Fragile Wings

The chapter opens with a brief discussion of the injury risk run by all racing Thoroughbreds and some of the factors playing into that risk. Over the next five years (1983–1987), the inherent fragility of the Thoroughbred would be demonstrated by the careers of Oaks winners Princess Rooney (1983), Tiffany Lass (1986), and Buryyourbelief (1987). Princess Rooney and Tiffany Lass would survive their injuries; Buryyourbelief would not. In between, the chapter touches on the Oaks victories of Lucky Lucky Lucky (a third-stringer who gave D. Wayne Lukas his second Kentucky Oaks win at the expense of Woody Stephens) and Fran's Valentine, who overcame plebeian origins to become a near-champion.