was unquestioned, and it seemed just a matter of time before she would face her male contemporaries.

As the summer dirt races for older horses began, there was consideration in the Phipps Stable camp to enter Personal Ensign in races such as the Suburban Handicap. However, her older brother Personal Flag was in good form, and it was thought best to provide him opportunities to prove himself in the older horse division. One hour after Personal Flag indeed won the venerable Suburban at Belmont Park, Personal Ensign dispatched a field of fillies and mares in the 8½ furlong Molly Pitcher Handicap at Monmouth Park. Carrying top weight of 125 lb., she drew away effortlessly to coast to an 8 length victory.

The 9 furlong Whitney Handicap at Saratoga featured Personal Ensign’s foray against males. Carrying 117 lb. (with a 5 lb. sex allowance), she had only two rivals, Gulch (124 lb.) and King’s Swan (123 lb.). The last two had raced recently in the Tom Fool Handicap at Belmont Park with eight year-old King’s Swan upsetting Gulch by a ½ length. The sloppy Saratoga oval on Whitney Day gave trainer Shug McGaughey concern over Personal Ensign’s well-being considering she had five screws in her leg as a result of the surgery performed as a two year-old. Nevertheless, the filly took her place in the starting gate and settled in third place behind pacesetting Gulch and King’s Swan. The long bodied daughter of Private Account made her move along the backstretch and quickly challenged Gulch for the lead around the turn. The son of Mr. Prospector fought back bravely, and the two waged a spirted duel that saw Personal Ensign slowly draw clear to win by 1¼ lengths to the delight of the Saratoga crowd. Far back (17 lengths) was third finishing King’s Swan. Having proved her mettle against males, McGaughey would race Personal Ensign only against her own gender the rest of the year. 

The Maskette Stakes at 1 mile at Belmont Park was the first race back for the 1988 Kentucky Derby winning filly Winning Colors after the Triple Crown series. This also marked a return to racing against her own gender. However, Winning Colors was a decided second choice to all conquering Personal Ensign. At scale weights, the older filly carried 5 lb. more than the Derby winner in the compact four horse field. As expected, Winning Colors bounded out front setting a fast pace. Personal Ensign was initially fourth but moved up to third along the backstretch. Fears among Personal Ensign’s connections that Winning Colors would have too large a lead to catch diminished as their filly closed the gap around the far turn. At the top of the stretch, Personal Ensign drew even with Winning Colors who fought back gamely. In the final drive, Personal Ensign, under mild encouragement, gained a slight advantage that grew to a ½ length margin at the finish. Sham Say finished third, 3½ lengths behind the top pair. The final time was excellent, and this duel would be re-enacted to epic proportions on Breeders’ Cup Day. 

Personal Ensign had her penultimate race in the Beldame Stakes which she had won the previous year. Facing a field of four others including grade I winning sophomores Sham Say and Classic Crown, Personal Ensign won “in hand” by 5½ lengths over Classic Crown with Sham Say another ½ lengths further back. Any thoughts of running this superstar in the Breeders’ Cup Classic were dashed by McGaughey who believed his stable had legitimate chances with both Personal Flag and Seeking the Gold. Instead, Personal Ensign was pointed for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

The Distaff was one of the most anticipated races of the day. Unbeaten in 12 starts, Personal Ensign would put that streak to a test against Kentucky Derby winner Winning Colors, Kentucky Oaks victor Goodbye Halo, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Epitome, Spinster Stakes heroine Hail a Cab and four others. Personal Ensign was the overwhelming favorite based on her record. Winning Colors had run poorly in her last race, the Spinster Stakes at Keeneland Race Course. However, she was returning to the track (Churchill Downs) she had won her greatest race. Goodbye Halo, could also not be dismissed, because at her best she was a dangerous competitor. The concern in the Phipps Stable camp was the condition of the track. Because of her injury two years ago, Shug McGaughey had been adverse to train or race Personal Ensign on muddy surfaces. The Churchill Downs track on Breeders’ Cup Day was indeed muddy and tiring.

