Pink Star (USA)
1904 – c. 1914
Pink Coat (USA) x Mary Malloy (USA), by Pat Malloy (USA)
American Family 3
1904 – c. 1914
Pink Coat (USA) x Mary Malloy (USA), by Pat Malloy (USA)
American Family 3
Although his breeding was an extension of the Leamington-over-Lexington cross that had produced Kentucky Derby winners Aristides (1875), Riley (1890) and His Eminence (1901), Pink Star was the longest shot on the board in the 1907 Kentucky Derby. Unlike his more-fancied rivals, however, he handled the heavy going well and made use of a a late charge to spring the upset. It was the only stakes win of his career. He was gelded in November 1907 and was at least sporadically in training up to May 1910 (as reported by the Cincinnati Enquirer) before spending the rest of his life as a working farm horse.
Race record
16 starts, 3 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds, US$5,750
1907:
As an individual
Pink Star was a good-sized bay horse with flashy white markings. Considered a “grand looking horse” by the newspapers of his day, he was held to closely resemble his sire Pink Coat, a horse that had been a good stakes winner. Unfortunately, Pink Star had a lumbering stride and an ugly disposition, and was inclined to sulk if bumped during a race. Part of his decline in form after the Kentucky Derby may have been due to a respiratory infection he developed shortly after running fourth in the Latonia Derby, as the infection caused a permanent wind impediment.
Connections
Pink Star was bred and owned by J. Hal Woodford. He was trained by William H. Fizer.
Pedigree notes
Sired by 1898 American Derby winner Pink Coat (by Leonatus), Pink Star is inbred 5x5x3x5 to 16-time American champion sire Lexington and 5x4 to two-time English champion sire King Tom. He was the only produce of any significance from Mary Malloy, a full sister to 1885 St. Louis Derby winner Favor. Mary Malloy is also a half sister to Fedora (by King Alfonso), second dam of 1902 Aqueduct Handicap winner Glenwater (or Glen Water).
Favorite, the dam of Mary Malloy, is by King Ernest and is a full sister to Jersey Lass, dam of 1881 Champagne Stakes winner Macduff and second dam of 1903 Breeders' Stakes winner Ayrshire Lad. She is also a half sister to Amabel (by King Alfonso), dam of stakes winner J. P. Mayberry (by Albert). Favorite and her siblings are out of Jersey Belle (by Australian), a full sister to two-time American champion Spendthrift and to the good racers Fellowcraft and Rutherford.
Fun facts
Race record
16 starts, 3 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds, US$5,750
1907:
- Won Kentucky Derby (USA, 10FD, Churchill Downs)
As an individual
Pink Star was a good-sized bay horse with flashy white markings. Considered a “grand looking horse” by the newspapers of his day, he was held to closely resemble his sire Pink Coat, a horse that had been a good stakes winner. Unfortunately, Pink Star had a lumbering stride and an ugly disposition, and was inclined to sulk if bumped during a race. Part of his decline in form after the Kentucky Derby may have been due to a respiratory infection he developed shortly after running fourth in the Latonia Derby, as the infection caused a permanent wind impediment.
Connections
Pink Star was bred and owned by J. Hal Woodford. He was trained by William H. Fizer.
Pedigree notes
Sired by 1898 American Derby winner Pink Coat (by Leonatus), Pink Star is inbred 5x5x3x5 to 16-time American champion sire Lexington and 5x4 to two-time English champion sire King Tom. He was the only produce of any significance from Mary Malloy, a full sister to 1885 St. Louis Derby winner Favor. Mary Malloy is also a half sister to Fedora (by King Alfonso), second dam of 1902 Aqueduct Handicap winner Glenwater (or Glen Water).
Favorite, the dam of Mary Malloy, is by King Ernest and is a full sister to Jersey Lass, dam of 1881 Champagne Stakes winner Macduff and second dam of 1903 Breeders' Stakes winner Ayrshire Lad. She is also a half sister to Amabel (by King Alfonso), dam of stakes winner J. P. Mayberry (by Albert). Favorite and her siblings are out of Jersey Belle (by Australian), a full sister to two-time American champion Spendthrift and to the good racers Fellowcraft and Rutherford.
Fun facts
- Pink Star had the lowest career earnings of any Kentucky Derby winner, and $4,850 of his $5,750 in earnings came from his Derby purse..
- Pink Star's owner had no confidence in his colt prior to the Kentucky Derby, and it was only due to the insistence of trainer Fizer that the field was poor and that Pink Star would handle the off going that the colt started. As Pink Star left the saddling enclosure, Woodford reportedly said, “I wash my hands of sending that baby to the Derby.”
- Pink Star was the medium of major betting coups in both his wins at 2 (a maiden race and a 7-furlong purse worth US$500), suggesting the possibility that his form had been manipulated for betting purposes. Ironically, Woodford did not bet on his horse in the Kentucky Derby, which the colt won at 15-1 odds.