Going 1 3/16, on a surface he didn't like, against the best turf horses in the US, carrying 134 lbs and losing the lead twice, Dr Fager is legendary. I'm fortunate to have seen him and Secretariat in my lifetime.
Horses don't lose the lead TWICE and come back to win! Tremendous performance spotting Advocator 22 lbs and Fort Marcy 16 lbs. Fort Marcy nosed Damascus in the 1 1/2 '67 DC International and was a terrific turf horse. That was a heckuva impost for a first time turf starter, wasn't it?
To take on the best turf horse's in the country. On a surface he really didn't like. To keep fighting for the lead multiple times until his will to win got him to the wire first. That is a real champion!
The more I read about Dr. Fager the more amazing he becomes. On Aug. 24 he made his legendary run in 1968 Washington Park Hdcp. carrying 134 while breaking Buckpasser's mile record. In 18 days he travels more than 700 miles and on Sept.11 wins the 1-3/8 mile UN Int. Hdcp. carrying 134. He gave 12 to 22 pds. to the field, while running on grass for the first time. Advocator (2nd) carried 112, Fort Marcy (3rd) 118. Fort Macy beat Damascus at equal weights in the 1967 Washington D.C. Int.
This is insane... slipped all over the turf, put away one of the greatest turf horses in Fort Marcy whose name belongs with Round Table, and under and impost drew away impressively whilst under wraps the whole way. That Advocator got anywhere close to the lead was hard work no doubt, the horse would rather die than let others in front of him!
Fager did not care for the slippery turf at all yet his will to win against a stellar field, while conceding tons of wt.sees him through. It was said he was frothing at the mouth near the finish as he dug in one more time. This is truly a "Racehorse."
From Braulio Baeza's site: Q:How did he handle the turf? Ans.:"Not too good. He kept slipping and sliding. Wasn’t leveling off, getting ahold of it. Like he was on roller skates. I had to keep picking him up. But he won. He won four championships that year: the Sprint Champion, Grass Champion, Handicap Champion and Horse of the Year."
Dr. Fager detested the whip,everytime he was hit with the stick(and that wasn't very often)he would throw his tale up in protest. He was a horse who gave everything he had everytime he went to the post. That trait of throwing their tale is not rare. Sometimes a horse will do it when it is tiring,but Dr. Fager would do it anytime you touched him. Some horse will prop(slow down rapidly) if you hit them. Not the "Doc" he had too much fire in him.
Great run by our Aussie horse Tobin Bronze. Not very will ridden but still boxed on. He was past his best by then. Would have liked to have seen TB, FM and Dr F hook up on turf when they were all at their peak.
Yes that is very correct,he is really noted for his daughters,who produced the likes of Fappiano. It is a shame he died young,but he always had issues with colic. He just couldn't outrun that vicious sickness.
Speculation for what it's worth, but I do wonder how Dr. Fager would have crossed with Zenyatta. If the foal got the best of both, it would remake horse racing as we know it.
Going 1 3/16, on a surface he didn't like, against the best turf horses in the US, carrying 134 lbs and losing the lead twice, Dr Fager is legendary. I'm fortunate to have seen him and Secretariat in my lifetime.
Horses don't lose the lead TWICE and come back to win! Tremendous performance spotting
Advocator 22 lbs and Fort Marcy 16 lbs. Fort Marcy nosed Damascus in the 1 1/2 '67 DC International and was a terrific turf horse.
That was a heckuva impost for a first time turf starter, wasn't it?
To take on the best turf horse's in the country. On a surface he really didn't like. To keep fighting for the lead multiple times until his will to win got him to the wire first. That is a real champion!
The best miler in horseracing. Ever. And now you know why.
The more I read about Dr. Fager the more amazing he becomes. On Aug. 24 he made his legendary run in 1968 Washington Park Hdcp. carrying 134 while breaking Buckpasser's mile record. In 18 days he travels more than 700 miles and on Sept.11 wins the 1-3/8 mile UN Int. Hdcp. carrying 134. He gave 12 to 22 pds. to the field, while running on grass for the first time. Advocator (2nd) carried 112, Fort Marcy (3rd) 118. Fort Macy beat Damascus at equal weights in the 1967 Washington D.C. Int.
That horse was a monster. Love his fire. Thanks for the post.
This is insane... slipped all over the turf, put away one of the greatest turf horses in Fort Marcy whose name belongs with Round Table, and under and impost drew away impressively whilst under wraps the whole way. That Advocator got anywhere close to the lead was hard work no doubt, the horse would rather die than let others in front of him!
Fager did not care for the slippery turf at all yet his will to win against a stellar field, while conceding tons of wt.sees him through. It was said he was frothing at the mouth near the finish as he dug in one more time. This is truly a "Racehorse."
From Braulio Baeza's site: Q:How did he handle the turf? Ans.:"Not too good. He kept slipping and sliding. Wasn’t leveling off, getting ahold of it. Like he was on roller skates. I had to keep picking him up. But he won. He won four championships that year: the Sprint Champion, Grass Champion, Handicap Champion and Horse of the Year."
The greatest race horse that the "fans" have never heard of. Oh, well, as long as it keeps the legend away from Disney.
One of my all time favorites....wonderful to watch that video of the "Good Doctor". A champion for the ages!!!
Dr. Fager detested the whip,everytime he was hit with the stick(and that wasn't very often)he would throw his tale up in protest. He was a horse who gave everything he had everytime he went to the post. That trait of throwing their tale is not rare. Sometimes a horse will do it when it is tiring,but Dr. Fager would do it anytime you touched him. Some horse will prop(slow down rapidly) if you hit them. Not the "Doc" he had too much fire in him.
I work with Braulio at Louisiana Downs, really nice guy, very funny!!
Fort Marcy was an excellent turf horse, I believe he went on to become a champion on turf. He didn't need to take a back seat to anyone.
Great run by our Aussie horse Tobin Bronze. Not very will ridden but still boxed on. He was past his best by then. Would have liked to have seen TB, FM and Dr F hook up on turf when they were all at their peak.
TaWee was no slouch, either.
Wasn't he named Dr. Fager after the neurosurgeon who saved John Nerud's life? (John Nerud being the Doc's trainer.)
Yes that is very correct,he is really noted for his daughters,who produced the likes of Fappiano. It is a shame he died young,but he always had issues with colic. He just couldn't outrun that vicious sickness.
Speculation for what it's worth, but I do wonder how Dr. Fager would have crossed with Zenyatta. If the foal got the best of both, it would remake horse racing as we know it.