Special vs Schaefer

A few years ago, the Maryland Jockey Club had to make a decision. Get rid of the William Schaefer Handicap or the Pimlico Special. One was run on Black Eyed Susan day at the same distance as the Preakness (1 3/16 miles) and a G1, while the other was a shorter race (1 1/8) held on Preakness day was a G3. While the Schaefer has some good winners such as Master Command, Flashy Bull and last year's BCC winner Blame, it's the Pimlico Special that has the rich history.

Names like War Admiral, Seabiscuit (their 1938 match race being historic and part of the Oscar nominated movie that shares a name with the latter horse), Whirlaway, Citation (both of their wins, walkovers), Twilight Tear (who before 2009 was one of only 2 other 3yo fillies to be named HOY), and Tom Fool are some of the legendary names. Maryland bred Cigar won his homestate's second biggest race the same year he won the BCC. More recent HOY's who won include Mineshaft and Invasor (in his first US race).

At first the Schaefer had won the battle when the Pimlico Special was not run in 2002 and 2007, but it came back the next year both times. 2008 it looked like that the Pimlico Special was the only race run when the Schaefer went to the sidelines. However, the most famous Maryland race outside of the Preakness has not been run since. If by chance it comes back next year, it will have to work to get the Grade 1 ranking back because it's no longer eligible.

I know the Schaefer is named after the former Gov. of Maryland, but the namesake passed away a few months ago. I think it's time for the Pimlico Special to come back... that is if there's even racing at Pimlico next year.

Here is video of Seabiscuit vs War Admiral: