The Most Dramatic Breeders' Cup Classics

 

 

The Most Dramatic Breeders’ Cup Classics, Part I

Joseph Di Rienzi

The pinnacle of the annual Breeders’ Cup Championship series is usually the 1¼ mile Breeders’ Cup Classic – the final race of the now two day meet. Over its 36 year history, the Classic has been won by some of the thoroughbred sports’ equine stars. Names such as Cigar, Skip Away, Curlin, Zenyatta and American Pharoah [sic] have etched their names in the honor’s list of Classic victors. In this two part piece, I will discuss what I consider the five most exciting editions (in reverse order) taking into consideration the quality of the field and the closeness of the finish.

Number 5: 1998

This could very well have been the deepest field in quality in the Breeders’ Cup Classic history. Held this year at Churchill Downs, the headliners among the 10 horses entered in the Classic were two grays - Skip Away (double champion and 1997 Classic winner) and Silver Charm (1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes hero and this year’s Dubai World Cup victor) both vying for Older Male and Horse of the Year honors. The rest of the field included the Frank Stronach owned pair - Awesome Again and Touch Gold as well as Victory Gallop (the Belmont Stakes hero), Coronado’s Quest (Travers Stakes winner), Gentlemen, Arch, Running Stag and Swain. The last named was mainly European raced but could not be dismissed based on his close finish to Silver Charm in the Dubai World Cup. Skip Away was the favorite, but there was some concern over his soundness, his relatively recent poor performance in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (a badly beaten third place finish), and the fact he had run the worst race of his career at Churchill Downs in the 1996 Kentucky Derby. Good chances were given to Silver Charm, the Stronach entry and Swain.

As the field broke from the gate, Coronado’s Quest forged to the front over Arch with Skip Away and Silver Charm side by side in third and fourth position. Swain and Gentlemen were not far back in fifth and sixth place, respectively. Down the backstretch, Coronado’s Quest continued to lead with the others close behind. Skip Away made a move along the inside but was repelled as Silver Charm came up the outside. At the top of the stretch, Coronado’s Quest was still in front but strongly challenged by Silver Charm. Swain made his move along the outside but, in doing so, drifted far right under jockey Frankie Dettori’s urging. It looked like a three horse finish among Coronado’s Quest, Silver Charm and Swain who were spread out across the racetrack when suddenly Awesome Again and then Victory Gallop charged between a large gap. At the finish, Awesome Again was ¾ of a length in front of Silver Charm who had a neck advantage over Swain. The European, in a massive effort, held third by a nose over Victory Gallop who was 1 length in front of Coronado’s Quest. Skip Away, who was not the same racehorse as had been seen the past three years, finished sixth in his final start, beaten a total of four lengths.

Awesome Again (in center) 
winning the 1998 Breeders’ Cup Classic
(bloodhorse.com)

This was a great victory for the owner-trainer team of Frank Stronach and Pat Byrne, respectively. Although, Awesome Again was undefeated in six 1998 starts, his Breeders’ Cup Classic victory was not sufficient to persuade enough voters to award him championship honors. The Eclipse Award for Older Male went to Skip Away despite defeats in his last two races. Skip Away was also voted Horse of the Year, for his overall 1998 record, and the fact he probably should have won that Eclipse Award in 1997.  

 

Number 4: 1987

At Hollywood Park, a field of 12 entered the starting gate for the fourth Breeders’ Cup Classic headed by two Kentucky Derby winners - Ferdinand (the 1986 victor) and Alysheba (this year’s Derby hero). Ferdinand appeared to have the upper hand as the older competitor racing at a track where he won the Hollywood Gold Cup (at the same 1¼ mile distance as the Classic) and bringing a series of sparkling workouts leading up to the race. There was some support for the defending Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Skywalker and Canadian bred three-year-old Afleet. Other contenders were Cryptoclearance, Nostalgia’s Star, Gulch, Candi’s Gold and Judge Angelucci. The last named trained by Charlie Whittingham (as was Ferdinand) had developed into more than just a pace setter for his barn mate. Since his second to Ferdinand in the Hollywood Gold Cup, the son of Honest Pleasure had won three of four stakes races.

The Classic was, to employ an overused expression, a thriller. Candi’s Gold and Judge Angelucci went for the lead and set a steady pace. Ferdinand began in mid-pack but raced into contention along the backstretch. Alysheba was initially placed far back and made a bold move on the outside as the field headed around the far turn. At the top of the stretch, Ferdinand, under Bill Shoemaker, cruised up alongside the battling leaders, Judge Angelucci and Candi’s Gold. Knowing his mount’s habit of pulling himself up once he gains the lead, Shoemaker was waiting to the last moment to urge Ferdinand forward. However, when he saw Alysheba coming resolutely to his right, Shoemaker called on Ferdinand who surged forward to gain a clear advantage. In the shadow of the finish line, Alysheba closed dramatically to just miss winning by a nose. (An unforgettable memory is race caller Tom Durkin’s pronouncement that “the two Derby winners hit the wire together”.) In third place, 1¼ lengths behind, was a very game Judge Angelucci with Candi’s Gold another 1½ lengths back in fourth place. (Skywalker in his attempt to win the Classic again finished twelfth and last.)

