Tuesday Night Instruction Begins: "I'm Papa D"

At 5PioneerWomen, we want to explain about some of the finest thoroughbreds to run in this sport! The sport of kings and queens! We will start with the Triple Crown Winners:

The Triple Crown consists of the Kentucky Derby; the Preakness; and the Belmont Stakes. The jockey Johnny Loftus got onboard a 3-year old colt named "Sir Barton" in 1919 and rode this fine baby colt to victory in all three races. This started a feat by now thirteen 

3-year olds! H. Guy Bedwell was the trainer, who thought Sir Barton was not that fast to compete with some of the other 3-year olds of 1919. As a 2-year old, Sir Barton was used as a 'rabbit', going to the lead and then dropping back- as his stablemate would pass him at times. Then later as a 2-year old, Sir Barton would hold onto the lead and win over his stablemate Eternal. This then caught the eye of the trainer Bedwell. When Sir Barton finally grew into his body at the beginning of his 3-year old campaign- with a ton of speed and a heart to win every race! This first Triple Crown Winner cost $10,000 at that time.

The second Triple Crown Winner wasn't until 1930, "Gallant Fox", who would race and challenge every racehorse on the track! The trainer was Jim Fitzsimmons and the jockey, one of the best of all-time, was Earle Sande. Sande at a racetrack won seven races (four times), from 7 mounts! That's remarkable! They made a fabulous combination! Sande was a master at winning races and Gallant Fox was a winner. It's so difficult to win a Triple Crown, only thirteen have done so in 149 years. This fine colt was a large bay stallion with a white blaze. He was sired by French bred stallion Sir Gallahad III and dam **Marguerite. Gallant Fox was foaled at Bull Hancock’s Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky. His owner was William Woodward Sr., the owner of Belair Stud. 

Our third Triple Crown Winner wasn't until 1935, "Omaha", the son of Gallant Fox; who started second favorite at the Kentucky Derby, with his supporters including Damon Runyon, who tipped the colt despite describing him as "a big, leggy, green thing that seems to invariably get into a lot of trouble". Despite cold weather and heavy rain, the race attracted a crowd of over 50,000 at Churchill Downs, and the filly Nellie Flag was made favorite. Jockey Saunders kept Omaha clear of early trouble before moving the colt into the lead in the backstretch. Omaha was never seriously challenged and won by a length and a half from Roman Soldier, after building an almost 4 length lead, without Saunders ever using his whip!  

The fourth Triple Crown Winner in 1937, "War Admiral". A sleek black colt, who was a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who was, the fourth winner of the American Triple Crown in thoroughbred racing. He was also the 1937 Horse of the Year and well known as the rival of 'Seabiscuit' in the 'Match Race of the Century' in 1938. Which the 'Biscuit' won easy. Later, War Admiral sired 373 winners, of which 40 were Stake winners. The "Admiral" won 21 of 26 starts- lifetime. One race by 36 lengths!

Our fifth Triple Crown Winner was "Whirlaway" in 1941. The sire was Beinheim and the dam was Dustwhirl, as Whirlaway would get bored easily, since many of his races were won by over ten lengths! Whirlaway won 21 Stakes Races, 32 races in all! He would wow every crowd with his speed and could be seen as never breathing hard after a race (another day at the park!) Whirlaway died at a very young age (15) while a sire in France. 

                 Whirlaway - Documentary (youtube.com) 

The sixth Triple Crown Winner was "Count Fleet" in 1943. He was a brown colt sired by 1928 Kentucky Derby winner Reigh Count. His dam was a mare named Quickly who had a talent for sprinting. He was born on March 24, 1940 at Stoner Creek Farm in Paris, Kentucky. His owner was John D. Hertz who initially didn’t think much of the colt and tried to sell him twice. But jockey Johnny Longden convinced him to keep the colt. Little did Mr. Hertz know, that Count Fleet would turn into the sixth Triple Crown champion in the thoroughbred world. The "Count" won sixteen of 21 races' never finishing worse than third. He never lost a race by more than TWO lengths! He won five Stakes races just before winning the Triple Crown as a 3-year old.

