The Whitney - Travers Stakes Double

 

The Whitney – Travers Stakes Double

Joseph Di Rienzi

The two most prestigious races during the traditional summer meeting at Saratoga Racetrack are the Whitney Stakes and the Travers Stakes. The latter is restricted to three-year-olds while the former in part of its history was open to ages three and older. Both are steeped in thoroughbred racing lore with a roster of victors that include such legends as Man o’War, Whirlaway, Tom Fool, Kelso, Buckpasser, Damascus, Dr. Fager and Personal Ensign. However, there have been only four horses who have completed the Whitney – Travers double in the same year. (This accomplishment is not presently possible, in that the Whitney Stakes is currently only open to horses four years and older.)  

Why a trainer would run a sophomore against older horses in August can be explicated as follows: The Whitney at 9 furlongs, run at the time two weeks prior to the 10 furlong Travers at the same racetrack would serve as an ideal prep for what has been called “The Mid-Summer Derby.” When the Whitney was run as a handicap (until 2019), three-year-olds would get significant weight allowances against their older foes. (In Europe, this advantage enables young horses to have success in major races even in July.)  And lastly, the four who, indeed completed this double, where just that superior to their older competition.

This essay will look at the four thoroughbreds alluded to above who were able to accomplish this rare double.

Key to the Mint winning the 1972 Travers Stakes
(AP wire photo)

Rokeby Stables Key to the Mint, a foal of 1969, was born to be a champion, being a son of Graustark from the Princequillo mare Key Bridge. This made him a half-brother to the stable’s venerable and durable champion grass horse, Fort Marcy. Much more precocious than his older sibling, and successful on dirt, the stately long-legged bay colt had a productive two-year-old year. However, he clearly was in the umbra of champion Riva Ridge. As Key to the Mint turned three in 1972, he had a setback in Florida that interrupted his Kentucky Derby prep schedule. He did return in time to win the Derby Trial at 1 mile convincingly, but trainer Elliot Burch deemed the colt not seasoned enough for the demanding 1¼ miles of the Derby.

In the Preakness Stakes, Key to the Mint finished ahead of Kentucky Derby winner Riva Ridge but found longshot Bee Bee Bee and No Le Hace both too good over the sloppy Pimlico Racetrack oval. The Belmont Stakes was a tour de force for Riva Ridge as he won by 7 lengths. Key to the Mint had challenged at one point but faded to finish fourth beaten over 12 lengths.

After the Belmont, the bay son of Graustark came into his own. The Whitney was not the first time Key to the Mint competed against his elders. In the 9½ furlong Brooklyn Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack, Key to the Mint, toting a feathery 112 lb., affirmed the quality of the sophomore division, leading all the way and winning by 2 lengths over four-year-old Autobiography (122 lb.), setting a new track record.

At Saratoga, Key to the Mint once again bested his older rivals, this time winning the Whitney Handicap in front running fashion under 113 lbs. by 2 lengths with Autobiography (120 lbs.) finishing fourth.

The 1972 edition of the Travers Stakes was not a championship deciding contest. Riva Ridge was given a rest after an unexpected defeat in the Monmouth Invitational Handicap (now the Haskell Stakes). Key to the Mint was the prohibitive favorite, and he prevailed by a length after a long stretch duel with Tentam, with True Knight ½ length back in third. Key to the Mint was Elliot Burch’s fourth trainee to be victorious in the Travers (Sword Dancer (1959), Quadrangle (1964), and Arts and Letters (1969) being the previous winners).
 

Alydar winning the 1978 Whitney Handicap
(NYRA telephoto)

The next horse to complete the Whitney – Travers double needs no introduction to avid racing observers. Alydar was a legendary horse and generally considered the greatest horse never to win a championship. The strapping chestnut son of Raise a Native was bred and raced by hallowed Calumet Farm and trained by John Veitch. His battles with Harbor View Farm’s Affirmed are etched in thoroughbred racing lore. Much has been written about their rivalry and I will not reiterate it here. Suffice to say that in the summer of 1978 Alydar came to Saratoga for the Whitney Stakes after three grueling losses to Affirmed in the Triple Crown Series in which he was the only horse in history to finish second in all three classics.

Of the two Triple Crown protagonists, the Calumet Farm star was the first to return to the races ready for a step down in class. In the 10 furlong Arlington Classic, Alydar, showed his amazing constitution with an overwhelming 13 length victory over subpar opposition. Settling in at Saratoga Racetrack, John Veitch, entered his star next against older horses in the Whitney Handicap. With the age allowance, Alydar was the technical high weight at 123 lb., although four-year-old J. O. Tobin carried 128 lb. The Whitney was a horse race until the field straightened out in the stretch. Buckaroo set the early pace with Nearly On Time in close attendance.  J. O. Tobin, after breaking poorly, went up to challenge the leaders as they approached the far turn. Just as J. O. Tobin raced alongside Buckaroo, Alydar who had been well back was launching a tremendous rally along the inside. Under Jorge Velasquez, he passed the leaders in a few strides and drew out to humble the field by 10 lengths in near track record time. Buckaroo held on for second by a head in front of Father Hogan with J. O. Tobin tiring to finish sixth.

A few days later at Saratoga, Affirmed made his first start after the Triple Crown in the 9 furlong Jim Dandy Stakes closing resolutely to catch loose leader Sensitive Prince by a ½ length while carrying 128 lb.

