Spend A Buck- Pure Speed!

On this unique list of my favorite Thoroughbred Race horses. I have to include a least one of my favorite Kentucky Derby Winners. That horse would be the winner of the Kentucky Derby in 1985. The winner that year was a terrific pure speed horse named "Spend A Buck". The yearly running of the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May. Remains one of the highest honers that can be achieved in the horse racing business! Winning the run for the roses can be compared. To a baseball player winning the World Series. A Football Player winning the Super Bowel. Or a soccer player winning the World Cup of Football! I was thrilled when our wonderful horse 'Truth of It All" completed in the 1993 edition of the Kentucky Derby. I realized through my experience. What an important and prestigious horse-race the Derby is. Also how incredible hard it is to obtain a racehorse good enough to compete in this difficult equine test. Let alone how hard it is to win it!
The distance of the Kentucky Derby is 1 1/4 miles. Run on the first Saturday in May each year. Usually it draws a full field of 20 racehorses. This makes it even more difficult for the best horse in the race to win. Because so much can go terrible wrong in a big field of 20. Also trying to set the pace and lead all the way in the Kentucky Derby I would say is very difficult or impossible feat to accomplish. However on May 4th 1985 the great Thoroughbred "Spend A Buck". Would make the impossible task of setting blistering fractions during the entire 1 1/4 miles in the Derby. Also leading for every stride of the 1985 Kentucky Derby, look easy! The handsome big bay colt with Champion jockey Angel Cordero Jr. riding him. Went to the lead running the first 1/4 mile in 23 seconds. leading by 3 lengths around the Clubhouse turn. In the run down the backstretch. Spend a Buck would blister the opening 1/2 mile in 45.4 and open a 6 length lead. The 1985 "Run For The Roses" was really over at this point in the race. For Spend A Buck was never going to slow down and give a come from behind closer a chance to beat him. Spend A Buck would sizzle the 3/4 mile in 1:09 3/5 and command a 6 length advantage. With jockey Angel Cordero Jr. just steering him. When this fluent pair had reached the head of the stretch and scorched the mile at Churchill Downs in 1:34 4/5. It was now time for Angel Cordero Jr. to take off the cruise control on Spend a Buck and ask him to keep up his frantic pace! Which the pair did coasting home to the finish wire at Churchill Downs. Winning the Kentucky Derby by 5 3/4 lengths in a fishing time of 2:01.1/5. It was truly one of the greatest races that we had all witnessed on this May 4th in 1985, in horse racing history!

Spend A Buck
Sire	Buckaroo
Grandsire	Buckpasser
Dam	Belle de Jour
Damsire	Speak John
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	1982
Country	United States
Colour	Brown
Breeder	C. Rowe Harper, Irish Hill Farm
Owner	Hunter Farm
Trainer	Cam Gambolati
Record	15: 10–3–2
Earnings	$4,220,689

Major wins
Arlington-Washington Futurity Stakes (1984) Kentucky Derby (1985) Jersey Derby (1985) Monmouth Handicap (1985)
Awards
U.S. Champion 3-Yr-Old Colt (1985) United States Horse of the Year (1985)
Honours
Calder Race Course Hall of Fame (1995) Spend A Buck Stakes at Monmouth Park Spend A Buck Handicap at Calder Race Course

video;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-MRD9QutB8 1985 Kentucky Derby

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quSGxqZrVRM 1985 Haskell Invitational

Bayakoa "The Iron Mare"

Bayaakoa winning the Spinster in 1989- photo by Ann M. Eberhardt

Next on the list of my all time favorite racehorses is "Bayakoa". Who hailed from Argentina and started her amazing racing career in her native country. After establishing herself as a grade one caliber racehorse. Bayakoa interests in Argentina sold her to Americans Janis and Frank Whitham. Bayakoa's trainer in the U.S.would be Hall of Fame Trainer Ron McAnally. 
Bayakoa would prove to be one of the most prolific and consistent females racehorses to ever race in North America. Being ranked with the great race mares; Shuvee, Gamely, Affectionately, Azeri and Zenyatta! I did get to watch Bayaka race and win many times. I also enjoyed a major thrill. As when we shipped "Dance for Lucy" to Keeneland Racecourse in the Fall of 1989. We got to be neighbors with the great Bayakoa! Lucy responded by winning the prep race for Queen Elizabeth II Invitational, beating the D.Wayne Lucas trained "Darby Shuffle". That was a major thrill! Also watching Bayakoa win the prestigious "Spinster Stakes" race by 11 1/2 lengths was also very special. Bayakoa was famous for being very fast and aggressive while she raced. 
Bayakoa would intimate and overwhelm her combatants into submission for a lot of her convincing victories. During Bayakoa's win in the 1990 Breeders Cup Female Championship Race. Bayakoa engaged "Go For Wand" turning into the strength! They battled head and head to the 1/16th pole from the finish line. Very sadly at that critical point in the race. Go For Wand suddenly broke a leg in the ensuing battle and had to be euthanized! Bayakoa went on to a 5 length victory. Horse racing is a great sport. But it is also an aggressive war between combatants. It was a very sad moment in horse racing history. That the great racehorse "Go For Wand" in her own right. Life had  to come to an abrupt end in such a great physical contest!