Ferdinand winning the 1987 Breeders’ Cup Classic
(bloodhorse.com)

As a result of this victory, Ferdinand, owned by Mrs. Howard B. Keck, despite having lost his first six races of the year, was voted the Eclipse Award both for Champion Older Male Horse and Horse of the Year. Alysheba, due to his overall record and powerful performance in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, was awarded Champion Three-Year-Old Male.

 

Number 3: 2016

The Breeders’ Cup Classic, the climatic race of the two day Breeders’ Cup series, held this year at Santa Anita Park on November 5, had a nine horse field. Now a five-year-old, California Chrome, at the time North America’s  leading money earner, was attempting to complete a perfect season that the 2013 double classic winner and former Horse of the Year began in January at Santa Anita. His main adversary appeared to be Juddmonte Farms’ sophomore Arrogate who burst onto the national racing scene with a sensational Travers Stakes victory. Other entries included Frosted, Melatonin, Hoppertunity, Effinex and Keen Ice. At post time, California Chrome was the 9-10 favorite, but Arrogate at 8-5, was installed the strong second choice.

After the break, Victor Espinoza sent “Chrome” to the front followed by Melatonin. Arrogate, breaking from the no. 9 post, was not sent forward by Mike Smith as he did in the Travers but took a rating position in third place a couple of lengths behind the leader. The first three positions were unchanged down the backstretch as California Chrome was running comfortably on the lead. Around the far turn, Smith angled Arrogate inside of Melatonin as he took aim at California Chrome. Down the stretch, California Chrome continued to stride out purposefully, and, although Arrogate was under a drive on the outside, it appeared he was not gaining. That changed just before the finish when the big son of Unbridled’s Song leveled out as only the really good horses do and thrusted himself forward to pass Chrome for an astonishing ½ length victory. The magnitude of the performance of the top two finishers was exemplified in that third finishing Keen Ice checked in 10¾ lengths further back. Hoppertunity was fourth; Melatonin finished fifth; Frosted was sixth, and Effinex checked in at seventh place.

Arrogate wins the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic
(nytimes.com)

Arrogate became the third consecutive Classic winner conditioned by Bob Baffert. For Juddmonte Farms, who has had so many top class runners in Europe and turf champions in the U. S., this victory ranks up with their Empire Maker’s 2003 Belmont Stakes victory. This was Mike Smith’s fourth Classic winning mount with Skip Away (in 1997), Drosselmeyer (in 2009) and Zenyatta (2011) the other three. At year’s end, Arrogate was voted the Eclipse Champion Three-Year-Old Male, California Chrome the Older Dirt Male Champion and Horse of the Year (despite losing the Classic), easily outpolling Arrogate.

 

(To be continued in part II.)

Wilted Roses But Blooming Susans

 

Wilted Roses But Blooming Susans

Joseph Di Rienzi

For most of its history, the Preakness Stakes has been contested subsequent to the Kentucky Derby. Even in this tumultuous year, the 145^th renewal will be contested four weeks (instead of the typical two) after the Derby. Most logics would conclude that a good performance in the Kentucky Derby would be a key to winning the Preakness Stakes. However, history can demonstrate that an out of the money performance (worse than third place) in the Derby does not preclude a Preakness victory. Indeed, in the last decade (2010 – 2019), four horses that finished out of the top three on the first Saturday in May carried a blanket of black-eyed Susans (actually dyed daisies) in the Pimlico Racetrack’s winner’s circle. Here I will look briefly at each of these horses’ turn in fortune from the first to the second jewel in the Triple Crown.

Lookin At Lucky advanced toward the 2010 classics with sterling credentials. He was voted the 2009 Eclipse Award for Champion Two-Year-Old Male despite a tough luck loss in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Owned by Karl Watson, Mike Pegram and Paul Weitman and trained by Bob Baffert, the handsome son of Smart Strike had two prep races prior to the Kentucky Derby. He scored a narrow victory in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas and then was a troubled third in the Santa Anita Derby.

Favored for the Kentucky Derby despite drawing the dreaded no. 1 post position, Lookin At Lucky ran to Bob Baffert’s worst fears by being crowded right after the start. Then he was impeded shortly after, forcing his jockey Garrett Gomez to take him near the rear of the field. Lookin At Lucky was able to close some ground in the stretch, but the best he could finish was sixth beaten a total of 7 lengths to Derby winning Super Saver.

Two weeks later in Baltimore, the Preakness Stakes had Super Saver, Lookin At Lucky, and other Derby participants Paddy O’Prado, Dublin and Jackson Bend in the 12 horse field. Bob Baffert replaced top flight rider Garrett Gomez with young Martin Garcia, believing Gomez and Lookin At Lucky were not a good team. At post time, favoritism went to Super Saver over Lookin At Lucky.

The Preakness was an exciting race with First Dude setting a rapid pace followed by Super Saver. Lookin At Lucky was in mid-pack, but in the clear and, for a change, out of trouble. Around the far turn, Caracortado, Lookin At Lucky and Jackson Bend all went up to challenge First Dude as Super Saver could not keep pace. At the top of the stretch, the outcome was very much in doubt, but Lookin At Lucky showing his championship class prevailed by a ½ length over a tenacious First Dude, who in turn was a head in front of Jackson Bend for the place award. Super Saver faded in the stretch to finish eighth.

