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THOROUGHBRED CLASSICS: THE FLAMINGO STAKES w/BONUS FOOTAGE
This exclusive documentary goes behind-the-scenes and brings some of the most interesting stories of Hialeah and the Flamingo Stakes to you. Some of the highlights include a piece on Calumet Farm which routinely used Hialeah Park as its winter base; appearances by Calumet owners Warren and Lucille Wright were as celebrated at the track as those of movie stars. The Calumet trainers were BEN JONES and his son, JIMMY..."THE JONES BOYS." The history of Calumet's racing dynasty is intertwined with the history of Hialeah - Calumet's horse, LAWRIN, won the Flamingo in 1938 (see rare footage), next came WHIRLAWAY in 1943 and CITATION in 1948 with original rider, AL SNYDER. Stories of AL SNYDER drowning in an unfortunate fishing mishap five days after winning the Flamingo with CITATION is re-visited with interviews from JIMMY JONES and many others.
One of the country's greatest horses of the 1950's was NASHUA - a sometimes lazy but gifted horse. NASHUA and Hialeah crossed paths twice in his career: the 1955 Flamingo and 1956 Widener Handicap. On October 30, 1955, NASHUA's owner, the wealthy William Woodward, was killed in his Long Island home - the incident became a national scandal...he was killed by a shotgun blast by his wife, Ann, who mistook him for a burglar.
The 1966 Flamingo field which included Two-Year-Old Champion, BUCKPASSER, was memorable as an embarrassment to Hialeah. Track owner, Eugene Lowry, canceled all betting on the race for fear that too many bets would be placed on BUCKPASSER and the track would lose money because of the mandatory $2.20 payoff - there wouldn't be enough money in the net pool to pay all the patrons. That all betting would be cancelled on Hialeah's biggest event enraged the public and the press. See the magnificent BUCKPASSER look seemingly beaten by ABE'S HOPE as he comes flying past him; BUCKPASSER digs in and goes after him...just catching him at the wire - an unforgettable race!
Other memorable Flamingo Stakes performances include SEATTLE SLEW in 1977, ALYDAR in 1978, SPECTACULAR BID in 1979, and TIME FOR A CHANGE and DEVIL'S BAG in 1984 and CHIEF'S CROWN and PROUD TRUTH in 1985.
The last two decades haven't been kind to Hialeah and reasons are examined for its decline. Although it's future is in question and its races are being run at Gulfstream, its famous Flamingos are still resting in the infield. The Flamingo Stakes remains a viable Triple Crown threat and the empty Hialeah grandstand echoes with the history among American race tracks over the years, nine three-year-olds have used Hialeah's Flamingo Stakes as a springboard to victory in the Kentucky Derby.
An interesting documentary on the history of the regal and historic Hialeah Race Track and of its crown jewel, the Flamingo Stakes can be yours!
AS AN ADDED BONUS the following priceless piece is included after the main feature:
NASHUA, the 1955 Woodward Stakes winner, with vintage film footage of him when he ruled supreme in addition...NASHUA is shown at 30-years-old retired at Spendthrift Farm with his long-time groom, Clem Brooks
(30 Minutes)
Listing Info: | |
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Listing ID: | 174 |
Format(s) Available: | DVD And VHS |
Category: | U.S. & Canadian Flat Racing |