NYRA Time Machine: Holy Bull Holds On in the 1994 Travers

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has added a new installment to its "Time Machine" video series, this time featuring Holy Bull's victory in the 1994 Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

Holy Bull, later named the 1994 Horse of the Year, entered the Travers having easily won five of his previous six starts, with his sole defeat having come in the Kentucky Derby, which was contested at 1 ¼ miles, the same distance as the Travers.

In the video, Dave Grening of the Daily Racing Form and Michael Veitch of The Saratogian present their insights into Holy Bull's his performance in the Travers, in which he opened up to a four-length lead up the backstretch and dug in resolutely in the final quarter mile to prevail by a neck over Concern, who later that year won the Breeders' Cup Classic. Also, track announcer Tom Durkin reminisces about the race, in which he used the memorable line "But there is cause for Concern!" as the eventual runner-up launched his late rally.

The "NYRA Time Machine" series documents some of the most historic moments in New York racing history, and additional episodes will be unveiled during the upcoming weeks. Racing fans can find each "NYRA Time Machine" video on the NYRA YouTube channel or on the NYRA homepage, located at www.nyra.com.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• nyra
• time
• machine
• holy
• bull
• travers
• horse
• racing
• saratoga
• of
• the
• year
• 1994

[mulgrum]

I went to Saratoga that week just to see the Bull. The grandstands were literally shaking during the stretch run; people were crying with emotion after the wire. Two other things I remember: When the Bull came onto the track, he looked HUGE compared to Tabasco Cat . And I ran into Jimmy Croll the day before near the paddock; he was a man of very few words and had a lot on his mind but was very cool about accepting well-wishers (not every trainer would have done the same, as we know). That

[Pari28]

Wish I could've seen The Bull in action :(

What a superstar!

-Anyone know if there are any books or good articles on SB? I'd love to get my hands on some memorabilia :)

Any advice on that is more than welcome. Am a sucker for racing history!!

[jasonm921]

That Tabasco Cat Photo is a Jay Moran Photo....just sayin'.

[JerryG918]

I think Concern himself logged in and registered the only dislike vote.

[tbpartnerperson43]

Watching this race reminded me how much I loved this colt when he was racing. There is a video of him in his paddock at Darley on their website. He still loves to run. He will take your breath away.

[Nucleo85Torino]

WOW.....I forgot about this race. Truly a performance for the ages.

[Tammicat21]

I was going to comment, but I gotta go watch this again.. whatahorse:)

[drfager01]

holy bull! what a hero.

[sonnyfontaine]

@jballscalls : owe you an explanation- I produced this feature and accidentally put in the 2004 Derby (Smarty) instead of the 1994. Unbelievable snafu which we realized, and the corrected Derby is there. Thought you should know. Sorry!

[ruffchamp1]

@partymanners Like U, I am a Big Fan of the Phipps Horses, It Looked Like the 1 1/4m was The Deciding Factor. And Great To See Heavenly Prize in Persistently's Pedigree Also.