50 years later, the 1968 Kentucky Derby remains controversial

The Kentucky Derby, America’s most famous Thoroughbred horse race, has been run consecutively since 1875. On only one occasion during the 143 editions was a horse who didn’t cross the finish line first recognized as the winner.

This first Saturday in May will mark 50 years since the 1968 Kentucky Derby dubbed the “Gray Horse Derby” with that the color of five of the 14 starters. A peculiarity for sure, but the most unusual quirk of this Derby story was the four-year episode after the race played out in the legal system, before a decision was rendered.

The clear favorite leading up to the 94th Kentucky Derby was Forward Pass, winner of the Florida Derby and Blue Grass Stakes. Ridden by Ismael Valenzuela, he was the first starter in a decade for seven-time Kentucky Derby winning owner Calumet Farm, which had last campaigned Tim Tam, also ridden by Valenzuela, won the race. The trainer of Forward Pass was Henry Forrest, who had conditioned Kauai King to win the 1966 Derby.

One of the grays in the race, Dancer’s Image, was a colt by the acclaimed racehorse and sire, Native Dancer, who suffered his only loss in 22 career races in the 1953 Kentucky Derby. Besides the coloring, a come-from-behind running style was another trait passed down from sire to son.

Dancer’s Image, conditioned by Lou Cavalaris, boasted a strong resume as well. In 1967, he was named Canadian 2-year old champ. In the early portion of 1968, Dancer’s Image continued showing his winning form. For a final prep, the colt shipped to New York and responded with a win in the Wood Memorial. The jockey on Dancer’s Image, veteran Bobby Ussery, was seeking his second straight Derby score following his winning ride aboard Proud Clarion one year earlier.

For the connections of Dancer’s Image, the biggest concern was the horse’s chronic sore ankles, an infirmity inherited from his sire. To keep Dancer’s Image racing sound, Cavalaris applied cold water bandages on the colt, stood him in buckets of ice water and gave him Azium, a non-stimulant, anti-inflammatory. The 44-year-old trainer, who had been conditioning racehorses since 1946, followed this daily regimen for his star runner until a week before the Derby, when it was discovered the colt had wrenched his right front ankle. 

Dr. Alex Harthill, a gifted veterinarian, was highly recommended to Cavalaris, and the trainer sought out the doctor’s advice. Treating Derby contenders was nothing new for the “Derby Doc,” as Harthill was known. He graduated from veterinary school at Ohio State University in 1948 and had treated several Derby horses, including a list of Derby winners that dated back to Hill Gail in 1952. 

Harthill recommended a dose of phenylbutazone, a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory similar to aspirin. In 1968, the drug, universally known as “Bute,” was banned for use during races in the state of Kentucky, but it could be administered as long as it was not present in the horse’s urine at the time of the post-race drug test. Dr. Harthill was certain the drug would be out of the horse’s system in time for the Derby. Harthill’s expertise and knowledge were assurances to Cavalaris, so the trainer granted the equine practitioner the OK to proceed. 

On Sunday, six days before the race, Harthill administered four grams of phenylbutazone to Dancer’s Image, and the swelling subsided immediately. 

However, by Thursday, the right front ankle had flared up again. Dr. Harthill was called, and this time he injected the joint with Azium. Again, the colt’s condition improved quickly. During the 48 hours that remained until race day, Dancer’s Image’s ankles caused no further issues and continued to look good. Confidence was high in his camp. 

On Derby Day, with attendance more than 92,000, the public made Forward Pass the 2-1 favorite, with Dancer’s Image going off as 7-2 second choice in the wagering.

When the gates opened, Forward Pass, breaking from post 13, managed to secure a good stalking position, racing in third, just a half-length off the lead through the opening quarter. Dancer’s Image, leaving from post 12, took up his customary position at the rear of the field content to trail his opponents. 

The positions of both horses remained essentially unchanged through the first half-mile. However, Dancer’s Image’s affinity to close was clearly evident, as he began to accelerate past opponents, advancing to 10th after three-quarters and then into eighth after the opening mile.

With just a quarter remaining, Forward Pass edged up a bit closer, too, just a head behind the front-runner Kentucky Sherry who had led every step of the way. Meanwhile, Dancer’s Image was still charging hard, moving into contention as the stretch run began. As Valenzuela entertained thoughts of overtaking the leader with Forward Pass, Ussery saw a small opening and maneuvered his mount through and was in front at the three-sixteenths pole. Ussery then lost his whip, but it really didn’t matter. Dancer’s Image was motoring so fast that Ussery just guided him straight to the finish line, one-and-a half lengths clear of Forward Pass, who managed to hold off a late run from Francie’s Hat by a neck. 

Up in the stands, the owner of Dancer’s Image, Peter Fuller, celebrated the win with his family and friends in jubilant fashion. The euphoric feeling floated Fuller down to ground level, where he leaped onto the track to lead his colt to the Churchill Downs infield and to the special winner’s circle reserved for only Derby winners. With Ussery perched high atop Dancer’s Image, Fuller, along with Cavalaris watched their colt get draped with the traditional blanket of roses. Owner, trainer, jockey and horse were on top of the American racing world. But things were about to change. 

Following the race, Churchill Downs performed the mandatory drug testing of the winner, plus one additional horse that was chosen at random. It was during this standard post-race testing procedure that laboratory results showed traces of phenylbutazone in the urine analysis of Dancer’s Image. The half life of Bute in horses is 24 hours so the medication should not have shown up in Dancer’s Image system. 

Prior to the race, Fuller had been receiving hate mail because of his philanthropy of giving Mrs. Martin Luther King his winnings from the Wood Memorial after the assassination of her husband. This news was widely reported. In this turbulent time in United States history, he supported civil rights. These were the reasons he wanted extra security back stretch security for his horse. He didn't obtain it.

Dancer’s Image was disqualified, with Forward declared the winner. Mr. Fuller did not accept these results and went to course with his case. It took four years for a ruling in favor of Forward Pass.

Fuller died in 2012, and until his death, he proclaimed his horse should not have shown signs of Bute. 

Today, Bute is widely used by vets and trainers. No one has been able to uncover the mystery of Dancer's Image. It has become part of Derby lore. In front of Runnymede Farm, a billboard with Dancer’s Image on it and “1968 Kentucky Winner” remains.

Nothing changed his mind that he, indeed, won the 1968 Derby with Dancer’s Image. 

Mary Dixon Reynolds authors Horse Racing Nation's "The Gallop Out" blog. Nick Costa writes "Trackside with Trackman" for HRN.

Editor's note: This story originally stated that Fuller died in 1989. He passed in 2012. We regret the error.