Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits Its Namesake

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits Its Namesake

JeanP — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:22:37 GMT

More on Preakness the horse -- what he accomplished between the Dinner Party Stakes (which opened the Inaugural Fall meet at Pimlico, as mentioned above) and his final moments with the Duke! Preakness was quite a prominent horse in his era. The Preakness Stakes itself was established when Pimlico added a spring meet. The stakes was named in honor of Preakness, who had become the most popular horse in Maryland at time.

Preakness was owned by the well-known horseman Milton Sanford, who at that time ran his operation out of Preakness Stables in what was then Preakness NJ, named after the original colonial patent for the area, which was named after the Indian name for the local creek.

Although Preakness (the horse) was originally trained by Billy Hayward, late in 1870, about a month or so after the running of the Dinner Party Stakes, Sanford put his horses in the hands of Charles Littlefield. Littlefield trained Preakness for the rest of that horse's spectacular career.

Preakness (by Lexington) won three of the year's biggest races as a four-year-old in 1871 -- the Westchester Cup and the Maturity Stakes, and the Jerome Park Cup, all at Jerome Park. Preakness did not race at five due to injuries, but returned at six and seven to win the Grand National Handicap, the Manhattan Handicap, the Jockey Club Handicap (twice) and others. At the age of eight, Preakness won "two of his greatest races" -- the Baltimore Cup, carrying 131 pounds, and dead heating with Springbok in the Saratoga Cup. The two set the American record for the distance, which held for 20 years. Preakness was named Champion Older Male in 1875. In 1876, Preakness won England's Brighton Cup. The Duke of Hamilton purchased him after that race.

It's important to know that the Preakness was named for a horse that had an illustrious career, in addition to the fact that his death inspired the inception of the animal rights movement!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits Its Namesake

Tiara Terces — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:22:49 GMT

Steve, thanks for mentioning some of the would-be Triple Crown Winners who lost in the Preakness instead of the Belmont. When we get to the Belmont I imagine you will mention horses like Risen Star by Secretariat who lost the Derby but not the other two Jewels in the Crown.

By the way, if anyone would know about it it would probably be you. Has anyone ever designed an actual crown with three jewels to commemorate the three races? If not, I suggest it should have a Ruby for the Derby, an Emerald for the Preakness and a Diamond for the Belmont. A designated recipient among the ladies connected to the winner could wear it for until it is time to crown the next winner at the trophy presentation. That is if she lives that long. I hope Orb's significant lady could be presented her crown retroactively when this idea is finally adopted. My suspicion, however, is no one should be holding their breath.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits Its Namesake

Love 'em all — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:16:45 GMT

Check out the site ... preakness-stakes.info/history - and click on all the highlights for more history of the Preakness than you can imagine. I spent the better part of an afternoon a couple of days ago at that site.

There are several more sites to choose from (I prefer 'bing').... and all very interesting. Just wish I could remember all those wonderful facts.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits Its Namesake

Alex'sBigFan — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:04:29 GMT

alhattab,

I love it by Monmouth Park in that area too. Very nice area. I go a few times to Monmouth and especially to the Haskell each year. That is rapidly becoming the coolest race to go to. So look at that you grew up where the Preakness takes it's name from! Very cool.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits Its Namesake

Rachel NH — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:33:13 GMT

Who could ever forget Curlin almost falling on his knees at the start, getting headed in the stretch by street sense and battling back in a fantastic stretch run with the second fastest time ever in only his fifth start ever!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits Its Namesake

Pedigree Ann — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:20:42 GMT

The following notes accompany the list of winners of the Preakness S in the 1953 issue of the American Racing Manual.

Distance 1 1-2 miles prior to 1889; 1 1-4 miles in 1889; 1 1-16 from 1894 to 1900, inclusive, and in 1908; 1 mile 70 yards from 1901 to 1907, inclusive; one mile in 1909 and 1910; 1 1-8 miles from 1911 to 1924, inclusive. Not run from 1890 to 1892, inclusive. Run at Gravesend, NY, from 1894 to 1908, inclusive.

So from 1873 to 1889, the Preakness was a race at a classic distance at Pimlico. It was discontinued in 1890. Then in 1894, another track, in another state, ran a race for milers that they named the Preakness Handicap. It was discontinued in 1909.

THEN, in 1909, a mile race with the name Preakness was begun back at Pimlico. It was a mile or 9f up to 1924. It was not until 1924 that it ceased to be a handicap and not until 1925 was it at the currently traditional distance of 1 3/16 miles.