The race itself was one of the most dramatic in thoroughbred history and has been replayed endlessly, never ceasing to amaze. As expected, Winning Colors under Gary Stevens bounded to a clear lead followed by Goodbye Halo and Sham Say. Personal Ensign was in mid-pack early and did not seem to be running comfortably over the gooey going. Around the far turn, Winning Colors increased her lead, just as she had in the Derby, as Goodbye Halo gave chase. Steering his mount to the outside to secure better footing, jockey Randy Romero had Personal Ensign in fourth place some 6 lengths from the lead as the field straightened out for the stretch drive. Goodbye Halo was gaining slowly on Winning Colors, but the Derby winner’s victory seemed likely until Personal Ensign changed leads in mid-stretch and closed dramatically with a will that only true champions can muster. At the finish, Personal Ensign thrust her nose on the line in front of the Derby winner in an almost unbelievable ending to a perfect race career. Third only a ½ length back was Goodbye Halo with Sham Say 5 lengths behind in fourth place.

1988 Breeders' Cup Distaff
(thoroughbreddailynews.com)

Eclipse Awards went to Personal Ensign for Older Female Horse and Winning Colors for Three Year-old Filly. Personal Ensign missed out on Horse of the Year honors due to Alysheba’s stirring win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic over Seeking the Gold.

Retired to Claiborne Farm, Personal Ensign achieved an admirable record as a broodmare and grand dam to numerous major winners including My Flag and Storm Flag Flying. She was pensioned from breeding duties in 2006 and died in 2010 at the age 26. Her legacy is continued to this very day through her progeny. But more importantly, Personal Ensign’s racing performances reminds us all of the courage, class and determination in the best of the thoroughbred breed.

The 1989 Triple Crown Series

The 1989 Triple Crown Series

Joseph Di Rienzi

The 1989 Triple Crown series, which is marking its 30^th anniversary this year, is remembered for the contests between two exceptional horses - Easy Goer and Sunday Silence. Their clashes would compare favorably to the memorable duels between Affirmed and Alydar in 1978. It would be a classic East-West rivalry between two brilliant three year-old colts trained by two masters, Shug McGaughey and Charlie Whittingham. All other racing in 1989 would play a secondary role to these titans’ performances.

Easy Goer and Sunday Silence differed beyond geographic training base and conditioners. The former was a member of the powerful Phipps Stable that Shug McGaughey had put together in his third year at the helm. Easy Goer was a muscular dark chestnut son of Alydar from the champion mare Relaxing by Buckpasser, a pedigree that bespoke stamina and the highest class. That he was precocious as a juvenile was a pleasant surprise to McGaughey, and Easy Goer’s early promise provided Ogden Phipps and his family with dreams only a few horse owners can realistically hope to achieve.

Easy Goer began his career on August 1, 1988 under Pat Day, the only rider he would ever know, at Belmont Park, finishing second beaten a nose in a 6 furlong maiden race. He ran back 18 days later to break his maiden at Saratoga Race Course coming from just off the pace to win by 2½ lengths in fast time defeating Is It True, a D. Wayne Lukas trainee, who would be a rival throughout the year. Returning to Belmont, Easy Goer won a 6½ furlong allowance by 5½ lengths in excellent time. By now considered the best two year-old in New York, Easy Goer won the 7 furlong Cowdin Stakes by 3 lengths over Winners Laugh (another Lukas pupil). Is It True crossed the wire 1 length further back in third, but he was disqualified and placed fourth.

The Champagne Stakes was the crowning achievement for so many Phipps family stable two year-old champions, and both Easy Goer’s sire (Alydar) and dam sire (Buckpasser) had won the Champagne. In the 1988 edition of this 1 mile test, Easy Goer faced 3 foes including the persistent Is It True. Showing more early speed than in his prior starts, Easy Goer sat ominously off Is It True’s pace until Pat Day deemed him ready and then imperiously coasted to the lead to win by 4 lengths over Is It Ture in a sparkling final time.

The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile was presumed to be a showcase for Easy Goer. However, the condition of the Churchill Downs Racetrack may have not have been conducive to a horse who would have a history of tender knees and ankles. The competition came from Is It True whom Easy Goer had thrice previously defeated. The son of Raja Baba, relishing the off going, went out to contest the lead. Under Laffit Pincay Jr., Is It True widened his advantage around the far turn. Easy Goer, off a little slowly, dropped back in the early going to be seventh but made a move around the far turn when steering between horses. Down the stretch, Is It True had an open lead, but it appeared that Easy Goer still might be able to catch him. However, the son of Alydar was not striding out fully and at the finish was second, beaten 1¼ lengths in a major upset. Excuses for Easy Goer were the muddy surface and his uncomfortableness with the Churchill Downs tight oval, two conditions that would be repeated in 1989 on the first Saturday in May. Despite this loss, Easy Goer was still voted the Eclipse Award for Male Two Year-old.

