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From DRF (The Inside Post): Always in a Tiz will run in Belmont Stakes 2013.Posted 4 hours ago
Mucho Macho Man breezed 5f in 1:01.40 (4/11) at Fair Hill on 5-24. Posted 5 hours ago
Wise Dan targets the G2 Firecracker 'Cap at Churchill on June 29. Posted 23 hours ago
Jockey Chantal Sutherland will return to saddle at Del Mar. Posted 1 day ago
Itsmyluckyday to skip Belmont Stakes 2013 in favor of Pegasus Stakes on 6-16. Posted 1 day ago
Rosie Napravnik will ride Code West in Belmont Stakes 2013. Posted 1 day ago
From DRF (The Inside Post): Mylute will not run in Belmont Stakes 2013. Posted 1 day ago
Eblouissante breezed 4f :49.17 (18/44) at Belmont (dirt Training) on 5-22. Posted 2 days ago
Giant Finish will make his next start in Belmont Stakes 2013. Posted 2 days ago
Unlimited Budget is expected to face males in Belmont Stakes 2013. Posted 3 days ago

Ride
General Assembly
against other champions!

General Assembly

1976 - Horse
Deceased
2 fans2

2 favorites2

[Edit]

Owner(s):

Bertram R. Firestone -

Trainer:

Leroy S. Jolley

Bred:

Virginia (USA) by [Add Data]

Pedigree:

Secretariat - Exclusive Dancer by Native Dancer

Rating:

8.20/10

Profile

Pedigree

Progeny

Siblings

Photos

What the Nation is saying about General Assembly...

General Assembly

was most unfortunate being born the same year as the Bid.

Show All 2 Comments
travel_vic · Good horse track record holder at Saratoga for years, BUT he was no where near the top that season even if Bid was not around · 2 days ago ·

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kaitlinefree1 · Golden Act & Flying Paster were good too. · 2 days ago ·

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Ghosts of Kentucky Derby Past

After watching several of the Kentucky Derbies from the 70s and the 80s, my conclusion that I missed out on all the best runnings of the race was solidified.Read More

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zatt · Love it ... a little too much mention of that Zipse guy, but still a fun article! · 20 days ago ·

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avillanueva3rd1 · Total historian here when it comes to horse racing, as I love the older generation horses. Nice story. · 20 days ago ·

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darlene · oh the wonder of the 70s and the exciting horses of that decade Starting with the improbable Canonero II then 3 Triple Crowns and ending with the fantastic Bid Never be another decade like it · 20 days ago ·

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JohnByrd · Great write up, Ashley! · 20 days ago ·

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amino998 · Nice memories>> It's funny how Bid's Belmont has distilled down to *a freak accident with a safety pin* over the years. · 20 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Derby parameters in flux, or are there too many lates here? Two main things guide the evaluation of a horse race: 1) it has all happened before in racing and the observant follower can recognize the patterns and 2) CHANGE is inevitable in our lives. The wise prepare for paradigm shifts. A shift in the parameters MAY be upon us. The total energy standards of the range 163-165 (updated Trackmaster speed ratings bumped this up from 161-163) along with a very stable % median range of 67.to 67.9 averaging in their last several Derby preps have been the standards since Charismatic. Only twice (Barbaro, the Brown Out) have median earlier than that standard come in, but then these two had huge advantages in total energy, which, one could argue, off set them. Over the years those running consistently above 67.9 or below 67.2 (lots of them in Pyro, Paddy O’Prado, Creative Cause, El Padrino, Union Rags, Afleet Alex, Dullahan) were just too late. I have, just this week, discovered independent research in this same area that confirms this earlier requirement. The Silky Sullivan types LOOK the part, but they simply don’t deliver come Derby Day. Colts demonstrating a drop off in total energy within the bounds of the correct % median are under-represented. Those many colts who’s %median climbed as the distances increased never made it either (Pollard’s Vision, Bob n’John, Bellamy Road and many others) whereas those right on the boundary at 68.0 often were pace animals that stuck around to the finish: Lion Heart, Hard Spun. Given this as a back drop to this year’s run, we have to pivot the entire understanding of the race on the logical undefeated post time favorite: Verrazano. (An aside we were all looking at the past performances of Derby 1973 as I had it out yesterday and the thing that struck everyone was how many starts all the colts had that year before the Derby, they were ready). IN many years, one could easily make a case for his lack of seasoning with so few starts. What really got me is his very low % median and his exiting paces of very slow fractions. Averaging % median, he is just now getting into the bottom part of the range at 67.2. Barbaro was like this one a style less position front runner: NO matter the pace, he was close to it either fast or slow. SO, we either have a budding superstar, or a big one that is going to be exposed as running too late. Either way the odds are not going to be close to worth it. The reason a paradigm shift might be in the works is what we see in the rest of the major runners; Revolutionary is at the bottom end of % median, Normandy Invasion is far too late but improving, Charming Kitten (too late at 66.5), Java’s War (in the turf category at 66.5 too too far back) and Vyjack coming in at a paltry 66.8. SO IF these get up, we know things have changed because based upon tradition they should not. On the other side of the coin are those too early of which the biggest is Goldencents (68.5), Frac Daddy, Falling Sky (correct name?), like past year’s Trinniberg, Giant Finish?, Itsmyluckyday (one race wonder, but close to parameters that single time). The rest have to be matched up fu qualify, not all just these (I hate to say it but Lukas) Oxbow although going backward, Golden Pool, Mylute, Over, Palace , Will Take Charge Overanalyze and Orb. The match up will distinguish them, but so far I am in agreement with many who that think this year it is too deep to logically wager on unless exotics are your thing. Let’s see if the paradigm has changed or not: it all depends on how Verrazano does · 20 days ago ·