The Travers Stakes with a record Saratoga crowd was the 10^th in what would be the final meeting of Affirmed and Alydar. Despite Affirmed’s decided win margin (7-2) over his rival, Alydar’s connections were optimistic. Alydar seemed to be coming into the race sharper than his rival. In addition, Affirmed’s regular rider, Steve Cauthen, was injured and was replaced by Laffit Pincay Jr. There were only two other horses entered. Nasty and Bold, had carved out a very successful summer for himself winning in succession the American Derby and the Brooklyn Handicap against older horses. The remaining entry was Shake Shake Shake, a rank outsider, who nonetheless played a role in the Travers’ controversial result. Under Angel Cordero, Shake Shake Shake took the early lead with Affirmed directly to his outside. Alydar settled initially in fourth, just to the flank of Nasty and Bold. Down the backstretch, Jorge Velasquez seized the initiative by moving Alydar abruptly to the rail, coming up the inside of Shake Shake Shake. As Shake Shake Shake dropped back, Pincay on Affirmed angled him toward the rail, squeezing the oncoming Alydar and forcing him to lose his action and drop back suddenly. For a moment, it appeared, Alydar had broken down, but showing extraordinary courage he came back and made a valiant effort to catch Affirmed who had vaulted to a clear lead. At the finish, Affirmed was 1¾ lengths ahead of Alydar with Nasty and Bold some 3¾ lengths further back in third. The blinking lights on the tote board started flashing “Inquiry”, and, after some deliberation, the stewards rightly disqualified Affirmed for interference and declared Alydar the official Travers winner.

The result satisfied no one. The Harbor View Farm group and, especially, trainer Laz Barrera were upset. There were accusations of a collusion between Angel Cordero on Shake Shake Shake and Jorge Velasquez on Alydar against Affirmed. On the other hand, Alydar’s connections were convinced their colt was in a position to win the race when Affirmed cut their horse off depriving Alydar of a true victory. It was hoped this titanic rivalry would continue through the major fall races, but it was not to be, as Alydar suffered a year ending injury training for a return meeting with Affirmed in the Marlboro Cup.

Java Gold winning the 1987 Travers Stakes
(BloodHorse)

Java Gold, a product of Paul Mellon’s Rokeby Stables, was a son of the same connections’ Key to the Mint but conditioned by Mack Miller who assumed the stable’s training duties on the retirement of Elliot Burch. In major fall races, the bay colt had showed he was competitive with the best juveniles of 1986, winning in his final year-end start the 9 furlong Remson Stakes. With his stout pedigree being by a dam by Nijinsky, he appeared a classic type. Aimed for the Belmont Stakes in 1987, he was forced to miss a key prep due to a fever.

Racing in four minor races, in which Java Gold won three and lost to an older horse by a nose in the fourth, Mack Miller threw the son of Key to the Mint in the proverbial deep waters in entering the Whitney. Despite the presence of Broad Brush, arguably the best older male on dirt, three prominent sophomores - Gulch, Gone West and Java Gold chose to use this race as a prep for the Travers. The weights may have been the deciding factor with Broad Brush at 127 lb., Gulch (117 lb.), Gone West (116 lb.) and Java Gold (113 lb.). In a race with several lead changes, at the top of the stretch, Gulch, getting through an opening on the inside, spurted to a clear lead leaving Gone West and Broad Brush in his wake. However, jockey Pat Day had Java Gold on the inside just behind the leading trio when enough room became available between Gulch and Gone West. Showing a great turn of foot, Java Gold caught Gulch just before the finish to win by ¾ of a length, 2¼ lengths back was Broad Brush who finished a nose in front of Gone West. For Paul Mellon this was déjà vu, his Key to the Mint, as discussed above used the Whitney as prelude to a Travers victory. Would his son, Java Gold, follow suit?

The Travers Stakes was one of those rare events where all the major contenders converged on Saratoga in seemingly good form for this showdown.  Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Alysheba, Belmont and Haskell Stakes victor Bet Twice, Java Gold, Gulch, Polish Navy, Temperate Sil, Cryptoclearance were all there as well as longshot Fortunate Moment and Gorky who was used as a pacesetter for Gulch. On race day the track was drenched by heavy morning rains. Alysheba and Bet Twice’s respective forms on sloppy tracks were uncertain, but Gulch, Java Gold and Cryptoclearance all had won stakes races on off tracks. The public settled on the dual classic winner as the slight favorite over Java Gold and Bet Twice.

As the field raced down the stretch the first time, Temperate Sil and Gorky went strongly for the lead. Down the backstretch the pair opened several lengths on the field with Polish Navy and Bet Twice occupying the third and fourth spots, respectively. Alysheba and Gulch were in mid-pack with Java Gold and Cryptoclearance occupying the two rear positions. As the field headed for the far turn, the complexion of the race changed dramatically. First Bet Twice, then Polish Navy seized the lead. But when the leaders straightened out for the stretch drive, Cryptoclearance who had been making a bold bid, surged into the lead looking like a clear winner. However, Pat Day aboard Java Gold had been drafting behind “Crypto’s” wake and in mid-stretch, he asked the Rokeby colt for his run and the response was immediate. In deep stretch, Java Gold caught and drew past Cryptoclearance for a 2 length victory. Some 6½ lengths behind was Polish Navy in third, another 1½ lengths back in fourth was Gulch. The classic winners, Bet Twice and Alysheba, finished way back in fifth and sixth place respectively, and both horses’ connections blamed the track condition for their defeats.

