Rex Ellsworth

In the unlikeliest of places, far from the rolling hills of Kentucky or any of racing's other hallowed grounds, there's a connection to racing lore. Located in the high desert of California--west of the Mojave Desert, inland from the Pacific Ocean, and due north of Los Angeles--is the sprawling mountain community of Tehachapi. It was here that Hall of Famer Swaps was bred and raised on Rex Ellsworth's ranch. Swaps, of course, had that glorious rivalry with Nashua in 1955 and was named Horse of the Year in 1956. But...