Each spring as the new thoroughbred horseracing season begins, it’s likely that the thoughts of many Maryland racing fans turn to Kauai King, and how close the native son came to Triple Crown history. Still the only official Maryland-bred winner of the Kentucky Derby (Dancer’s Image won in 1968 but was disqualified in a decision that still sparks controversy), Kauai King claimed victory in both the 1966 Derby and Preakness Stakes, but faltered in the Belmont.
The son of Native Dancer entered the 1966 Derby on a hot steak, having won three previous races, including the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream in Florida. Going off as the slight Derby favorite, Kauai King shot to the lead right out of the gate, and then improbably led the field wire-to-wire to claim an eventual ½-length victory. For jockey Don Brumfield, the Derby win completed a rare double, as she had won the Kentucky Oaks for fillies the day before.
In the Preakness, Brumfield changed tactics, sitting comfortably alone in second for most of the race, moving past the leader Stupendous at the top of the stretch before cruising home in a then race-record time of 1:55.2. The win had many Marylanders dreaming of Triple Crown glory, but it was not to be. Although Kauai King was on the Belmont lead coming out of the final turn, he faded in the stretch to finish fourth, beaten 11 lengths. He would go on to race once more, but was injured in the Arlington Classic, and retired to stud. Fantastic memories indeed.
The 2023 Preakness Stakes is coming up Saturday, May 20 at Pimlico! It is one of the most eagerly-awaited events of the racing year, and this is the place to […]
The Preakness Stakes is coming up on Saturday, May 15, 2021. The second jewel of the American Triple Crown drew a field of 10 top three-year-olds. Find out the top contenders in the race, and learn the best places to place your bets!
After all the drama of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, the racing scene shifts to Pimlico Race Course in anticipation of the running of the 2019 Preakness Stakes. A couple of the high-profile contenders from the Derby are expected in the field, as well as a number of new shooters that add to the handicapping puzzle and could provide good betting value.
The field has been established for the 2016 running of the Belmont Stakes and of the thirteen contenders, there are four horses who competed in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and are moving on to the third jewel of the Triple Crown.
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