Horse Racing
Genuine Risk, 1980 Derby Winner, Dies
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Genuine Risk, one of only three fillies to win the Kentucky Derby, died yesterday at Newstead Farm in Upperville, Va.
The 1980 Derby winner died peacefully about 7:30 a.m. at the age of 31 after eating a hearty breakfast and being turned out in her paddock, said Cindy Perry, an office administrator at the farm. Perry said the filly had not been ill.
Genuine Risk was the oldest living Derby winner, and the only filly to finish in the top three in each of the Triple Crown races. Ridden by Jacinto Vasquez in all three, she was second to Codex in a controversial Preakness, and then was second in the Belmont Stakes.
"Genuine Risk was an amazing horse with tremendous heart that lived a life befitting a champion," owners Bertram and Diane Firestone said in a statement issued by the farm. "We are truly blessed that she was a part of our life and we are deeply saddened by her passing."
It was in the 1980 Derby that Genuine Risk made history, taking a commanding lead in the stretch of the 106th Derby and outrunning Rumbo and Jaklin Klugman for the victory. She paid $26.80 to win.
In the Preakness, Vasquez was bringing her up quickly to challenge on the outside in the stretch against Codex when Codex drifted wide and bumped her, a move that many thought deprived Genuine Risk a chance to win. Vasquez later lodged a complaint against Angel Cordero, the jockey aboard Codex, but the stewards let the results stand.
Purchased for $32,000 by the Firestones at the request of their 14-year-old son, Matthew, in July 1978, Genuine Risk was trained by Leroy Jolley, a Hall of Famer who five years earlier had guided Foolish Pleasure to victory in the Derby.
-- From News Services
