|
Table Run...
In 1971, Dr. John Furukawa, a Sunnyside dentist, ventured to
Kentucky for the Keeneland January Mixed Sale. In the name of his
Riverview Farms, he purchased a newly turned yearling colt for $39,000.
The colt, who was later christened Table Run, was sired by 1958 horse of
the year and outstanding turf runner Round Table out of the young Fleet
Nasrullah mare Theonia. A winner of four races and $24,475, Theonia was
a half-sister to Santa Anita Derby winner Ruken. In later years, four of
her sons would stand stud in Washington: Longacres Mile-G3 winner
Theologist, by Prince John; Drumheller Memorial Handicap winner Noholme
Way, by *Noholme II; winner Grits and Gravy, by Olden Times; and Table
Run.
After placing in his first race, a maiden special weight at Bay Meadows,
Table Run reeled off two wins at Santa Anita in allowance company. He
next finished second to Sham in a February allowance, also at Santa
Anita. This was, after all, the same crop that produced 1973 Triple
Crown hero Secretariat. After a fifth to stellar performer Linda’s
Chief, Table Run traveled north to Longacres where he won an allowance
race on August 11. Sent into the Longacres Derby as the .35-to-one
favorite and 123 race highweight, Table Run outclassed his rivals to win
by nine lengths and came within two-fifths of a second of equaling the
track record. After a three-length victory against older horses in the
Seattle Handicap, the Bill McMeans trainee was named horse of the meet.
Sent back to California, Table Run went wire-to-wire to take the Hayward
Stakes in what proved to be his final victory. He ended the season with
a second in Santa Anita’s Alibhai Handicap and was retired after one
start in 1974.
Among the mares booked to Table Run that initial season who would later
produce stakes winners in that first crop were Ocean Monarch, System
Lady and Miss Holanda.
Table Run would lead the state sire ranks in 1980, 1981 and 1989. Before
his death in March of 1989, he would sire additional state champions Run
Away Stevie, Sneakin Jake, Lady Marion, A Little Bit Tipsy, Crystal Run,
Table Express, Got You Runnin, Miss Ebony and 1979 Washington horse of
the year and multiple grade two stakes winner Table Hands. |
