Week of May 31st Through June 6th

June 1st, 1946 - The Thoroughbred racehorse Assault won the Belmont Stakes, completing his sweep of the Triple Crown and making him the seventh
horse in history to do so. Assault had been born on a Texas ranch known for its Quarter Horses,
where he pierced his right front hoof with a sharp object and was left with a
limp at the walk or trot. During his career he was also plagued by splints, a
bad ankle, and a bad knee. His injuries never seemed to hinder his racing
career, though, and on June 1st, 1946, Assault stumbled at the start of the
Belmont Stakes but went on to win it by three lengths. He retired in 1950
having earned a total of $675,470, though he never produced any Thoroughbred
offspring.

Information and photo courtesy of http://www.belmontstakes.com/history/assault.aspx

June 4th, 1923 - Frank Hayes, a jockey, experienced heart failure while riding steeplechaser Sweet Kiss in a race at Belmont Park. The pair had just advanced to take
the lead position when Hayes slumped over the horse’s neck, falling from the
saddle after Sweet Kiss crossed the finish line. Sweet Kiss and Hayes were
declared the official winners of the race, and it was reported that Hayes, only
22 at the time, experienced a heart attack which was probably a combination of
the training he had been undergoing and the excitement of winning the race.

Information courtesy of http://colinsghost.org/2009/02/jockey-dies-in-saddle-1923.html

June 6th, 1919 - Thoroughbred racehorse Man o'War won his first race. The race was a five furlong maiden race at Belmont Park, and Man o’War won it by six lengths. The incredible horse went on to win the Keene Memorial race three days
later, and within the same month he also won the Youthful Stakes and the Hudson
Stakes.

Information courtesy of http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/ManOWar.html

Photo courtesy of http://animal.discovery.com/tv/jockeys/famous-racehorses/index-11.html