The Pimlico Special was first run in 1937 and was won by that year's
U.S. Triple Crown winner
War Admiral who went on to be voted the
American Horse of the Year. In 1938, the Pimlico Special was host to one of American racing's most historic moments when
Seabiscuit defeated
War Admiral in a much anticipated
match race. That race was covered by almost every major newspaper, magazine and radio station of the time. Discontinued after 1958, the race was revived as a handicap event in 1988 and made a
graded stakes race one year later in 1989. The race was not eligible for grading in 2011 because it had not been run the previous two years. Eighteen Pimlico Special winners have gone on to win a Championship for Horse of the Year or an Eclipse Award as the best horse in their divisions. The latest was
Invasor in 2006; others include
Mineshaft,
Real Quiet,
Skip Away,
Cigar,
Criminal Type,
Blushing John,
Tom Fool,
Capot,
Citation,
Assault,
Armed,
Twilight Tear,
Whirlaway,
Market Wise,
Challedon,
Seabiscuit and
War Admiral. The Pimlico track record for miles is held by
Farma Way who ran the distance in 1:52 2/5 while capturing the 1991 Pimlico Special. Farma Way joined
Riva Ridge who set the same record for the same time and distance on dirt at
Aqueduct Racetrack in 1973. In his fourth year, the
Farma Way colt won the
Santa Anita Handicap and set a 1 3/16 mile track record for Pimlico Race Course in winning the 1991 Pimlico Special. His time of 1:52 2/5 also equaled the North American record for 1 3/16 miles on dirt set by Riva Ridge in 1973 at
Aqueduct Racetrack. As of January 2008, their record still stands. == Records ==