Northern Dancer Herd

Hill Rise was entered in the $10,000 Forerunner Purse at seven furlongs at Keeneland, won by previous Derby winners, Ponder, Hill Gail, Dark Star, Iron Liege, Tim Tam and Tomy Lee. He also was scheduled to run in the April 28 Derby Trial.

Quadrangle won the Wood Memorial under Bill Hartack. Mr. Brick, the favorite, a busy horse, ran second with Roman Brother third. Chieftain was unplaced.

Luro said Hartack would ride the Dancer in the Blue Grass and the Kentucky Derby. Windfields Farm manager, Joe Thomas, said, no, Hartack would have to prove himself in the Blue Grass. He really insulted Hartack with other comments. Hartack himself said he would wait until after the Blue Grass to make up his mind. Luro said the decision was his to make, not Thomas's. At least Northern Dancer seemed to know what he was doing, winning! Under a variety of riders.

Hill Rise won the Forerunner. Shoemaker, making his first ride on the colt, said, "I like this horse. But he does want to play around a little bit, and I had to whack him a couple. I can see this one is a little lazier than Northern Dancer. You have to keep his mind on his business".

Grand Garcon, the Canadian bred 3YO who beat Northern Dancer at two on the grass in the Cup and Saucer Stakes while receiving a ton of weight, signed on for the Derby Trial.

Northern Dancer's last prep for the Kentucky Derby was to be the Blue Grass. With regular exercise boy, jockey Ramon Cerda up, he breezed five eighths in 1:04. He worked so easily that he wasn't breathing hard when Cerda pulled him up.

Hill Rise remained the book choice for the Derby over Northern Dancer right up to the race itself, no matter the Dancer's accomplishments.

There was no place or show betting in the Blue Grass. The Dancer was bet down to 20 cents on the dollar.. Here's the chart: "Start good. Won cleverly. Northern Dancer, hard held to remain off a very slow pace, continued along the outside while well in hand to the final bend, moved to the fore at will to draw clear entering the stretch, moved again without benefit of pressure when challenged a furlong away and prevailed with complete authority. The Dancer galloped out the Derby distance in 2:03". He won by half a length over Allen Adair and Royal Shuck in 1:49 and four. The fractions were :25, :50 and one, 1:14 and one and 1:38 and two.

On the weekend of the Florida Derby, Mr. Moonlight nosed out Traffic for victory in the $50,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. Mr. Brick was third.. The winner would end up starting in the Kentucky Derby. Chieftain was fourth here.

Shoemaker was quoted as saying the Dancer "did just as much as he had to" in his win in the Florida Derby. His win price of $2.60 was the shortest in the race's history. "He didn't get as tired this time (as in the Flamingo), there wasn't a chance in the world of the other horse (The Scoundrel) ever catching us. Will I stay on this horse? I imagine I will." These were Shoemaker's comments after the Gulfstream classic.

I made a big deal in an earlier posting about the story of the botched workout the day before the race. Perhaps that tale was legend, not fact. Northern Dancer was not that tired in the Florida Derby, according to his rider. Maybe the two hour gallops Luro had the Dancer doing had moved him very much forward. The workout story, if true, certainly says something about the stamina and grit of Northern Dancer.

We all know that Shoemaker switched to Hill Rise. Luro's remark was, "I guess they just offered Shoemaker a better proposition".

Whitney Tower, racing writer for Sports Illustrated, remained unimpressed with Northern Dancer. He rated him below Hill Rise, of course, but also below Kentucky Jug, Quadrangle and Roman Brother. "While Hill Rise is completely sound, Northern Dancer could be running on borrowed time. He has had a splint on one leg for all his life, (a bony enlargement, usually on the inside of the upper leg) though it has yet to bother him. He ran most of last fall with a quarter crack. It has been fixed permanently, it seems, the foot may be strong now, but it is, nonetheless, more uncertain than a foot that has never been injured at all".

I do not take issue with Tower's concerns, but it says a lot about the guts of the little Canadian that he ran through all this so-called fragility. Interestingly, Northern Dancer was the 1,000^th foal born at Windfields Farm.

