Best Horses Not to Win a Championship Series: Alydar, Part II

Best Horses Not to Win a Championship Series
Number 1, part II: Alydar

Joseph Di Rienzi

       

This is a continuation of the final entry in my series on the careers of the best horses not to win a championship. This installment follows the racing career of my number 1 equine, Alydar, as he competed in the Triple Crown Series of 1978 through the conclusion of his racing career.

As the Kentucky Derby of 1978 drew near, most of the pre-Derby speculation involved Alydar and Affirmed. The Calumet Farm horse appeared the more impressive in his three-year-old races, and there was a good deal of sentiment for his owners and the stable’s Derby legacy (eight official victories). On the other hand, people remembered the tenacity of Affirmed and his unwillingness to give ground in deep stretch to Alydar in several races the previous year. Affirmed was the perfect racehorse who could be placed anywhere in a race, whereas Alydar’s strong suit was a devastating rally from behind. In addition, Affirmed’s 18 year-old rider, Steve Cauthen seemed other-worldly in his uncanny ability to win races. Others given a chance were Believe It and the undefeated Sensitive Prince.

Eleven horses went to post on a clear day under ideal track conditions. Alydar was the 6/5-1 favorite with Affirmed at 9/5-1 odds. On paper, the race shape seemed to favor Alydar. Both Sensitive Prince and Raymond Earl were committed front runners. Affirmed, who had raced on the lead in all his three-year-old starts so far, could be caught up in a pace duel that would make him vulnerable to Alydar’s rally as happened in the Champagne Stakes in 1977. Raymond Earl did go to the lead, and he was joined by Sensitive Prince on the clubhouse turn who refused his jockey’s efforts to ration his speed. Affirmed, on the other hand rated kindly under Cauthen’s control several lengths back in third. With Believe It tracking Affirmed in fourth and Alydar in ninth place some 17 lengths back, Sensitive Prince spurted to a 3 length lead down the backstretch. As the field approached the far turn, Affirmed was gradually moving to the lead when Believe It made a bold move on the outside. Believe It’s surge carried him to a neck advantage over Affirmed as the field rounded the far turn. As they straightened out for the stretch run, Affirmed repulsed Believe It’s challenge, as Cauthen braced for Alydar’s charge. The Calumet colt did launch his move around the far turn but was unable to make up any ground until the last 70 yards, when he closed to within 1½ lengths of Affirmed. Believe It, in a strong performance, finished 1¼ lengths behind Alydar for third. Darby Creek Road ran an even race to be fourth, some 4 lengths behind. The final time was good, and everything about the race seemed genuine.

For Louis Wolfson and his wife Patrice Jacobs Wolfson, this was, at the time, a culminating event. Over the years, the many good horses raced by both Harbor View Farm and the Jacobs family had won important races, but this was their first Derby. Trainer Laz Barrera was celebrating his second having won the Run for the Roses with Bold Forbes in 1976. As for young Steve Cauthen, he approached this milestone with the same even temperament he responded to all the other accomplishments in his meteoric career. Affirmed was once again the leader of his generation, but Alydar’s connections were undaunted and ready to challenge him again in two weeks in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Racetrack.

The “Middle Jewel” drew seven entrants including the first three finishers in the Kentucky Derby. Affirmed was now the strong favorite to win again. Alydar’s race in the Derby was scrutinized heavily. Why was he so far back in the early running? Criticism rested on his jockey Jorge Velasquez, who in his defense claimed Alydar never felt comfortable on the Churchill Downs Racetrack. Trainer John Veitch, to his credit, blamed himself for not giving his charge a strong workout over the course. He sharpened Alydar with a powerful 6 furlong work during Preakness Week. Unlike the Derby, the pace scenario favored Affirmed as the only legitimate early speed. Longshot Track Reward took a brief lead down the stretch the first time, but down the backstretch Cauthen put Affirmed on the lead setting sensible fractions. Believe It raced in third place a few lengths back with Alydar in sixth. Velasquez sent Alydar up to challenge around the far turn, and he made a long loping run to be right outside of Affirmed as they headed into the stretch. Throughout the final ¼ mile, Affirmed maintained a narrow lead, despite Alydar’s resolute efforts to overtake him. At the finish, Affirmed was a neck victor over his staunch rival who had put 7½ lengths between him and third finishing Believe It. The final time was strong, the last 3/16 of mile when the two combatants were engaged was particularly fast. With this triumph, the Harbor View Farm superstar was once step away from racing immortality. However, the connections of Alydar, sensing the horse’s resiliency were not deterred from trying again in the Belmont Stakes.

The stage was set for Affirmed to capture the coveted Triple Crown. He had bested Alydar now in 6 out of 8 contests. The small field of five assured that Affirmed would have the pace his way. Alydar had continued to train well, and he would run in the Belmont without blinkers in order to increase his competitive spirit. As expected, Affirmed settled into an easy lead with slow early fractions. Alydar was in third place around the clubhouse turn a few lengths back, when Velasquez sensing the languid pace sent his mount up after Affirmed early down the backstretch. This was completely out of this stretch runner’s modus operandi, but it was the only way his connections believed they could defeat Affirmed. Challenged, the Derby-Preakness winner immediately fought back and held a ½ length lead going around the far turn. Alydar was not through yet, for once the two leaders straightened out in the stretch, he rallied again and for a couple of strides put his head in front. Affirmed, implacable as always, fought back, regained the advantage and kept his head in front resolutely to the finish. In third place, 13 lengths back was Darby Creek Road.  All who watched this race either in person or on television were convinced they saw one of the greatest duels in thoroughbred history. Two mighty horses, unyielding, giving their best for 1½ mile. Despite the slow first half of the race, the final time was good, underlying how powerfully the embattled pair ran the last part. This was a great triumph for all Affirmed’s connections. Ten other horses had won the Triple Crown prior to Affirmed, but none had a more formidable rival than Alydar who now had the dubious distinction of being the only horse to finish second in all three classics.

