While he drove down the stretch Saturday afternoon at Pimlico Race Course–as he distanced himself from a dozen rivals and a large number of skeptics–the improbable story of War Emblem was taking another dramatic turn.
A long shot going into the Kentucky Derby, and still dismissed by some after that win as an impostor, War Emblem took a step closer to capturing racing’s Triple Crown by winning the $1 million Preakness Stakes by three-quarters of a length over the 45-1 long shot Magic Weisner.
Kentucky Derby runner-up Proud Citizen was third.
War Emblem covered the 1 3/16-mile distance under jockey Victor Espinoza in 1 minute 56.36 seconds after taking the lead heading into the final turn.
Sold three weeks before the Kentucky Derby to Saudi Prince Ahmed Salman for $900,000 after winning the Illinois Derby, War Emblem now will head to New York and the June 8 Belmont Stakes with a chance of becoming only the 12th Triple Crown winner in 83 years, and the first since Affirmed in 1978.
He’ll also be the third colt trainer Bob Baffert brings to New York with a shot at winning the Triple Crown. Both Silver Charm in 1997 and Real Quiet in 1998 finished second in the Belmont.
“Fate owes me a Triple Crown,” Baffert, 49, said. “This horse showed today he’s a strong horse, and distance isn’t a question. It’s amazing. He’s a pretty awesome animal.
“I think we all found out today that opinions die but records live. This horse is for real.”
Salman, who won the Preakness and Belmont last year after eventual Horse of the Year Point Given ran a dull fifth in the Derby, said: “I think this is the best investment I’ve ever made in my life . . . besides finding oil in Saudi Arabia.”
Salman bought 90 percent of War Emblem from Oak Brook resident Russell Reineman on April 12.
After winning the Derby at odds of 20-1, War Emblem arrived Wednesday in Baltimore under a cloud of doubt. Many believed his victory in Kentucky wasn’t because of a wealth of talent but rather Espinoza’s ability to get an easy lead and set moderate fractions.
But in front of a crowd of 101,138 on Saturday, War Emblem proved he isn’t a one-dimensional horse.
Breaking cleanly away from the gate under Espinoza, War Emblem raced second behind Menacing Dennis and went into the first turn inside John Oxley’s usually front-running Booklet. But jockey Pat Day rated Booklet off War Emblem around the first turn and allowed Espinoza to get clear and sit just off the right hip of Menacing Dennis.
“I was hoping Booklet would keep War Emblem inside,” said jockey Mike Smith, who raced Proud Citizen fifth into the first turn.
Instead, War Emblem, under a strong hold by Espinoza, raced a length off Menacing Dennis down the backstretch while morning-line favorite Medaglia d’Oro got caught between horses. Espinoza, being nearly pulled out of the saddle, finally let War Emblem go entering the far turn, and the Derby winner took off.
Taking a 1 1/2-length lead into the stretch, War Emblem shook lose from Proud Citizen in midstretch and was alone in front. Medaglia d’Oro was empty, Blue Grass Stakes winner Harlan’s Holiday was too far back and Booklet was tiring badly. Only Magic Weisner, a Maryland-bred gelding under jockey Richard Migliore, had a shot at the winner.
“The eighth pole?” said a smiling Baffert, referring to the stretch. “I was saying, `Wire, please. Where’s the wire?”‘
But even after pressing Menacing Dennis past three-quarters in a brisk 1:10.60, War Emblem had enough to hold off Magic Weisner.
“It was a shame we ran out of racetrack, because he was getting to War Emblem,” Migliore said of Magic Weisner.
As he did in the Derby, Espinoza put in a flawless ride in the Preakness. Though many thought War Emblem had to be on the lead to win, Espinoza was able to rate the colt off the pace, get him to relax and then go for the lead.
“He really impressed me this time,” Espinoza said of War Emblem. “He’s so professional. He’s the best of the field, and he’s always going to be the best.”
So can War Emblem give this sport its first Triple Crown winner in 24 years? Can he reward Baffert with a prize that has eluded him twice before?
“I like my chances,” Baffert said. “Third time the charm?”