Northern Dancer arrived at Keeneland on April 7, 1964. Luro described the Dancer's great coordination. "You know, he's very good in high gear". Luro had no worries about an off track. "He can run on the grass, in the mud, anywhere. He is a very small horse and can run on anything".

Bill Finnegan, Hill Rise's trainer, opined at this time, "Hill Rise has gained weight and keeps developing all the time. He is in wonderful condition. Everything about him pleases me." Hill Rise stood 16.2 hands, and weighed between 1050 and 1100 lbs with a girth of 72 and one half inches. "I have never ridden a better horse in my life", said his Santa Anita Derby rider, Don Pierce. He had ridden Derby winners Tomy Lee and Decidedly, and a certain Kelso.

The Florida Derby win put Northern Dancer on top as the leading Canadian-bred money-winner. Joe Thomas, the Windfields Farm manager, said the farm was looking to purchase a workout companion for Northern Dancer. "We're looking for a well-mannered four or five year old which wouldn't mind joining in after the Dancer has worked a quarter mile. If his companion could run the remaining three quarters of a mile in 1:15, we'd have a mile work in 1:39 It would take the Dancer about 24 seconds to run the first quarter.

The headline read: "He's an early riser - and heavy eater". On a warm day, Luro sent Northern Dancer to work at 6:45 a.m. If cool he goes at about 8:30. Beyond the Florida Derby, Luro had no call on Bill Shoemaker. Regarding the Dancer: "I am training him very conservatively ... he was foaled on May 27. ... This horse is holding his flesh and doing very well, better than he has all winter." Luro was not happy with Ycaza's ride in the allowance where he equaled the track record.. "I did not want him chasing those speed horses, Clem Pac and Cap Size, so soon".

"Northern Dancer is a very tough little horse, he has a remarkable constitution. A race takes nothing out of him. I gallop him two miles, almost every day. I will breeze him every fifth or sixth day. I am trying to build up his capacity ... his lung power and energy. I believe in exercise every day and not too much breezing. ...Northern Dancer's disposition is improving every day. Last year he was very playful, bucking and squealing all the time and trying to run off. His attitude is much kinder this year. You have to be very careful. I trained both the father (Nearctic) and the mother (Natalma). Neither of them liked the whip. They gave you everything they had on their own.

Northern Dancer is little, but solid. He is fed at 10:30 a.m. after his workout. After the feeding he lies down and naps for about two hours. The next feeding is at 5 p.m. At night he "retires" at 11 o'clock and gets to his feet about 2 a.m. when he hears Luro's nightwatchman preparing to feed the other horses in the barn. "And the man must be sure he feeds him before the rest," Luro said, "If he doesn't, Northern Dancer will tear the barn down".

Correction: I knew my memory was right. The miracle healing patch on Northern Dancer's left front foot was developed by a man named Bane and was called a Bane Patch. I had reported "Dane", based on an erring reporter.

On Saturday, March 28, 1964, Northern Dancer, in the words of his trainer and jockey, ran away from his rider to equal the seven furlong track record at Gulfstream Park. On April 4, the Dancer ran in the Florida Derby, a very short interval later, unheard of in the conditioning of modern 3YOs on the Triple Crown trail.

All of this effort was compounded by a moment of fate which, in my humble opinion, changed the history of thoroughbred racing and breeding. This was in a solitary workout on the day before the Florida Derby, unknown, it seems, to Willie Shoemaker, who was about to give up his seat as Northern Dancer's rider. This change would lead to a search producing Bill Hartack for the Dancer, a combination which, in the Kentucky Derby, would produce a ride of awesome magnificence. But we are getting ahead of ourselves.

The exercise boy in the crucial workout was not Northern Dancer's regular. From my information, he made a huge mistake. Instead of working five sixteenths of a mile as directed, he worked five eighths, the equivalent of a sprint not even a full week after Northern Dancer's powerful effort at seven furlongs, and a day before the Dancer would be asked to run nine furlongs in the Florida Derby. Northern Dancer had every reason to be a tired horse during and after that race and he was.

