Even greatness has small beginnings: Charismatic
The first prize winner of the 2nd Annual Derby Handicap Contest wins this!
Gato del Sol was a long 21-1 on the board of the 1982 Kentucky Derby, where he trailed early before making up ground slowly then made a stretch move that would hand him victory by 2 1/2 lengths. He was ridden to his greatest win by the legendary jockey Eddie Delahoussaye, but would skip the Preakness due to its tight turns and finish second in the Belmont to Conquistador Cielo. The first Derby winner for the prominent Hancock family, he retired back to their care in Kentucky where this photo and lock of hair were taken shortly before he died.
This is a beautifully-framed 8x10 photograph of Gato in his old age with a nice plate at the bottom bearing his name with a lock from his mane. I managed to purchase this timeless collectible from a horse racing enthusiast who traveled back and forth to Kentucky over the years, visiting favorites like Gato frequently. The frame will ship sturdy and has ample display brackets for easy mounting. Contest to be officially announced soon… good luck!
Weep with me! The stars from Todd Pletcher’s stable of three-year-olds that either faded from view or were injured: El Padrino, Spring Hill Farm, Algorithms, Discreet Dancer, and Stat (who is now apparently a gelding!). Remind me next year to never put a Pletcher trainee in my Derby fantasy stable…
Sons of the legendary Storm Cat — Discreet Cat, Tabasco Cat, Bluegrass Cat, Giant’s Causeway, and Cat Thief.
Oh the things people wear going to the Belmont Stakes (Photo by Dawna Wood/GallopingHatRack.com)
Easter Bunnette bears a striking resemblance to her daughter Havre de Grace (Saint Liam), who races today against a short field in the New Orleans Ladies’ Handicap, race #9 at Fair Grounds.
When you’re stuck with someone in a small box for a couple days, you can’t help but develop some sexual chemistry… right? The “win” and “place” winners for the Derby Handicap Contest are getting Street Sense and this little gray Kentucky Derby plush respectively. Hope you two, whomever you are, can live with being homewreckers.
Know what I just noticed? The three-year-old Bernardini colts Alpha (left) and Algorithms (right) look quite a bit alike.
In 2008, Rick Porter and Larry Jones had three-year-old Eight Belles. Two years later, they had three-year-old Havre de Grace. One would have her ascent to greatness cut short while the other is still soaring.
