Of all the great racehorses who have run in California, few had the magic attached to their reputation like Silky Sullivan . He was known for his come-from-the-clouds racing style, making up unfathomable amounts of distance in the last part of the race and usually making it to the finish line first. Even though he gained most of his acclaim by winning the Santa Anita Derby in 1958, making up 28 lengths, it was at Golden Gate Field s as a 2-year-old that he won the Golden Gate Futurity by coming from 27 lengths behind.
After he retired, he was bought by the Golden Gate owner Kjell Qvale and starting in 1965 he was paraded out on St. Patrick’s Day at Golden Gate and Santa Anita Derby day in Arcadia. It’s even said, but not verified, that Silky Sullivan had his own secretary to answer fan mail.
So, what’s all that got to do with Sunday’s final day at Golden Gate Fields after 83 years of racing? He’s buried in the infield between the tote board and far turn of the grass course. “It’s one of my main projects after this week,” said David Duggan, chief operating officer at Golden Gate Fields. “This summer we will be moving Silky Sullivan to Georgetown, Kentucky, to Old Friends [horse retirement park].
We’ll get him re-interred. He has a lot of fans around the country that have been inquiring and that’s the plan. “There is some speculation that Lost in the Fog is out there [in the infield] but I can absolutely, categorically assure you he is not.
We know exact.
