BELMONT STAKES

Saturday we'll have the running of the Belmont Stakes; the third leg of the Triple Crown of thoroughbred horse racing.  It was at this race a year ago that we witnessed the first Triple Crown Champion in a quarter century - American Pharoah.

You probably know that 200 years ago, horse racing was the leading sport in the country.  Did you know that one of our Presidents (the 7th) was an avid owner/breeder of race horses?

When he was a young lawyer in Tennessee, Andrew Jackson began his lifelong love of race horses.  Jackson was a brave participant in the War of 1812 and was never injured.  After the war, he got into an argument with a fellow horse owner/breeder.  His opponent demanded a duel.  Jackson took the first shot into his chest near the heart but was able to fire and mortally wound his challenger.  Doctors were afraid to remove the bullet and it caused him pain for the rest of his life including his time in the White House.

So you're surprised that an American President killed someone in a duel?  It is estimated that Jackson fought 103 duels.  103!!!   He kept 37 pistols loaded and at-the-ready in his house.  He claimed that most of the duels were fought to defend the integrity of his wife.  Talk about a badass!
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