The Blind Champion
by Lisa Harkema
He was champion stallion for many years, even after his death, in Norway. What many did not know is that he was initially considered a very good trotter in his crop in the US. Senator Ford was practically blind early in life, however, and for welfare reasons was not allowed to race. At stud, however, there was no stopping Senator Ford.
An article in the Indianapolis News on June 13, 1928 read “a mile around 2:11 (1.21,4) has been credited to Senator Ford this year, but some shrewd horsemen say he will be ready for the 2:10 (1.20,8) list by July. While this youngster may not equal the caliber shown by Spencer 2, 2:05.4 (1.18,2) in the hands of McDonald last year, he will very surely make a good replacement for that sensational youngster, and become a factor in the rich events for two-year-olds.” Indeed, in the Trotter and Pacer on January 16 earlier that year it said that “it is reported from Memphis that Senator Ford, by The Senator out of Alice Ford, is the likely successor to Spencer as the star two-year-old of Lon McDonald’s stable”, showing the high expectations hanging over the bay colt.
On Jul 20, 1928, at the Grand Circuit meeting in Kalamazoo, Senator Ford was fourth in the Columbia Hotel Trot behind Caretaker, Bingen McKlyo and Hayes. Interesting enough, the crop’s otherwise dominant trotter Walter Dear ended up behind him in the standings. On August 16, the roles were switched. At that fateful day at North Randall when Fireglow was involved in a massive crash, Senator Ford and Trusty Brewer split second place behind Walter Dear, driven by Walter Cox. A week later at Goshen, Senator Ford won the Horse Review, finishing 2-1-1 in the three heats, his fastest winning heat in 2:10 (1:20.8). Sir Guy Mac, third in next year’s Hambletonian finished fourth.