Horse Racing Update

Lets get caught up on the latest horse racing.

We had the 2011 Belmont Stakes from New York this last Saturday and it was upset city as Ruler on Ice shocked the crowd and took home the 3rd leg of the Triple Crown.   Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom had a near mishap as he almost fell coming out of the starting gate and used up all his energy just getting back to the pack as they entered the turn for home but did manage a 4th place finish.   The 2011 Preakness winner Shackleford held the lead for most of the race but completely gave up about 100 yards from the wire and Ruler on Ice shot past him like he was standing still.



2 weeks ago was the 2nd leg of the British Triple crown and the biggest race in the UK, The Epsom Derby. The winner of the first leg of the British Triple Crown, Frankel, opted out of the Derby this year leaving it wide open.
This was a close finish as Pour Moi, the french entry snuck it at the wire.

WATCH THE RACE HERE.

1953 Kentucky Derby

Today in 1953 the heavily favored and legendary Native Dancer, known as the Gray Ghost, was upset by the unheralded Dark Star, who nipped him at the finish.  This was the only defeat for Native Dancer, who won the Eclipse Award for 2 year old horse of the Year for 1952.  After the Derby, Native Dancer would not lose again and won the Preakness and Belmont Stakes and then won the Eclipse Award for Champion 3 yr old Colt for 1953 and then Horse of the Year in 1954.   Sadly, Dark Star would finish 5th in the Preakness and did not run in the Belmont due to a ligament injury suffered during the Preakness run.

Happy Birthday

Today in 1970 one of, if not the greatest thoroughbred of all time, Secretariat was foaled at Meadow Farm in Virginia.

"Big Red" would win the Triple Crown in 1973 and in the process beat the 2 minute barrier in the Kentucky Derby. and win the Belmont stakes in 2:24, both of which have not been beaten. He was called by other jockeys "a living breathing locomotive" and in the famous Belmont race he was called "a tremendous machine".