Big Truck (horse)
Encyclopedia
Big Truck was an American
Thoroughbred
Racehorse
. Sired by Hook and Ladder, a grandson of Northern Dancer
, out of the mare
Just A Ginny, a daughter of the 1994 Kentucky Derby
winner, Go for Gin
.
Trained (until the fall of 2009) by Barclay Tagg
, owned by Eric Fein and ridden by Ramon Dominguez
, Big Truck broke his Maiden on August 23, 2007 at Saratoga Race Course
winning by about 6 and half lengths over runner-up, Post Exchange.
Prior to his next start in the Bertram F. Bongard Stakes
at Belmont Park
on September 23, 2007, trainer Tagg noted that Big Truck may be his best two-year-old in a barn that has many promising colts for the Triple Crown. Tagg, noting other promising two year old Tale of Ekati who won the Belmont Futurity Stakes, said that Big Truck might "end up being the best out of them all." Adding "This guy's as smooth as glass."
Following Tagg's remarks, Big Truck was sent to the gate as a heavy 1/5 in the Bongard Stakes on September 23, 2007. Big Truck defeated a field of 5 after dueling with the Todd Pletcher
-trained colt Spanky Fischbein in the final 1/8 of the stretch, winning by about two and a half lengths.
Big Truck next raced on October 20, 2007 in the Sleepy Hollow Stakes
, stretching out his distance yet again, this time to one mile. Though sent off as a heavily favored 1/4, Big Truck was upset by Giant's Moon and edged out for second by a nose by Costal Drive.
Big Truck's next race was on November 24, 2007 in the $200,000 Grade II Remsen Stakes
. Being ridden this time by Alan Garcia
, Big Truck was cut off by the first and third place finishers, Court Vision and Trust N Dustan respectfully in the stretch. Garcia claimed foul after the race and following a lengthy inquiry no changed were made. Big Truck finished Fourth.
, Tampa Bay Downs
and Fairgrounds. Big Truck was put into the 7 Furlong Hutchenson Stakes, which is a lot shorter than the horse's preferred distance. Over a sloppy track, Big Truck was no factor and finished fifth.
Despite the need for graded money in order to qualify for the Kentucky Derby, Big Truck was put in the Sam F Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs
, to regain some form and confidence. Big Truck avenged his Hutchenson loss to Smooth Air by finishing 2nd to Smooth Air's 3rd and lost by 3/4 of a length to Fierce Wind.
Big Truck stunned the racing world by upsetting 1-9 favorite War Pass
in the Tampa Bay Derby. Big Truck who sat off the pace for most of the race, turned for home outside a troubled War Pass and dueled with Atoned until Big Truck won by a neck. That win put him on the Kentucky Derby Trail, and Tagg said he will most likely ship right to Churchill in preparation for the Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2008
However, due to the amount of prep races and different horses winning them, Big Truck seemingly needs a little more in graded earnings to be a starter in Lousiville. Big Truck has been entered into the Grade 1 Toyota BlueGrass Stakes at Keeneland Race Course
In the Grade 1 Toyota BlueGrass Stakes Big Truck competed early and flattened out in the stretch in his first career start on the Polytrack. Tagg was shocked by the results and didn't know the reason for his performance although all of the main contenders including Pyro
and Cool Coal Man didn't produce. Many were quoted by saying that the Bluegrass was a throw out for Big Truck. With his 11th place finish Big Truck didn't earn any graded money and with $194,500 is on the bubble to make the starting gate on the first Saturday in May.
With the defections of War Pass and Salute the Sarge from the Kentucky Derby trail, Big Truck finished the graded stakes race in 18th place, good enough to earn a start in Kentucky Derby 134 on May 3, 2008. Big Truck will be ridden by Javier Castellano who rode him in the Hutchenson Stakes because Eibar Coa picked up the mount on Tagg's other Derby entrant Tale of Ekati due to Edgar Prado committing Adriano for the Derby.
In the Kentucky Derby
, Big Truck broke well from the 7 post but steadied after about 6 furlongs because of hard contact with Remsen foe Court Vision. Big Truck finished 18th in the Run for the Roses and will take some time off, most likely skipping the other two triple crown races, to come back on the turf against New York breds at Belmont and Saratoga.