The headline said it all, "E P Taylor's Colt Coasts in Slow Gulfstream Win". Northern Dancer, fifth at the break, was second at the half by three lengths behind Greek Episode in :47 and three, two lengths back at the three quarter pole in 1:12 and one, in front by half at the mile in 1:38, and ahead by one at the finish in 1:50 and four. He won "ridden out". The Scoundrel was second "not good enough in an all out effort". Dandy K finished third "with good courage". Roman Brother "showed an even effort" to be fourth.

The interesting fact here is the idea that Shoemaker did not know about the damaging mix-up in the workout before the race. If he had known that Northern Dancer had a very good excuse to be as tired as he was, perhaps he would not have been as quick to judge the Dancer's possible distance capabilities as he seemed to do. In my opinion, the new rider situation is crucial, for it would take all of Hartack's brilliance to bring Northern Dancer home on top of the formidable Hill Rise in the Kentucky Derby. For me, the big question is whether even Shoemaker himself could have beaten Hill Rise if he had had the mount on Northern Dancer in May. I just don't think there have been many better rides in the Kentucky Derby than the one Hartack displayed that day. All of this might not have happened but for a misguided exercise rider on a quiet Friday morning at Gulfstream.

In case anyone would question the importance of, or interest in recording the Northern Dancer story at the races as I am in the process of doing, a single glance at the pages of international race results presents the reasons.

July 29, 2006, Deauville, France. The eight furlong $60,000 Prix de la Calonne for 3YO fillies. The winner is Heaven's Cause, carrying 124 lbs, by Giant's Causeway-Heaven's Command, by Priolo. Giant's Causeway is a champion son of Storm Cat, by Storm Bird by the Dancer, who is off to a splashy start at stud as interesting as his flashy coat and markings. Priolo is a son of Sovereign Dancer, a son of Northern Dancer from a Bold Ruler mare, a cross which was not usually too successful, but in Sovereign Dancer's case was important.

Second in the Prix de la Calonne, run on a soft course, was Mysterious Lina, 128 lbs, by Linamix-Mysterious Guest, by Barathea. Linamix is an exciting, grey French stallion, already sire of an Arc winner and a son of Mendez, by Bellypha, by Lyphard, by Northern Dancer. Barathea is a first class racing son of the legendary Sadler's Wells, by Northern Dancer.

Third in the Deauville stakes was Travel Team, 124 lbs, by the venerable Danzig, by Northern Dancer, from Lady Upstage, by Alzao, by Lyphard, by the Dancer.

Look at the $60,000 Prix Ridgway, nine furlongs, for 3YO colts and geldings, run the next day at Deauville. The winner, Reve Lunaire, 123 lbs, by Hennessy, by Storm Cat - you get the picture. The runner-up, Pointilliste, 123 lbs, by Giant's Causeway. The show, Zariyan, 123 lbs, by the useful stallion, Anabaa, by Danzig.

So let's keep this massive wave of success for the Northern Dancer line in mind as we enjoy the unfolding memories in this blog. Bill Hartack told a television audience back in 1964 after Northern Dancer's victorious run in the Kentucky Derby that the colt was all "blood and guts". You know, he just keeps passing it on.

The report read, "Windfields Farm's Northern Dancer, early second choice for the Kentucky Derby, equaled the Gulfstream Park record for seven furlongs while winning the $6000 Mrs. Florida Purse by four lengths Saturday, March 28. Carrying top weight of 122 lbs under Manuel Ycaza, Northern Dancer ran the distance in 1:22 and two ... He kept on running after the finish and ran the mile in 1:36 and two.

He was a 2-5 favorite. The Scoundrel was second. Troy Our Boy was third. Northern Dancer was fifth of seven out of the gate but moved up to second after the half mile and was three lengths in front when they straightened away in the stretch. He won handily with fractions of :22, ;44 and three and 1:09 and three.