Thus, Paul Mellon completed the Whitney-Travers double he had accomplished with Key to the Mint in 1972. In addition, Java Gold’s victory was Mellon’s fourth Travers, having won it also with Quadrangle (1964) and Arts and Letters (1969). This was Mack Miller’s first Travers victory; the three previous Rokeby horses were trained by Elliot Burch.

Easy Goer winning the 1989 Travers Stakes
(Saratogian)

The last horse to complete the Whitney – Travers double was like his sire Alydar embroiled in a torrid rivalry with another colt through the Triple Crown series. But, unlike the Calumet color bearer, Easy Goer had won a classic, a resounding 8 length victory over the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner. 

Another horse with an impeccable pedigree from a fabled stable, Easy Goer was a muscular dark chestnut son of Alydar from the champion mare Relaxing by Buckpasser, a pedigree that bespoke stamina and the highest class. Bred and raced by Ogden Phipps and trained by Claude “Shug” McGaughey, Easy Goer was the Eclipse Champion Two-Year-Old of 1988. He was favored in both the Derby and the Preakness but found West Coast flyer Sunday Silence one better.

Easy Goer, made his first start since the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga, taking on older foes in the Whitney Handicap. Carrying top weight, by the scale of 119 lb., the son of Alydar was facing such veterans as Cryptoclearance (122 lb.), Forever Silver (120 lb.), and Homebuilder (116 lb.) in the six horse field.  Sitting behind in fourth place, Easy Goer appeared to be blocked behind horses as the field bunched together coming down the stretch. But as soon as his jockey Pat Day found an opening between horses, the big chestnut burst to victory by a widening 4½ lengths in near track record time.  Second was Forever Silver, a ½ length in front of Cryptoclearance.

Back against his own age in the Travers Stakes, Easy Goer faced five rivals. The threat to Easy Goer came from Clever Trevor, who since finishing 12th in the Kentucky Derby, won in succession the St. Paul Derby and the Arlington Classic in runaway fashion. As anticipated, Clever Trevor went right to the front pursued by Roi Danzig. Easy Goer was further back, first in fourth then moved up to be third down the backstretch. Nearing the far turn, Pat Day let Easy Goer run, and he readily moved alongside the leader. Around the turn both Easy Goer and Clever Trevor raced together and briefly it looked like a tight horse race, but once Day shook up Easy Goer, he pulled clear and won well within himself by 3 lengths. Clever Trevor, in an excellent performance, finished second, 9 lengths in front of Shy Tom.

As mentioned above, it is not currently possible for a sophomore to win the Whitney on the way to a Travers triumph. But we have seen that in the past four three-year-olds were able to use the Whitney as a launchpad for the Mid-Summer Derby. Their success is due to these horses’ inherent quality and the courage of their connections in stepping out of the normal pattern. Cheers to the risk takers!

The Star Crossed Career of Maximum Security

 

The Star-Crossed Career of Maximum Security

Joseph Di Rienzi

Maximum Security at stud
(BloodHorse)

Of recent prominent thoroughbred racehorses, perhaps the most undervalued has been Maximum Security. Nearly cast off by his prominent breeder and owner, he came to the cusp of racing immortality, only to become draped in notoriety in being disqualified twice in major races. His demotions had little to due with his ability but a direct reflection of improper riding and devious training practices. Despite these setbacks, Maximum Security complied an impressive racing record, easily comparable to the best of his contemporaries in the years he raced (2018 – 2020).

A foal of 2016, Maximum Security was an average sized bay son of New Year’s Day bred and owned by Mary and Gary West. His sire, also owned and campaigned by the Wests, won the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile in 2014. A series of unspecified physical issues delayed Maximum Security’s debut until December 2018. When he did begin racing it was at Gulfstream Park in a maiden claiming race for $16,000. He was trained by Jason Servis, a conditioner the Wests used for their lesser stock. (Most of the stable’s runners raced on the West Coast, with their primary trainer being Bob Baffert, including the previous year’s two-year-old champion Game Winner.)

The bay colt showed what would be his characteristic high turn of speed in winning a 6½ furlong maiden event by 9¾ lengths. (Fortunately for his owners, Maximum Security was not claimed.) Staying in Florida, he seamlessly moved into the allowance ranks at the start of 2019 winning 6 and 7 furlong races by 6½ and 18¼ lengths, respectively. The last was run in a particularly fast time and gave Maximum Security’s connections the confidence to try him against the best sophomores in Florida.

In the Florida Derby, jockey Luis Saez took Maximum Security to the front where surprisingly he was unchallenged. Setting moderate fractions, the Wests’ runner was in command all the way around winning by 3½ lengths. In the winner’s circle, Mary and Gary West celebrated this victory in a $1 million race for a horse they nearly lost for $16,000. 

The 2019 Kentucky Derby saw nineteen face the starting gate on a wet day in Louisville. The Bob Baffert trained entry – Improbable, Roadster and Game Winner were well supported in the betting with the first named the post time favorite. The second choice was Maximum Security with Tacitus the only other entry having single digit odds.

The race itself was the story of the year with the final chapter still in doubt until well after the running. It will also be remembered long in Kentucky Derby folklore. The field broke cleanly from the starting gate over the sloppy Churchill Downs surface. Luis Saez put Maximum Security on the lead closely followed by Bodexpress, Long Range Toddy and War of Will. All seemed well as the field went around the far turn. War of Will was guided off the rail to the outside of Maximum Security as Code of Honor moved up the vacated inside. Also running a strong race was Country House who was rallying on the outside from mid-pack. As War of Will was looming next to Maximum Security, the latter did not corner the turn well, forcing the former wide and also impacting Long Range Toddy. Briefly Code of Honor gained the lead, but Maximum Security, demonstrating what would be his characteristic courage, fought back and repelled Code of Honor, War of Will and Country House. At the finish, the son of New Year’s Day was 1¾ lengths in front of Country House who was ¾ of a length ahead of Code of Honor. Tacitus closed late to be fourth, while War of Will faded to finish in eighth place and Long Range Toddy checked in seventeenth. Baffert’s trainees finished fifth (Improbable), sixth (Game Winner) and sixteenth (Roadster).  

