The 100th Preakness drew a record crowd of 75,216, which raised the question as to whether a "one-day circus" benefited or hurt Maryland's racing industry. Editor Snowden Carter wrote: "My own conclusion is that it helps."
Master Derby, fourth in the Derby, upset Derby-winning favorite Foolish Pleasure, who rallied for second.
Maryland's first 2-year-old sale exceeded all expectations, with 46 head selling for an average of $9,785. The sale was strengthened by a five-horse consignment from Bruce S. Campbell's Early Bird Stud near Ocala, Fla., consignor of the sales-topping $30,000 filly. Said Campbell: "All this sale needs now is stronger promotion. It's off to a fine start."
J. William Boniface, chairman of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association's sales committee, said immediately afterward that he conferred with John Finney, president of Fasig-Tipton Company, regarding plans for the next year.
Twelve days later, Hip 1 in the sale, a filly by Aristocratic out of the Restless Native mare Aceinrest, won a maiden special weight at Bowie. Named Hail to Rest, she was trained by J. Noel Magee.
With her victory in Pimlico's Geisha Handicap -- under 130 pounds -- 6-year-old Twixt replaced Politely as the greatest money-winning mare bred in Maryland, with more than $571,000. Her 18 stakes wins were a record for Maryland-breds, irrespective of sex. Owned by Mrs. John M. Franklin and breeders John and Kitty Merryman, the daughter of Sagamore sire Restless Native was trained by the Merrymans' daughter Katy Voss, assisted by longtime friend Nat Johnson.
That May, Voss became the fourth woman elected as a member in the American Trainers Association, joining Sally Bailie, Barbara Brown and Wilma Kennedy.
Skeets Holland, a one-time jockey and longtime exercise rider, was honored by Pimlico's management with a race in his name, a lunch and a winner's circle presentation. Surrounding the popular backstretch worker throughout the afternoon were his wife, four children and five grandchildren, plus "Brooks Robinson, Cab Calloway, Paul Blair and the little man who shined shoes in the men's room."
