Zippy Chippy

Back in mid-October, trainer John Kirby claimed a horse named Tricolour (Hard Spun) at Parx out of a $10,000 maiden claimer. Not everyone thought that was such a good idea. "The first time we ran him, the guys on TVG said, 'Who in their right mind would claim a horse that was 0-39?'" said Kirby, who is also the horse's owner. The answer: a smart trainer. Tricolour was on his way to becoming the sport's next Zippy Chippy (Compliance), who went winless in 100 career starts. Purchased for $140,000 at...

Edited Press Release Zippy Chippy, horse racing's most loveable loser, has died. A retiree at Old Friends at Cabin Creek in Greenfield Center, NY., a satellite of Kentucky's Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement, the son of Compliance was 31. Campaigned by owner-trainer Felix Montserrate--who acquired the horse in 1995 by trading a Ford Truck--Zippy is known more for losing races than winning them. In 100 starts, he never crossed the finish line first. But he earned fame in other ways--for being cantankerous and for putting on carnival exhibitions where he once...