The 1968 Kentucky Derby


Oil on canvas. 24 X39.5.
In the 1968 Kentucky Derby, Dancers Image crossed the finish line first, but his blood test showed evidence of Butazolidin, which at the time was an illegal race-day medication (it's legal now). After protracted legal procedings he was disqualified and placed second behind runner-up Forward Pass.
Forward Pass, son of former Calumet stakes winner, On-and-On and Princes Tuna, had previously won the Blue Grass Stakes at Keenland, and emerged as a classic colt for traine Henry Forest. He officially became the 8th winner bred and raced by Calumet Farm.  If there was a bothersome aspect to Forward Pass's Derby victory, there was nothing to detract from his powerful victory in the Preakness Stakes weeks later, nor his other victories in the Florida Derby, American Derby, etc.  His splendid year helped Calumet bounce back to third on the owner's list that season.
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