Lookin At Lucky winning the 2010 Preakness Stakes
(nytimes.com)

This was Bob Baffert’s fifth Preakness victory (he now has two more) and the second for part-owner Mike Pegram having won it with Real Quiet in 1998. This victory was especially sweet for Lookin At Lucky’s connections in that they had come to believe that, notwithstanding his name, the son of Smart Strike had been the victim of repeated bad fortune in such races as the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile, Santa Anita Derby and Kentucky Derby.

After his Preakness victory, Lookin At Lucky bypassed the Belmont Stakes but in the summer won the Haskell Invitational Stakes at Monmouth Park. Despite ending his racing career with a fourth place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Lookin At Lucky was voted the 2010 Eclipse Champion Three-Year-Old Male. He has become a fairly successful stallion since standing at Ashford Farm in Versailles, KY.

Unlike Lookin At Lucky, Shackleford’s rise to Preakness glory was, by in large, unanticipated. Bred and owned by Michael Lauffer and William Cubbedge, the bright chestnut with a broad blaze down his face was trained throughout his racing career by enterprising Dale Romans. Pretty much unknown until he nearly won the Florida Derby (at odds of 68-1) losing by a head to Dialed In, the son of Forestry came into the 2011 Kentucky Derby with just two wins in five starts. Sent off at 23-1 odds, Shackleford gave his backers a thrill as he led the field from the start to the last furlong when he was overtaken by Animal Kingdom, Nehro and Mucho Macho Man. Finishing fourth, he was beaten a total of only 4 lengths.

Two weeks later a full field of fourteen were loaded into the gate for the 136^th Preakness Stakes. Off his Kentucky Derby victory, Animal Kingdom was the solid favorite. Bettors made Dialed In (the Kentucky Derby favorite) the second choice, giving him another chance off his subpar Derby effort in which he finished eighth. Mucho Macho Man was third in the wagering with Shackleford a generous 12-1 chance.

Over a fast but laboring Pimlico surface, Shackleford, under regular jockey Jesus Castanon, sat second forcing a fast early pace just behind speedy Flashpoint. Animal Kingdom broke slowly and was taken back to 13^th with only Dialed In behind him. Flashpoint and Shackleford were first and second until midway around the far turn when the latter asserted himself establishing a clear lead. Astrology made a menacing move along the rail to challenge at the top of the stretch which Shackleford repelled. Animal Kingdom began his rally around the far turn swinging wide. The Derby winner was rolling, but he had a lot of ground to make up. As Animal Kingdom closed in, Shackleford grimly held the lead despite drifting first left and then right. At the finish, Shackleford was ½ length ahead of a dirt encrusted Animal Kingdom who was 1¼ lengths in front of Astrology. Dialed In’s belated rally gained him fourth place.

Shackleford winning the 2011 Preakness Stakes
(nytimes.com)

The Preakness winner’s circle contained an inordinate number of Kentuckians as owners Michael Lauffer and William Cubbedge, and trainer Dale Romans hailed from the Commonwealth. Indeed, Romans, a Louisville native, was instrumental in directing fellow trainer Graham Motion to the Churchill Downs’ winner’s circle after Animal Kingdom’s Kentucky Derby victory. Romans’ previous biggest triumph was his trainee Roses in May’s Dubai World Cup victory in 2005, but for jockey Jesus Castanon, this was his first winning ride on a national stage.

Shackleford, a robust individual, would be a fixture in major races for the next two years. He would finish fifth in the Belmont Stakes, but as a four-year-old, he would win such traditional fixtures as the Metropolitan and Clark Handicaps. Originally retired to stud at the end of 2012 to Darby Dan Farm in Kentucky, Shackleford was sent to South Korea in 2020.

In 2011 Brad Kelley had purchased a racy looking yearling son of Awesome Again that he named Oxbow. Turned over to Triple Crown icon D. Wayne Lukas to train, Oxbow had a modest juvenile season in 2012 winning just a maiden race in five starts. He began 2013 with an 11½ length victory in the LeComte Stakes at the Fair Grounds. Finishing a close fourth in his next start, the Risen Star Stakes, Oxbow then ran in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park and was beaten a head by another Lukas trainee Will Take Charge. Oxbow than completed his Kentucky Derby preparation with a fifth place finish in the Arkansas Derby. In this race, he was ridden by Gary Stevens who was in the midst of a comeback having retired eight years earlier.

Sent off at odds 24-1 in the Kentucky Derby, Oxbow ran a creditable race in challenging for the lead around the far turn only to tire in the stretch. He finished sixth to victorious Orb, beaten a little less than 10 lengths. In the Preakness, Orb ruled the strong favorite with the horses who finished second through fourth in the Kentucky Derby absent, but returning to contest the middle jewel were the Wayne Lukas pair – Oxbow (sent off at odds 15-1) and Will Take Charge, as well as Mylute, Itsmyluckyday and Goldencents.

Gary Stevens sensing a speed favoring Pimlico surface coaxed Oxbow to the lead. Goldencents, the expected pacesetter was taken back, and Oxbow was allowed to set uncontested moderate fractions. Orb, who broke from the rail, was closer than usual down the backstretch but lost position when horses came to his outside. Shuffled back on the far turn, he failed to mount a serious threat. In the stretch, Oxbow, maintained a clear lead as challenges came from Itsmyluckyday and Mylute. At the finish, Oxbow was 1¾ lengths in front with Itsmyluckyday besting Mylute for second by a ½ length. Orb finished fourth another 6¾ lengths behind.
   

