Chance Play
Encyclopedia
Chance Play was an American Champion Thoroughbred
racehorse
and Champion sire
. Bred by August Belmont, Jr.
, he was out of the mare Quelle Chance, a daughter of 1900 Metropolitan Handicap
winner, Ethelbert. He was sired by Fair Play
who also sired the legendary Man o' War
. Chance Play was as well a full brother to 1927 Belmont Stakes
winner, Chance Shot.
In 1923, New York city
financiers W. Averell Harriman
and Bert Walker
bought a stable of Thoroughbred horses which they raced under the nom de course Log Cabin Stable
, sporting orange and white silks. As part of a private purchase of twenty horses, in January 1925 Harriman and Walker acquired Chance Play from the estate of August Belmont, Jr.
who had been the trainer of Man o' War. Racing at age two, the colt won his May 12, 1925 debut at Jamaica Racetrack
in Jamaica, New York. Four days later he got the most important win of the when he captured the Youthful Stakes on the same racetrack. During the remainder of 1925, Chance Play was outshone by William Coe's outstanding colt, Pompey
to whom he finished third in the two most important races of the year for two-year-olds, the August 29 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga Race Course
and the September 12 Futurity Stakes at Belmont Park
.
. He did not run in any of the Triple Crown
races as it was uncertain if he could handle any distance beyond six furlongs.
In July, Louis Feustel resigned as the Log Cabin Stable trainer. Although he was replaced by John Smith, conditioning for Chance Play was handed over to G. Hamilton Keene, trainer for the stable of Joseph E. Widener
.
Chance Play's only other win of significance in 1926 came in early October when he had strengthened enough to run at longer distances and at Maryland's
Havre de Grace Racetrack
he defeated Pompey to win the mile and a sixteenth Potomac Handicap
. A disagreement between the two owners of Log Cabin Stable in the fall of 1926 led to the partnership being dissolved and Averell Harriman became the stable's sole owner.
, Jockey Club Gold Cup
and Toboggan Handicap
, Chance Play was selected the retrospective 1927 American Champion Older Male Horse and Horse of the Year.
for whom he won the Aqueduct
, Combat and Continental Handicaps.
duty, Chance Play initially stood in New York but Warren Wright purchased him for $70,000 and brought him to stand at his Calumet Farm
. The leading sire in North America
in 1935 and 1944, Chance Play was the sire of twenty-three stakes winners and the broodmare sire of twenty stakes winners. Among his progeny were:
The grandsire of Piet
, whose wins included three consecutive editions of the Jamaica Handicap
, Chance Play was also the damsire of Next Move
, the 1950 American Champion Three-Year-Old Filly and 1952 American Champion Older Female Horse.
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...
and Champion sire
Sire
Sire may refer to:* Father, the counterpart of a dam, particularly in animal breeding. See also stallion* James W. Sire, author on worldviews* Sire Records, a record label* Sire Advertising, an advertising agency...
. Bred by August Belmont, Jr.
August Belmont, Jr.
August Belmont, Jr. was an American financier, the builder of New York's Belmont Park racetrack, and a major owner/breeder of thoroughbred racehorses.-Early life:...
, he was out of the mare Quelle Chance, a daughter of 1900 Metropolitan Handicap
Metropolitan Handicap
The Metropolitan Handicap, frequently called the "Met Mile," is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the last week of May at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Open to horses age three and older, it is contested on dirt over a distance of one mile .The Met Mile was first...
winner, Ethelbert. He was sired by Fair Play
Fair Play (horse)
Fair Play was an American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who was successful on the track, but even more so as a sire.His grandsire was Spendthrift, whose grandsire was the English Triple Crown champion West Australian....
who also sired the legendary Man o' War
Man O' War
Man O' War, man o' war or manowar may refer to:* Man-of-war, a warship* Man of war for uses with this spelling - Places :...
. Chance Play was as well a full brother to 1927 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...
winner, Chance Shot.
In 1923, New York city
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
financiers W. Averell Harriman
W. Averell Harriman
William Averell Harriman was an American Democratic Party politician, businessman, and diplomat. He was the son of railroad baron E. H. Harriman. He served as Secretary of Commerce under President Harry S. Truman and later as the 48th Governor of New York...
and Bert Walker
George Herbert Walker
George Herbert Walker was a wealthy American banker and businessman. His daughter Dorothy married Prescott Bush, making him a grandfather of former President George H. W. Bush and a great-grandfather of former President George W. Bush.-Life and career:Born in St...
bought a stable of Thoroughbred horses which they raced under the nom de course Log Cabin Stable
Log Cabin Stable
Log Cabin Stable was a Thoroughbred horse racing partnership founded in 1923 by New York City financiers W. Averell Harriman and Bert Walker who raced under orange and white silks....
