Spring is a time for big dreams here in the Bluegrass. Foaling season is in full swing, and with every new foal born comes the hope that they are the next superstar on and off the racetrack. Each foal has the potential to become the next great equine athlete, and that hope drives the breeding and racing industry.
The Triple Crown brings to light these hopes and dreams unlike anything else in Thoroughbred horse racing, a chance to become one of the few horses to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes and have their name etched in the history books. The second leg of the Triple Crown, the G1 Preakness Stakes, is set to be contested this Saturday, May 21 at Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore, Maryland.
While there will be no Triple Crown attempt this year, as Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike is bypassing the Preakness Stakes, the hope of winning a single Triple Crown race is enough to draw some of the top three year olds in the country. Eight colts and one filly are entered in this year’s edition of the Preakness.
Horse Country is home to some of the top racehorses before, during and after their racing careers, including five winners of the G1 Preakness Stakes. Learn more about these winners who now call Horse Country member locations home!
2018 Preakness Stakes – Justify
Just a few years off of the Triple Crown triumph of American Pharoah, the undefeated Justify followed in the hoofprints of his future stablemate in becoming the 13th Triple Crown winner. Owned by Horse Country member WinStar Farm in partnership with China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners LLC and Starlight Racing, Justify strode to a half-length victory under jockey Mike Smith.
Justify now stands stud at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Versailles, Kentucky. Learn more and book a tour of Coolmore at Ashford Stud here.
2017 Preakness Stakes – Cloud Computing
The 2017 edition of the Preakness Stakes did not result in a Triple Crown hope, but instead a thrilling stretch duel in the final furlong of the race. After sitting on the lead alongside Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming for a majority of the race, Classic Empire drew away in the stretch, only to be run down by Cloud Computing, who took the victory by a head in the final strides.
Cloud Computing now stands stud at Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. Learn more and book a tour at Spendthrift Farm here.
2015 Preakness Stakes – American Pharoah
American Pharoah entered the Preakness Stakes off of an impressive victory in the Kentucky Derby two weeks earlier, and just like all Kentucky Derby winners who contest the Preakness, he carried the hopes of a Triple Crown victory. A seven length victory in the Preakness Stakes set up American Pharoah for a much-awaited run in the Belmont Stakes three weeks later, in which he became the 12th Triple Crown winner and the first in 37 years.
American Pharoah now stands stud at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Versailles, Kentucky. Learn more and book a tour of Coolmore at Ashford Stud here.
2009 Preakness Stakes – Rachel Alexandra
This year, Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath will be the sole filly to run against the boys in the Preakness Stakes. 13 years ago, another Kentucky Oaks winner in Rachel Alexandra took on the colts and went wire to wire to win the second leg of the Triple Crown. She would go on to become one of the most famous racemares of all time – winning multiple grade one races including the G1 Woodward against older males as a three year old filly during her storied career.
While Rachel Alexandra is not featured on tours, you can visit her place of residence, Stonestreet Farm and meet possible future champions like Rachel! Learn more and book a tour at Stonestreet Farm here.
2005 Preakness Stakes – Afleet Alex
It is not often a horse can accomplish a victory in the way that Afleet Alex won the 2005 Preakness Stakes. Even though he placed third in the Kentucky Derby, Afleet Alex entered the Preakness as the favorite. While making a run from the back of the pack, Afleet Alex ran into traffic and fell to his knees at the top of the stretch. He and jockey Jeremy Rose recovered almost instantly, and ran away with the race to win by nearly five lengths. Rose and Afleet Alex would go on to win the Belmont Stakes three weeks later.
Afleet Alex now resides at Gainesway Farm in Lexington, Kentucky where he has been pensioned, or retired, from stud duty. Learn more and book a tour at Gainesway Farm here.