France, he began conditioning top horses for such legendary owners as Hal Price Headley (co-founder of Keeneland Race Course), Robert M. Eastman, W. Arnold Hanger, Silas B. Mason, Myron Selznick and Clifford Moores. Taylor's fortunes turned bright in 1930 when he took over Warm Stables, owned by Silas B. Mason and W. Arnold Hanger. That same year he conditioned Victorian to win the inaugural Agua Caliente Handicap in Tijuana, Mexico, then the world's richest race. His brother, Walter, won the same race the next year with Hal Price Headley's horse, Mike Hall. Taylor was approached by Charles H. Strub (a.k.a. "Doc Strub") in 1933. Strub sought Taylor's assistance in helping him recruit other owners and trainers to come out to his new track out West, called Santa Anita Park. By that time, Taylor had a reputation as a legendary trainer and held the respect of his peers. Taylor, along with the owners/trainers he persuaded to come to Strub's track, made the track a success. In response, Strub gave Taylor his choice of Barns and stock. While Taylor rejected the stock option, due to his experience of the 1929 stock market crash and the Great Depression, he ended up choosing Barn 17 and Box 227. Later on, when Tommy was down on his luck, he turned over his box to Charles E. Whittingham; who was his close friend. Success continued in 1934 with Preakness winner Head Play. After the racehorse was sidelined by an injury, Taylor took over as head trainer in 1934, and was able to condition Head Play, so he was able to return from his injury as a five year old to win four stakes races. Head Play was the son of My Play - full brother to Man o' War, one of the most famous race horses in the industry. Taylor later trained, He Did, for Silas B. Mason. Together, they were able to get the win in the Santa Anita Derby in 1936. Controversy later surrounded He Did, when he was singled out years later by Laura Hildebrand, author of Seabiscuit: An American Legend. In her book, the horse was blamed for causing the catastrophic injury to jockey, Red Pollard (famous jockey of Seabiscuit). His horse, Fair Knightness, clipped heels with He Did, causing the horse to topple over Pollard in the San Carlos Handicap. Such accusations were later disputed by Taylor's family as unfounded, since