Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

Sagerider1 — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 19:43:29 GMT

I was only a teenager, but I remember him well, He was beaten once by Buckpasser in his last race. He & Damascus traded wins in the Suburban & Brooklyn in 68, and in the 67 Gotham & Woodward. I only have a few books on specific horses, 2 Man o' War, 1 Lady's Secret, 1 Secretariat & 1 Dr. Fager. I remember vividly my mother complaining, "when will I see another Triple Crown winner", as a was looking at the BloodHorse front page and I held it up, and said "Here," showing her the picture of Secretariat winning the Futurity. I followed him and Dr Fager very closely, because I loved them almost as much as Man o' War. I love chestnuts & Dr Fager was nearly one. I also love grays like Lady's Secret, Holy Bull, Native Dancer, Runaway Groom, Native Charger, Black Tie Affair, Silver Ghost, Icecapade, Foggy Note, Polamia, Spotted Beauty, Sharon Brown, Grey Flight, Silver Fog, Silver True, Native Street, & Gray Mirage. I also liked bays or browns, Rachel Alexandra, Round Table, etc. As for the resurgence of the females, this seems to happen every 30 years, so enjoy, most of us won't live to see the next time. I don't know why it's held on so long this time, but it's fine with me. Maybe you could try to figure out why this is happening now. I love seeing the mares & fillies win, when I was little I thought it was normal. Sadly not so.

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

Coldfacts — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 17:38:54 GMT

Greatness has to be redefined to conform with current racing and breeding philosophies.

Horses are no longer going to be making a large number of starts. Bernardini could have been a monster 4YO but he was retired after his 3YO season. Many connections are opting for big purse races as opposed to resume building races. The Bigger the purses the more competitive races are likely to be.

Certainly, Curlin could be considered a great male. Having not raced as 2YO and with only 3 starts he contested the grueling Triple Crown series. He won one leg, was a troubled 3rd in Derby and a close 2nd in the Belmont.

The great Dr. Fager made 5 starts as a 2YO and 1 as a 3YO. He had significantly more foundation than Curlin but did not participate in the TC. He opted to build his résumé with starts in the Withers, Jersey Derby, Arlington Classic, Rockingham Classic etc. No Preakness/Belmont participation for a quality 3YO that won 6 of 7 starts.

After the TC, Curlin contested the Haskell, JCGC, Breeder Cup Classic, Dubai World Cup. He raced on Turf, Synthetic and Dirt. He had connections that continually challenged his ability. This challenge started in the ultimate test for 3YOs despite his lack of foundation. It continued at the highest level against older horses here an abroad. He performed exceptionally despite the major disadvantages he faced.

Would Dr. Fager had retired with 18 wins from 22 starts had he been subjected to the major races from 3YOs? Unlikely, as Damascus would have destroyed him in many.

It is worthwhile revising the parameters for greatness as the previous are no longer applicable.

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

livewire — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 19:52:15 GMT

Paula Higgins

Sorry, I should have been more clear regarding the lack of a truly great horse since 1980. What I meant was a truly great male horse. We have had a number of great mares/fillies. Bayakoa, Lady's Secret, Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra, etc...

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

TripleCrownKaren — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 21:09:03 GMT

Well Steve you just gave me a GREAT Christmas gift. A reminisence that one again brought the good Doctor to life again for me. His was the era of the "Iron Horse" in the truest sense of the word. Damascus, more than once, I believe pushed him to the extraordinary accomplishments that he made look so EASY. But sometimes lost in this legend are the accomplishments of the man who let Dr. Fager BE himself ....and that is John Nerud. He was smart enough to know that this horse needed to do things HIS way to get the best from him. Adn the Docotr's way was AMAZING. So many good memories for those of us who had "been there/done that". I fear generations of race fans younger than my generation do not have the same versatile, hard knocking racehorses to admire now. If one DOES come along who looks light they "might" be special....they are yanked to the breding shed or sold overseas before they have a chance to even think about becoming anything with styaing power in the public's eye. At least I can say I saw some truly GREAT horses........Dr. Fager being near or AT the top of that list!