"My horse always has had a world of speed but I have tried not to use it too much. I have tried to teach my horse to race himself, but the jockey told me that when he asked for a little speed my horse ran right out from under him," said trainer Horatio Luro.

One reporter did not seem all that impressed. "The Scoundrel had a much rougher trip and wound up making up ground on Northern Dancer. At the quarter, the Dancer was a length and a half off the lead with The Scoundrel buried in sixth place by seven and one half lengths. At the half Northern Dancer was a head off the lead with The Scoundrel fifth by about six lengths. At the head of the stretch the Canadian favorite was on top by three lengths with The Scoundrel fourth by five lengths. And at the finish, The Scoundrel was four lengths back."

This reporting about The Scoundrel points out the ongoing, continuing doubting characteristic of the coverage of Northern Dancer on the Triple Crown trail. Overlooking the fact that the Dancer carried top weight and, if pressed, probably could have smashed the track record and won by eight, the doubting would continue with the Florida Derby, the Bluegrass Stakes and the Kentucky Derby itself. Just can't get no respect was the Northern Dancer mantra of the day.

In the days following the Flamingo, Northern Dancer was among 138 nominated for the Kentucky Derby and 146 nominated for the Belmont. Calumet Farm's Kentucky Pioneer and Kentucky Jug ran one-two in the Hutcheson Stakes. It became clear Hill Rise would not run against the Dancer in the Florida Derby. Northern Dancer's cracked hoof was almost healed and the patch would be removed.

Grand Garcon, the only Canadian-bred to finish ahead of Northern Dancer, was nominated for the Derby. He would run in a race at Fort Erie and then the Derby Trial. At seventeen hands he towered above Northern Dancer.

Bill Hartack rode Chieftain to a victory under 124 lbs in the $75,000 Governor's Gold Cup at Bowie. Bupers was unplaced in the seven furlong race. Dandy K, at 110 lbs beat Roman Brother at 122 lbs by a length in the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream. Kentucky Jug and Kentucky Pioneer were unplaced.

A Toronto reporter noted that Northern Dancer would still be a two year old when he would start in the Derby, given his May 27^th birthday. He noted that the colt had to be watched daily regarding his eating habits. "He'll keep eating as long as there is anything in sight he can eat. We have to cut down on his eating a week before a race. But when we cut down on his hay he goes for the straw bedding in his stall. So a week before a race we replace the straw in his stall with peat moss, which he won't eat. It's the only way we can keep im from eating his way out of shape" reports Horatio Luro. Luro also opined that Northern Dancer could be any kind of horse. "He has beautiful muscles and he has a beautiful face".

Here's the Flamingo. Carrying 122 lbs, as did all, Northern Dancer was off third behind Mr. Brick and Quadrangle. The even money favorite, the Dancer moved into second by the half behind Mr. Brick in :45 and three. Mr. Brick ran the first six furlongs in a speedy 1:09 and two. In the stretch Northern Dancer moved into the lead, with Shoemaker flicking him three times with the whip. The mile went in a quick 1:34 and three.

At the finish, Northern Dancer was two lengths ahead of Mr. Brick, who was eight lengths in front of Quadrangle, with Journalist another six lengths behind. Dandy K and Roman Brother were in a deadheat for fifth. Northern Dancer won driving in 1:47 and four, four-fifths off the stakes record. He was the first Canadian-bred to win the Flamingo. He was visibly tiring at the finish, but this was still the road to the Derby, not the big event itself. Luro was not about to peak too soon with his charge.

Shoemaker was happy with the result but, noting the fatigue, reported that Northern Dancer was not yet as seasoned as some of the other runners. He felt that Hill Rise was much more conditioned at this point. But he felt the Dancer would only move forward off the Flamingo. Luro put a cup on the headgear of Northern Dancer to prevent him running out at the first turn. That went well. Luro had been worried at the fast early fractions. Ussery offered no excuses for Roman Brother's performance.

