In any sport, there are legends of varying degree. In Thoroughbred racing, there are legends like Gallant Fox, and then there are legends like Secretariat. There are legends like Susan’s Girl, and there are legends like Zenyatta. In other words, there are legends, and then there are legends. John Nerud most definitely belongs in the latter category.
Tag: Legends
Princess Rooney: The First Breeders’ Cup Distaff Winner
The career of Princess Rooney was not unlike a sandwich. Hold the laughter – it’s true. During her three seasons on the track, she packaged a thin layer of disappointment between two sensational winning streaks that stamped her as one of the greatest fillies to every grace the sport of kings. Bred in Kentucky by Ben and Tom Roach, Princess Rooney wasn’t exactly a hot commodity as a yearling. Her pedigree wasn’t the most fashionable; her sire, Verbatim, was a respectable though not outstanding racehorse and stallion, while her dam and damsire were both unraced.
Silverbulletday: A Magical Ride
As stellar as Silverbulletday was in gaining honors as the champion 2-year-old filly in 1998 and as the champion 3-year-old filly the next season, there will always be a “what if” attached to her career. What if she had not drawn far outside, post 14, for the Preakness? What if she had received a more favorable post and been allowed to compete in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown?
Col. E. R. Bradley: Kentucky Colonel, Kentucky Legend
At the end of the 19th century, Col. Edward Riley Bradley—a self-proclaimed gambler, bookmaker, and owner/manager of several casinos—was informed by his doctor that a more outdoor lifestyle might be beneficial to his health. Something as simple as taking walks or hikes might have done the trick, but this was much too slow-paced for Bradley. In his mind, the most sensible thing to do was start a racing stable, where he could benefit from outdoor living while simultaneously building an empire in a sport deeply intertwined with gambling. What a picture-perfect scenario!
