War Emblem, 2002 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, dies
GEORGETOWN, KY. (AP) » War Emblem, the 2002 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, died Wednesday at age 21.
He had been at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Center since 2015 after returning from Japan. Officials said the cause of death was believed to be a paddock accident, but exact details weren’t known. A necropsy was pending.
War Emblem was sold to Prince Ahmed bin Salman’s Thoroughbred Corp. and transferred to trainer Bob Baffert after the colt won the Illinois Derby. Three weeks later, he won the Kentucky Derby and then the Preakness to set up a Triple Crown bid.
However, he stumbled badly at the start of the Belmont and ended up losing to 70-1 shot Sarava, who also lives at Old Friends.
War Emblem won the Haskell Invitational later that year. He retired with seven wins in 13 career starts and earnings of $3,491,000.
War Emblem was sold for $17 million to Shadai Stallion Farm in Japan. He proved a difficult but talented stallion, having sired fewer than 200 foals in his career. But many of them were talented runners, including Robe Tissage, Japan’s champion 2-yearold filly. After retiring from stud duty, War Emblem was donated to Old Friends.
“I know we’re supposed to appreciate all of our retirees the same, but he was one of the very special ones,” Old Friends founder and president Michael Blowen said. “He was tough, narcissistic, bold, and handsome. I proudly count among a very meager number of accomplishments the day he allowed me to put his halter on without biting me. He trusted me.”
ALBANY, N.Y. » Karen Haag, who has served as the head women’s basketball coach for the past 19 seasons, will take on a new position effective March 15, 2020 within The College of Saint Rose athletics department.
Haag will continue her role as the Senior Woman Administrator and will also serve as an Associate Athletic Director overseeing a variety of department-wide responsibilities including recruiting, academic monitoring, community service, sport supervision oversight, and as the advisor to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
“It is with tremendous gratitude and appreciation, that I accept Karen’s decision to step away from coaching to focus on her administrative role within athletics. In her 19 years as the leader of our women’s basketball program, Karen has demonstrated her commitment to bringing out the best in our student-athletes by fostering a culture of winning on and off the court. On behalf of all Golden Knights, past and present, we thank Coach Haag for all she has done for Saint Rose women’s basketball and welcome her into her new role as Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator,” said Lori Anctil, Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics.
Haag just completed her 19th year at the helm of the Golden Knights women’s basketball program. She guided Saint Rose to three 20-win campaigns, four NCAA Championship Tournament berths, and 11 Northeast-10 Conference Postseason Championship appearances throughout her head coaching tenure.
A strong advocate of community service, Haag is a co-founder of Camp Bravehearts, which is a series of retreats designed for women who have been diagnosed with cancer. Haag, who is a cancer survivor herself, has also been involved with “Coaches vs Cancer” for the American Cancer Society.
Haag was selected to represent the Capital Region