In August 1965 a two-year-old named Buckpasser cemented his growing reputation with victories in the Sapling Stakes at Monmouth and the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga. He went on afterwards to capture the Arlington-Washington Futurity and Champagne Stakes.

With then record earnings of $568,096 for a two-year-old he went into winter quarters the winner of nine of his 11 starts.