Two Bob (1933–1953) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Although she was successful on the racetrack, winning the Kentucky Oaks as a three-year-old and finishing second or third in several other stakes races, Two Bob's primary legacy was as a broodmare, producing three stakes winners and becoming an important foundation mare.

Two Bob
BreedThoroughbred
SireThe Porter
GrandsireSweep
DamBlessings
DamsireChicle
SexMare
Foaled1933
Died1953
CountryUnited States
ColourChestnut
BreederCornelius Vanderbilt Whitney
OwnerCornelius Vanderbilt Whitney (to 1939)
Mrs. Emil Denemark (1939–1940)
Calumet Farm (from 1940)
TrainerJames W. Healy
Record94: 12-14-16
Earnings$22,170
Major wins
Kentucky Oaks (1936)
Last updated on June 5, 2018

Racing career

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Two Bob began her racing career racing for owner Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney and was trained by James W. Healy. She started 23 times at age two and raced predominantly in claiming races.[1] At age three, she finished third in the Christmas Handicap at Tropical Park and won the Kentucky Oaks.[2] In the Kentucky Oaks, she was sent off as the 2.20-1 favorite against 11 other rivals. Two Bob broke well at the start and stalked the pace set by Marica and Dora May, taking the lead in the stretch and drawing away to win the race by four lengths over Threadneedle in a final time of 1:52 35 over a fast track. Her connections earned $4,625 for the win.[1][3]

Two Bob continued to race after her Oaks win, but did not win any more races for Whitney. She was claimed in 1939 for $4,500 and finished her racing career for Mrs. Emil Denemark, including a win in the 1939 Royal Palm Handicap. Following her racing career, she was sold to Warren Wright of Calumet Farm.[1]

Retirement

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Two Bob produced seven foals as a broodmare, all of which were winners on the racetrack. Three of her foals, all fillies sired by Bull Lea, became stakes winners and later notable broodmares themselves.

Her first foal, Twosy, won three stakes races at ages two, four and five.[4] Through Twosy, Two Bob is the direct female-line ancestor of champions Chris Evert, Chief's Crown, and Winning Colors.[2][5]

Two Bob's 1946 foal, Two Lea, went on to become the co-champion three-year-old filly of 1949 (alongside Wistful) and the champion older female in 1950, and was inducted into the United States Racing Hall of Fame in 1981. She won 15 of her 26 races, including the Arcadia Handicap, Santa Margarita Handicap, and the Hollywood Gold Cup, which she won following a 22-month layoff due to leg problems.[6][7][8][9] Two Lea later became the dam of 1958 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Tim Tam and multiple stakes winner and sire On-and-On.[2]

The final of Two Bob's three stakes-winning daughters, Miz Clementine, won 11 stakes races during her racing career. In the 1955 Santa Anita Maturity, she defeated 1954 Kentucky Derby winner Determine but was disqualified. As a broodmare, she became the second dam of the sire Best Turn.[2]

Death

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Two Bob died in 1953 after foaling a colt by Bull Lea, who was placed on a nurse mare.[2] She was buried at Calumet Farm.[10]

Pedigree

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Pedigree of Two Bob, chestnut mare, foaled 1933[11]
Sire
The Porter
bay 1915
Sweep
br. 1907
Ben Brush
b. 1893
Bramble
Roseville
Pink Domino
br. 1897
Domino
Belle Rose
Ballet Girl
ch. 1906
St. Leonards
b. 1890
St. Blaise
Belladonna
Cerito
ch. 1888
Lowland Chief
Merry Dance
Dam
Blessings
bay 1925
Chicle
b. 1913
Spearmint
b. 1903
Carbine
Maid of the Mint
Lady Hamburg II
br. 1908
Hamburg
Lady Frivoles
Mission Bells
b. 1919
Friar Rock
ch. 1913
Rock Sand
Fairy Gold
Sanctuary
b. 1911
Broomstick
Vespers (Family 23-b)

References

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  1. ^ a b c "The Lineage That Led to Eskimo Kisses". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 2018-06-05.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Two Bob". American Classic Pedigrees. Retrieved 2018-06-05.
  3. ^ "Kentucky Oaks 1875–2011" (PDF). kentuckyderby.com. May 4, 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  4. ^ "Kentucky Oaks winners: The top 10 broodmares | Daily Racing Form". www.drf.com. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
  5. ^ "Chris Evert (horse)". American Classic Pedigrees. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
  6. ^ "American Champion Three Year Old Female". www.tbheritage.com. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
  7. ^ "American Champion Older Female". www.tbheritage.com. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
  8. ^ "Two Lea | National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame". www.racingmuseum.org. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
  9. ^ Heritage, Patricia Erigero Thoroughbred. "23 Piping Peg's Dam". www.tbheritage.com. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
  10. ^ "Grave Matters Thoroughbreds". www.tbheritage.com. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
  11. ^ "Two Bob pedigree". Equineline. Retrieved June 5, 2018.