[2] Hill Gail was trained by Ben Jones for races in the East while his son Jimmy handled the colt's conditioning in California.

In early 1952, Hill Gail equaled the Keeneland Race Course record for six furlongs in winning the 1952 Phoenix Handicap but was twice defeated by the Irish colt Windy City.

[8] Hill Gail, ridden by the veteran jockey Eddie Arcaro, started betting favorite for the Kentucky Derby, which was broadcast across America on live television for the first time and had the largest crowd to date at 110,000.

[9] When Hill Gail began to misbehave in the paddock before the race, Ben Jones reportedly calmed the horse by punching him on the nose.

[1] Eddie Arcaro sent the colt to the front after half a mile and Hill Gail produced what was described as a "stupendous burst of speed"[10] to open up a six length advantage by the time the runners rounded the final turn.