Affirmed (on the right) defeating Alydar in the 1978 Belmont Stakes
 (newsday.com)

The two Triple Crown warriors continued to race over the summer of 1978. In the 1¼ mile Arlington Classic, Alydar showed his amazing constitution with an overwhelming 13 length victory over subpar opposition. Settling in at Saratoga Racetrack, John Veitch, entered his star next against older horses in the 9 furlong Whitney Stakes. With the age allowance, Alydar was high weighted at 123 lb., although the actual highweight at 128 lb. was the four-year-old speedster J. O. Tobin. The Whitney was a horse race until the field straightened out in the stretch. Three-year-old Buckaroo set the early pace with Nearly On Time in close attendance. J. O. Tobin, after breaking poorly, went up to challenge the leaders as they approached the far turn. Just as J. O. Tobin raced alongside Buckaroo, Alydar who had been well back was launching a tremendous rally along the inside. Under Jorge Velasquez, he passed the leaders in a few strides and drew out to humble the field by 10 lengths in near track record time. Buckaroo held on for second, and J. O. Tobin finished sixth.  A few days later at Saratoga, Affirmed made his first start after the Triple Crown in the 9 furlong Jim Dandy Stakes where carrying 128 lb. he faced, Sensitive Prince (119 lb.) and three others. After allowing Sensitive Prince to steal away to an 8 length lead down the backstretch, visions of the racehorse Jim Dandy upsetting Triple Crown winner Gallant Fox in the 1930 Travers came to mind. However, another upset was not to happen as Affirmed under Steve Cauthen closed resolutely and caught Sensitive Prince near the finish to win by a ½ length.

The Travers Stakes with a record Saratoga crowd was the 10^th and what would be the final meeting of Alydar and Affirmed. Despite Affirmed’s decided win margin (7-2) over his rival, Alydar’s connections were optimistic. Once again Alydar seemed to be coming into the race sharper than his rival. In addition, Affirmed’s rider, Steve Cauthen was injured and was replaced by Laffit Pincay. There were only two other horses entered. Nasty and Bold had carved out a very successful summer for himself winning in succession the American Derby and the Brooklyn Handicap against older horses. The remaining entry was Shake Shake Shake, a rank outsider, who nonetheless played a role in the Travers’ controversial result. Under Angel Cordero Jr., Shake Shake Shake took the early lead with Affirmed directly to his outside. Alydar settled initially in fourth, just to the flank of Nasty and Bold. Down the backstretch, Velasquez seized the initiative by moving Alydar abruptly to the rail, coming up the inside of Shake Shake Shake. As Shake Shake Shake dropped back, Pincay angled Affirmed toward the rail, squeezing the oncoming Alydar and forcing him to lose his action and drop back suddenly. For a moment, it appeared, Alydar had broken down, but showing extraordinary courage he came back and made a valiant effort to catch Affirmed who had vaulted to a clear lead. At the finish, Affirmed was 1¾ lengths ahead of Alydar with Nasty and Bold some 3¾ lengths further back in third. The blinking lights on the tote board started flashing “Inquiry”, and, after some deliberation, the stewards justly disqualified Affirmed for interference and declared Alydar the official Travers winner. The result satisfied no one. The Harbor View Farm group, and especially, Laz Barrera were upset. There were accusations of a conspiracy between Angel Cordero on Shake Shake Shake and Velasquez on Alydar against Affirmed.  On the other hand, Alydar’s connections were convinced their colt was in a position to win the race when Affirmed cut their horse off depriving Alydar of a true victory.

It was hoped this titanic rivalry would continue through the major fall races, but it was not to be.  Alydar, in prepping for the Marlboro Cup Handicap, in which he was to meet again Affirmed and the 1977 Triple Crown winner, Seattle Slew, suffered a hairline fracture in his left foot that forced him to miss racing the rest of the year. Affirmed, although losing both the Marlboro Cup and the Jockey Club Gold Cup, was voted both Three-Year-Old Champion and Horse of the Year.

With Affirmed and Alydar still in training in 1979, there was hope their mighty rivalry would continue. Just as in 1978, they started their seasons on opposite coasts. Affirmed, after some early losses, regained his Triple Crown form and dominated his races on the West Coast. Perhaps the most eagerly awaited event of the Florida season was the four-year-old debut of Alydar. However, although reportedly recovered from his injury, Alydar would not this year be the same racehorse seen before. The John Veitch trainee began the year with a facile win in a 7 furlong Hialeah Park allowance race.  Next the chestnut son of Raise a Native traveled to Arkansas to contest the 8½ furlong Oaklawn Handicap. Weighted at 127 lb., Alydar rallied along the inside and just failed (by a nose) to give 13 lb. to the lightly raced San Juan Hill.

Returning to New York in the spring, Alydar, under 126 lb., failed to catch Star De Naskra (at 122 lb.) in the 7 furlong Carter Handicap at Aqueduct, losing by a neck. In the beaten field were Sensitive Prince and last year’s co-champion sprinter Dr. Patches. Alydar was running well, but the horses he was finishing second to were not in Affirmed’s class. In the 1 mile Metropolitan Handicap Alydar, again top weighted at 126 lb., was the prohibitive favorite but could only finish fifth to State Dinner.

Just when things were looking dark for Alydar, he responded with an authoritative win in the 9 furlong Nassau County Handicap over a sloppy track. In the traditional Suburban Handicap, a field of five went postward with Alydar (126 lb.) favored over Tiller (126 lb.) and State Dinner (118 lb.). Mister Brea (120 lb.) set a leisurely pace with Western Front (113 lb.) and Alydar tracking. Around the far turn, State Dinner went on the outside to challenge a stubborn Mister Brea and Alydar. Under a hard drive, State Dinner pulled away to win by a ½ length. Mister Brea was second ¾ of a length ahead of Alydar. Seventeen days later, Alydar was entered in the 1½ mile Brooklyn Handicap but was scratched the morning of the race due to another fracture. This second injury would force Alydar’s retirement into an illustrious stud career at Calumet Farm.

Alydar winning the 1979 Nassau County Handicap
(photo: NYRA by Bob Coglianese)

Although, by the record Affirmed was the superior racehorse, in the breeding shed Alydar was the clear winner and considered a super stallion until the time of his mysterious death. The Calumet Farm stallion sired two Kentucky Derby winners (Alysheba and Strike the Gold), a Preakness winner (Alysheba) and a Belmont winner (Easy Goer). Of these Alysheba and Easy Goer were Eclipse Award Champions along with Criminal Type, Turkoman and Althea. Alydar also sired a host of other major winners, such as Cacoethes, Dare and Go and Stellar Madrid. In 1990, it was reported Alydar severely fractured his hind leg. After medical procedures failed to alleviate his condition, he was euthanized. Years lately it was speculated that Alydar’s death may have not have been accidental in that John T. Lundy, the heir to the owners of Calumet Farm, may have purposely killed Alydar to settle an insurance claim to help his faltering finances. In 2000, Lundy was convicted of fraud and sent to prison for four years, but no charges were made for animal cruelty.