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

Will — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 16:11:18 GMT

Having actually seen Spectacular Bid lose the Belmont to Coastal and to Affirmed in the Jockey Gold Cup as a three year old, I cannot agree with Lunar Spook that those two losses should give all the admirers of the Bid pause - myself included - when even mentioning considering him with the likes of Dr. Fager. Best to say Bid was a distant facsimile of Dr. Fager as a 4 year old winning at different distances and setting world record and track record times. No, he never got a chance to prove himself on grass like the Dr. and certainly never won his first grass start in a big race like the United Nations Handicap at a high impost and staggering weight differentials against accomplished turf horses in spite of not handling the slick turf course. That was not the Bid's fault but his connections, and he may well have proved formidable on the turf. If he had not been hurt and retired late in his 4 year old year and returned to the track at age 5, Delp may have tried him on the grass to prove his versatility and greatness. He may as well have been routinely assigned weights in the high 130 lbs. range. As an undefeated 4 year old, the Bid carried 132 lbs. and a 130 lbs. twice approaching from a distance the types of high weights Dr. Fager was assigned in his record breaking performances, though probably not the weight differentials the Dr. had to give away. In one of those, the Grade 3 Washington Handicap at Arlington Park, he bested the track record jointly held by Dr. Fager's rival, Damascus. However, Delp withdrew him from the Marlboro Cup that year when the Bid was assigned 136 lbs. Whether he could have won at that weight as I suspect he would have, we will never know but that's hardly the fault of the Bid. Certainly, Delp was no Nerud who routinely dismissed high weight assignments as non-factors in Dr. Fager's races and Steve's story about Nerud asking for the Dr. to be assigned an impost of 145 lbs. is his last race, the 7 furlong Vosburgh, is certainly head shaking and unique, bespeaking a trainer's confidence in his horse that is hard to get a handle on. Would loved to have seen Spectacular Bid on the track as a 5 year old if injury had not forced his retirement. There's no reason to think he would not even have been better, but so would have Dr. Fager if he too had not ended his career as a 4 year old. Spectacular Bid was still a developing 3 year old when he lost by a length to the older horse, Affirmed, and the outcome may well have been different if that had been the 4 year old Bid contesting with Affirmed. Affirmed was Spectacular Bid's Damascus, but Dr. Fager faced his rival of the same age when they were both 3 and 4 year olds and the Bid got only one shot at Affirmed as the younger 3 year old. As for his Belmont loss, Steve's story about what Dr. Harthill extracted from the Bid's hoof after the Belmont loss and the severity of the injury should, as he said, put to rest any doubts that Spectacular Bid did not have a major excuse in the Belmont. Coupled with a poor ride by a young jockey who had admitted to poor judgment, little experience at riding races at the Belmont distance,and who moved prematurely on an injured horse, the race should not be viewed as a definitive statement that the Bid was not in some way a distant facsimile of Dr. Fager who Steve rightly puts in a category all his own. In the game of comparison from a distance possibly only Spectacular Bid and maybe Easy Goer - if injury had not cut short his 4 year old year career - could be considered as distant facsimiles to Dr. Fager.

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

Linda in Texas — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 15:52:41 GMT

Deacon, you can say no wrong. Just know you have a cheering squad in Texas whatever you say. You know your stuff. Your daddy learn't you well. And Spectacular Bid was aptly named. He is one of the all time greats with records to prove it. And your mention of Sandy Koufax was a blast to the past. I was and still am a Yankee Fan. But i did watch Sandy when he pitched no matter who the Dodgers were playing. He was awesome on the mound.

And to Bernie Dickman - great stories. I can just picture you with your tickets stuck in your hat band! Thanks for the memories of your track visits.

And to dear Steve - you could write about toothpicks and i would read about them with baited breath. We all owe the privilege of reading and enjoying your impeccable knowledge of horse racing to your dad who let the gates swing wide open for you when he realized you knew your calling! I compare Steve to no one as he is his own self made Greatest Horse Racing Writer of All Time.

P.S. There are some great You Tube Videos of Dr. Fager racing. Stayed up til 1:30 the other night viewing them.

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

Racingfan — Sat, 14 Dec 2013 03:37:17 GMT

They are ALL great horses but on the subject of Spectacular Bid, I do believe he was responsible for the last walkover in a race (the Woodward Stakes in September 1980). You must be pretty darn good when NOBODY will face you, even for a second place paycheck....!

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

Jean in Chicago — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 23:50:12 GMT

Deacon, it proves you were a very lucky man to see such horses.

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

Bernie Dickman — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 15:03:41 GMT

Hard to believe there's so much interest in Dr. Fager 45 years later, but it's well-deserved. I was working in the sports dept. at the L. I. Press at night on July 15, 1966, and as an Allstate adjuster in the daytime. I was in Brooklyn getting a signed statement from one of our insureds - a guy named Vince - when he asked me if I bet the horses. He then told me on my way back to Long Island to stop in at Aqueduct and bet on Lift Off, with Ronnie Turcotte riding, in the third race. I rushed to the Big A with $7 in my pocket, paid $2 to get in, and bet the other $5 on Lift Off. Turcotte moved him perfectly on the turn and Lift Off took the lead entering the stretch - he was 9/2 - and before I had a chance to start rooting, here comes this spindly-legged blur with David Hidalgo and goes by my horse as if he had dropped anchor. That's the day I fell in love with the Doctor. Never missed another race of his when he was in NY.

