Hall of Fame - Quicker Than Light

Original article written by Nathan Klein posted 3 years 4 weeks ago

When you think of dark-colored dirt sprinters who remained undefeated you normally think of If Looks Could. It is for a good reason in 13 races he never once lost. He also won all of his races by at least 1 length at a minimum. But 2 black undefeated champion sprinters predated If Looks Could by over a SIM decade. One of these was Quicker Than Light who like his name suggested, was lighting fast. He made his first start in a listed stakes race at 2 and made a bold entrance. Leading every step of the way and by the far turn leading by 2 lengths. But under a strong hand ride, he opened that margin up to 8 lengths by the time he hit the wire. He added onto his first stakes win with another easy win in the Walkover Stakes this time by 3 1/2 lengths. His third start would be his first challenge if you could call it that. He broke poorly but in just a few steps he hustled to the lead and opened up. Although he did tire slightly in the stretch he still won by 1 3/4 lengths. He won by 1 3/4 lengths again in his first Grade 1 triumph in the Excited Stakes. Before taking a prep to get ready for the 2-year-old Sprint Championship. This would be his final test at age 2 and he would not disappoint. He changed it up slightly letting Limousine lead the pack early while he waited in second but when he tired he took the lead with minimal effort. Game Of Skill would come home late to eat up at Quicker Than Light's win margin but he was never a serious threat and Quicker Than Light won by a length. With 6 wins and 2 Grade 1's that season alone he was an easy choice for North American Champion Two-Year-Old Male.

The next year Quicker Than Light was still too fast for his competition. Winning his first 3 races that year by a combined 11 lengths. These wins included 2 races against older horses and another Grade 1 victory when he took the Esteemed Stakes. His next challenge would come in his fourth start that year the Grade 1 Look My Best Stakes. There he ran his heart out early, at one point leading by 6 lengths. But in the stretch, he tired letting his regular rival Killer fly late to get second by just half a length. Still a Grade 1 win for Quicker Than Light but not a confident win like his other ones. He would get back to a more smooth sailing win in the Grade 1 Lexington Sprint when he simply took the lead and slowly stretched it further until it was 3 lengths at the finish. All that was left was the Steward's Cup Sprint. Just like the Look My Best Stakes he made the reckless choice to set the pace and use up his energy early. This time he was only 4 3/4 lengths in front at his highest. When they hit the far turn he was tired and open. Pistol Pete took this chance to try and usurp the champ. He fired forward like a bullet and chased after Quicker Than Light. He ate up his lead stride by stride the wire was close but Pistol Pete was shooting towards it pretty fast. But Quicker Than Light had the heart of a lion, with his last bit of energy he stuck his nose forward to get the nose bob. It was the closest Quicker Than Light would get to losing and his toughest race. He was retired after this race with a perfect record of 12 wins from 12 starts. He also clinched the Simmy for North American Champion Three Year Old Male and North American Champion Sprinter. At stud, he proved successful with 38,763,220 in progeny earnings and 499 winners. Which included Steward's Cup, Winner Melanie. Unbeatable on the track and great at passing his genes Quicker Than Light earned his name and then some proving too fast for anyone to catch.

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