Lemon Drop Kid - 1999 Belmont Stakes

The very talented Lemon Drop Kid wins the Belmont, ending Charismatic's valiant bid for the Triple Crown.

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  Sports

[Vulcan750L]

Why is his name "Lemon Drop Kid"? What is the story behind that?

[cf1970]

Good question. It's an interesting name.

[marc19ar]

i think he's really a great horse and a true champion, imagine running with broken leg in a mile and half, i think that's courage and heart.. i really miss this he could be the triple crown winner...to chris he's one of the best...

[cf1970]

Well said. Take care.

[AwsiDooger]

Wow, I'd forgotten what a big field that was, unusual for a Belmont particularly when the Triple Crown is at stake. I guess they didn't respect Charismatic at a mile and a half.

Still, a good effort by Charismatic. This was the third straight Belmont with a Triple Crown denied, following Silver Charm and Real Quiet.

Sad ending for Chris Antley about 18 months later, dead at age 34 and dispute whether it was homicide or drug related.

[cf1970]

Good point, that field was large. Charismatic was a good horse, but might have been a little out of his element at a mile and a half. Chris Antley's story was tragic, very sad indeed. Touching to remember him holding Charismatic's leg to help save him after his injury. Take care.

[711ATOM]

When I first heard the name in 1998-99 I assumed was derived from the Bob Hope movie "The Lemon Drop Kid," but that's only a guess. Bob Hope played a con artist working a track; I haven't seen it for decades. I looked it up on line and it came out in 1951.

[dennismterrone]

I worked for an airline that Antley frequented,he was a gentleman and very kind to the staff.He was a good guy and underated jockey.

[lucymontyelle]

My horses sire!!!

[gvlaker9]

My favorite horse name ever: Lemond Drop Kid. It just sounds so cool I love it.

[lwaybroncs]

RIP Chris Antley

[TwoBun]

I had $100.00 to win on Vision & Verse. I was on the fence about Lemon Drop Kid and Charismatic. I almost bet the Trifecta box. I had narrowed my field down to the three finishers. ..I was blown away. The only person shouting in the OTB, thanks to the Daily Racing Form. ...I tried to play the Jockeys who were fresh enough for 1 1/2 mile, with the right horses, but I was relatively new to horse racing at the time.

[erleski]

a $1.00 trifecta wheel box with 4 horses (2,4,6,8) total of $24.00 - it was -a fluke bet - I meant to bet (3,4,6,8) but I guess with my accent the teller thought I said 'two' instead of 'three' hehehehehe

[pdogmtp]

Yes, but Ferdinand was at a farm in Japan and ended up in a slaughterhouse. So hopefully not the smae fate.