On Memorial Day in 1967, I bet a $100 win parlay with a bookie on Buckpasser in the Met Mile and Dr. Fager in the Jersey Derby. Watched the race wire at my new paper, the Suffolk Sun, and saw Buckpasser pay $2.60, so I had $130 going on the Doctor. It took 20 minutes after the Jersey Derby for the bad news to come over the wire. $100 was a fortune in those days.

To Scepter: Tom Fool was a special horse, but the quality of competition that he faced in 1953 was not only less than the Doctor's, it was inferior. In his last four races he faced a total of six horses. And you couldn't name one exceptional horse he faced, because there were none.

As for Spectacular Bid, after losing twice at two, he only lost two more for the rest of his life - the safety pin Belmont and the Jockey Club Gold Cup to Affirmed. He was awesome.

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

sceptre — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 05:13:00 GMT

Buckpasser (at 3) made 12 starts in 1966; a 2nd that year in his first start (to stablemate, Impressive. Shoemaker was riding Buckpasser for the first time) followed by 11 wins in a row in many of America's most prestigious races; including The Woodward at 1 1/4M, followed by The Jockey Club Gold Cup at 2 miles, and closing it out with a win in the 7 furlong Malibu (he went directly from 2 miles to 7 furlongs!). In my opinion, that easily trumps Dr. Fager's 7 wins in 8 starts in a resume of somewhat lesser quality races, and with a demonstration of far less versatility...Tom Fool's 1953 (at age 4) consisted of 10 starts/10 wins, including The Handicap Triple Crown (at the time, only the 2nd horse in racing history to run the table on those three in the same year). Incidentally, he carried 136 lbs. to victory in the 3rd leg, The Brooklyn--at 1 1/4M (not 7 furlongs), and that win directly followed his victory in the 7 furlong Carter H. under 135 lbs. I'd say that season also bettered Dr. Fager's 1967 (and Native Dancer's 1953 as well-the HOY voters certainly thought so). Weight carried does count, but let's not overestimate its significance/differential in weight carried by the competitors also should be considered, but even here it's of secondary importance. (and, by the way, Whisk Broom II carried 139 to victory in his last leg of The Handicap Triple). If weight is so crucial, and given that in years past the handicappers endeavored to assign weights such that all horses (in handicaps) would finish in a dead heat, why was it that the race highweight would invariably be the favorite at post time? So, The Deacon, I'd suggest you re-read the last sentence of your 1st paragraph, and the first sentence of your 3rd and consider that it rather applies to you. Lastly, I loved Dr. Fager; as a matter of fact I have a small Reeves Oil of him hanging in my study, and a print of Dr. Fager's finish in The Washington Park Hdcp. hanging in my hall. But, many of you are making too big a deal about his Vosburgh win under 139. He beat very little that day-I lived through it, and remember it well.

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

Racingfan — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 02:16:12 GMT

Lunar Spook - I'm with you on Native Dancer's 3 year old year! WOW! And that was following his undefeated 2 year old year! But for the awful ride in the Derby, he would have been undefeated and but for the foot bruise in the fall that sent him to the sidelines, he would have raced and whipped Tom Fool.

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

Bill Two — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 01:29:22 GMT

A lot of people would have loved to have seen Tom Fool and Native Dancer meet on the track. Never happened unfortunately. Steve may know why. I don't.

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

lunar spook — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 20:33:04 GMT

SCEPTRE- Allow me to keep this pot stirred up , you mentioned TOM FOOLS 53 YEAR , well in my opinion NATIVE DANCER had a better 53 YEAR , granted he did lose one race , but look at the list of stakes he won that year , wow! look it up its impressive !

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

The Deacon — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 20:07:52 GMT

Sceptre: Steve was right on in his post about the 1968 year Dr. Fager had. Yes your mention of Buckpasser and Tom Fool are correct. Please be aware, and I say this about a lot of bloggers who just don't understand the weight factor a horse has to endure.

In every race in 1968 (not 100% sure) Dr. Fager had to carry over 130 LBS. He carried 139 LBS in one race as well. Name another great horse in history who has done that. He set world record times as well.

I love it when folks pass themselves off as knowledgeable horseman when in fact they really don't know what they are talking about. Steve Haskin is a very knowledgeable horseman. This man is a writing Picasso who knows and understands the game. His words are good enough for me.

To say this blog is tiring is also incorrect. I would think most folks never get tired of discussing the all time greats.

I think many of you out there were around in the 1960's to see these great animals run. So your reference point is watching old YouTube videos and reading books.

Every great horse has had a standout year, otherwise they wouldn't be great.

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

sceptre — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 16:44:51 GMT

This Dr. Fager blog is long in the tooth, but I couldn't let it go into the sunset without taking some exception at Steve's remark that Dr. Fager's 1968 year was the most remarkable in Racing history. I can recall at least two others that may have done him better. One is Buckpasser's 1966 tour de force, and the other is his sire, Tom Fool's, 1953 racing year.

