The 1975 Classics

 

The 1975 Classics

Joseph Di Rienzi

It has been 50 years since the Triple Crown races of 1975 enthralled the U. S. thoroughbred racing world. The decade of the 1970s are now considered a golden era in Northern American thoroughbred racing history in which three Triple Crown winners (Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977) and Affirmed (1978)) raced as well as equine greats Ruffian, Forego and Spectacular Bid. Both Ruffian and Forego raced in 1975, but due to either sex (the former) or age (the latter), neither competed in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness or Belmont Stakes. Instead, the three-year-old classics of 1975 were contested by a group of good but not great, evenly matched runners. What is remarkable, especially in terms of current racehorse management is that there was a significant cohort that raced in all three classics, enriching the series with thrilling finishes.

There was a clear early favorite for the Kentucky Derby. He was the undefeated Two-Year-Old Champion of 1974, Foolish Pleasure. The below average sized, but well conformed plain bay colt was a son of What a Pleasure out of the Tom Fool mare, Fool-Me-Not. Bred in Florida, by Waldemar Farms (home of What a Pleasure), Foolish Pleasure was purchased at the 1973 Saratoga Yearling Sales for $20,000 by John L. Greer and trained by LeRoy Jolley. He had blitzed through his juvenile year starting off with a victory in a maiden race at Hialeah Racetrack in Florida and winning such stakes races as the Dover at Delaware Park, the Tremont at Aqueduct Racetrack, the Sapling at Monmouth Park and a division of the Hopeful at Saratoga Racetrack. Foolish Pleasure finished his perfect seven for seven campaign with a flourish with runaway wins at Belmont Park in the Cowdin and Champagne Stakes.

There were, however, some questions about the undefeated champion. His sire What a Pleasure, although off to a sensational start as a young stallion, had not won a stakes race beyond 6½ furlongs and none of his progeny at the time showed distance capability. In addition, despite Foolish Pleasure’s dominance of his peers, he appeared to be an overachiever rather than a runner who relies on his raw ability. There was also some concern whether he could duplicate his juvenile form as other horses were reaching their full potential. In retrospect, it was Foolish Pleasure’s tenacity that carried him through a most successful three-year-old season.

Hialeah had its turn in 1975 to host the winter meet in Florida, so it carded the usual series of races (Hibiscus, Bahamas, and Everglades Stakes) leading up to the Flamingo Stakes. LeRoy Jolley did not use any of these races for his champion’s preparation. Instead, he had the Hialeah management card an exhibition race at 7 furlongs in mid-February where his trainee faced two opponents. Foolish Pleasure won this prep convincingly by 4¼ lengths in fast time. Unplaced in the Hibiscus, Ascetic won both the Bahamas and the Everglades Stakes for trainer Woody Stephens. In both of these races he defeated highly regarded colts. In the Bahamas, Wajima, at the time the most expensive horse bought as a yearling, made his three-year-old debut and finished fifth, suffering a subsequent injury that would force the son of Bold Ruler to miss the entire Triple Crown series. In the Everglades, Canadian Two-Year-Old Champion L’Enjoleur, made his first start of the year, set the pace but tired to finish fourth.

The Flamingo at 9 furlongs was Foolish Pleasure’s first race around two turns, and he passed this test triumphantly. Coming from off the pace he surged to the lead in mid-stretch, drew out by several lengths and held sway to win by 1¾ lengths. However, his competition did not come from Ascetic nor L’Enjoleur, who both finished out of the money. Charging from last place and cutting into Foolish Pleasure’s margin at the finish was a regally bred colt from Darby Dan Farm. This was Prince Thou Art, a rangy son of Hail to Reason from champion Primonetta by Swaps, trained by Lou Rondinello. Slow to develop at two years of age, Prince Thou Art won only a maiden race in five starts, and in his one stakes performance he was beaten 11 lengths by Foolish Pleasure in the Champagne. Prior to the Everglades in which he was unplaced, Prince Thou Art won a 9 furlong allowance race at Hialeah. His Flamingo performance served to announce his presence on the Triple Crown trail.