Big Truck was rested until the August 20, 2008 running of the Albany Stakes at Saratoga where Big Truck was in contention and fell out to finish third behind OTB Big Apple Triple Winner Tin Cup Chalice
and Thatsrightofficer.
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
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...
. Sired by Hook and Ladder, a grandson of Northern Dancer
Northern Dancer
Northern Dancer was a Canadian-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and the most successful sire of the 20th Century. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association calls him "one of the most influential sires in Thoroughbred history"....
, out of the mare
Mare (horse)
A mare is an adult female horse or other equine.In most cases, a mare is a female horse over the age of three, and a filly is a female horse age three and younger. However, in Thoroughbred horse racing, a mare is defined as a female horse more than four years old; in harness racing a mare is a...
Just A Ginny, a daughter of the 1994 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, Go for Gin
Go for Gin
Go for Gin is an American thoroughbred racehorse best known as the winner of the 1994 Kentucky Derby. He was sired by Cormorant out of the dam Never Knock...
.
Trained (until the fall of 2009) by Barclay Tagg
Barclay Tagg
Barclay Tagg is an American thoroughbred horse trainer. A 1961 graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Animal Husbandry, he is best known for conditioning Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Funny Cide. Horses in Tagg's stable have included Showing Up and...
, owned by Eric Fein and ridden by Ramon Dominguez
Ramon A. Dominguez
Ramon A. Dominguez is an Eclipse Award-winning champion jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing....
, Big Truck broke his Maiden on August 23, 2007 at Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John...
winning by about 6 and half lengths over runner-up, Post Exchange.
Prior to his next start in the Bertram F. Bongard Stakes
Bertram F. Bongard Stakes
The Bertram F. Bongard Stakes is an ungraded stakes race for Thoroughbred two-year-olds run in the fall at Belmont Park, New York.At a distance of 7 furlongs, it will be in its 32nd running in 2009. The Bongard is a major prep race for up-and-coming young horses and offers a purse of $100,000...
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...
on September 23, 2007, trainer Tagg noted that Big Truck may be his best two-year-old in a barn that has many promising colts for the Triple Crown. Tagg, noting other promising two year old Tale of Ekati who won the Belmont Futurity Stakes, said that Big Truck might "end up being the best out of them all." Adding "This guy's as smooth as glass."
Following Tagg's remarks, Big Truck was sent to the gate as a heavy 1/5 in the Bongard Stakes on September 23, 2007. Big Truck defeated a field of 5 after dueling with the Todd Pletcher
Todd Pletcher
Todd Pletcher is a leading American thoroughbred horse trainer. He has won four consecutive Eclipse Awards as outstanding Trainer of the Year, while topping the leader board in purse earnings in 2004, 2005, and 2006. His horse Super Saver won the 2010 Kentucky Derby, the first of his 24 horses...
-trained colt Spanky Fischbein in the final 1/8 of the stretch, winning by about two and a half lengths.
Big Truck next raced on October 20, 2007 in the Sleepy Hollow Stakes
Sleepy Hollow Stakes
The Sleepy Hollow is an American ungraded restricted stakes race for two-year-olds Thoroughbreds held in the fall at Belmont Park, New York. Though not restricted to New York bred horses, this is not an open race: it is considered a race on the New York bred schedule.At a distance of one mile, and...
, stretching out his distance yet again, this time to one mile. Though sent off as a heavily favored 1/4, Big Truck was upset by Giant's Moon and edged out for second by a nose by Costal Drive.
Big Truck's next race was on November 24, 2007 in the $200,000 Grade II Remsen Stakes
Remsen Stakes
The Remsen Stakes is an American Grade II race for Thoroughbred horse race run annually near the end of November at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York...
. Being ridden this time by Alan Garcia
Alan Garcia (jockey)
Alan Garcia is a thoroughbred horse racing jockey. He was Peru's leading apprentice jockey in 2003 and in that same year he began racing in the United States at the Meadowlands Racetrack where he was also the leading apprentice. His father and grandfather were both jockeys in Peru...
