“PEB”’s DRF 1997 Belmont Stakes Cover Original Artwork

This original hand-colored sketch by the acclaimed artist Pierre “Peb” Bellocq served as the colorful cover for the Daily Racing Form’s June 7, 1997 Belmont Stakes edition. The popular gray colt Silver Charm, having previously won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, was seeking to become American racing’s newest Triple Crown champion.

The image humorously depicts a circus-themed Silver Charm walking a “Triple Crown” tightrope as his connections, jockey Gary Stevens, trainer Bob Baffert, owners Bob and Beverly Lewis and New York Racing Association executives Terry Meyocks and Kenny Noe hopefully look on. Caught in the safety net below are a group of former turf stars who fell short in their Triple Crown quests, including Middleground, Tim Tam, Northern Dancer, Majestic Prince, Spectacular Bid and Alysheba. Silver Charm would ultimately join his oh-so-close predecessors when finishing a heart-breaking close second to Touch Gold in the “Test of the Champion.”

The whimsical watercolor originates from the private collection of Silver Charm’s notable owners Bob and Beverly Lewis, who were longtime admirers of Bellocq's work. The special piece is signed and dated by the artist and double-matted in a simple silver frame that measures 21″ x 18” in total. As the original artwork selected for the cover of a national publication chronicling a high-profile moment in racing history, this piece represents a very rare and significant offering.