1946 came along with a fiery colt named "Assault!" Foaled at King Ranch in Texas, Assault was sired by Bold Venture, who had won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 1936. His dam was the unraced Igual, by Horse of the Year Equipoise. Assault made his racing debut as a two-year-old in 1945, finishing 12th. He hadn't grown into his body yet. He had two victories from nine starts that year and won the Flash Stakes in a four-way photo finish, coming from seventh- 11 lengths behind! Early in his three-year-old season, he won the Wood Memorial, but his run in the Derby Trial made him an outsider in the Kentucky Derby. By this time, Assault had grown into his frame and began crushing his opponents! This was our seventh Triple Crown Winner. Very smooth-running racehorse as he beat his foes as a 3-year old. 

The eighth Triple Crown Winner was "Citation" in 1948. On June 12, 1948, Citation became the eighth Triple Crown winner by capturing the Belmont Stakes, winning it by 8 lengths and tying the stakes record of 2:28 1⁄5 set by the sixth Triple Crown winner, Count Fleet. Citation then won the Stars and Stripes Handicap, equaling Armed's track record. Citation never liked for another racehorse to get in front of him. A master in racing! A week before Citation ran in the Belmont Stakes- he posted a 1:31.2 BG in a mile warm-up! 

                CITATION - Full Documentary (youtube.com)    

                      31 victories of 45 races; only one 4th Place Finish! 16 straight wins!!        

The ninth Triple Crown Winner didn't come until 1973, "Secretariat!" It took 25 years for this sport to get another Triple Crown winner! Please watch this short film: 

           (4) Secretariat - Triple Crown Races - High Quality (Rare Footage) - YouTube 

Secretariat had problems in the beginning of his 3-year old campaign; especially in the Wood Memorial, where he finished 3rd, many thought that he was sick. But Secretariat had a mind of his own. He went on to win several more races and sired thousands of racehorses! Tapit and Secretariat are the two greatest sires in this sport. Oh, in that Triple Crown victory, Ron Turcotte never had to use the whip, at anytime! Showed the whip to Big Red a few times. Secretariat ran the Belmont Stakes in 2:24.0 flat! Winning that race by 31 lengths. In the Kentucky Derby, Secretariat was third from last place at the start and came up around the field to win by three lengths! He also sat last in the Preakness and rushed up to take the lead before the half mile! 

Our tenth Triple Crown Winner came in 1977, "Seattle Slew." A masterful racehorse who had the ability to take over any race! He could take the lead and win and come from behind and win! Once in a stake race, 'Slew' sat in ninth place and came onto to win that race by a neck! Slew was the only Triple Crown Winner until Justify to win every race, including the Triple Crown! This colt was named Horse of the Year in 1977 and also won this honor as a 2 and 5 year old. Such a baby! For $17,500? Please listen. Watch this film:

                                      Seattle Slew - Full Documentary (youtube.com) 

The eleventh Triple Crown Winner was "Affirmed." This colt was well known for all three Triple Crown races where Alydar finished second to Affirmed in all three races! Affirmed was named Horse of the Year and the American Champion in 1978. This chestnut colt served notice to Alydar in the Belmont Stakes with a victory down the stretch, as he headed off Alydar with a game performance! 

           YTTV TrueView ST Evergreen V1A DR None US EN 15s MP4 VIDEO (youtube.com) 

Affirmed ran nine races lifetime, winning 7 races, one second and one third place finish. 

It took 37 years for America to get that twelfth Triple Crown winner, "American Pharoah!" This colt overtook several racehorses in the Kentucky Derby to win by almost three lengths. This accomplishment ended a drought since Affirmed captured that honor in 1978. He also won the Grand Slam of thoroughbred racing in 2015! Only the second racehorse ever to do so. Nine-time major Stakes Winner! 2-Year Old Male Horse of the Year. 3-Year Old Champion & American Horse of the Year! He won 9 of 11 races, one second place finish. 

