Legends

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Venezuelan import Canonero, nicknamed the Caracas Cannonball, wins the 1971 Preakness Stakes.

Canonero II: A Blue-Collar Hero and True Racehorse of the People

When Canonero II won the 1971 Kentucky Derby, he generated a rather modest return for a $2 win ticket.

Yet that $19.40 winning ticket on the "Caracas Cannonball" had nothing to do with the Venezuelan shipper’s merits and everything to do with his inclusion in a gargantuan six-horse mutuel field.

Based on his form and a star-crossed trip to the United States, Canonero probably would have been dismissed at 100-1 odds in the 97th Kentucky Derby. Maybe even 200-1, but nothing even remotely close to his 8-1 odds.

Hall of Fame Trainer King Leatherbury: A Maryland Legend

King Leatherbury knows how he wants his training career to be defined. He knows how he would like to be remembered.

“If I wanted something on my tombstone,” he said, “it would just be, ‘He won races.’ ”

American Pharoah Baffert Zayat Espinoza Triple Crown Grand Slam Kentucky Derby Eclipse Sportswire

American Pharoah: The One Horse Racing Was Waiting For

Justin Zayat, racing manager for Zayat Stables, looks hopefully at every young horse his family breeds or purchases, wondering if another American Pharoah might come his way again. He looks in vain.

Sunday Silence Kentucky Derby Preakness Stakes Pat Valenzuela rivalry Easy Goer Breeders’ Cup Classic horse racing 1989 Arthur Hancock Shug McGaughey Japan breeding stallion sire

Sunday Silence: The Star No One Wanted

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.”

California Chrome: A Horse Who Brought Dreams to Life

The inspiring story of California Chrome that feels more like a fairy tale opened when first-time breeders Steve Coburn and Perry Martin purchased Love the Chase for $8,000. The mare was slightly built and not much to behold, especially when she ran. She had won once in six career starts.

A groom thought so little of their decision to buy Love the Chase that he was overheard ridiculing it as a “dumb ass” move. Their stable name – Dumb Ass Partners – was born.

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