What A Summer
Encyclopedia
What A Summer was an American Thoroughbred
Champion
racehorse
who defeated both male and female competitors. She was bred in Maryland
by Milton Polinger. She was a stunning gray color out of the mare
, Summer Tan. Her sire
was What Luck, the multiple stakes winning son of U.S. Racing Hall of Fame
inductee, Bold Ruler
. What A Summer will best be remembered for her big win in the Grade II
$65,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
over stakes winners Dearly Precious
and Artfully on May 14, 1976.
while racing for her breeder Milton Polinger. She was bought by Mrs. Bertram Firestone following Polinger's death in the early fall of 1976. That death delayed her the first start of her career until late in the year. Mrs. Firestone turned the mare over to trainer Leroy Jolley
. What A Summer was a late bloomer and did not start racing until near the end of her two year-old season when she broke her maiden at Philadelphia Park. Near the end of the year What A Summer went on to win an allowance race finishing first in two of her first four races.
and owner Diana M. Firestone that she was ready to step up in class and take on stakes winners in the Grade II
$65,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
. In that race she withstood a fast closing challenge down the stretch to hold off a late charge by 4:5 favorite Dearly Precious
in a final time of 1:42.40 for the mile and one sixteenth on the dirt track at Pimlico Race Course
in Baltimore, Maryland. Her jockey Chris McCarron
was credited with a solid ride by conserving energy with moderate fractions in the middle portion of the race. Stakes winner Artfully held on for third in the field of ten three year-old fillies. In December 1976 What A Summer won the $50,000 Anne Arundel Stakes
at Laurel Park Racecourse. She did this beating stakes company, over Turn the Guns and Avum finishing the mile in 1:38.20 ridden by jockey Chris McCarron
.
twice, carrying the high weight of 134 pounds under jockey Jacinto Vasquez
. The Fall Highweight is run in November of each year at Aqueduct Racetrack
. In the 1977 race, she finished in a time of 1:09.4 and she broke the stakes record for six furlongs. That year she also won the $40,000 Silver Spoon Handicap, the $50,000 Maskette Handicap and the $35,000 Distaff Handicap. She placed second in the grade one Beldame Stakes
at Belmont Park
and showed third in both the $40,000 Grey Flight Handicap and the $25,000 Regret Stakes
.
under Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero, Jr. and the $40,000 Silver Spoon Handicap. She also won the $40,000 First Flight Handicap
. She had strong races all year including placing second in the grade two Vosburgh Stakes
, the grade three Vagrancy Handicap
, the Sport Page Handicap, the Suwanee River Handicap and the Egret Handicap.
. She was an Eclipse Award winner and was named American Champion Sprint Horse in 1977.
What A Summer ended her career with a record of 18 wins out of 31 starts in her career. Her most memorable race was perhaps her dominating performance in the defacto second leg of the filly Triple Crown, the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. In addition to her 18 wins she also placed nine times with earnings of $479,161. That record of 27 first or second finishes in 31 starts at 87% is among the best in history.
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...
Champion
Eclipse Award
The Eclipse Award is an American thoroughbred horse racing award named after the 18th century British racehorse and sire, Eclipse. The Eclipse Awards, honoring the champions of the sport, are sponsored by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association , Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers...
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 defeated both male and female competitors. She was bred in Maryland
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...
by Milton Polinger. She was a stunning gray color out of the mare
Mare
Female horses are called mares.Mare is the Latin word for "sea".The word may also refer to:-People:* Ahmed Marzooq, also known as Mare, a footballer and Secretary General of Maldives Olympic Committee* Mare Winningham, American actress and singer...
, Summer Tan. Her 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...
was What Luck, the multiple stakes winning son of U.S. Racing Hall of Fame
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
inductee, Bold Ruler
Bold Ruler
Bold Ruler was an American Thoroughbred Hall of Fame racehorse.Bred by the Wheatley Stable of Gladys Mills Phipps, Bold Ruler was foaled on April 6, 1954 at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky to Nasrullah and Miss Disco by Discovery...
. What A Summer will best be remembered for her big win in the Grade II
Graded 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...
$65,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The race is open to three-year-old fillies willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt and currently offers a purse of $250,000...
over stakes winners Dearly Precious
Dearly Precious
Dearly Precious was an American Champion Thoroughbred filly racehorse. Bred by Mrs. Jean R. Pancoast, she was out of the mare Ironically and sired by U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Dr. Fager. Richard E. Bailey, a cable television executive, purchased her as a yearling for $22,000 and...
and Artfully on May 14, 1976.
Two year-old season
What A Summer was trained very early in her career by Hall of Fame conditioner Bud DelpBud Delp
Grover Greer "Bud" Delp was an American Hall of Fame Thoroughbred racehorse trainer best remembered for his conditioning of Hall of Fame colt, Spectacular Bid....
while racing for her breeder Milton Polinger. She was bought by Mrs. Bertram Firestone following Polinger's death in the early fall of 1976. That death delayed her the first start of her career until late in the year. Mrs. Firestone turned the mare over to trainer Leroy Jolley
LeRoy Jolley
LeRoy Jolley is an United States Hall of Fame Thoroughbred horse trainer. The son of horse trainer Moody Jolley, LeRoy Jolley has been around horses all his life at age nineteen received a New York State trainer's license....
. What A Summer was a late bloomer and did not start racing until near the end of her two year-old season when she broke her maiden at Philadelphia Park. Near the end of the year What A Summer went on to win an allowance race finishing first in two of her first four races.
