Kelso - 1964 Aqueduct Stakes

[evyn10014]

Love the narration by Harvey

[DashSmithfield74]

Best horse ever? Methinks so...

[afleetalex05]

God they dont make em like that anymore.

[h24811]

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]

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.

[bellaserene]

I only became of Kelso a few months ago and have since become an admirer. No matter the hefty impost he carried in the majority of his races, Kelso made his wins appear effortless. Although he shared equal top-weight with his younger and formidable rival Gun Bow in this race (man they had some great duels), he displayed a depth of courage and determination rarely seen in horses today to win. Gun Bow was a fantastic horse in his own right, hence Kelso here was just phenomenal.

[joebuzjoebuz]

I was there that day.

Not to take away from the horses but, from a historical aspect, what is missing is Uncle Freddy's call.

Many , many people had tears in their eyes for Kelso was, after all, The Champ. No doubt one of the top 10 emotional races of all time.

Ps: He raced as a claimer at Monmouth as a 2 [?] yo. Great horse!

[battenwood]

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.

[cf1970]

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.

[jhordanian]

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]

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]

Wow! I would of been there except I was one year old.

[STU676]

Kelso surely had the biggest heart ever....he and Gun Bow had some classic battles. THANKS FOR POSTING.....MUCH APPRECIATED

[cf1970]

Thank you, I'm glad you liked the video.

[lpriebe31]

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]

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.

[jess4metoo]

Thanks for sharing!

[cf1970]

It's my pleasure! Thank you for watching.

[ReadySteadyWho]

Kelso is king! Please post more videos of my favorite horse of all time--thank you!!!

[cf1970]

Glad you enjoyed this. I have 4 or 5 more of his races to come.

Thanks for watching.

[Tuddyboy11]

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!

[12exceller]

Exactly! Owners and trainers seem to be afraid to put their horses to the test like they once did. Not too say that we need to hurt or injure them in anyway, but there was a time when horses were bred to race... not race 6 times and go to the breeding shed. AND still be considered "great" for having 3 of those 6 races... racing today is very disappointing.

[Tuddyboy11]

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.

[Tuddyboy11]

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]

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.

[tchas35]

Gun Bow was no slouch -- Kelso was running hard from about a half mile out to run him down.

I've read that there was an enormous amount of sentimental cheering for Kelso after the race -- even though Gun Bow had been the favorite. He'd beaten Kelso in their previous encounter, and folks thought the guard was changing -- then were thrilled to see that Kelso was still Kelso.

A great moment from history - thanks for sharing.

[cf1970]

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.

[hypersphere]

Kelso!! cf1970 you really bring the goods

[cf1970]

Thanks for the kind comment. I have more of his races to come.

Glad you enjoyed it.

[gfn02]

Wonderful horse!

[cf1970]

Yes indeedy.