The two horses, as well as Equipoise, made their way to Churchill to compete in the 57th Kentucky Derby.Įven though the United States was in the throes of the Great Depression, thousands of people still made the journey to Louisville to witness the famous spectacle that is the Derby. One week later he ran in the Preakness, a roughly run contest, in which he was the victim of heavy interference that resulted in a second place finish behind the talented Mate. Twenty Grand won his first start of the year on May 2 taking the Wood Memorial. Thomas Murphy left Greentree Stable at the end of the 1930 racing season, resulting in the new conditioner for their string of horses. His 3YO season proved more fruitful when he got a new trainer, James Rowe, Jr, son of James Rowe, who had saddled the Kentucky Derby winners, Hindoo and Regret. The two horses ran nose and nose throughout the stretch, with Twenty Grand just prevailing as the winner, the showdown resulting in a record for the fastest run mile by a 2YO in 1:36. In the KJC, Twenty Grand locked up with Equipoise in a stretch battle that was talked about for many years, as many veteran track goers considered it to be one of the best races ever run at Churchill Downs. He started eight times winning four, two of those wins stakes races the Junior Champion Stakes and the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, in which he defeated Equipoise in both. In a crop of very talented youngsters, Twenty Grand held his own. A well-bred beginner, his early training was handled by the once famous harness racer, Thomas Murphy. Twenty Grand’s name could have possibly been after the popular cigarette brand Twenty Grand however it’s more likely that it was for an offer of $20,000 that was made for the colt, as everyone referred to him as the twenty grand colt. owned the famous Equipoise who would compete in storied races with Twenty Grand. Whitney, took over his father’s operation when he passed after the 1930 racing season. Helen’s husband was Payne Whitney, brother to the well-known Harry Payne Whitney, who had won the Kentucky Derby with Whiskery and Regret. Greentree Stable, run under Helen Hay Whitney who had taken over after her husband’s passing in 1927, owned and bred the outstanding colt. Germans, out of the *All Gold mare Bonus. 88 Days!!! 1931 Twenty Grand was a bay colt by the imported stallion *St.
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