Captain Bodgit
Encyclopedia
Captain Bodgit is a millionaire American
Thoroughbred
racehorse
who is a multiple grade one stakes winner. He is best known for his "flying" closing finishes in the first two legs of the U.S. Triple Crown
races in 1997. Out of the mare
Answering Echo, his sire was Saint Ballado.
that won the prestigious Laurel Futurity
a graded stakes race after winning both the Dover Stakes at Delaware Park and Bimelech Stakes at Laurel Park
. Then he shipped to Florida for the winter and spring and made an immediate impact. In Florida, Captain Bodgit finished third in his first start in the grade three Holy Bull Stakes
where he closed from the clouds and impressed many. After that performance he was bought by the high end syndicate Team Valor
.
and multiple graded stakes winner Frisk Me Now
to score a big win in the grade one $1,000,000 Florida Derby
at Gulfstream Park
. He then shipped north to Aqueduct Racetrack
in New York, New York and won the grade one $750,000 Wood Memorial Stakes
in his next start so impressively, he was favored for the Kentucky Derby
.
Captain Bodgit was post-time favorite for both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes
. He began the Derby by rating far back the way under jockey Alex Solis, as he had done in previous races. Then he commenced his rally midway on the turn and closed rapidly on the leaders under intense whip urging, to narrowly miss at the wire. He missed winning the Derby by a scant head in a hard-fought battle as dual classic winner Silver Charm
prevailed after a prolonged stretch duel. It was nearly five lengths back to third-place finisher Free House
who won the Santa Anita Derby, with Blue Grass Stakes winner Pulpit fourth.
Thousands of fans bet him to reverse the placings with Silver Charm in the Preakness, making him the post time favorite again. After such an incredible finish in the Derby few thought the Preakness would keep pace. But all three top finishers in the Derby put on quite a show as all three hit the wire together in the closest three way finish in the Preakness in 85 years. But Captain Bodgit ran out of room and was beaten in a photo finish when by a neck at Pimlico. Captain Bodgit closed an enormous amount of ground in the final 100 yards in a fixture voted the "race of the decade" in a fan poll conducted by The Blood-Horse. Captain Bodgit never made the Belmont as he sustained a minor injury in the Preakness Stakes and was retired.
and stood there his first four seasons for a fee of $10,000. He was the sire of nine graded stakes winners including multiple graded winner Winward Passage. He is the sire of 13 stakes winners of $100,000 or more to date and had sired 42 individual winners from 89 starters in his time at Margaux. In 2003 he was sold and transferred to Questroyal Stud near New Hampton, New York
for four more years at a stud fee of $5,000. His total progeny earnings are over $7 million. In 2009 he was sold and transferred to Highfield Stock Farm in Okotoks, Alberta, Canada and is standing there with a stud fee of $2,000.
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...
who is a multiple grade one stakes winner. He is best known for his "flying" closing finishes in the first two legs of the U.S. Triple Crown
Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing consists of three races for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. Winning all three of these Thoroughbred horse races is considered the greatest accomplishment of a Thoroughbred racehorse...
races in 1997. 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...
Answering Echo, his sire was Saint Ballado.
Two year-old season
Captain Bodgit was a highly regarded two year-old colt training in MarylandMaryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
that won the prestigious Laurel Futurity
Laurel Futurity
The Laurel Futurity is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in late November at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland. Run over a distance of 1 1/16 miles on turf, at one time it was a Grade I stakes race on dirt, and one of the richest and most important races for two-year-old...
a graded stakes race after winning both the Dover Stakes at Delaware Park and Bimelech Stakes at Laurel Park
Laurel Park
Laurel Park can refer to some places in the United States:*Laurel Park, North Carolina*Laurel Park, Virginia*Laurel Park, Richmond, California, a neighborhood*Laurel Park Racecourse, horse racing facility in Laurel, Maryland...
. Then he shipped to Florida for the winter and spring and made an immediate impact. In Florida, Captain Bodgit finished third in his first start in the grade three Holy Bull Stakes
Holy Bull Stakes
The Holy Bull Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Run in mid April, it is open to three-year-olds over a distance of one mile and three sixteenths...
where he closed from the clouds and impressed many. After that performance he was bought by the high end syndicate Team Valor
Team Valor
Team Valor Stable LLC is an American Thoroughbred horse racing stable based in Versailles, Kentucky. It was founded by Barry Irwin and Jeff Siegel who create partnerships with racing enthusiasts to race Thoroughbred horses at major racing venues, primarily in North America.In early July 2007,...
