Oxbow (foaled March 26, 2010) is an American-bred thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 2013 Preakness Stakes.
Background[]
Oxbow is a bay horse with an irregularly shaped white star, bred by the New Jersey-based Colts Neck Stable. He was sired by the Canadian-bred Awesome Again, winner of the 1998 Breeder's Cup Classic. At stud, Awesome Again has sired many top-class dirt performers, including Ghostzapper and Game On Dude.
| Sire | Awesome Again |
| Grandsire | Deputy Minister |
| Dam | Tizamazing |
| Damsire | Cees Tizzy |
| Sex | Colt |
| Foaled | March 26, 2010 |
| Country | United States |
| Color | Bay |
| Breeder | Colts Neck Stable |
| Owner |
Bluegrass Hall LLC Calumet Farm |
| Trainer | D. Wayne Lukas |
His dam, Tizamazing, is a full-sister to the duel Breeder's Cup Classic winner Tiznow. As a yearling, Oxbow was sent to the Keeneland sales where he was bought for $250,000 by the bloodstock agent Eddie Kane acting on behalf of Brad Kelley's Bluegrass Hall. In 2013, Kelley acquired the lease of Calumet Farm and moved his 200 horses to the famous Kentucky base: although the horses raced in the name of Calumet Farm, they continued to carry Kelley's black and gold colors.
Racing career[]
Oxbow won his first stakes race on January 19, 2013, when he won the Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course in Louisiana by 11-1/2 lengths from Golden Soul. He was then beaten in the Risen Star Stakes, the Rebel Stakes, and the Arkansas Derby before running in the Kentucky Derby on May 4. Starting a 24.9/1 outsider he raced prominently but faded in the stretch to finish sixth of the nineteen runners, nineteen lengths behind Orb.
Oxbow with jockey Gary Stevens and trainer D. Wayne Lukas at the 2013 Preakness Stakes.
On May 18, Oxbow was sent to contest the Preakness Stakes. Ridden by the 50-year-old veteran Gary Stevens he led from the start and set a modest pace. Turning into the straight with a clear advantage, he was never seriously challenged and recorded a 15.4/1 upset victory by 1-3/4 lengths from Itsmyluckyday, with Orb in fourth. Stevens, who had returned from a seven-year retirement in January 2013 commented, "When I hit the half-mile pole, I said, 'Are you kidding me? Is this happening? The race was over at that point.' "