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BUT FOR A STUMBLE

© Joy Butler

War Emblem made it look so easy as he rocked across the finish line under a hand ride by Victor Espinoza in the Haskell Invitational on Sunday, August 4th. In his first race since the untimely death of owner, Prince Ahmed bin Salman in July, the sleek black horse showed his true front running style. Leading to wire to wire, he pulled away from Magic Weisner by 3 and ½ lengths in the homestretch. Plans for him now include the Pacific Classic on August 25th and the Breeder's Cup Classic on October 26th. Trainer, Bob Baffert also has this unbeatable horse aimed at the Dubai World Cup next year, as the Prince had desired. I plan to be watching as this horse with an attitude leads them to the wire each time.

War Emblem first began making a name for himself in April when he beat the favorite, Repent, by 6 and ½ lengths in the Illinois Derby. Five days later, on the recommendation of Baffert, the Thoroughbred Corporation bought him from Russell Reineman for over $900,000, and began preparing him for the prestigious Kentucky Derby.

Still fairly unknown, he entered the Derby as a long shot but when the gates flew open he exploded to the lead, held on to it as they pounded around the track, and finished 4 lengths ahead of the runner-up, Proud Citizen. Two weeks later, War Emblem repeated this amazing performance in the Preakness, winning the Black-eyed Susans by ¾ length over Magic Weisner.

By Belmont Stakes day he had earned the respect of racing fans and was the definite favorite. Described as a "free running horse" and a "cruise missile", he was perfectly tuned for the grueling third jewel in the ever-elusive Triple Crown. Baffert was quoted as saying, "The only thing that can beat us is a bad break."

And that's what it took. When the starting gates opened, War Emblem stumbled in the break, almost going to his knees. Miraculously, he was not injured and managed to recover. He even moved into the lead in the last turn and the Triple Crown glimmered again for a split second, but too much energy had been spent gaining the loss and he could not hold out. He fell back to 8th position by the finish.

Fifteen other horses in history have won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness only to fade in the Belmont Stakes, including Charismatic in '99, Real Quiet in '98, and Silver Charm in '97. I never felt strongly about any of them, but when friends asked me if I thought War Emblem would become the twelfth Triple Crown winner, I answered that, unless something unfortunate happened, this horse would do it. And I firmly believe, but for a stumble, he would have taken his place in history. He just proved it again, Sunday, in the Haskell.

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