In an era when it seems like every good horse is bought and sold multiple times, the Old Guard still has its say now and again. One of the only great family breeding and racing operations remaining from racingÕs golden era once again sparkled when Phipps StableÕs Parading won the Dixie Stakes (gr. IIT) at Pimlico May 16 in the race immediately preceding the BlackBerry Preakness Stakes (gr. I).

Parading enjoyed a perfectly timed ride by Maryland veteran Kent Desormeaux, who got the 6-year-old away from the gate alertly in the nine-furlong Dixie, then allowed Monba, Lauro, and Senior to contest the early lead while he sat fourth. Lauro eventually secured the advantage up front through modest splits of :24.64, :48.75, and 1:12.42 over the firm going.

Desormeaux switched Parading to the outside approaching the second bend, and by the time they came off the curve they had the momentum to pass Lauro and establish a daylight advantage, which came in handy when Just as Well began a late charge down the center of the course. Parading prevailed by a half-length in 1:42.28, with the hard-driving Wesley getting up for third.

Parading won his third stakes event in the Dixie, which marked his fifth turf victory in a dozen tries. Overall, he is seven-for-17 and has banked $405,046 for his breeder/owner.

Trainer Shug McGaughey began ParadingÕs 2009 campaign at Keeneland in an April allowance contest in which he missed by a nose. McGaughey brought Parading back two weeks later to win the Ben Ali (gr. III) by 71Ú2 lengths. A year ago Parading took the Volponi Stakes at Belmont Park over yielding ground.

Parading comes from a long line of Phipps bluebloods. His dam, graded stakes-placed On Parade, by Storm Cat, also bred by Phipps Stable, is a full sister to 2002 champion 2-year-old filly Storm Flag Flying. On Parade has an unraced 2-year-old filly, Protesting, by A.P. Indy, and has a Mr. Greeley filly by her side. Her 5-year-old Rahy mare, Viva La Flag, finished fourth in the Gallorette Handicap (gr. IIIT), also on the Preakness undercard.

My Flag, a four-time grade I winner, is ParadingÕs second dam. Bred by Ogden Phipps, My Flag earned better than $1.5 million as a racer. Besides Storm Flag Flying, she has produced stakes-placed Leading the Parade, an A.P. Indy colt, has an unraced 2-year-old filly, Fly the Flag, by GiantÕs Causeway, and has an Awesome Again filly by her side.

ParadingÕs third dam is the incomparable and undefeated 1988 champion older mare Personal Ensign, an eight-time grade I victress (also bred by Ogden Phipps) who was voted 1996Õs Broodmare of the Year. Besides My Flag, Personal Ensign produced 1993 Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) winner MinerÕs Mark and 2001 Oaklawn Handicap (gr. I) winner Traditionally, both by Mr. Prospector. Personal Ensign is pensioned at Claiborne Farm, where the Phipps mares are kept.

Pulpit is the sire of Parading and 38 other stakes winners, including additional 2009 added-money winner Orthodox (gr. IIIT). Pulpit stands at the Hancock familyÕs Claiborne Farm near Paris, Ky., where his 2009 fee is $80,000.ÑL.S.