Easy Goer’s arch rival, Sunday Silence, had a less auspicious beginning. In early December 1988 at Hollywood Park, a 6 furlong allowance race would have significance for 1989. It featured the second start of the highly regarded Houston. A whopping $2.9 Million yearling purchase, this burly son of Seattle Slew was trained by the omnipresent Wayne Lukas. Winning his first start at Belmont in July 1988 by 12½ lengths, he resurfaced at Hollywood and was hard pressed to win by a head. Almost unnoticed in the attention given to Houston was the second place finisher, a lanky, almost black son of Halo with a curious stripe down his face. His name was Sunday Silence, owned by the partnership of Dr. Ernest Gaillard, Arthur B. Hancock III (his breeder), and Charlie Whittingham and trained by the legendary “Bald Eagle” himself. Sunday Silence had started his career in late October, finishing second in a maiden race at Santa Anita Park. He then followed with a 10 length romp in a similar race at Hollywood Park before his close second to Houston. Before 1989 was over, Sunday Silence would indeed serve notice.

The Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park is often a key race in the road to the Kentucky Derby. However, in 1989, the race that drew the most attention on Florida Derby Day was the 7 furlong Swale Stakes in which Easy Goer made his three year-old debut. The big son of Alydar broke slowly and fell behind more than 13 lengths. When asked to run by Pat Day, Easy Goer roared around the turn to draw away by 8¾ lengths in the fastest time for the distance at the meet.

With a victory in the Bay Shore Stakes in New York, Houston was the strong favorite in the 6 horse Santa Anita Derby field that included Sunday Silence. The son of Halo had begun the year with a sharp 6½ furlong allowance win and then scored a mild upset in the San Felipe Handicap. Sunday Silence at this stage seemed an unpolished gem showing blazing speed and some greenness but improving dramatically with each start.

Houston, after breaking a step slowly, went for the lead with Music Merci. Jockey Pat Valenzuela, aboard Sunday Silence, had his mount running smoothly in third just off the leaders. When asked to run approaching the far turn, Sunday Silence easily cruised alongside Houston and Music Merci. Around the turn, the tall son of Halo drew out, and despite shifting suddenly in mid-stretch left the field gasping in his wake. At the finish, Sunday Silence was an 11 length winner over the same two horses (Flying Continental and Music Merci) he defeated in the San Felipe. Houston tired badly and finished fifth, beaten over 16 lengths. With a near stakes record performance, Sunday Silence was bringing Charlie Whittingham back to Kentucky for a repeat victory having trained 1986 Kentucky Derby hero Ferdinand.

As impressive as Sunday Silence was in the Santa Anita Derby, the most talked about race of the day happened some hours earlier at Aqueduct Racetrack. Easy Goer, making his second start of the year in the Gotham Stakes, ran a race that drew favorable comparisons to Secretariat’s Gotham win of 1973.  Breaking well and sitting just behind a scorching pace, Easy Goer ambled to the lead at the top of the stretch and left his hapless rivals in his wake to win by 13 lengths in a time that shattered Secretariat’s stakes record and set a new Aqueduct track record for the 1 mile distance. With both Easy Goer’s and Sunday Silence’s runaway races taken in perspective, it was clear this year’s Derby had been reduced to largely a two horse contest.

Easy Goer’s final Derby prep was the Wood Memorial Stakes where he faced 5 overmatched rivals. On a track that was loose from strong headwinds down the backstretch, Easy Goer sat second just off the early pace, assumed the lead in the stretch, and with very little urging by Pat Day strove out to a 3 length win. The final time on the dull surface was slow, but Easy Goer’s connections appeared satisfied that this was the perfect prep two weeks before the Derby.

Despite the presence of Easy Goer and Sunday Silence, the field for the 115^th running of the Kentucky Derby had 15 starters. The entries included winners of the traditional prep races such as Dansil (Arkansas Derby) and Western Playboy (Blue Grass Stakes), as well as stakes placed Flying Continental, Hawkster, and Clever Trevor. After some debate, Awe Inspiring, owned by Phipps family member Ogden Mills Phipps took his place in the starting gate alongside his more vaunted stable companion. 

