Scapa Flow (horse)
Encyclopedia
Scapa Flow was an American Thoroughbred
race horse
, a son of Man o' War
. He first came to prominence in 1926 after winning the 43rd running of the United States
Hotel Stakes as a two-year-old. He was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Walter M. Jeffords, who bred him. In August 1926 Morton Schwartz offered $100,000 to purchase Scapa Flow, but his owners refused to sell him at any price. An earlier filly named Scapa Flow (1914 - 1937), by Chaucer - Anchora by Love Wisely, was a homebred of the 17th Earl of Derby
.
With Frank Coltiletti
as his jockey, Scapa Flow covered the distance at the Saratoga Springs, New York
event in 1:14 2/5. The thoroughbred earned $11,525 for his owners at the scenic Union Avenue course. Coming out of the gate Coltiletti had the advantage of a step with Scapa Flow, who came to the front quickly, as though he was launched by a catapult. The fractional times were 0:23 3/5, 0:47 1/5, and 1:14 2/5.
On April 16, 1928 Scapa Flow lost the Harford Handicap by a half a length at Havre de Grace, Maryland
. The colt, favored in the six furlong race, was beaten by Rock Man, an outsider. Scapa Flow finished third at Belmont Park
in the Metropolitan, an event first run at the Morris Park Racecourse
in 1891. On a rain-soaked track Scapa Flow, at 3 to 1 odds, was bested for second place by four lengths by Chance Shot, a 13 to 5 entry, owned by Averill Harriman
. The event was won by Nimba, a filly owned by Marshall Field III
.
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...
race horse
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...
, a son of 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 :...
. He first came to prominence in 1926 after winning the 43rd running of the United States
Hotel Stakes as a two-year-old. He was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Walter M. Jeffords, who bred him. In August 1926 Morton Schwartz offered $100,000 to purchase Scapa Flow, but his owners refused to sell him at any price. An earlier filly named Scapa Flow (1914 - 1937), by Chaucer - Anchora by Love Wisely, was a homebred of the 17th Earl of Derby
Earl of Derby
Earl of Derby is a title in the Peerage of England. The title was first adopted by Robert de Ferrers, 1st Earl of Derby under a creation of 1139. It continued with the Ferrers family until the 6th Earl forfeited his property toward the end of the reign of Henry III and died in 1279...
.
Triumph and defeat
At the time he was proclaimed by some as the "Greatest of the Man o' Wars."With Frank Coltiletti
Frank Coltiletti
Frank Coltiletti was an American Hall of Fame jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing.Coltiletti began his professional riding career in 1919 when he was just fifteen years old. Almost immediately he became one of the top jockeys in the country, competing two years after he began racing in his first...
as his jockey, Scapa Flow covered the distance at the Saratoga Springs, New York
Saratoga Springs, New York
Saratoga Springs, also known as simply Saratoga, is a city in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 26,586 at the 2010 census. The name reflects the presence of mineral springs in the area. While the word "Saratoga" is known to be a corruption of a Native American name, ...
event in 1:14 2/5. The thoroughbred earned $11,525 for his owners at the scenic Union Avenue course. Coming out of the gate Coltiletti had the advantage of a step with Scapa Flow, who came to the front quickly, as though he was launched by a catapult. The fractional times were 0:23 3/5, 0:47 1/5, and 1:14 2/5.
On April 16, 1928 Scapa Flow lost the Harford Handicap by a half a length at Havre de Grace, Maryland
Havre de Grace, Maryland
Havre de Grace is a city in Harford County, Maryland, United States. Located at the mouth of the Susquehanna River and the head of the Chesapeake Bay, Havre de Grace is named after the port city of Le Havre, France, which was first named Le Havre de Grâce, meaning in French "Harbor of Grace." As...
. The colt, favored in the six furlong race, was beaten by Rock Man, an outsider. Scapa Flow finished third 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...
in the Metropolitan, an event first run at the Morris Park Racecourse
Morris Park Racecourse
Morris Park Racecourse was an American thoroughbred horse racing facility from 1889 until 1904. It was located in a part of Westchester County, New York that was annexed into the Bronx in 1895 and later became known as Morris Park...
in 1891. On a rain-soaked track Scapa Flow, at 3 to 1 odds, was bested for second place by four lengths by Chance Shot, a 13 to 5 entry, owned by Averill 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...
. The event was won by Nimba, a filly owned by Marshall Field III
Marshall Field III
Marshall Field III was an American investment banker, publisher, racehorse owner/breeder, philanthropist, heir to the Marshall Field department store fortune and a leading financial supporter and founding board member of Saul Alinsky's community organizing network Industrial Areas Foundation.Born...
.