Carry Back

I once owned a grandson of Carry Back so have special affection for this horse.

A true rags to riches story, Carry Back became the "People's Horse" after his incredible come from behind victories in races like the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. Owned, bred and trained by Jack Price, who took over ownership of an obscure mare names Joppy for a $300 overdue board bill at his small Ohio farm. Then for a modest $400 stud fee, he bred Joppy to an equally obscure sprinter named Saggy. Saggy's only real claim to fame was he handed the great Citation his only loss of his marvelous Triple Crown winning season of 1948 (19 of 20 wins) with a narrow win in an allowance sprint. Somehow the mysterious forces of nature blessed the racing world with an uncommonly tough competitor. After racing an astounding 21 starts as a 2 year old juvenile, Carry Back had shown promise as the year came to an end. As a 3-year-old, Carry Back became a star, winning in his customary come from way, way behind stretch running style, the Florida Derby, Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, Jerome Handicap, Flamingo Stakes and Trenton Handicap. He easily won the 3 Year Old Championship of 1961. As a 4-year-old, Carry Back became just the fourth millionaire in American racing. He won the 1962 Metropolitan Mile at Belmont in track record time, defeating the great Kelso. He defeated Kelso again in the Monmouth Handicap later in the year, again in track record time..