Derby Day was cold, wet, and miserable. It resembled the conditions last autumn for the Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs, an ominous sign for the Easy Goer camp. Angel Penna Sr., the trainer of Easy Goer’s dam, Relaxing, had noted that she never liked the mud. On the other the hand, Charlie Whittingham was expressing confidence judging by the way Sunday Silence was training at Churchill Downs.

Notwithstanding the weather, the entry of Easy Goer and Awe Inspiring went off as the odds-on favorite with Sunday Silence the clear second choice. By post time the rain had stopped, but the track was muddy, deep, and tiring. Houston was sent to the lead pursued by Northern Wolf with Sunday Silence and Easy Goer taking positions near each other mid-pack. As Houston approached the far turn, Sunday Silence was sent up to challenge, and it was apparent that Easy Goer was not able to quicken with him. At the upper end of the stretch, Sunday Silence under Pat Valenzuela strove to the lead, but as he did, he began shifting left and right down the stretch. There were a pack of horses behind him, but none could take advantage of his erratic running, and, at the finish, Sunday Silence was ahead by 2½ lengths. Easy Goer, who looked well beaten in mid-stretch, found his best footing when steered inside and closed gamely to gain second by a head over his stable mate, Awe Inspiring. The race time was one of the slowest in the modern era, more an indication of the track condition than the quality of the field.

In the winner’s circle, part-owner Arthur B. Hancock III, celebrating his second Derby triumph (he had won with Gato Del Sol in 1982), marveled that he had offered Sunday Silence for sale as a yearling, but he bought him back for $17,000. Charlie Whittingham, who for so long had resisted sending horses from his California base to Kentucky, had just won his second Derby in four years. For Pat Valenzuela, this was his first classic win. The Easy Goer camp took the defeat graciously in public but privately were not convinced their colt had put forth his best effort.

 1989 Kentucky Derby
(drf.com)

The Preakness Stakes in two weeks featured Round II of the burgeoning Sunday Silence – Easy Goer rivalry with Derby runners, Dansil, Hawkster, Houston, and Northern Wolf among the 8 entries. (Awe Inspiring was entered but scratched before post time.)  Easy Goer was again the favorite; his believers willing to forgive his Churchill Downs performances, coupled with some foot issues that cast doubt on Sunday Silence’s soundness. The track was fast, so for this classic there were no worries about the surface conditions.

This Preakness was one of the most dramatic races in history, comparing well with the epic 1978 Belmont Stakes between Affirmed and Alydar. Northern Wolf and Houston contested the early lead, but Houston gained a clear advantage once the field straightened out down the backstretch. Sunday Silence was away well and assumed a position in fourth just behind the leaders. Easy Goer hopped at the start but quickly joined the field along the outside tracking Sunday Silence. Making a bold move halfway down the backstretch, Easy Goer, under Pat Day, swept by Sunday Silence to contest the lead with Houston. Around the far turn, Pat Valenzuela asked Sunday Silence for his run, and he readily went up to challenge Easy Goer on the outside for the lead. Down the stretch they were like two heavyweight boxers, exchanging punches toe to toe. For an instant, it looked like Sunday Silence would pull away, but then Easy Goer under Day’s whipping fought back to gain a slight advantage. Valenzuela shifted Sunday Silence closer to Easy Goer brushing him several times and forcing him close to the rail. In a desperate finish, Sunday Silence’s nose was in front. A foul claim by Pat Day for interference down the stretch was not allowed. The final time was excellent, indicating the powerful races run by the first two finishers.  

1989 Preakness Stakes
(bloodhorse.com)

Now, the son of Halo had won the first two classics, and it was on to the Belmont Stakes for immortality, plus a $5 million dollar bonus, if Sunday Silence should complete the Triple Crown. However, Shug McGaughey and the Phipps Stable were not ready to concede the Belmont to their rival and would prepare Easy Goer for another assault against Sunday Silence.

The lead up to the Belmont was all about Sunday Silence’s quest for the Triple Crown. He had defeated Easy Goer twice, and the general consensus was he would do it again, especially in that he would have an early pace advantage in the 1½ mile race as Affirmed had over Alydar. An intriguing entry in the 10 horse field was Le Voyageur, a French raced colt with a distinguished American pedigree. (He was the son of Triple Crown winner, Seattle Slew and champion filly Davona Dale.). Although his French form did not project him as a major contender, he would play a key role in the outcome. While Sunday Silence ruled as the favorite, there was considerable support for Easy Goer, the reasoning being Belmont Park was Easy Goer’s home track, and the long striding colt would appreciate its sweeping turns.

