Did You Know...

Tweet It's a holiday weekend filled with weddings, picnics and maybe a quick trip up to Ft. Erie this afternoon to see the ponies. So we've brought back a DYK for your holiday viewing pleasure:

- That 32 years ago today, a young 2yo colt named Affirmed won his maiden race by 4 1/2 lengths at Belmont Park at odds of 12-1 (odds he certainly would never see again!).

- That 104 years ago today and very appropriately after the recent Preakness victory, Harry Payne Whitney's Tanya became the second filly to win the Belmont Stakes. A feat unmatched until Rags to Riches overturned the mighty Curlin at the wire in 2007. In 1915, he also won the Kentucky Derby with the filly, Regret.

- That 18 years ago tomorrow, Jockey Steve Cauthen won his fourth European derby (specifically, the Derby Italiano). Cauthen also won the Epsom Derby twice, the Irish Derby and the French Derby, in addition to his Kentucky Derby win with the aforementioned, Affirmed during his illustrious career.

- That 11 years ago tomorrow, Jockey Eddie Maple announced his retirement at Belmont Park. Maple ended his career with nearly 4,400 career victories and earnings north of $105M.

I won't jinx myself (yep, just did), but after day one, I'm sitting in 58th place (over 4,200 entries) in the TBA Sponsor Monmouth Survival at the Shore contest with a bankroll of $44.20, thanks to Get Serious' ($19.20) win at 8-1 in the 9th. We've got a long way to go. The Space Gal also had a decent day with 2 of her 3 hitting the board, no life preserver necessary.