A big, robust filly with a strong turn of foot, Berlo was never tried against colts, but there were many who wondered whether she might not have been the superior of her crop's males when at the height of her form. She failed to carry her form over to her 4-year-old season, running unplaced three times after being absent from the track for some nine months, and was retired to a disappointing broodmare career.
Race record
14 starts, 8 wins, 0 seconds, 2 thirds, US$208,186
1960:
Honors
American champion 3-year-old filly (1960)
Assessments
Highweighted at 130 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old fillies of 1960, 8 pounds above second-rated Make Sail.
As an individual
A brown mare, Berlo stood 16.2 hands at the end of her 3-year-old season and was robustly built with plenty of substance, though her feet tended to be thin-walled and her back was rather long. She had strong loins, a long pelvis, and wide, powerful hindquarters. Her shoulder was well-angled and her hind leg was straight. She was businesslike on the track but had a boisterous temperament around the barn.
As a producer
Berlo produced three named foals. Her only foal to start was stakes-placed Odd Dancer (by Native Dancer).
Connections
Foaled at Walnut Hill Farm in Virginia, Berlo was bred and owned by William duPont Jr., who raced her in the name of his Foxcatcher Farm. She was trained by Richard "Dick" Handlen at 2 and 3 and by Ed Christmas at 4, with Handlen continuing in an advisory capacity. Berlo was retired to her owner's broodmare band, but at the February 1966 dispersal following his death, was sold to his son John duPont for US$235,000. Berlo was exported to Chile in 1974 after having not produced a foal since 1967.
Pedigree notes
Berlo is inbred 3x5 to 1910 St. Leger Stakes winner and 1923 English champion sire Swynford. She was one of only two foals produced from 1951 Selima Stakes runner-up Faberose, whose sire Rosemont defeated Seabiscuit for the 1937 Santa Anita Handicap.
Produced from 1941 Selima Stakes winner Ficklebush (by Blenheim II), Faberose is a half sister to Farmelo (by Heliopolis), dam of stakes winners Pickmelo (by Bobs Pick), Buper Duper (by Bupers) and Virginia James (by Roman Line). Ficklebush, in turn, is out of Fluton (by Dis Donc), whose dam Flutter is closely related to the great Equipoise as both are by Pennant out of daughters of Balancoire II.
Books and media
Berlo is profiled in Chapter 9 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).
Fun facts
Last updated: November 9, 2020
Race record
14 starts, 8 wins, 0 seconds, 2 thirds, US$208,186
1960:
- Won Beldame Stakes (USA, 9FD, Belmont)
- Won Coaching Club American Oaks (USA, 10FD, Belmont)
- Won Gazelle Handicap (first division) (USA, 8FD, Belmont)
- Won Ladies Handicap (USA, 12FD, Belmont)
- Won Mother Goose Stakes (USA, 9FD, Belmont)
- 3rd Delaware Oaks (USA, 9FD, Delaware)
Honors
American champion 3-year-old filly (1960)
Assessments
Highweighted at 130 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old fillies of 1960, 8 pounds above second-rated Make Sail.
As an individual
A brown mare, Berlo stood 16.2 hands at the end of her 3-year-old season and was robustly built with plenty of substance, though her feet tended to be thin-walled and her back was rather long. She had strong loins, a long pelvis, and wide, powerful hindquarters. Her shoulder was well-angled and her hind leg was straight. She was businesslike on the track but had a boisterous temperament around the barn.
As a producer
Berlo produced three named foals. Her only foal to start was stakes-placed Odd Dancer (by Native Dancer).
Connections
Foaled at Walnut Hill Farm in Virginia, Berlo was bred and owned by William duPont Jr., who raced her in the name of his Foxcatcher Farm. She was trained by Richard "Dick" Handlen at 2 and 3 and by Ed Christmas at 4, with Handlen continuing in an advisory capacity. Berlo was retired to her owner's broodmare band, but at the February 1966 dispersal following his death, was sold to his son John duPont for US$235,000. Berlo was exported to Chile in 1974 after having not produced a foal since 1967.
Pedigree notes
Berlo is inbred 3x5 to 1910 St. Leger Stakes winner and 1923 English champion sire Swynford. She was one of only two foals produced from 1951 Selima Stakes runner-up Faberose, whose sire Rosemont defeated Seabiscuit for the 1937 Santa Anita Handicap.
Produced from 1941 Selima Stakes winner Ficklebush (by Blenheim II), Faberose is a half sister to Farmelo (by Heliopolis), dam of stakes winners Pickmelo (by Bobs Pick), Buper Duper (by Bupers) and Virginia James (by Roman Line). Ficklebush, in turn, is out of Fluton (by Dis Donc), whose dam Flutter is closely related to the great Equipoise as both are by Pennant out of daughters of Balancoire II.
Books and media
Berlo is profiled in Chapter 9 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).
Fun facts
- Berlo's price of US$235,000 at the duPont dispersal held at Pimlico in February 1966 more than quadrupled the previous price for a broodmare sold at public auction in the state of Maryland.
- The Berlo Handicap was a stakes race at Aqueduct.
Last updated: November 9, 2020