BY BROCK SHERIDAN
JANUARY 18, 1969—On her way to being named the champion sprinter of 1969, Florida-bred Ta Wee won the second division of the $27,050 Jasmine Stakes against 11 rivals at Hialeah in her first start of the year. Ridden to victory by John Rotz, the half-sister to Dr. Fager led from the start through fractions of :22 1/5, :45 1/5 before drawing off in the stretch to win by three lengths “with complete authority” according to the Daily Racing Form chart.
She finished the six furlongs in 1:10 2/5 on the fast track, defeating Spring Sunshine in second with Imbibe third.
Ta Wee paid $8.80 to win.
Owned and bred in Florida by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co. chairman William L. McKnight under his Tartan Stable banner, Ta Wee was trained by John A. Nerud, who named her for the Sioux words meaning “Beautiful Girl.”
By Intentionally out of Aspidistra, by Better Self, Ta Wee suffered her only loss of 1969 in her next start when third in the Mimosa Stakes at Hialeah before rattling off eight straight stakes victories, seven of which were in 1969. In her last start of the year, Ta Wee defeated older males while carrying the top weight of 123 pounds in the $58,000 Vosburgh Handicap, defeating Plucky Lucky and Rising Market, who finished in a dead heat for second.
Also named champion sprinter in 1970, Ta Wee retired to broodmare duties, producing five winners from five foals, including Great Above, sire of Holy Bull.
Return to the January 18 issue of Wire to Wire