Alydar’s racing record totaled 14 wins, 9 seconds, and a third in 26 starts. But more importantly, he showed the brilliance, class and heart of the best of the thoroughbred breed. Despite never achieving championship status, this copper colored chestnut is one of the most renowned and loved horses in racing history.

Best Horses Not to Win a Championship Series: Alydar, Part I

Best Horses Not to Win a Championship Series
Number 1, part I: Alydar

Joseph Di Rienzi

This is the final installment (in two parts) of the occasional series that features those thoroughbreds who did not win any championship but ran exceptionally well and under different circumstances might have garnered awards. My number 1 selection among these uncrowned heroes is the charismatic Alydar whose exploits and battles with Affirmed over a two year period in the late 1970s are indelibly etched in thoroughbred racing folklore.

Alydar at stud
(bloodhorse.com)

Alydar, bred to be a champion, was foaled in 1975 at the fabled Calumet Farm in Lexington, KY. He was sired by Raise a Native from the mare Sweet Tooth, who produced the champion three-year-old filly of 1977 in Our Mims. Raced in the famed devil’s red and black silks of his breeder, Alydar grew into a chestnut hued classically conformed equine athlete. He was trained throughout his career by John Veitch, an articulate second generation horseman.

Recognizing the potential in Alydar, Veitch took the unusual step of having his colt make his career debut in a stakes race at Belmont Park in June 1977. I imagine that Veitch did not reckon that in the 5½ furlong Youthful Stakes, his colt would encounter his arch antagonist. Owned by Harbor View Farm of Louis Wolfson and his wife Patrice Jacobs Wolfson, Affirmed was a grandson of Alydar’s sire Raise a Native (who was coincidently owned by Wolfson). Also, a chestnut, but more streamlined then Alydar, Affirmed had made one start prior to the Youthful, a maiden victory at Belmont.  Alydar, sent off as the post time favorite in the Youthful, showed his inexperience by breaking poorly in the eleven horse field and dropping far back. He closed some ground but could finish no better than fifth, as Affirmed gamely defeated Wood Native by a neck.

Nine days after the Youthful Stakes, Alydar won a 5½ furlong maiden race at Belmont by 6¾ lengths in a sharp final time. In the beaten field were future major stakes winners in Believe It and Sauce Boat. Buoyed by this victory, Veitch sent Alydar back against Affirmed in the Great American Stakes. Favored again over his rival, the Calumet colt was reserved off the early pace, but he made a powerful rally to sweep by pacesetting Affirmed to win easily by 3½ lengths in near track record time. Alydar stayed in New York and won the 6 furlong Tremont Stakes confidently defeating Believe It by 1¼ lengths.  Affirmed’s trainer Laz Barrera shipped his colt to Hollywood Park where he would utterly dominate a division of the 6 furlong Hollywood Juvenile Championship leading all the way and winning by 7 lengths.

Both Alydar and Affirmed spent August at Saratoga, NY, both aiming for the Hopeful Stakes at the conclusion of the Saratoga Racetrack meet. In the interim, Alydar shipped to Monmouth Park in New Jersey to win the Sapling Stakes on the same day that his half-sister, Our Mims captured the Alabama Stakes at Saratoga. Racing in blinkers for the first time and coming just off the pace on the sloppy surface, Alydar rallied in the stretch to win by a comfortable 2½ lengths over Noon Time Spender. At Saratoga, Affirmed, under new rider Steve Cauthen, prepped for the Hopeful in the Sanford Stakes by coming from off the pace and running down Tilt Up to win by 2¾ lengths.

In the Hopeful, Alydar was made the 1-1 favorite to continue his march to the two-year-old championship with Affirmed a generous 5/2 -1 odds in this 6½ furlong race. With the burgeoning reputations of the two principals, only three others chose to challenge them. In the compact field, Affirmed raced with Tilt Up early with Alydar some 4 lengths back in fourth. Around the stretch turn, the field bunched up with Affirmed gaining a narrow lead over Tilt Up and Alydar going wide with his rally. Through the stretch, it appeared Alydar would gain command, but Affirmed refused to yield winning by ½ length over his rival with longshot Regal and Royal 2½ lengths further away. Indicative of the quality of this race was that the final time was only 2/5 of a second off the track record.

Their fourth meeting was downstate in the Belmont Futurity. Again, only three opposed Alydar and Affirmed, and the last 3 furlongs were virtually a match race when Alydar went up to challenge Affirmed and stuck his neck in front at the top of the stretch. Affirmed tenaciously fought back and regained the advantage and held it to a long nose victory at the finish in excellent time for the race’s 7 furlong distance. Far back (11 lengths) in third was Nasty and Bold. The Champagne Stakes at 1 mile, so often the defining race for the two-year-old championship, was the fifth encounter between these two remarkable animals. In the field was Darby Creek Road, beaten in both the Hopeful (fifth) and the Futurity (fourth). Joining him was Quadratic who recently won the Cowdin Stakes, and Sauce Boat, who was coming off a victory in the Arlington Washington Futurity.  Alydar, under new rider Jorge Velasquez, had not been breaking well in his last few starts and again was slow out of the gate. Sauce Boat went right to the lead with Affirmed held back in third. On the stretch turn, four horses were across the muddy track contending for the lead - Sauce Boat, Affirmed, Quadratic and Darby Creek Road. Alydar, in fifth place, swung outside the embattled quartet and in a rousing finish ran by them all for the victory. At the finish, he was 1¼ lengths ahead of Affirmed who edged clear of Darby Creek Road by a similar margin for second place. Quadratic in a good effort was fourth, and Sauce Boat tired to finish sixth and last.

