In the return of the Monday Movie, intrepid filmmaker Jeff Krulik visits the archives to unearth some great nuggets: newsreels from the 1950s and 1960s focusing on the Washington, DC International Stakes. The International, first run in 1952, was the first American race designed to attract an international field, and race winners came from Ireland, Britain, France, Australia, and Venezuela, as well as the United States. The race’s great success begat the Breeders’ Cup, which ultimately led to its demise, but during its 42-year run, the race was one of the most glamorous and important contested in the country. While Fort Marcy and Bald Eagle were the only two-time winners of the race, there’s something to be said for Kelso’s persistence; he participated in four consecutive runnings, finishing second three times before scoring in 1964 in a then-US record for 12 furlongs of 2:23 4/5.
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2 comments
Bill Kaup
September 18, 2012 at 3:36 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That’s wonderful! Kelso was something else. Year after year he showed up at every dance and won most of them. Five times Horse of the Year, winning the biggest races under crushing weights. The only horse approaching his exploits was Forego …and he never ran on turf to my knowledge. I remember seeing Kelso, Forego and John Henry in the post parade of one of the big fall races in New York several years ago. Truly magnificent. It was Kelso’s last public appearance as he colicked soon after returning to Bohemia Stables and died. There will never be another one like him.
admin
September 19, 2012 at 9:39 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Amazing animal! Thanks for checking in, Bill.