Editing Count Fleet (section)

===1943: three-year-old season===

Because of the intensifying war effort, horse racing suffered many cutbacks starting in January 1943, including transportation restrictions and a shutdown of the Florida racing circuit.<ref>{{cite web|title=FLORIDA HORSEMEN IN NEED TO GET AID; Survey to Begin Immediately at Hialeah Park to Help Those Stranded There|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1943/01/27/archives/florida-horsemen-in-need-to-get-aid-survey-to-begin-immediately-at.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=19 October 2017|date=1943}}</ref> As a result, Count Fleet spent the winter at [[Oaklawn Park]] in Arkansas,<ref>{{cite web|title=Ocean Wave Among 49 Named as Eligible for Preakness; COUNT FLEET STILL OUT But Supplementary Entry Is Anticipated |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1943/03/02/archives/ocean-wave-among-49-named-as-eligible-for-preakness-six-boeing.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=19 October 2017|date=2 March 1943}}</ref> then was shipped to Belmont Park, arriving on March 19.<ref>{{cite web|title=COUNT FLEET, FIT, REACHES BELMONT; Derby Favorite Arrives With 14 Other Hertz Thoroughbreds From Arkansas |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1943/03/20/archives/count-fleet-fit-reaches-belmont-derby-favorite-arrives-with-14.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=19 October 2017|date=20 March 1943}}</ref> In early April, he kicked himself in a morning workout but shrugged off the injury with a strong workout on the following day, completing {{frac|1|1|8}} miles in 1:55 despite being eased in the final eighth of a mile.<ref>{{cite web|title=COUNT FLEET SHOWS SPEED IN WORKOUT; Kentucky Derby Favorite Goes Mile and Furlong in 1:55 at Belmont Park|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1943/04/04/archives/count-fleet-shows-speed-in-workout-kentucky-derby-favorite-goes.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=19 October 2017|date=4 April 1943}}</ref>

Count Fleet made his first start of the year on April 13 in the St James Purse over a sloppy track at Aqueduct. Going off at odds of 3:20, Count Fleet rated behind the early pace set by Bossuet, then started his move on the final turn to win by four lengths.<ref>{{cite web|title=Count Fleet Victor by Four Lengths at Jamaica; 16,193 SEE FAVORITE ANNEX WOOD TRIAL Count Fleet, Kentucky Derby Choice, Catches Bossuet to Win Easily at Jamaica |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1943/04/14/archives/count-fleet-victor-by-four-lengths-at-jamaica-16193-see-favorite.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=19 October 2017|date=14 April 1943}}</ref> Count Fleet was injured in the left foreleg during the race, but although the skin was broken he recovered quickly.<ref>{{cite web|title=COUNT FLEET INJURY HEALS; Derby Favorite Cut in Foreleg in Jamaica Race Tuesday|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1943/04/16/archives/count-fleet-injury-heals-derby-favorite-cut-in-foreleg-in-jamaica.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=19 October 2017|date=16 April 1943}}</ref>

On April 17, Count Fleet returned in the [[Wood Memorial Stakes]], going off as the 1-4 favorite. He was again injured, this time suffering a three-inch slice along the coronet band of a hoof, possibly caused when he was bumped at the start but more likely by a strike from one of his other legs as he started to accelerate. Count Fleet quickly entered into a duel with Blue Swords for the early lead, then was sent to the front on the first turn. He opened up a four length lead down the backstretch, then continued "serenely on his way" to victory.<ref>{{cite web|title=COUNT FLEET, 1-4, FIRST BY 4 LENGTHS IN WOOD MEMORIAL; Defeats Blue Swords Despite Cut Foot -- Leaves Jamaica for Derby Tomorrow VICTORY IS WORTH $20,150 Apache and Riverland Equal Sprint Mark in Dead Heat -- 24,074 Bet $1,632,136 COUNT FLEET FIRST IN WOOD MEMORIAL|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1943/04/18/archives/count-fleet-14-first-by-4-lengths-in-wood-memorial-defeats-blue.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=19 October 2017|date=18 April 1943}}</ref>