Alydar winning the 1977 Champagne Stakes
(bloodhorse.com)

The final epic for this rivalry in 1977 would be in the Laurel Futurity with a four horse field, which really favored the more versatile Affirmed rather than the late closing Alydar. Star de Naskra set the pace with Affirmed second and Alydar along the inside in third place. Approaching a ½ mile from the finish, Alydar went for the lead between horses, as Affirmed on the outside fought back to meet the challenge. These two quickly separated themselves from the other two competitors with Affirmed holding a narrow advantage to the wire that at the finish was a neck. Alydar, who did not change leads in the stretch which may have affected his performance, was second 10 lengths in front of Star de Naskra. Thus, with a 4-2 advantage Affirmed justifiably claimed the two-year-old title. However, everyone who watched these two magnificent horses could hardly wait for the classics next year. (Alydar did run once more as a juvenile finishing second by 2 lengths to Believe It in the 9 furlong Remsen Stakes over a sloppy Aqueduct Racetrack.)

Once it was announced that Affirmed would have his preparation for the Kentucky Derby in California, it became clear that the next meeting between him and Alydar would come no earlier than the first Saturday in May. Alydar would winter in Florida and follow the traditional route by racing in both the Flamingo Stakes and the Florida Derby before heading for Kentucky in the spring. Trainer John Veitch wanted particularly to use the Blue Grass Stakes as Alydar’s final prep because his owners, Admiral and Mrs. Gene Markey, who were in declining health, would have the opportunity to see Alydar run, as Calumet Farm is located right beside the Keeneland Racetrack.

Alydar trained spectacularly at Hialeah Park and made his initial start in early February in a 7 furlong allowance race which he won drawing out after rallying from off the pace. His perceived main rival in Florida, Believe It, won a similar race easily a couple days later in identical time. The Flamingo Stakes  attracted eight entries and favoritism was nearly equally divided between Alydar and Believe It. There were memories of the latter’s victory over Alydar in the previous year’s Remsen Stakes at the 9 furlong Flamingo distance. To insure Believe It would not gain an easy lead, John Veitch entered Hugable Tom as a likely pacesetter. He was not needed as longshot Slap Jack set a rapid pace with Believe It tracking in second. Around the far turn, Alydar made a sweeping move from sixth place and joined Believe It for the lead. As they straightened out in the stretch, Alydar pulled away impressively for a 4½ length victory in time just 1/5 second slower than the track record. Noon Time Spender finished second with Dr. Valeri, one length further back in third place. Believe It, tiring, finished fourth. Alydar’s Flamingo win was as impressive as could be imagined and leap-frogged him in many observers’ opinions into Derby favoritism over Affirmed.

On the first weekend in April, Alydar and Affirmed were in action on opposite coasts. In the Florida Derby, Alydar faced a fitter Believe It and five others. In a role reversal, Alydar raced in close pursuit of the early pace, whereas Believe It was reserved off it. Alydar had the lead at the top of the stretch when Believe It made his move. Jorge Velasquez, on the Calumet runner, chirped to his mount, and Alydar pulled away with authority to win by 2 lengths. Believe It easily held second 7½ lengths in front of Dr. Valeri. The final time only 1/5 second off the Gulfstream Park track record set by Calumet owned Gen. Duke in 1957Incessant rain in California had forced trainer Laz Barrera to reduce Affirmed’s workout schedule. Using Affirmed’s races to provide conditioning, Barrera waited until March to make his trainee’s sophomore debut at Santa Anita Park. With victories in an allowance race and the San Felipe Handicap, Affirmed had his first significant test in the Santa Anita Derby. Under substitute rider Laffit Pincay, Affirmed took the lead early and never looked back winning by 8 lengths. Affirmed’s time for the Santa Anita Derby was solid but not as fast as Alydar’s Flamingo and Florida Derby victories.

Two weeks later Affirmed was reunited with Steve Cauthen facing a similar group of horses he defeated in the Santa Anita Derby. Once again, seizing the early lead, he fought off a stubborn Radar Ahead who fought gamely against his more distinguished rival. Affirmed gradually wore down that foe and met the closing challenge of Think Snow to win under persistent urging by 2 lengths. Radar Ahead finished third, 3 lengths behind Think Snow. Affirmed’s final time was alright, but the last 1/8 mile was run slowly, bringing into question his ability to be at his best at the Kentucky Derby’s 1¼ mile distance.

The Blue Grass Stakes was a showcase for Alydar. As arranged by Keeneland management, the owners of Calumet Farm, the Markeys were driven from their farm to a position on the stretch turn to view their colt, both in the post parade and during the running of the race. Alydar, the overwhelming favorite, reverted to his bad two-year-old habit of breaking slowly. Last going into the first turn, he improved his position down the backstretch but still was multi-lengths behind runaway leader Raymond Earl. Jorge Velasquez, sensing that the pacesetter might be difficult to catch, asked Alydar for his best and the colt responded to blow by Raymond Earl at the head of the stretch. Curiously, once clearly in front, Velasquez kept urging his mount although the issue was no longer in doubt. At the finish, Alydar was 13 lengths ahead of the pacesetter. On a racetrack rated “good”, the final time was average.

The stage was now set for Alydar and Affirmed to renew their rivalry in the Run for the Roses.

(To be continued in part II.)

Best Horse Not to Win a Championship Series: Exceller

Best Horses Not to Win a Championship Series
Number 2: Exceller

Joseph Di Rienzi

This is the next installment of the occasional series that features those somewhat forgotten thoroughbreds who did not win any championship but ran exceptionally well and under different circumstances might have garnered awards. This edition focuses on Exceller, an internationally raced star, who has the singular achievement of defeating two Triple Crown winners in the same race. His shocking death through callous human disregard has helped inspire a movement to rescue retired thoroughbred racehorses.

Exceller
(Courtesy of The Exceller Fund)

Foaled in Kentucky in 1973, Exceller was sold as a yearling for $25,000 to prominent owner Nelson Bunker Hunt. Being a son of the stout European superstar Vaguely Noble and out of the mare Too Bald (she by noted grass performer Bald Eagle), Exceller was sent to France to join Hunt’s European division. From a modest campaign in 1975 as a juvenile, Exceller came to the fore as a three-year-old winning the almost 2 mile Grand Prix de Paris and the 1 7/8 mile Prix de Royal-Oak (the French St. Leger Stakes).

