1953 Kentucky Derby

Today in 1953 the heavily favored and legendary Native Dancer, known as the Gray Ghost, was upset by the unheralded Dark Star, who nipped him at the finish.  This was the only defeat for Native Dancer, who won the Eclipse Award for 2 year old horse of the Year for 1952.  After the Derby, Native Dancer would not lose again and won the Preakness and Belmont Stakes and then won the Eclipse Award for Champion 3 yr old Colt for 1953 and then Horse of the Year in 1954.   Sadly, Dark Star would finish 5th in the Preakness and did not run in the Belmont due to a ligament injury suffered during the Preakness run.