, sporting orange and white silks. As part of a private purchase of twenty horses, in January 1925 Harriman and Walker acquired Chance Play from the estate of August Belmont, Jr.
August Belmont, Jr.
August Belmont, Jr. was an American financier, the builder of New York's Belmont Park racetrack, and a major owner/breeder of thoroughbred racehorses.-Early life:...
At two
Chance Play was conditioned for racing by Louis FeustelLouis Feustel
Louis C. Feustel was an American Thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame trainer best known as the trainer of the legendary Man o' War.-The August Belmont Years:...
who had been the trainer of Man o' War. Racing at age two, the colt won his May 12, 1925 debut at Jamaica Racetrack
Jamaica Racetrack
Jamaica Race Course was an American thoroughbred horse racing facility operated by the Metropolitan Jockey Club in Jamaica, New York. The track opened on April 27, 1903, a day which featured the inaugural running of the Excelsior Handicap. Eugene D. Wood, one of the founders and largest...
in Jamaica, New York. Four days later he got the most important win of the when he captured the Youthful Stakes on the same racetrack. During the remainder of 1925, Chance Play was outshone by William Coe's outstanding colt, Pompey
Pompey (horse)
Pompey was an American Champion Thoroughbred racehorse. He was bred by William Coe and raced under the colors of his Shoshone Stable. Pompey was a son of Sun Briar who also sired U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee, Sun Beau. His dam was Sweet Briar, a French daughter of Leopold de Rothschild's St...
to whom he finished third in the two most important races of the year for two-year-olds, the August 29 Hopeful Stakes 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...
and the September 12 Futurity Stakes 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...
.
At three
As a three-year-old, Chance Play won the June 7, 1926 Campfire Handicap, a six-furlong dash for three-year-olds at Belmont ParkBelmont 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...
. He did not run in any of the Triple Crown
United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
In the United States, the "Triple Crown" is usually the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, a series of three Thoroughbred horse races for three-year-old horses run in May and early June of each year consisting of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.While Daily Racing Form...
races as it was uncertain if he could handle any distance beyond six furlongs.
In July, Louis Feustel resigned as the Log Cabin Stable trainer. Although he was replaced by John Smith, conditioning for Chance Play was handed over to G. Hamilton Keene, trainer for the stable of Joseph E. Widener
Joseph E. Widener
Joseph Early Widener was a wealthy American art collector who was a founding benefactor of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C...
.
Chance Play's only other win of significance in 1926 came in early October when he had strengthened enough to run at longer distances and at Maryland's
Maryland
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...
Havre de Grace Racetrack
Havre de Grace Racetrack
The Havre de Grace Racetrack was an American horse racing track on Post Road in Havre de Grace, Harford County, Maryland which operated from August 24, 1912 to 1950...
he defeated Pompey to win the mile and a sixteenth Potomac Handicap
Potomac Handicap
The Potomac Handicap was an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in the latter part of September at Havre de Grace Racetrack in Havre de Grace, Maryland. Open to three-year-old horses, it was raced on dirt at a distance of a mile-and-a-sixteenth....
. A disagreement between the two owners of Log Cabin Stable in the fall of 1926 led to the partnership being dissolved and Averell Harriman became the stable's sole owner.
A Champion at four
Trainer Hamilton Keene died in January 1927 and John Smith took over. The winner of several of the year's top events, including the Merchants and Citizens HandicapMerchants and Citizens Handicap
The Merchants and Citizens Handicap is a defunct American Thoroughbred horse race which was held annually at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York...
, 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...
and Toboggan Handicap
Toboggan Handicap
The Toboggan Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually during the first week of March at Aqueduct Race Track in Queens, New York. Open to horses aged three and older, the Grade III event is contested over at a distance of six furlongs on the dirt and offers a purse of $100,000 ...
, Chance Play was selected the retrospective 1927 American Champion Older Male Horse and Horse of the Year.