After the race, the torn portion and part of the left hind hoof were removed, then the wound was packed with [[sulfa drugs]]. Fortunately, the wound did not become infected so Count Fleet was shipped on April 19 to Churchill Downs, which had to be done so soon after the Wood Memorial due to extensive travel restrictions.<ref>{{cite web|title=COUNT FLEET GUARDED FROM FOOT INFECTION; Leaves for Louisville Today if Injury Gets No Worse|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1943/04/19/archives/count-fleet-guarded-from-foot-infection-leaves-for-louisville-today.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=20 October 2017|date=19 April 1943}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Count Fleet Departs for Derby as Hoof Injury Responds to Treatment|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1943/04/20/archives/count-fleet-departs-for-derby-as-hoof-injury-responds-to-treatment.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=20 October 2017|date=20 April 1943}}</ref>

====Triple Crown====
The [[1943 Kentucky Derby]] was almost not run because of wartime restrictions, but Colonel Matt Winn organized it as a "street-car Derby" – restricting travel for out-of-state residents and not allowing cars be driven to the event. Despite this, some 60,000 people attended the race and made Count Fleet the 2-5 favorite – the shortest starting price in Derby history. Ocean Wave, who would have been the second betting choice after winning the Blue Grass Stakes and Derby Trial, was scratched hours before the race. Count Fleet broke well and challenged Gold Shower, Burnt Shower and Blue Swords for the early lead. After a quarter mile, Count Fleet found himself boxed by the other horses but broke free moving into the first turn. He then moved up to challenge Gold Shower for the lead on the first turn and opened up a two-length lead down the backstretch. On the far turn, Blue Swords mounted a challenge and closed to within a length. Longden then clucked to Count Fleet, who quickly opened a three-length advantage and won handily.<ref name="BloodHorseDerby">{{cite web|title=Derby Wins of Triple Crown Victors: Count Fleet|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/221170/derby-wins-of-triple-crown-victors-count-fleet|website=BloodHorse.com|access-date=24 October 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=60,000 AT CLASSIC; See Count Fleet Score by Three Lengths and Pay $2.80 to Win BLUE SWORDS IS SECOND Slide Rule Third in 'Street-Car Derby' -- $60,725 to Victor -- Ocean Wave Scratched SWEEPING AROUND THE FIRST TURN IN THE 'STREET-CAR' DERBY AT CHURCHILL DOWNS COUNT FLEET FIRST IN KENTUCKY DERBY|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1943/05/02/archives/60000-at-classic-see-count-fleet-score-by-three-lengths-and-pay-280.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=20 October 2017|date=2 May 1943}}</ref>

"I never was afraid of Ocean Wave or any of the others in that field", said Longden. "I don't know the great horses like Man o' War because I wasn't around then. But the Count is the greatest I've ever ridden. Got everything, speed, heart – just everything."<ref>{{cite web|title=LONGDEN PRAISES HIS WINNING MOUNT; ' Greatest I've Ever Ridden,' Says Count Fleet's Jockey -- First Derby Triumph SON SHARES HIS SUCCESS Vance Longden, 12 Years Old, Goes With Mr. and Mrs. Hertz to Presentation Stand|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1943/05/02/archives/longden-praises-his-winning-mount-greatest-ive-ever-ridden-says.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=20 October 2017|date=2 May 1943}}</ref>

Count Fleet again injured himself, this time in the left fore, but the injury was not serious.<ref>{{cite web|title=OFF FOR PIMLICO TODAY; Count Fleet Nicked Foot in Derby -- Injury Not Serious|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1943/05/02/archives/off-for-pimlico-today-count-fleet-nicked-foot-in-derby-injury-not.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=20 October 2017|date=2 May 1943}}</ref> He shipped to Baltimore for the [[Preakness Stakes]] on May 8, going off as the 3-20 favorite in a four horse field. New Moon broke fastest but Count Fleet quickly took the lead and coasted to an eight length victory. His time was 1:57{{frac|3|5}} for the distance of {{frac|1|3|16}} miles over a track labeled as good, with the horses racing in the center of the track well away from the rail.<ref>{{cite web|title=29,381 JAM PIMLICO; Count Fleet, First by 8 Lengths, Earns $43,190 for $202,260 Total|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1943/05/09/archives/29381-jam-pimlico-count-fleet-first-by-8-lengths-earns-43190-for.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=20 October 2017|date=9 May 1943}}</ref>

