from History from History

1. MAN O’ WAR

Bred by August Belmont II and campaigned by Samuel D. Riddle, Man o’ War won 20 of his 21 starts while racing in 1919 and 1920. His victories included the Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, and Travers Stakes. His record time in the 1920 Travers stood as the stakes standard for 42 years. Man o’ War carried 130 pounds or more nine times, including 138 in one race. The lone blemish on his record was the controversial 1919 Sanford Memorial Stakes at Saratoga. Man o’ War was beaten a half-length by Upset, but it was widely reported the defeat was the result of Man o’ War facing the wrong direction when the starter dropped the webbing to begin the race (prior to the starting gate). He was greatly compromised and came up just short at the finish despite a heroic effort. The BloodHorse and the Associated Press both ranked Man o’ War as the No. 1 horse of the 20th century and Sports Illustrated named him the greatest horse of all time in 1992. He set three world records, two American records, and seven track records.