1776 & All That

King George had entered a filly named Angelola in the big race, but Queen Elizabeth didn't give the royal entry a prayer. Said she: "I think I should back My Love." So did most of the 400,000 fans lining the track at Doncaster, England, for last week's St. Leger (rhymes with quaint ledger). My Love was the 7-to-4 favorite; the Aga Khan's mahogany three-year-old had already won the Epsom Derby and the French Grand Prix.

Only one American-bred horse was competing in the historic race, first run in 1776: Black Tarquin,* owned by the chairman of New York's Jockey Club, William Woodward. In the Derby, Black Tarquin had finished eighth, and most bettors figured that he lacked staying powers for the mile-and-three-quarters St. Leger. The American colt, ridden by Australian Jockey Edgar Britt, settled down well to the rear, made no move until the stretch. Then, with only two furlongs to go, he put on a brilliant burst of speed to win from Alycidon, an outsider, by a length and a half. In sixth place: My Love, just ahead of Angelola.

Owner Woodward was richer by -L-15,368 ($61,472), biggest purse in British turf history.

*Named, explains his owner, "after the fellow [Sextus Tarquinius] who raped Lucrece."

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