Chartcallers gone wild

[Phalaris1913]

Was that comment on the fat man's charts?

Well, here's just one I was able to dredge up without too much trouble. Commando, unbeaten in five starts at 2 in 1900, was odds-on in the Matron. After Commando led nearly throughout, 20-1 Beau Gallant was up in time to win. The DRF footnote:

"His [Beau Gallant's] victory was a lucky one as Commando was pounds the best horse, but [jockey] Spencer went to sleep near the finish and did not see Beau Gallant get up on the inside rail."

The valuable Matron - worth more to the winner than the Belmont that year - was open to colts and fillies in its earliest runnings.