December 3, 1948. That was the day when the Triple Crown met California Thoroughbred racing.

The horse that made the acquaintance of the Golden State was none other than Citation, who was almost six months removed from becoming the sport's eighth Triple Crown champion. Coming off a walkover victory in the Pimlico Special weeks earlier, Citation found himself in the midst of a thirteen race winning streak dating back to the middle of April. Since that run of victories began, Citation had seemingly become invincible. He had been virtually unbeatable throughout his career to that point, having lost only twice (and even in those races he finished second). But defeat had not been able to touch him since he captured the Chesapeake at Havre de Grace in April.

That period of Citation's career saw him do it all. He won on fast tracks. He won on off tracks. He visited the winners' circle at seven different venues. He handled no less than nine different distances, most of which over one mile.

Simply put, it looked like there was just no way to stop Big Cy as he rolled into Northern California in the last part of 1948.

It was clear that just about everybody at Tanforan believed that as well. When Citation was entered in a six furlong allowance race on the main track on December 3, only four horses were sent to oppose him. Barsard, Bold Gallant, Grandpere and M Dearsy were the few to join the son of Bull Lea in the starting gate. But none of them were given any iota of a chance to topple the powerful colt from fabled Calumet Farm.

Indeed, Citation's reputation followed him across the country. Rare was the occasion when Big Cy was not an odds-on favorite, and his Tanforan debut did not deviate from that. Citation's odds at post time were 1-10. The next closest? Bold Gallant at 9.20-1.

As he was winding down his second season at the races, Citation had proven to be a nuanced runner. He had defeated horses by getting the early lead, stalking the pace, or coming from several lengths down. Whatever the occasion called for, Citation had an answer for any pace scenario. As for his first foray out West, what would be the plan when the running began?

The answer was stalking the pace. After two furlongs on a muddy track, Big Cy and Eddie Arcaro were in second place. Only Bold Gallant and Johnny Longden were ahead. As two legendary jockeys in Arcaro and Longden rode their mounts around Tanforan, Citation kept after Bold Gallant, who still led after a half-mile.

Bold Gallant may have been both bold and gallant as he took on one of racing's future immortals, but he would not upset Citation in front of the Tanforan crowd. As thousands of fans back East saw many times before, Citation took over the lead and had control of the race in the stretch. The West now felt the power of this incredible, once-in-a-generation Thoroughbred who was as tough and durable as he was dominant. He was getting class relief after months of taking on stakes company, but that did not discount the fact that everyone present at Tanforan saw a master racehorse in Citation.

After three-quarters of a mile, the timer landed on 1:12 flat. Citation now had fourteen wins in a row, and he added Tanforan to the list of tracks he had conquered. The moment encapsulated what so many had seen in Citation. In only six furlongs, he showed California some of his myriad talents. He had already done well sprinting long before heading West, but his recent record was dotted with victories between one and two miles. Citation gave his fans something different in that sense while again handling an off track and a new venue while using one of multiple running styles.

In other words, Citation gave his fans a lot to see in a short period of time.

But what the bay colt gave them above all else was some history since he became the first Triple Crown champion to race in California. Just seeing him parade on track alone was enough to become the stuff of legend. But Citation did so much more in front of the fans.

It was no stakes race, but it did not need to be. Thanks to the winner, that allowance race in Tanforan immediately earned a place in the state's racing timeline.

But Citation would be back at Tanforan very quickly. And he would make his follow up performance there just as newsworthy.