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travel_vic · YES, you did Swale, Norther Dancer, Secretariat, Slew, Affirmed/ALydar, Bid etc. · 20 days ago ·

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rafirox · Great comment, vic. · 20 days ago ·

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travel_vic · Rail makes the earlies easier to contend and win so the lates now are even more compromised. · 20 days ago ·

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The Sights and Sounds of Saratoga

Make no mistake; Saratoga Race Course is the finest racetrack in America. Read More

Show All 29 Comments
ErnieMunick · Good seeing you, Brian. Good convos. Amazing we were both at the Meadowlands that night. I still have that losing exacta bet because what's his name failed to deliver ;) - better off: Angel up!!! · 291 days ago ·

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zatt · Always a pleasure, my friend ... and save that ticket, someday it may be worth more than heartache ;-) · 291 days ago ·

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driveon · I was at The Willow Hour Travers, too! To think we were both there, so many years ago...one of many memorable Travers for me. · 291 days ago ·

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driveon · See you tomorrow at "The Fort". I'm looking forward to meeting :) · 291 days ago ·

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zatt · Hey, it was only 31 years ago, Garnet ... see you at Fort Erie! · 291 days ago ·

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CraigBradshaw · apparently shackleford doesn't agree · 291 days ago ·

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Tony bada bing · Next weekend will make my 20th straight year making it to the Spa. Next time, get your ass to Suffolk and I'll take you out for New England Clam Chowda. We don't ruin our Chowda with tomatoes... · 291 days ago ·

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Tony bada bing · Next weekend will make my 20th straight year making it to the Spa. Next time, get your ass to Suffolk and I'll take you out for New England Clam Chowda. We don't ruin our Chowda with tomatoes... · 291 days ago ·

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BrianZipse · Craig ... ouch! Bingster, is that an invitation? Will they put tomatoes in it if I ask? ;-) · 291 days ago ·

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cpsoren121 · This was the best blog ever! I love the recap of events in the first person describing the sights, sounds and food! HOWEVER sir, I MUST contend that Arlington is the nicest track in the country. Sorry. · 291 days ago ·

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sjuwill · Hello Brian...what a wonderful article, yes Saratoga is beautiful and i wish i was able to get up there this weekend but it will have to wait till August 17-19, great racing and what a wonderful atmosphere, enjoy Fort Erie and hope to see you soon....Breeders Cup? · 291 days ago ·

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icyhotboo · Personally I like the fact that there seems to be a place where everyone can find a comfort zone. I like the laid back atmosphere, driving up to the rear entrance and giving some one your keys to park on their lawn or driveway and your only 50 yards away from the entrance. · 291 days ago ·

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mike.savage.1217 · I read this article in the 1950's, 1960's, all the way up to the 2000's. What has changed except for 14 authors of the same thing. Any media to do with horseracing should have to do with putting your knowledge into helping the horseplayer. If we wanted aesthetics we would go to a Yosemite site, read about Cabo, or some boating magazine site. We want you to give us some winners, instead of being some horseracing site that doesn't take a stance on anything. · 291 days ago ·

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railbird33 · On my bucket list to make the spa trip in the next few years. · 291 days ago ·

