Ocean Wave (horse)
Encyclopedia
Ocean Wave was an American Thoroughbred
racehorse
who was a main rival of
Count Fleet
in the early 1940s. Owned by Calumet Farm
, he was trained by Ben Jones
. and owned by Warren Wright, Ocean Wave was the son of Blenheim
and Columbiana. He developed into a come from behind threat as a two-year-old and a three-year-old.
on September 18, 1942, Ocean Wave won a race despite the deep footing and sloppy conditions. Running against Hyperion, a speedy colt, he lost much ground coming into the stretch. It cost him the lead but he overtook Sea Fare and won by three lengths. Ocean Wave's winning time was 1:12 flat.
On October 9, 1942 Ocean Wave won the Balladier Purse down the Widener chute at Belmont Park
. As the favorite in a field of ten, he won by five lengths, completing the six furlongs in 1:10 flat. He came within 4/5 of a second of the track record.
In the $2,765 Sagamore Handicap at Pimlico Race Course
on November 5, 1942, Ocean Wave came from behind to win. This triumph was achieved in competition against five other two-year-olds. He covered the six furlongs in a time of 1:12 2/5.
Ocean Wave decisively defeated six other highly rated thoroughbreds at Oaklawn Park
on March 22, 1943. He came from last place to win the $1,000 Ouachita Purse, a six furlong prep for thoroughbreds eligible for the Arkansas Derby
.
triumph in the May 1943 Kentucky Derby
. He pointed out Blue Swords and Ocean Wave as his primary competitors in the event. Count Fleet had defeated both of them previously. The Kentucky
fans favored Ocean Wave after he ran the half mile at Churchill Downs
in 0:51 2/5 and five furlongs in 1:04 3/5 on April 13, 1943. The times were achieved despite running on a heavy track.
After winning the Kentucky Derby Trial Stakes on April 28, 1943, Jones told Wright that if Count Fleet makes one mistake, we'll beat him. Ocean Wave's left front foot was heavily bandaged on the morning of April 29, 1943. Jones remarked that he had no intention of removing it from its packing until April 30. The colt was limping following his win in the Derby Trial. Jones described the injury as a flesh wound only, with no damage to the bone having been sustained. Reporter Al Wolf noted that Ocean Wave had a cracked heel prior to competing.
Ocean Wave was assigned the #10 post position for the Kentucky Derby, being given 4 to 1 odds of winning. In mid afternoon on May 1, 1943 owner Wright decided to remove
Ocean Wave from competing in the event.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
who was a main rival of
Count Fleet
Count Fleet
Count Fleet was born and died at Stoner Creek Stud farm in Paris, Kentucky, United States. He was a Thoroughbred racehorse and Triple Crown champion in 1943....
in the early 1940s. Owned by Calumet Farm
Calumet Farm
Calumet Farm is a Thoroughbred breeding and training farm established in 1924 in Lexington, Kentucky, United States by William Monroe Wright, founding owner of the Calumet Baking Powder Company. Calumet is located in the heart of Lexington's blue grass country, the finest horse breeding region in...
, he was trained by Ben Jones
Ben A. Jones
Benjamin Allyn Jones was a thoroughbred horse trainer.Born in Parnell, Missouri, Ben Jones went into the business of breeding and training of thoroughbreds during the first decade of the 20th century, racing his horses on small circuits in the American West and in Mexico...
. and owned by Warren Wright, Ocean Wave was the son of Blenheim
Blenheim II
Blenheim II was a good British-bred Thoroughbred race horse who won the Epsom Derby in 1930. As sire he had a major influence on pedigrees around the world.-Pedigree:...
and Columbiana. He developed into a come from behind threat as a two-year-old and a three-year-old.
Noteworthy achievements
In a six furlong event at Aqueduct RacetrackAqueduct Racetrack
Aqueduct Racetrack is a thoroughbred horse-racing facility and racino in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. Its racing meets usually are from late October/early November through April.-History:...
on September 18, 1942, Ocean Wave won a race despite the deep footing and sloppy conditions. Running against Hyperion, a speedy colt, he lost much ground coming into the stretch. It cost him the lead but he overtook Sea Fare and won by three lengths. Ocean Wave's winning time was 1:12 flat.
On October 9, 1942 Ocean Wave won the Balladier Purse down the Widener chute at Belmont Park
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905...
. As the favorite in a field of ten, he won by five lengths, completing the six furlongs in 1:10 flat. He came within 4/5 of a second of the track record.
In the $2,765 Sagamore Handicap at Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course is a horse racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland, most famous for hosting the Preakness Stakes. Its name is derived from the 1660s when English settlers named the area where the facility currently stands in honor of Olde Ben Pimlico's Tavern in London...
on November 5, 1942, Ocean Wave came from behind to win. This triumph was achieved in competition against five other two-year-olds. He covered the six furlongs in a time of 1:12 2/5.
Ocean Wave decisively defeated six other highly rated thoroughbreds at Oaklawn Park
Oaklawn Park
Oaklawn Park is an American thoroughbred racetrack in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is the home to The Racing Festival of the South.In 2009, the Horseplayers Association of North America introduced a rating system for 65 Thoroughbred racetracks in North America. Of the top Ten, Oaklawn was ranked...
on March 22, 1943. He came from last place to win the $1,000 Ouachita Purse, a six furlong prep for thoroughbreds eligible for the Arkansas Derby
Arkansas Derby
The Arkansas Derby is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is currently a Grade I race run over a distance of 9 furlongs on dirt....
.
Injured prior to 1943 Kentucky Derby
Arthur Daley correctly predicted Count Fleet'sCount Fleet
Count Fleet was born and died at Stoner Creek Stud farm in Paris, Kentucky, United States. He was a Thoroughbred racehorse and Triple Crown champion in 1943....
triumph in the May 1943 Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
. He pointed out Blue Swords and Ocean Wave as his primary competitors in the event. Count Fleet had defeated both of them previously. The Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
fans favored Ocean Wave after he ran the half mile at Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs, located in Central Avenue in south Louisville, Kentucky, United States, is a Thoroughbred racetrack most famous for hosting the Kentucky Derby annually. It officially opened in 1875, and held the first Kentucky Derby and the first Kentucky Oaks in the same year. Churchill Downs...
in 0:51 2/5 and five furlongs in 1:04 3/5 on April 13, 1943. The times were achieved despite running on a heavy track.
After winning the Kentucky Derby Trial Stakes on April 28, 1943, Jones told Wright that if Count Fleet makes one mistake, we'll beat him. Ocean Wave's left front foot was heavily bandaged on the morning of April 29, 1943. Jones remarked that he had no intention of removing it from its packing until April 30. The colt was limping following his win in the Derby Trial. Jones described the injury as a flesh wound only, with no damage to the bone having been sustained. Reporter Al Wolf noted that Ocean Wave had a cracked heel prior to competing.
Ocean Wave was assigned the #10 post position for the Kentucky Derby, being given 4 to 1 odds of winning. In mid afternoon on May 1, 1943 owner Wright decided to remove
Ocean Wave from competing in the event.