If you lived on the East Coast during the late 1960s, chances are you got to see Dr. Fager in action. And if you were a Dr. Fager fan, you were given many a treat.

Out of his twenty-two trips to the starting gate, Dr. Fager started at an East Coast track eighteen times. When he was in New York, he could be found at Aqueduct and Saratoga. Race fans in New Jersey traveled to see him at Atlantic City Race Course and Garden State Park. And Rockingham Park in New Hampshire hosted him twice.

Though his career largely unfolded in that area of the United States, Dr. Fager did make the occasional trip outside of New England. And one of those times happened to be in Southern California.

Two weeks after beginning his four-year-old campaign with a win in Aqueduct's Roseben Handicap, Dr. Fager headed across the country to Hollywood Park. Entered in the May 18 Californian Stakes, the Rough'n Tumble colt was asked to run a mile and one-sixteenth. Although this was his first attempt at the distance, it did not seem like a problem since Dr. Fager had already won races at a mile and a mile and one-eighth. Piloting him would be the rider he teamed up with the most during his storied career: Braulio Baeza.

Already a twelve-time race winner when he arrived at Hollywood Park, it was obvious that Dr. Fager's reputation had beaten him there. He would be favorite at 1.90-1, but he didn't exactly have a small field waiting for him, either. In total, the lineup for the 1968 Californian consisted of fourteen horses, with the talented and future multiple handicap champion mare Gamely among them. But if Dr. Fager's career to that point had shown anything, it was that he loved to win.

Going into the Californian, there might have been questions about Dr. Fager's running style. At the very least, he could counted on to be near the front, though he had no aversion to taking the early lead, either. With 130 pounds in tow, Dr. Fager exited his stall as Southern California race fans watched the sport's reigning Champion Sprinter in person.

Starting from post eleven, Baeza and Dr. Fager motored past the majority of the field by the time they reached the first turn. In fourth place early on, they only had pacesetter Kissin' George, Dr. Roy E. and Market Rising ahead of them. Going down the backstretch, Dr. Fager was ready to run. Right behind Dr. Roy E. and Market Rising, Dr. Fager and Baeza moved to the inside part of the main track. Running and looking strong, Dr. Fager cleared Dr. Roy E. for third and then Market Rising for second. He did not let up, dogging Kissin' George as they moved into the far turn.

Kissin' George was putting together a fast pace, the first quarter-mile being :22 3-5 and the half-mile :45.00. The quick pace worked fine for Dr. Fager, who drew level with Kissin' George before taking control in the far turn. The advantage was small, however. Kissin' George battled, staying with Dr. Fager for a few moments. But just before the final stretch, Dr. Fager took clear control on the inside. He was credited with leading at 6 furlongs, issuing a brisk time of 1:08 3-5.

As more than 50,000 fans watched at Hollywood Park, no one could catch Dr. Fager. He kept running on the inside, letting no one get to him. He led after a mile, the time 1:34 1-5. With Baeza urging him, Dr. Fager ran with determination in front of everyone. Anyone who dared try to beat him would have to earn it. But not a single opponent was with Dr. Fager at the wire. He was simply in a class all his own as he gave both Baeza and trainer John Nerud their only wins in the Californian.

It was revealed soon after that the time for the race was a brilliant 1:40 4-5, which Dr. Fager ran carrying 130 pounds. In his only Southern California appearance, he became the first horse to win the Californian while carrying 130 pounds. As of 2024, only Affirmed (1979) and Spectacular Bid (1980) have matched that weight while taking the Californian.

That would be the second of seven stakes victories for Dr. Fager in 1968, and it played a role in him taking both Handicap Horse and Horse of the Year honors. And those who saw the formidable Thoroughbred at the Track of the Lakes and Flowers that day caught a brief glimpse of what those in the East were privileged to see during the 1966, 1967 and 1968 seasons.