Afleet Alex Wins the Preakness Stakes
by Emily Hufford

Afleet Alex Wins the Preakness © Amanda Saunders 2005

Early on Preakness morning, I visited Alex's Lemonade Stand on the second floor of the grandstand at Pimlico. Three bright-eyed children gazed up at me, their whole faces glowing, and said, "Hi! Do you want a cup of lemonade?"

I looked at these kids, so eager to be there, and my eyes filled with tears. I immediately chalked it up to how exhausted I was, as pretty much anything was bound to set me off after five straight weeks of a 5 am - midnight schedule without break. I fished in my pocket for a dollar, which is all I had to donate, and picked up a cup of the lemonade. It was really good, and I am a big fan of lemonade, so I certainly know good lemonade. As I walked away, the three children chorused, "Thank you for donating!" and I got misty eyed again. This is ridiculous, I thought, but I better keep this moment in mind... I may need it later. I walked away thinking about what they were doing, and how crushed everyone had been when Afleet Alex lost the Derby, and I was completely choked up at that point. I turned around and took 75 cents out of my back pocket, and dropped that in the jar as well. The excited looks on those faces will linger long after Afleet Alex is retired.

Afleet Alex in the Post Parade © Emily Hufford 2005

Afleet Alex is a horse with character unlike any other I've seen. Put two hundred photographers and reporters around him and he won't bat an eye, but give him a jolly ball and he will go crazy playing with it. He is intelligent, as smart as any horse his connections have ever seen. He is truly special. After an already successful career that included wins in the Hopeful Stakes and the Arkansas Derby, Afleet Alex was ready for the Kentucky Derby and went in as the co-favorite with Bellamy Road. On the lead on the rail coming down the stretch, many photographers mistook him for the winner and missed Giacomo coming on the outside. One of the most heartbreaking images witnessed by fans was the look on the faces of the connections as they watched their gallant horse run third in the country's best horse race.

Not discouraged, it was on to the Preakness Stakes, which would be the "coming out party" for Afleet Alex's talent. Afleet Alex was there first, and for a while the Pimlico Stakes Barn was his domain. Other contenders eventually filtered in. On a very rainy Friday before the race, trainer Tim Ritchey took Afleet Alex to the track when nearly everyone else stayed inside the shedrow. Afleet Alex jogged over the surface as if nothing had changed. That is how he takes everything; in stride, at his own pace, and without problems.

The big race day dawned sunny, a startling contrast to the day before. After a long day of anticipation, the horses were led over for the 130th Preakness Stakes (gr. I). After being saddled, the horses stepped onto the track for the post parade. The last dash of sunlight hovered at the wire, and Afleet Alex stepped into the light, his jockey, Jeremy Rose, was grinning excitedly. Little did he know what was to come.

Giacomo (13) and Afleet Alex the First Time Past the Stands © Emily Hufford 2005

Afleet Alex is hosed down after the race © Emily Hufford 2005

Afleet Alex hung back early, as did Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo. Up the backstretch Afleet Alex still waited. Into the far turn, and the gutty Scrappy T, a game fan favorite, had taken the lead and was running hard, but looking around. Afleet Alex had ranged up with a stunning move on the outside, poised to take the lead. Scrappy T's jockey felt him looking, and hit him with the whip. Scrappy T bolted. Right into the path of Afleet Alex. The grandstand screamed a collective shout, and watched in shock and awe as Afleet Alex nearly fell, and then rose and continued on, roaring past Scrappy T on the inside and drawing away to a clear victory. Young jockey Jeremy Rose celebrated as he crossed the wire. Just seconds before he knew he was going down on the track. It was an extremely emotional and popular victory for the connections and the fans alike. Scrappy T did run second, and Giacomo ran on to be third.

After the race and after being cooled out, Afleet Alex and his connections arrived back at the stakes barn to cheers and awed whispers. The colt's legs appeared in good condition, and he grazed while a crush of photographers surrounded him. Ritchey petted his charge, fed him peppermints, and smiled proudly as Afleet Alex ignored the attention and continued to eat. The next stop for both Afleet Alex and Giacomo is the Belmont Stakes on June 11 at Belmont Park in New York.

Trainer Tim Ritchey With Afleet Alex © Emily Hufford 2005

Northern Afleet, Afleet Alex's Sire, the Week Before the Preakness
© Emily Hufford 2005