Phar Lap

[Calzone Lord]

This horse probably has the best case for Horse of the World.

Prior to 1935 -- pari-mutual wagering was outlawed in California. The Mexico track Caliente was the Santa Anita of its day and Agua Caliente Handicap was the Big Cap of its day.

In Phar Lap's final 35 races -- he had a record of 35-32-2-0 -- the only time he missed the board was when he failed to carry a record 150lbs in the 2 mile Melbourne Cup.



Interestingly -- he raced with no whip. The symbol W stands for whip. The symbol stands for spurs. You could use both whip and spurs -- but riders rarely did. Nice place price by the way!

He was the 129lbs highweight in his dirt debut. Preakness Stakes winner Dr. Freeland was next at 120lbs. American Derby winner Reveille Boy was in at 118lbs. Spanish Play (4th in the Kentucky Derby at 3 and New Orleans Handicap winner) was in at 117lbs.

How fast did Phar Lap run?:

Race 4: 9 Furlongs in 1:54.20 ($600 claimer, 11 horse field, won by 1.5 lengths, winner carried 110lbs) raw figure of 67

Race 6: 8.5 furlongs in 1:47.60 ($800 claimer, 9 horse field, won by 2 lengths, winner carried 114lbs) raw figure of 64

Race 9: 8.5 furlongs in 1:47.00 ($800 claimer, 10 horse field, won by 3 lengths, winner carried 107lbs) raw figure of 69

Race 12: 8.5 furlongs in 1:45.80 ($1,800-to-$2,500 claimer, 8 horse field, won by 3 lengths, winner carried 90lbs) raw figure of 81

Race 13: Phar Lap wins by 2 lengths -- 10 furlongs in 2:02.80 under 129lbs. raw figure of 110

Race 14: 10 furlongs in 2:07.20 ($800 claimer, 9 horse field, winner by a length under 106lbs) raw figure of 75

Race 15: 10 furlongs in 2:08.00 ($500 claimer, 10 horse field, winner by 7 lengths under 106lbs) raw figure of 69