Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Nov. 1, 2024.

A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.

The “Race of the Century.” Nowadays, sports fans would call it an “Instant Classic.”

On Nov. 1, 1938, in a two-horse match race, Seabiscuit defeated the favored Triple Crown winner War Admiral by four lengths in what was dubbed the “Race of the Century” at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

War Admiral, sired by the never defeated legend Man o’ War, was smaller and different than his legendary father, but still an amazing thoroughbred. In 1937, War Admiral won his first three starts, the final race being the Kentucky Derby, After winning his first two starts of the year, The Admiral did the one thing Man o’ War did not — he won the Kentucky D

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