Lord Putnam began his three-year-old campaign on April 4, 1951 at New York's Jamaica Racetrack. The betting favorite to win, he finished twelfth behind Repetoire in a field of thirteen runners for the six furlong Experimental Handicap No.1. which also included Count Turf who would go on to win the 1951 Kentucky Derby. Ridden by Canadian Hedley Woodhouse, Uncle Miltie won Jamaica Racetrack's Prospect Purse, a six furlong allowance race with Lord Putnam fourth by more than six lengths.
