Goodbye A Crown Awaits. We Will Miss You

Original article written by Gina Porter posted 11 years 1 week ago

Saying goodbye is hard, especially when your saying goodbye to one of the greatest horses in the SIM. A Crown Awaits has passed away on this very sad day. A Crown Awaits had an amazing racing career and an amazing stud career. When he was pensioned we knew that he would spend the rest of his days in a field with a couple of friends. He was a champion, inducted into the Hall Of Fame, earner of over four million dollars, and undefeated in fourteen starts.

His first race took place in a Maiden Special Weight at a distance of 5 furlongs. He broke well and won going away by one and a half lengths. He turned the heads of many in this race, which he won so easily. His next start was an allowance race at a distance of 7 furlongs. He faced a small field of four but it was a loaded field of four. It was basically a match race between him and another first out winner in Chicago,, who turned into a grade 1 winning horse. A Crown Awaits broke well and dueled with Chicago to the wire. After a heart-pounding finish, it was clear that A Crown Awaits defeated Chicago by a half a length. His third start of his two year old year came in the Grade 2 Favorite Trick Stakes. This race would prove to be a tough race for him. He had to close into a slow pace and when he did, he barely passed the frontrunner Diversity. He nicked him on the wire to win by a short nose. His next start came just a week later from his near loss, it was in the Grade 2 Commitisize Stakes, which was a mile on the turf. A Crown Awaits had to run hard again only won by a half a length, but this time there was no doubting who was the best in that race. After a short weeks rest, A Crown Awaits took to the post one last time in his two year old season. It was in the Grade 1 Magellan Stakes. He was able to run down the field to win by a half a length. After his impressive two year old season, A Crown Awaits was awarded Champion Two Year Old Colt.

His first start of his three year old year was in an allowance race. He was running a mile against Ragtime, a filly who's last start was a fourth to the almighty Atlas. A Crown Awaits didn't duck the competition, just because she was undefeated before her loss to Atlas, didn't mean that she was better. She wasn't. A Crown Awaits prevailed over Ragtime by a half a length. His next start would be in the Grade 3 Firecracker Breeder's Cup Handicap. In this race he faced the likes of Mite Be Sunny, who was a multiple Grade 1 winner. A Crown Awaits won by a half a length, Mite Be Sunny second. His next start was in the Warpaint Stakes. He multiple Grade 1 winner Vendetta. A Crown Awaits won by a half a length. A Crown Awaits then stretched out to a mile and a half in the Grade 1 Canadian Breeders' Stakes. He won this race by a half a length. Showing his doubters that no matter how long he ran, he would win. His last start of the year 15 would be in the Grade 1 Stewards' Cup Turf. Without the famous Atlas in this race, A Crown Awaits would be the favorite. His main competitor was Faith Justified, who's only lost was in the previous year's Stewards' Cup Turf. The horse that beat him was none other than the almighty Atlas. A Crown Awaits was even with Faith Justified on the turn for home, but then he lengthened his stride and drew away to win by an easy three and a quarter lengths.

His first start of his four year old campaign was the Sunshine Millions Turf. He would face the champion Three Of A Kind, but would prove to be best. He won the race by three and a half lengths. His next start was in the Grade 1 Desert Sheema Classic. He was on the lead for most of the race, at the turn for home, he appeared to be finished, like he would finally loss a race, but he had the heart to win. He battled back to pull away to win by an impressive eight lengths. His next race would be in the Grade 3 Doncaster Cup, which was two and a fourth mile distance. He sat back, stalking the past, and then on the turn, he made his move. In two strides he was two lengths in front. He pulled away to win by an electrifying eleven and and three quarter lengths. His last start would be in the Grade 1 Japan Cup, he elected to go to this race instead of the Stewards' Cup Turf. He broke well but settled in the middle of the pack. When he made his move, he made it deep in stretch. He was able to win by a length and a half. He did it. He won all of his races. He had some close calls, but he prevailed. He will be remembered as one of the greatest turf horses

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