In Exceller’s four-year-old season, he ran against the best in England and France winning the Coronation Cup and the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. He concluded his European racing career with a third place finish in the King George and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot Racecourse. Sent to race in the U. S. in the fall of 1977, Exceller competed in the top grass races. In the 1½ mile  Man o’War Stakes at Belmont Park, he was unable to withstand the closing kick of Ogden Mills Phipps’ Majestic Light who won by 4½ lengths. Exceller, who had to check briefly entering the stretch, gained second by a nose over Johnny D.  Finishing fourth was William Haggin Perry’s Tiller, ¾ of a length behind Johnny D. (Both Majestic Light and Tiller have been previously featured in the “Best Horses Not to Win a Championship Series”.) The first three finishers in the Man o’War Stakes all traveled to Toronto for the Canadian International Championship Stakes contested at 13 furlongs on a very soft turf course. This time it was Exceller who would make the final rally and overtake Majestic Light to win by a length. Finishing third again, 3½ lengths behind, was Johnny D. 

The Washington D. C. International was the next race to bring this trio together, and again a rain soaked turf course awaited them at Laurel Racetrack. Teenage jockey sensation Steve Cauthen on Johnny D. put his three-year-old gelding near the lead as the pace was lethargic, and when called upon, he drew out to a lengthy lead as the field approached the stretch. Majestic Light closed some ground, but at the end, he was 2½ lengths away from the winner. Fourteen lengths further behind came Exceller who failed to accelerate under the turf conditions. The final race in this informal series was the inaugural 1½ mile Turf Classic Invitational at Aqueduct Racetrack. Again running on a soft turf course, Johnny D. fought off an early challenge by Exceller and a later bid by Majestic Light to draw out to a 3¾ length win. Majestic Light finished second, and Exceller was a spent seventh. This result clinched for Johnny D the Eclipse Award for Male Turf Champion.   

Exceller was subsequently shipped to California, turned over to master trainer Charlie Whittingham and had a history making campaign in 1978. Primarily ridden by Bill Shoemaker, Exceller started his year at Santa Anita Park with a confident win in the rained off the grass course Arcadia Handicap at a 1¼ mile. This newly discovered dirt form would pay dividends later in the year. Back on the turf in the 1½ mile San Luis Rey Stakes, Exceller faced East Coast invader Noble Dancer II, who though bred in England and raced in Norway, was coming into the race off a successful early Florida campaign. In the San Luis Rey, Noble Dancer took the lead early and fought off challenges from Crystal Water, Properantes and Text. Exceller was closing along the rail, but at a crucial point his progress was stopped. At the finish it was Noble Dancer by a neck over Properantes who had ¾ of a length on Text who, in turn, out finished Exceller for third by a head. In the 1¾ mile San Juan Capistrano Handicap, Exceller (under 126 lb.) (now owned jointly by Hunt and Dr. Herbert Schnapka) in an exciting stretch duel on the soft Santa Anita turf defeated long time pacesetter Noble Dancer (125 lb.) by a neck.

The Hollywood Invitational Turf Handicap in late May attracted a strong field with Exceller (127 lb.), Noble Dancer (126 lb.), Bowl Game (123 lb.), Effervescing (120 lb.) and Text (119 lb.) among those entered. Despite coming off a fifth place finish in the Century Handicap, Exceller was installed the betting favorite. In one of his best performances, he swept by Noble Dancer in mid-stretch and easily held off Bowl Game’s late rally to win by 2½ lengths.

Whittingham next sent Exceller onto the dirt in the Hollywood Gold Cup where he would be facing Vigors who was dubbed “The White Tornado” for his sensational off the pace rallies in the major dirt races at Santa Anita. The Gold Cup brought together all the prominent older horses on the West Coast still in training. In the entries were Vigors (129 lb.), Exceller (128 lb.), J. O. Tobin (128 lb.), Text (118 lb.) and Mr. Redoy (116 lb.). In the race, J. O. Tobin was very headstrong, and his erratic running contributed to the final outcome. Steve Cauthen was unable to control the speedster at the start as he ran into Mr. Redoy while assuming a commanding lead and setting way too fast early fractions. Vigors and Exceller both launched their rallies well back in the field. They both started closing the gap around the far turn as Text was getting to J. O. Tobin. Tiring noticeably, J. O. Tobin bore out significantly in the stretch carrying Vigors wide and impeding his progress. While this was happening, Bill Shoemaker on Exceller drove through on the rail catching Text to win by a neck. Vigors, who should probably have won, finished third, just a head behind Text. Four lengths back was J. O. Tobin in fourth place. Putting an exclamation point to his Hollywood Park campaign, Exceller under 130 lb. made the Sunset Handicap (over grass) his third straight major victory.

Exceller was given a respite until the early fall when he was sent east to Belmont Park for the 1¼ mile Woodward Stakes. In this traditional championship contest, the west coast invader was facing Seattle Slew who had just returned to his 1977 Triple Crown form defeating the current year’s Triple Crown hero Affirmed in the Marlboro Cup Handicap. Seattle Slew was the prohibitive favorite in the five horse Woodward field, but, in Exceller, he faced a worthy competitor. However, the absence of pace pressure, allowed Seattle Slew to cruise on the lead early. Shoemaker on Exceller made an early move to press after a ¼ mile, but Angel Cordero Jr. let “Slew” spurt ahead by open lengths which he maintained setting faster fractions. Around the turn, Exceller tried to challenge again, but Seattle Slew was urged on and at the finish was 4 lengths ahead. Exceller, in a strong effort considering he was racing out of his usual come from behind style, was nearly 7 lengths in front of It’s Freezing. The time was a new track record for the race which was now started on the far turn at Belmont.

