Champion Race Horse. Born on the Dudley and Bonnie Heath Farms, he was the grandson of 1944 Kentucky Derby winner, Pensive and son of 1949 Kentucky Derby winner, Ponder. He was given the nickname "Needles" because of daily medication he required due to his initial sickly condition. He began racing at age two, winning six of ten starts, including the Hopeful Stakes, Sapling Stakes and was named US Champion Two-Year-Old Colt of 1955. In 1956, he won the Flamingo Stakes, Florida Stakes, Belmont Stakes and became the first Florida-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby. He was also named US Champion Three-Year-Old Colt of 1956. His 1957 racing season ended following an injury after the Fort Lauderdale Handicap. In 2000, he was inducted into the US National Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
Champion Race Horse. Born on the Dudley and Bonnie Heath Farms, he was the grandson of 1944 Kentucky Derby winner, Pensive and son of 1949 Kentucky Derby winner, Ponder. He was given the nickname "Needles" because of daily medication he required due to his initial sickly condition. He began racing at age two, winning six of ten starts, including the Hopeful Stakes, Sapling Stakes and was named US Champion Two-Year-Old Colt of 1955. In 1956, he won the Flamingo Stakes, Florida Stakes, Belmont Stakes and became the first Florida-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby. He was also named US Champion Three-Year-Old Colt of 1956. His 1957 racing season ended following an injury after the Fort Lauderdale Handicap. In 2000, he was inducted into the US National Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Advertisement
