Scrappy T (foaled in Kentucky on March 31, 2002) 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 ...

racehorse Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic ...

. A descendant of Sunny's Halo, he was sired by Fit to Fight and bred by Upson Downs Farm. Scrappy T was a multiple graded stakes winner but is remembered most for his collision with Afleet Alex and runner-up finish in the 2005

Preakness Stakes The Preakness Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race held on Armed Forces Day which is also the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs ...

.Pedigee Online, Thoroughbred Database website

Early career

His trainer, Robbie Bailes, picked Scrappy T at an auction in Florida at the Ocala Breeders Sale as a two-year-old and bought him for $35,000 for owner Marshall Dowell of Mechanicsville, Virginia. Scrappy T trained in a small work stable at the dilapidated Bowie Training Center. After breaking his maiden at Delaware Park, he finished second in his New York stakes debut at odds of 23-1 and two races later won the Count Fleet Stakes at 11-1. His next race was the grade three Whirlaway Stakes on Feb. 12, where he raced uncharacteristically off the lead and dug down in the stretch to finish third, missing first by 1-1/2 lengths. Scrappy T came back to race in the

Wood Memorial Stakes The Wood Memorial Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually in April at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. It is run over a distance of 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on dirt. The Wood Memorial ...

as his final Triple Crown prep, which Bellamy Road won by a record margin with Scrappy T third. In the grade three $150,000

Withers Stakes The Withers Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for three years old horses over the distance of miles on the dirt scheduled annually in February at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. The event currently carries a purse o ...

Aqueduct Racetrack Aqueduct Racetrack is a Thoroughbred horse racing facility and casino in the South Ozone Park and Jamaica neighborhoods of Queens, New York City, United States. Aqueduct is the only racetrack located within New York City limits. Its racing ...

, he posted a one-length victory over six challengers. Pressing the early pace set by War Plan, the Fit to Fight gelding took charge turning for home and dug in to hold off a late run by Park Avenue Ball. War Plan held on for third as Scrappy T covered the one-turn mile in 1:35 on a sealed track listed as good.

Preakness Stakes

After the Withers, Scrappy T was entered in the grade one

. He was listed on the morning line as the eleventh choice at 20-1 in a full field of fourteen stakes winners in the second jewel of the

Triple Crown Triple Crown may refer to: Sports Horse racing * Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing * Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (United States) ** Triple Crown Trophy ** Triple Crown Productions * Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing * T ...

. The vast majority of public support was wagered on the top three finishers in the Derby: Afleet Alex, Giacomo, and

Closing Argument A closing argument, summation, or summing up is the concluding statement of each party's counsel reiterating the important arguments for the trier of fact, often the jury, in a court case. A closing argument occurs after the presentation of evide ...

. As the gates opened, Scrappy T had the best break and cleared the field. Going into

Pimlico Pimlico () is an area of Central London in the City of Westminster, built as a southern extension to neighbouring Belgravia. It is known for its garden squares and distinctive Regency architecture. Pimlico is demarcated to the north by Victor ...

's famous club house turn, speedy Going Wild led the field followed by High Limit, Scrappy T, and Galloping Grocer. Down the back stretch, High Limit pulled in front and led for a half mile followed by Going Wild. Jockey Ramon Dominguez wrestled with Scrappy T to settle down and conserve some energy back in third. On the far turn, Scrappy T took the lead. In the meantime, favorite Afleet Alex weaved through traffic and came up on the outside flank of Scrappy T. Dominguez hit Scrappy T with a left-handed whip. Tasting his first left-handed whip, Scrappy T veered right suddenly and blew the turn while Afleet Alex was attempting to pass him. The horses collided, with Afleet Alex knocked to his knees. Jeremy Rose righted Afleet Alex and rode him to a four and three quarter length win with Scrappy T second ahead of Derby winner Giacomo and millionaire Sun King by five and six lengths respectively. He earned $200,000 for the runner-up finish and skipped the Belmont Stakes.

Retirement

Scrappy T retired before the 2008 season began. As a gelding, he could not go to stud. He now lives on the William Mason Farm on the family property in Powhatan, Virginia, fox hunting with his handler, Danielle Mason.

References

{{reflist 2002 racehorse births Racehorses bred in Kentucky Racehorses trained in the United States Thoroughbred family 1-h