Who owns California?

[Echo Farm]

Originally Posted by Pedigree Ann

John Henry anybody? Claimed for $25K (but inflation since then means it is about even with the Dude's price). Stymie, one of the immortals of the breed, was claimed for $1500!! Brass Hat ran in a Maiden claimer 15K first out. Even Princequillo, the great stayer of the 1940s and a pillar of the breed ran in claimers before his prowess as a stayer was recognized.

Running in a claimer at some point in a horse's career does not mean that horse is garbage forever and ever. He may have an unrecognized problem, a trainer who doesn't understand his particular talents, or been a slow maturing sort who can't compete with the Storm Cats of the breed when they are 2 or 3.

I could be wrong, but I don't believe John Henry was ever claimed. (he did run in cheap claiming races) Do you have any references to back that statement up?

(not that it really matters in this discussion, but I'd like to know where / when / connections on both sides)

http://horseracing.about.com/library...y/aa100997.htm
http://thoroughbredchampions.com/bio.../johnhenry.htm