Oxbow winning the 2013 Preakness Stakes
(foxnews.com)

The winning owner, Brad Kelley, had bought the property in which the legendary Calumet Farm once stood in 2012. His silks (black and gold) are different from the famed devil’s red and blue that were carried by so many of the sport’s fabled runners. Wayne Lukas, 77 years-old at the time, was celebrating his sixth Preakness victory and 50 year-old Gary Stevens his third. 

Three weeks later, Oxbow finished second (beaten 3¼ lengths) to Palace Malice with Orb third in the Belmont Stakes. At this point, on the basis of the Triple Crown races, it could be argued that Oxbow was the most consistent horse in his sophomore class. Unfortunately, the son of Awesome Again only ran once more (in the Haskell Invitational Stakes) finishing fourth. Suffering an ankle injury in the race, Oxbow was retired later in the year and currently stands stud at Calumet Farm in Lexington, KY.

War of Will is a striking dark bay son of War Front with a blaze and four white stocking feet from a mare by European super stallion Sadler’s Wells. Purchased in France as a juvenile in 2018 by an agent acting for trainer Mark Casse who in turn offered the horse to major client Gary Barber. With War Front as a sire and a strong European female line, War Front began his racing career in 2018 on the turf. Winless in his first four outings, he nonetheless finished second in the Summer Stakes and fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. War of Will concluded his juvenile campaign breaking his maiden on a sloppy Churchill Downs dirt surface in November. 

Starting 2019 at the Fair Grounds, War of Will stylishly won both the LeComte and Risen Star Stakes. Favored at odds-on to continue his domination of the three-year-old races in New Orleans, he lost his action right after the start of the Louisiana Derby and finished ninth. Despite this setback, Mark Casse was optimistic War of Will would be fit to race in the Kentucky Derby.

The 2019 Derby will be remembered long in Kentucky Derby folklore. (See “Recent Longshot Winners of the Kentucky Derby”.)  In short, as jockey Tyler Gaffalione guided War of Will off the rail to the outside of leader Maximum Security around the final turn, the latter did not corner the turn well, forcing the former wide. After losing his balance, War of Will faded in the stretch to finish in eighth place. At the finish, Maximum Security was 1¾ lengths in front of Country House who was ¾ of a length ahead of Code of Honor. After a jockey’s inquiry, the Churchill Downs’ stewards disqualified Maximum Security placing him 17^th and declared Country House the Derby winner.

In the aftermath of the Kentucky Derby, Country House never raced again after a series of ailments and injuries, and the connections of Maximum Security were so upset over his disqualification they ruled him out of the other classics, seemingly from spite.

Of the Derby contestants, Improbable who finished officially fourth, Everfast (fifth), War of Will (seventh), Win (ninth) and Bodexpress (13^th) forged on to contest the Preakness Stakes. They were joined by eight others in a less than stellar edition of this classic. The betting public installed Improbable as the favorite. War of Will, “a victim” of Maximum Security’s Derby misdeeds, was sent off at 6-1 odds.

At the start, Bodexpress reared up unseating John Velazquez and ran as a loose horse the entire race. Warrior’s Charge assumed the early lead followed by Market King and Anothertwistafate. War of Will, breaking from the no. 1 post (same as he did in the Derby), was placed by Tyler Gaffalione on the inside right behind the leading trio. With almost the identical trip he had in the Kentucky Derby at this point around the far turn, Gaffalione waited until the top of the stretch when this time he guided his mount through the inside to challenge. Gaining the advantage, War of Will forged to the front and held off the late closers. At the finish, he was 1¼ lengths in front of Everfast who held second by a nose over Owendale. Improbable, after being fractious before the break, raced in mid-pack without offering a consequential rally and finished sixth.

War of Will winning the 2019 Preakness Stakes
(nytimes.com)

In the winner’s circle, there was a feeling of vindication from the connections of War of Will. Prior to the Preakness, owner Gary Barber and trainer Mark Casse had traded verbal barbs with Gary West, co-owner of Maximum Security, in terms of the interference they believed compromised their horse’s chances in the Derby. This victory by the son of War Front, justified in their minds the disqualification. At age 24, Tyler Gaffalione, celebrated his first classic victory with the expectations this would not be his last.

After his Preakness triumph, War of Will went on a losing streak that included a ninth place finish in the Belmont Stakes. He returned to the winner’s circle with a narrow win in this year’s Makers’ Mile Stakes at Keeneland Racecourse. With this victory on the turf, War of Will becomes one of those rare performers who have scored major victories on both conventional dirt and grass. He continues to race in 2020 but will take up stud duties at Claiborne Farm in Versailles, KY in 2021.

So we see that it is possible to rebound from Kentucky Derby disappointment to Preakness glory. When this year’s Preakness is renewed on October 3, it may be prudent to pay attention to those who failed to make it in the top three on Derby Day. One of them just might garner the black-eyed Susans. 

What Might Have Been - Contenders Withdrawn on Eve of Kentucky Derby

 

 

What Might Have Been

Contenders Withdrawn on Eve of Kentucky Derby

Joseph Di Rienzi

The Kentucky Derby is the epochal event in Northern American thoroughbred racing. It is the one race most owners, trainers and jockeys aspire to winning. For a conditioner, preparing his or her horse for the traditional first Saturday in May date (this year, notwithstanding) requires careful race planning, meticulous training and a good deal of luck. Capricious weather conditions, suspicious track surfaces and the vagaries of horse care present significant obstacles to assuring a starting position in the Run for the Roses. In addition, the limitation of no more than 20 starters demands the horse demonstrate enough ability to qualify for the Derby. To survive this gantlet to secure a spot in the field is a feat in itself. However, there have been horses who had to be withdrawn (scratched) just before the race due to an ailment or an injury. In this piece, I will examine four prime contenders who made it to the precipice of Derby fame but were denied their chance to have its glory.

