Symbol - The Fastest of Them All

Original article written by The Steward posted 12 years 3 weeks ago

For all his legend, Symbol never did win a big race. He only ran seven times, but won five of those. His two career losses came at the hooves of a less heralded stablemate, and his career was cut short due to injury. None of this diminishes his place in history, however, as the fastest of all racehorses to grace the land.

Symbol was born as a full brother to Silver Valor, the dominant three-year-old colt of his time who won the Long Island Classic by an astounding 22 lengths. For a while, that's what he was - "Silver Valor's brother" - but he became so much more (even after his full sister, the incredible blue hen Mirror, was born).

Symbol was sold to Jon Xett for $700,000 during one of the Trial by Summer Yearling Sales. Xett already held a mighty hand that year with the likes of Fading Star and Serena Storm already in the barn, as well as the plucky chestnut Tremendous. Symbol was the highlight of the stable, however, and broke his maiden impressively first out over five furlongs.

Xett has always believed in getting a horse through his conditions, so Symbol was brought back in an allowance race where he again thrashed a small field over six and a half furlongs. He made his final start of his juvenile season five weeks later when he stormed through the Grade 1 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes over 1 1/16 miles, winning for fun against the likes of Black Ice ($1.7 million earned) and Superstar ($724k earned).

Symbol was favored in the early wagering for the Louisville Derby, and only solidified that status when he defeated Steward's Cup Juvenile winner Loki Brilliance in his three-year-old debut. That race was also run over 1 1/16 miles, so questions arose about how far the black colt could stretch his speed. Was 1 1/4 miles in his scope? Would he have been better off prepping over 1 1/8 miles?

A full field of 20 lined up for the 8th Louisville Derby, a race that really came down to two people. Jon Xett and Jess Paquette would each send three to the post, and a formidable trio they each were. Paquette had juvenile champ Loki Brilliance, the mighty mare Bishoujo Senshi, and future turf superstar Lucifer. Xett brought Florida Derby winner Ichi Forever and Arkansas Derby runner-up Tremendous. Tejano Causeway, who would go on to earn $4.5 million and be a prolific sire, and the Ara Davies pair of Cyclone and Contest rounded out the challengers.

Symbol ran his heart out that day. He dueled with Cyclone, took heat from the rampaging Lucifer, and staggered to the wire valiantly while his stablemate Tremendous nipped him on the line. A week later they were back at it in Baltimore with the same result - Symbol dueled throughout and just lost in the final strides. The Hall of Fame article I wrote about him at the time says, "He raced in three separate duels with four different horses during the race and still only lost by a head." No one could question his courage even in defeat.

At this point, most were ready to declare him a sprinter. Xett knew better and put the colt in the 1 1/4 mile Awesome Derby. He ran a suicidal pace throughout, but this time refused to yield, setting a world record of 1:57.1 for the distance. This record has never been broken.

Heavily favored for the Steward's Cup Classic - even over his Triple Crown winning stablemate Tremendous - but his career came to a close before the gates opened. Symbol came at a time when Steward's Cup hopefuls were given workouts a few days before the race, and these workouts were posted and used for handicapping. It was also during the time of horrific, over-the-top random accidents, and Symbol had one. He blazed 6 furlongs in 1:06.3 and broke his leg in the process after colliding with a horse just past the wire. He was retired that day after Xett paid to have him saved, rather than euthanized.

Because the workout time wasn't a race time, it isn't recorded as the world record for 6 furlongs, but we all know it is. Holding the record for both 6 furlongs and 1 1/4 miles makes Symbol our version of Dr. Fager - fast, wild and barely beatable. He went on to sire some of the best - first with $8.4 million earner Conduit, then the great miler Lightninginabottle, and Baltimore Crown hero Edict. He is the dam sire of 275 stakes winners, including Throne, Queen, Duke, Saturn, Best, Tycoon, and Savvy - a mix of 6 furlong - 2 mile horses. He is also the dam sire of Cadeauje, who was clearly one of the greatest mares ever.

That age of great horses comes at a price - they all race at the same time, and they all pass into oblivion at the same time. Symbol isn't the first nor will he be the last big horse to go this year, but he is the most special to me.

---

Back to Racing articles