Nostalgic Horse

By Elizabeth Rancani

10. Foolish Pleasure

This gutsy colt is best remembered nowadays for being the other horse in The Great Match in 1975. It is as if the gallant filly, Ruffian’s fate were his fault. She stands out like an enormous shadow over his truly wonderful career. Although not as flashy or splendid as the filly was, he was a star in his own right. At two Foolish Pleasure was an undefeated winner of seven races, three of them Grade 1s. He started his three year old career off with two wins, before losing the Florida Derby to Prince Thou Art. He came back to win the Kentucky Derby and then lost the last two legs of the Triple Crown by a little more than the length of his little body. Wajima beat him in the Grade 1 Governor by a head while carrying ten pounds less, and then Wajima beat him again in the Marlboro when Foolish Pleasure threw in an uncharacteristic no response race. It was obvious he wasn’t himself that day, but the nail was in his coffin. Wajima was voted best three year old of 1975. As a four year old Foolish Pleasure ran eight more times, winning half of them, and was at his absolute best holding off the mighty Forego in the Suburban Handicap. He finished his career with a total of 26 starts, 16 wins, 4 places, and 3 shows. Perhaps it is that Foolish Pleasure was born in a decade where it would be hard to stand out with three Triple Crown winners, Forego, Spectacular Bid and quite possibly the best filly that ever lived, but that doesn’t make him any less a stand out in our eyes.

9. Noor

While Citation will forever be thought of as one of the best horses ever to step foot on a racetrack, there was another possibly better horse, that doesn’t have the Triple Crown next to his name, and therefore has none of the glory that automatically goes along with it. Many would argue and say that Citation was not the same horse as a five year old as he was at three, and that his owners kept him in training mainly to be the first horse to hit millionaire status, but Citation was still a good, consistent horse at five. However, in five of their meetings, one horse hit the wire ahead of him four times. That horse was Noor. Now one can certainly make a case and say that it was the weight allowance that gave Noor the edge, and that could certainly have played a part in their first three meetings. The next two times they met though in the Forty Niners Handicap and the Golden Gate Handicap, weight was not the issue, and even at a slightly higher weight Noor defeated the Triple Crown winner by three lengths, leaving the Daily Racing Form to admit that Citation had “no excuse.” Noor and Citation were born the same year, but Noor spent his first two years in England, so the Triple Crown was never a goal for him. He had a modest year in 1949, but it was 1950 that he really shined. He won five stakes in a row, and met Citation in four of them. He then shipped East and finished second three times at Belmont, twice to One Hitter who carried twenty one pounds less than him in one start, and eighteen pounds less than him in the other. He also lost the Jockey Club Gold Cup to Preakness star Hill Prince, while he carried seven pounds more than the three year old. He finished his career back at Hollywood Park winning both an allowance race over Assault and the Hollywood Gold Cup by seven lengths over Palestinian and Hill Prince. He was awarded Handicap Horse of 1950, but it was the younger star Hill Prince that was given Horse of the Year honors. Noor set three world records and three track records, and is one of only two horses to have defeated two Triple Crown winners. Still, Noor had a far greater shadow cast on his career, than even the mighty Citation or Hill Prince. His barn already had their once in a lifetime star in the legendary Seabiscuit ten years before him. He had much to live up to.

8. Landaluce

When Seattle Slew retired expectations were high that he would be as successful a stallion as he was a racehorse. But, would he be able to replicate himself in the breeding shed? So when his daughter hit the track in July of 1982, fans had high hopes. Landaluce did not disappoint. She went right to the lead and stayed there, winning easily by seven lengths. Her time was even better than Ruffian’s Spinaway victory. And while it is hard to compare times between two different racetracks, on two different days, the filly was clearly something special. Her next start was even more impressive in the Hollywood Lassie. She won by an astounding twenty one lengths in a scorching 1:08. She rattled off three more wins, again in spectacular fashion. She finished her year off with five wins in five starts and won them by a combined total of 46 1/2 lengths. She won at distances from six furlongs to a mile and sixteenth. Seattle Slew had a worthy successor and she was voted Two Year Old Filly of the Year. The sky was the limit for this filly, and it was not hard to think that the legendary Ruffian may have a challenger. They did, after all share the same devastating running style and now shared the same perfect two year old records. But, just as the racing gods cruelly tore Ruffian away, they came for Landaluce. The brilliant filly with so much promise died in D. Wayne Lukas’s arms that November of a viral infection, taking with her the hopes and dreams of another generation of fans.

