The Saratogian
Little Current enjoying retirement

MICHAEL VEITCH, The Pink Sheet June 10, 2000 
           
Little Current, at age 29, is the oldest living winner of an American Triple 
Crown race. 
The Belmont Stakes winner of 1974 was the champion 3-year-old that season, when 
he also won the Preakness and Everglades stakes. 

One of the most exciting stretch runners of his era, Little Current finished 
second by a head to Holding Pattern in the Travers Stakes, while conceding five 
pounds on a sloppy track. 

He was bred and raced by Darby Dan Farm, trained by Lou Rondinello and ridden by 
Miguel Rivera. 

Little Current has a cadre of fans who loved his racing style and breeding, and 
who have not forgotten him after all these years. 

One is Kevin Grace, who works at Pimlico Race Course in the Licensing 
Department. 

"He's a very classy horse and I'd like to see him get inducted in to the Hall of 
Fame," says Grace, who loves the Preakness Stakes and keeps up with past 
winners. 

Today, Little Current enjoys retirement at Maverick Farm in Monroe, Wash. 

He is owned by Dr. Ann Hansen and her husband, Mark, who are veterinarians. 

"My husband developed a strong interest in him around 1990, when Doug Arnold had 
him," said Ann. "We got some Little Current babies to race and we went out and 
visited him at Arnold Farm. We were very impressed by the animal. We see lots of 
them day in and day out, and there are only a few that stand out with their 
presence. Little Current is one of those very few." 

Little Current retired in 1974 to Darby Dan Farm in Kentucky for stallion duty, 
having been syndicated for $4 million. 

He is a son of the great Sea-Bird, winner of the Epsom Derby and Prix de l'Arc 
de Triomphe, and the sire of the great filly Allez France. 

Little Current is out of Luiana, the dam also of Spinaway Stakes winner Prayers 
'N Promises. 

His second dam is Banquet Bell, the dam of Kentucky Derby winner and champion 
Chateaugay, who also won the Belmont Stakes. 

As a sire, Little Current's best-known runners are Current Hope, winner of the 
Flamingo Stakes, Prize Spot, winner of the Hollywood Oaks, and Aspen Rose, 
winner of the Orchid Handicap. 

After serving at Darby Dan, he moved to Arnold Farm, also in Kentucky. 

Little Current then moved to Good Guys Farm near New Orleans, La. 

The Hansens were able to purchase him from Good Guys Farm about five years ago. 

"He's a senior citizen today," said Ann. "He has a foaling-size stall and we 
have senior feed for him. He complains to the management if it doesn't get there 
on time. We turn him out in a small paddock each day." 

Little Current is retired from breeding; his last crop of runners are 3-year-
olds of 2000. 

The Hansens love his personality, which they liken to a mischievous youngster. 

"He is full of the Dickens," said Ann. "He's very intelligent and wants to 
interact with people. He will look you right in the eye and has a level of 
intelligence that seems human. He'll tell you what he doesn't like, such as 
getting his teeth filed. He'll put up with it, but then get angry and give you a 
stare before going back in his stall and refusing to play. 

"He's a playful horse, but not in the manner of wanting to hurt you. He of 
course shows his age; his coat is thinning and he isn't as muscular anymore. But 
he's still quite strong and impressive, and I won't take him out alone because 
he has the potential to bolt and get away. My husband does that with an ultra-
strong lead shank, and visitors tend to be pretty impressed and keep their 
distance." 

Little Current was quite a champion of his day, winning out over stars such as 
Derby winner Cannonade, Judger, and Holding Pattern. 

It's obvious the fires are still burning bright. 
           
(c)The Saratogian 2000 
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