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).

Memories of Preakness - Part I.

 

Memories of the Preakness – Part I.

Joseph Di Rienzi

When the Preakness Stakes is renewed on May 17^th, it will mark some milestones. This will be the 150^th running of what has been called “The Middle Jewel”. It will also mark the last time the race is contested at the current Pimlico Racetrack. The clubhouse and adjacent facilities are scheduled to be reconstructed through state financing. Starting in 2026, the Preakness will be run at Laurel Racetrack, and continue there until the reconstruction is completed. The upcoming relocation of the Preakness is not unprecedented. In fact, Maryland’s signature horserace has, on occasion, been run out of state. In 1890, seventeen years after its inaugural, the Preakness Stakes was run at Morris Park Racecourse in The Bronx, New York. Then from 1891 to 1893 it was not renewed, but from 1894 to 1908, it was contested at Gravesend Racetrack in Coney Island, New York. Returning to Pimlico in 1909, it has remained in Baltimore, Maryland.

The aim of this piece is to recount the most memorable Preakness Stakes in the last 65 years. I have found narrowing the list to a reasonable number has been challenging. Over the many years, I have been following thoroughbred racing, there have been many thrilling editions of the Preakness, in fact this race has often a more dramatic finish than its Kentucky counterpart. So as a compromise, I have divided this essay into a two-part series signaling out three editions of the race in Part I. and three more in Part II. My choice of renewals is purely subjective; an astute reader will note I have omitted the years 1977, 1978, 2015 and 2018 in which a horse on the way to winning the coveted Triple Crown triumphed at Pimlico. Part of my rationale was to highlight some renewals that are not that well remembered yet produced pulsating finishes among evenly matched contestants. I hope you will enjoy my attempt at rekindling the past.

 

1962
The classic crop of 1962 was a contentious bunch of horses, some who shone brightly briefly, others who soldiered on through the winter and spring months. What set this year off from others was the series of tight finishes and objections lodged. The horse who finished first in the Flamingo Stakes and dead heated for the win in the Wood Memorial Stakes (Sunrise County) was disqualified and there was a foul claim in the Florida Derby against the winner, Ridan. The hot favorite for the Kentucky Derby, Meadow Stables’ Sir Gaylord, was injured the day before the race and withdrawn. The flashy Ridan assumed favoritism but could not finish better than third as El Peco Ranch’s Decidedly, rallying from behind, defeated Roman Line by 2½ lengths setting a Derby track record.

The week after the Kentucky Derby, Aqueduct Racetrack carded the mile Withers Stakes, and George D. Widener’s Jaipur who had not contested the Derby won by a length. The victory was satisfactory enough to enter him in the Preakness Stakes which his connections stated would be used as part of his Belmont Stakes preparation. Derby runners Decidedly, Roman Line, Ridan, Sunrise County and Crimson Satan were also in Baltimore for the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.

This Preakness provided a thrilling contest with a controversial finish. Jaipur took the lead early, but he would have no response when challengers came. Ridan surged to the lead on the far turn, but he was soon joined by Brandywine Stable’s, Greek Money, a chestnut colt from the Mid-Atlantic region trained by V. W. “Buddy” Raines. Greek Money had an ordinary two-year-old season, but racing at Laurel and Pimlico Racetrack, he had won two of three starts with easy wins in the Chesapeake Stakes and the Preakness Prep allowance race.  Ridden by John Rotz, Greek Money slipped to the lead inside of Ridan, and the two waged a fierce battle down the stretch with the Brandywine color bearer prevailing by a nose after it appeared Ridan would triumph. After the race, a foul claim was lodged by Ridan’s rider, Manuel Ycaza, who claimed interference during the stretch run. The pan shot of the embattled pair failed to disclose any wrongdoing, but the head-on (see photo below) showed Ycaza leaning in towards Greek Money seemingly attempting to push his adversary into the rail. The result was let stand, and Ycaza was suspended for a frivolous claim of foul. As for the others, Roman Line was well back in third, Sunrise County fifth, Crimson Satan seventh, Jaipur who would go on to win the Belmont Stakes tenth, and the Derby winner, Decidedly, a complete absentee in eighth.

Greek Money(right) winning 
the 1962 Preakness Stakes
(nytimes.com)

1969
This year’s crop of three-year-olds was considered first rate and was initially headed by the previous year’s champion two-year-old Top Knight who had won both the Flamingo Stakes and Florida Derby. He was not favored in the Kentucky Derby due to the presence of Majestic Prince. The strapping chestnut son of Raise a Native was sold as a yearling for what then was a world record price of $250,000 to Canadian industrialist Frank McMahon. Trained by retired Hall of Fame jockey John Longden who rode 1943 Triple Crown winner Count Fleet and ridden by four time leading jockey William Hartack, everything about Majestic Prince said this horse was special. Majestic Prince came into the Derby undefeated in seven starts. He was sternly tested in the race, but not by Top Knight. Instead, it was Paul Mellon’s Arts and Letters who was coming into his own after second place finishes (to Top Knight) in the Florida races and a runaway victory in the Blue Grass Stakes. The son of Ribot battled down the Churchill Downs stretch with Majestic Prince, falling short by a neck with Claiborne Farm’s Dike ½ length back in third. Top Knight could do no better than fifth place.