As the Florida racing scene moved to Gulfstream Park, the Hutcheson and Fountain of Youth Stakes were won by Greek Answer, a Canadian bred that was not pointed toward the U. S. classics. In New Orleans at Fair Grounds Racetrack, a rivalry had developed between Colonel Power, a Diplomat Way colt and Master Derby, a chestnut son of 1970 Derby winner Dust Commander who had a very productive juvenile year. Early in 1975, Colonel Power had beaten Master Derby twice in two sprint races, but when the distances increased, the Golden Chance Farm colt gained the upper hand, including an impressive win in the Louisiana Derby Trial at 8½ furlongs. In the 9 furlong Louisiana Derby, Master Derby came from off the pace to win by one length over Colonel Power with Honey Mark third, beaten just a nose for the place award.

In the Florida Derby, Foolish Pleasure was the overwhelming favorite to stay undefeated. His only competition appeared to be the Darby Dan Farm entry of Prince Thou Art and Sylvan Place (a well bred son of Graustark who was a bit of an underachiever). In the race, Foolish Pleasure and Sylvan Place sat just off the pace with Prince Thou Art settled in the rear of the field. In the stretch, Foolish Pleasure could not get past Sylvan Place who held the lead until Prince Thou Art swept by both of them for a 3½ length victory. In a race run in relatively slow time, Sylvan Place held off Foolish Pleasure by a neck for the place position. His unbeaten string broken at nine, examination after the race revealed that Foolish Pleasure tore off the protective skin of his front hooves during the running. Fortunately, the problem was correctable, and he continued on the Triple Crown trail.

On the West Coast, George Navonod and Diabolo were the two leading three-year-olds based on their juvenile form. George Navonod started his sophomore season with a second place finish in the 6 furlong San Miguel Stakes. The first meeting between George Navonod and Diabolo in 1975 was in the San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita and they were both defeated by the good sprinter Boomie S.  George Navonod gave the winner 10 lb. and missed catching him by a neck. Diabolo finished fifth, beaten a total of about 5 lengths. They next met in the one mile San Jacinto Stakes when Diabolo made an eye-catching move to surge pass the leaders as the field straightened out in the stretch and easily held off George Navonod’s rally to win by 3¼ lengths in a reputable final time.

While these races were being run, a robust chestnut son of Graustark with the imposing name of Avatar was gaining experience competing in allowance races. Owned by Arthur Seeligson Jr. and trained by Tommy Doyle, there were great expectations in that Avatar was a half-brother to the stable’s major winner Unconscious.  What I find impressive in this horse’s regiment is that he was allowed to race himself into top form. Avatar did not venture into stakes competition until his ninth start, a fourth place finish in the Santa Catalina Stakes. In today’s racing, trainers throw their young horses into major stakes competition right off maiden, or non-winners of two races with no compunction. After another allowance win, Avatar won his first stakes race, the Bradbury, at 9 furlongs on a very heavy racetrack defeating just two rivals.

The San Felipe Handicap at 8½ furlongs was the penultimate prep for the Santa Anita Derby and it featured another head-to-head meeting between George Navonod and Diabolo. This time “George” finished ¾ of a length in front of “The Devil”, but they were both beaten by Fleet Velvet who won by a neck. In the Santa Anita Derby, George Navonod was the favorite despite losing all his races so far at three, with Diabolo the second and Avatar, in his first graded stakes start, the third choice. Avatar, ridden by Jorge Tejeira, in a good position throughout, challenged pacemaker Rock of Ages at the top of stretch, and although he seemed poised to take command, could not draw clear and at the finish won by a scant nose. Diabolo, after stumbling at the start, finished a running third, 3¼ lengths back. George Navonod, lacking his customary late kick, finished fourth. The final time was excellent and pointed to Avatar as a legitimate classics contender.

