Fifty years ago this Saturday, the great Kelso stepped onto the historic Saratoga Race Course oval and delivered one of his many signature performances in the Whitney Handicap. It was Aug. 3, 1963, and Saratoga was celebrating the 100th anniversary of the inaugural race meeting that ushered in a lasting legacy of thoroughbred excellence in the Spa City.

There was no better way to celebrate Saratoga's racing centennial than to have one of the all-time legends of the sport turn in a masterpiece effort. Kelso always delivered — and this day was no different. Just as he did two years before, Kelso dazzled in his Whitney run. For good measure, Kelso came back to win the Whitney in 1965 as an 8-year-old. He was truly one of a kind.

Baseball legend Lou Gehrig was nicknamed the "Iron Horse" because of his durability, greatness and longevity. If the same moniker were to be applied to an equine athlete there would be no more appropriate recipient than Kelso.

Simply put, no other runner in the annals of thoroughbred racing remained at the pinnacle of the sport as long as Kelso. With the reality of today's economic climate, most standout thoroughbreds are rushed off to the breeding shed after their 3-year-old campaign to chase potential big dollars in the stud game. Kelso, being a gelding, was given the opportunity to make his mark on the track year after year.

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