Two Lea (KY)

Biography

Two Lea was somewhat overshadowed at the beginning of her career by her more famous Calumet Farm stablemates, including Citation, Coaltown, Bewitch, and Armed. However, by the time she retired in 1952, Two Lea had established her own impressive legacy.

Plagued with foot problems throughout her career, Two Lea broke her maiden in her third career start on Sept. 17, 1948, at Belmont Park in her final start of the season. She began her 3-year-old season with three consecutive victories, including the Princess Doreen Stakes. After finishing second in the Modesty Stakes, Two Lea won her next five races, including the Cleopatra Handicap, Artful Stakes, and Santa Margarita Handicap.

A foot injury sidelined Two Lea from July of 1950 until May of 1952, forcing her to miss her entire 5-year-old season. It took Two Lea some time to return to form once she made it back to the races, but in June of 1952 she won the Vanity Handicap and later put together a four-race win streak that included the Ramona Handicap (in a dead heat with Princess Lygia), Hollywood Gold Cup, San Mateo Handicap, and Children’s Hospital Handicap. She became the first filly or mare to win $100,000 in a single race with her Hollywood Gold Cup victory, and her win in the Children’s Hospital Handicap set a Bay Meadows track record.

Retired after finishing second in the Bay Meadows Handicap with a career record of 15-6-3 from 26 starts and earnings of $309,250, Two Lea returned to Calumet Farm. She produced eight foals as a broodmare, including Hall of Famer Tim Tam; On-and-On, winner of the Brooklyn Handicap; and Pied d’Or, a multiple stakes winner. Two Lea followed Armed, Bewitch, Citation, Twilight Tear, and Whirlaway as the sixth Calumet horse to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. She died in 1973 at the age of 27.

Achievements

Co-Champion 3-Year-Old Filly — 1949
Champion Older Female — 1950