On This Day...

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Photo: Morgan Photo Service

War Admiral and trainer George Conway

A son of the mighty Man o' War, War Admiral went into the Kentucky Derby with only one race as far as 1 1/16 miles.

That start came in the Chesapeake Stakes at Harve de Grace in Maryland 10 days after he had opened his 3-year-old season April 14 with an allowance win there.

War Admiral went off the 3-5 favorite in the Chesapeake. "After a seven minute delay, the field was away evenly," wrote The Blood-Horse. "War Admiral broke with keen speed, outran his field to the turn, held his lead for six furlongs while Charles Kurtsinger kept a steady hold on him....

"It had been expected that War Admiral would have the foot of the field; the question was whether he would care for the distance. This was settled when War Admiral reached the top of the stretch. When Kurtsinger called on him War Admiral lengthened stride, drew smoothly away from his field, won with consummate ease."

War Admiral won by six lengths, but his time, 1:45, did not threaten Calvacade's track record on the way to that colt's Kentucky Derby win three years earlier.

War Admiral went on to win the Run for the Roses over 19 rivals and would complete a Triple Crown sweep.

Click here to read more about this Thoroughbred Legend in War Admiral -- available now from ExclusivelyEquine.com.

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