Kelso winning 1961 Suburban Hdcp plus footage honoring Kelso and Forego before the 1983 JCGC, in which John Henry finished 5th to Slew of Gold. Only time the 3 were on the track together (event painted by Richard Stones Reeves "Profiles in Courage")
Kelso died the next day at 26.
I am a tremendous Kelso fan. No horse ever had a better record for such a long time. His jockey the great Arcaro said he was better than Citation and Kelly laughed at weight.. Yet he felt Secretariat the best. Read the article by SI Whitney Tower titled 'The Best Race Horse In The World' dated Oct., 9, 1961. Some interesting information.
rscarbro100 2 months ago
Hey I am a big Kelso fan but I would give my right arm for a clone of Forego.
patteel 6 months ago
@patteel Kelso was 5 times Horse of the year. He won the NY Handicap Triple Crown. He won the JCGC at 2miles 5 years in a row. He set the World record for 2 miles on a sloppy track. He broke that same record 2 more times. He ran the 3 fastest times ever for 2 miles on dirt. Prove Out holds the 4th fastest time.
cf1934 6 months ago
@cf1934 Forego also won Horse of the year, Champion Sprinter, and Champion Handicap Horse in the same year, a feat never before and never since equaled. Kelso is still second to Forego in my rankings. Sorry. I bet I would stir up the dust if I said that I rank both of them over Secretariet. LOL
patteel 6 months ago
@patteel Kelso was born a scrawny runt. His racing debut was delayed because of an injured stifle. His tendons always looked like they were ready to bow. They tried to sell him, but no one would buy him. Throughout his career he was always bothered by colic. He would have colic in the morning and race in the afternoon.
cf1934 6 months ago
@cf1934 I would agree but that Kelso was born healthy and he retired with a hairline fracture of his sesamoid. Forego was born with bad sesamoids and ran his whole career on lousey legs. Other than that their race records are very very close. So I give it to Forego on dealing with the pain and still willing to run his heart out.
patteel 6 months ago
@patteel He wasn't as good as Kelso!
cf1934 6 months ago
I believe Forego was the greatest horse of all time. Why ? Because he was born with bad legs and raced his heart out for years.
patteel 6 months ago
I was at Belmont for the '83 JCGC when Kelso and Forgeo led the parade. It was great to see them, and even more important given no one knew at the time it would be Kelso's last public appearence ever.
Wallyhorse 1 year ago
I agree totally!. Kelso has the credentials to be considered the GREATEST HORSE EVER!!
1948BigCy 3 years ago