Seabiscuit’s Effort Something to Admire

He was purchased by Californian Charles Howard for $8,500, a castoff from the Wheatley Stable, and began his career humbly, as a workhorse for more illustrious thoroughbreds.

He was trained by a Colorado cowboy named Tom Smith.

And 61 years ago today, Seabiscuit won his greatest race, a memorable three-length victory over War Admiral in a match race before 40,000 at Pimlico Race Track in Baltimore.

It was from any angle a great race--at 1 3/16 miles----as both horses were head-to-head at the top of the homestretch. Until the final furlong, the big crowd was on its feet.

Jockey George Woolf whipped Seabiscuit into the lead out of the gate, which seemed to startle War Admiral’s rider, Charlie Kurtsinger.

As the two went by the stands the first time, Seabiscuit crossed over to take the rail. Woolf slowed his mount in the first turn, putting his horse directly in front of War Admiral’s nose.

Coming into the last turn, Kurtsinger made a move. Slashing away with his whip, Kurtsinger brought War Admiral head-to-head with Seabiscuit and the two stayed that way a full furlong. For a second or two, War Admiral actually led by a nose.

In the homestretch, War Admiral had nothing more to offer, and Seabiscuit pulled away gradually.

Seabiscuit’s winnings that day, $15,000 (winner-take-all), sent his career earnings to $340,480, into second place on what was then the all-time money list. Sixteen months later, on March 2, 1940, Seabiscuit became the richest horse in thoroughbred history by winning the richest race in history, the $100,000 Santa Anita Handicap.

It was his final race.

Also on this date: In 1982, after 14 years as baseball’s commissioner, Bowie Kuhn was fired by major league baseball’s owners. . . . In 1966, on All-Saints Day, the NFL awarded New Orleans an NFL franchise.