| Oliver's Twist | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Horatius |
| Grandsire | Proudest Roman |
| Dam | Heartful Star |
| Damsire | Star de Naskra |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 1992 |
| Country | United States |
| Colour | Dark Brown |
| Breeder | Country Life Farm |
| Owner | Charles Oliver |
| Trainer | J. William Boniface |
| Record | 20: 5-6-1 |
| Earnings | $508,915 |
| Major wins | |
|
Federico Tesio Stakes (1995) Preakness Stakes 2nd (1995) |
|
| Honours | |
| Colorado Leading Sire (2006, 2007) | |
| Horse (Equus ferus caballus) | |
| Last updated on September 21, 2009 | |
Oliver's Twist (foaled in Maryland in April 1992) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. A descendant of Star de Naskra, he was sired by Horatius by breeder Country Life Farm. Oliver's Twist was a multiple graded stakes winner but will be remembered most for his classic grade one runner-up finish closing on the rail in the 1995 Preakness Stakes.[1]
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Oliver's Twist was steady learning colt at age two. He broke his maiden during his third start in the summer of 1994. He moved on to allowance company and won later that summer and then his trainer opted to run him against Maryland-bred stakes company in the autumn. Oliver's Twist not only ran at Laurel Park Racecourse in a two year old stakes race but won the Maryland Juvenile Championship Stakes going away.
Trained by local Marylander J. William Boniface, Oliver's Twist won three of four races in the spring of his sophomore season. After being freshened during the winter Oliver's Twist came back and won an allowance race. He then won the Rollicking Stakes at Laurel Park. His next stop was what locals in Maryland call the "Preakness Trial" the grade three Federico Tesio Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. In the Tesio he beat a strong field of local horses and New York shippers to prove he belonged in good company.
Boniface and owner Charles Oliver decided to take the shot of a lifetime in an American Classic. Oliver's Twist was entered into the 1995 Preakness Stakes to take on an all-star field of eleven stakes winners but was listed as the third longest shot in the field at post time at 12-1 ahead of only Pana Brass and Itron. Four of the five top Derby finishers came back to run in the Preakness and as expected Thunder Gulch, Tejano Run, Timber Country and Mecke took most of the public support at the windows. As the Preakness began, speedster Star Standard shot to lead as expected followed by Mystery Storm and Talkin Man. Oliver's Twist saved ground along the rail and settled in nicely at fifth along with the flight of stalkers behind the leaders that included Thunder Gulch, Timber Country and Tejano Run. Oliver's Twist and Thunder Gulch encountered some traffic while Timber Country looped the field on the outside going around the far turn. Jockey Alberto Delgado made a bold move and split the leaders charging between them with no more than a foot on each side. Oliver's Twist started in his next gear as he cleared traffic and engaged the Derby winner Thunder Gulch in a head to head battle. By that time Timber Country was proving that he was fastest of them all as he went on to win the Preakness by 1-1/2 lengths. Oliver's Twist outdueled Thunder Gulch for place spot and his share of $100,000 second place prize money.[2]
Oliver's Twist is standing at Menoken Farms in Montrose, Colorado. [2] In 2006 and 2007, Oliver's Twist was the state of Colorado Leading sire in both progeny earnings and number of winners.