“Bernard Baruch’s 2-year-old filly, Watch Her, unseated her rider at the post in the Coy Maid Purse at Belmont Park yesterday, and ran away for a total of more than four miles. Her running came to an end when she plunged through a hedge.
Recaptured and led another mile back to the post, the filly at last was lined up on the outside in a field of nine, after thirty minutes had been spent at the post.
At the break she charged to the front, dominated her field, and won easily by a length and a half in what was considered one of the most remarkable performances of a race horse in years.
Interest in the occurrence was accentuated by the fact that Watch Her was a 6-to-5 choice when she went to the post for the four and one-half furlong sprint. After she had covered the extra five miles, she was 20 to 1 to be third in several books on the lawn.
One clubhouse commissioner made a new book while the filly was being led back and posted Watch Her at 10 to 1, and Miss Merriment, which had previously ruled second choice at 11 to 5, a new favorite at 3 to 5.
There were many who bet on Miss Merriment to save wagers made earlier on Watch Her. Others were able to cancel bets on a compromise basis, but there was not one person who made himself known, who was willing to take the prices offered in the revised line.
Miss Merriment ran second in the race, leading Guiding Light by three lengths. The time was 0:52 3-5 for the four and a half furlongs, a second slower than Orissa’s track record. In the paddock after the running was over, Watch Her seemed none the worse for her double effort.”
(Bryan Field / The New York Times, 06/16/1933)
The New York Times, 06/16/1933
