Dr. Fager On The Outside
Vosburgh Stakes, Aqueduct
November 2, 1968
This is a gem.
42 years ago I witnessed one of the
greatest performances of any racehorse.
The Vosburgh Stakes run at Aqueduct on November 2, 1968.
Dr. Fager was assigned 139 lbs in this historic 7 furlong race.
He broke on top under Braulio Baeza and ran the
7 Furlongs in 1:21.2, breaking the track record.
He handily defeated Kissin George under Bill Boland
with Jim J under Angel Cordero Jr.
That race is imbedded in my memory because
I had to report to basic training on the following
Monday and knew I wasn't going to see another horse race
for six months. I used to call the race when we were trainees
doing laps on the track.
" ...and it's Dr.Fager on the outside,sweeping up to the lead, and
drawing off through the stretch by 6 widening lengths to win
as the rider pleased".
Needless to say, the other trainees thought I was out of my mind,
but when I swept to the lead on the clubhouse turn and passed everyone
in the company, it was euphoria.
Unfortunately I fizzled after that and
finished mid-pack.
Fort Polk, LA probably never saw nor will ever see a crazier guy calling races on a military base.
Selectively,
Michael Todd
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