view raw text
*—mm—*mmmmm REFLECTIONS fiy NfLS0N Du™TAN CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., April 30. — Here in Derbytown, the "Triple Crown" is being discussed as this is the year when Native Dancer, or possibly some other three -year-old, may become the ninth American horse to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont. Back in the early days, our grandfathers and fathers thrilled when a horse had the class to win the Brooklyn, Metropolitan and Suburban Handicaps. But as times changed, a new "Triple Crown" came into existence, for the three-year-old races named had all taken on importance in their own right. The "Triple Crown" origined in England 100 years ago this season. The Two Thousand Guineas, Epsom Derby and St. Leger was first run as a series in 1853, and it was won by West Australian. In the 100 years that have elapsed, only 14 three-year-olds have accomplished the feat. Three. Ormonde, Rock Sand and Bahram, were brought to this country. Among others, Rock Sand sired Friar Rock, a half-brother to Fair Play, sire of Man o War. Ormonde, who was unbeaten on the race course, became a "roarer," and was sold to South America, but was returned later for stud duty in California. Bahram, too, was sold to South American interests, and, according to latest reports, is doing very well below the equator. AAA In 1919, the Kentucky Derby had a value of 0,825, the greatest up to that time. That year it was decided to merge the three races in public fancy as the American "Triple Crown." Just who was responsible for it has never been known, to our knowledge. It was very different from Englands trio, for on the other side there is usually a span of about four months between the Two Thousand Guineas and the St. Leger. In this country, we 100th Anniversary of Triple Crown West Australian First Winner in 1853 American Crown Started With Sir Barton Eight Have Won Trio of Spring Classics asked the horse to win at Louisville, rush to Baltimore for the Preakness a week later, and then run in the Belmont Stakes three weeks later, a period of just five weeks. With the arduous training necessary many a horse was knocked out long before the division moved into Louisville. Fortunately, this year the Derby will be run Saturday, the Preakness three weeks later, and the Belmont three weeks following the Baltimore event. It takes a good horse to win those three races. In 1919 Sir Barton, a son of Star Shoot, was the first to accomplish the feat. He did even better by also winning the Withers, and that feat was not duplicated until Count Fleet came on the scene. Man o War passed up the Kentucky Derby, but won the Preakness and Belmont in hollow fashion, and then took the Withers from Wildair and David Harum. Later that year, he defeated Sir Barton at Kenilworth Park in what was called "The Match of the Ages." I A A It became evident quickly, as in England, that horses capable of winning these three races come few and far between. After Sir Barton won the trio in 1919, 11 years were to pass before Gallant Fox came along in 1930 to have his name etched on the "Triple Crown" beadroll. As a two-year-old, this son of Sir Gallahad III. won the Flash and Junior Champion, and in the spring of the following yqear he took the Wood Memorial, and went on to nine victories, his one setback being at the heels of Jim Dandy in that never-to-be-forgotten Trayers Stakes at Saratoga. Four more years were to pass before another "Triple Crown" winner, Omaha, was to come on the scene, and it naturally made headlines, as he was a son of Gallant Fox, thus being the first father and son combination to capture the three spring classics for members of the division. Gallant Fox is now retired to a life of ease at Claiborne Farm at Paris, Ky., while Omaha, who was not much of a success when sent to stud, is standing in Nebraska, a fitting place for a horse named Omaha, as it is one of the principal cities of that great state. AAA Following Sir Barton, Gallant Fox and Omaha, five more horses were to win our "Triple Crown," War Admiral, 1937; Whirlaway, 1941; Count Fleet, 1943; Assault, 1946, and Citation, 1948. In our opinion, these were five of the foremost horses of the present century. They proved, conclusively, that it takes a great campaigner to win the three events, and then continue on an outstanding sophomore career, to say nothing of success in the handicap ranks. Although Man o War was not a winner of the "Triple Crown," his son, War Admiral, was a worthy successor despite his defeat by Seabiscuit in the Pimlico Special, which acutally was a match race. Whirlaway gave racing fans many thrills with his late stretch runs. And Count Fleet, although he did not go beyond the Belmont, was a worthy son of his sire, Reigh Count, who was also a Derby winner. Assault, in our opinion, has not been given the credit due him, and it was unfortunate that, when not in condition he was defeated by Armed in a match race at Belmont Park. That Sir Barton, War Admiral and Assault should be beaten in match races is one of the pages of turfs history. Then came Citation, and here is a horse, who, in our opinion, came as close to being a Man o War as any in the past 33 years. He, too, had a set back in his races with Noor, but he did go on to Continued on Page Thirty-Seven REFLECTIONS By NELSON DUNSTAN Continued from Page Forty -Eight be the first horse ever to win more than a million dollars. i A A Of the eight "Triple Crown" winners, Count Fleet stands out as a sire. While Sir Barton begot a few useful horses he could not be called a successful stud. Gallant Fox was not only the sire of Omaha, but also of Flares and Granville, who was the three-year-old champion of his year, winning the Belmont, Travers, Arlington Classic, Lawrence Realization and Saratoga Cup. For a time it appeared as if Man o Wars male line was to die with him. But the arrival of War Admiral and War Relic has given hope for its continuation. War Admiral was the first of our "Triple Crown" winners to head the sire list. Not only did Count Fleet become the leading sire of the year in 1951, but was second to Bull Lea in 1952. Citation was the last of the "Triple Crown" winners, and with his first crop arriving on the scene this year there is every hope that he, too, will go on to be one of the outstanding stallions of the current decade. It is a never-ending process, and the next six weeks will tell whether Native Dancer or some other horse will join the eight who, since 1919, have won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont.
