Citation Struck Gold by Reaching $1 Million

They cheered when he arrived at the paddock to be saddled, they cheered when he walked onto the track, and they cheered when he won.

His name was Citation, or Big Cy, as some liked to call him, and 48 years ago today, before 50,625 at Hollywood Park, he became the first horse to pass $1 million in earnings.

When Steve Brooks rode him to victory in the Hollywood Gold Cup, Citation’s Calumet Farm bookkeepers could put $1,085,760 next to his name. And on that note, Citation was retired.

In the winner’s circle, when the gold blanket was thrown over Citation, it read: “First Thoroughbred Millionaire--Hollywood Gold Cup, 1951.”

Brooks had his horse in complete command of the 1 1/4-mile race before he reached the half-mile pole. Citation was in front and pulling away.

He won by four lengths, with his running mate, Bewitch, catching Be Fleet at the wire for second. Bewitch became history’s richest mare, padding her earnings to $462,605.

Of course, a million bucks doesn’t buy what it used to. Cigar won just under $10 million. In 1998, Silver Charm won $4,696,506.

Also on this date: In 1995, Dodger right-hander Ramon Martinez threw a no-hitter against the Florida Marlins, retiring 22 in a row before walking Tommy Gregg in the eighth inning of a 7-0 victory at Dodger Stadium. . . . In 1968, Atlanta’s Hank Aaron became the eighth player to reach 500 home runs. . . . In 1975, Anthony Davis had four touchdowns and three two-point conversions to lead the World Football League’s Southern California Sun to a 47-16 win over the Memphis Southmen before 22,705 at Anaheim Stadium. . . . In 1982, onetime California football hero and later Boston Red Sox slugger Jackie Jensen died at 55. . . . In 1933, before 6,000 at Princeton University, New Zealander Jack Lovelock beat Princeton’s Bill Bonthron in the mile by running a world-record 4:07.6. Bonthron, a yard back, also beat the old record of 4:09.2.