Horse Racing: A Dark Horse That Saw the Light
Written by playerpress.com, Friday March 27 2009
There are few sure things in life and handicappers know that better than anyone. Still, going into the 1992 Kentucky Derby only one horse was mentioned when the talk turned to who would make the winning run for the roses. Rules of thumb are often hard to beat and this race was no exception.
The heavily favored European import Arazi not only didn’t get the smell the roses, he finished out of the money in eighth place. The upset winner was Lil E. Tee. Unfortunately, in the short term Lil E. Tee never got the recognition deserved. Instead of focusing on the upset winner, most coverage revolved around the disappointing favorite who ran eighth.
In the long term health issues that plagued the thoroughbred throughout his career finally led to the euthanasia of the Derby winner. On March 18 having fallen ill while trying to recover from an operation for an obstructed bowel, Jim Plemmons, owner of the Old Frankfort Stud, the farm where Lil E. Tee lived made the painful decision to put the steed down. Plemmons said the horse was losing its equilibrium and no one wanted to see it suffer further.
Lil E. Tee had spent much of his life in the hands of veterinary surgeons. He was purchased as a yearling coming off of stomach surgery that greatly diminished his prospects as a racer. W. Cal Partee took a leap of faith and purchased Lil E. Tee and felt he had something special when the horse won its maiden race. Lil E. Tee was sent to trainer Lynn Whiting at Churchill Downs and under the trainer’s tutelage won the Jim Beam Stakes and finished second in the Arkansas Derby. Both finishes qualified Lil E. Tee for a spot in the Kentucky Derby field.
Whiting was fond of the horse and mentioned how his name created a misconception. People expected a small horse, but Lil E. Tee was the full package. How much of a real deal was further confirmed by his Derby performance.
With jockey Patrick Day aboard Lil E. Tee watched Arazi take the first turn in what appeared to be his victory romp. Lil E. Tee’s bloodlines, he was sired by At The Threshold who had finished third in the 1984 Derby kicked in and he passed Arazi and then chased down Casual Lies and Dance Floor to take the lead.
Lil E. Tee had a lazy streak, so Day kept the pressure on his mount to make certain that no one bested him. The 17-1 horse came in first place and secured the Hall of Fame jockey his only Derby win. However, the Triple Crown promise was removed when they finished fifth at the Preakness. Health issues arose again and Lil E. Tee was scratched from the Belmont due to a lung infection.
As a four year old he won the Razorback Handicap before retiring with seven wins in 13 races. He spent his retirement days at Old Frankfort Stud and sired Oak Tree Derby winner Mula Gula among others. Day had the chance to see Lil E. Tee in 2008 and noted that he continued to maintain his playful nature and was still the showman he had been when healthy enough to compete and upset a heavy favorite.
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