Legends

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Neil Drysdale at the racetrack. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)

By Tom Pedulla, America’s Best Racing

When Neil Drysdale reflects on those who influenced his Hall of Fame training career, Charlie Whittingham is the one figure who towers above the rest.

Drysdale assisted Whittingham from 1970-74. Every morning at the barn and every afternoon at the races served as a tutorial that continues to serve the former assistant well.

Beldame: A Brilliant Handful

Beldame was the 1904 Horse of the Year and one of the greatest racemares of all time. (All photos courtesy of Keeneland Library- Cook)

She was a handful, and she liked to have her own way.

On May 2, 1904 at Morris Park, Beldame captured the one-mile Ladies’ Stakes over Kentucky Oaks winner Audience. Reports detailed her bad behavior:

Gallant Fox: Father of the Triple Crown

There have been 12 Triple Crown champions, but Gallant Fox may have been the most important one of all.

While there was mention of a Triple Crown as far back in 1923, the term did not become fashionable until Gallant Fox swept the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes and Daily Racing Form columnist Charles Hatton popularized the achievement.

While Hatton’s writing played key role in turning a series of three races for 3-year-olds into Thoroughbred racing’s premier events, the spark came from the brilliance Gallant Fox displayed in the spring of 1930.

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