War Emblem One Race Away
Around a month ago a little known horse by the name
"War Emblem" showed up in Louisville. All though he was trained
by one of the top trainers in the country and he was ridden by one of the
top jockeys in California he was given little respect entering the race.
Going off at odds of 20-1 he proceeded to run the race of his life and
power away to an easy win in the Kentucky Derby.
2 weeks later he showed up in Maryland at the Preakness Stakes. Here he was given a little more respect, but many nay-sayers still said that he had a soft lead in the derby. That he was able to "steal" the race with soft fractions. Trainers like D. Wayne Lukas said things like "We're not gonna let him get away with an easy lead like that today". Well he didn't get that easy lead, but what he did get was a 10 point ride by Victor Espinoza and in the stretch he resurged to hold off a closing longshot challenger.
Now the saga continues and this Saturday War Emblem, the little unknown who raced mostly in a Chicago suburb, is only one race away from the elusive triple crown. Will it be great for racing if he wins? Certainly it will be. Hopefully attracting new fans and new owners with new dreams of new "war emblems". If War Emblem does come through this weekend give all props to his trainer Bob Baffert for turning a virtual unknown into the first Triple Crown winner in 24 years.