On DVD or VHS: The Triple Crown quest of SPECTACULAR BID.

 

The year is 1979 and in horse racing, it's already been a glorious decade; three horses have won the Triple Crown of the 1970's: SECRETARIAT, SEATTLE SLEW, and AFFIRMED. Now in 1979, there seems to be another horse capable of the feat. A year earlier, Baltimore socialites Harry, Theresa and Tom Meyerhoff bought a yearling for just $37,000 atsale and it would certainly turn out to be a cheap, but SPECTACULAR BID - thus his name.

The colt is an immediate success but entering the 105th Kentucky Derby, the racing community remained skeptical of, "THE BID's", pedigree and the choice of jockey, 19-year old Ronnie Franklin. But it was hard to question the results, the Maryland-trained colt had been hard to beat and coming into the Derby, the horse had strung together ten consecutive wins often blowing away the competition with his blinding speed, but despite his decisive victories the colt wasn't always the lead story. The other most interesting thing about, "THE BID", was his young, controversial jockey, Ronnie Franklin, who's riding style was often criticized.

See SPECTACULAR BID's smashing victories in the Florida and Kentucky Derbies, and the Preakness in such company as GENERAL ASSEMBLY and BELIEVE IT.

His attempt at racing immortality to capture the last leg of the Triple Crown seemed a sure thing, but unfortunately, "THE BID", ended up with a disappointing third-place finish to long-shot, COASTAL. In any case, the talented SPECTACULAR BID went on to become "Horse-of-the-Year" in 1980, winning all nine of his starts in his four-year-old season.

Upon retirement, his resume boasted some of the most impressive credentials in the history of the sport. He had been syndicated for a then-record $22 million in 1980 and had amassed career earnings of $2,781,608 with 26 victories from 30 starts - a legend in his own time!

AS AN ADDED BONUS...several mini segments of SPECTACULAR BID are shown after the main feature:

- Bill Finley of ESPN visits, "THE BID", in 2002 at Milfer Farm in Unadilla, New York, where he's been retired in near obscurity but living a life of paradise at age 26 - still healthy and trim

- Horse Racing Channel TVG and HRTV, in addition to ESPN, pay tribute to SPECTACULAR BID who dies of an apparent heart attack in 2003 at 27-years-old; several clips look back on his illustrious career and race records in addition to testimonials from his trainer, Bud Delp

- Several segments from Horse Racing Channel, HRTV, look back on SPECATACULAR BID when he raced in California in 1980...highlights of his 1980 Californian, Strub Stakes, San Fernando, Strub Stakes and Santa Anita Handicap wins over FLYING PASTER in addition to his 1979 Preakness romp

- HRTV reports of the death of trainer, Bud Delp

- Also included is "THE BID's" 1980 Malibu Stakes, Strub Stakes and Santa Anita Handicap victories over FLYING PASTER...all three races shown almost in their entirety from start to finish...in addition a segment on his 1979 Preakness victory is included in addition to countless other segments PLUS a fitting tribute from TVG and ESPN after his death

- HRTV looks back at the phenomental career of SPECTACULAR BID in a, "Past the Stands" segment
 

 

56 Minutes.

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