In New York over the winter, there was a promising three-year-old colt. His name was Singh, a tall, but narrow chestnut son of Bold Ruler out of the stakes winning Spy Song mare, Sari’s Song. Singh was bred in partnership with Cynthia Phipps and Hal Price Headley, Jr. and raced in Miss Phipps’ gold and purple colors. In his first year training for the Phipps family, John Russell, had mapped out a progressive campaign for Singh that resulted in a second place finish in the Heritage Stakes at Keystone Racetrack. The start of his three-year-old year was really the culmination of his juvenile season in that Singh won the one mile Peter Pan Stakes that in 1975 was run on January 4 by 7 lengths over overmatched foes at Aqueduct. Singh wintered in New York, and next appeared at Aqueduct on March 1 in the 6 furlong Swift Stakes in which he impressively defeated Laramie Trail by 3½ lengths with the crack Northeastern sprinter, Gallant Bob, a nose away in third.

The one mile Gotham Stakes was oversubscribed and forced to split in two divisions. The first division had the two winners of the spilt Bay Shore Stakes occupy the win and place positions with Laramie Trail besting Lefty by one length. The second and faster division (by one second) was won by Singh by 2½ lengths over Round Stake.

The Wood Memorial Stakes promised to be an intriguing prep race as Foolish Pleasure, recovered from his hoof problems, shipped to New York. His prime challenger was expected to be Singh, but the Phipps and Headley colt suffered a minor injury that not only forced him out of the Wood but dashed any hopes his connections might have had for running in the Kentucky Derby. Despite Singh’s absence, the Wood Memorial was a competitive race with an overflow field of 15 entrants. Compounding his challenge, Foolish Pleasure drew the 15^th post position, which was viewed as extremely disadvantageous in 9 furlong races at Aqueduct. Despite his recent loss and wide starting berth, the public made Foolish Pleasure the prohibitive favorite for the Wood, and he did not disappoint. Under a brilliant ride from Jacinto Vasquez, the colt broke well and was steered inward minimizing the ground loss expected as the field rounded the clubhouse turn. On the lead was Bombay Duck, a son of Nashua who was widely considered a sprinter. By the time the field reached the homestretch, Foolish Pleasure had only Bombay Duck to catch, but the front runner proved a difficult horse to pass. It was only in the shadow of the wire, that Foolish Pleasure thrust his head in front. Finishing a length behind Bombay Duck was lightly raced Media with Laramie Trail and Lefty among the also-rans. The time of the race set a new stakes record for the Wood run at Aqueduct and provided confirmation of Foolish Pleasure’s class and will to overcome adversity.

On the same day as the Wood Memorial, Diabolo racing in blinkers and under new rider Laffit Pincay Jr. (Bill Shoemaker had accepted the mount on Avatar), broke the track record in winning the 9 furlong California Derby at Golden Gate Fields. Beaten 4¼ lengths by the striking son of Damascus was old rival George Navonod. Both Diabolo and George Navonod planned on shipping to Kentucky, but George Navonod suffered an injury which prevented his participation in the Derby.

In Kentucky, Master Derby continued to progress as he won easily an 8½ furlong allowance race at Keeneland. The Blue Grass Stakes brought together horses from different racing centers (Prince Thou Art and Sylvan Place from Florida, Master Derby and Honey Mark from Louisiana, and Avatar from California) who all used this 9 furlong contest as their final Derby prep. On a sloppy racetrack, Master Derby prevailed by a ½ length over his Cajun counterpart Honey Mark. Six lengths back in third was Prince Thou Art who closed mildly, while in fourth place, a neck back, was Avatar, who was crowded at the start and ran evenly afterward. Sylvan Place was no factor in finishing sixth. The final prep race, the Derby Trial was inconsequential other than as the result of Hobeau Farm’s Round Stake winning, trainer Allen Jerkens would have his first starter in the Kentucky Derby.

Fifteen horses went postward in the 1975 Kentucky Derby, and the race appeared to have a lot of quality and depth. Foolish Pleasure, the previous year’s Two-Year-Old Champion had reproduced his form at three winning both the Flamingo Stakes and the Wood Memorial. There were still questions, however, about his ability to win in top company at 1¼ miles. The field had two classic bred contenders in Prince Thou Art and Avatar that had won major prep races. Diabolo, an extremely handsome individual, had just run perhaps the best race (certainly the fastest) of any contender in winning the California Derby. Master Derby was entering the Run for the Roses as the winner of five straight races.  The betting public made Foolish Pleasure the favorite with the Darby Dan entry of Prince Thou Art and Sylvan Place a strong second choice. Third favoritism went to Master Derby and next in the wagering was Diabolo with Avatar a distant fifth choice.

