Ponder (horse)
Encyclopedia
Ponder an American
Thoroughbred
racehorse, was the son of the 1944 Kentucky Derby
winner, Pensive
and sire of the winner of the 1956 Kentucky Derby, Needles
. Ponder, himself, won the Derby in 1949. Pensive, Ponder, and Needles are the second family of grandfather, father, and son to win the Kentucky Derby (the first were Reigh Count in 1928, 1943 Triple Crown winner Count Fleet, and Count Turf in 1951).
A Calumet Farm
foal, trained by the Hall of Fame
conditioner Ben Jones
, Ponder was a closer, meaning he liked to run his races from behind. Jones claimed if Ponder had more often given himself more time to catch up, he would have won a lot more of his races. But those he did win, mattered.
Running in the same years as his stable mates Coaltown
and Citation
, both one year older, as well as competing against the very good Greentree Stable
's Capot
who took the Preakness Stakes
and the Belmont Stakes
the year he won the Derby, Ponder lost all four of his two-year-old starts. On January 3, 1949 he broke his maiden at Tropical Park. Winning two more races, Jones still thought of him as a lesser contender for Calumet's chances in the '49 Derby. Actually Ben Jones wasn't sure he had a Derby contender in 1949 and was vocal about it. His other possibility was a colt
called De Luxe. But then Ponder ran in the Derby Trial. Although he was beaten by Olympia, it was only by a length and at the end Ponder was rolling. He left Capot five lengths behind. Considering Olympia's record up to that point, a winner on both coasts and the fact that he was the odds-on favorite to win the Derby itself, Jones was impressed.
In the Derby, Olympia led for the entire first mile with Capot right on his heels. Ridden by Hall of Fame
jockey
, Steve Brooks
, Ponder was dead last. He was twelfth after six furlong
s and sixth as the field turned for home. And then Ponder began to turn it on. His gain was described as "relentless," sweeping past them all and winning the Derby by three lengths. Capot held on for second, but Olympia had faded to sixth. Ponder had run the last quarter in about :23 4/5ths.
Back then, the Preakness Stakes was more suited to a speed horse with its tight turns and short home stretch. Capot was a front runner and the Preakness suited him well. In the race, Ponder was gaining momentum but ran out of racing room. In their next encounter, the Peter Pan Stakes
, the turns were wider and when Ponder got going from his usual slow start, he beat Capot by ten lengths. And then came the Belmont Stakes
. Ponder began it as he began the Kentucky Derby, but by now Capot's jockey
Ted Atkinson
knew his rival. Instead of forcing the pace, he kept it slow allowing Capot to have just enough left to withstand Ponder's fast late charge.
Ponder lost his next two races, as did Capot. But on July 30, they met for the last time in the Arlington Classic
. Capot finished 14 lengths behind Ponder whose late kick was perfect for the track. Next Ponder came in second to the older Coaltown
, both running a world record mile, and then he won the American Derby
over Kentucky Colonel and John's Joy and came in a good third by a head and a neck in the Narragansett Special, with wins as well in the Lawrence Realization Stakes
and the Jockey Club Gold Cup
(ridden by Eddie Arcaro
).
Because of his Belmont and Preakness victories, Capot edged out Ponder as American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse for 1949.
In California
on February 11, 1950, in his four-year-old season, Ponder took the San Antonio Handicap
from the older Citation
. Third was the Irish
-bred Noor
, another "come-from-behind" runner, imported from the United Kingdom
after modest success. (In the United States, his star would rise.) In an overnight prep, he was beaten by Your Host
, but beat Hill Prince
who came in third and who would win 1950 American Horse of the Year honors.
When he went to stud at Calumet, he produced Needles in his very first crop. Ponder died in 1958.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Thoroughbred
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, was the son of the 1944 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...
winner, Pensive
Pensive
Pensive was a bright chestnut thoroughbred racehorse who in 1944 came closer than any other horse at the time to winning the U.S. Triple Crown...
and sire of the winner of the 1956 Kentucky Derby, Needles
Needles (horse)
Needles was an American Hall of Fame Champion Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred and raced in Florida, the descendant of Blenheim II and a son and grandson of Kentucky Derby winners Ponder and Pensive, Needles was a sickly foal who was given his name because of the numerous veterinary injections he was...
. Ponder, himself, won the Derby in 1949. Pensive, Ponder, and Needles are the second family of grandfather, father, and son to win the Kentucky Derby (the first were Reigh Count in 1928, 1943 Triple Crown winner Count Fleet, and Count Turf in 1951).
A 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...
foal, trained by the Hall of Fame
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
conditioner 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...
, Ponder was a closer, meaning he liked to run his races from behind. Jones claimed if Ponder had more often given himself more time to catch up, he would have won a lot more of his races. But those he did win, mattered.
Running in the same years as his stable mates Coaltown
Coaltown
Coaltown was an American Hall of Fame Champion Thoroughbred racehorse of whom the New York Times said "was probably the most underrated Thoroughbred of the 20th Century."...
and Citation
Citation (horse)
Citation was the eighth American Triple Crown winner, and one of three major North American Thoroughbreds to win at least 16 consecutive races in major stakes race competition...
, both one year older, as well as competing against the very good Greentree Stable
Greentree Stable
Greentree Stable, in Red Bank, New Jersey, was a major American thoroughbred horse racing stable and breeding farm established in 1914 by Payne Whitney of the Whitney family of New York City. Payne Whitney operated a horse farm and stable at Saratoga Springs, New York with his brother Harry Payne...
