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Photo: Bert Morgan

Assault

Assault, winner of the previous year's Flash Stakes at Saratoga for 2-year-olds, started his assault toward a Triple Crown sweep with a 4 1/2-length victory in the April 9 Experimental Free Handicap No. 1 at six furlongs at Jamaica.

"Assault was making his first start since last October 8, and in winning the Experimental became the first stakes-winning 3-year-old of the New York racing season," wrote The Blood-Horse. "Trainer Max Hirsch had him extremely fit for the Experimental, a fact which suggests that he may have less room for improvement than some of the other prominent 3-year-olds."

Assault helped his cause by winning the Wood Memorial Stakes April 20 at Jamaica. The Tuesday before the Kentucky Derby, he failed to mount much of a challenge in the mile Derby Trial and finished fourth.

Assault saved his biggest effort for the Run for the Roses, scoring by a record-tying eight lengths. In the Preakness, he barely outlasted Lord Boswell to win by neck. He completed the Triple Crown by winning the Belmont Stakes by three lengths .

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