Faces at the Races: Mike Taphorn

He hadn’t reached his 10th birthday yet, but a young Mike Taphorn was riveted to the television set as two legendary thoroughbred rivals fought to the wire in an epic edition of the Preakness Stakes nearly 30 years ago. There wasn’t much, if anything, that could have torn the nine-year-old kid away from the drama that was unfolding before his eyes on May 20, 1989. As Sunday Silence and Easy Goer went hoof-to-hoof in the 114th running of the Preakness, Taphorn watched intently as one of the most compelling editions of the U.S. Triple Crown played out. Fast-forward to the present and Sunday Silence’s nose triumph remains a major memory for the thoroughbred trainer. “I’ve been a racing fan since watching my first race on TV,” said Taphorn. “I remember Sunday Silence and Easy Goer going head-to-head down the lane in the Preakness. I never forgot that race.” Taphorn has…