Kelso broke early in that race and hit the gate. He put a knot on his head and fell to his knees. Joe Hirsch, in his racing form column, said that Kelso would never beat the likes of Mongo and Gun Bow again. Later on he would say that "ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A HORSE NAMED "KELSO,"BUT ONLY ONCE!"
The only advantage was that he wasn't loaded down with weight - still carried top weight - them's the rules for stakes races. How about the Handicapping Triple Crown won by only two other horses - Whisk Broom and Tom Fool - I believe Kelso carried over than 20 pounds more than some of his rivals. Anyone have film of the Mongo-Gun Bow-Kelso duel(s)? Can't recall if there were one or two of them.
battenwood:
It was like a handicap. Gun Bow had humbled old Kelso by 14 lengths five weeks earlier in the Brooklyn H'Cap when GB carried 8 less pounds. They were at equal weights for the rematch.
Gun Bow indeed was an excellent race horse and ran his eyeballs out in this race never giving up. But hey, we're talking about the great Kelso though. Not many could beat him so finishing 2nd does not detract from GBs performance.
Not to nit pick but this race was the Aqueduct Stakes and run under allowance conditions at that time. Had it been a handicap, it is doubtful whether Kelso would have gotten in at 128. The horse carried 130 lbs all his life, it seemed. Anything less than that must have felt like a relief to him. His success in the Woodward and the Jockey Club Gold Cup year after year had a lot to do with the weight-for-age conditions. Big advantage for Kelso.
Gun Bow was a very talented horse that was able to cruise at very high speeds. The reason Kelso was able to reel him in is because Kelso had excellent tactical speed. I believe it is tactical speed that separates Kelso from the other great gelding of the last 50 years, Forego. Although Forego won grade 1 sprints, in most of his races, no matter the distance, he would lay well off the pace and make one sweeping move. Kelso would saty closer to the lead, yet had the endurance to run 2 miles.
12exceller-this is coming a little late, but I couldn't agree with you more. This is the morning of the Belmont, I'm guessing that Big Brown will win it. What a sin that hes not going to race as a four year old.
Thank you for the information, I'll be sure to look that book up online. Sounds terrific.
Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate them. I will be posting more Kelso in the future.
Take care.
If you're a fan of the awesome Kelso, get the book by Linda Kennedy, "Kelso, Horse of Gold." He was awesome, and she captures all the excitement, with lots of excerpts from turf writers of the time. Great video, cf! I was just wondering why I couldn't find any Kelso videos. More, please!
After this, Gun Bow came back and beat Kelso by the smallest of noses to win the Woodward. Kelso went on to win the 2 mile Jockey Club Gold Cup and then beat Gun Bow at a mile and a half on the turf in the DC International breaking the American record on any surface by 4 seconds in 2:23.4 at age 7 clinching his 5th horse of the year. They don't battle like that anymore!
There's a book called "At the Wire" by Edward Bowen that recounts this race and other great races. Gun Bow won the Brooklyn Hdcp and Kelso came back and won this race. The fractions here were 23.1, 46.2, 1:10.4, 1:35.4 and 1:48.3, not bad for 43 years ago.
Don't forget that there was no "rabbit" in this race to soften up the leader. Kelso did it on his own. They faced each other at least 4 times one year and split the decisions in some thrilling races. Kelso finally destroyed him the old Washington DC International on the grass to get his 5th horse of the year. Thanks for posting something on one of the great and gamest horses of all time!
Wonderful story! That really adds luster to Kelso's legend. I was very impressed by his closing speed here, Gun Bow was far in front and running well.
Thanks for watching and sharing the terrific insight.
Take care.
cf1934 Says:
30/05/2012 12:33:05 PM
Kelso broke early in that race and hit the gate. He put a knot on his head and fell to his knees. Joe Hirsch, in his racing form column, said that Kelso would never beat the likes of Mongo and Gun Bow again. Later on he would say that "ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A HORSE NAMED "KELSO,"BUT ONLY ONCE!"