Two weeks later, the Jockey Club Gold Cup at 1½ miles brought together again Affirmed and Seattle Slew. In addition, Exceller, a previous Gold Cup winner in Great Contractor and two others were in the field. This was truly “a race for the ages”, that no short synopsis could do it justice. Affirmed’s trainer Laz Barrera entered a “rabbit”, Life’s Hope, to run with Seattle Slew early trying to prevent what happened in both the Marlboro and Woodward. However, nobody told Life’s Hope’s stablemate Affirmed not to be competitive. On a sloppy racetrack, Seattle Slew, Affirmed and Life’s Hope all went charging for the lead. Setting unreasonably fast fractions, the trio blazed down the backstretch. Life’s Hope was the first to drop back, and then soon after Affirmed lost contact with Seattle Slew due to Cauthen’s saddle slipping under the rider. While this drama was happening on the front end, Exceller some 20 lengths away was getting the fast pace he needed for his explosive charge. He closed spectacularly around the sweeping final turn along the inside to stick his head in front of Seattle Slew as they headed into the stretch. But, Seattle Slew, displaying the courage and determination which only the greatest thoroughbreds have, fought back, and the two horses battled tenaciously to the finish. Exceller’s nose reached the wire first. Some 14½ lengths back came Great Contractor, and Affirmed, who lost all chance with the equipment malfunction, finished fifth in the only out of the money performance in his storied career. 

Exceller (on the right) winning the 1978 Jockey Club Gold Cup
(NYRA by Bob Coglianese)

In the aftermath of these races at Belmont Park, championship awards were hotly debated. Affirmed was clearly the three-year-old champion, but was he horse of the year after losing these contests? In the older horse division, Seattle Slew and Exceller exchanged victories in the Woodward and Jockey Club Gold Cup, respectively, so who should be given the title?  Affirmed did not race the rest of year, but Seattle Slew, in a race to burnish his championship credentials, won the Stuyvesant Handicap at Aqueduct carrying 134 lb. against token opposition. Exceller capped off his year with a return to turf victory in the Oak Tree Invitational Stakes at Santa Anita.

Despite his overall record in 1978 and unique achievement of defeating two Triple Crown winners, the son of Vaguely Noble was shut out of all awards. The grass title went to the sophomore Mac Diarmida who won two of the top fall turf races. Seattle Slew was Champion Older Male, and Affirmed gained Horse of the Year honors.

Exceller had an abbreviated campaign as a six-year-old in 1979. Whittingham brought Exceller up to the Santa Anita Handicap relying on workouts alone. In the Big Cap was a rejuvenated Affirmed top weighted at 128 lb. Tiller, who had shown a recent affinity for dirt races, was weighted equally with Exceller, a lb. less than the Triple Crown winner. As Tiller and Exceller were committed closers, Affirmed used his natural speed to advantage sitting right off the pace of Painted Wagon until the stretch and cruising to a 4½ length victory margin, setting a new 1¼ mile track record. Tiller closing ground, finished second, 3 lengths ahead of the dead-heated Painted Wagon and Exceller.

In the marathon turf races during the Santa Anita winter meet, Noble Dancer again flew in from Florida to repeat in the San Luis Rey Stakes. In the 1½ mile rain soaked course, he resisted Tiller’s closing kick by 2½ lengths with Good Lord, third 4 lengths further behind. Exceller, who was not able to handle the soft turf, finished sixth. In a vintage renewal of the San Juan Capistrano Handicap, three top grass horses - Noble Dancer (128 lb.), Exceller (127 lb.) and Tiller (126 lb.) along with eight others entered the starting gate. After long time pacesetter Good Lord faded in the homestretch, Exceller burst through the inside for a clear lead and an apparent victory. However, Tiller coming with a tremendous surge, went right past Exceller to win by ¾ of a length. Noble Dancer finished third, an identical margin further back, and Good Lord was in fourth place.

Exceller made what would be his final career start in the Century Handicap at Hollywood Park. Taking a few bad steps near the top of the stretch, he suffered a small fracture of his coffin bone while still managing to finish third. Efforts to bring him back to racing were unsuccessful, and Exceller was retired to Gainesway Farm in Lexington, KY to join his illustrious stallion Vaguely Noble. However, after a lackluster stud career, he was sold to a horse farm in Sweden in 1991.

Events spiraled downward when an illness reduced Scandinavian breeders’ interest in Exceller. His Swedish owner, Göte Östlund, desperate for funds, sold him to a slaughterhouse where he reportedly was killed in 1997. Exceller’s demise as well as the death of Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand, in similar circumstances in Japan in 2002, motivated the formation of non-profit groups to provide care and retraining for thoroughbreds who no longer can race or breed. (The Exceller Fund is such an organization.) In most sales of high profile racehorses to stud farms out of this country, there is now stipulation that when the particular horse is no longer a viable breeding animal, he is to be repatriated to the U. S. to one of these “thoroughbred retirement” communities.

In all, Exceller’s racing career reads 15 wins and 11 placings in 33 starts with major stakes victories in France, England, Canada and the U. S. His achievements (especially his joint conquest of Affirmed and Seattle Slew) and the rescue movement he inspired of post retirement care have earned him a special place in history of the thoroughbred.

Best Horses Not to Win a Championship Series: Lure

Best Horses Not to Win a Championship Series
Number 3: Lure

Joseph Di Rienzi

This is the next installment of the occasional series that features those somewhat forgotten thoroughbreds who did not win any championship but ran exceptionally well and under different circumstances might have garnered awards. Here is highlighted the brilliant turf runner Lure whose speed and class dazzled American thoroughbred racing in the early 1990s.

Lure winning the 1992 Breeders Cup Mile
(The Blood-Horse)

Owned and bred by Claiborne Farm, Lure was a muscular bay with exemplary breeding being a son of Danzig from the top class mare, Endear, she by Alydar. That his dam was a half-sister to my No. 4 horse in this series, Tiller, suggested Lure’s preferred racing surface would be on grass, however he showed such early precocity that trainer Shug McGaughey started Lure’s career in June 1991 in a 5 furlong race on dirt for juveniles. Lure turned heads in his debut, breaking the Belmont Park track record for 5 furlongs. Sidelined with bucked shins, he returned in an allowance race at Belmont in late September in a prep for the 1 mile Champagne Stakes. He was upset in this 7 furlong contest by Devil On Ice, finishing second by 1¼ lengths on a sloppy track. In the Champagne, Lure brought his truncated two-year-old season to a close on a downbeat note finishing in sixth position.

