Tin Cup Chalice
Encyclopedia
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. In the Albany Stakes, ridden by regular jockey
Pedro Rodriguez, he defeated Icabad Crane
and Big Truck
, both New York-breds and both recently off the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
trail.
winner Crusader Sword (whose own sire is the great Damascus
by Sword Dancer. Crusader Sword was the only son of Damascus when he stood in the Northeast. Tin Cup Chalice’s dam is Twice Forbidden, out of the first New York crop of Spectacular Bid
who had been relocated from Claiborne Farm
to the Miller Farm in 1992. Twice Forbidden also produced stakes winners Mr. Fantasy and Don Corleone. Both Damascus and “The Bid” were Horses of the Year
. All in all, Tin Cup Chalice, offered for $2,000 at the New York Breeders’ Sales Company 2005 October mixed sale, comes from a formidable family.
Named for a Jimmy Buffett
song (although in the tradition of working out Thoroughbred
names from their sire and dam’s names, Crusader Sword and Twice Forbidden seems a subtle way to achieve Tin Cup Chalice), Tin Cup Chalice is a black-pointed Bay making his home base at Finger Lakes race track
(where America’s great loser Zippy Chippy
might or might not be a stable pony).
The colt
nearly died twice before he was a year old, once from a case of botulism
and once from a bout with horse colic
. He’s also from the same female family as Silky Sullivan
, the “come-from-the-clouds” California
fan favorite back in 1957 and 1958, and after Silky, is probably the most talented. But even as the half-bother of Don Corleone, no one put in so much as a bid when he appeared in the ring at the 2006 New York Breeders Sale at Saratoga
possibly because his sire hadn’t yet produced anything really exciting except the multiple graded stakes winner Isitingood in 1991, or possibly because Tin Cup Chalice was small and narrow and had come too near death too often to inspire confidence.
, said, “I know one thing. I wouldn’t bet against a horse that’s undefeated.”
In his first start outside New York and in graded stakes company, Tin Cup Chalice won the Indiana Derby
. Against the likes of the deep closer Pyro
(who came up fast to place), he clicked off splits of :23.20, :48.20 and 1:13.40. In his only defeat, he placed in the Step Nicely Stakes at Belmont Park
.
racing officials about his horse racing in the Japan Cup Dirt
(JPN-G1) with all expenses paid for Tin Cup Chalice to compete. The race, worth $USD 2.4 million, takes place on December 7th at Hanshin Racecourse
.
The Japan Cup Dirt is run clockwise around the oval (as English
races are run, and as American
races once were run before the Revolutionary War) so Tin Cup Chalice was tested, as a requirement of the Japan Racing Club, to determine his ability to adapt to running against his usual direction. That workout, held November 5th, was successful and he was shipped to Japan...arriving after a 24-flight from Rochester, New York
on November 20, 2008.
At the Hanshin Racecourse on December 1, 2008 Tin Cup Chalice worked at 5 furlongs in 59.10 seconds.
While Pedro Rodriguez has been the regular rider for Tin Cup Chalice, and was to travel to Japan, he encountered Visa/Passport issues and was not successful in obtaining a permit. Accordingly Edgar Prado, already in Japan for the World Super Jockey Series, picked up the mount and worked with the New York-bred in the days prior to the Japan Cup Dirt.
Tin Cup Chalice took the lead for the first half of the Japan Cup Dirt, but gave way shortly after that. He came in 13th out of 16 horses in the Japan Cup Dirt race. He went off at odds of 9-to-1 making him the fourth-most-favored out of the 16.
, Tin Cup Chalice suffered a spinal injury in the head-on collision with a runaway colt named Zany, a 4 year old son of War Chant at about 6:20 am EST. Despite more than 90 minutes of care and treatment on the track, the decision was made to euthanize Tin Cup Chalice when it became apparent to veterinarian Brendan Warrell that the injuries were catastrophic. Zany suffered crippling injuries and was euthanized not long after Warrell arrived at the scene.
Tin Cup Chalice's jockey, Pedro Rodriguez
was treated and released from the hospital. Zany's exercise rider, Jeannie Cook, was not injured.
Tin Cup Chalice had been entered to race that opening day for Finger Lakes but because of the small field - just five - it did not fill and the race did not go off. The plan then was to run him in a stakes race at Mountaineer Park May 10. Co-owner Mike Lecesse was quoted as saying: "If he would have been in [the race] today, he wouldn't have been on the track this morning. It's nobody's fault."
Tin Cup Chalice was transported to Cornell University
's equine hospital for a necropsy, part of insurance requirements. His ashes will be buried in the track's infield, not far from the finish line near the grave of the track's first big star, Fio Rito. Fio Rito was owned by LeCesse's father, Raymond.
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 who, in 2008, became the first New York-bred to win New York’s “OTB Big Apple Triple" of Racing: the Mike Lee Handicap
Mike Lee Handicap
The Mike Lee Handicap is the first leg of the "Big Apple Triple," a grouping of three races in New York state for New York breds. A horse who wins all three of the Big Apple Triple wins the purse total of $400,000 plus a $250,000 bonus. The second leg is the New York Derby held at Finger Lakes...