With this result, thoroughbred racing had an undefeated Kentucky Derby winner on his way to the Preakness. However, the Derby also identified a formidable adversary in Arts and Letters who would make Majestic Prince’s Triple Crown quest much more difficult to accomplish.

The Preakness Stakes, two weeks later, featured a rematch of the Kentucky Derby with Majestic Prince and Arts and Letters. Dike was reserved to await the Belmont Stakes, but Top Knight was entered to erase his subpar Derby performance. There were eight entries in the Preakness, with only Al Hattab and Jay Ray given any other consideration. Majestic Prince was the prohibitive favorite with Top Knight, surprisingly, the second choice.

The race had controversy right from the beginning with Majestic Prince bumping Arts and Letters shortly after the break. Then going to the first turn, Majestic Prince bore out slightly into Al Hattab, squeezing Arts and Letters, who was racing in between them, sufficient enough that Braulio Baeza riding Arts and Letters had to steady and drop his mount several lengths back of the leaders. Longshots Glad’s Flame and Greengrass Green contested the pace several lengths ahead of Majestic Prince and Top Knight. Arts and Letters, back in sixth place, began to make up the lost ground down the backstretch. As they approached the far turn, Majestic Prince made his move with Top Knight following. Just as in the Derby, last year’s two-year-old champion was unable to sustain his rally and dropped back before the stretch run. However, Arts and Letters, although forced the go wide on the final turn, was launching a powerful rally. In the stretch, Majestic Prince had a clear lead, but Arts and Letters was closing relentlessly on the far outside. He seemed to be getting to the leader, but the Derby victor had enough left to hold him off, albeit by a diminishing head. Jay Ray was 4 lengths back in third with Top Knight another 4 lengths back in fourth place and Al Hattab fifth. Soon afterward there was a jockey’s claim of foul by Baeza for interference on the part of Majestic Prince early in the race, but after a lengthy deliberation, the Pimlico stewards let the result stand.

Majestic Prince winning the 1969 Preakness Stakes
(Winant Brothers)

In the immediate afterward, trainer John Longden announced that Majestic Prince would not contest the Belmont Stakes, thereby foregoing the opportunity to complete the Triple Crown. Longden indicated that Majestic Prince (and he) were tired from their joint efforts in the Derby and Preakness. The racing press and public thought this was heretical. A little later, Majestic Prince’s owner Frank McMahon overruled his trainer and the undefeated Double Crown hero preceded to attempt to complete the Triple Crown. In the 1½ mile final classic, Majestic Prince found Arts and Letters too strong and finished second, beaten 5½ lengths. 

1973
There was tremendous anticipation leading up to the 1973 Preakness Stakes as a result of Secretariat’s track record performance in the Kentucky Derby. The Meadow Stable runner trained by Lucien Laurin had fulfilled all the promise he had shone has a two-year-old in defeating Sigmund Sommer’s gallant Sham by 2½ lengths. First spoken in whispers, but now proclaimed at loud was the hope that the long drought (since 1948) of a Triple Crown winner may be finally over. However, the Preakness was the bane of the previous year’s Meadow Stable runner Riva Ridge who after winning the Derby could finish only fourth to outsider Bee Bee Bee. (“Riva” subsequently atoned for this lost with a triumphant 7 length victory in the climatic Belmont Stakes.)

The 1973 Preakness had a field much reduced from its Louisville counterpart. The first three finishes in the Kentucky Derby - Secretariat, Sham and Our Native were entered with three longshots – Deadly Dream, Ecole Etage and Torsion all of whom had not contested the Derby. Secretariat had a brilliant workout at Pimlico Racetrack the Sunday before the race and appeared to be coming into the Preakness in peak condition. Sham also seemed to be holding his form, so there was great anticipation they would continue their rivalry. The Meadow Stable team was confident, but cautious, remembering Riva Ridge’s shocking defeat in the Preakness the previous year after also winning the Derby impressively. The charisma of Secretariat was becoming infectious and that brought a record Preakness crowd which officials at Pimlico were unable to adequately control (especially during the race). 

Ecole Etage, as expected, was sent to the lead. Secretariat breaking slowly as usual, dropped back to sixth place, but instead of steering him to the inside as he did in the Derby, jockey Ron Turcotte wheeled the big chestnut colt outside of horses on the clubhouse turn. In doing so, Secretariat made a sudden move that took him quickly from last to first, surprising everyone. Laffit Pincay Jr., riding Sham, who was tracking in fourth, wheeled his colt out in pursuit of Secretariat. Down the backstretch Secretariat had a daylight lead with Sham in second place tracking. Around the far turn, Sham was roused to close the gap, but Turcotte on Secretariat was just letting his horse lope along. My most lasting memory of the stretch run was Turcotte sitting still on Secretariat while Pincay was flailing away on Sham in futile pursuit. At the finish, Secretariat maintained a 2½ length margin on Sham with Our Native 8 lengths back, exactly the finish and margins as in the Derby.

The most controversial aspect of the race was the final time. The official clocking by Pimlico was decidedly slower than handheld times, which registered a new track record. After many years of discussion and reviewing race videos, the Maryland Racing Commission in 2012 recognized the discrepancy and credited Secretariat with a time that broke the existing track record. More importantly this horse was now on the verge of horse racing immortality. As co-owner Penny Tweedy declared in the Preakness winner’s circle, “there is one more river to cross.”

Secretariat winning the 1973 Preakness Stakes
(The New York Times)

(To be continued in Memories of the Preakness - Part II.)