Most Vicious Derby Pace Ever

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Another interesting thing about the '01 Derby ... the two horses who photo'd for 2nd in the race (Invisible Ink and Congaree) both had tale of woe near death stories when they were just cute wittle baby horseys.

One even had his life saved by rotten buttermilk.

The atmosphere was grim one early April morning in 1998 at Stonerside Stable, Bob and Janice McNair's Kentucky farm. Thoroughbred mare Mari's Sheba was struggling to foal, but, at 152 pounds, the foal was dangerously oversized. Attempts to help pull the tightly lodged foal from the mare only resulted in Mari's Sheba being dragged onto her side.

At two a.m., the chestnut colt was finally born-an hour and a half after his ordeal began. The grueling birth had broken two of his ribs and cracked three others. His lip was paralyzed and hung to one side, earning him the nickname, "Twitch." His first 45 days of life were spent in a stall, fighting for his life. Stable employees spent hours with the colt, trying to prevent him from puncturing his heart with one of his broken ribs. Because of his problems, and the time people spent with him, "Twitch" became a special pet.

"Twitch," or Congaree, as he was later named, recovered from his birth injuries, only to be stricken with pneumonia and diarrhea when he was only six months old. The farm manager, Bobby Spalding, did not think he would survive. The intensive nursing began again.

Amazingly, Congaree did recover, but his troubles were not over yet. He made it to the Del Mar starting gate in September 2000, and placed sixth in a maiden race. After the race, however, x-rays revealed a bone chip in his right knee. Dr. Wayne McIlwraith from the Orthopaedic Research Center performed arthroscopic surgery to remove the chip. This resilient colt, who had been through more illness and injuries in his first two years than most horses face in their lifetimes, spent five months recovering from the surgery.

And recover he did! After three starts and three victories, including the Wood Memorial, Congaree was a prime contender for the 2001 Kentucky Derby.

and ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0szvkKH7ogw

[slotdirt]

How does Congaree compare to Closing Argument in 2005? I always thought he ran by far the best Derby in another particularly quick early paced race.

[slotdirt]

Granted, Closing Argument was a bum, but held on better than anybody else that day.

[ateamstupid]

It doesn't matter because this year's Derby pace will be even faster. Last weekend's results told me so.

[Left Bank]

I sure miss Balto Star.He turned out to be a good horse.

[AeWingnut]

Even after watching Monarchos get a great prep in the wood - I keyed Invisible Ink in the 2001 Derby. I had him 1st and 2nd in the exacta and 3rd in the tri. I was really hoping that Congaree would hang on for place but it still paid ok tax money for the exacta.

[AeWingnut]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

It doesn't matter because this year's Derby pace will be even faster. Last weekend's results told me so.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

How does Congaree compare to Closing Argument in 2005? I always thought he ran by far the best Derby in another particularly quick early paced race.

Closing Argument was 6th after a half and six furlongs in the '05 Derby .... and he did only run a 99 Beyer while finishing 2nd ... but yeah he ran the best race ... and just like Congaree and MDO before him .. his Preakness was no coronation.

Congaree got a statistical negative rider switch (on ROI numbers only) the year he ran in the Preakness. Though it was supposed to be a big positive rider swith if you listened to anything else.

His Derby jockey was Victor Espinoza - the strongest jockey in the game - and a guy who year after year would produce these big mind-boggling profitable ROI stats in dirt routes. His best ride was on speedy dirt routers.

Jerry Bailey took over Congaree for the Preakness and he was much less stronger but much more expierienced and clever.

Congaree stumbled badly at the start, and than got into a big wrestling match with Bailey in the Preakness. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEZgronfOQ4 - he only lost to Point Given by 2.5 lengths.

He was freshened and did win a Grade 1 next out in lackluster fashion - but you didn't see the real Congaree again until late in his 4yo season.



Medaglia D' Oro ... who I thought was clearly best in the following years merry-go-round Kentucky Derby finished 8th beaten 17 lengths at 3/1 odds in the Preakness before losing to Sarava in the Belmont. Like Congaree - he later found great form.

Closing Argument was beaten 26 lengths in the Preakness and never ran again.