Two Item Limit
Encyclopedia
Two Item Limit is an American Thoroughbred
filly
racehorse
. The granddaughter of Forty Niner
will best be remembered for posting a 3-length score in the mile and an eighth Grade II
$250,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
at Pimlico Race Course
on May 18, 2001.
That fall she raced in three stakes races all in New York
. In her first graded stakes race she placed second in the grade two Adirondack Stakes
at Saratoga Race Course
at six and one half furlongs in late August. She went on to win the grade three Tempted Stakes
at one mile at Aqueduct Racetrack
in early October. Then in the November, Two Item Limit stepped up in class and won the grade two Demoiselle Stakes
at Aqueduct run over the dirt at one mile.
at one mile at Santa Anita Park
in March and finished second. She then traveled back 3,000 miles back to her home base at Aqueduct Racetrack
and won the grade two Comely Stakes
at one mile in mid-April.
She ran so well that her connections decided to enter her in the second jewel of America's defacto Filly Triple Crown, the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
. Two Item Limit was the third choice at 3-1 on the morning line in a strong field of just five other stakes winners. Two Item Limit took a van ride from Belmont Park to Pimlico Race Course
in the early hours of the morning that Friday of the race. She was jostled around repeatedly between horses at the start. Passing the stands for the first time Scoop set the early fractions, followed by Tap Dance, Vines of Justice, then Two Item Limit settled in fourth and Indy Glory. She placed herself just behind the favorite Tap Dance on the back stretch and let her carry her along right on her hind quarter just as long as she needed her to. Then at the top of the stretch, she pulled out wide, and then exploded out of a tight pack of five horses and breezed by the field including Scoop and Tap Dance to win the 77th running of the Grade II $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. She never batted an eyelash winning the 1-1/8-mile race for 3- year-old fillies in 1 minute 50 seconds.. When she hit the front she was tapped a couple times to keep her mind on her business, but she won with a little left in the tank. Her connections were really impressed with her performance, the fractions were :23, :47, 1:12 and 1:38.
Later that year she performed admirably with strong consistent runs in the grade one Gazelle Handicap
at nine furlongs placing second and the grade one Alabama Stakes
at one mile and a quarter at Saratoga Race Course where she placed third. Two Item Limit shot for the stars by running against the world's top fillies and mares in the Breeders' Cup Distaff
(now the Ladies Classic) at one and one eighth mile in late October 2000.
at 8-1/2 furlongs. She followed that up with an identical third place finish in the $1,000,000 Delaware Handicap
at one mile and a quarter at Delaware Park.
Auction for $525,000.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
filly
Filly
A filly is a young female horse too young to be called a mare. There are several specific definitions in use.*In most cases filly is a female horse under the age of four years old....
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
. The granddaughter of Forty Niner
Forty Niner (horse)
Forty Niner is an American champion thoroughbred Stallion racehorse. By Champion sire Mr. Prospector and out of the mare, File, Forty Niner was the U.S...
will best be remembered for posting a 3-length score in the mile and an eighth Grade II
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
$250,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The race is open to three-year-old fillies willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt and currently offers a purse of $250,000...
at Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course is a horse racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland, most famous for hosting the Preakness Stakes. Its name is derived from the 1660s when English settlers named the area where the facility currently stands in honor of Olde Ben Pimlico's Tavern in London...
on May 18, 2001.
Early career
Two Item Limit was born in February 1998 in the state of Illinois by breeders Hal Snowden Jr. & Raymond Simpson. She was sold as a two year old in training at the Ocala Breeders' Sale in March 2000 to her owner Joseph F. Graffeo.That fall she raced in three stakes races all in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. In her first graded stakes race she placed second in the grade two Adirondack Stakes
Adirondack Stakes
The Adirondack Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race first run in 1901. Held in the middle of August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York, the Adirondack Stakes is open to two-year-old fillies willing to race six and a half furlongs on the dirt...
at Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John...
at six and one half furlongs in late August. She went on to win the grade three Tempted Stakes
Tempted Stakes
The Tempted Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1975 at Aqueduct Racetrack in Jamaica, New York. Run near the end of October, the Grade III race is open to 2-year-old fillies and is raced on dirt over a distance of one mile . It currently offers a purse of $100,000.The...
at one mile at Aqueduct Racetrack
Aqueduct Racetrack
Aqueduct Racetrack is a thoroughbred horse-racing facility and racino in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. Its racing meets usually are from late October/early November through April.-History:...
in early October. Then in the November, Two Item Limit stepped up in class and won the grade two Demoiselle Stakes
Demoiselle Stakes
The Demoiselle Stakes is a stakes race for thoroughbred horses open to two-year-old fillies who are willing to race the one and one-eighth miles on dirt...
at Aqueduct run over the dirt at one mile.
