Kelso

[tucsonagent]

Kelso, HOY 5 times in a row. JCGC at TWO MILES 5 years in a row. Huh? I think that's all we need to say.

[theotherdoutzen]

shame he wuz gelded cause racing needs his genes

[theotherdoutzen]

Most underrated ever. Man o war and count fleets blood in him.

[bbmtge]

cf1970...as you are a master of resources...do you think you can get video of Kelso in his 2-mile Jockey Gold Cup performances??? Thank you!!!

[cf1970]

@bbmtge I posted a two part series of Kelso and the JCGC quite a while ago. Check it out!

[bbmtge]

@bbmtge 10/4...will check it out. I did not realize until lately that Prove Out's 1973 2 mile JGC time was second only to some of Kelso's.

[rscarbro100]

I always took the upmost respect what the horse racing experts say about Kelso & Secretariat. Eddie Araco rode Kelso in some of his races. He told Bill Christine in a interview in 1996 that Citation was the best 3 yr. old he ever rode. Kelso the best 4 yr. old he ever rode But rated Secretariat the best he ever seen. I figure if anyone would have known it would be Eddie. Its his opinion & mine as well.

[cf1934]

@rscarbro100 He also told Chick Lang that Kelso was the best horse he eve rode! He said that as long as his friend Jimmy Jones was alive he would always say that Citation was the greatest he ever rode.A quote from the book "Kelso" by Steve Haskins " I'd never say this in public while Jimmy is alive, because if I did, he'd be on the phone the next day and he'd really be upset with me. But between you and me, I'm going to tell you right here, that the greatest horse I ever rode was Kelso."

[evyn10014]

@cf1934 Yes, didn't Arcaro say off the record that Kelso would have kicked Citation's butt if they raced? But in more colorful language?

[Bolzovfire]

RIP King Kelly. I wasn't born during your time but I got the chance to watch you and instantly and seamlessly I fell into to your spell. You'll remain my "mostest hoss"

[cf1934]

@Bolzovfire I kept a scrap book on Kelso and he made the 1960's enjoyable for me. As the late Joe Hirsch once wrote: "Once upon a time there was a horse named KELSO, but only once!"

[GoldenOakFarm]

Everyone knows of Kelso...but what about his valiant sire Your Host? Check out my video titled "Your Host - The Horse Full of Heart" for his story.

[theOlLineRebel]

Fascinating - a BARRIER start? Was this common for turf even then?

[jtierney1963]

The one thing that Kelso did better than any other horse who ever lived, and was known for, was carry extreme weight for most of his illustrious and indelible career. Kelso could've been an excellent turf horse, like Secretariat. Lucien Laurin and Ron Turcotte both thought Secretariat could've been even better on the grass. I would've loved to have seen Secretariat run in the Arc if he had run as a 4-year-old.

[schardy80]

I believe durability and sustained excellence are underrated characteristics when people rate horses. This guy scores maximum points for this criterion.

[Tuddyboy11]

Horses were certainly more durable back then and in 1964 Kelso and Gun Bow ran against each other in the Brooklyn on 7/25, the Aqueduct on 9/7, the Woodward on 10/3 and the DC Int. on 11/11. During that period, Kelso also won the Jockey Club while Gun Bow ran in the Man of War. So each ran 5 races in 3 and 1/2 months. Can anyone imagine Big Brown and Curlin racing against each other that often? It just doesn't happen. Cheers to a great era of horse racing.

[BE109]

It is almost pointless to say Kelso was better than Secretariat,or vice verse. They were both horses of the highest order. Both stir emotions within me,mainly because I have a deep respect for the race horse. I believe they are the ultimate athelete.

[cf1970]

I agree with you completely. I don't like debating who is "better" or having to present facts that might make another horse's performance look inferior; I hate doing it, believe me, and it's never my intention. Sometimes, people question Secretariat's greatness and I feel compelled to step up in his defense. I just hate the negative jabs at him. While Sec is my favorite horse, I certainly would never force that "he's the best" on anyone else. All horses have a majesty of their own. Take care.

[BE109]

The only time I will debate with people,is when they make really uninformed judgements on particular horses. Otherwise I enjoy to read about,and or watch race horses,present and past. I have one failing,I do not suffer fools at all. I fully understand your point about defending Big Red. Take care!

[BE109]

Sad that there is no mention of one of his foes Beau Purple,he like Gun Bow and Carry Back met and defeated Kelso multiple times. Beau Purple ,Gun Bow,and Carry Back in some way helped Kelso become as great as he was. Mainly,because they didn't make it easy for him. They are all in the Hall of Fame,except Beau Purple,please put him in,he deserved it.

