It is a common refrain among horse racing fans that they were introduced to the sport by a relative, often their father. This applies both to casual fans and to some of the greatest legends in the sport, including the unforgettable racehorse owner and breeder Harry Payne Whitney.
If you look through racing history closely enough, you’ll find horses that had the misfortune of racing at the wrong time.
It’s the hand that fate dealt talented horses like Sham and Alydar, who became supporting characters to Triple Crown champions Secretariat and Affirmed.
It’s a good thing the connections of Secretariat had their confidence built up by their star’s performance in winning the Kentucky Derby, because they needed every bit of it to fend off the demons and bad omens that swirled around the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course, May 19, 1973.