Three year-old season
Two Item Limit showed up big in her first two stakes races back as a three year-old. She traveled cross country to run in the grade one Las Virgenes StakesLas Virgenes Stakes
The Las Virgenes Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in early February at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. A Grade I event run at a distance of one mile on dirt, it is open to three-year-old fillies and currently offers a purse of $250,000.-Records:Speed record:*...
at one mile at Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park is a thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California, United States. It offers some of the prominent racing events in the United States during the winter and in spring. With its backdrop of the purple San Gabriel Mountains, it is considered by many as the world's most beautiful race...
in March and finished second. She then traveled back 3,000 miles back to her home base at Aqueduct Racetrack
Aqueduct Racetrack
Aqueduct Racetrack is a thoroughbred horse-racing facility and racino in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. Its racing meets usually are from late October/early November through April.-History:...
and won the grade two Comely Stakes
Comely Stakes
The Comely Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. Run in mid-April, since 1960 it has been open to three year old fillies who are willing to race one mile on the dirt track. The race is a Grade III event with a purse of $150,000 and...
at one mile in mid-April.
She ran so well that her connections decided to enter her in the second jewel of America's defacto Filly Triple Crown, the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The race is open to three-year-old fillies willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt and currently offers a purse of $250,000...
. Two Item Limit was the third choice at 3-1 on the morning line in a strong field of just five other stakes winners. Two Item Limit took a van ride from Belmont Park to Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course is a horse racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland, most famous for hosting the Preakness Stakes. Its name is derived from the 1660s when English settlers named the area where the facility currently stands in honor of Olde Ben Pimlico's Tavern in London...
in the early hours of the morning that Friday of the race. She was jostled around repeatedly between horses at the start. Passing the stands for the first time Scoop set the early fractions, followed by Tap Dance, Vines of Justice, then Two Item Limit settled in fourth and Indy Glory. She placed herself just behind the favorite Tap Dance on the back stretch and let her carry her along right on her hind quarter just as long as she needed her to. Then at the top of the stretch, she pulled out wide, and then exploded out of a tight pack of five horses and breezed by the field including Scoop and Tap Dance to win the 77th running of the Grade II $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. She never batted an eyelash winning the 1-1/8-mile race for 3- year-old fillies in 1 minute 50 seconds.. When she hit the front she was tapped a couple times to keep her mind on her business, but she won with a little left in the tank. Her connections were really impressed with her performance, the fractions were :23, :47, 1:12 and 1:38.
Later that year she performed admirably with strong consistent runs in the grade one Gazelle Handicap
Gazelle Handicap
The Gazelle Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race raced annually at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, New York. Open to three-year-old fillies, it is a Grade I event run over a distance of one and one-eighth miles on dirt...
at nine furlongs placing second and the grade one Alabama Stakes
Alabama Stakes
The Alabama Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race open to three-year-old fillies. Inaugurated in 1872, the Grade I race is run over a distance of one and one-quarter miles on the dirt track at Saratoga Race Course. Held in mid August, it currently offers a purse of $500,000...
at one mile and a quarter at Saratoga Race Course where she placed third. Two Item Limit shot for the stars by running against the world's top fillies and mares in the Breeders' Cup Distaff
Breeders' Cup Distaff
The Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares, 3 years old and up. Known as the Breeders' Cup Distaff from its inception in 1984 through 2007, it is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders'...
(now the Ladies Classic) at one and one eighth mile in late October 2000.
Four year-old season
At age four, Two Item limit ran a decent third in the grade one Ogden Phipps HandicapOgden Phipps Handicap
The Ogden Phipps Handicap is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race for run annually in mid June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Contested on dirt at a distance of 11/16 miles , the race is open to fillies and mares, three years of age and up. Inaugurated in 1961 as the Hempstead...
at 8-1/2 furlongs. She followed that up with an identical third place finish in the $1,000,000 Delaware Handicap
Delaware Handicap
The Delaware Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in mid July at Delaware Park Racetrack in Wilmington, Delaware. The Grade II race is open to filles and mares, age three and up, willing to race one and one-quarter miles on the dirt....
at one mile and a quarter at Delaware Park.
Retirement
In January 2003 Two Item Limit was retired and sent to Three Chimneys Farm to breed. In January 2008 she was sold at KeenelandKeeneland
Keeneland is a Thoroughbred horse racing facility and sales complex in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. Operated by the Keeneland Association, Inc., it is also known for its reference library on the sport, which contains more than 10,000 volumes, an extensive videocassette collection, and a substantial...
Auction for $525,000.