I contend that the Preakness could not be considered a classic until 1925. Its big purse (bigger than the Belmont's or the Kentucky Derby's in several years in the mid/late 1920s) was pulling in the better 3yo runners. It is telling that its inclusion in a Triple Crown dates to this period. Previously, the race wasn't that important, except for that first incarnation as a 12f Derby-type race (1873-1889), when it was won by such top horses as Tom Ochiltree, Duke of Magenta, and The Bard.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits Its Namesake

Deltalady — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:33:56 GMT

Quick question, Steve: Do you think there may be a deliberate attempt to impede or cause Orb to have to check while in full flight on the far turn? I guess I'm a worry wart. I hope I'm wrong and that it is a cleanly run race, but would appreciate your thoughts.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits It's Namesake

Pedigree Ann — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:36:17 GMT

The area of London named Pimlico planned and built as an extension of nearby Mayfair, beginning in 1825. In 1877, Pimlico was described as "genteel, sacred to the professional man... not rich enough to luxuriate in Belgravia proper, but rich enough to live in private houses."

Wikipedia muses - At some point in the late seventeenth or early eighteenth century, the area ceased to be known as Ebury or "The Five Fields" and gained the name by which it is now known. While its origins are disputed, it is "clearly of foreign derivation.... Gifford, in a note in his edition of Ben Jonson, tells us that 'Pimlico is sometimes spoken of as a person, and may not improbably have been the master of a house once famous for ale of a particular description."[1] Supporting this etymology, Rev. Brewer describes the area as "a district of public gardens much frequented on holidays. According to tradition, it received its name from Ben Pimlico, famous for his nut-brown ale. His tea-gardens, however, were near Hoxton, and the road to them was termed Pimlico Path, so that what is now called Pimlico was so named from the popularity of the Hoxton resort."

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits It's Namesake

PantyRaid — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:55:59 GMT

Steve I have read your blogs for a couple years now and you have went from the GUY touting 8 horses in the derby to this story and I must say your last few blogs have been interesting informing and impressive -wow I like this style much better than putting so many picks out there-your ability to bring certain circumstances together and connect the dots so to speak make this time of year much more interesting -the story you did on the history of the connections of orb was great-(Forgive the run on sentences)and this is an awesome one!!! Ill look forward to your next writings....

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits It's Namesake

kincsem — Thu, 16 May 2013 02:19:29 GMT

Steve in St. Louis,

I LOVE Secretariat's Preakness above the other two races because of that sweeping move so early in the race. Cannot think of any other racehorse who could have done that and still run away from the field in the final 1/8th. And I laugh to think what must have flashed through Pincay's head when he saw the blur of a red freight train with blue and white checked silks flying past him on the outside of the clubhouse turn:"what the...!"

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits It's Namesake

Greybirdk1 — Thu, 16 May 2013 02:00:20 GMT

Great story. I bow to your skill and expertise. You are the Shakespeare of the racing world. But seriously, you are my age, you should know that "It's" means "it is". This is the end of civilization as I know it. Haskin can't write a gramatically correct title. Go Orb! See you at the Peakness.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits It's Namesake

LINDA MARIE — Thu, 16 May 2013 01:37:12 GMT

THANK YOU FOR THIS RICH HISTORY OF THE RACE ...YOU ALWAYS WEAVE SUCH A BEAUTIFULLY TEXTURED STORY ...HOPING THAT ORB WILL WEAVE HIS WAY OUT OF THIS PART OF PREAKNESS HISTORY AND INTO TRIPLE CROWN GLORY!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits It's Namesake

Aataax — Thu, 16 May 2013 01:36:20 GMT

Steve, did you know that the Woodlawn Trophy presented to Preakness winners was the racing cup cast/sculpted for the old Woodlawn Race track on Louisville's East end, which predates development of Churchill Downs.

Sure enjoy it when you set out these connections among horses and horsemen. It's always great to hear these stories and you really lay them down. Thanks, Steve!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits It's Namesake

Lise from Maine — Thu, 16 May 2013 01:33:16 GMT

Hi!

Wow! This is a great history report regarding the preakness.

Very interesting, indeed!

That is rather interesting to say the least that Orb's owners have a connection to Secretariat's owner.

It would be nice to see Orb win the Preakness on Secretariat's 40th anniversary pertaining to his Triple Crown win.

Thank you!

