From 1953 to 1972, the biggest money 2yo race was the Garden State S at Garden State Park (the original). For the first 18 years, only one winner of this championship event, Carry Back, came back to win the Kentucky Derby. Then in the last two years of its existence, it was won by Riva Ridge and Secretariat. I don't recall a 'Garden State' jinx mentioned at the time.
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