Sir Gaylord was a Virginia born son of Turn-to out of the mare Somethingroyal bred and owned by Meadow Stable. A top juvenile of 1961, he nonetheless lost his last four starts but ran sufficiently well to be considered a classic contender in 1962. In Florida, at the start of the year, the bay colt trained by veteran Casey Hayes raced to three victories facing the co-two-year-old champions of 1961, Ridan and Crimson Satan. Running perhaps the most impressive race by any three-year-old in 1962, he won the 9 furlong Everglades Stakes at Hialeah Park by a widening 4¾ lengths in fast time over longshot Decidedly. Ridan finished third beaten over 7 lengths, subsequently was disqualified and placed fourth, and Crimson Satan finished fifth. Suffering an ankle injury prior to the Flamingo Stakes, Sir Gaylord’s connections still harbored hopes he would make it to the Kentucky Derby.

Sir Gaylord
(Jim Raftery/Turfotos)

Deemed recovered, Sir Gaylord had his final Kentucky Derby prep in the 7 furlong Stepping Stone Purse at Churchill Downs one week before the big race. The son of Turn-to rallied just off the pace to win as the chart of the race indicates, “with complete authority”. What is even more impressive was that he was allowed to continue running after the race, and his gallop out time for 10 furlongs was faster than the final time of several previous Kentucky Derbies. This performance cemented Sir Gaylord’s leadership in the three-year-old standings and solid favoritism for the Kentucky Derby.  However, in a bitter twist of fate, he suffered a sesamoid fracture of his right front ankle in a final workout the Friday before the Derby and was promptly retired to a very successful stud career. A further intrigue was that Meadow Stable had co-entered their champion filly Cicada in both the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby and decided even after Sir Gaylord’s injury that Cicada would run in the Oaks (which she won easily).

Whether Sir Gaylord would have triumphed on Derby Day in 1962 is moot.  Nonetheless, he had vanquished Derby winning Decidedly earlier in the year in the Everglades Stakes. A footnote is that 11 years later a half-brother to Sir Gaylord (out of the same dam and also owned by Meadow Stable) not only won the Derby but achieved Triple Crown glory. That horse was the immortal Secretariat.

Moving forward 30 years, the next prime contender to be denied a chance to wear the garland of roses was A. P. Indy. He was an impeccably bred dark bay or brown son of Seattle Slew out of the Secretariat mare Weekend Surprise, thus a half-brother to 1990 Preakness hero Summer Squall. Bred by William Farish III and William S. Kilroy, this son of a Triple Crown winner from a daughter of another Triple Crown champion commanded a $2.9 million price when sold to Tomonori Tsurumaki as a yearling despite being a ridgling. Trained by patient Neil Drysdale, A. P. Indy had a brief two-year-old campaign that culminated in a come from behind victory in the Hollywood Futurity.

A. P. Indy
(Skip Dickstein/BloodHorse)

Drysdale prepped A.P. Indy for the 1992 classics from his home base in Californian, winning both the San Rafael Stakes and the Santa Anita Derby. The colt’s winning margins were narrow, and the final times in these respective contests were mediocre. However, observers kept getting the impression that the son of Seattle Slew was only doing enough to win his races and had untapped resources yet to be utilized.  

As the Kentucky Derby approached, much attention was given to the French raced Arazi who had dazzled in winning the previous year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. The smallish son of Blushing Groom generated the most publicity, but if any horse was bred and looked the classic type, it was A. P. Indy. However, the latter was withdrawn on the morning of the race due to a foot bruise that trainer Neil Drysdale pronounced was not sufficiently healed to run his colt. This was a crushing blow for the horse’s connections, nevertheless, the hope was that A. P. Indy would resume training in time for another classic opportunity. In the Derby, Arazi made a move down the backstretch to reach contention but faded in the stretch drive to finish eighth as Lil E. Tee scored a mild upset.

A. P. Indy would prove his mettle, returning in about three weeks after the Derby to win the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park. He followed with a game victory in the Belmont Stakes and capped his year with a conclusive win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Voted both Eclipse Award Male Three-Year-Old Champion and Horse of the Year, A. P. Indy retired to his birthplace at Lane’s End Farm in Versailles, KY to become a major stallion.

The third horse to discuss here did not have the pre-race credentials of the others, nor would he prove his ability either post-Derby nor in the breeding shed. However, he was anticipated to be the favorite for the Kentucky Derby based on his recent good form. I Want Revenge was an aptly named son of Steven Got Even (a son of A. P. Indy) foaled in 2006. Owned and bred by David Lanzman, he was sent to Jeff Mullins in California to train. Taking four starts to break his maiden, I Want Revenge concluded his juvenile year with a near miss (by a nose) to Pioneer of the Nile in the CashCall Futurity (formerly the Hollywood Futurity).

