The Preakness Stakes has long been a proving ground for the toughest and most talented 3-year-olds each year. Run two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, colts have traditionally dominated this middle jewel of the Triple Crown, but its 150-year history has seen a few fillies rise to the challenge and etch their names into history.

Sunday Silence spent a lifetime in search of respect, on the track and in the breeding shed. In the end, he earned it.

“He was very good,” said Shug McGaughey, a Hall of Fame trainer who handled arch-rival Easy Goer. “I ran against him four times and he beat us three times. And I ran a pretty good horse at him.”