March 27, 1953: The ABC radio network announced it would broadcast a
series of major East Coast races, beginning April 4 and continuing
through Nov. 14.
March 27, 1997: A group of Thoroughbred organizations, including The
Jockey Club, Breeders Cup Ltd., Keeneland Association and Oak Tree
Racing Association, announced it would undertake a joint planning
process to create a national coordination and marketing structure
for Thoroughbred racing.
March 29, 1917: Man ‘o War, who would go on to win 20 of his 21
career starts, was foaled at Nursery Stud, Lexington, Ky.
March 29, 1938: In observance of Man ‘o War’s 21st birthday, the
celebration was broadcast nationally via radio from Faraway Farm,
where he stood at stud.
March 29, 1969: Diane Crump became the first female jockey to win a
stakes race when she took the Spring Fiesta Cup at the Fair Grounds
aboard Easy Lime.
March 29, 1988: Jockey Pat Day won his 4,000th victory, aboard
Anna’s Bid, in the ninth race at Oaklawn Park.
March 29, 1997: The $4 million Dubai World Cup was rescheduled for
April 3 after torrential rainstorms hit Nad Al Sheba racecourse.
March 30, 1952: New York Governor Thomas Dewey signed a statute
transferring licensing authority from The Jockey Club to the New
York Racing Commission.
March 30, 1970: Secretariat was foaled at The Meadow, Doswell, Va.
March 30, 1985: Laffit Pincay Jr. became the second jockey in
history to surpass John Longden’s record of 6,032 victories, riding
Sovereignty to victory in the sixth race at Santa Anita Park.
April 1, 1940: New York legalized parimutuel wagering and outlawed
book-makers at the state’s racetracks.
April 1, 1998: The National Thoroughbred Racing Association
officially launched operations with the opening of its office in
Lexington, Ky.
April 2, 1938: Future Triple Crown winner Whirlaway was foaled at
Calumet Farm, Lexington, Ky.
April 6, 1954: Two future champions, Bold Ruler and Round Table,
were foaled at Claiborne Farm, Paris, Ky.
April 7, 1973: In his second start as a three-year-old, Secretariat
won the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct as the 1-10 favorite. His time of
1:33 2-5 for the mile equaled the track record for that distance.
April 7, 1979: Jockey Steve Cauthen made his first race in England a
winning one, with Marquee Universal (IRE), at Salisbury.
April 8, 1971: New York City Off-Track Betting opened for business.
Two branches were available to accept wagers: the Grand Central
Terminal in Manhattan and an outlet in Queens. Total handle,
including telephone betting, was $66,091.
April 8, 1991: Rider-turned-trainer Bill Shoemaker was paralyzed
after an automobile accident.
April 8, 2001: “Seabiscuit: An American Legend,” by Laura
Hillenbrand, took over the top spot on the New York Times bestseller
list for nonfiction after just three weeks in the nation’s
bookstores.
April 9, 1962: Jockey Ron Turcotte rode his first winner, at Fort
Erie Racetrack.
