Kelso - 1964 Aqueduct Stakes

The terrific Kelso chases down and outruns his young rival, Gun Bow.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Thoroughbred
• Horse
• Racing
• 1964
• Aqueduct
• Handicap
• Kelso
• Gun
• Bow
• New
• York
• Harvey
• Pack
• Carl
• Hanford
• Ismael
• Valenzuela
• Mrs.
• Allaire
• DuPont

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.