Scapa Flow (1924–1928) was an American
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are ...
race horse, a son of
Man o' War. He first came to prominence in 1926 after winning the 43rd running
[ of the United States
Hotel Stakes as a two-year-old. He was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Walter M. Jeffords, who bred him. In August 1926, Morton Schwartz offered $100,000 to purchase Scapa Flow, but his owners refused to sell him at any price.
]
Career
With Frank Coltiletti as his jockey, Scapa Flow won the U.S. Hotel Stakes in Saratoga Springs, New York
Saratoga Springs is a city in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 28,491 at the 2020 census. The name reflects the presence of mineral springs in the area, which has made Saratoga a popular resort destination for over ...
, in 1:14 2/5. THe earned $11,525 for his owners at the Union Avenue course. Coming out of the gate, Coltiletti had the advantage of a step with Scapa Flow, who came to the front quickly. The fractional times were 0:23 3/5, 0:47 1/5, and 1:14 2/5.[''Scapa Flow Takes U.S. Hotel Stakes'', ]New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
, August 1, 1926, pg. S1.
On April 16, 1928, Scapa Flow lost the Harford Handicap by half a length at Havre de Grace, Maryland
Havre de Grace (), abbreviated HdG, is a city in Harford County, Maryland. It is situated at the mouth of the Susquehanna River and the head of Chesapeake Bay. It is named after the port city of Le Havre, France, which in full was once ''Le Havr ...
. The colt, favored in the six-furlong race, was beaten by Rock Man, an outsider. Scapa Flow finished third at Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse racing facility in the northeastern United States, located in Elmont, New York, just east of the New York City limits. It was opened on May 4, 1905.
It is operated by the non-profit New York Raci ...
in the ''Metropolitan'', an event first run at the Morris Park Racecourse in 1891. On a rain-soaked track, Scapa Flow, at 3-to-1 odds, was bested for second place by four lengths by Chance Shot, a 13-to-5 entry, owned by W. Averell Harriman
William Averell Harriman (November 15, 1891July 26, 1986), better known as Averell Harriman, was an American Democratic politician, businessman, and diplomat. The son of railroad baron E. H. Harriman, he served as Secretary of Commerce un ...
. The event was won by Nimba, a filly owned by Marshall Field III
Marshall Field III (September 28, 1893 – November 8, 1956) was an American investment banker, publisher, racehorse owner/breeder, philanthropist, grandson of businessman Marshall Field, heir to the Marshall Field department store fortune, ...
.
Death
Scapa Flow died in 1928 before he could make it to stud. He broke down during the June 17, 1928, running of the Brooklyn Handicap and was put down.[{{cite web, url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/06/17/archives/black-panther-61-first-in-brooklyn-stages-desperate-closing-rush-to.html?sq=scapa%2520flow%2520Brooklyn%2520Handicap&scp=1&st=cse , title=Scapa Flow Breaks Leg , work=New York Times , date=1928-06-17 , accessdate=2018-12-19]
References
External links
Scapa Flow's pedigree and partial racing stats
1924 racehorse births
1928 racehorse deaths
Thoroughbred family 4-m
Racehorses bred in Kentucky
Racehorses trained in the United States
American Champion racehorses