Tin Cup Chalice (2005-2009) wins the Albany and the Big Apple Triple. Saratoga, 8/20/08

8/26/08 -- Tin Cup Chalice, a three-year-old gelding, is pictured here winning the Albany, a 9F $150,000 stakes for NY-breds, and the third leg of the Big Apple Triple, on 8/20/06 at Saratoga. He was as a result undefeated in seven starts. He had previously won the first two legs of the Big Apple Triple, but no horse has won the Triple itself since it was established in 1999. The Albany was considered a significant step up in class for Tin Cup Chalice, who is stabled at Finger Lakes and has run most of his races there. Among the field were Ichabad Crane (third in the Preakness) and Big Truck (winner of the G3 Tampa Derby).

Tin Cup Chalice, under his regular rider Pedro Rodriguez (no previous starts this year at Saratoga, based at Finger Lakes) led from the outset, and was not challenged for the soft pace (25.66, 50.88, and 1:15.33). But in the stretch, he fended off bids from both Ichabad Crane and Big Truck. He turned back his final challenger, Thatsrightofficer, in the final sixteenth (pictured here), stubbornly hanging on.

Tin Cup Chalice was bred and is trained and partially owned by Mike Lecesse, who is headquartered at Finger Lakes. Another owner, Scott van Laer, is reportedly a forest ranger.
Winning the Triple added an additional $250,000 (plus his share of the Albany purse) to Tin Cup Chalice's lifetime earnings, which are now in excess of $500,000.

Many of Tin Cup Chalice's fans were in attendance, and their jubilation was evident as he was cheered into the winners' circle. The enthusiasm was shared by turfwriters: the often disgusted veteran Paul Moran said: "Finally, there is a story worth embracing, a new favorite horse: Tin Cup Chalice . . . Tin Cup Chalice is the dream-come-true of everyone who plays the game small, chases lightning with a bottle and tempts fate in the face of impossible odds. He is a reminder that anything is possible." See his full blog entry at paulmoranattheraces.blogspot.com (August 21).

UPDATE . . On October 4, 2008, Tin Cup Chalice won the $500,000 Indiana Derby (G2) by a full length. He held off the favorite, Pyro, and Acai. The Equibase running line for Tin Cup Chalice, who was sent off at 9-1, says "2-3 path, all out, held". Bloodhorse article is here: http://racing.bloodhorse.com/article/47407.htm ; and a good one from the Indianapolis Star: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081005/SPORTS/810050365
__________________________________________________________________________________________________ SAD UPDATE -- On April 17, 2009, Tin Cup Chalice was euthanized after a training accident at Finger Lakes. http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20090417/SPORTS/90417008/1007