William Lakeland: A giant of his time
Culver Stakes, Ocean Handicap and Third Special.
Domino returned to the races as a 4-year-old in 1895, winning the Coney Island Handicap and Sheepshead Bay Handicap. He was retired later in the year because of a bad foot. From 25 career starts, Domino posted a record of 19-2-1 and earnings of $193,550. His career earnings mark stood until Man o’ War surpassed it in 1920 and his juvenile season earnings of $170,790 remained the standard for 38 years until Top Flight came along in 1931. Domino was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1955.
Three years after Domino’s retirement, Lakeland took over the conditioning of Hamburg for the great colt’s 3-year-old campaign for Daly, who purchased the horse for a record $40,001. After finishing third in the Belmont Stakes in his first start of the year, Hamburg easily won the Spring Special and Swift Stakes before defeating Kentucky Derby winner Plaudit in the 1 mile Lawrence Realization by two lengths. Hamburg then delivered a virtuoso performance in the 2¼mile Brighton Cup against an accomplished field of older horses. Hamburg was sent to the lead early and cruised to an easy win, defeating Ogden, the 1896 Futurity winner, and Brooklyn Handicap winner Howard Mann. Hamburg was retired after the Brighton Cup victory with a career mark of 16-3-2 from 21 starts and earnings of $60,380. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.
Based on available records, Lakeland won 110 stakes races between 1878 and 1908. He won the Coney Island Handicap four times, the Futurity three times and the Metropolitan Handicap, Brooklyn Handicap, Brighton Cup and Matron twice each. Lakeland also won the 1894 Preakness Stakes with Assignee.
In an era when stamina and durability were essential for thoroughbreds, Lakeland was famous for sending some of his horses out to race — and often win — multiple times on the same card. One of Lakeland’s horses, Little Reb, once achieved the incredible feat of winning three races on a single card and two more the following day.
An account from the 1898 book “The American Turf” said of Lakeland: “Probably no trainer in the country enjoys greater or more deserved popularity than Mr. William Lakeland. Nor, if results be the test, is there any man in racing circles of the present era whose professional knowledge, whether applied on his own behalf as an owner, or in connection with the great establishments of our modern turf magnates, has been more practical and successful. He is a representative of what perseverance and integrity can accomplish. Added to profound knowledge of horses, their nature and capabilities, he possesses an acquaintance with the respect for the best traditions of racing.”