.
Three year-old season
After Team Valor purchased Captain Bodgit they kept him in the barn of Maryland trainer Gary Capuano. He raced in the grade two Fountain of Youth Stakes and again finished third. In his second start for Team Valor, "The Captain" upset then unbeaten champion PulpitPulpit
Pulpit is a speakers' stand in a church. In many Christian churches, there are two speakers' stands at the front of the church. Typically, the one on the left is called the pulpit...
and multiple graded stakes winner Frisk Me Now
Frisk Me Now
Frisk Me Now is an American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse a multiple Graded stakes race winner whose victories include the Flamingo Stakes, Ohio and Pennsylvania Derbys, and the Suburban, Widener, Philip H...
to score a big win in the grade one $1,000,000 Florida Derby
Florida Derby
The Florida Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses held annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida on the Saturday closest to the end of March or the first of April. Added to the racing schedule in 1952, the Grade 1 race is run at 1⅛ miles on the dirt...
at 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....
. He then shipped north to 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:...
in New York, New York and won the grade one $750,000 Wood Memorial Stakes
Wood Memorial Stakes
The Wood Memorial Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually at Aqueduct Racetrack in Jamaica, New York. It is currently a Grade I race run over a distance of 9 furlongs on dirt....
in his next start so impressively, he was favored for 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...
.
Captain Bodgit was post-time favorite for both the Kentucky Derby and 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...
. He began the Derby by rating far back the way under jockey Alex Solis, as he had done in previous races. Then he commenced his rally midway on the turn and closed rapidly on the leaders under intense whip urging, to narrowly miss at the wire. He missed winning the Derby by a scant head in a hard-fought battle as dual classic winner Silver Charm
Silver Charm
Silver Charm is an American Champion Thoroughbred race horse. Trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Gary Stevens, Silver Charm will be remembered most for winning the 1997 Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes in the Triple Crown....
prevailed after a prolonged stretch duel. It was nearly five lengths back to third-place finisher Free House
Free House
Free House may refer to:*Free House , an American Thoroughbred racehorse.*Free house , a British pub that is owned independently of the breweries that supply it....
who won the Santa Anita Derby, with Blue Grass Stakes winner Pulpit fourth.
Thousands of fans bet him to reverse the placings with Silver Charm in the Preakness, making him the post time favorite again. After such an incredible finish in the Derby few thought the Preakness would keep pace. But all three top finishers in the Derby put on quite a show as all three hit the wire together in the closest three way finish in the Preakness in 85 years. But Captain Bodgit ran out of room and was beaten in a photo finish when by a neck at Pimlico. Captain Bodgit closed an enormous amount of ground in the final 100 yards in a fixture voted the "race of the decade" in a fan poll conducted by The Blood-Horse. Captain Bodgit never made the Belmont as he sustained a minor injury in the Preakness Stakes and was retired.
Retirement
Captain Bodgit entered stud in 1998 at Margaux Farm in Midway, KentuckyMidway, Kentucky
Midway is a city in Woodford County, Kentucky, United States. Its population was 1,620 at the 2000 census. It is located midway between Frankfort and Lexington along the single-track railroad between them. It is part of the Lexington-Fayette Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town is home to a...
and stood there his first four seasons for a fee of $10,000. He was the sire of nine graded stakes winners including multiple graded winner Winward Passage. He is the sire of 13 stakes winners of $100,000 or more to date and had sired 42 individual winners from 89 starters in his time at Margaux. In 2003 he was sold and transferred to Questroyal Stud near New Hampton, New York
New Hampton, New York
New Hampton is a small hamlet in the Town of Wawayanda in Orange County, New York, USA. It is just outside the city of Middletown, across Interstate 84 along US 6 and NY 17M. It has the ZIP Code 10958....
for four more years at a stud fee of $5,000. His total progeny earnings are over $7 million. In 2009 he was sold and transferred to Highfield Stock Farm in Okotoks, Alberta, Canada and is standing there with a stud fee of $2,000.