As the field left the starting gate, Pat Valenzuela urged Sunday Silence forward, but to almost everyone’s surprise, he was out sprinted to the first turn by Le Voyageur. Pat Day on Easy Goer was committed to tracking Sunday Silence, and the big chestnut assumed a position just behind the Derby-Preakness winner in third place. The early fractions carved out by the French raced horse were relatively fast, but the two major contenders were sitting comfortably off the pace. Down the backstretch, the positions were unchanged, but as the field approached the long final turn, Sunday Silence started creeping up on Le Voyageur. Almost at the moment he collared the leader, Pat Day asked Easy Goer for run, and he came with a bold rush to challenge the two leaders. As they straightened out for the stretch drive, it was clear that Easy Goer was going the best, and he quickly dispatched both Sunday Silence and Le Voyageur as his superior stamina led him to a resounding 8 length victory. Sunday Silence edged away from the pesky Le Voyageur to gain second place by 1 length (and claim the $1 million consolation bonus). The final time was the second best in history as only Secretariat had run a faster Belmont Stakes.

1989 Belmont Stakes
(Mark Lennihan/AP)

In the winner’s circle, a jubilant Ogden Phipps incredulously celebrated his first classic victory. In spite of all the champions and great horses he bred and raced including Buckpasser and Personal Ensign, Easy Goer’s win in the Belmont Stakes was in his words, “my greatest thrill”.  For Shug McGaughey, this win was another gem in a budding Hall of Fame career, and for Pat Day, a retribution for criticism for his ride in the Preakness. Finally for Easy Goer’s sire Alydar, some consolation that his son accomplished what the father could not do, namely thwart a Triple Crown bid. 

With champion three year-old and Horse of the Year Honors unsettled, there was great anticipation for the remainder of 1989 for another meeting between the Triple Crown antagonists. Easy Goer and Sunday Silence returned to their respective training bases on opposite coasts, so their climatic meeting would be no sooner than the Breeders’ Cup Classic held on November 4 at Gulfstream Park. The Phipps color bearer stayed in New York and dominated, winning in succession such venerable races as the Whitney Handicap, Travers Stakes, Woodward Handicap, and Jockey Club Gold Cup. Sunday Silence, on the other hand, suffered a shocking defeat in the Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park to Prized. Shipped to Louisiana in September, the almost black colt showed his true form in defeating Awe Inspiring by 6 lengths in the Super Derby.

In the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Chris McCarron was now the rider of Sunday Silence in that Pat Valenzuela was serving a suspension due to repeated drug abuse that has continued to plague him throughout his riding career. In the Classic, McCarron used his mount’s acceleration to make a quick move around the Gulfstream Park far turn that Easy Goer could not match. At the top of the stretch, Sunday Silence readily gained the lead as Easy Goer mounted a desperate challenge once in the straight. In the last ½ furlong, Easy Goer closed considerable ground but fell short by a neck at the finish. So with this result, Three Year-old Champion and Horse of the Year was given to Sunday Silence.

Easy Goer and Sunday Silence would both race briefly as four year-olds but never met again. Shug McGaughey, despite the 3-1 record of Sunday Silence against Easy Goer, has never conceded superiority. I would have to say I concur. I do accept that Sunday Silence was Horse of the Year in 1989, but I do not believe he was a better horse than Easy Goer.

The 1979 Triple Crown Series

The 1979 Triple Crown Series

Joseph Di Rienzi

This year marks the 40^th anniversary of the 1979 Triple Crown series that was dominated by one of the great horses of the latter part of the 20^th century. Spectacular Bid’s career did not originate at one of the major racing centers. He was trained by a colorful and boisterous trainer and ridden through the classics by a teenage jockey. Spectacular Bid was first noticed on the national racing scene in September 1978 as a two year-old when he won the World’s Playground Stakes at Atlantic City Race Course spectacularly (excuse the pun) by 15 lengths in near track record time for the 7 furlong race.

