Under Armour founder and owner Kevin Plank will have a horse in Saturday's Preakness Stakes, the second of three legs in the Triple Crown.
According to a Businessweek article, Plank bought a 530-acre training and breeding facility, Sagamore Farm, in 2007. Since then, he's been investing time and money into producing a champion.
The article goes on to say,
After spending millions of dollars to refurbish the farm, Plank is poised to take the next step in his bid to restore Maryland's rich racing tradition.
Having already produced a Breeder's Cup winner and a Belmont Stakes entrant at Sagamore Farm, Plank will enter Tiger Walk in Saturday's Preakness. His ultimate goal, however, is to develop a Triple Crown winner.
Plank figures Maryland, and Sagamore Farm in particular, is as good a place as any to breed the next great horse.
"I don't think there's anybody that owns the right," he said. "We haven't had a Triple Crown winner in 33 years. What other sport hasn't named a legitimate champion in 33 years? So that is far overdue, and no one in Kentucky has done it. These aren't God-given rights limited to growing up in Kentucky. Maryland has that kind of history with Man of War, War Admiral, Native Dancer. So why not us?"
Plank's most famous -- or infamous -- connection to Maryland thus far is the design Under Armour cooked up for the Terrapins' football jerseys last season. Plank went to the University of Maryland.
The Preakness is celebrating its 137th year. For additional information, check out the Preakness home page. A list of horses is available here.
Check out this SB Nation Detroit story stream for more information on the Preakness Stakes.