, the New York Derby
New York Derby
The New York Derby is the second leg of the "Big Apple Triple," a grouping of three races in New York state for New York breds. A horse who wins all three of the Big Apple Triple wins the purse total of $400,000 plus a $250,000 bonus. The first leg is the Mike Lee Handicap run at Belmont Park, and...
, and the Albany Stakes. In the Albany Stakes, ridden by regular 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:...
Pedro Rodriguez, he defeated Icabad Crane
Icabad Crane
Icabad Crane is an American Thoroughbred racehorse by Jump Start out of Adorahy. In February 2007, he was purchased as a two-year-old at the Ocala Breeders Sale for $110,000....
and Big Truck
Big Truck (horse)
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....
, both New York-breds and both recently off the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
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...
trail.
Pedigree
Tin Cup Chalice is by the Grade IGraded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
winner Crusader Sword (whose own sire is the great Damascus
Damascus (horse)
Damascus was a thoroughbred race horse sired by Sword Dancer out of Kerala foaled at the Jonabell Farm in Lexington, Kentucky...
by Sword Dancer. Crusader Sword was the only son of Damascus when he stood in the Northeast. Tin Cup Chalice’s dam is Twice Forbidden, out of the first New York crop of Spectacular Bid
Spectacular Bid
Spectacular Bid was an American Thoroughbred race horse. "The Bid" as he was known was one of the most dominant gallopers of his time...
who had been relocated from Claiborne Farm
Claiborne Farm
Claiborne Farm is a thoroughbred Horse breeding operation in near Paris, Kentucky. It was established in 1910, by Arthur B. Hancock, owner of Ellerslie Farm in Albemarle County, Virginia, and has been operated by members of his family ever since.-Owners:...
to the Miller Farm in 1992. Twice Forbidden also produced stakes winners Mr. Fantasy and Don Corleone. Both Damascus and “The Bid” were Horses of the Year
Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year
The American Award for Horse of the Year is the highest honor given in American thoroughbred horse racing. It has been awarded since 1887 to the horse, irrespective of age, whose performance during the racing year is deemed the most outstanding....
. All in all, Tin Cup Chalice, offered for $2,000 at the New York Breeders’ Sales Company 2005 October mixed sale, comes from a formidable family.
Named for a Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffett
James William "Jimmy" Buffett is a singer-songwriter, author, entrepreneur, and film producer. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an "island escapism" lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett's musical hits include "Margaritaville" , and "Come Monday"...
song (although in the tradition of working out 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...
names from their sire and dam’s names, Crusader Sword and Twice Forbidden seems a subtle way to achieve Tin Cup Chalice), Tin Cup Chalice is a black-pointed Bay making his home base at Finger Lakes race track
Finger Lakes Gaming and Race Track
Finger Lakes Gaming and Race Track is a thoroughbred horse-racing track and racino located in Farmington in western New York State, approximately 25 miles southeast of Rochester. The facility is about one mile south of New York State Thruway exit 44....
(where America’s great loser Zippy Chippy
Zippy Chippy
Zippy Chippy is a thoroughbred race horse, who is most notable for being winless in 100 races.Zippy Chippy's pedigree included several famous horses, including: Ben Brush, Buckpasser, Busanda, Bold Ruler, Count Fleet, Man o' War, Nasrullah, Native Dancer, Northern Dancer, Round Table, Tom Fool,...
might or might not be a stable pony).
The 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....
nearly died twice before he was a year old, once from a case of botulism
Botulism
Botulism also known as botulinus intoxication is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by botulinum toxin which is metabolic waste produced under anaerobic conditions by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, and affecting a wide range of mammals, birds and fish...
and once from a bout with horse colic
Horse colic
Colic in horses is defined as abdominal pain, but it is a clinical sign rather than a diagnosis. The term colic can encompass all forms of gastrointestinal conditions which cause pain as well as other causes of abdominal pain not involving the gastrointestinal tract. The most common forms of colic...
. He’s also from the same female family as Silky Sullivan
Silky Sullivan
Silky Sullivan was an American thoroughbred race horse best known for his come-from-behind racing style...
, the “come-from-the-clouds” 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...
fan favorite back in 1957 and 1958, and after Silky, is probably the most talented. But even as the half-bother of Don Corleone, no one put in so much as a bid when he appeared in the ring at the 2006 New York Breeders Sale at Saratoga
Saratoga, New York
Saratoga is a town in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 5,141 at the 2000 census. It is also the commonly used, but not official, name for the neighboring and much more populous city, Saratoga Springs. The major village in the town of Saratoga is Schuylerville which is...
possibly because his sire hadn’t yet produced anything really exciting except the multiple graded stakes winner Isitingood in 1991, or possibly because Tin Cup Chalice was small and narrow and had come too near death too often to inspire confidence.