[BE109]

Kelso deserves to be remembered for his immense talent,heart,and his longevity. I doubt we will see anymore like him in the future.

[Tuddyboy11]

Interesting thing about the DC International was that Kelso ran the last quarter faster than the first quarter was run. He ran 23 and 4/5 for the final quarter which is incredible for a mile and a half race. The grass was very dry that day and it was almost like a dirt surface.

[lildaveyy]

Does any1 else think that kelso was the best ever!!!!!! I DO

[cf1934]

Cot Campbell,Joe Hirsch and David Alexander agree with you.Kelso equalled Man O war's mile and five eighths world record in the Lawrence realization and could have smashed it if they wanted him too.

[ValerieHarris1]

What was the new American record fo 1.5 miles?

Did it top Sec's at 2:24?

[cf1970]

Not to take ANYTHING away from the mighty Kelso, but his American record over 1.5 miles was 2:23 4/5ths was on turf, and you have to remember that he was a mature horse (7, Sec was only 3) and was asked for everything he had in the stretch to achieve that time, while Secretariat was not asked for anything setting his 2:24 on dirt, which is naturally slower than turf. The '73 Belmont was on a fast track, but not freakishly fast, as some would claim.

Take care.

[cf1934]

According to the form charts Kelso drew out handily.Also,if grass is faster,why do horses with bad legs run better on it? The form charts said Secretariat was ridden out.What you call mature ,others would call old.

[cf1970]

1. Kelso drew out handily, but watch the video again closely; he was "ridden out" in a similar fashion to Secretariat (inside the last 16th), but the difference was that he was smacked with the whip as well. Secretariat wasn't touched with the whip at all, so surely Big Red, and to be fair, Kelso would have opened up even more had they been fully asked, and sooner. Sec didn't care for the whip, but he knew what it meant, too - GO! As did Kelso; he was asked the question, Secretariat wasn't.

[cf1970]

2. Your opinion of horses with bad legs running better on grass is a respectable one; I'd guess it's because there's no real cuppiness when it's deemed firm or good. If the turf was wet and/or deep that would be another thing, but that 1964 Laurel turf course looked awfully dry and firm to me. What I meant by mature is that Kelso was over 3 years old, so your point of him being old at 7 is well-taken. I love Kelso; he was awesome...I'm torn about even getting into all this.

Take care.

[battenwood]

1964 was a year of a very bad drought in the Northeast and the Laurel track reflected it---it was rock-hard for the International. Still, it was a remarkable performance by "Kelly." How many 7 year olds have done what he did that day and throughout the summer and fall of '64?

[cf1934]

How many horses set an American track record for 2 miles on the dirt and then come back and set an American track record on the grass 11 days later? He also ran around 3 turns in the International. Beyond remarkable!

[cf1970]

Hear, hear, well said. It's a feat that will never be duplicated. I read "The Horse Of Gold" a few months back, and am mighty impressed at Kelso's natural abilities, and the pure strength he showed to carry the heavy imposts that were put on him.

Take care.

[GoldenOakFarm]

@cf1970 I believe that when carrying heavy weight it takes courage and heart to make it to the finish line in front. I am a firm believer that Kelso's courage and heart came from his sire Your Host, his story is one to blow you away. My short little video response is only the surface of his strength and courage, I'm hoping to update and improve it :)

[doggcat88]

OMG! My Best Friend's Nickname Is Kelso! OMG!

But She Isn't A Gelding. o.O

[ValerieHarris1]

Sec ran 2:24 at Woodbine in his last race - looking like he was out for a breeze!

I thought dirt was faster than turf.

Valerie

[cf1970]

Valerie, Secretariat actually ran 2:41 4/5 over 1 5/8 miles at Woodbine in terrible weather for his last race, just missing the track record; amazingly, he ran 2:24 4/5 in the Man o' War Stakes in his first try on grass twenty days before that. I wish he would have had more time to polish his turf and dirt talent as a four year old; I truly believe that he would have broken even more records.

Turf is widely acknowledged to be quicker than dirt

Have a good week.

[melc1949]

well kids, i'm so old i remember kelso....too bad he was a gelding

[gfn02]

One of the greatest of all-time! Awesome footage :)

[cf1970]

Yes, what a warrior he was. Glad you enjoyed it. ^_^

[gfn02]

Warrior the perfect one word description.

[cf1970]

Yeah, he really epitomizes that word. His 5 consecutive Horse Of The Year awards will never be approached again; no way, no how.

Take care.

[gfn02]

Yeah, they'll never let a champion horse run that long today even in the unlikely event that one of that caliber came along.