7. Timely Writer

This horse is so forgotten that when the Ruffian movie aired, there was a note at the end of it that stated that she is the only horse buried at Belmont Park. Fans of Timely Writer, of course, know differently. Even the editor of Bloodhorse, Ray Paulick stated that Timely Writer just wasn’t the caliber of Ruffian or Go For Wand, and there have been times where his grave at Belmont looked forgotten as well. We at Nostalgic horse, think differently about this gritty colt who became the “people’s horse”. Timely Writer was bought for just $13,500 by meat packing plant owners from Boston, Peter and Francis Martin. He began his career as a claimer, but won so impressively at Monmouth by eight lengths, tying a track record, he was immediately taken out of any further claiming races. As a two year old he won the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes, and then won the Grade 1 Champagne by five lengths. In the Champagne he beat Deputy Minister by eight lengths, thus handing him his only defeat as a two year old. Still, it was Deputy Minister that went on to win two year old honors that year. At three Timely Writer won the Flamingo and the Florida Derby, making him an early favorite to wear the roses in 1982. Sadly, a severe case of colic almost took his life, and sidelined him for the season. He came back in the fall but had to be withdrawn from the Jerome Handicap, and then finished seventh in his next start. Many felt he was simply not strong enough to race against older horses in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. He was running well in the race though, when his foreleg snapped and the hard luck horse could not overcome the severity of his injury. Three other horses fell with him, and he and Johnny Dance were euthanized on the track. All in all Timely Writer ran fifteen times, won nine, finished second once and third twice. His life is a shining example of how a hero and champion can come from even the most humble beginnings, and his death once again shines light on the fragility of the thoroughbred racehorse.

6. Dark Mirage

Anyone impressed by the yearling filly, Dark Mirage would have been alone with their stand. At just seven hundred pounds, she was anything but impressive. Lloyd Miller saw something in her though, and bought her for just $6,000 at the Keeneland yearling sale. At two Dark Mirage had only two wins to her credit, and still no one thought much of her. Something clicked with her in the spring of 1968 though and she ripped off nine straight wins, including New York’s Filly Triple Crown. She was the first filly to ever wear that crown. She was sidelined after the end of July, however with a foot injury that kept her from facing colts in the fall. Rival trainer, Max Hirsch commented at the time, “I’m not at all sure that little filly can’t beat any of them- Dr. Fager, Damascus, any of them- at a mile and a half, scale weights. She came back the following February and picked up where she left off, winning the Santa Maria Handicap. The Santa Margarita would be her last start however, and her undoing. She was bumped badly at the break, and then jumped a cellophane wrapper that had blown onto the track. She never finished that race, and shortly after it was discovered that she had dislocated a sesamoid bone in her right front ankle. She was retired, but died the following July after emergency surgery. Dark Mirage might not be remembered as a great horse, for early on in her career she was anything but, but for those ten consecutive wins between March of 1968 and February of 1969 she was spectacular. The fact that she was able to stand out in an era that included many all- time greats, leaves little doubt that she deserved the nickname, “Tiny Tigress, ” and that the Filly Triple Crown had a deserving first winner for the history books. It is no fault of hers, that waiting in the wings was a filly who would also wear that crown and obliterate all that came before her.

5. Hoist The Flag

It is amazing that when Barbaro broke down in last year’s Preakness, more wasn’t mentioned about this horse, especially after it seemed Barbaro was going to live, because this horse is a perfect example of a racetrack success story. Hoist The Flag began his career in September of 1970, and won by 2 1/2 lengths under 122 pounds. He followed that win with three more wins that year by a total of 9 3/4 lengths. His last race as a two year old, however saw him disqualified and placed last for causing a jam. It was obvious, still that this horse was going to be something special. Jockey Jean Cruguet who would later go on to ride the great Seattle Slew, said he doubted that Hoist the Flag could be beaten. He started 1971 off with a win in an allowance race, easily beating To The Man by fifteen lengths. The two year old champ was back, and apparently better than ever. He then bettered the field at the Bay Shore Stakes by seven lenths, and many thought that he would finally end the Triple Crown drought. People started gathering at Belmont to watch his morning work outs, for surely they were witnessing something wonderful. Then one morning tragedy struck and Hoist the Flag shattered his right hind leg. Veternarians concurred that his catastrophic injury was hopeless and impending euthanasia was near. His cannon bone running from ankle to knee was split vertically, and a four inch long section had snapped off and slid out of place. His long pastern bone from ankle to hoof was also shattered. The colt should not have survived but orthopedic innovator, Dr. Jacques Jenny and Dr. William Reed operated on Hoist the Flag and remarkably saved his life. Hoist the Flag went onto become an influential sire, and interestingly enough was the grandsire of champion filly Personal Ensign who suffered a similiar injury after her first race. Her leg was repaired and she went on to win twelve straight races, and retired completely sound. Hoist the Flag did not have time to be included with the all time greats, although it is quite possible he would have been, had he not sustained such an injury, but his story is even more important to thoroughbred racing. His survival alone is one of the greatest success stories ever in the history of thoroughbred racing.

