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Hall of Fame - Ballyhoo
Original article written by Nathan Klein posted 3 years 2 weeks agoIt is year 44 and the Steward's Cup Appaloosa Classic is about to come underway. The favorite is a Louise Bayou trained horse named Rockin' Dopsie. Although a fourth-place finish in his most recent start was worrying before that he had a streak of 8 straight races. Concluding with a Grade 1 victory in the Tulsa Classic.
But in the same race is an old yellow horse named Ballyhoo. He had brown spots on his cheese colored body. He was 9 years old which was 4 years older than the second oldest horse in the race. He had a long career to boot as well but he had one thing left to prove. He had only 2 stakes victories throughout his career but he also had multiple stakes placings. In his 33 racing starts he had been on the board 24 of them.
Most people would assume a duel stakes winner with 7 sim years of experience would've retired sooner but he had a goal he needed to prove. The year before he had raced in the Steward's Cup Appaloosa Classic as an 8-year-old. He hadn't run in the race since he was 3-years-old but returned to it following a strong prep season. He rode a two race winning streak which included his second stakes win.
But when it came time for the Steward's Cup Appaloosa Classic things were so close yet so far. He stayed tucked in on the rail for most of it staying midpack. He made his move in the stretch with In The Clear on the far outside also flying and covering more ground. As they went head and head the wire neared. But in an unexpected move, Ballyhoo made a small drift moving away from the rail. It wasn't much but that one move gave In The Clear the edge. Causing Ballyhoo to lose the race by just a nose. It was a heartbreaking defeat for Ballyhoo but he was back and ready to try again. He added an allowance victory at age 9 but was showing signs of his age with only 2 thirds, a second and two races off the board.
Which included his final race before the Steward's Cup being an allowance which he came in third in. But none of that mattered now it was time to try for another chance. The gates flew open and he put himself in a good position. Right behind him was Rockin Dopsie. The two stayed put midpack for the first half eyeing their time as they went around the far turn. Then both made their move, Rockin Dopsie moving right next to Ballyhoo as they passed everyone else. Now it was just the two of them battling down the stretch. Was he gonna let another Steward's Cup pass him by? No, he wasn't. The old warrior came back stronger than ever elongating his legs further as he powered forward ahead of Rockin Dopsie. At the line, he was a clear half a length ahead.
In a surprise, he was never gelded despite his long career. He would only have five seasons to breed but he made them all count. His brief but great breeding career was probably what got him into the Hall Of Fame. He had $13,554,520 in Progeny Earnings and 29 stakes winners. Which included three Grade 1 winners and two progeny that broke half a million dollars. That is where all the Ballyhoo around the yellow horse comes from.