The stewards did not post an inquiry, nor did the rider of the presumably impeded War of Will. It was Country House’s jockey Flavien Prat, perhaps sensing an opportunity, who claimed foul against Maximum Security. After an agonizing 23 minute wait, the stewards disqualified Maximum Security (the first in Derby history in the race itself) and placed him seventeenth. Country House, at odds 65-1 (second longest at the time in Kentucky Derby history), gained the roses, a first for trainer Bill Mott. The official victor’s owners - Maury Shields, E. J. M. McFadden Jr. and LNJ Foxwoods were understandably jubilant at their unexpected good fortune. On the other hand, the connections of Maximum Security were in a state of shock seeing their Derby glory snatched from them by an administrative decision.

2019 Kentucky Derby - Maximum Security (second fron right)
(The New York Times)

The racing community was divided on the justness of the stewards’ verdict. Those supporting it argued there was a clear foul and in any other race there would be no question of a disqualification. The other side claimed that this was the Kentucky Derby and only an egregious interference should merit an alteration in the order of finish. They boosted their argument claiming Country House, the chief beneficiary of the stewards’ decision, was unaffected by Maximum Security’s wayward behavior around the stretch turn and should not be rewarded with the victory. West and his wife Mary, convinced of this argument, appealed the disqualification to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. When denied, the Wests and their attorneys took the case to a federal district court. When informed by the judge that decisions by the Commission are not subject to judicial review, the connections of Maximum Security made a further appeal, which was denied on August 28, 2020 by the U. S. Court of Appeals.

In the aftermath of the disqualification, the connections of Maximum Security ruled him out of the other classics, perhaps from spite. The horse resurfaced shortly after the Belmont Stakes in the Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park, an intended prep for the Haskell Invitational Stakes, and at odds of 1-20, he was upset by King for a Day, losing by a length. The two Pegasus protagonists returned in the Haskell joined by four others. It was a bizarre day in which Monmouth Park had to suspend racing after the second race from pressure from regulators, legislators, and even the governor of New Jersey due to a heat wave. Canceling about half of the rest of the card, Monmouth resumed racing at 6 PM with the Haskell run a little after 8 PM. In a spirted renewal, Maximum Security showed his determination in repelling Mucho Gusto’s challenge for a 1¼ length victory. (To add further drama to the day, there was a stewards’ inquiry into crowding on the far turn that, fortunately for the connections of Maximum Security, found no wrongdoing.)

Rather than go on to contest the Travers Stakes as many former Haskell victors have, trainer Jason Servis declared in mid-August that Maximum Security would skip the “Midsummer Classic” because he was “still not 100% fit”. He was entered in the Pennsylvania Derby but was withdrawn due what was deemed a displaced colon.

Servis kept his horse out of the Breeders’ Cup races but finished with a flourish with late season victories in the 7 furlong Bold Ruler Stakes at Belmont Park (a week before the Breeders’ Cup) and a 3½ length win in the Cigar Mile Handicap at Aqueduct that secured Maximum Security the Eclipse Award for Three-Year-Old Male Horse.

As Maximum Security was preparing for his four-year-old season, storm clouds were brewing for his trainer.

The year 2020 saw the inauguration in late February of the Saudi Cup, a 9 furlong race at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Saudi Arabia, with an obscene total purse of $20 million. The field attracted some North American dirt stars headlined by 2019 champions Maximum Security (Three-Year-Old Male) and Midnight Bisou (Older Female on Dirt). Other U. S. based prominent entries were the Bob Baffert trained pair McKinzie and Mucho Gusto, and the reliable Tacitus. From Europe came Magic Wand while from Dubai was the international traveler Benbatl.

Shortly after the start, Mucho Gusto gained a clear lead as the field strung out for the long run down the backstretch. In third place was Maximum Security, while Midnight Bisou, after a slow beginning, was mired in last place. Around the far turn, Luis Saez aboard Maximum Security asked his mount for more but did not get an initial response. In the stretch, Mucho Gusto seemed in control, but late in the race he drifted out while tiring. Maximum Security who was toiling outside of Mucho Gusto was switched to his inside as Mike Smith had Midnight Bisou riding the rail in a dramatic rally down the stretch. Benbatl also was launching a bid. At the finish, Maximum Security secured the victory by ¾ of a length over Midnight Bisou who ran a remarkable race. Finishing third, another 2 lengths back was Benbatl while Mucho Gusto, who appeared a winner in deep stretch, faded in the last 100 yards to finish fourth.

Maximum Security first in the 2020 Saudi Cup
(The New York Times)

In the winner’s circle, there was a sense of vindication for co-owners Gary and Mary West (the partners of Coolmore Stud had purchased 50% of the horse at the year’s beginning), trainer Jason Servis, and jockey Luis Saez for all the controversy over Maximum Security’s disqualification in the 2019 Kentucky Derby and subsequent court actions.

