Hall Passes on Finalists

None of the 12 finalists on this year’s ballot -- including jockey Alex Solis, trainers Mel Stute and the late Bob Wheeler, and thoroughbreds Best Pal, Silver Charm and Silverbulletday -- was elected to the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame.

Candidates must receive at least 75% of the votes cast and that did not happen in any of the four categories -- jockey, trainer, contemporary male horse and contemporary female horse -- in 2006. A total of 175 votes -- of a possible 186 -- were cast.

Thanks to the Hall of Fame’s historic review committee, however, there will be three inductions -- two human and one equine -- Aug. 7 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The committee, which meets every even-numbered year to consider nominees who have not been active in racing for at least 25 years, elected Carl Hanford, the trainer of Kelso, five-time horse of the year; jockey Bill Boland and Cougar II, a multiple stakes winner for owner Mary Jones Bradley and the late trainer Charlie Whittingham.

Purchased by Bradley on the recommendation of Whittingham for $125,000, Cougar II, who was bred and began his career in Chile, finished with 20 wins in 50 starts and earnings of $1,162,725. The champion grass horse of 1972, he was equally adept on dirt and was the first foreign-bred to win more than $1 million.

“I’m very, very honored and delighted,” said Bradley. “Cougar II was the best horse I ever had. It’s a shame this didn’t come when Charlie and [jockey Bill Shoemaker] were here because they are the ones that deserve this award.”

Hanford, 90, was a jockey before turning to training, and Kelso won 39 of his 63 races. When the gelding retired in 1966, he was the career earnings leader at $1,977,896. He was surpassed by 1978 Triple Crown winner Affirmed in 1979.

“Kelso was the most willing horse I’ve ever been around in my life,” said Hanford, who lives in Delaware. “He just loved to run. It didn’t make much difference if the track was muddy or dry or if the race was on turf. He could run on anything.

“I don’t think any horse has ever done what Kelso did. A lot of top trainers have had a number of good horses, but I don’t think any of them ever had their hands on a horse like Kelso.”

Boland, 72 and retired in Florida, won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes with Middleground as a 16-year-old apprentice in 1950. He won his Derby a day after he’d won the Kentucky Oaks with Ari’s Mona.

A winner of numerous significant races, including the 1959 Santa Anita Handicap with Terrang and the Belmont with Amberoid in 1966, Boland retired from riding at 37, spent 19 years as a trainer, then worked for 10 more years as an official with the New York Racing Assn.