Lise from Maine

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits It's Namesake

Alex'sBigFan — Thu, 16 May 2013 01:26:23 GMT

alhattab,

Yes the strip mall is Preakness Shopping Center. I doubt too that residents make the connection to the race. There are beautiful sections and homes in Wayne, only floods in certain parts. I grew up in the next town over, beautiful area so I am there a lot in Wayne. As far as the name Preakness itself, there are a lot of towns, roads, etc. in that area with American Indian names, like Totowa, Towaco, Pawnee, Cherokee, etc. so the word may very well be from the Indian language. I never knew there was a horse named Preakness until Steve's article here.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits It's Namesake

Criminal Type — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:59:08 GMT

Ted in LA, you might want to visit Pimlico again. They just began 10 million dollar capital improvement project on Pimlico and Laurel Park including new barns, improvements to the grandstand and grounds. Casino money is making these improvements possible and i say it's about damn time. Sagamore Racing is also doing its part to promote Maryland racing, Kudos to Kevin Plank and company for going above and beyond for the future of Maryland horseman.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits It's Namesake

alhattab — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:55:23 GMT

Sorry Big Fan I didn't see your comment when I made mine. I grew up in Wayne and lived there for 33 years. Now I live 1 mile from Monmouth Park!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits It's Namesake

Old Bald Peg — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:51:36 GMT

-Old Hilltop-

One of a kind, thank heavens!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits It's Namesake

ksweatman9 — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:30:47 GMT

As always, interesting piece of writing about the sport with the most colorful history of all sports. I thought perhaps a filly would make her way into this race as did Rachel Alexander. I think Orb is intimidating at this point in time, so stand back ladies. I also think everycne deep down wants a triple crown winner this year. Well, maybe almost everyone. There will always be trainers like Lucas who will throw everything but the kitchen sink out there in hopes of derailing the train, but we can forgive him. I want the next triple crown winner to EARN it, so throw out the best competition, one and all. I hoping this train is unstoppable.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits It's Namesake

Cassandra.Says — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:12:25 GMT

A more fitting Preakness story line? Well . . .

What if the Phipps/Janney contender were descended from The Bride?

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits It's Namesake

alhattab — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:06:04 GMT

That "small town" in NJ is Wayne, NJ in North Jersey. It is now a big town (pop about 60,000) and is known nationally more for flooding than for Preakness. The town is loaded with references to the horse, including a road, Country Club, car dealer (may no longer exist) and, this being NJ, of course a large strip mall, pizza place and diner. I doubt many residents make the connection.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits It's Namesake

Alex'sBigFan — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:01:47 GMT

It certainly is a most fitting Preakness storyline Steve. A lot of rich Preakness history here.

I live 20 minutes from the Preakness section of Wayne, New Jersey where those stables were once located and the horse got his name. My sister lived in Preakness Healthcare Center in Wayne and there is a Preakness Shopping Center as well. Wayne is in Passaic County N.J for those that live around the country. Until this article I had no idea that Preakness in Wayne, N.J was tied to the Preakness race. Now whenever I go there, which is very often, I will think of the horse Preakness. If you google Preakness in Wayne, N.J. it tells you the name could be relative to Native American and may mean "young buck." At any rate Preakness' death was not in vain, laws were established to protect animals' rights.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits It's Namesake

Donna Belcher — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:44:16 GMT

Great article Steve. Guess Orb just has to stay away from BIZARRE!

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits It's Namesake

Dumbo — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:26:25 GMT

Nice story Steve.

I think its going to happen this year.

re: Haskin's Preakness Report: Befits It's Namesake

Deltalady — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:14:26 GMT

Oh, how I love the history lessons you give, Steve! Thanks for a wonderful retrospective and for pointing out some very interesting ironies, including the one about the famous coin toss!

I've been looking at Orb's races, studying the charts, and I just cannot see a flaw in this horse. It doesn't seem to matter what kind of track he's on, or his post position. He has started from the rail position to the far outside position (KY Derby - post 16) and from the middle of the field. He's usually mid- to back of the pack for 3/4 of the race, and he makes his move on the back side nearing the turn and he just marches on regardless of who is close to him. He nearly always goes to the outside, which means he is packing plenty of reserves to get the job done and stay out of trouble. He always runs his own race! No one dictates to this horse, and he has never gotten boxed in at the rail or had to fight for position, but I get the feeling he would if he had to. He makes his own "trip" ....he's tough, he has the heart, and he sure has figured out how to win! I don't think I have felt as confident about any horse's ability to do whatever it takes to win! He will be carrying the hopes and dreams of millions who have been waiting for "the one"! All I can say is if he gets the job done, it will have been worth the 35 year wait. GO ORB!!