Trained by the gregarious Grover Greer “Bud” Delp whose home base was Maryland, Spectacular Bid was a medium sized steel gray son of Bold Bidder. Purchased as a yearling by Harry C. Meyerhoff for $37,000, his career began with a maiden victory and then an allowance win, both at Pimlico Race Course in July. Venturing into stakes competition, Spectacular Bid finished a distant fourth in a division of the Tyro Stakes at Monmouth Park. (The other division was won by William Haggin Perry’s Coastal, who would be a sophomore presence in 1979.) Traveling up I-95 to Delaware Park, Spectacular Bid prepped for the World’s Playground Stakes by running second in the 6 furlong Dover Stakes.

Facing the East Coast’s best two year-olds in the 1 mile Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park in October, Spectacular Bid, ridden by New York based Jorge Velasquez, was a close second choice to Hopeful Stakes winner General Assembly (a son of Secretariat). Gaining the early lead, Spectacular Bid set strong fractions and dominated the race to win by 2¾ lengths over General Assembly. The excellent running time gave testimony to the performance and signaled that this son of Bold Bidder was mounting a strong challenge for leadership in the juvenile division.

Spectacular Bid appeared next at the Meadowlands Racetrack for their newly created Young America Stakes at 8½ furlongs. Extricating himself from close quarters at the start, Spectacular Bid dug down in deep stretch to repel his Dover Stakes conqueror Strike Your Colors by a neck. Next on the colt’s fall agenda was the Laurel Futurity where he again faced General Assembly in a race that would decide the two year-old championship. Upset with Velasquez’s ride and post-race remarks in the Young America, Bud Delp reinstated Spectacular Bid’s former rider, 18 year-old Ronnie Franklin. In the Laurel Futurity, all Franklin had to do was sit still on “Bid” as he grabbed the lead early and powered to an 8½ length victory over General Assembly in track record time. Putting a period on a championship season, Spectacular Bid traveled to Keystone Race Course and won the 8½ furlong Heritage Stakes easily by 6 lengths while rating off the early pace.

At the start of 1979, the axis of power for the classics appeared to revolve around an East-West polarity. Spectacular Bid was unquestionably the best in the East. However, on the opposite coast there was a tall, large framed son of Gummo, bred in California by owner Ben J. Ridder, named Flying Paster. As a juvenile, after breaking his maiden at first asking, Flying Paster finished second in 3 straight stakes races. Although Flying Paster’s breeding was inclined toward speed, the bay colt’s physical conformation suggested he would only get better with maturity and racing at longer distances. Indeed, he finished 1978 with a flourish, winning 6 straight stakes races in California. In fact, Flying Paster was so impressive, West Coast observers opined that he should have been voted the Two Year-old Champion, instead of Spectacular Bid.

Spectacular Bid and Flying Paster each offered their respective admirers a distinct contrast in terms of connections, confirmation, and running style. Spectacular Bid, now owned by Harry (father) and Tom (son) Meyerhoff of Baltimore, MD and trained by brash Bud Delp, was a gray, efficiently moving colt who had great acceleration and verve. Flying Paster, owned by longtime California breeder Ben J. Ridder and trained by soft spoken, former Canadian Gordon Campbell, was a long bodied bay who used his lengthy strides to wear down his opposition. Even the respective jockeys were disparate. Bid’s rider was Ronnie Franklin, a now 19-year-old, riding primarily in the Maryland-Delaware circuit. “Paster” had the services of 41 year-old veteran Donald Pierce whose best previous chance of winning the Derby was denied when he was replaced by Bill Shoemaker aboard second finishing Hill Rise in 1964. Since the two principals prepared for their Derby engagement on opposite coasts, it was clear they would not face each other until the first Saturday in May.

These two colts happened to make their initial starts of the year on the same day (February 7) in 7 furlong races and both came away with impressive wins in nearly identical time. Spectacular Bid ran against three foes in the Hutcheson Stakes at Gulfstream Park and defeated Lot o’Gold by 3¾ lengths. (Lot o’Gold, will be a frequent, although dim, shadow to Spectacular Bid.)  Flying Paster faced only four rivals in winning the San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita by 6 lengths.

Less than two weeks later, Spectacular Bid appeared in the Fountain of Youth Stakes, and after a slow beginning, he took command on the backstretch to run away from the field by 8½ lengths over Lot o’Gold. In another two weeks, came the Florida Derby with Spectacular Bid the overwhelming favorite against seemingly overmatched opponents. The race had more drama than anticipated as Spectacular Bid was twice trapped behind horses during the race, and only when Franklin was able to extricate the his mount at the top of the stretch, did he assert himself to win by 4½ lengths over the now familiar Lot o’Gold. In the aftermath, Delp publicly chastised Franklin for poor judgement, threatened to replace him with Bill Shoemaker, but in the end, he retained him for the duration of the Triple Crown series.

