In his three-year-old campaign in 1951, Counterpoint was entered in the Blue Grass Stakes, an important test race for Kentucky Derby hopefuls.

Counterpoint finished fourth in the second division of the Blue Grass but was moved up to third place after the winner, Sonic, was disqualified.

Counterpoint was entered in the June 16 Peter Pan Handicap at Belmont Park, which he won in track-record time.

Counterpoint bruised a foot and was out of racing for two months, but in early fall he returned to the track with a win in the important Lawrence Realization Stakes.

He received 28 of the 31 votes for the Daily Racing Form award in November[2] and also topped the Turf and Sport Digest poll a month later.