And our last Triple Crown Winner came in 2018. "Justify" became only the second thoroughbred racehorse to go undefeated. Considering all of the top thoroughbreds that have run since the late 1800's, it is quite an accomplishment! Justify's babies are starting to win! Great stamina in each of his six races. Mike Smith, the master jockey. Justify's babies: "Aspen Grove" (More Than Ready) 4 yo f; "Arabian Lion" (Distorted Humor) 4 yo c; "Pilot Commander" (Carson City) 3 yo c; "Just Steel" (Fastnet Rock (Aus) 3 yo c; "Just FYI" 

(Street Cry (IRE) 3 yo f; "Hard To Justify" (Quality Road) 3 yo f; "Opera Singer" (Sadler's Wells) 3 yo f; "City Of Troy" (Galileo (IRE) 3 yo c; "Buchu" (Galileo (IRE) 3 yo f; "Ramatuelle" 

(Raven's Pass) 3 yo f. Please read our webpage "The Body."

               Whose cute? Got away with the 1:13.21 (2:28.18 Belmont) >>>  Bing Videos 

        Tribute To MAN O' WAR:

                   Tribute to Man O' War Race Horse by Team Velvet, Inc. (youtube.com) 

        Sired 20 Grade One multiple winners!! Won the 1920 Belmont Stakes by 20 lengths!! 

                   March 29, 1917 until November 1, 1947

        Man O' War bypassed the 1920 Kentucky Derby (won by "Paul Jones") then won the

                   1920 Preakness, crushing his foes! 

        In the Sanford, most sources state that Man O' War was still circling with his back to the starting line when the barrier was raised (though some accounts say he was turned only slightly sideways). What is undisputed is that Man O' War had a terrible start, which The New York Times attributed to the absence of the regular starting official. This was Man O' War's only defeat. 

        Man O' War won one race by 100 lengths against six rivals at 1 5/8 miles!

                                    Thank You Team Velvet, Inc. for sharing your thoughts!

        2024 Kentucky Derby

                    2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby Prep Races - BloodHorse 

The Kentucky Derby:

         The Kentucky Derby : Greatest Moments (youtube.com) 

                    Get to listen to a few fabulous songs too!! 

                       Kentucky Derby Winners:

• 1875 Aristides
• 1876 Vagrant
• 1877 Baden-Baden
• 1878 Day Star
• 1879 Lord Murphy
• 1880 Fonso
• 1881 Hindoo
• 1882 Apollo
• 1883 Leonatus
• 1884 Buchanan
• 1885 Joe Cotton
• 1886 Ben Ali
• 1887 Montrose
• 1888 Macbeth II
• 1889 Spokane
• 1890 Riley
• 1891 Kingman
• 1892 Azra
• 1893 Lookout
• 1894 Chant
• 1895 Halma
• 1896 Ben Brush
• 1897 Typhoon II
• 1898 Plaudit
• 1899 Manuel
• 1900 Lieut. Gibson
• 1901 His Eminence
• 1902 Alan-a-Dale
• 1903 Judge Himes
• 1904 Elwood
• 1905 Agile
• 1906 Sir Huon
• 1907 Pink Star
• 1908 Stone Street
• 1909 Wintergreen
• 1910 Donau
• 1911 Meridian
• 1912 Worth
• 1913 Donerail
• 1914 Old Rosebud
• 1915 Regret ♥
• 1916 George Smith
• 1917 Omar Khayyam
• 1918 Exterminator
• 1919 Sir Barton ₩
• 1920 Paul Jones
• 1921 Behave Yourself
• 1922 Morvich
• 1923 Zev
• 1924 Black Gold
• 1925 Flying Ebony
• 1926 Bubbling Over
• 1927 Whiskery
• 1928 Reigh Count 
• 1929 Clyde Van Dusen
• 1930 Gallant Fox ₩
• 1931 Twenty Grand
• 1932 Burgoo King
• 1933 Brokers Tip
• 1934 Cavalcade
• 1935 Omaha ₩
• 1936 Bold Venture
• 1937 War Admiral ₩
• 1938 Lawrin
• 1939 Johnstown
• 1940 Gallahadion
• 1941 Whirlaway ₩
• 1942 Shut Out
• 1943 Count Fleet ₩
• 1944 Pensive
• 1945 Hoop Jr.
• 1946 Assault ₩
• 1947 Jet Pilot
• 1948 Citation ₩
• 1949 Ponder
• 1950 Middleground
• 1951 Count Turf
• 1952 Hill Gail
• 1953 Dark Star
• 1954 Determine
• 1955 Swaps
• 1956 Needles
• 1957 Iron Liege
• 1958 Tim Tam
• 1959 Tomy Lee
• 1960 Venetian Way
• 1961 Carry Back
• 1962 Decidedly
• 1963 Chateaugay
• 1964 Northern Dancer
• 1965 Lucky Debonair
• 1966 Kauai King
• 1967 Proud Clarion
• 1968 Forward Pass (Dancer's Image disqualified)
• 1969 Majestic Prince
• 1970 Dust Commander
• 1971 Canonero II
• 1972 Riva Ridge
• 1973 Secretariat ₩
• 1974 Cannonade
• 1975 Foolish Pleasure
• 1976 Bold Forbes
• 1977 Seattle Slew ₩
• 1978 Affirmed ₩
• 1979 Spectacular Bid
• 1980 Genuine Risk ♥
• 1981 Pleasant Colony
• 1982 Gato Del Sol
• 1983 Sunny's Halo
• 1984 Swale
• 1985 Spend A Buck
• 1986 Ferdinand
• 1987 Alysheba
• 1988 Winning Colors ♥
• 1989 Sunday Silence
• 1990 Unbridled
• 1991 Strike the Gold
• 1992 Lil E. Tee
• 1993 Sea Hero
• 1994 Go for Gin
• 1995 Thunder Gulch
• 1996 Grindstone
• 1997 Silver Charm
• 1998 Real Quiet
• 1999 Charismatic
• 2000 Fusaichi Pegasus
• 2001 Monarchos
• 2002 War Emblem
• 2003 Funny Cide
• 2004 Smarty Jones
• 2005 Giacomo
• 2006 Barbaro
• 2007 Street Sense
• 2008 Big Brown
• 2009 Mine That Bird
• 2010 Super Saver
• 2011 Animal Kingdom
• 2012 I'll Have Another
• 2013 Orb
• 2014 California Chrome
• 2015 American Pharoah ₩
• 2016 Nyquist
• 2017 Always Dreaming
• 2018 Justify ₩
• 2019 Country House (Maximum Security disqualified)
• 2020 Authentic
• 2021 Mandaloun (Medina Spirit disqualified)
• 2022 Rich Strike
• 2023 Mage
• W      Won Triple Crown 
• ♥       3 Year Old Filly 

Marguerite (only raced once) Dam Broodmare to Gallant Fox, Triple Crown Winner:

**  A 1946 Daily Racing Form article lamented the fact that when a sire of one or more outstanding runners dies there will be much written about that stallion in country's all over the world. Conversely, when a mare who has produced similar such successful offspring, scant little will be reported on her accomplishment. That same article recounted a story by the sports Editor of the Atlanta Journal about his visit to Claiborne Farm and the gravesite of Marguerite. The Daily Racing Form commented that Arthur Hancock telling the reporter he was saving a space next to her for Sir Gallahad III was "one of the most romantic stories in the annals of the world's turf." Marguerite's progeny were the likes of: Petee-Wrack; Gallant Fox (Triple Crown Winner); Fighting Fox; Foxbrough; Scarlet Spots; Swift Lady; and 51 other Grade I Winners..

We will continue on with some of the greatest thoroughbreds to ever have run on the continuing webpages. Racehorses who have won the Preakness Stakes, as well as the Belmont Stakes and racehorses like Tapit, Cigar and many others.. 

First 3 Year Old Filly to ever WIN the Kentucky Derby in 1915! Below..