This vindication would not last long, because in March 2020 would come Federal indictments against Servis and other trainers on their use of performance enhancing drugs. Maximum Security was indeed named as one of the horses that had been administered one of these illegal medications as revealed by an FBI phone tap. Jason Servis was arrested and eventually pleaded guilty. Purse money for the Saudia Cup was withhold until that country’s racing authorities did a complete investigation. Four years later in 2024 the Jockey Club of Saudia Arabia recommended the disqualification of Maximum Security which the Stewards’ Committee acted on, declaring Midnight Bisou the official winner with prize money reallocated among the other runners.

When Maximum Security returned to racing after the Saudi Cup he was in a different location and under the shedrow of a different trainer. Bob Baffert (who ironically would be banned from the Kentucky Derby after his horse Medina Spirit tested positively for a prohibitive substance in 2021) assumed the conditioning duties for this star-crossed thoroughbred and had him ready in late July for the 8½ furlong San Diego Handicap at Del Mar Racetrack. Loading a career high weight of 127 lb., the son of New Year’s Day was all out to defeat pacesetter Midcourt (carrying 122 lb.) by a nose. Higher Power (also at 122 lb.) finished third 6¼ lengths behind the embattled pair. The first three finishers met again in the Pacific Classic, the premier race of the Del Mar meet, under equal weights for the 1¼ mile contest. This time setting his own pace, Maximum Security led all the way for a decisive 3 length victory.

In late September at Santa Anita, Baffert used the 9 furlong Awesome Again Stakes as the final Breeders’ Cup Classic prep for both Maximum Security and stablemate Improbable. The former was the odds-on favorite, but the latter dominated the race sweeping from last place in the five horse field to engulf his foes and draw away to a 4½ length victory. Maximum Security, who was involved in a three-way battle in the early part of the race, held on for second ½ length in front of Midcourt.

Maximum Security’s final start was in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, run in 2020 at Keeneland Racecourse. As part of a Bob Baffert trained entry with 2020 Kentucky Derby winner Authentic and Improbable. Maximum Security was up close behind Authentic but lacked the needed response finishing fifth beaten a little over 5 lengths by the Derby victor.

Retired in 2021 to Ashford Stud (the North American division of Coolmore), Maximum Security stands for a modest stud fee of $5,000. His oldest foals are three-year-olds of 2025, and he has had several winners including the promising multiple stakes victor Instant Replay.

We can only hope Maximum Security’s legacy will be remembered not for the sins of his handlers, but for the accomplishments of he and his progeny.

Wilted Roses But Blooming Carnations

 

Wilted Roses But Blooming Carnations

Joseph Di Rienzi

 

A recent trend in North American thoroughbred racing is that horses that did not finish fourth or better in the Kentucky Derby, often skip the Preakness Stakes to await the Triple Crown ending Belmont Stakes. In fact, if we ignore the 2020 running of the Belmont which preceded the other races (due to COVID-19 restrictions), in the last 12 renewals, six horses who were unplaced in the Derby and skipped the Preakness were victorious in the Belmont Stakes. This piece will briefly summarize each of these Belmont winners to show that bitter disappointment on the first Saturday in May can transform into unbridled joy on Belmont Stakes Day.

Union Rags (on right) wins the 2012 Belmont Stakes
(The New York Times)

In 2012 Union Rags was one of the prime early candidates for the three-year-old classics. The long legged handsome bay son of Dixie Union owned by Chadds Ford Stable whose co-owner and breeder Phyllis Wyeth was the wife of celebrated Delaware Valley artist Andrew Wyeth. Trained by Michael Matz, Union Rags was a prominent juvenile in 2011 winning the Saratoga Special and Champagne Stakes and just missing winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He began his sophomore season with an authoritative victory in the Fountain of Youth Stakes, but disappointed as heavy favorite in the Florida Derby, finishing third. Sent off as second choice in the Kentucky Derby, Union Rags was shuffled back to eighteenth place at one point, but closed ground to finish seventh to victorious I’ll Have Another.

The 2012 Belmont Stakes was widely anticipated as I’ll Have Another had also won the Preakness Stakes, but on the morning of the Belmont he was scratched due to an injury. Trainer Michael Matz had skipped the Preakness with Union Rags and changed jockeys from Julien Leparoux to John Velazquez for the Belmont Stakes. Whether it was the absence of the Derby-Preakness winner or the switch in riders that made the difference, the Chadds Ford Stable runner won the classic as Velazquez was able to sit Union Rags on the inside off pacesetting Paynter and found enough room along the rail, surging near the finish to prevail by a neck.

Alas, the Belmont Stakes was the last start for Union Rags. He suffered an injury preparing for summer stakes races that led to his retirement to stud in Kentucky.

Palace Malice wins the 2013 Belmont Stakes
(USA Today)

The following year, Palace Malice also catapulted over an unplaced finish in the Kentucky Derby to win the Belmont Stakes. The son of Curlin owned by the Cot Campbell-run Dogwood Stable partnership, trained by Todd Pletcher, had a modest two-year-old year winning once in two starts. Prior to the Kentucky Derby, Palace Malice’s best effort was a close second in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland Racecourse. In the Derby, he was surprisingly sent for the early lead by jockey Mike Smith and tired over the sloppy track to finish twelfth beaten 13 lengths by Stuart Janney and Phipps Stables’ Orb. Held out of the Preakness, the son of Curlin recorded some impressive workouts leading into the Belmont. Ridden again by Smith, Palace Malice this time rated kindly just off the pace and then raced past Preakness Stakes winner Oxbow at the top of the stretch to win by 3¼ lengths with Derby winner Orb another 1¾ lengths back in third place.

