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 Ann’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 3, 1962: At the age of 46, jockey Eddie Arcaro announced his retirement. He retired with 4,779 victories, including two Triple Crowns, won with Whirlaway and Citation.
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.
April 10, 1969: I Double Dareya was ridden to victory by jockey Gilbert Hernandez at Golden Gate Fields. Hernandez also happened to be the horse’s owner and trainer, giving him a triple win.
