Big Spruce (1969–2001) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. An outstanding middle to longer distance runner on both dirt and grass, Thoroughbred Times called Big Spruce "one of North America's leading runners in the early 1970s."[1]
Racing career
Big Spruce won races in New York and California, including two Grade 1 events. As a three-year-old, he won the 1972 Lexington Handicap at Belmont Park then in 1973, he deafeted future U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Cougar II to win the San Luis Rey Handicap at Santa Anita Park [2] and captured the first of his two consecutive editions of the Gallant Fox Handicap at Belmont Park. He ran second to Secretariat in the U.S. Triple Crown Champion's last race, the Canadian International at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. That same year he also finished second to the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame filly, Dahlia in the Washington, D.C. International at Laurel Park in Maryland and in 1974, finished second to Dahlia again in the Canadian International. In 1974, Big Spruce won his second ofstraight Gallant Fox Handicap as well as the Grade Ones Governor Stakes and defeated the great Forego to win the Marlboro Cup Invitational Handicap at Belmont Park.[3]
Stud record
Retired to stud duty for the 1975 season, Big Spruce sired forty-three stakes race winners including Acaroid, whose wins include United Nations and Manhattan Handicaps, multiple stakes winners Berry Bush and Catatonic, and millionaire runner Super Moment who won three consecutive editions of the Bay Meadows Handicap.
Big Spruce was retired from stud duties in 1997. Due to the infirmities of old age, on December 28, 2001 he was humanely euthanized at Gainesway Farm where he had stood throughout his stud career.