Palace Malice raced on in 2013 winning the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga and fourth beaten less than a length in the Travers Stakes. As a four-year-old in 2014 he won his first four starts, all stakes races before losing in the Whitney Stakes. Brought back as a five-year-old in 2015 he was unsuccessful in two starts and retired to stud in Kentucky. In 2024, Palace Malice was sold and sent to Japan where he currently stands at stud.

 

Creator (on left) wins the 2016 Belmont Stakes
(The New York Times)

Skipping ahead to 2016 we find Creator, a gray son of Tapit owned by WinStar Farm come to hand winning the Arkansas Derby with a deep closing charge as his final prep for the Kentucky Derby. The Steve Asmussen trained colt was again far back in the early going in the Derby but encountered trouble around the stretch turn as he launched his rally and could only finish thirteenth.

To enhance his Belmont Stakes chances, Creator’s connections replaced his regular jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. by Irad Ortiz Jr. who was deemed more familiar with Belmont’s sweeping turns. Creator’s owner, WinStar Farm transferred their colt Gettysburg from Todd Pletcher to the barn of Creator’s trainer Steve Asmussen in order to serve as a pacemaker. And finally, celebrity chef, Bobby Flay was brought in as part owner of Creator, perhaps to provide a good luck charm.

WinStar’s rabbit strategy was successful as Gettysburg carved out a sensible pace. Creator, who at one point was in eleventh place, gradually moved up under Ortiz, saving ground on the inside. Around the huge Belmont final turn, Gettysburg was getting leg weary as Destin came to challenge with Stradivari, Preakness winner Exaggerator and Lani attempting to rally on the outside. Creator, who was behind horses at the top of the stretch, found room and took up after Destin who now had a clear lead. In a desperate finish, Creator caught Destin just before the wire for a nose victory.

Winless in two subsequent starts, Creator was retired and sold to Japanese interests in the fall of 2016. After standing at a stallion farm in Japan, he was sent in late 2024 to Saudi Arabia.

Tapwrit wins the 2017 Belmont Stakes
(UPI.com)

The next year Tapwrit, another gray son of Tapit who was a $1.2 million yearling purchase by Bridlewood Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbreds and Robert LaPenta (the same ownership group that own current sensation Journalism) had won the Tampa Bay Derby. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Tapwrit could only finish fifth in the Blue Grass Stakes, his final Kentucky Derby prep. In the Run for the Roses, Tapwrit finished a closing sixth to stable mate Always Dreaming. 

It would be hard to make the year’s Belmont Stakes memorable. Not only were the Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming and Preakness winner Cloud Computing absent, but Classic Empire (second in the Preakness), who would have been the favorite no matter who was entered, was withdrawn due to a foot abscess.

Despite his out of the money performance in Louisville, Tapwrit was accorded second favoritism (at 5-1) to Wood Memorial Stakes victor Irish War Cry. The two most favored horses finished in reverse order, as Irish War Cry attempted to lead all the way. Coming into the stretch, with about a 2 length lead, he could not hold off Tapwrit who had advanced from third on the inside down the backstretch to challenge once swung outside by jockey Jose Ortiz. At the finish, Tapwrit was 2 lengths clear of Irish War Cry.

As with Union Rags and Creator, Tapwrit never won another race although he competed through his four-year-old season. Retired to stud in Kentucky, he recently has been relocated to a farm in Indiana.

Mo Donegal wins the 2022 Belmont Stakes
(BloodHorse)

In 2022, Mo Donegal was considered one of the leading classic candidates. The son of Uncle Mo owned by Donegal Racing and Repole Stable and trained by Todd Pletcher had won the Remsen Stakes as a juvenile and the Wood Memorial in his second sophomore start. He finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby to longshot Rich Strike, but he was beaten less than 4 lengths.

Favored in the Belmont Stakes under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., Mo Donegal came with a strong move around the final turn and used his stamina to prevail by 3 lengths over his barnmate, the filly Nest. Derby winner Rich Strike finished sixth.

As with Union Rags, this was to be Mo Donegal’s final start as an injury forced his retirement to stud at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky. His first foals arrived in 2024.  

Dornoch wins the 2024 Belmont Stakes
(NPR)

The last horse on this study of recent form reversals from the Derby to the Belmont is Dornoch. Purchased as a yearling in 2022 for $250,000, little did the owners (West Paces Racing and R A Hill Stable) know they were buying a full brother to the 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage. Making four starts in 2023 under trainer Danny Gargan, Dornoch culminated his juvenile campaign with a nose victory in the Remsen Stakes over highly regarded Sierra Leone. His three-year-old season started with a victory in the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park, followed by a fourth place finish (to Sierra Leone) in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.

In the Kentucky Derby, Dornoch drew the dreaded number 1 post position and after breaking a little slow was shuffled back and could finish no better than twelfth to upset winner Mystik Dan.

Skipping the Preakness (won by Seize the Grey), Dornoch’s connections planned to have the bay colt near the lead to avoid the trouble he experienced in the Kentucky Derby. Favored for the Belmont Stakes (run in 2024 at Saratoga Racetrack at the shortened 1¼ mile distance) was Derby second Sierra Leone with the lightly raced Mindframe the second choice above Mystik Dan and Seize the Grey. Dornoch, as a result of his disappointing Derby performance, was dismissed at odds of nearly 18-1 in the ten horse field.