's Capot
Capot
Capot was an American Thoroughbred racehorse sired by Menow out of the mare Piquet. Owned and bred by Greentree Stable, Capot was trained by John M...
who took the Preakness Stakes
Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb...
and the Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
the year he won the Derby, Ponder lost all four of his two-year-old starts. On January 3, 1949 he broke his maiden at Tropical Park. Winning two more races, Jones still thought of him as a lesser contender for Calumet's chances in the '49 Derby. Actually Ben Jones wasn't sure he had a Derby contender in 1949 and was vocal about it. His other possibility was a colt
Colt (horse)
A colt is a young male horse, under the age of four. The term "colt" is often confused with foal, which refers to a horse of either sex under one year of age....
called De Luxe. But then Ponder ran in the Derby Trial. Although he was beaten by Olympia, it was only by a length and at the end Ponder was rolling. He left Capot five lengths behind. Considering Olympia's record up to that point, a winner on both coasts and the fact that he was the odds-on favorite to win the Derby itself, Jones was impressed.
In the Derby, Olympia led for the entire first mile with Capot right on his heels. Ridden by Hall of Fame
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
, Steve Brooks
Steve Brooks (jockey)
Steve Brooks was an American Hall of Fame jockey. The son of a horse dealer, he was born in rural Nebraska near the village of Culbertson...
, Ponder was dead last. He was twelfth after six furlong
Furlong
A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and U.S. customary units equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to 220 yards, 660 feet, 40 rods, or 10 chains. The exact value of the furlong varies slightly among English-speaking countries....
s and sixth as the field turned for home. And then Ponder began to turn it on. His gain was described as "relentless," sweeping past them all and winning the Derby by three lengths. Capot held on for second, but Olympia had faded to sixth. Ponder had run the last quarter in about :23 4/5ths.
Back then, the Preakness Stakes was more suited to a speed horse with its tight turns and short home stretch. Capot was a front runner and the Preakness suited him well. In the race, Ponder was gaining momentum but ran out of racing room. In their next encounter, the Peter Pan Stakes
Peter Pan Stakes
The Peter Pan Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually during the second week of May at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. A Grade II event, it is open to three-year-olds willing to race nine furlongs on the dirt....
, the turns were wider and when Ponder got going from his usual slow start, he beat Capot by ten lengths. And then came the Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
. Ponder began it as he began the Kentucky Derby, but by now Capot's jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
Ted Atkinson
Ted Atkinson
Theodore Francis Atkinson was a Canadian-born American thoroughbred horse racing jockey, inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1957....
knew his rival. Instead of forcing the pace, he kept it slow allowing Capot to have just enough left to withstand Ponder's fast late charge.
Ponder lost his next two races, as did Capot. But on July 30, they met for the last time in the Arlington Classic
Arlington Classic
The Arlington Classic Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race for 3-year-old horses held annually at the end of June at Arlington Park race track near Chicago, Illinois...
. Capot finished 14 lengths behind Ponder whose late kick was perfect for the track. Next Ponder came in second to the older Coaltown
Coaltown
Coaltown was an American Hall of Fame Champion Thoroughbred racehorse of whom the New York Times said "was probably the most underrated Thoroughbred of the 20th Century."...
, both running a world record mile, and then he won the American Derby
American Derby
The American Derby is a Thoroughbred horse race in the United States run annually at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, Illinois. The inaugural American Derby was held at the city's old Washington Park race track and raced there until 1905 when the facility was closed and the track demolished....
over Kentucky Colonel and John's Joy and came in a good third by a head and a neck in the Narragansett Special, with wins as well in the Lawrence Realization Stakes
Lawrence Realization Stakes
The Lawrence Realization Stakes was an American horse race first run on the turf in 1889. The race, for three-year-old Thoroughbred colts, geldings and fillies, was last run in 2005.-History:...
and the Jockey Club Gold Cup
Jockey Club Gold Cup
The Jockey Club Gold Cup, established in 1919, is a prestigious thoroughbred flat race open to horses of either gender three-years-old and up. It is typically the main event of the fall meeting at Belmont Park, just as the Belmont Stakes is of the spring meeting and the Travers Stakes is of the...
(ridden by Eddie Arcaro
Eddie Arcaro
George Edward Arcaro , known professionally as Eddie Arcaro, was an American Thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey who won more American classic races than any other jockey in history and is the only rider to have won the U.S. Triple Crown twice...
).
Because of his Belmont and Preakness victories, Capot edged out Ponder as American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse for 1949.
In California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
on February 11, 1950, in his four-year-old season, Ponder took the San Antonio Handicap
San Antonio Handicap
The San Antonio Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the first week of February at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California...
from the older Citation
Citation (horse)
Citation was the eighth American Triple Crown winner, and one of three major North American Thoroughbreds to win at least 16 consecutive races in major stakes race competition...
. Third was the Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
-bred Noor
Noor (horse)
Noor was an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse Champion who competed successfully in the United Kingdom and the United States. Given the Arabic name meaning "Light", Noor was sired by five-time U.S. leading sire Nasrullah...
, another "come-from-behind" runner, imported from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
after modest success. (In the United States, his star would rise.) In an overnight prep, he was beaten by Your Host
Your Host (horse)
Your Host was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Foaled in California, he was by the imported British stallion Alibhai out of the Irish mare Boudoir by the French stallion Mahmoud. Bred in the stables of Louis B. Mayer , Your Host was owned by Mayer's son-in-law and trained by Harry L. Daniels...
, but beat Hill Prince
Hill Prince
Hill Prince was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who earned Champion honors in his first three years of racing. Trained by Casey Hayes for owner Christopher Chenery, at age two Hill Prince won six of the first seven races he entered and was the American Co-Champion Two-Year-Old Colt, sharing the...
who came in third and who would win 1950 American Horse of the Year honors.
When he went to stud at Calumet, he produced Needles in his very first crop. Ponder died in 1958.