Note: That's right the racing vaults are back! This is going to be a very short one though as the Woodward is coming up in a couple of days. It will involve two versions, the 1956 version today which was won by Mister Gus and the 2009 edition where the winner achieved history! Hope you enjoy!
They shared a sire (Narullah (GB)), but that is really the only thing that Nashua and Mister Gus had in common. The former was the Champion 2yo in 1954 and the 3yo Champion in 1955 as well as Horse of the Year. He was coming into the Woodward which at the time was held at Belmont Park, on a 6 race win streak, but had last raced in July when he won the Monmouth Cup. However, the reason for this turned out to be a few colic attacks that had him put on the sidelines. Meanwhile the latter who was a year older, wasn't as accomplished. While he had won the San Antonio and Arlington Hanidcap's, he was coming off a 3rd place finish to Career Boy in the UN. Which was run a few weeks before the Woodward.
Nashua was sent to lead with Jet Action (Jet Pilot) to put some pressure on him. As they entered the stretch of the mile and quarter race, Mister Gus who was ridden on the day by Ismael Valenzuela was able to overtake Nashua to win by 2 1/2 lengths with Jet Action a 1/2 length behind Nashua.
Nashua was able to rebound to win his career finale in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Mister Gus finished 2nd in his last two races the DC International and San Carlos Handicap. At stud, Nashua would sire Shuvee and Gold Digger (dam of Mr. Prospector) as well as Beldale Ball who won the Melbourne Cup in Australia. Inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1965, he passed away in 1982. The Nashua Stakes at Aqueduct is held in his honor. As for Mister Gus, according Pedigree Query, his highest earning foal was stakes winner Mister Judge. He died in 1966.
Bibliography
Roach, James. "Mister Gus Beats Nashua In Rich Woodward Stakes." New York Times 30 Sept. 1956: 1+. Print.
"United Nations Handicap." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 07 Aug. 2012. Web. 30 Aug. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Handicap>.
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