Go for Wand

Go for Wand (April 6, 1987-October 27, 1990) was a champion American thoroughbred racehorse.

Related Topics:
April 6 - 1987 - October 27 - 1990 - American - Thoroughbred - Racehorse

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sired by Deputy Minister, Go for Wand was foaled and raised at Claiborne Farm. She was a rising star of racehorses, particularly fillies. As a two-year-old, she had a record of three-for-four before winning the 1989 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. As a three-year-old she was seven-for-nine.

Related Topics:
Claiborne Farm - Fillies - 1989 - Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In a highly anticipated match against the Argentinian mare Bayakoa, she broke down in the 1990 Breeders' Cup Distaff at the sixteenth pole, shattering her right ankle. She fell to the track and threw her jockey, Randy Romero, before rising to try and finish the race. Track personnel were able to get her back down and she was euthanized on the track. The next day, she was buried in the infield at Saratoga.

Related Topics:
Argentinian - Mare - Bayakoa - 1990 - Breeders' Cup Distaff - Saratoga

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The tragedy unfolded on NBC on live television, and painfully reminded viewers of Ruffian, another promising filly whose life ended in tragedy on the track.

Related Topics:
NBC - Ruffian

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1992, The Maskette, a Grade One handicapped race for fillies and mares, was renamed the "Go for Wand Handicap" in her memory.

Related Topics:
1992 - The Maskette

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

She is listed as #72 by Blood Horse on their list of top 100 U.S. thoroughbred champions of the 20th Century and in 1996 was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

Related Topics:
Blood Horse - Top 100 U.S. thoroughbred champions of the 20th Century - National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As part of the "Thoroughbred Legends" series, in 2000, author Bill Heller published a book about the filly titled "Go For Wand." - Eclipse Press (ISBN 1581500467)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~