Railbirds’ dreams come true: A race for the ages

Saturday, May 5, 2007 | 7:01 a.m.

What if it were possible to assemble the greatest thoroughbreds of all time, load them into a starting gate on Wilbur Post's back 40 and turn them loose?

Railbirds would trade a month's supply of cheap cigars to witness such a race. But thanks to Horse Racing Fantasy, a computer game/simulation designed by a historian of the sport, Gary J. Darveaux, it's possible to determine what might happen if the great champions from throughout history competed against one another.

The program uses more than 30 factors and variables, including the horses' speed and stamina, the racetrack, the track condition, the early pace and even racing luck to determine an outcome.

So because we don't believe Charlsie Cantey should have all the fun, here's what we did:

We took Blood-Horse magazine's Top 20 thoroughbreds of all time, loaded them into the Horse Racing Fantasy program, made a big pitcher of mint juleps, put on a funky hat and staged the mother of all Kentucky Derbies.

The post positions and betting odds - yes, the game even allows you to wager - were as follows: Cigar (78-to-1), Native Dancer (15-1), Seattle Slew (19-1), Buckpasser (21-1), Kelso (39-1), Secretariat (5-1), Man O' War (5-1), Spectacular Bid (18-1), Citation (5-1), Swaps (26-1), Affirmed (16-1), Round Table (45-1), Tom Fool (16-1), War Admiral (19-1), Bold Ruler (19-1), Dr. Fager (28-1), Count Fleet (9-1), Damascus (14-1), Forego (28-1) and Colin (35-1).

The call to post and they're off!

After two furlongs, it's Dr. Fager, the 1968 horse of the year, by two lengths , followed by 1977 Triple Crown champion Seattle Slew and 1955 Derby winner Swaps, two more horses who liked to run out front. Then it's a short length back to Count Fleet, Spectacular Bid and Bold Ruler. Dr. Fager's pace for the first quarter-mile is a quick 22.39.

As the field pounds through the first turn, it's still Dr. Fager running a half-length in front of Count Fleet, the 1943 Triple Crown winner. They've opened a four-length gap on Spectacular Bid and Swaps, with Seattle Slew and War Admiral staying with the pace.

As they head down the backstretch, Count Fleet sticks his nose in front of Dr. Fager to take the lead. They begin to break away from 1957 Eclipse Award winner Bold Ruler and Spectacular Bid, running third and fourth, 6 1/2-lengths off the pace. Then its Swaps and Seattle Slew, holding steady.

Heading for the clubhouse turn, the first five hold their positions, with War Admiral overhauling Seattle Slew for sixth, 5 1/4-lengths off the lead. But as they reach the quarter pole, the cream begins to rise to the top with Citation and Secretariat looking for racing room.

AND DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME!

With Count Fleet and Dr. Fager having shot their bolt, it's now anybody's horse race. Citation, the great 1948 Triple Crown champ, charges up the rail to take the lead as the field pounds toward the wire. But here comes Secretariat, charging from between horses down the middle of the track.

Can Citation hold off Secretariat, which Blood-Horse ranks as the second-greatest thoroughbred off all-time, just behind Man O' War?

No, he can't.

As they thunder past the twin spires it's Ron Turcotte and Secretariat, followed by Eddie Arcaro and Citation less than a length behind and then Native Dancer, whose only loss in 23 lifetime starts was in the 1953 Derby.

The money horses are followed by Seattle Slew, the legendary Man O' War (whose victory bid was thwarted by a series of bumps during the stretch run) and War Admiral, a Man O' War offspring. Only 4 1/2 lengths separated the first six finishers , with Secretariat winning with a blistering trip of 1:59.38 - just a tick off his real-life record-setting time of 1:59 2/5 set in 1973.

Afterward, I poured myself another julep and imagined Jack Whitaker pontificating about the Cyber Preakness just around the corner.

For more information on Horse Racing Fantasy, click on www.horseracegame.com.