Zippy Chippy, who gained fame as Thoroughbred racing's lovable loser, has died at age 31 at Old Friends at Cabin Creek in Greenfield Center, N.Y., just outside of Saratoga. Zippy Chippy, a New York-bred son of Compliance, was campaigned by owner-trainer Felix Monserrate, who acquired the horse in 1995 by trading a Ford truck. Zippy Chippy never crossed the finish line first in his 100 official races, primarily in New York, although he did record eight runner-up finishes and 12 thirds. As the fame from his losing streak grew, Zippy Chippy was recruited for exhibition races, including racing a minor-league baseball player in the outfield of a stadium and racing against a Standardbred. He was voted one of People magazine’s “Most Intriguing Characters” of 2000. The strong-willed Zippy Chippy was eventually banned from numerous tracks due to refusing to break from the starting gate, and eventually retired from racing in 2004. In the spring of 2010, he moved to Old Friends at Cabin Creek, where he became fast friends with another New York-bred retiree, Red Down South.  “Zippy was our main character here, and he lived his life his way,” Cabin Creek owner and manager JoAnn Pepper said. “He was so content, and would not do anything he wasn’t in the mood for. He taught me so much about life, and I’ll miss him forever.”