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

lunar spook — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 13:33:53 GMT

PAULA HIGGINS- I agree with you on ZENYATTA , I wish she could have ran another year because I think she was right at her peak and maybe could of won another breeders cup classic ! COLD FACTS- I agree with you about the triple crown series , I for one put a lot of stock in it as well , that is my argument with all these folks on here who have gone ga-ga over SPECTACULAR BID , the bottom line is he lost in the Belmont and couldn't beat AFFIRMED , all the talk about his record times and the weights he carried , bottom line he failed when it came put up or shut up time !

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

Coldfacts — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 12:01:49 GMT

Mr Haskin,

I would appreciate the removal of my last post as it contained some inaccuracies. I have submitted a corrected replacement.

Thank in advance.

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

The Deacon — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 07:02:53 GMT

Coldfacts: Before you seem to always ask and answer your own questions perhaps I can enlighten on the ACTUAL facts. Dr.Fager had sore knees, in April of 1967 he made his 1st start of the year. It was the Gotham Mile in which he won by 6 lengths. Since he had been ill the prior winter (colic I believe) Nerud was very cautious with him. Nerud's intent was to run him in the TC races but he was very concerned with the horse's knees. Buckpasser was also injured in 1966, in fact many great horses don't always make the TC races. Horses develop at different times, they get hurt and when you have a great animal trainers take their time and are cautious.

I take exception to your post. Playing devil's advocate is one thing being mean spirited and spouting words as if they were gospel is another.

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

sceptre — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 03:53:09 GMT

Of the more modern era horses, '80s-forward, I think that on their best day both Unbridled's Song and Indian Charlie could have given Dr. Fager a tussle at a mile. Although he performed mostly on turf ( two impressive wins on the then Dubai dirt), Dubai Millennium is another that could have been up to the task. But, yes, there's a very good chance that Dr. Fager was the greatest miler, ever.

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

Paula Higgins — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 01:39:11 GMT

livewire, Zenyatta was great. I know she wasn't the good Dr., but she easily made it into the great category. I wish they had let her go one more year (I can't believe I am saying that) because I think she had one more great year in her. She was that extraordinary. Rachel's 3 year old year goes into the great category as well.

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

Bill Two — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 20:39:06 GMT

Deacon, with the possible exception of Ghost Zapper - certified freak - I cannot think of a horse that has performed since the 1970's that could have warmed up the Doctor. In the immortal words of the late Freddy Capposella, "...and they're not going to catch the doctor today!"

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

The Deacon — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 23:42:20 GMT

Bill Two: I agree don't think any horse could get the Doc, he wouldn't let it happen. Look at some of his fractions, he toyed with the opposition. Look also at the weight he carried. No one will ever know if Secretariat would have handled up to 139 LBS.

The Doc was just a monster, a beast.

Lunar Spook: Discussions about who is the greatest is pointless, it's ok to disagree but remember The Bid set a 7 furlong record of 120 flat and a 10 furlong record of 1:57 4/5. To say he isn't one of the all time greats

is just mind boggling to me.

He won the Preakness in 1:54 2/5, which I might add was a faster time then Seattle Slew and Affirmed.

He carried weight of 130-132 LBS and set records. He broke Damascus Washington Park Handicap time of 1 1/8 miles in 1:46 2/5. He won the Californian Stakes at Hollywood Park carrying 132 LBS in 1:45 4/5 at also 1 1/8 miles. What more do you want. I could go on but it seems pointless.

The horse is one of the all time greats. I stand by that conviction.............

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

Bill Two — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 20:32:01 GMT

That's great stuff, Steve! I just wish every racing fan now alive could have seen this magnificent beast run. I still get goose bumps thinking of him and those wonderful days. Nobody knows how he would have fared against Secretariat, Slew or Bid,but from what I've seen they would have had to run him down and I'm not sure any of them would have been up to without benefit of a rabbit.

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

lunar spook — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 16:09:20 GMT

THE DEACON , LIVEWIRE - I Agree with you on trainer BUD DELP , very arrogant and didn't care for him either and under a better trainer "THE BID" may have done even more , but safety pin or not he failed to win the triple crown and couldn't handle affirmed , I cannot put this horse in the elite company of secretariat , count fleet or even seattle slew , also you had mentioned secretariat woulda been a monster at 4 , well in my humble opinion , if WILL TAKE CHARGE stays healthy he is gonna have a 4 yr. old campaign the likes we haven't seen in some time , this big stud is just now figuring it all out and that is in a word SCARY !!!

re: Dr. Fager, Where Are You?

livewire — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 00:53:32 GMT

By the way, the TVG telecast of 75 sensational years at Hollywood Park has footage of Dr Fager complete with the flagging of his tail as he runs down the stretch. Hope everyone has a chance to see it.