Three year-old season
In 1976 What A Summer had a real break out year during her three year-old season. This started early in January when she placed second running in her first stakes race, the $25,000 Heirloom Stakes at the old Liberty Bell Race Track in Philadelphia. Two months later she won her second allowance race over winners and convinced her connections; trainer Leroy JolleyLeRoy Jolley
LeRoy Jolley is an United States Hall of Fame Thoroughbred horse trainer. The son of horse trainer Moody Jolley, LeRoy Jolley has been around horses all his life at age nineteen received a New York State trainer's license....
and owner Diana M. Firestone that she was ready to step up in class and take on stakes winners in the Grade II
Graded 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...
$65,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The race is open to three-year-old fillies willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt and currently offers a purse of $250,000...
. In that race she withstood a fast closing challenge down the stretch to hold off a late charge by 4:5 favorite Dearly Precious
Dearly Precious
Dearly Precious was an American Champion Thoroughbred filly racehorse. Bred by Mrs. Jean R. Pancoast, she was out of the mare Ironically and sired by U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Dr. Fager. Richard E. Bailey, a cable television executive, purchased her as a yearling for $22,000 and...
in a final time of 1:42.40 for the mile and one sixteenth on the dirt track at Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course is a horse racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland, most famous for hosting the Preakness Stakes. Its name is derived from the 1660s when English settlers named the area where the facility currently stands in honor of Olde Ben Pimlico's Tavern in London...
in Baltimore, Maryland. Her jockey Chris McCarron
Chris McCarron
Christopher John "Chris" McCarron is a retired American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey. He is currently working as a racing analyst for TVG Network....
was credited with a solid ride by conserving energy with moderate fractions in the middle portion of the race. Stakes winner Artfully held on for third in the field of ten three year-old fillies. In December 1976 What A Summer won the $50,000 Anne Arundel Stakes
Anne Arundel Stakes
The Anne Arundel Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in November at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland. The Anne Arundel Stakes, is open to fillies age three-years-old and up willing to race one mile on the dirt. It was the 35th running of the stakes race in 2010.An...
at Laurel Park Racecourse. She did this beating stakes company, over Turn the Guns and Avum finishing the mile in 1:38.20 ridden by jockey Chris McCarron
Chris McCarron
Christopher John "Chris" McCarron is a retired American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey. He is currently working as a racing analyst for TVG Network....
.
Four year-old season
In 1977 What A Summer won the $75,000 Fall Highweight HandicapFall Highweight Handicap
The Fall Highweight Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually near the end of November at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. Currently run at a distance of 6 furlongs , it is open to horses three years of age and older. The race is a real test for speed and strength in that...
twice, carrying the high weight of 134 pounds under jockey Jacinto Vasquez
Jacinto Vásquez
Jacinto Vásquez is a retired Hall of Fame thoroughbred jockey. He rode two Kentucky Derby winners, Foolish Pleasure in 1975 and Genuine Risk in 1980, but may be best known as the regular jockey for the great filly Ruffian.-Biography:...
. The Fall Highweight is run in November of each year at 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 the 1977 race, she finished in a time of 1:09.4 and she broke the stakes record for six furlongs. That year she also won the $40,000 Silver Spoon Handicap, the $50,000 Maskette Handicap and the $35,000 Distaff Handicap. She placed second in the grade one Beldame Stakes
Beldame Stakes
The Beldame Stakes is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares three-years-old and up. Inaugurated in 1939, it was run as a handicap prior to 1960...
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...
and showed third in both the $40,000 Grey Flight Handicap and the $25,000 Regret Stakes
Regret Stakes
The Regret Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race for three year old fillies run on the turf at Churchill Downs in mid-June near the end of the Spring Meet in Louisville, Kentucky...
.
Five year-old season
In 1978 as a five year-old, What A Summer repeated two of her victories from the year before in both the Fall Highweight HandicapFall Highweight Handicap
The Fall Highweight Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually near the end of November at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. Currently run at a distance of 6 furlongs , it is open to horses three years of age and older. The race is a real test for speed and strength in that...
under Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero, Jr. and the $40,000 Silver Spoon Handicap. She also won the $40,000 First Flight Handicap
First Flight Handicap
The First Flight Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in late June/early July at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. A Grade II event open to fillies and Mares, age three and older, it is contested on dirt over a distance of seven furlongs.The race is named in honor of...
. She had strong races all year including placing second in the grade two Vosburgh Stakes
Vosburgh Stakes
The Vosburgh Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race held annually at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Run at the end of September/early October, it is open to horses three-years-old and up of either gender...
, the grade three Vagrancy Handicap
Vagrancy Handicap
The Vagrancy Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at the end of May/early June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The event is open to fillies and mares, age three and older...
, the Sport Page Handicap, the Suwanee River Handicap and the Egret Handicap.
Honors
What A Summer was named Maryland-bred horse of the year in 1977 and twice was named champion older mare for the state of Maryland in both 1977 and 1978. What A Summer was retired in 1978 and as a broodmare she produced several graded stakes winners. After her retirement, Laurel Park Racecourse named a race in honor, the What A Summer StakesWhat A Summer Stakes
The What A Summer Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in January at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland. The What A Summer Stakes, is open to fillies and mares age four-years-old and up willing to race six furlongs on the dirt. It was the 26th running of the stakes...
. She was an Eclipse Award winner and was named American Champion Sprint Horse in 1977.
What A Summer ended her career with a record of 18 wins out of 31 starts in her career. Her most memorable race was perhaps her dominating performance in the defacto second leg of the filly Triple Crown, the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. In addition to her 18 wins she also placed nine times with earnings of $479,161. That record of 27 first or second finishes in 31 starts at 87% is among the best in history.