Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc.

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WHAT TWO HORSES WON THE WITHERS STAKES AND THE TRIPLE CROWN?
2/5/2021

 The Withers Stakes run this weekend at Aqueduct Racetrack has some notable winners. Names like Dr. Fager, Jaipur, Hagley, Bold Reasoning, Hill Prince, Polynesian, Menow, Man O’War, Native Dancer and Blue Larkspur have had their pictures taken in the Winner’s Circle. Each won the race when it was run at one mile. It was first run in 1874 at that distance. That continued through 2010 with one exception when in 1956 it was run at 1 1/16. The 8.5 furlongs remain the distance of the Withers Stakes until 2017. In 2018 to the present the race has been run at 9 furlongs. In 1919 Sir Barton won the one-mile Withers after winning the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, but before he completed the Triple Crown by winning the Belmont Stakes. Twenty-four years later Count Fleet won the Withers Stakes at one mile and the Triple Crown.