The Maryland Thoroughbred Hall of Fame is poised to announce its 2014 class — its second ever.

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With just one class of inductees, there are still numerous good Maryland-breds waiting their turn.

Over the next few days, we at The Racing Biz will revisit a few of the moments from the 2013 induction.  Over on the right, check out our interview with Joe Piarulli, the trainer of Vertex, a horse owned by his father and a member of the class of 2013.  Vertex’s racing heyday came in 1958 and 1959.

VERTEX FACTBOOK

  • Race record: 25-17-3-1, earnings of $453,424
  • Career highlights: Nine-time stake winner, including Pimlico Special, Gulfstream Park, John B. Campbell, Grey Lag, considered top handicap horse in the East in 1958-1959
  • Pedigree: The Rhymer-Kanace, by Case Ace, bred in Maryland by Frank Piarulli
  • For more information: Vertex page at the Maryland Thoroughbred Hall of Fame