With I’ll Have Another’s win this weekend at the 138th Kentucky Derby, all eyes are now on the Baltimore, MD-based Preakness Stakes coming up in a few weeks. While many of you will be looking for I’ll Have Another to continue in his pursuit of the elusive Triple Crown (or, perhaps you’ll be looking for Bodemeister to avenge his runner-up finish at the Derby), we will have our eyes on Tiger Walk of Sagamore Farm.
To many in the world of thoroughbred racing, Sagamore Farm is a familiar name. Boasting such champions as Native Dancer (aka the Galloping Grey Ghost), Discovery, Bed o’ Roses, and, more recently, Shared Account, Sagamore has a long history of producing world-class racehorses. However, until recently, Sagamore had fallen into disrepair after Alfred Vanderbilt sold it in 1986.
In 2007, Maryland native Kevin Plank purchased the farm and committed to restoring Sagamore’s winning history. Partnering with FSC affiliates Blackburn Architects and McKee Carson, Plank oversaw the renovation of the farm, including a 16-stall foaling barn, a 20-stall broodmare barn, a brand new 24-stall training barn, and a number of indoor and outdoor training tracks.
The efforts are clearly paying off. In 2010, the farm celebrated a win at the Breeders’ Cup World Championship Fillies and Mare Turf (GI) with Shared Account. Now, on the eve of the 137th Preakness Stakes, current Sagamore champion, Tiger Walk, is in the running to compete as a starter.
You can be sure we’ll be glued to the screen when the gates open in a couple of weeks. Let us know who you’ll be watching!