Maryland Family Has Triple Crown Dreams – CBS Baltimore

BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) — A Maryland family rich in horse racing hopes to one day breed a Triple Crown winner.

In the 1890s, Vincent Allen said his family made their first big mark.

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He said it all started with relative Dudley Allen in Lexington, Kentucky, who had a 40-year career in the horse racing industry.

“My grandfather owned and trained the horse that won the 1891 Kentucky Derby, Dudley Allen,” he said.

Dudley won with jockey Isaac Murphy and Thoroughbred Kingman.

By passing the craft on from generation to generation, Vincent learned the craft.

“According to the elders, I was chosen for this,” said Vincent. “I’ve been running things since 1995.”

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With decades of experience, Vincent is now trying to break the glass ceiling by breeding a foal that he hopes will eventually become a Triple Crown Winner.

“Winning the Triple Crown,” said Vincent. “But that’s the main goal. One of the main goals.”

Vincent became the owner of a 15-year-old horse bred with Divining Rod about a year and a half ago in hopes of producing a horse that can sweep the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

The horse’s name is Shannon Brooke.

Shannon Brooke is a retired racehorse, show jumper and fox hunter who is being kept at Willowdale Farm in Baltimore County until she becomes pregnant, Vincent said.

“Now she’s on her fourth career, which will give us a foal so I can win the Triple Crown,” he said.

Vincent believes his family background and personal experience over the years will make this dream a reality. A gift I hope he can pass on.

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“I hope the grandkids take an interest in the game, the business and the lifestyle, and then I can just sit back and watch and smile like they used to do to me,” Vincent said.