Lure began his sophomore campaign in 1992 on March 15 in a 6 furlong allowance race at Aqueduct Racetrack, streaking home to win by 8¾ lengths. The son of Danzig next ran in the 1 mile Gotham Stakes. Among those opposing him was Devil His Due (just like Devil On Ice, a son of Devil’s Bag), who had been racing in Florida at the start of the year. Prominent from the start, both Devil His Due and Lure emerged head and head for the lead after a ½ mile and fought the rest of the race as one, battling each other and the gusty Aqueduct winds. At the finish, they could not be separated, and the race was declared a dead heat. The early fractions were sensational, but the final ¼ of a mile was slow, attesting to the head winds and the combatants’ mutual fatigue.

After the Gotham, Shug McGaughey shipped Lure to Keeneland Racetrack looking for a breakthrough performance in the 8½ furlong Lexington Stakes. After failing to hold the lead in losing by a neck to longshot My Luck Runs North, McGaughey abandoned any Kentucky Derby hopes for his colt. Lure was next seen in the entries on the Belmont Stakes undercard in June, running in the 7 furlong Riva Ridge Stakes, and after finishing in sixth place, a frustrated McGaughey contemplated recommending Claiborne Farm sell the colt.

Fortunately for McGaughey and Claiborne, they deferred the decision to dispose of Lure, especially when the robust son of Danzig trained well over grass. Returning to the races in September in an 8½ furlong turf allowance race at Belmont Park, Lure responded with a startling 10¼ length victory in an outstanding final time. He followed with a good second in the 1 mile Kelso Handicap on a soft turf course that was enough to convince Shug McGaughey to boldly enter Lure against the best milers in the world on Breeders’ Cup Day in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Held at Gulfstream Park on Halloween, the Mile had an international field of fourteen runners. Taking advantage of his no. 1 post, jockey Mike Smith put Lure in front early, and he showed world class speed in carving out fast fractions and maintaining a clear lead the entire way. At the finish, the son of Danzig was 3 lengths in front of Bert Firestone’s Paradise Creek (who would be a formidable opponent in the future), with Brief Truce, a neck back in third. The famed Arazi, who was up close early, tired badly in his last start to finish eleventh. As testimony to Lure’s devastating performance, in my opinion the best of the Breeders’ Cup program, the Gulfstream Park course record for a mile on turf was shattered by over a second. For Seth Hancock, President of Claiborne Farm, and Shug McGaughey, this triumph was vindication for their faith in Lure’s potential.

As a four-year-old in 1993, Lure returned to the races in April with a facile 4 length victory in a Keeneland 1 mile turf allowance race. Running on Kentucky Derby Eve in the 9 furlong Early Times Turf Classic at Churchill Downs, the powerful son of Danzig carried top weight and cruised to a measured ¾ of a length victory. Finishing second was Team Valor Stable’s Star of Cozzene who would prove a keen rival to Lure.

The Early Times Dixie Handicap run the day before the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Racetrack was the second in a series of grass contests on the weekend of the three Triple Crown races that would award a bonus of $1 Million to a horse who could sweep all three. Lure, having won the first in the series – the Early Times Turf Classic, was the 4-5 favorite for the 9 furlong race with Star of Cozzene the strong second choice. Mike Smith reserved Lure just off the early pace, and he showed his characteristic brilliant speed to burst clear around the turn and held a 1½ length margin at the finish over Star of Cozzene who was getting 5 lb. from the winner. In the Early Times Manhattan Handicap run on Belmont Stakes Day, the weight spread between Lure and Star of Cozzene was now 6 lb., but more significantly, the race was at 1¼ miles. In attempting to capture the bonus, Lure, stumbled slightly at the start but soon went up to challenge the leader, Solar Splendor. Gaining command at the top of the stretch, Lure was unable to hold Star of Cozzene’s rally, losing by ¾ length with Solar Splendor some 7 lengths back in third place.

Star of Cozzene evened the rivalry with Lure when they both ran in the Caesar’s Invitational Handicap at Atlantic City Racecourse. In the 1 3/16 mile race, now getting 3 lb. from the Claiborne runner, the Team Valor star ran him down in deep stretch to win by 1 length. For the rest of the season, Star of Cozzene was pointed to the major turf distance races. Whereas, Lure’s trainer Shug McGaughey focused his colt on a repeat victory in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Star of Cozzene prepped for the 1¼ mile Arlington Million Stakes finishing second in the Bernard Baruch Handicap at Saratoga Racetrack. Lure also raced at Saratoga winning with complete authority the Daryl’s Joy Stakes, this time coming from off the pace. Both Star of Cozzene and Lure were entered in the Million, but heavy rains on the day of the race caused Lure to scratch. In his absence, Star of Cozzene was much the best over a substandard field, winning by 3¼ lengths. In October, Lure tuned up for the Breeders’ Cup Mile in the Kelso Handicap making the soft Belmont surface look firm with a 3¼ length victory over old rival Paradise Creek, who was returning to the races after an abbreviated spring campaign.

When Star of Cozzene won the Man o’ War Stakes over a rain soaked Belmont turf course by 5½ lengths, the Eclipse Award for Male Turf Horse seemed to be in sight.  At this point, the Team Valor color bearer had beaten both Lure and the West Coast raced grass star La Presle Farm’s Kotashaan twice. However, his connections chose to forego payment of the supplementary fee for the Breeders’ Cup Turf and raced Star of Cozzene once more this year in the U. S. in the Turf Classic Invitational at Belmont Park. However, it was a pace-less contest, and Star of Cozzene could do no better than fourth.

The Breeders’ Cup Mile run this year at Santa Anita Park was full of possibilities. Lure was the favorite, but drawing the disadvantageous no. 12 post position in the short run to the first turn, his chances appeared compromised. Top European sprinters/milers such as Barathea, Ski Paradise and Bigstone gave a global championship feel to this race. Also in the thirteen horse field were the two best grass females racing in 1993 in the U. S. - Flawlessly and Toussaud. The former, the defending Eclipse Award winner for Turf Female was undefeated in 3 starts this year. Toussaud, who would become a foundation broodmare for Juddmonte Farms, had won 4 stakes in 1993 including a victory over males in the American Handicap. Also, in the Mile was Paradise Creek who finished second in last year’s edition.