I Want Revenge
(bloodhorse.com)

Beginning 2009 with a third place finish to the aforementioned Pioneer of the Nile in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita Park, Mullins decided that I Want Revenge was not showing his best form on California’s synthetic dirt racetracks. Shipped east to New York, the colt showed a dazzling burst of speed in winning the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack by 8½ lengths and then running a remarkable race to win the Wood Memorial Stakes after encountering trouble both at the start and in the stretch. (Prior to the Wood, a 50% share in the horse was sold to IEAH Stables.)

Considered the likely favorite for the Kentucky Derby, all appeared well for I Want Revenge until the morning of the race when a swelling was noticed on his left front ankle. After conferring with veterinarians, Mullins and Lanzman announced their horse would be scratched. In I Want Revenge’s absence, 50-1 shot Mind That Bird scooted home under Calvin Borel (see “Recent Longshot Winners of the Kentucky Derby”).

I Want Revenge never replicated the form he showed at Aqueduct prior to the 2009 Kentucky Derby. Rested over a year and turned over to East Coast trainer Richard Dutrow Jr., the son of Steven Got Even placed in several stakes but never won another race. He finally retired as a six-year-old in 2012 and, after a very modest stud career, died in Indiana in 2018.

Omaha Beach was in the mold of Sir Gaylord and A. P. Indy being an exquisitely bred son of War Front from the mare Charming. The dark bay colt was a half-brother to champion Take Charge Brandi from the family of Take Charge Indy and Will Take Charge, all descended from the top mare and producer Take Charge Lady. He was purchased privately as a yearling by Rick Porter, owner of Fox Hill Farms. Trained by Richard Mandella, the handsome colt took five starts in California to break his maiden. Initially raced on grass, Omaha Beach finished third in his initial juvenile start in 2018 and then had two close seconds. Switched to dirt at the start of 2019, he again gained the place position going down by a ½ length in a mile event. Omaha Beach’s breakthrough effort was in the slop at Santa Anita winning a 7 furlong maiden race by 9 lengths.

Omaha Beach
(bloodhorse.com)

Sent to Arkansas for a division of the Rebel Stakes, he faced the 2018 Two-Year-Old Champion Game Winner. In a pulsating duel, Omaha Beach and Game Winner battled down the stretch with the former prevailing by a nose. Sent back to Oaklawn Park for the Arkansas Derby, Omaha Beach under Mike Smith defeated highly regarded Improbable by a length with Country House finishing third another 5¾ lengths back. 

When Mike Smith chose to ride Omaha Beach over Santa Derby victor Roadster in the Kentucky Derby, his decision was probably the final factor in installing the former the pre-race favorite. Omaha Beach seemed to have all the credentials, and his final workouts appeared to indicate the son of War Front was peaking just at the right time. There was also a great deal of sentiment for trainer Richard Mandella gaining his first Kentucky Derby victory.  Alas, this was not to be, as the Derby gods were not kind to Mandella nor owner Rick Porter when it was discovered that Omaha Beach had a trapped epiglottis forcing him to scratch four days before the race. (In a very controversial result, Country House was declared the winner of the 145^th Kentucky Derby on the disqualification of Maximum Security (see again “Recent Longshot Winners of the Kentucky Derby”).)

After having throat surgery, Omaha Beach was sent back to California. After a longer than expected recovery, he contracted a mild virus further delaying his training. The son of War Front finally returned to the races in October in the 6 furlong Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes scoring a game victor over speedster Shancelot. Favored for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, Omaha Beach finished second to Spun to Run. He concluded his three-year-old campaign on a high note winning the Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita. Omaha Beach was scheduled to have his final start at Gulfstream Park in the Pegasus World Cup Championship in January 2020, but he was withdrawn due to another injury. He began his stud duties in 2020 at Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, KY.

So we see from the examples cited here, it is a precarious undertaking to actually get a horse to run in the Kentucky Derby. As Jeff Mullins, trainer of I Want Revenge, said of his horse’s fate in 2009, "Your biggest dream is to get here. Your biggest nightmare is to get here and scratch." We wish all the proposed starters in this year’s Kentucky Derby well and hope there is no anguish over “what might have been”.

Recent Longshot Winners of the Kentucky Derby

 

Recent Longshot Winners of the Kentucky Derby

Joseph Di Rienzi

The Kentucky Derby which will have its 146^th renewal on September 5 (in this plague year) has been won by some of the thoroughbred sports’ greatest equines. Citation, Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Spectacular Bid and American Pharoah [sic] come easily to mind, but part of the Derby’s folklore is that its annals include some much less distinguished victors who surprised almost everyone when they garnered the roses at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. In this piece, I will examine three rank outsiders in the 21^st century who went to postward at odds of at least 50-1 but by the proverbial racing gods were able to grace the sport’s most hallowed winner’s circle.

Giacomo was a gangly gray son of Holy Bull owned and bred by Ann and Jerry Moss. He was named after the son of the musician Sting as Jerry Moss, who with Herb Albert, founded A&M Records, liked to give his horses names associated with friends in the recording business. Trained by John Shirreffs, Giacomo began his racing career as a juvenile in July 2004 at Hollywood Park, finishing fifth beaten almost 11 lengths in a maiden race. With Mike Smith as regular rider, he found the winner’s circle in his next outing in November at Santa Anita Park roaring home in front by 10 lengths. After a third place finish in an allowance race at Hollywood Park, Giacomo was deemed ready for stakes competition by Shirreffs and entered in the 8½ furlong Hollywood Futurity.