The Derby was an exciting race from start to finish with drama and some controversy.  Bombay Duck surged in front of Rushing Man by the clubhouse turn and set a very fast pace. Avatar assumed a forward position stalking the leaders with Diabolo further back in sixth, Master Derby in ninth, Foolish Pleasure far back in eleventh and Prince Thou Art dead last. Churchill Downs management had tried to curb the rowdiness in the infield by increasing attendance fees, but this did not stop individuals from rushing toward the rail along the backstretch during the race and throwing beer cans. One actually struck Bombay Duck in the hind quarters when he was on the lead. Whether that affected his performance is unknown, but soon after the incident both he and Rushing Man retreated quickly to the rear of the field.

At this point, Diabolo had made a sudden move along the backstretch to reach contention alongside Avatar. After the sudden retirement of the early leaders, both California raced colts were side by side in front as the field rounded the final turn with Diabolo having a narrow advantage. Master Derby, ranging up on the outside loomed a threat at the top of the stretch, and Foolish Pleasure was making progress along the inside. In the stretch Diabolo and Avatar were dueling for the lead as Jacinto Vasquez swung Foolish Pleasure to the outside of the front runners to challenge. Suddenly Diabolo bore inward striking Avatar who in reaction bore outward causing the former to momentarily lose his action. Just after the bumping, Foolish Pleasure seized command and pulled away in deep stretch to win by 1¾ lengths with Avatar second, 2½ lengths ahead of Diabolo. Master Derby who failed to sustain his rally finished fourth, another 2½ lengths behind Diabolo, Media was fifth, and Prince Thou Art closed mildly to be sixth. There was a stewards’ inquiry concerning the bumping in the stretch, but the official placings were unchanged. It is clear that both Avatar and Diabolo were compromised by their mutual contact, but it is doubtful, looking at replays that either could have withstood Foolish Pleasure’s relentless drive.

In the winner’s circle, owner John L. Greer celebrated this great victory of his $20,000 yearling purchase. For LeRoy Jolley who had trained Derby favorite Ridan in 1962, this win was especially gratifying. Jacinto Vasquez also celebrated his first Kentucky Derby triumph. The little horse that could, did.

Foolish Pleasure (on left) winning the Kentucky Derby

A week after the Kentucky Derby, Singh returned to racing at Pimlico and was a 6 length winner of the Preakness Prep. Along with Singh, the Preakness Stakes with 10 entrants attracted all the major participants in the Derby: Foolish Pleasure, Avatar, Diabolo, Master Derby, Media and Prince Thou Art. Foolish Pleasure was the solid but not overwhelming favorite, with Avatar who had trained extremely well, the second choice and Singh the third betting favorite. There was a lightly raced undefeated colt from California, Native Guest, trained by a young Bobby Frankel who also drew some attention.

On a fast but dull racetrack, Native Guest set the pace tracked by Media. Unlike the Derby, Master Derby was much more forwardly positioned by jockey Darrel McHargue, just behind the two leaders. Singh was in fourth with Diabolo stalking in fifth. Avatar, who went wide on the clubhouse turn, was sixth, and Foolish Pleasure was saving ground in seventh place. Heading for the far turn, the field suddenly bunched up with Master Derby, Singh and Avatar all challenging the leading pair. As a result, Singh was forced to check briefly and lost his position. Master Derby, running between rivals, took the lead as the field headed in the stretch with Avatar in second place. Foolish Pleasure launched his rally at the same time that Singh re-engaged himself in the race. Diabolo, also with some run, was fanned very wide around the stretch turn, and even Prince Thou Art commenced a rally up the rail. Master Derby spurted clear to a 3 length lead and, though tiring in the stretch and bearing out, he held a length margin at the wire. Foolish Pleasure, altering course in the stretch as Master Derby drifted to the outside, fought doggedly to the end, finishing second with Diabolo, also closing well, a length behind Foolish Pleasure in third. Prince Thou Art was fourth, 1½ lengths back in an improved performance with Avatar fifth and Singh sixth. The first six finishers were within 5¼ lengths of each other and all ran credibly, although the final time was on the slow side. A foul claim by Vasquez against McHargue for interference was disallowed by the Pimlico stewards.