Flying Paster prepped next in the San Felipe Handicap and carrying 127 lb. for the 8½ furlong contest did not deliver his characteristic rally over a Santa Anita racetrack rated good. At the finish, Flying Paster was beaten a head and nose by, respectively Pole Position (119 lb.) and Switch Partners (114 lb.). In the Santa Anita Derby, Flying Paster faced his San Felipe conquerors at equal weights. Any questions about Flying Paster’s classic qualifications were answered when he roared around the final turn and swept to victory by 6½ lengths ahead of Beau’s Eagle.

About a week earlier, Spectacular Bid ran in the Flamingo Stakes at Hialeah Park, and this time, Ronnie Franklin made no mistakes in steering Bid to the outside down the backstretch where he promptly took control and widened his lead on the rest of the field. At the finish, Spectacular Bid was 12 lengths in front of Strike the Main. The colorful Delp, who repeated that Spectacular Bid was “the greatest horse to look through a bridle”, to anyone who would listen, was becoming a media celebrity.

Flying Paster’s final Derby prep was the Hollywood Derby at Hollywood Park, and he could not have been more impressive. Tracking the pacesetter, the son of Gummo cruised to the lead around the final turn and roared down the stretch to a 10 length triumph over Switch Partners. The final time, faster than Affirmed’s in the same race in 1978, only served to confirm to Californians that they had a real contender for the Kentucky Derby. Jockey Pierce declared that “Paster” was the best horse he had ever ridden.  

In the Blue Grass Stakes, Spectacular Bid faced Lot o’Gold for the fourth time. In a field of four, Spectacular Bid ambled to the lead early on the backstretch and opened up on the field to beat Lot o’Gold by 7 lengths. The final time was not particularly fast, and Spectacular Bid’s last 1/8 mile was slow, a condition also evident in his easy Flamingo victory. Most observers dismissed these pedestrian times in light of his superiority over inferior rivals.

As Derby Day approached, all the talk was about the impending confrontation between Spectacular Bid and Flying Paster. Despite the contrasts cited earlier, there were some interesting connections. Procne, dam of Flying Paster had defeated Spectacular Bid’s dam, Spectacular, in a minor stakes race. On the other hand, Bold Bidder, the sire of Bid had narrowly beaten Gummo, Paster’s sire in a stakes race. The field of ten three year-olds had also Screen King, Golden Act and General Assembly, as possible upsetters. What I find interesting is that in the wagering, Spectacular Bid emerged the pronounced favorite and the clear consensus pick from the experts. 

The pre-race speculation was that Bid would be sent to the front early as he was in the Blue Grass. However, Ronnie Franklin was more concerned with steering his mount to the outside from his no. 3 post position, with the result that Spectacular Bid settled in seventh position in the run for the clubhouse turn. General Assembly inherited the lead with Flying Paster close by. The early fractions were moderate, and it appeared Flying Paster was in an ideal position to strike. Down the backstretch, Donald Pierce asked his mount for run and Paster went up to challenge, but at the same time, Franklin let Bid loose, and the response was immediate. Spectacular Bid ranged on the outside of Flying Paster as they both went to challenge General Assembly, and it was clear Bid was going the better of the two pre-race standouts. Taking the lead from General Assembly in the upper stretch, Spectacular Bid pulled away readily and recorded a 2¾ length margin at the finish. While no threat to the winner, General Assembly held second, easily by 3 lengths over a rallying Golden Act. Flying Paster finished fifth, 10 lengths behind Spectacular Bid. Paster’s connections were at a loss to explain his poor performance, settling on the adage, “he did not handle the track”. The final time was not fast as Derbies have been run, but no one would contest that Spectacular Bid was the best. In the winner’s circle, Bid’s owners Mr. and Mrs. Harry C. Meyerhoff and son Tom were rightfully jubilant, but not as much as trainer Bud Delp whose belief in the greatness of his colt and the competency of his rider, Ronnie Franklin, was now vindicated.

