Zippy Chippy (0 for 86) Back to Try Again

Zippy Chippy returns to the Three-County Fair today, looking to end his remarkable losing streak.

The luckless thoroughbred will run at the track where he staggered into U.S. racing history almost one year ago as the losingest horse on the books.

But forget his 0-for-86 career. Forget his propensity for starting races on his own clock. Forget that he is banned at some tracks as a blight on bettors. Forget even that he lost his last race to a human.

Owner-trainer Felix Monserrate keeps hoping and dreaming. If Zippy Chippy wins today, he says it will be his personal Kentucky Derby victory.

“I would be the happiest man in the world,” he said at the horse’s temporary Northampton stable. “He has that faith,” said Jose Alvarado, another trainer at the Three-County Fair. “I would have given up . . . because this is a business.”

“Maybe I love him too much,” admitted Monserrate.

The gelding, now 9 years old, has climbed tantalizingly close to mediocrity. He came in second six times and has earned $29,000, largely paying his own keep, said Monserrate.