11/16/2020
Texas-Bred Assault
This is an original 1947 photo of Armed (on the rail) and Assault in their famous match race.
The principal item on Armed’s agenda in 1947 was the match race with Assault at Belmont Park. Although Armed easily won the race, most commentators considered it a hollow victory as Assault was not at his best as he was troubled by a painful splint at the time.
As a youngster, Assault stepped on a surveyor's stake, driving it through his front right hoof. The hoof was permanently deformed, and the c**t developed a limp to accommodate the odd shape of his foot. However the "Club-footed Comet", as he was later dubbed, showed no signs of abnormality when he was at a full gallop. Throughout his career, Assault also overcame kidney, splint bone, fetlock, knee and bleeding problems.
Eddie Arcaro considered Assault one of the best horses he ever rode. He was the seventh Triple Crown winner and competed in one of the toughest Handicap divisions alongside Gallorette, Stymie and Armed.