Teo had a proud owner
& he sent him an expert trainer
& he, in turn, found him a fine jockey
A well respected rider considered to be
Among the finest in California

Teo didn't win every race
After all, what horse ever has or could?
But Teo won his share, and when he lost
It was just by a nose or,
at most, a length
He always finished in the money

Teo had a mean disposition
Despite his high level of success
He caused havoc in the paddock and
Was thought to be a bad influence on the
Other mounts in his stable

Teo did well on the track
He made lots of money for his people
Some were surprised when they let Teo
Be claimed in a race, but insiders understood
Why they let him go so cheaply

Teo moved on to Pennsylvania
Things started out smoothly enough
He won his first race & his next; moving up
In class, Teo manaed to place in a big stakes race
Despite badly spraining a foreleg

Teo lost in his next outing
And lost it badly; the only entry
Fairing worse was a three year old that
Pulled up lame at the quarter turn and, alas,
Had to be destroyed

Teo sulked for weeks after
He even bit his jockey when he
Tried to ride him, & told the Racing Form
How he would have won that race if only
He'd been carrying Pat Day

Teo upset his new stablemates
He even got into a fight with one
A stallion who'd won his first million
When Teo was just an unweened foal
His welcome was worn out

Teo's new team wanted him out
The jockey refused to ride him again
They put him in claimer after claimer after
Claimer; though he won them all handily
He still went unclaimed

Teo was sent out to pasture
Young, with lots of racing left in him
Why, some folks say he could still win today
If there's a moral to this story, though, don't ask Teo:
I don't think the fella will ever get it