Lure broke well from his outside position as several horses raced near the front approaching the clubhouse turn. On the inside, Ski Paradise bore out causing several of the runners including Lure to fan wide. Once the field straightened out for the run down the backstretch, Mike Smith let Lure run, and he established a lead, despite setting fast fractions, that he would not relinquish. In the stretch, the Claiborne comet maintained a clear margin on his futile pursuers in capturing his second straight Breeders’ Cup Mile. Finishing second, the first turn culprit, Ski Paradise was 2¼ lengths back who, in turn, was 1¾ lengths ahead of Fourstars Allstar. Toussaud closed some ground to be fourth with Paradise Creek eighth, and Flawlessly, a victim of the crowding, finished ninth.

Later in the day, Kotashaan made his case for championship honors with a driving victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.  In the aftermath of these contests, it appeared Star of Cozzene, Lure and Kotashaan all had their supporters for Male Turf Champion. In a strange twist, the title may have been settled in Japan. Both Star of Cozzene and Kotashaan were sold to Japanese interests, and their new owners wanted to see their respective purchases run in the year-end Japan Cup. In the sixteen horse field, Kotashaan finished an unlucky second when his rider, Kent Desormeaux, misjudged the finish line, while Star of Cozzene finished a non-threatening fifth. In the Eclipse Award voting, Kotashaan was the winner, many voters, convinced his loss in the Japan Cup was due to extenuating circumstances. (Kotashaan also became the first Eclipse Award Horse of the Year to campaign exclusively on turf, narrowly outpolling Lure.)

Kept in training as a five-year-old in 1994, Lure embarked on a similar spring campaign as the previous year aiming to sweep the Early Times Triple Turf series and garner the $1 million bonus. The photogenic five-year-old son of Danzig started with an easy 4 length victory in the 9 furlong Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland on a very yielding surface (not Lure’s favorite). He ran next in the Early Times Turf Classic Stakes at 9 furlongs and faced the now Japanese owned Paradise Creek whom Lure had defeated in each of their previous 3 meetings. However, the five-year-old version of this son of Irish River was a stronger, sounder animal and began 1994 with 3 straight stakes wins in Florida. Whether it was the softened Churchill Downs turf course, the 5 lb. weight spread or Paradise Creek’s improvement, Lure was passed in the stretch and defeated by 4 widening lengths. The two rivals faced off again on in the Early Times Dixie Handicap at equal weights at the same distance as the Churchill Downs race. On a course called firm, but wet from steady rain, Paradise Creek prevailed again by ¾ of a length over Lure. Paradise Creek would go on to win the third race in the series - the Early Times Manhattan Handicap (Lure did not compete), but he would be denied the bonus on a technicality.

Lure was next seen in the Caesar’s International Handicap. In avoiding one significant rival in Paradise Cree, he was facing another in Star of Cozzene who defeated Lure in the same race last year. Lure was top weight at 123 lb. in the five horse field and was confronted with a strong challenge in the stretch from Fourstars Allstar (at 117 lb.). The New York bred gained a length lead at the top of the stretch after Lure jumped a shadow down the backstretch. Resounding to Mike Smith’s urging, the Claiborne Farm runner surged back to thrust his nose in front at the finish. Fourstars Allstar was 1½ lengths in front of a non-rallying Star of Cozzene (121 lb.).

Despite winning the Caesar’s International at 1 3/16 miles, Seth Hancock and Shug McGaughey were next planning a return to Lure’s preferred 1 mile distance - an ocean and a continent away. They had set their sights on the Sussex Stakes in Goodwood Racecourse in England as Lure’s next challenge. However, the plans were for naught as British regulations on positive tests caused by vaccinations prevented Lure from traveling. Instead, he ran next on August 12 at Saratoga in the Bernard Baruch Handicap where he faced Paradise Creek. The latter was top weight at 126 lb. to Lure’s 125 lb. Also among the five entries was Fourstars Allstar’s older brother, Fourstardave (114 lb.). The nine-year-old earned the nickname “The Sultan of Saratoga” by winning at least one race at Saratoga from age two through nine, an unprecedented accomplishment. In the Baruch, Fourstardave set a leisurely early pace with Lure content to be second and Paradise Creek tracking Lure. As the field headed for the far turn, Mike Smith let loose his hold on Lure, and the big bay ambled to the front with Paradise Creek close behind. At the top of the stretch, Fourstarsdave, Lure and Paradise Creek were nearly three abreast, but soon after, the race was left to be decided by the last two. Under a mild hand ride by Smith, Lure held in check Paradise Creek’s bid for a 1 length triumph. Paradise Creek was easily second, 6 lengths in front of Fourstarsdave.

After the Baruch, Lure and Paradise Creek parted ways, and their total head-to-head matchups resulted in Lure with 4 victories to Paradise Creek’s 2. (Paradise Creek, despite losing his last two races (the Breeders’ Cup Turf and the Japan Cup (by a nose)), was voted Champion Male Turf Horse based on his overall performances during the year.) Lure ran next in the Kelso Handicap at Belmont in a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Mile and was upset by a nose to Nijinsky’s Gold while carrying 128 lb., giving 14 lb. to the winner.

Lure, in his final career start, was attempting to win the Breeder’s Cup Mile (run in 1994 at Churchill Downs) for the third consecutive year. He came into the race as the strong favorite, but there were some troubling signs. He had lost the Kelso, albeit narrowly and conceding considerable weight, to an inferior horse. There were also rumors he was not sound, evidenced by a knot on his foreleg. The final cut was he drew the extreme outside post (14), never an advantage in the short run to the far turn. Lure broke well, but he did not show his customary brilliant speed and was carried wide around the first turn. Never reaching the leaders, Lure faded in the stretch to finish ninth. The winner, Barathea, was atoning for a fifth place finish in the Mile last year (to Lure).

Retired to his birthplace at Claiborne Farm in Paris, KY., there was great anticipation that with Lure’s confirmation, breeding and brilliant speed he would be the successor to his outstanding sire Danzig. Unfortunately, he had a low fertility record as a stallion. Soon after, Lure was purchased by the Irish based Coolmore group and stood stud in both Ireland and North America. He did sire major European winner, Orpen, who has been able to pass on his genetic ability. In 2003, Lure was pensioned from stallion service and returned to Claiborne to live out his days until he died in 2017.

Lure’s racing records totals 14 wins and 8 seconds from 25 starts with major stakes victories at ages three, four and five (including two Breeders’ Cup Mile wins).  As Lure’s rider, Mike Smith, stated, “If you look up champion in the dictionary, you will find a picture of him.”