Chesapeake Stakes

The Graw saw its share of superstar horses and close finishes, but no race is as celebrated as the opening race of the 1948 season, the Chesapeake Trial, where Citation was defeated by Saggy, a local horse. That year, the star of the Thoroughbred world was Citation. His owners brought him to Havre de Grace to “tune up” for the Triple Crown. Citation was no stranger to the Graw, he won his maiden start at the track. Despite the fact that he was favored to win the Triple Crown, Citation was upset by an unfortunately named local horse. Saggy won by one length on a muddy track. Not to be denied, Citation returned five days later to decisively win the Chesapeake Stakes, leaving his competition, which included Saggy, in the dust as he won the race by four lengths. This race was only a preview of the rest of his season. Citation went on to win the Preakness, Kentucky Derby, and the Belmont Stakes, becoming the eighth horse to win the Triple Crown. In his entire career, Citation, cited by many to be one of the best race horses in history, only lost 2 races in 28 starts. One of those was the Chesapeake Trial at the Graw. And that is the race that Havre de Gracians still talk about.