True to the pre-race strategy, jockey Luis Saez positioned Dornoch just off the Preakness winner. Gaining command around the stretch turn, he fought off a furious challenge by Mindframe who drifted out noticeably in the stretch to win the Belmont Stakes by a ½ length. Sierra Leone was third, and the previous classic winners – Seize the Grey and Mystik Dan finished seventh and eighth, respectively.)

The breeding of Dornoch and Mage (Good Magic out of Puca) has now produced two classic winners. That feat had only been accomplished one other time when full brothers Whiskery (Derby 1927) and Victorian (Preakness 1928) won their respective classics.

Unlike others in this study save Palace Malice, Dornoch did go on to win after the Belmont Stakes. He was victorious in the Haskell Invitational Stakes at Monmouth Park, again defeating Mindframe. However, after a fourth-place finish in the Travers Stakes, Dornoch was injured preparing for the Breeders’ Cup Classic and retired to join Mo Donegal at Spendthrift Farm.

So, as we approach this year’s edition of the Belmont Stakes (run again at Saratoga), it might be wise to pay attention to those who were unsuccessful in the Kentucky Derby.

                              “From the Dying Rose, the Blooming Carnation May Yet Emerge.”

 

 

Memories of the Preakness - Part II.

 

Memories of the Preakness – Part II.

Joseph Di Rienzi

This is the second part of my recapitulations of memorable editions of the Preakness Stakes in preparation for the 150^th running that will be contested on May 17, 2025 at Pimlico Racetrack. In Part I., I recalled the 1962, 1969 and 1973 renewals. In this piece I will look at the 1989, 1997, and 2007 editions, all of which produced scintillating performances and dramatic finishes.

1989
This year’s Preakness featured Round II of what would become a fierce rivalry between two tremendous horses based on opposite coasts owned by leaders of the thoroughbred industry and trained by master horsemen. On the East Coast was based Easy Goer, a muscular chestnut son of Alydar from the champion mare Relaxing, born at Claiborne Farm (Seth Hancock, President) for owner Ogden Phipps and trained by Claude “Shug” McGaughey. Easy Goer was the two-year-old champion of 1988, and his performances evoked memories of Secretariat. On the West Coast was a lanky, almost black son of Halo with a curious stripe down his face. His name was Sunday Silence, owned by the partnership of Dr. Ernest Gaillard, Arthur B. Hancock III (Seth’s older brother), and Charlie Whittingham and trained by the legendary “Bald Eagle” himself.

In the Kentucky Derby, Easy Goer was the strong favorite, but did not seem to handle the muddy Churchill Downs track, closing belatedly to finish second, 2½ lengths behind Sunday Silence. The fact that the son of Alydar had finished second in the previous year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs under similar track conditions, gave his connections hope he could reverse the result at Pimlico in the Preakness two weeks later.  

Kentucky Derby runners, Dansil, Hawkster, Houston, and Northern Wolf were among the eight entries. Easy Goer was again the favorite; his believers willing to forgive his Churchill Downs performances, coupled with some foot issues that cast doubt on Sunday Silence’s soundness. The track was fast, so for this classic there were no concerns about the surface conditions.

This Preakness was one of the most dramatic races in history, comparing well with the epic 1978 Belmont Stakes between Affirmed and Alydar. Northern Wolf and Houston contested the early lead, with the latter gaining a clear advantage once the field straightened out down the backstretch. Sunday Silence was away well and assumed a position in fourth just behind the leaders. Easy Goer hopped at the start but quickly joined the field along the outside tracking Sunday Silence. Making a bold move halfway down the backstretch, Easy Goer, under Pat Day, swept by Sunday Silence to contest the lead with Houston. Around the far turn, Pat Valenzuela asked Sunday Silence for his run, and he readily went up to challenge Easy Goer on the outside for the lead. Down the stretch they were like two heavyweight boxers, exchanging punches toe to toe. For an instant, it looked like Sunday Silence would pull away, but then Easy Goer under Day’s whipping fought back to gain a slight advantage. Valenzuela shifted Sunday Silence closer to Easy Goer brushing him several times and forcing him close to the rail. In a desperate finish, Sunday Silence’s nose was in front. A foul claim by Pat Day for interference down the stretch was not allowed. The final time was excellent, indicating the powerful races run by the first two finishers. 

Sunday Silence winning the 1989 Preakness
(bloodhorse.com)

The son of Halo had won the first two classics, and it was on to the Belmont Stakes for immortality, plus a $5 million bonus if Sunday Silence should complete the Triple Crown. However, Shug McGaughey and the Phipps Stable were not ready to concede the Belmont to their rival and would prepare Easy Goer for another assault against Sunday Silence. At his favorite track, Easy Goer would produce a resounding 8 length victory in a time only run faster at its 1½ mile distance by Secretariat in his epochal Belmont Stakes triumph in 1973.

1997
This year’s Preakness Stakes promised a rematch of the pulsating Derby finish with the first two across the line - Silver Charm and Captain Bodgit entered. The former, a strong bodied gray son of Silver Buck owned by Bob and Beverly Lewis had provided trainer Bob Baffert with his first Kentucky Derby victory by a head over the latter owned by the Team Valor partnership.

Also entered in the Preakness were Derby alums Free House (who finished third) and Concerto (ninth). Of the six other entrants, the most intriguing was Frank Stronach and Stonerside Stable’s Touch Gold, a bay son of Deputy Minister out of the Buckpasser mare Passing Mood. Raced in Canada during his juvenile year, Touch Gold finished in the top three positions in two stake races. In 1997, now trained by David Hofmans, he started the year with a sharp 6 furlong allowance win at Santa Anita. Racing next in the 8½ furlong Lexington Stakes at Keeneland Racetrack, Touch Gold roared from off the pace to an 8½ length victory.