Racing accomplishments
To take the Albany and with it the Triple Crown of New York-breds, Tin Cup Chalice had to step up in class. Before the race he'd faced only New York-breds, or lesser-quality stakes horses, in his short career. In the Albany, he went up against top national competition. His co-owner, breeder and trainer, Lecesse of Farmington, New YorkFarmington, New York
Farmington is a town located in the northern part of Ontario County, New York, United States. The population was 10,585 at the 2000 census. Farmington is about twenty-five miles southeast of Rochester, New York...
, said, “I know one thing. I wouldn’t bet against a horse that’s undefeated.”
In his first start outside New York and in graded stakes company, Tin Cup Chalice won the Indiana Derby
Indiana Derby
The Indiana Derby is an American thoroughbred horse race run annually since 1995 at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana. It is the racetrack's signature event offering its highest purse at $500,000....
. Against the likes of the deep closer 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...
(who came up fast to place), he clicked off splits of :23.20, :48.20 and 1:13.40. In his only defeat, he placed in the Step Nicely 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...
.
Going international
In late October 2008, the trainer and co-owner Mike LeCesse was contacted by JapaneseJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
racing officials about his horse racing in the Japan Cup Dirt
Japan Cup Dirt
The Japan Cup Dirt is a race usually run a week after the Japan Cup.- Race Information :* Racecourse: Hanshin Racecourse* Distance: 1,800 meters The Japan Cup Dirt (JPN G-1) is a race usually run a week after the Japan Cup.- Race Information :* Racecourse: Hanshin Racecourse* Distance: 1,800...
(JPN-G1) with all expenses paid for Tin Cup Chalice to compete. The race, worth $USD 2.4 million, takes place on December 7th at Hanshin Racecourse
Hanshin Racecourse
is located in Takarazuka, Hyogo, Japan. It is used for horse racing. The land was originally owned by Kawanishi Aircraft Company, which manufactured combat planes during World War II. After the WWII, GHQ ordered the company to stop manufacturing combat planes, which ended in closing the factory. In...
.
The Japan Cup Dirt is run clockwise around the oval (as English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
races are run, and as American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
races once were run before the Revolutionary War) so Tin Cup Chalice was tested, as a requirement of the Japan Racing Club, to determine his ability to adapt to running against his usual direction. That workout, held November 5th, was successful and he was shipped to Japan...arriving after a 24-flight from Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
on November 20, 2008.
At the Hanshin Racecourse on December 1, 2008 Tin Cup Chalice worked at 5 furlongs in 59.10 seconds.
While Pedro Rodriguez has been the regular rider for Tin Cup Chalice, and was to travel to Japan, he encountered Visa/Passport issues and was not successful in obtaining a permit. Accordingly Edgar Prado, already in Japan for the World Super Jockey Series, picked up the mount and worked with the New York-bred in the days prior to the Japan Cup Dirt.
Tin Cup Chalice took the lead for the first half of the Japan Cup Dirt, but gave way shortly after that. He came in 13th out of 16 horses in the Japan Cup Dirt race. He went off at odds of 9-to-1 making him the fourth-most-favored out of the 16.
Death
On April 17th, 2009, while in training at Finger Lakes Gaming and Race TrackFinger Lakes Gaming and Race Track
Finger Lakes Gaming and Race Track is a thoroughbred horse-racing track and racino located in Farmington in western New York State, approximately 25 miles southeast of Rochester. The facility is about one mile south of New York State Thruway exit 44....
, Tin Cup Chalice suffered a spinal injury in the head-on collision with a runaway colt named Zany, a 4 year old son of War Chant at about 6:20 am EST. Despite more than 90 minutes of care and treatment on the track, the decision was made to euthanize Tin Cup Chalice when it became apparent to veterinarian Brendan Warrell that the injuries were catastrophic. Zany suffered crippling injuries and was euthanized not long after Warrell arrived at the scene.
Tin Cup Chalice's jockey, Pedro Rodriguez
Pedro Rodriguez
Pedro Rodriguez or Pedro Rodríguez may refer to:*Pedro Rodríguez , Puerto Rican Korean War hero who won two Silver Star Medals.*Pedro Rodríguez , Mexican racing driver...
was treated and released from the hospital. Zany's exercise rider, Jeannie Cook, was not injured.
Tin Cup Chalice had been entered to race that opening day for Finger Lakes but because of the small field - just five - it did not fill and the race did not go off. The plan then was to run him in a stakes race at Mountaineer Park May 10. Co-owner Mike Lecesse was quoted as saying: "If he would have been in [the race] today, he wouldn't have been on the track this morning. It's nobody's fault."
Tin Cup Chalice was transported to Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
's equine hospital for a necropsy, part of insurance requirements. His ashes will be buried in the track's infield, not far from the finish line near the grave of the track's first big star, Fio Rito. Fio Rito was owned by LeCesse's father, Raymond.