, Big Truck was cut off by the first and third place finishers, Court Vision and Trust N Dustan respectfully in the stretch. Garcia claimed foul after the race and following a lengthy inquiry no changed were made. Big Truck finished Fourth.
2007 season
Tagg brought the Horse down to Florida in preparation for the major Kentucky Derby preps at Gulfstream ParkGulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino is a racetrack and county-approved racino in Hallandale Beach, Florida, in the United States. During its annual meet, which spans December through April, it is one of the most important venues for horse racing in America....
, Tampa Bay Downs
Tampa Bay Downs
Tampa Bay Downs is an American Thoroughbred horse racing facility located in Westchase in Hillsborough County, just outside Tampa, Florida. It opened in 1926 under the name Tampa Downs. The first of many names, the racetrack was well known as Sunshine Park and Florida Downs.-Season:The track races...
and Fairgrounds. Big Truck was put into the 7 Furlong Hutchenson Stakes, which is a lot shorter than the horse's preferred distance. Over a sloppy track, Big Truck was no factor and finished fifth.
Despite the need for graded money in order to qualify for the Kentucky Derby, Big Truck was put in the Sam F Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs
Tampa Bay Downs
Tampa Bay Downs is an American Thoroughbred horse racing facility located in Westchase in Hillsborough County, just outside Tampa, Florida. It opened in 1926 under the name Tampa Downs. The first of many names, the racetrack was well known as Sunshine Park and Florida Downs.-Season:The track races...
, to regain some form and confidence. Big Truck avenged his Hutchenson loss to Smooth Air by finishing 2nd to Smooth Air's 3rd and lost by 3/4 of a length to Fierce Wind.
Big Truck stunned the racing world by upsetting 1-9 favorite War Pass
War Pass
War Pass was an American champion Thoroughbred racehorse and winner of the 2007 Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Owned by Robert V. LaPenta and bred by Cherry Valley Farm, he was out of the mare Vue, a daughter of the influential Champion sire Mr. Prospector...
in the Tampa Bay Derby. Big Truck who sat off the pace for most of the race, turned for home outside a troubled War Pass and dueled with Atoned until Big Truck won by a neck. That win put him on the Kentucky Derby Trail, and Tagg said he will most likely ship right to Churchill in preparation for the Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2008
However, due to the amount of prep races and different horses winning them, Big Truck seemingly needs a little more in graded earnings to be a starter in Lousiville. Big Truck has been entered into the Grade 1 Toyota BlueGrass Stakes at Keeneland Race Course
In the Grade 1 Toyota BlueGrass Stakes Big Truck competed early and flattened out in the stretch in his first career start on the Polytrack. Tagg was shocked by the results and didn't know the reason for his performance although all of the main contenders including Pyro
Pyro (horse)
Pyro is an American Thoroughbred Stallion Racehorse. His sire is Pulpit, a son of the 1992 Eclipse Award Winner for American Horse of the Year, A.P. Indy...
and Cool Coal Man didn't produce. Many were quoted by saying that the Bluegrass was a throw out for Big Truck. With his 11th place finish Big Truck didn't earn any graded money and with $194,500 is on the bubble to make the starting gate on the first Saturday in May.
With the defections of War Pass and Salute the Sarge from the Kentucky Derby trail, Big Truck finished the graded stakes race in 18th place, good enough to earn a start in Kentucky Derby 134 on May 3, 2008. Big Truck will be ridden by Javier Castellano who rode him in the Hutchenson Stakes because Eibar Coa picked up the mount on Tagg's other Derby entrant Tale of Ekati due to Edgar Prado committing Adriano for the Derby.
In the 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...
, Big Truck broke well from the 7 post but steadied after about 6 furlongs because of hard contact with Remsen foe Court Vision. Big Truck finished 18th in the Run for the Roses and will take some time off, most likely skipping the other two triple crown races, to come back on the turf against New York breds at Belmont and Saratoga.