Thus, Golden Chance Farm had their second classic winner. Sadly, Robert E. Lehmann, owner of Golden Chance Farm’s 1970 Kentucky Derby winner, Dust Commander, (sire of Master Derby) had passed away in 1974. His wife, Mrs. Verna Lehmann, now was running the stable and breeding operation. Trainer, Smiley Adams and jockey McHargue mutually celebrated their first classic victories.

Master Derby winning the Preakness Stakes
(Jim McCue/MJC)

Singh bounced back quickly from his troubled Preakness race to win the Jersey Derby at Garden State Park by 3 lengths over Honey Mark who had 2½ lengths over Bombay Duck. This win at 9 furlongs encouraged John Russell, to enter him in the Belmont Stakes even though Singh’s pedigree, particularly on the dam’s side, suggested the Belmont distance would be beyond his capabilities. The nine horse field for the Belmont was remarkably similar to the Preakness with the first six finishers present. The trainers of Foolish Pleasure, Master Derby, Diabolo, Avatar, and Prince Thou Art deserved commendation for keeping their respective horses sound and continuing through the entire Triple Crown series. The Belmont was viewed as a contentious race. Foolish Pleasure was certainly the most consistent of his generation and may have been best in the Preakness, but there were still questions about his ultimate stamina. Similar distance limitations also were used against Master Derby’s prospects in the race. Prince Thou Art’s improved performance in the Preakness suggested he may be returning to his best form, and his pedigree seemed to fit the Belmont’s 1½ mile distance. There was also support for Diabolo who ran a solid race finishing third in the Preakness. Somewhat forgotten was Avatar who had as strong a pedigree as any for the Belmont, and whose running style was more in line with previous Belmont winners. Adding to his appeal was the fact, Avatar had worked a strong 1¼ miles the week of the final classic.

The race unfolded somewhat differently than expected with Diabolo, somewhat rank, going for the lead, pursued by Singh and Master Derby who was saving ground on the inside. Avatar was a little further away in fourth, Foolish Pleasure settled in sixth place and Prince Thou Art was ninth and last. As the field raced down the backstretch, the fractions were steady, but not too slow. With about ½ mile remaining, Master Derby and then, Avatar went up to challenge Diabolo, as Singh tired. As the field reached the homestretch, Master Derby had a narrow lead over Avatar with Diabolo hanging on, but obviously weary from his early efforts. Foolish Pleasure had made up ground around the far turn, and he swung outside just as he did in the Kentucky Derby to challenge the embattled trio. Avatar, the son of Graustark, living up to his pedigree, asserted command in mid-stretch, and although Foolish Pleasure narrowed the margin to a long neck at the finish, he did not appear as a threat to overhaul Avatar. Master Derby, with his usual game effort was third 3½ lengths behind Foolish Pleasure with Diabolo another 4 lengths back in fourth. Prince Thou Art in his third out of the money performance, finished fifth, and Singh was sixth. The final time was solid for the 1½ mile distance.

Arthur Seeligson Jr. and his family celebrated their first classic with Irish born trainer Tommy Doyle, but for Bill Shoemaker this was his fifth Belmont Stakes winning mount. Even though a separate colt won each of the Triple Crown races, I believe this was an exciting and top class series that showcased thoroughbred racing.

Avatar winning the Belmont Stakes

However, the consensus was none of the horses that ran in the classics were the best of this generation. Ruffian had waltzed through what was called the New York Filly Triple Crown winning effortless in fast time the Acorn Stakes, the Mother Goose and the Coaching Club American Oaks. In fact, Ruffian’s final time in the CCA Oaks was slightly faster than Avatar’s win in the Belmont Stakes two weeks earlier. Having run out of female competition, there was a groundswell that Ruffian should face the top male three-year-olds next and proposals were initiated to stage a special race to bring these horses together. After much deliberation and negotiation, a match race on July 6^th at Belmont Park between Ruffian and Foolish Pleasure was run that ended in tragedy, but that is a tale for another time.