Despite his Derby success, Silver Charm was only the third betting choice in the Preakness behind favorite, Captain Bodgit and Free House. Bettors recognizing Touch Gold’s potential made him the fourth betting chance. The start was eventful as Touch Gold under Chris McCarron stumbled badly and nearly fell to his knees. Longshot Cryp Too went for the early lead followed closely by Free House. Jockey Gary Stevens had Silver Charm assume a tracking position a few lengths from the leaders while Captain Bodgit settled in ninth place. Touch Gold, who was last as the result of his near disaster at the break, moved up impressively along the inside in the run down the backstretch until having to steady at the ½ mile pole. As the field swung around the tight Pimlico far turn, Free House was in the lead with Silver Charm about a length away with Concerto trying to hold third position. Touch Gold tried to come up the inside, but as the field straightened out for the stretch run, Kent Desormeaux riding Free House tightened up the opening on the rail so that the hole was very narrow. In a torrid stretch drive the two Californian based runners, Free House and Silver Charm, battled tenaciously as Captain Bodgit closed furiously on the outside. Silver Charm managed to get his head in front of Free House just before the finish as Captain Bodgit was a similar margin behind in third place. Touch Gold, who never made it past Free House, nevertheless, ran a remarkable race in finishing fourth, beaten only a total of 1½ lengths.

Silver Charm (no.,  6) wiining the 1997 Preakness
(Daily Racing Form)

Despite another desperate finish, Silver Charm now stood on the brink of racing history. No one could question his gameness and his breeding with Buckpasser and Round Table influences suggested that the 1½ mile distance of the Belmont Stakes would be no obstacle. However, the takeaway from the Preakness was that the best horse may have finished fourth, and he, Touch Gold, was also being pointed for the Belmont. And as the racing fates would have it, a Triple Crown would be denied as Touch Gold would catch Silver Charm in the closing strides of the Belmont Stakes.

2007
This year’s Preakness Stakes brought together the two best horses of their generation. Street Sense, a leggy dark bay son of Street Cry, was the two-year-old champion of 2006 and became the first horse (there has been only one other since) to win both the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and the Kentucky Derby. Owned by James Tafel, trained by Carl Nafzger and ridden by Calvin Borel, in the Derby, Street Sense finished 2¼ lengths clear of Hard Spun at the finish. The latter easily held second; some 5¾ lengths further back in third was the lightly raced Curlin.

The last mentioned would have a complicated ownership and change of trainers in his racing career. He was named after Charles Curlin, an African American slave who fought in the Civil War, by one of his owners who was a distant descendent. Curlin, the racehorse was a big bright chestnut son of Smart Strike from a Deputy Minister mare, announced his presence with an eye-opening 12¾ length victory in fast final time in a maiden race at Gulfstream Park in February 2007. After this initial victory, Midnight Cry Stables sold a controlling interest in the colt to a partnership consisting of Jess Jackson, owner of Stonestreet Stables, Satish Sanan, owner of Padua Stables, and George Bolton. Helen Pitts, who had trained Curlin and brought him to his first start was summarily replaced by the more well-known Steve Asmussen. (Because of the four-part ownership, Curlin’s jockey would appear in different silks on a rotating basis.) Winner of both the Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn, he went into the Derby with no races as a juvenile and only three total starts.

The Preakness, in addition to five other less fancied entrants, featured the first three finishers from the Kentucky Derby and one other participant, Circular Quay. Street Sense was the favorite, but Hard Spun, Curlin and Circular Quay all were given solid chances to upset the Derby hero. In drama and sheer racing performance it was one of the best Preakness’ ever, matched by the Sunday Silence – Easy Goer duel in 1989.

The early pace was fast, carved out by longshots Xchanger and Flying First Class. Hard Spun was reserved in third place a few lengths behind with Curlin, Street Sense, and Circular Quay much further back occupying the last three positions. Midway down the backstretch, Hard Spun cruised past the pacesetters to establish a clear lead. Around the far turn C P West made a mild challenge, but the real threats were coming from Curlin and Street Sense who were both rallying strongly. Borel took Street Sense off the rail to split horses at the top of the stretch and surged to the front. Curlin on the outside had been passed by Street Sense, but re-rallied when he changed leads for Robby Albarado to close the gap and finally gain the lead just before the finish. At the wire, Curlin was a head in front of Street Sense who was 4 lengths clear of Hard Spun. C P West finished fourth, and Circular Quay had a tepid rally to finish fifth. The final time equaled the fastest Preakness ever (not counting Secretariat’s corrected final time); however, the Pimlico surface was providing swift final times the entire day.

For Curlin’s several owners, it was a special moment of unified celebration. (It would not last, due to jail sentences for his original owners and lawsuits by the clients they had defrauded.) Steve Asmussen, who now had one of the largest stables in the country, was relishing his first classic victory, and the beginning of a run that would propel him to the upper echelon of the training ranks. For Robby Albarado this also was his first classic success. That Curlin in only his fifth career start would be able to win the Preakness, suggested he was a horse who would only become more formidable in time.
 

Curlin (on outside) winning the 2007 Preakness
(Denver Post)

So, as we approach the 150^th renewal of the Preakness, it is hoped horse racing enthusiasts will be treated to another spectacular race that will build on the great tradition and bring honor to the horse who wears in the winner’s circle the blanket of Black-Eyed Susans (actually dyed Poms or Mums).