4. Canonero II

It is easy to be forgotten in an era of giants. Such is the case with Canonero II. He was born and bred in Kentucky and bought by Edgar Caibett, a native of Venezuela at the Keeneland sale for just $1200 because of a crooked foreleg. Canonero II began his racing career in Venezuala as a two year old, and won twice in four starts. As a three year old, he ran eight more times in Venezuala and finished in front six times. His trainer, Juan Arias decided his colt should try the Kentucky Derby. No one took him seriously. They sent him off at high odds in with a six horse betting pool. In one of the greatest upsets in Derby history, Canonero II went from 18th position to 1st and finished well ahead of the rest of the field. Still no one believed his win was anymore than a fluke. He would never win another race in the United States. He proved them wrong two weeks later, when he took the second leg of racing’s Triple Crown in a new track record. Suddenly a colt bought for mere pennies, and trained in Venezuela was poised to take racing’s highest honor. A foot infection kept him from finishing any better than fourth though in the grueling Belmont Stakes, and Canonero II faded out of sight until the following year. The campaign and travel had exhausted him, and those who knew the colt, felt he was on 75% at the Belmont Stakes. He was sold to King Ranch in Texas and given time to recouperate. He returned with a new trainer, William Hirsch and new jockey, JL Rotz. He started the year finishing a game second in the Carter Handicap, but fell off his form and ran poorly in his next three starts. He was at his best beating three year old star, Riva Ridge in the Stymie Handicap by five lengths that September. He ran one more time at Aqueduct and finished second to handicap star, Autobiography. He was retired to Gainesway Farm in Kentucky. He never made it as a stallion and was eventually sent back to Venezuela. Truth be told, he was never sent the type of mares appropriate for a horse that so much was expected from. He was forgotten as a stallion, the way they forgot him as a Derby and Preakness prospect, and the way today he is forgotten. While bigger stars were about to emerge in the seventies, one should remember that it was Canonero and his crowd appeal that paved the way for a renewed interest in the sport of kings. Cries of “Viva Canonero” are silent now, and the horse is long since gone, but for those that still remember the spring of 1971, it was a good time to be a thoroughbred racing fan.

3. Sham

It is hard not to feel for the connections of anyone who had to face that big red monster in the spring of 1973. They were destined to be forgotten, unless they could race for several more years like the mighty Forego and face rivals that were not the greatest racehorse to ever live. Sham did not have longevity in his favor and therefore will always be remembered as the horse that finished second to Secretariat. Sham, himself compiled a decent race record. He ran thirteen times with five wins, five seconds and one third. He only finished out of the money twice, and one of those times was in the Belmont where his mission was suicidal. At three Sham was a leading contender for the Kentucky Derby. He won the Santa Catalina Stakes and was most impressive in the Santa Anita Derby, equaling the stakes record for that race. Then he came east and faced a stellar field in the Wood Memorial, his final Derby prep. He finished second, and in doing so actually finished ahead of Secretariat. It was very possible that Sham could wear the roses. Sadly, for Sham it wasn’t to be. Secretariat, back to his old self, beat him by 2 1/2 lengths and set a new Derby record. Sham, did not have a good race. He ripped two teeth out in the starting gate, and bled the entire way. Even still, he finished with a time of 1:59 4/5. That time was good enough to win every single Kentucky Derby, but one. The Preakness result was exactly the same. Again, Sham was only second best. In the Belmont, his trainer decided to switch tactics, and send Sham after Secretariat from the beginning. They ran as a team until they hit the backstretch, dueling at a ridiculous pace until Secretariat broke loose and put on the greatest show that American racing has ever seen. Sham finished last that day, and surely was broken hearted. He was a champion who could have been a Triple Crown winner himself, but he was born in the wrong year. He suffered a hairline fracture during training in July and was retired to Walmac in Kentucky. Unlike Alydar, who would go on to best his rival, Affirmed in the breeding shed, Sham had a less than spectacular career as a stallion. He did sire a few stakes winners, but there were no Lady’s Secrets or Risen Stars in his progency. He died of a heart attack on April 3, 1993, and is buried at Walmac. Thousands of fans over the years visited the legend that was Secretariat. When he died even People magazine covered it, but for the little brown colt who tried to run with Big Red, his life and death were lived in obscurity. He is not on anyone’s list of top thoroughbreds, but we know here at Nostalgic horse, that if the year had not been 1973, Sham would have been a star in his own right. He would have unquestionably worn the Derby roses, and it is our belief that he could have won a Triple Crown. William Nack once said that not even Pegasus could have beaten Secretariat the day of The Belmont Stakes, and he is probably right. Still, it is nice to remember the little colt that tried.