Healthy Urban Says:
5/05/2012 2:32:01 PM
The only advantage was that he wasn't loaded down with weight - still carried top weight - them's the rules for stakes races. How about the Handicapping Triple Crown won by only two other horses - Whisk Broom and Tom Fool - I believe Kelso carried over than 20 pounds more than some of his rivals. Anyone have film of the Mongo-Gun Bow-Kelso duel(s)? Can't recall if there were one or two of them.
eamber729 Says:
16/04/2012 1:55:32 AM
He was just an amazing horse, I love you King Kelly forever <333 1-MOW 2-Kelso 3-Secretariat 4-Citation
h24811 Says:
25/08/2010 6:44:56 AM
battenwood: It was like a handicap. Gun Bow had humbled old Kelso by 14 lengths five weeks earlier in the Brooklyn H'Cap when GB carried 8 less pounds. They were at equal weights for the rematch.
joefederico Says:
1/04/2010 2:31:17 AM
Gun Bow indeed was an excellent race horse and ran his eyeballs out in this race never giving up. But hey, we're talking about the great Kelso though. Not many could beat him so finishing 2nd does not detract from GBs performance.
cf1970 Says:
3/05/2009 9:48:56 AM
Thanks for the heads-up. I didn't realize it was a stakes race from 1962 to 1965, and in 1967 and 1968.
Take care.
battenwood Says:
3/05/2009 9:38:55 AM
Not to nit pick but this race was the Aqueduct Stakes and run under allowance conditions at that time. Had it been a handicap, it is doubtful whether Kelso would have gotten in at 128. The horse carried 130 lbs all his life, it seemed. Anything less than that must have felt like a relief to him. His success in the Woodward and the Jockey Club Gold Cup year after year had a lot to do with the weight-for-age conditions. Big advantage for Kelso.
jhordanian Says:
23/07/2008 10:23:05 AM
Gun Bow was a very talented horse that was able to cruise at very high speeds. The reason Kelso was able to reel him in is because Kelso had excellent tactical speed. I believe it is tactical speed that separates Kelso from the other great gelding of the last 50 years, Forego. Although Forego won grade 1 sprints, in most of his races, no matter the distance, he would lay well off the pace and make one sweeping move. Kelso would saty closer to the lead, yet had the endurance to run 2 miles.
all66books Says:
8/06/2008 4:26:08 AM
12exceller-this is coming a little late, but I couldn't agree with you more. This is the morning of the Belmont, I'm guessing that Big Brown will win it. What a sin that hes not going to race as a four year old.
label1877 Says:
16/03/2008 2:57:06 AM
Wow! I would of been there except I was one year old.
STU676 Says:
7/01/2008 8:16:01 AM
Kelso surely had the biggest heart ever....he and Gun Bow had some classic battles. THANKS FOR POSTING.....MUCH APPRECIATED
cf1970 Says:
23/10/2007 6:39:54 AM
Thank you for the information, I'll be sure to look that book up online. Sounds terrific. Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate them. I will be posting more Kelso in the future. Take care.
lpriebe31 Says:
23/10/2007 6:12:37 AM
If you're a fan of the awesome Kelso, get the book by Linda Kennedy, "Kelso, Horse of Gold." He was awesome, and she captures all the excitement, with lots of excerpts from turf writers of the time.
Great video, cf! I was just wondering why I couldn't find any Kelso videos. More, please!
cf1970 Says:
24/06/2007 11:08:16 AM
Glad you enjoyed this. I have 4 or 5 more of his races to come. Thanks for watching.
ReadySteadyWho Says:
24/06/2007 9:44:04 AM
Kelso is king! Please post more videos of my favorite horse of all time--thank you!!!
Tuddyboy11 Says:
6/06/2007 10:12:55 AM
After this, Gun Bow came back and beat Kelso by the smallest of noses to win the Woodward. Kelso went on to win the 2 mile Jockey Club Gold Cup and then beat Gun Bow at a mile and a half on the turf in the DC International breaking the American record on any surface by 4 seconds in 2:23.4 at age 7 clinching his 5th horse of the year. They don't battle like that anymore!
Tuddyboy11 Says:
6/06/2007 10:05:39 AM
There's a book called "At the Wire" by Edward Bowen that recounts this race and other great races. Gun Bow won the Brooklyn Hdcp and Kelso came back and won this race. The fractions here were 23.1, 46.2, 1:10.4, 1:35.4 and 1:48.3, not bad for 43 years ago.
cf1970 Says:
4/06/2007 6:44:03 AM
Kelso ran a heckuva race to win it. He sure was a great one. Thanks for the valuable information. Glad you liked it. Have a good day.
Tuddyboy11 Says:
4/06/2007 2:40:30 AM
Don't forget that there was no "rabbit" in this race to soften up the leader. Kelso did it on his own. They faced each other at least 4 times one year and split the decisions in some thrilling races. Kelso finally destroyed him the old Washington DC International on the grass to get his 5th horse of the year. Thanks for posting something on one of the great and gamest horses of all time!
cf1970 Says:
12/05/2007 11:04:48 PM
Wonderful story! That really adds luster to Kelso's legend. I was very impressed by his closing speed here, Gun Bow was far in front and running well. Thanks for watching and sharing the terrific insight. Take care.