Calumet trainer, Jimmy Jones, kept that farm's Kentucky Pioneer, in the barn, in fear of Northern Dancer. "This is one runnin' son of a gun. He's a dangerous horse - at three-eighths or a mile and a half. It doesn't seem to make any difference. Well, he helped to prove that I was well off in the barn - because I wouldn't have been gettin' nothin'". Kentucky Pioneer would have had to be supplemented. By the way, Bupers finished tenth of the eleven starters.

The patch on the quarter crack that enabled Northern Dancer to run towards the Kentucky Derby in the spring of 1964 was called, according to my scrapbook source, a Danes patch, not a Banes patch as I previously posted. Funny, I have gone through my whole life remembering it as a Banes patch. It seems Billy Danes was the only expert on such conditions, and he fixed the problem.

As the road to the Roses progressed, Hill Rise won the Santa Anita Derby, running the mile and one eighth race in track record time of 1:47 and two fifths.

Northern Dancer's last serious workout before the Flamingo was six furlongs in 1:12 and four fifths. He went :24, :48 and 1:00 and one fifth. Despite these times, Northern Dancer, according to his trainer, Horatio Luro, "didn't impress anyone in the morning. He does impress people in the afternoons". Luro also told a story of playing the violin in front of the Dancer's stall to comfort him after his loss in his first start of the season when, in Luro's opinion, he felt Bobby Ussery's whip too often.

The field for the 35^th running of the Flamingo, which in 1964 was a major pre-Derby test, included the excellent Roman Brother, the menacing Quadrangle, the speedy Mr. Brick, Journalist and Bupers. This last had finished second to Northern Dancer in the fall, and I had previously posted that Bupers would never face the Dancer again. This shows how faulty memory can be. Here he was again.

Northern Dancer was 8-5 in the morning line, with Roman Brother 5-2 and four others at 8-1. Bob Ussery was up on Roman Brother, looking for revenge after Luro dumped him as the Dancer's rider. There are some eery similarities between the two favorites. Both were very small, Roman Brother brought $23,500 at auction, close to the $25,000 posted for Northern Dancer, and both had the same birthday, May 27, 1961. Joe O'Farrell, manager of Ocala Stud which had bred the Brother, insisted he was a "shoo-in" in the race.

Over the winter of 1963-64 it was announced that the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby, Hurry to Market, would miss the race because of a serious quarter crack. Northern Dancer would overcome a similar problem using a Bane patch.

In early stakes on the road to the Triple Crown, Bupers won the Hibiscus at Hialeah and Roman Brother won the Bahamas. Northern Dancer lined up against Chieftain in a six furlong Hialeah sprint. It was thought that both of them would face Roman Brother, Mr. Brick, Bupers and Journalist in the Everglades, a final prep for the Flamingo.

Chieftain won the Buccaneer Purse, as it was called, by a head over the obscure Mom's Request. Northern Dancer was two lengths back in third. A horse called Bazaar bumped the Dancer at the start, causing him to lose many lengths, and then Northern Dancer was shut off at the sixteenth pole. Hartack rode Chieftain, Ussery rode the Dancer. The race went in 1:10 and two fifths and Chieftain was a slight favorite.

Roman Brother won the Everglades by a nose over Mr.Brick. Northern Dancer skipped the race. On Monday, February 24, Hialeah held what was called the Flamingo Prep, a 7 furlong, betless, purseless exhibition race. The track was listed as good, but Northern Dancer made it seem lightning fast, running the event in 1:23 and two fifths. He broke last in the field of three, then assumed command with five furlongs to go. He beat Chieftain by seven lengths and Trader by nine and one half. Jockey Bill Shoemaker held firm control, merely tapping Northern Dancer on the shoulder in the stretch.

Northern Dancer went out a mile in 1:36 and two, and a mile and an eighth, the Flamingo distance, pulled up in 1:50 and four. Shoemaker was quoted as saying, "I'd be out of my mind not to be on his back (in the Flamingo)". Luro had dumped Ussery because " he used the whip too much". Chieftain dropped out of the Triple Crown trail after this race and never faced Northern Dancer again.