When it comes to names that become self-fulfilling prophecies, few can top this one of a 3-year-old Deputy Minister colt that 20 years ago burst from anonymity into Canadian racing immortality in a way that was, indeed, awe inspiring.
A little more than a month before Awesome Again was feted in the Woodbine winner’s circle by Queen Elizabeth II in June of 1997, he was little more than an unraced, unnamed sophomore product of Frank Stronach’s racing empire making strides in California under the tutelage of David Hofmans after initial lessons in Ontario under Danny Vella. That promise began to turn to potential when Awesome Again, the ink still wet on his registered name, finished third in his career debut in a Maiden Special Weight on May 25, 1997 at Hollywood Park. Eleven days later, in the same class at the same California track, Awesome Again broke his maiden with a six-length victory with Chris McCarron in the irons.
Afterward, he was promptly dispatched back to his native Ontario, with a little more than $25,000 in his pocket, to be a part of a three-horse Stronach entry in the 138th running of the Queen’s Plate held June 29 in Toronto, some 40 minutes from where Awesome Again was foaled in Aurora.