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Vertex (USA)

April 16, 1954 – 1981

The Rhymer (USA) x Kanace (USA), by Case Ace (USA)

Family 14-a

​A magnificent physical specimen, Vertex had the misfortune to be born into one of the vintage crops of American racing but proved consistent, fast, and courageous with ability just below the best of his generation at his full maturity. In spite of having a very weak tail-female line, he was a useful stallion who succeeded in extending the male line of St. Germans through his Kentucky Derby-winning son Lucky Debonair.


Race record

25 starts, 17 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third, US$453,424

1957:
  • Won Boardwalk Handicap (USA, 9FD, Atlantic City)
  • Won Choice Stakes (USA, 9FD, Monmouth)
  • 2nd Roamer Handicap (USA, 9.5FD, Jamaica)
  • 2nd Ventnor Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Atlantic City)
  • 2nd Select Handicap (USA, 6FD, Monmouth)

1958:
  • Won Trenton Handicap (USA, 10FD, Garden State)
  • Won Idlewild Handicap (USA, 9FD, Jamaica)
  • Won Pimlico Special (USA, 9.5FD, Pimlico)

1959:
  • Won John B. Campbell Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Bowie)
  • Won Gulfstream Park Handicap (USA, 10FD, Gulfstream Park)
  • Won Grey Leg Handicap (USA, 9FD, Jamaica)
  • Won Camden Handicap (USA, 9FD, Garden State)


Honors

Inducted into the Maryland Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame in its inaugural class in 2013.


Assessments

Ranked 6th among American older males of 1958 and 3rd among American older males of 1959 by The Blood-Horse.

Weighted at 118 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1957, 12 pounds below divisional champion and highweight Bold Ruler.

Weighted at 121 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1958, 11 pounds below co-highweights Bold Ruler and Gallant Man and 10 pounds below official divisional champion Round Table.

Weighted at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1959, 4 pounds below co-highweights Hillsdale and Round Table (the official handicap division co-champion) and 6 pounds below Sword Dancer's weighting on the 3-year-old Free Handicap; Sword Dancer, besides honors as Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old male, was also co-champion handicap male.



As an individual

A lengthy, masculine chestnut standing 16.2 hands, Vertex was an excellent specimen of his breed and had a disposition as outstanding as his physique. On the track, he had natural speed that he could carry for 10 furlongs and was courageous and determined in action. He was said to have been highly intelligent and sociable. His racing career ended after he sustained fractured sesamoids while winning the 1959 Camden Handicap.


As a stallion

According to records maintained by The Jockey Club, Vertex sired 302 winners (64.9%) and 25 stakes winners (5.4%) from 465 named foals of racing age. He was a better sire of colts than fillies.


Notable progeny

Freetex (USA), Lucky Debonair (USA), Top Knight (USA), Tunex (USA), Vertee (USA)


Notable progeny of daughters

At the Threshold (USA), Guardameta G (MEX), La Borracha (VEN), Smart n Slick (USA)


Connections

Foaled in Maryland, Vertex was bred and owned by Frank A. Piarulli, who sold an interest in Vertex to Joseph Brunetti after the colt's sophomore season. The horse was trained by Frank Piarulli’s son, Joseph F. Piarulli. Vertex entered stud in Kentucky in 1960 at Danada Farm. He died in 1981 at Red Oak Farm in Florida and was buried at the farm.



Pedigree notes

Vertex’s pedigree is outcrossed through five generations. Produced from the winning Case Ace mare Kanace, he is a half brother to 1968 Lamplighter Handicap winner Jig Time (by Native Dancer). Kanace, in turn, is out of stakes-placed Kanlast (by 1928 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Kantar), a half sister to multiple stakes winner Cat Bridge (by Catalan).

Kanlast was produced from the unraced Light Brigade mare Last Light, whose dam Tuckahoe (by Sir Greysteel) is a non-winning full sister to the minor stakes winner Boscobel and a half sister to stakes-placed Rocket Glare (by Sky-Rocket), dam of the minor stakes winner Guy Fawkes (by Happy Time). The female line entered the United States through Tuckahoe’s dam Shireoaks, whose sire Volta was a good sprinter that won the July Cup and the Victoria Cup in England.



​Last updated: April 3, 2023

© 2014-2025 by Avalyn Hunter. All rights reserved. Contributors' materials remain the property of the copyright owners and are used by permission. For information regarding use or licensure of photographs, please contact the copyright holder.

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