Giacomo belied his nearly 16-1 odds with a powerful closing rally that found him finishing second a length behind the year’s Two-Year-Old Champion Declan’s Moon but a nose in front of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner, Wilko. With this strong performance against the best of his age, Giacomo became a prime prospect for the 2005 classic races. 

Prepping at Santa Anita, Giacomo’s Kentucky Derby stock was diminished by uninspired performances in the Sham Stakes (he finished third), the San Felipe Stakes (a distant second) and the Santa Anita Derby (a non-threatening fourth place finish). Despite these defeats, John Sherriffs and Mike Smith were satisfied with Giacomo’s progress and believed that the 1¼ mile distance of the Kentucky Derby would enhance their colt’s chances. 

The discussions leading up to the 131^st Kentucky Derby centered on whether Bellamy Road was the next Seattle Slew. The Nick Zito trained colt had won the Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack by a record setting 17½ lengths. Despite Bellamy Road’s blowout win, there were questions as to whether he could duplicate his front running effort in a 20 horse field containing other dedicated speed horses. Though Bellamy Road was the post time favorite, there was strong support for Afleet Alex whose victory in the Arkansas Derby and overall form seemed more likely to fit the template of a Kentucky Derby winner. Without much support was the California contingent which included Giacomo who went off at odds of 50-1 despite reports of him training strongly at Hollywood Park.

After the Derby field broke from the gate, there was a rush to the lead with Spanish Chestnut outsprinting the pack. The pace was sizzling for a 1¼ mile race. Down the backstretch, Spanish Chestnut had a 1½ length lead with Flower Alley, High Fly and Bellamy Road right behind. Around the far turn, Flower Alley was the first to drop out, but Bellamy Road and High Fly made concerted efforts to take the lead. Afleet Alex, who was 11^th in the early part of the race, made significant progress around the far turn but was caught between horses behind the leading group. Mike Smith settled Giacomo far back in 18^th place, hoping to make one final run. At the top of the stretch with the leaders faltering, it appeared anybody’s race to win, when out of the pack 71-1 shot Closing Argument forged to the lead followed on his inside by Afleet Alex who had split horses. Just when it appeared the Derby would be decided between these two, Smith had Giacomo lumbering on the far outside and was able get the big gray colt by the embattled pair near the finish for an improbable ½ length victory. Closing Argument held second by a similar margin over Afleet Alex.

 

Giacomo winning the 2005 Kentucky Derby

In winning Giacomo became (at the time) the second biggest long shot to win the Derby. The Mosses had previously graced the Churchill Downs’ winner’s circle in 1994 with Kentucky Oaks heroine Sardula (and would achieve even greater fame later with the incomparable Zenyatta). For trainer John Shirreffs, this upset victory was a showcase for the racing world to recognize his training acumen. Mike Smith was recording his first Kentucky Derby victory having previously finished second three times. He saw Giacomo’s victory vindication for his sire Holy Bull, whom Smith rode to an inexplicable 12^th place finish in the 1994 Derby.

The Kentucky Derby triumph was the zenith of Giacomo’s racing career. He finished third in the Preakness Stakes and a dull seventh in the Belmont Stakes. In both races, Afleet Alex was the runaway victor, atoning for his Derby defeat. Raced until the end of 2006, Giacomo would win only one other race – the San Diego Handicap before retiring to an indifferent career as a stallion.

An even more unlikely Kentucky Derby hero was Mine That Bird. Owned by Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Suerte Equine, he was a bay gelded son of Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone foaled in 2006 and purchased for $9,500 as a yearling. The smallish Kentucky bred began his racing career in Canada winning several stakes races as a juvenile. However, in his lone United States start, he finished 12^th and last in the season ending Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Preparing for the 2009 classics under new trainer Benny “Chip” Wooley Jr. in New Mexico, Mine That Bird finished second and fourth in minor stakes races at Sunland Park.  

Despite his recent modest form, Mine That Bird received notoriety leading up to the Kentucky Derby for two reasons. One was that Chip Wooley, despite being on crutches from a motorcycle accident, personally drove the van carrying the horse the 1,500 mile journey from New Mexico to Kentucky. The second attention getter was that Mine That Bird would be ridden by Calvin Borel who was rapidly becoming a Churchill Downs icon. Despite these factors, the gelding went to post at a generous 50-1 odds.

The year’s Derby was considered wide open with the late scratch of the pre-race favorite I Want Revenge. As the 19 horse field left the starting gate over the sloppy racing surface, there was the usual rush to gain position heading for the clubhouse turn. Borel, in his trade mark move, sent Mine That Bird towards the rail, settling in the rear several lengths behind the 18^th place horse. For much of the run down the backstretch, Mine That Bird seemed disconnected from the race apparently languishing in last position. However, as the field moved around the far turn, Borel signaled to his mount who surged along the inside going by horses readily. Around the final bend, Borel steered Mine That Bird off the rail to pass a horse but then put him back on the inside for the stretch run. Powering by the field in mid-stretch, Mine That Bird drew clear for an implausible 6¾ length victory. Finishing second was Pioneer of the Nile, a nose in front of Musket Man.

Mine That Bird winning the 2009 Kentucky Derby
(photo: nytimes.com)

This was one of the truly underdog stories in the history of the Kentucky Derby. In addition to the long van ride, the mediocre races at unheralded Sunland Park and the unknown connections, the sight of Mine That Bird’s trainer, Chip Woolley hobbling on crutches, only increased the mystique. Due praise was given to Calvin Borel who in a little over 24 hours had won the Kentucky Oaks with a “sure thing” in Rachel Alexandra and now took the Derby with a rank longshot.