Big Truck was rested until the August 20, 2008 running of the Albany Stakes at Saratoga where Big Truck was in contention and fell out to finish third behind OTB Big Apple Triple Winner Tin Cup Chalice
Tin Cup Chalice
Tin Cup Chalice , was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who, in 2008, became the first New York-bred to win New York’s “OTB Big Apple Triple" of Racing: the Mike Lee Handicap, the New York Derby, and the Albany Stakes...
and Thatsrightofficer.
2009 season
Unraced in all 2009, he was transferred from the training barn of Barclay Tagg to trainer Derek Ryan in the fall of that year.2010 season
Under Ryan he had started in a $20,500 allowance race at Tampa Bay January 29, 2010 where he finished last. Unfortunately during training he was injured and euthanized on Thursday March 4, 2010 at Tampa Bay Downs.Races
| Finish | Race | Distance | Track | Date | Jockey |
| 1st | Maiden Special Weight | 6.5 Furlongs | Saratoga Race Course Saratoga Race Course Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John... |
August 23, 2007 | Ramon A. Dominguez |
| 1st | Bertram F. Bongard Stakes Bertram F. Bongard Stakes The Bertram F. Bongard Stakes is an ungraded stakes race for Thoroughbred two-year-olds run in the fall at Belmont Park, New York.At a distance of 7 furlongs, it will be in its 32nd running in 2009. The Bongard is a major prep race for up-and-coming young horses and offers a purse of $100,000... |
7 Furlongs | 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... |
September 23, 2007 | Ramon A. Dominguez |
| 3rd | Sleepy Hollow Stakes Sleepy Hollow Stakes The Sleepy Hollow is an American ungraded restricted stakes race for two-year-olds Thoroughbreds held in the fall at Belmont Park, New York. Though not restricted to New York bred horses, this is not an open race: it is considered a race on the New York bred schedule.At a distance of one mile, and... |
One Mile | 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... |
October 20, 2007 | Ramon A. Dominguez |
| 4th | Remsen Stakes Remsen Stakes The Remsen Stakes is an American Grade II race for Thoroughbred horse race run annually near the end of November at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York... |
One Mile and an Eighth | Aqueduct Racetrack Aqueduct 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:... |
November 24, 2007 | Alan Garcia |
| 5th | Hutchenson Stakes | 7 Furlongs | Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino is a racetrack and county-approved racino in Hallandale Beach, Florida, in the United States. During its annual meet, which spans December through April, it is one of the most important venues for horse racing in America.... |
January 6, 2008 | Javier Castellano |
| 2nd | Sam F. Davis Stakes Sam F. Davis Stakes The Sam F. Davis Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in mid February at Tampa Bay Downs racetrack in Tampa, Florida. It is open to three-year olds and is used as a prep race for the Tampa Bay Derby. In recent years it has begun being used as an early prep for the Kentucky... |
One Mile and a Sixteenth | Tampa Bay Downs Tampa Bay Downs Tampa Bay Downs is an American Thoroughbred horse racing facility located in Westchase in Hillsborough County, just outside Tampa, Florida. It opened in 1926 under the name Tampa Downs. The first of many names, the racetrack was well known as Sunshine Park and Florida Downs.-Season:The track races... |
February 16, 2008 | Eibar Coa |
| 1st | Tampa Bay Derby Tampa Bay Derby The Tampa Bay Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race held in mid March at Tampa Bay Downs. A Grade III event since 2002, it is open to three-year-olds willing to race one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt. The race has gained in popularity over the past few years and is now listed as an... |
One Mile and a Sixteenth | Tampa Bay Downs Tampa Bay Downs Tampa Bay Downs is an American Thoroughbred horse racing facility located in Westchase in Hillsborough County, just outside Tampa, Florida. It opened in 1926 under the name Tampa Downs. The first of many names, the racetrack was well known as Sunshine Park and Florida Downs.-Season:The track races... |
March 15, 2008 | Eibar Coa |
| 11th | Bluegrass Stakes | One Mile and an Eighth | Keeneland Race Course | April 12, 2008 | Eibar Coa |
| 18th | 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... |
One Mile and a Quarter | 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... |
May 3, 2008 | Javier Castellano |
| 3rd | Albany Stakes | One Mile and an Eighth | Saratoga Race Course Saratoga Race Course Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John... |
August 20, 2008 | Eibar Coa |