Count Fleet next entered the [[Withers Stakes]] at Belmont Park on May 22, cutting back in distance to a mile. Against only two rivals, he was made the 1-20 favorite. He seized the early lead and was never challenged while winning by eight lengths. His time of 1:36 over a slow track was the fastest mile of the meeting, despite the fact that Count Fleet raced more than 40 feet off the rail around the turn.<ref>{{cite web|title=COUNT FLEET, 1-20, FIRST BY 6 LENGTHS IN $17,200 WITHERS|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1943/05/23/archives/count-fleet-120-first-by-6-lengths-in-17200-withers-champion-races.html|website=The New York Times|date=23 May 1943}}</ref>

{{quote box
| quote =   "Count Fleet’s sophomore year was like a skyrocket flaring across the sky to reach its climax of blinding white, then suddenly blacking out.  Man o’ War and, in later years, Citation had somewhat the same effect on the sport.  But the shortness of this one, with complete dominance over racers of all ages and sex, is almost without parallel in the Thoroughbred annals."<ref name=DRFCementing/>
| source = ''— Sportswriter Robert Kelly''
| width = 18em
| align = right
| bgcolor = #ffef99
}}
On June 5, Count Fleet completed the [[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (United States)|Triple Crown]] by winning the [[1943 Belmont Stakes|Belmont Stakes]] by 25 lengths<ref name=HoF /> (listed by ''The New York Times'' as 30 lengths). Going off at odds of 1:20 (the legal minimum) in a three-horse field, he led from start to finish. Despite the lack of competition, his time of 2:28{{frac|1|5}} broke [[War Admiral]]'s stakes record by two-fifths of a second.<ref name=NYTBelmont /> This time stood as the stakes record (though tied by Citation in 1948) until broken by Gallant Man in 1957.<ref name="DRFCementing" /> His margin of victory was also a record until broken by Secretariat in 1973, who won by 31 lengths.<ref name=ACP />

After the race, his silks were auctioned for $50,000 in war bonds.<ref name=NYTBelmont />

At the time, his sweep of the Triple Crown was considered "commonplace" as it had been done six times since [[Sir Barton]] in 1919. However, the victory earned Count Fleet favorable comparisons with Man o' War.<ref name=NYTBelmont>{{cite web|title=COUNT FLEET FIRST BY THIRTY LENGTHS IN $50,090 BELMONT; 1-20 Favorite Clips Record for Race as He Earns $35,340 for $250,300 Total|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1943/06/06/archives/count-fleet-first-by-thirty-lengths-in-50090-belmont-120-favorite.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=20 October 2017|date=6 June 1943}}</ref>

Once again, Count Fleet injured himself, this time by striking his left fore ankle early in the race. The ankle was X-rayed, indicating a slight wrench.<ref>{{cite web|title=Triple Crown Heroes: Count Fleet|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/187761/triple-crown-heroes-count-fleet|website=BloodHorse.com|access-date=24 October 2017|language=en}}</ref> Although it was believed that Count Fleet would soon return to racing, John Hertz released a statement in August that Count Fleet had subsequently developed a splint in his right foreleg that laid him up for two months. This effectively ended his three-year-old campaign, since it would take a further two months to get him back into racing shape. "We like him too well," said Hertz, "and we like racing and breeding too well, to attempt to force the training of this kind of horse and possibly start him in anything but his top condition."<ref>{{cite web|title=Baby Dumpling Takes Belmont Feature; Count Fleet Out for Two More Months|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1943/08/17/archives/baby-dumpling-takes-belmont-feature-count-fleet-out-for-two-more.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=20 October 2017|date=17 August 1943}}</ref>

With a record of six wins from six starts, Count Fleet was named the [[American Horse of the Year]] and champion three-year-old of 1943.<ref>{{cite web|title=COUNT FLEET IS PICKED; Named Horse of Year in Poll by Turf and Sports Digest|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1943/12/18/archives/count-fleet-is-picked-named-horse-of-year-in-poll-by-turf-and.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=20 October 2017|date=18 December 1943}}</ref>