At five
Chance Play continued to race at age five in 1928 but under a new trainer, the future Hall of Fame inductee George M. OdomGeorge M. Odom
George Martin Odom was an American National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame jockey and trainer in Thoroughbred horse racing. He is only one of two people to ever have won the Belmont Stakes as both a jockey and a trainer....
for whom he won the Aqueduct
Aqueduct Handicap
The race is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. It was called the Aqueduct Handicap, but beginning in 2009, the name was changed to the Evening Attire Stakes in honor of the great grey gelding Evening Attire. He raced until he was 10 years...
, Combat and Continental Handicaps.
As a sire
Retired to studStud (animal)
A stud animal is a registered animal retained for breeding. The terms for the male of a given animal species usually imply that the animal is entire—that is, not castrated—and therefore capable of siring offspring...
duty, Chance Play initially stood in New York but Warren Wright purchased him for $70,000 and brought him to stand at his 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...
. The leading sire in North America
Leading sire in North America
The list below shows the leading sire of Thoroughbred racehorses in North America for each year since 1830. This is determined by the amount of prizemoney won by the sire's progeny during the year...
in 1935 and 1944, Chance Play was the sire of twenty-three stakes winners and the broodmare sire of twenty stakes winners. Among his progeny were:
- Good Gamble (b. 1932) - multiple stakes winning filly whose wins included the Acorn StakesAcorn StakesThe Acorn Stakes is an American Grade I race at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York for three-year-old Thoroughbred fillies. It is raced on dirt over a distance of one mile with a current purse of $250,000. It is the first leg of the US Triple Tiara and is followed by the Coaching Club American Oaks...
, Aqueduct HandicapAqueduct HandicapThe race is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. It was called the Aqueduct Handicap, but beginning in 2009, the name was changed to the Evening Attire Stakes in honor of the great grey gelding Evening Attire. He raced until he was 10 years...
, Test StakesTest StakesThe Test Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race open to three-year-old fillies and run each summer at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. It is contested at a distance of seven furlongs on the dirt and is an influential race in shaping the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint...
, Queens County HandicapQueens County HandicapThe Queens County Handicap is an American Grade III Thoroughbred horse race run annually during the second week of December at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York... - Psychic Bid (b. 1932) - won Hopeful Stakes, Sanford StakesSanford StakesThe Sanford Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the third week of July at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. A six furlong sprint race, the Grade II event is open to two-year-old horses....
- Grand Slam (b. 1933) - winner of the Arlington Futurity, Kentucky Jockey Club StakesKentucky Jockey Club StakesThe Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually during the last week of November at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky...
- Now WhatNow What (horse)Now What was an American Thoroughbred Champion filly racehorse. Her dam was That's That, and her sire was the 1927 American Horse of the Year and two-time Leading sire in North America, Chance Play....
(b. 1937) - American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly - Some Chance (b. 1939) - multiple stakes winner including the 1942 and 1943 editions of the Roseben HandicapRoseben HandicapThe Roseben Handicap was an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually from 1940 through 1995. Hosted by Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, it was open to horses age three and older. A Grade III event at the time of its cancellation, it was contested on dirt over a distance of six...
- Pot O'LuckPot O'LuckPot O'Luck was an American Thoroughbred racehorse bred and raced by the renowned Calumet Farm of Lexington, Kentucky. He was sired by Chance Play, the 1927 retrospective American Horse of the Year and 1935 Leading sire in North America. Out of the mare Potheen, his damsire was Wildair, winner of...
(b. 1942) - multiple winner of important races including the Pimlico Futurity, Arlington Classic, Jockey Club Gold CupJockey Club Gold CupThe 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...
and Lawrence Realization StakesLawrence Realization StakesThe 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:...
The grandsire of Piet
Piet (horse)
Piet was an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning three consecutive runnings of the Jamaica Handicap. Bred by Charles B. Bohn and Peter A. Markey, they raced him under their nom de course, BoMar Stable. Piet was sired by multiple stakes winner, Grand Slam, a son of 1927 American...
, whose wins included three consecutive editions of the Jamaica Handicap
Jamaica Handicap
The Jamaica Handicap is American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses run annually on the turf at Belmont Park in Elmont on Long Island, New York...
, Chance Play was also the damsire of Next Move
Next Move
Next Move was an American Thoroughbred Champion filly racehorse. Bred and raced by prominent horseman Alfred G. Vanderbilt II, she was sired by Calumet Farm's prepotent sire Bull Lea...
, the 1950 American Champion Three-Year-Old Filly and 1952 American Champion Older Female Horse.