Speculation for what it's worth, but I do wonder how Dr. Fager would have crossed with Zenyatta. If the foal got the best of both, it would remake horse racing as we know it.
From Braulio Baeza's site: Q:How did he handle the turf? Ans.:"Not too good. He kept slipping and sliding. Wasn't leveling off, getting ahold of it. Like he was on roller skates. I had to keep picking him up. But he won. He won four championships that year: the Sprint Champion, Grass Champion, Handicap Champion and Horse of the Year."
Going 1 3/16, on a surface he didn't like, against the best turf horses in the US, carrying 134 lbs and losing the lead twice, Dr Fager is legendary. I'm fortunate to have seen him and Secretariat in my lifetime.
Great run by our Aussie horse Tobin Bronze. Not very will ridden but still boxed on. He was past his best by then. Would have liked to have seen TB, FM and Dr F hook up on turf when they were all at their peak.
Dr. Fager detested the whip,everytime he was hit with the stick(and that wasn't very often)he would throw his tale up in protest. He was a horse who gave everything he had everytime he went to the post. That trait of throwing their tale is not rare. Sometimes a horse will do it when it is tiring,but Dr. Fager would do it anytime you touched him. Some horse will prop(slow down rapidly) if you hit them. Not the "Doc" he had too much fire in him.
He is amazing. Fager won that race himself. Baeza didn't hit him at all in the stretch... you can see that the whip is in his right hand and his right hand never leaves the reins. Fager came back from losing the lead and won under a hand ride!
Horses don't lose the lead TWICE and come back to win! Tremendous performance spotting Advocator 22 lbs and Fort Marcy 16 lbs. Fort Marcy nosed Damascus in the 1 1/2 '67 DC International and was a terrific turf horse. That was a heckuva impost for a first time turf starter, wasn't it?
You're very welcome! Yes, I couldn't leave out that post parade, excellent footage of fine horses.
The good Doctor showed his superiority and versatility, just as BE109 stated above.
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Yes that is very correct,he is really noted for his daughters,who produced the likes of Fappiano. It is a shame he died young,but he always had issues with colic. He just couldn't outrun that vicious sickness.
To take on the best turf horse's in the country. On a surface he really didn't like. To keep fighting for the lead multiple times until his will to win got him to the wire first. That is a real champion!
qhsperson Says:
6/10/2011 11:31:59 AM
Speculation for what it's worth, but I do wonder how Dr. Fager would have crossed with Zenyatta. If the foal got the best of both, it would remake horse racing as we know it.
evyn10014 Says:
28/03/2011 10:33:53 AM
That horse was a monster. Love his fire. Thanks for the post.
711ATOM Says:
9/01/2011 6:19:59 PM
From Braulio Baeza's site: Q:How did he handle the turf? Ans.:"Not too good. He kept slipping and sliding. Wasn't leveling off, getting ahold of it. Like he was on roller skates. I had to keep picking him up. But he won. He won four championships that year: the Sprint Champion, Grass Champion, Handicap Champion and Horse of the Year."
OHRaceFan Says:
6/09/2008 6:53:15 AM
Going 1 3/16, on a surface he didn't like, against the best turf horses in the US, carrying 134 lbs and losing the lead twice, Dr Fager is legendary. I'm fortunate to have seen him and Secretariat in my lifetime.
jamessquire1 Says:
25/05/2008 7:31:52 PM
Great run by our Aussie horse Tobin Bronze. Not very will ridden but still boxed on. He was past his best by then. Would have liked to have seen TB, FM and Dr F hook up on turf when they were all at their peak.
BE109 Says:
13/03/2008 6:20:27 AM
Dr. Fager detested the whip,everytime he was hit with the stick(and that wasn't very often)he would throw his tale up in protest. He was a horse who gave everything he had everytime he went to the post. That trait of throwing their tale is not rare. Sometimes a horse will do it when it is tiring,but Dr. Fager would do it anytime you touched him. Some horse will prop(slow down rapidly) if you hit them. Not the "Doc" he had too much fire in him.
kmnmiamisax Says:
10/03/2008 1:57:43 PM
He is amazing. Fager won that race himself. Baeza didn't hit him at all in the stretch... you can see that the whip is in his right hand and his right hand never leaves the reins. Fager came back from losing the lead and won under a hand ride!
OHRaceFan Says:
26/01/2008 10:35:39 AM
Horses don't lose the lead TWICE and come back to win! Tremendous performance spotting
Advocator 22 lbs and Fort Marcy 16 lbs. Fort Marcy nosed Damascus in the 1 1/2 '67 DC International and was a terrific turf horse.
That was a heckuva impost for a first time turf starter, wasn't it?
STU676 Says:
2/01/2008 11:02:06 AM
you are so right. fort marcy was indeed a gutsty champion turf horse of the year twice
BE109 Says:
2/01/2008 5:08:44 AM
Fort Marcy was an excellent turf horse, I believe he went on to become a champion on turf. He didn't need to take a back seat to anyone.
STU676 Says:
3/12/2007 1:44:28 PM
loved fort marcy,,,,of course fager was probably the best horse ever
cf1970 Says:
4/11/2007 4:13:28 AM
You're very welcome! Yes, I couldn't leave out that post parade, excellent footage of fine horses. The good Doctor showed his superiority and versatility, just as BE109 stated above. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
BE109 Says:
16/10/2007 4:50:34 AM
Yes that is very correct,he is really noted for his daughters,who produced the likes of Fappiano. It is a shame he died young,but he always had issues with colic. He just couldn't outrun that vicious sickness.
whennif Says:
16/10/2007 4:31:06 AM
Dr. Fager was the best race horse ever. He died at 12 but also went on to be great at stud.
BE109 Says:
24/07/2007 7:12:05 AM
To take on the best turf horse's in the country. On a surface he really didn't like. To keep fighting for the lead multiple times until his will to win got him to the wire first. That is a real champion!
cf1970 Says:
29/03/2007 2:22:52 PM
Yep, he sure was. It's one of the best horse names I've seen. Take care.
waseom Says:
29/03/2007 1:53:56 PM
Wasn't he named Dr. Fager after the neurosurgeon who saved John Nerud's life? (John Nerud being the Doc's trainer.)
STU676 Says:
25/01/2007 12:10:50 PM
Fager may have been the best ever....and yes that includes the immortal Secretariat
cf1970 Says:
20/01/2007 6:39:08 AM
Yep, he ran huge most of the time, and with a lot of weight. Take care.
cf1970 Says:
20/01/2007 6:38:18 AM
Yeppers, the good Doctor was a fantastic horse. Take care.