Bayakoa
Sire	Consultants Bid
Grandsire	Bold Bidder
Dam	Arlucea
Damsire	Good Manners
Sex	Mare
Foaled	1984
Country	Argentina
Colour	Bay
Breeder	Haras Principal
Owner	Janis & Frank Whitham
Trainer	Ron McAnally
Record	39: 29-1-0
Earnings	$2,861,701

Major wins
Grand Prix Palermo (1987) Ruffian Handicap (1989) Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (1989, 1990) The Spinster Handicap (1989) Apple Blossom Handicap (1989) Santa Maria Handicap (1990) Milady Handicap (1989, 1990) Vanity Invitational Handicap (1989) Breeders' Cup wins: Breeders' Cup Distaff (1989, 1990)

Awards
U.S. Champion Older Female Horse (1989 & 1990)
Honours
United States' Racing Hall of Fame (1998) #95 - Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century Bayakoa Handicap at Hollywood Park Racetrack Bayakoa Stakes at Oaklawn Park
Last updated on April, 2010

The life and death battle between "Bayakoa and "Go For Wand" in the 1990 Breeders Cup Distaff.

A picture I took of "Bayakoa" and her groom "Ricardo" who worked for Ron McAnally in 1989 at Keeneland. (photo property of DRW Media)

videos; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3rSk2NC2jU 1990 Milady Handicap

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECf61Nor5fg 1989 Breeders Cup Distaff

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHDVe7Wx-aA 1990 Santa Maria Stakes

Personal Ensign "Just Perfect"

Their are so many great horses that I have enjoyed to see race. During my time working at the racetrack. It is very hard to select all these special racehorses. That I would enjoy to remember and honor on my blog.  I do have to write about the great race mare named "Personal Ensign". Who was the consummate champion in every detail! For Personal Ensign never lost a race in her brief 13 race career. Her career was cut short by a serious injury she endured as a two year old. Personal Ensign suffered a cracked pastern in her left hind leg. Dr. Bramlage inserted five screws in her left hind leg. Which put the rest of her racing career in jeopardy.

However Personal Ensign came back the following year in 1987 an also raced in 1988 and won all seven of her races. Which were all grade one Stake Races. Including beating males in the Whitney Handicap in Saratoga. Also Personal Ensign ended her spectacular career in dramatic style. Getting up in the final strides of the Breeders Cup Distaff. Beating Kentucky Derby winner "Winning Colors", by a slight nose. What an an emotional win that was created by Personal Ensign. I remember at the 1/8 pole. It looked like Winning Colors had Personal Ensign and her regular jockey Randy Romero beat. But like true champions they both refused to give up. Personal Ensign and Randy Romeo mounted a great comeback from there great courage. And gave all horse racing fans a special thrill, on that special day. That we will never never forget!

Sire	Private Account
Grandsire	Damascus
Dam	Grecian Banner
Damsire	Hoist The Flag
Sex	Mare
Foaled	April 27, 1984
Country	United States
Colour	Bay
Breeder	Ogden Phipps
Owner	Ogden Phipps
Trainer	Claude R. McGaughey III
Record	13:13-0-0
Earnings	$1,679,880

Major wins
Frizette Stakes (1986) Beldame Stakes (1987, 1988) Rare Perfume Stakes (1987) Breeders' Cup Distaff (1988) Whitney Handicap (1988) Hempstead Handicap (1988) Shuvee Handicap (1988) Molly Pitcher Handicap (1988) Maskette Handicap (1988)
Awards
U.S. Champion Older Female (1988) Kentucky Broodmare of the Year (1996)
Honours
U.S. Racing Hall of Fame (1993) #48 - Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century Personal Ensign Handicap at Saratoga Race Course

Videos;

- Maiden Special Weight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzY6eQ-dTw4 - The 1988 Beldame (G1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YV1PQoh9hc

The Whitney Handicap (G1)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ7_XO7CrSc

1988 Breeders' Cup Distaff https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSpBui9UIkM

Fourstardave "The Sultan of Saratoga"

A great story that has to be told on this blog. Is the story of "Fourstardave". One of the greatest New York Bred thoroughbreds to ever race. Fourstardave achieved the almost impossible task of wining races at the historic and prestigious Saratoga Race Course for 8 consecutive years. From 1987 until 1994. Speed strength, determination, consistency and courage are all of the attributes that Dave possessed to achieve this almost impossible accomplishment! There is a saying in the horse racing business that is true. Which is "horses for courses". Fourstardave fell in love with Saratoga Race Course located in Saratoga Springs New York. The beauty and history of this wonderful place to race. Is not to be missed by horse racing people or fans of the sport. Dave certainly enjoyed home field advantage when he raced at the Spa!  Their is really no difference for all great athletes both equine and human. They all love to complete, perform and to win!!! Fourstardave also reminds and sets an everlasting example to his human counterparts. It is not the fame and the money that are the biggest rewards for being blessed to be a star athlete. The reward is the fun of completing and winning in their sport. Also the joy of entertaining the fans and leaving them with the special memories, of the thrill of victory!!!!

Honours
Buried at Clare Court, Saratoga Race Course Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga Race Course Upon his retirement, he was feted at neighboring Siro's Restaurant, where he was presented with an edible key to the city and had the small lane named "Fourstardave Way" in his honor.

Fourstardave
Sire	Compliance
Grandsire	Northern Dancer
Dam	Broadway Joan
Damsire	Bold Arian
Sex	Gelding
Foaled	1985
Country	United States
Colour	Chestnut
Breeder	Richard M. Bomze
Owner	Bernard Connaughton and Richard Bomze
Trainer	Leo O'Brien
Record	99: 21-18-16
Earnings	$1,636,737

ed

Major wins
Empire Classic Handicap (1987) St. Paul Derby (1988) Albany Stakes (1988) Poker Handicap (1989, 1993) Daryl's Joy Stakes (1990, 1991) Jaipur Stakes (1990)

videos;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeJYAjf6sWY   documentary on Fourstardave
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR9UxDfkGc8   1994 victory at Saratoga!