Read on Twitter
Today's vintage racing program (#6):
The 1987 Belmont Stakes
(thread)
The 1987 Belmont Stakes
(thread)
This was the year that Alysheba was bidding to become a Triple Crown winner after winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.
At bottom is a description of the $5 million Triple Crown Challenge, and "theoretical" past winners of the $1 million consolation prize.
At bottom is a description of the $5 million Triple Crown Challenge, and "theoretical" past winners of the $1 million consolation prize.
Notably, this was also the year that trainer Woody Stephens was attempting to win an almost unfathomable 6th consecutive Belmont Stakes after sweeping the five previous runnings (1982-1986).
Jockey and trainer standings at the Belmont Park spring/summer meet as of June 4, 1987
The day got off to quite a start, with the G3 Roseben Handicap carded as the 1st race. It featured the 4yo debut of Groovy, who would go on to be champion sprinter this season.
Groovy won this race by 4 1/4 lengths in 1:08 2/5, and then two weeks later smashed the 6F track record in the G2 True North, stopping the clock in 1:07 4/5.
I couldn't find a replay of the Roseben, but here's the record-setting True North performance.
I couldn't find a replay of the Roseben, but here's the record-setting True North performance.
Groovy is one of the fastest sprinters in thoroughbred history, and in these two performances achieved two of the highest Beyer Speed Figures ever recorded (131 & 134).
Andy Beyer discusses Groovy in this passage in his 1993 book Beyer on Speed.
Andy Beyer discusses Groovy in this passage in his 1993 book Beyer on Speed.
Groovy's lifetime PPs from Champions
The 2nd race of the day was an ordinary allowance at 1 1/16 miles, which included Milesius, who would win 2 consecutive runnings of the Manhattan Handicap (1988-89), and Quick Call, winner of 2 straight Forego Handicaps at Saratoga (1988-89).
The 5th race was the Riva Ridge.
The heavy favorite was Polish Navy, the '86 Futurity/Champagne winner who was making his 3yo debut.
However, he was no match for NY-bred Jazzing Around, who ran off to win by 8 lengths for owner/trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
The heavy favorite was Polish Navy, the '86 Futurity/Champagne winner who was making his 3yo debut.
However, he was no match for NY-bred Jazzing Around, who ran off to win by 8 lengths for owner/trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
The 6th race was the Tanya Stakes, won easily by excellent turf horse Graceful Darby. She would go on to win the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland later in the year, one of many fillies in her extended family to do so.
The 7th race was the Mother Goose, and this one features many familiar names, mostly in the form of future broodmares...
- Bound is the dam of Blame
- Chic Shirine's daughters produced G1 winners Verrazano and Somali Lemonade
- Nastique would win 4 G1 races and produced a Japanese G1 winner
- Hometown Queen is the dam of millionaire Bowman's Band
- Grecian Flight won 21 of 40 starts (PPs
)
- Chic Shirine's daughters produced G1 winners Verrazano and Somali Lemonade
- Nastique would win 4 G1 races and produced a Japanese G1 winner
- Hometown Queen is the dam of millionaire Bowman's Band
- Grecian Flight won 21 of 40 starts (PPs
)
The Belmont Stakes was up next.
Alysheba was seeking to become a Triple Crown winner following victories in the Derby & Preakness, but he was again facing his arch rival Bet Twice.
Woody Stephens sent out Gone West. Gulch and Cryptoclearance were also in the field.
Alysheba was seeking to become a Triple Crown winner following victories in the Derby & Preakness, but he was again facing his arch rival Bet Twice.
Woody Stephens sent out Gone West. Gulch and Cryptoclearance were also in the field.
Here's the replay and TV coverage of the 1987 Belmont Stakes:
Bet Twice took over with a decisive move on the backstretch and drew off to win by 14 lengths. Here's the sports page in the @nytimes the following day, with an article by Steve Crist.
Source: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1987/06/07/263687.html?pageNumber=441
/end
Source: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1987/06/07/263687.html?pageNumber=441
/end
