BY BROCK SHERIDAN

MAY 3, 1975—Florida-bred Foolish Pleasure became the third Florida-bred to win the Kentucky Derby, winning as the 8-5 favorite with jockey Jacinto Vasquez aboard for trainer LeRoy Jolley and owner John L. Greer of Knoxville, Tenn.

Foolish Pleasure was the Champion 2-Year-Old Colt of 1974 after winning all six races including his debut at Delaware Park in the Dover (G3). He then won the Tremont (G3) at Aqueduct, Monmouth Park’s Sapling (G1), the Hopeful (G1) at Saratoga, then off to Belmont Park for both the Cowdin (G1) and Champagne (G1).

He started his 3-year-old campaign in February by winning a non-wagering event at Hialeah Park in his home state of Florida then took the Flamingo (G1) there in March. He suffered his first career defeat when upset by Prince Thou Art in the Florida Derby (G1) on March 29 at Gulfstream Park but rebounded to win the Wood Memorial (G1) at Aqueduct on April 19.

Foolish Pleasure was made the 8-5 favorite by the Churchill Downs crowd of 113,324 with the Darby Dan Farm entry of Prince Thou Art and Sylvan Place the second choice at 5-2.

It was the first year the Derby was restricted to 20 starters, however, only 15 went to the post including Florida-bred Fashion Sale (part of the three-horse field at 27-1) and Hobeau Farm’s Round Stake, who had the second highest odds at 55-1.

Golden Chance Farm’s Master Derby was a threat at 5-1 after winning the Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds and the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland; and Diabolo, winner of the California Derby (G2) at Golden Gate Fields on April 19, was sent to the post as third choice at 6-1. The race also included Avatar (11-1), who was undefeated in two starts prior to the Derby with wins in the March 12 Bradbury and Santa Anita Derby (G1) on March 29, both at Santa Anita. 

Bombay Duck was a length in front of Rushing Man under the Twin Spires for the first time but extended his lead to three lengths around the clubhouse turn to finish the half-mile in :45 2/5. Meanwhile, Avatar had joined Rushing Man in second as Vasquez settled Foolish Pleasure in eighth, about 11 lengths back.

Around the far turn, Avatar and Diabolo hooked up and separated from Master Derby in third as Foolish Pleasure began to advance on the rail. Avatar and Diabolo came down the stretch heads apart and Foolish Pleasure took third behind them with Master Derby on his outside. Foolish Pleasure swung to the outside past the furlong pole then went by Avatar to win by a length-and-three-quarters in 2:02 on the fast track. 

Avatar was second with Diabolo third.

 

Master Derby, at odds of 23-1, would avenge his loss in the 100th running of the Preakness, winning by a length ahead of 6-5 favorite Foolish Pleasure in second. Vasquez lodged a claim of foul against McHargue and Master Derby, who had drifted out in the stretch, but it was disallowed. Diabolo was again third.

In the Belmont, Avatar and Shoemaker took the lead and the top of the stretch and were under pressure late from Vasquez and Foolish Pleasure. Avatar won by neck with Foolish Pleasure second. Pass A Glance was third.

Despite the spirited Triple Crown, many considered the best 3-year-old in the country to be the filly, Ruffian, and a special event was proposed at Belmont Park, inviting all four. The owners of Master Derby and Avatar declined, leaving Foolish Pleasure and Ruffian to face off in what would become one of the more dire moments in North American Thoroughbred history with Ruffian suffering fatal injury.

Foolish Pleasure returned in 1976 to win the Donn Handicap (G1) at Gulfstream Park and defeated three-time Horse of the Year Forego in the Suburban (G1), although he conceded nine pounds to the great gelding. In the last race of his career, he won the Golden Invitational at Arlington Park by three-and-a-half lengths, becoming a millionaire with $1,216,705 in career earnings.

Foolish Pleasure retired to Greentree Stud in Kentucky with a record of 16 wins in 26 starts with four second and three thirds. He later stood at Mint Lane Farm and Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky before moving to California and eventually Horseshoe Ranch in Wyoming.

Foolish Pleasure died in 1994 and was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1995.

Return to the May 3 issue of Wire to Wire