Maritime Traveler, last living foal of Secretariat, dies at 35

Maritime Traveler, the last known living foal by the legendary Secretariat, died on July 27 at the age of 35 at his longtime home, Bridlewood Farm in Ocala, Fla.

Maritime Traveler was foaled on May 15, 1990, as part of the final crop for 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat. The stallion had died the previous October at Claiborne Farm at age 19, due to laminitis. Maritime Traveler was purchased as a Keeneland September yearling by Arthur Appleton, and after going winless in five career starts, was retired in 1993 to Appleton’s Bridlewood, which is now owned by John and Leslie Malone. He had a career as a teaser stallion, and retired from that role some seven years ago.

“Up until his death, he lived in a paddock that backs up to 100 acres of forest,” manager George Isaacs told the Ocala Gazette. “He had a good life here at Bridlewood Farm. It was our honor to have him as a special connection to the great Secretariat.”

Preservationist dies in Korea

Grade 1 winner Preservationist died in Korea on July 19 at age 12, according to Korea Racing Authority records.

The millionaire son of Arch won the Grade 1 Woodward and Grade 2 Suburban. He initially retired to Airdrie Stud for the 2020 season, and is the sire of four stakes winners, led by Grade 3 winner Antiquarian. He is also the sire of popular multiple graded stakes-placed Chunk of Gold, who started in this year’s Kentucky Derby.

Preservationist was relocated to Korea last December and stood one season in that country before complications from colic claimed him, according to published reports.

Consignor Pike, 70, dead

Al Pike, a veteran horseman who was a perennial leading 2-year-old consignor, died on July 26 at age of 70 after a battle with cancer. Pike, along with his wife of nearly 45 years, Salley, and their son Colt, operated Pike Racing. Pike is also survived by daughter Chelsey Pike Hooton.

Pike, who got his start as a Quarter Horse trainer, eventually transitioned to Thoroughbreds and focused on pinhooking yearlings to 2-year-olds. His success stories included Vyjack, who he purchased for $45,000 as a yearling in 2011 and sold for $100,000 as a 2-year-old. Vyjack went on to become a millionaire and win four graded stakes.

While Vyjack was on the rise in 2011, Pike was preparing Vicar’s in Trouble to be pinhooked for $80,000, 10 times his yearling sale price, as a juvenile. He won three graded stakes, including the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby. Both horses were millionaires.

Other notable sale horses included Modest Maven, an $80,000 yearling who sold for $1 million as a 2-year-old in 2016, and Shazz, a $185,000 yearling who brought $1.1 million the following year.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.