Legends of the Track: Preakness Contender Updates, Silver Charm wins a Sterling version of the second leg of the Triple Crown + The $200,000 Calvin Houghland Iroquois, Where are the European invaders?
Legends of the Track: Preakness Contender Updates, Silver Charm wins a Sterling version of the second leg of the Triple Crown + The $200,000 Calvin Houghland Iroquois, Where are the European invaders?
Tuesday Edition - May 7th, 2024 (Edition 79)
IN TODAY’S EMAIL
Good Morning!
In today's edition, we're shining a spotlight on Silver Charm's brilliant victory in the 1987 Preakness! Silver Charm is the oldest living Kentucky Derby winner living out his retirement at Old Friends Farm in Georgetown, Kentucky.
On the jump racing front, we cast our gaze toward this Saturday’s $200,000 Calvin Houghland Iroquois, a Grade I event in Nashville, Tennessee. The entries are out but where are the Europeans?
For those who love to keep their ears to the ground, our Podcast of the Day offers the latest updates on 2024 Preakness contenders. It appears as if Kenny McPeak is now leaning towards at shot at the triple crown. The sport thrives on this kind of excitement, even if it means facing off against Baffert’s monster who is lurking in the shadows. Bring it on!
And for a bit of fun, we've got a trivia question that will test your knowledge and perhaps teach you something new: Can you name this British Racecourse? Back to dear old Blighty.
Rider’s Up!
Steve
GREATEST WINNERS OF THE PREAKNESS STAKES
Silver Charm wins Sterling Preakness (USA)
Silver Charm at the Old Friend Farm in Georgetown in Kentucky - Photo Pat McDonough
In 1997, Silver Charm clinched victory at the Kentucky Derby, setting the stage for an unforgettable run at the second leg of the elusive Triple Crown. Fast forward 27 years, and those moments remain unparalleled. Silver Charm stands as one of the all-time great thoroughbreds.
Watch the enthralling 1987 Preakness Stakes
THE HISTORY OF THE PREAKNESS STAKES
The Triple Crown Second leg (USA)
The 2023 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md. (Eclipse Sportswire)
Horse racing is one of the world’s most vastly popular and widely celebrated sporting events with many of the historical racecourses offering their own fair share of high-octane action for all fans and punters to enjoy on a regular occurrence, with one venue located in Baltimore, Maryland hosting a true fan-favorite race that is well worth the price at admission to attend in person.
Given that horse racing has remained a staple within the sporting industry due to the wide number of annual events that draw in spectators from all across the globe, punters are often left spoilt as to which events are the best ones to attend in person and experience something they’ll never forget.
Many racetracks in the U.S. have marquee stakes races with rich histories and purses to match. These races, the biggest of which attract thousands of spectators and millions more watching on TV or on their devices, serve as goals for many owners to pursue as they campaign their horses throughout the year.
Out of all major U.S.-based horse racing venues that are located across the nation, Pimlico Race Course is arguably the most and respected due to its unparalleled history, with the Preakness Stakes being one of its most distinguished events.
To better understand why Preakness Stakes is so celebrated among horse racing fans within the U.S. and across the world, it is best to delve deeper into the history surrounding its origin and how it has garnered such a well-deserved perception in the decades following its establishment.
History and Origins:
The Preakness Stakes was first held in 1873, two years before the first running of the Kentucky Derby. The race was named after a colt from Milton Holbrook Sanford’s Preakness Stud, located in the small community of Preakness, Wayne Township, N.J. That colt would claim victory in the Dinner Party Stakes on the very first day of racing at Pimlico in 1870.
The very first Preakness Stakes was held on May 23, 1873, with seven different starters competing on the now fabled track. John Chamberlin’s 3-year-old Thoroughbred Survivor claimed the winning prize money of $2,050 after a comfortable 10-length win, which was the largest winning margin in the event’s history up until it was broken by Smarty Jones in 2004 with an astounding 11 ½-length display.
Throughout the years, the race has witnessed a fair share of changes to its overall length, but it is now held at 1 3/16 miles. The Preakness is restricted to 3-year-olds and currently has a total purse of $1.65 million.
THE IROQUOIS
The $200,000 Calvin Houghland Iroquois - Grade I (USA)
This weekend brings us to the season's second big event in American Jump racing - the Grade 1 $200,000 Calvin Houghland Iroquois race. The entries are out, and what stands out is the lack of European runners. Only Gordon Elliot is sending over a horse, ANDY DUFRESNE (IRE) and looking at the ownership change it appears as if the horse has been bought for American owners. The race is shaping up perfectly for Snap Decision, the two-time champion. He trounced most of these runners a few weeks ago giving away lumps of weight and today he meets them on level terms.
PODCAST OF THE DAY
2024 Preakness Contender Updates 5-6-24
2 minute update on the 2024 Preakness field and the plans for the top horses from the Kentucky Derby.
Listen to the Podcast at betamericarn.libsyn.com
TRIVIA QUESTION
Can you name the British Racecourse where racing began in the early 1800s, however found its current home in 1924?
The course is a right-handed oval with a circumference of around one-and-a-quarter miles. Although National Hunt racing is traditionally a winter sport, this track stages a year-round program of racing.
Visit USASteeplechase X page for the result
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Riders Up!
Best, Steve