Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc.
Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc.
WHAT HORSE WON THE MAN O" WAR STAKES AND A TRIPLE CROWN RACE?
5/10/2018
The Man O’ War Stakes is named after the great Man O’ War. During his career he won 20 of 21 races and $249,465 (equal to over $3 million in today’s dollars) in purses. His only loss came in 1919 when he lost to Upset at Saratoga. That race contributed to the naming of Saratoga as “The Graveyard of Champions. The Man O’ War race was first run in 1959 at Aqueduct Racetrack as a handicap, but eventually found a home at Belmont Park where it is now run.
Initially, the turf race was run in the fall of the year. However, in 2008 the Man o' War was moved from Belmont's fall schedule into its summer schedule, replacing the Bowling Green Handicap to more fairly represent turf competition. Although the race was carded for older horse in the fall. It attracted nine 3-year-olds who won the Man O’ War Stakes between 1966 and 1990.
In 1973 after winning the Triple Crown, Secretariat ran in the Man O’ War in October. He won that race. He is the only winner of a Triple Crown race who also, won the Man O’ War Stakes. In that feat he was ridden by Ron Turcotte and covered the 1 ½ mile turf race in 2:24.80 ---record for that distance in the Man O’ War that still stands.
PDF: Secretariat.jpg