Omaha Beat Rosemont, Won TC, 1935
Son Duplicated Sire Gallant Fox's Triple Crown Title in Same Decade
Jun 16, 2007
Connections and Stats:1935
Awards and Stud Career: Omaha
Three TC Champs Non-Winners at Two
In 1935, Omaha became the third consecutive Triple Crown winner who was mostly unaccomplished as a two-year-old. Nonetheless, each of these thoroughbreds -- Omaha, Gallant Fox, and Sir Barton -- came to form in their three-year-old seasons and won the most coveted crown in horse racing.
Omaha went third in the Wood Memorial prior to his Kentucky Derby challenge. His trainer, the legendary "Sunny" James Fitzsimmons, had guided Gallant Fox, Omaha's daddy, to a triple triumph. He saw such potential in Omaha, although the son never quite lived up to the father.
Fitzsimmons Adds Patience to Training
Omaha's improvement in his three-year-old season was partly due to Fitzsimmons' patient attitude. The juvenile grew from his two-year-old campaign into a champion sophomore who never ran off the board in nine contests. The chestnut son of a Triple Crown champion went to Churchill Downs to seek his own glory in the May 4th Kentucky Derby.
Rivals Can't Stop Chestnut
In his path were a Calumet Farm filly, Nellie Flagg, with the intelligent Eddie Arcaro aboard, and 16 other rivals. Also at the gateless starting line were the strong closer Roman Soldier, and Plat Eye, St. Bernard, and Boxthorn. The latter three ramrodded through the early going in a pack while Omaha remained in the middle of the crowd after surviving a bumping start.
Nellie Flagg drew contact several times. She was unable to challenge seriously in the stretch, while Roman Soldier cleared himself to chase the leader through the lane.
Omaha had accelerated past the field to draw away. Roman Soldier could gain only feet, finishing 1-1/2 lengths behind the Gallant Fox colt.
Firethorn, who had not been entered in the Derby, and Commonwealth were favored in the Preakness Stakes a week after the Run for the Roses. The field of eight tried the patience of the starter with their restless antics, delaying the race's beginning by over three mintues.
The front runner Brannon scooted out at the start with Boxthorn in close pursuit. Omaha hung back, customarily, then took command at his leisure, leaving the rest in a six length victory.
The top contender, Rosemont, knocked Omaha off his perch by a half length in the Withers Stakes. The two then headed to the Belmont Stakes with Omaha's chances for the Triple Crown on the line.
No Rematch
Contested in a downpour, the Belmont was not the rematch between Rosemont and Omaha that many expected. Firethorn stayed well with Omaha in the sloppy stretch, but the chestnut was able to once again turn it on to prevail. He won his moment by 1-1/2 lengths.
Omaha remains the only son of a Triple Crown winner to also triumph in the three classics.