Mine That Bird ran nobly in the other classic races. In the Preakness Stakes, under new jockey Mike Smith, he closed strongly after going very wide around the Pimlico Racetrack far turn to miss by a length in catching Rachel Alexandra whom Calvin Borel chose to ride over his Kentucky Derby mount. In the Belmont Stakes (with Borel back aboard), Mine That Bird was the solid favorite and made a powerful move around the stretch turn to reach the lead but flattened out in the stretch drive to finish third, beaten a total of 3 lengths to Summer Bird (another son of Birdstone).

Mine That Bird continued racing throughout his four-year-old season in 2010. Competing often at the highest level, he was unable to duplicate his Derby victory, retiring after a string of unplacings. Being a gelding, there was no stud career in Mine That Bird’s future. He currently resides at Double Eagle Ranch (the home of one of his owners) in Roswell, NM.

The last of the “upsetters” owes his Derby success more to serendipity than ability. Country House was a chestnut son of Lookin At Lucky bred in Kentucky by Joseph V. Shields Jr. As the result of Shields’ death in 2018 (just after Country House’s first race), ownership in the colt was assumed by Shields’ wife, Maury and his nephew Guinness McFadden. Throughout Country House’s abbreviated racing career he was trained by Bill Mott.

Winless in two starts as a two-year-old in 2018, he broke his maiden in January 2019 at Gulfstream Park in an 8½ furlong race with a powerful come from behind rally. Judged Triple Crown worthy by Mott, Country House was sent to the Fair Grounds Racetrack where he finished second in the Risen Star Stakes and fourth in the Louisiana Derby. In his final Kentucky Derby prep race, the rangy son of Lookin At Lucky placed third to prime Derby contenders Omaha Beach and Improbable in the Arkansas Derby, beaten a total of 6¾ lengths.

The 2019 Kentucky Derby would be one of the most discussed in history with the final chapter still to be written. The first shock was the scratch of pre-race favorite Omaha Beach, a few days before the Derby due to an entrapped epiglottis. In the aftermath, 19 faced the starting gate on a wet day at Churchill Downs. The Bob Baffert triumvirate – Improbable, Roadster and Game Winner were well supported in the betting with the first named the post time favorite. The second choice was Florida Derby winner and former claiming horse Maximum Security. 

The field broke cleanly from the starting gate over the sloppy surface. Jockey Luis Saez put Maximum Security on the lead closely followed by Bodexpress, Long Range Toddy and War of Will. Everything seemed to be going well as the field went around the far turn. Tyler Gaffalione guided War of Will off the rail to the outside of Maximum Security as Code of Honor mounted a challenge up the vacated inside. Also running a strong race was Country House who was rallying on the outside from mid-pack. As War of Will was looming next to Maximum Security, the latter did not corner the turn well, forcing the former wide and also impacting Long Range Toddy. Briefly Code of Honor gained the lead, but Maximum Security fought back and repelled the latter, War of Will and Country House. At the finish, the son of New Year’s Day was 1¾ lengths in front of Country House who was ¾ of a length ahead of Code of Honor. War of Will faded to finish in eighth place, and Long Range Toddy checked in 17^th.

2019 Kentucky Derby with Country House at far left
(photo: nypost.com)

The stewards did not post an inquiry, nor did the rider of presumably impeded War of Will (Gaffalione). It was Country House’s jockey Flavien Pratt, perhaps sensing an opportunity, who claimed foul against Maximum Security. After an agonizing 22 minute wait, the stewards disqualified Maximum Security (the first in Derby history in the race itself) and placed him 17^th. Country House, at odds 65-1 (second longest in Kentucky Derby history), gained the roses, a first for Bill Mott. The official victor’s owners (there was an additional partner in LNJ Foxwoods) were understandably jubilant at their unexpected good fortune. On the other hand, the connections of Maximum Security were in a state of shock seeing their Derby glory snatched from them by an administrative decision.

The racing community was divided on the justness of the stewards’ verdict. Those supporting it argued there was a clear foul and in any other race there would be no question of a disqualification. The other side claimed that this was the Kentucky Derby and only an egregious interference should merit an alteration in the order of finish. They boosted their argument claiming Country House, the chief beneficiary of the stewards’ decision, was unaffected by Maximum Security’s wayward behavior around the stretch turn and should not be rewarded with the victory. Gary West and his wife Mary, owners of Maximum Security, convinced of this argument, appealed the disqualification to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. When denied, the Wests and their attorneys took the case to a federal district court. When informed by the judge that decisions by the Commission are not subject to judicial review, the connections of Maximum Security have made a further appeal, which is still pending in the U. S. Court of Appeals.

The other two horses (Giacomo and Mine That Bird) discussed above had a combined record of 1 win in 18 starts subsequent to their respective Kentucky Derby surprise victories. Country House was not able to improve that dismal record for he never raced again due to a series of ailments and injuries. Retired in early 2020, it was just recently announced he will stand stud in 2021 at Darby Dan Farm in Lexington, KY.

So we see that these three thoroughbreds were dismissed before the Kentucky Derby and, by in large, drifted into obscurity after, but on that first Saturday in May, they shone brightly in the Kentucky sun.