1979 Kentucky Derby
(usatoday.com)

With Spectacular Bid’s supremacy now firmly established, there were not many who ventured to challenge him in the Preakness Stakes. His Derby win was authoritative; he had now won 11 straight stakes, and Pimlico was his home base. Only four others were entered: Flying Paster, General Assembly, Golden Act and Screen King. Paster’s connections dismissed his Derby loss and were hoping that the Pimlico racing surface would be conducive in reproducing his Californian form. The betting public had absolute confidence in Spectacular Bid and made him the 1-10 favorite. At the start, Flying Paster bore out slightly into Spectacular Bid whose jockey was once again content to take back to insure a running position in the clear. General Assembly and Flying Paster went for the lead in tandem, setting fast early splits. About halfway down the Pimlico backstretch, both Screen King and Spectacular Bid went up to challenge the top pair, and, once again, Spectacular Bid’s surge was impossible to resist. Flying Paster tried to run with him around the far turn, but he could not keep up. As the field straightened in the stretch, Bid had a clear lead that widened to 5½ lengths at the finish. Golden Act, as reliable as the daily mail, rallied to be second, 4 lengths in front of Screen King. (A fourth place finish in another disappointing effort sent Flying Paster back home to California to rest and regroup.) The final time, helped by the rapid early pace, was near the track record. Just about everyone watching the Preakness was convinced they saw a superhorse and the next Triple Crown winner.

1979 Preakness Stakes
(bloodhorse.com)

There was some unsanctioned fisticuffs in the lead up to the Belmont Stakes. Jockeys Angel  Cordero and Ronnie Franklin had an altercation in the Belmont Park Jockey’s Room on the Wednesday of Belmont Stakes Week. Perhaps, Franklin was feeling the pressure of the Triple Crown and let Cordero, who had a reputation for intimidation, get the better of his nerves. In the eight horse Belmont Stakes field, there were old challengers such as General Assembly, Golden Act, Screen King and King Celebrity, but the “talking horse” was clearly Coastal. Nevertheless, the betting public and just about every “expert” picked Spectacular Bid to continue his dominance. There was the question of Bid’s ability to stay the full 1½ mile Belmont Stakes distance, but his recent races were all decided by the stretch turn.

At the start, longshot Gallant Best was urged to the front, and Spectacular Bid, who also broke well, became the closest pursuer several lengths back. The fractions were on the fast side for a 1½ mile race but not torrid. As the field settled for the long run down the backstretch, Spectacular Bid, surprisingly, went up to challenge Gallant Best and readily took over the lead. The problem was there was still about 7 furlongs to run. General Assembly was the first to mount a challenge to Bid’s lead, which he would fail to sustain. Coastal, who in the early running was a distant fourth, was roused to make his surge around the sweeping final turn. Initially, jockey Ruben Hernandez did not get a response, but after further coaxing, Coastal made up ground along the inside. Spectacular Bid came into the stretch with a clear lead, but he was not striding out as he had down in the past. Hernandez had his mount full of run now, but for a split second he was undecided whether to steer Coastal inside or outside of the fatigued leader. He chose inside, and Coastal passed Spectacular Bid in upper stretch and went on to win by 3¼ lengths. Golden Act, running his customary strong race, finished second a neck ahead of Spectacular Bid. The time for race was average as Belmonts go, but none doubted the quality of the performance.

1979 Belmont Stakes
(wsj.com)

When a Triple Crown bid falls short, the story is not about the victor of the Belmont Stakes but about the horse who did not win the Triple Crown. Franklin’s ride was the first issue to come under scrutiny with the supposition he pushed Spectacular Bid to the lead too soon off fractions that were too fast. (Ronnie Franklin would never ride Bid again.) The second contention was that Spectacular Bid, although brilliant, was not bred to win in the highest company at 1½ miles. (He would finish second later in the year in the similarly distanced Jockey Club Gold Cup, albeit to the year older Affirmed.) The third and most incredible was offered several days later by Bid’s trainer, Bud Delp who claimed that a pin in Spectacular Bid’s stall the night before the Belmont caused a sufficient wound to compromise his horse’s bid for immortality - the proverbial needle in the haystack.

Whatever the reason for Spectacular Bid’s loss, it was a great victory for Coastal and his connections - breeder Claiborne Farm, owner William Haggin Perry, trainer David Whiteley, and jockey Ruben Hernandez. Coastal would have the opportunity to show later in the year that his win was no fluke, and he was a colt of considerable quality. But Spectacular Bid would go on to greater glory, winning 3 of 4 remaining starts in 1978 (with his only loss to Affirmed) and sweeping all before him as four year-old in 9 starts in 1980.