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StevenJackson · @:mike.savage pick your own winners! · 291 days ago ·

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StevenJackson · Been to every Travers since 1992 (NY Bred Thunder Rumble swept Jim Dandy and Travers) and the Spa is like horseplayer's heaven on earth. Heading back Friday for the first time this year and have two more long weekend trips planned. Wouldn't miss it for anything. · 291 days ago ·

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AndyScoggin · It is hard for Saratoga not to live up to expectations. I just sat down in the pressbox after hanging at Oklahaoma for the morning works, looked at the beautiful yearlings at the sales pavillion, and visited Big Red. I, too, had many a bowl of clam chowder back in the day and I'm already thinking about the lunch decision.. · 291 days ago ·

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travel_vic · "Your expereince in hore racing is incomplete, until you visit Saratoga in the summer time," Lou Cauz emeritus curator of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Did not get there until last year when we were guest of the US hall of Fame on Alabama day and were lucky enough to present a blanket to the winner of the 4th that day and met Ramon...nice fellow. JUST KNOWING which monster competed there is akin to walking into a place like the Louvre in Paris · 291 days ago ·

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MBPhipps · You've got it right Brian, Saratoga is the place to be--and what a weekend to be there! The highlight for me had to be seeing the Chief in the winner's circle with Emma's Encore! Unfortunately, I had to watch from afar! Sorry I missed you! · 291 days ago ·

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plez2k10 · If you make it to Saratoga this year, make sure you try a chicken sandwich from Hattie's Chicken Shack. You're welcome. :) · 291 days ago ·

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samN · Love Saratoga. Granted this is my first year getting into racing the only otheree place I've bn is Belmont. ut Saratoga is about 2.5 hours away me and my buddies H · 291 days ago ·

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samN · *have been going up every weekend since they opened. No better way to spend a saturday. Cant wait for the Travers. · 291 days ago ·

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samN · wow i dont know what happened in my first post haha. lots of spelling errors. · 291 days ago ·

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Tony bada bing · Zipse- we'll let u put tomatoes in your Chowda, if you ask nicely sans Jersey accent. Anytime you want to make your way to Beantown, let me. Fenway, Sam Adams brewery, Kelly's roast beef at Revere Beach are just a few attractions... · 290 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · Best time in Boston is on Saint Patrick · 290 days ago ·

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cocoa2 · 's day. Great music, food, it's a great time to be Irish and a fun time to have if you aren't! · 290 days ago ·

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Capper · Sounds awesome! I've made it to Del Mar, but still haven't had the chance to get to the Spa! · 289 days ago ·

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airedale2008 · Yesterday I had my inaugural visit to Saratoga Springs to experience racing at its best. The NYRA does a great job with a free walking tour of the stable area to show fans how horses live off the track and a demonstration of a starting gate. Where else in America can you see stables with slate roofs? The National Museum of Racing is superb, with so much to see that a second visit is required on Woodward and Forego Stakes day. It was a pleasure to film the Alabama, from horses walking up the track to the finish, and seeing my pick Questing win in a front running romp by 9 in the fastest time since 1980. If you haven’t seen horse racing at Saratoga, go. · 278 days ago ·

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buckpasser · Glad you had a good time at Saratoga · 278 days ago ·

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Coastal upsets Spectacular Bid in the Belmont

June 18, 1979 Since Sir Barton first won the Triple Crown of American Thoroughbred racing in 1919, eight horses have captured the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, only to have their hopes founder over the grueling 1½-mile distance of the Belmont Stakes. Read More

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Spectacular Bid dominates in Preakness win

May 28, 1979 After waltzing off with the Preakness in near-record time, Spectacular Bid should have a real ball at Belmont, where a victory in that storied, grueling stakes will make him the third consecutive Triple Crown winnerRead More

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Spectacular Bid wins 1979 Derby

Spectacular Bid and his 19-year-old jockey, Ronnie Franklin, confounded the critics with a come-from-behind win in the Kentucky DerbyRead More

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In the Chips at Saratoga (1979 Travers)

General Assembly romps in the 1979 Travers by 15 lengths in the mudRead More

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General Assembly - Pedigree

[Edit]

Secretariat	Bold Ruler	Nasrullah
		Miss Disco
	Somethingroyal	Princequillo
		Imperatrice
Exclusive Dancer	Native Dancer	Polynesian
		Geisha
	Exclusive	Shut Out
		Good Example