A Day at the Races Trivia Quiz

Answer: Royal Ascot Opening Day

"My Fair Lady" features a day spent at Ascot Racecourse by Eliza and Professor Higgins - and throngs of others. Many of the characters at the races sing "Ascot Opening Day", for a memorable scene.

The racecourse is to be found in the town of Ascot, in Berkshire, England.
Established in 1711, it has both flat racing and steeplechase.

Answer: He was facing backwards when the race started

Thoroughbreds are high-strung and often skittish at the beginning of a race (they know what's going to happen). In the earlier days of racing, they didn't have starting gates. Instead, the horses were lined up in back of a line or rope, which was dropped when the starter gave the signal. That day, Man-O-War was dancing around in anticipation and was facing the wrong way when the race started.

By the time he was turned around, the others were already racing away. The winner of that race was Upset, giving a new word for a situation in the sports world.

Answer: The Marx Brothers

In this hilarious movie, "Dr" Groucho goes from caring for race horses to caring for patients in a psycho ward. As in other Marx Brothers films, a favorite foil is Margaret Dumont, a proper lady, who is much put upon by the actions of the Marx boys.

Answer: Longacres

Patrons of this beautiful racetrack were afforded a striking view of Mt. Rainier. Adding to the beauty were tall, graceful poplar trees planted
along the far turn, and flower pots for the crowds to admire. The beautiful grandstand and grounds were designed by B. Marcus Priteca, his designs paid homage to Longchamps in France.

Longacres was founded in 1933 shortly after betting on races became legal in the state. In Sept. 1992, after 59 years of racing, the track was sold to Boeing and closed.

An exciting day at the races here occurred in 1977 when the great horse Seattle Slew, undefeated Triple Crown Winner, ran to support cancer research.

Answer: Hard Tack

Hard Tack in turn, having been named for his sire, Man-o-War.

Seabiscuit was foaled in 1933, a small horse who raced in 35 races as a two year old, not doing too well. As a three year old he was running in cheap races. But then he was "discovered" by Tom Smith, a talented trainer who
was training for Charles S. Howard, always on the lookout for horses with promise. Under Smith's training, the colt began to show his potential. So much
so that he was named a top 10 important newsmaker in a list by Walter Winchell, for the year 1938. He was also named Horse of the Year for 1938.

He won many great races including a match race with War Admiral and his owner's most coveted race, The Santa Anita Handicap in 1940.

After Seabiscuit's death in 1947, he continues to be awarded many honors, including a 2009 United States postage stamp (a stamped envelope).

Answer: A bacterial stomach illness

After his last successful race in Mexico, he suffered a sudden illness, and died in California. Some people suspect foul play, but the cause was not discovered with certainty for many years. Some believe that he died of arsenic poisoning.

He has been the recipient of many honors, including a very sad movie about his
life and death, "Phar Lap".

Answer: Secretariat

Foaled March 30, 1970 in Virginia, Secretariat died in October of 1989.

In winning the Triple Crown in 1973, he set two track records and one world record. The win at Belmont thrust him into racing history as one of the greatest racehorses ever.

Like Man-O-War before him, he was known as "Big Red", both for their size and color.

Answer: Throwing herself under the feet of King George V's horse

Davison was fatally injured in this incident at Tattenham Corner, but both horse, Anmer, and rider Herbert Jones escaped with only minor injuries, although both ended up on the ground.

Davison believed that anything could be suffered for the "Votes for Women" cause. She had previously been in prison several times for her efforts, but seemingly nothing could stop her. She died four days later, always having felt that it would be worth it if her deeds and beliefs were remembered. And so they are.

Answer: Barbaro

Broken bones suffered in the Preakness ended the career and eventually the life of Barbaro.

Surgeons valiantly tried to prolong his life after the accident, which occurred in May 2006, and were somewhat successful until January 2007. The trouble was a condition called laminitis, which occurs when a horse cannot put his weight on all four feet. Laminitis first occurred in his injured hind leg and was dealt with, but by January 2007, it was found in both front legs. His owners made the decision to euthanize Barbaro in order to spare him further pain. Although the efforts to save Barbaro eventually failed, the process of his care and treatment has contributed to equine veterinary research.

Answer: "Let it ride"

In a very funny film from 1989, Richard Dreyfuss plays an ordinary guy who goes to the track for "A Day at the Races" and it is his day. He can't seem to lose as long as he keeps telling the window to "Let it Ride". The winnings just pour in, but can it last? This movie was filmed at beautiful Hialeah Race
Course in Florida.