2. Awesome Again

Perhaps it was that Awesome Again started his career in Canada, or maybe it was that Belmont Stakes winner, Touch Gold resided in his barn. Whatever the reason, Awesome Again is surely a horse that gets no credit. It is interesting to see nowadays a Breeders Cup Classic winner that did not go on to win the Horse of the Year honors. Sure, it happens but in 1998, perhaps it should not have happened. Awesome Again started out racing in Canada, and won the Queens Plate as a three year old. Owner, Frank Stronach decided to try him in the United States and brought the colt over to win the Jim Dandy. He then ran third in the Travers and finished a dismal fifth in the Super Derby. In doing so, he injured his back and was out the rest of his three year old year. As a four year old he came back a bigger and far better horse. The time off obviously agreed with him and he strung together six straight wins, including the Whitney, and Hawthorn Gold Cup. He defeated Silver Charm in the Stephen Foster and then topped his year off with a thrilling win in the Classic, defeating one of the best fields ever, including Silver Charm and Skip Away. The latter was voted Horse of the Year, and is certainly a horse for the ages, but one should never forget the horse that beat him. This year the Hall of Fame is adding Silver Charm to their list of inductees, and hopefully one day Awesome Again can join him, since he did defeat Silver Charm in both their encounters. He was denied an Eclipse award, but hopefully the Hall of Fame will one day recognize him. As a sire he is sure to be remembered, however. His son followed in his father’s footsteps and won the Breeders Cup Classic in 2004 and also went on to win the Horse of the year title. Ghostzapper is also quite possibly the fastest horse to step foot on the track in decades. It is certainly hard to forget that.

1. Exceller

Exceller finds himself in our number one spot for two reasons. One being his tragic end and the other being the fact that he is perhaps the most accomplished horse that never won year end honors of any kind. He also, like Noor, has beaten two Triple Crown winners, but he is the only horse to have done it in the same race. He lived in an era of racing giants, and had to face two of the sports’ greatest. He was born in 1973 and purchased by Nelson Bunker Hunt. He began his career in France as he was better suited to longer distances. He won the Prix Royal Oak and Grand Prix de Paris as a three year old and in the fall of his four year old year, he was shipped to the United States. He finished second to Majectic Light at Belmont in the Grade 1 Man o’ War, and then went on to win the Canadian International. In 1978 he had a new trainer, Charlie Whittingham and a new jockey, Willie Shoemaker. He won the Arcadia Handicap, the San Juan Capistrano Handicap, The Hollywood Invitational Handicap, The Hollywood Gold Cup, and the Sunset Handicap before finishing second to the great Seattle Slew in the Woodward. In the Jockey Club Gold Cup he faced both Seattle Slew and Affirmed, and hung on gamely to defeat the courageous Slew by a nose. He finished out the year winning the Oak Tree Invitational, but was denied any Eclipse award. Seattle Slew was awarded Handicap Horse of the Year, Affirmed took top honors, and while many thought Exceller would win Turf horse, Mac Diarmida won the award. Exceller was not the same horse at six, and was retired in May of 1979. His career included 33 starts, with 15 wins, 5 places and 6 seconds. He was sent to Gainesway to begin his career as a sire. After it became clear, he would never make a great stallion, he was sold in 1991 to a farm in Sweden to suffer his greatest injustice yet. In 1997, the great horse was sold to a slaughterhouse, and that is where his life ended. Sadly, he is remembered more for his gruesome death, than his accomplishments on the track. The Exceller Fund was set up shortly after his demise and continues to help horses in retirement avoid Exceller’s fate. Currently many senators are trying to pass a bill to outlaw horse slaughter in America. It is long overdue.

Please visit The Exceller Fund for more information on how you can contribute.

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