Speedy Scot - 1963
The Hambletonian and world trotting mark was lowered nearly a full second in 1963, but not by eventual winner, Speedy Scot. Florlis, his season-long arch rival, upset both Speedy Scot and the experts with an amazing 1:57 3 opening heat victory that left the Hambletonian outcome strictly in doubt. But, in the final analysis, Speedy Scot, one of the great trotters of all time, prevailed in a world-record setting three heat battle closed off with final miles in 1:58 and 1:58.2. Bred and owned by Castleton Farm of Lexington, Ky., Speedy Scot entered the race as the prohibitive favorite. After the first heat loss where Speedy Scot was forced to go three wide in the final turn, the burly Speedster colt responded in the next two trips with nearly perfect miles, earning him the silver. Speedy Scot and Florlis were clearly the best of this field, which also included Elma, future dam of former record holder Japa, 3, 1:56.3, and Texas, second in the 1977 Hambletonian.
Race conditions were changed to require eliminations if the number of entries created more than two tiers of starters (21 or more). It was rumored that Speedy Scot had been withheld from the Castleton yearling consignment because he was awakward and an "ugly ducking." In fact, Speedy Scot was retained by Castleton, simply because the breeding farm wanted to keep one colt and one filly from Speedster's second crop. Speedy Scot became the second horse to win the Triple Crown of Trotting and went on to be one of the greatest free-for-allers of all time. Castleton Farm (Frances Dodge Van Lennep and her husband Fred) became the first breeder/owner of a Triple Crown winner. Speedy Scot was voted Three-Year-Old Trotter of the Year. Florlis won the first heat in 1:57.3, a world record for three-year-olds.
