Crusader was sired by Man o' War from the mare Star Fancy, from the same family which also produced leading performers such as Whisk Broom, Venetian Way, Timber Country and Dubai Millennium.

[2] In 1926, Crusader defeated older horses including his stable companion American Flag to win the Suburban Handicap.

[4] On July 3 at Aqueduct, he won the Dwyer Stakes by a nose from Chance Play, setting a course record of 2:29.6 for the mile and a half.

[5] In the $30,000 Cincinnati Derby on July 25, Crusader set another track record of 2:02.0 for ten furlongs, beating the Preakness Stakes winner Display with "remarkable ease" by three lengths.

[7] Crusader finished fourth to Croyden when favourite for the Laurel Stakes but returned to win the inaugural running of the Riggs Handicap at Pimlico Race Course on November 1.

[8] On his final start of the season he finished second when attempting to concede thirty-three pounds in weight to the filly Edith Cavell in the two and a quarter mile Pimlico Cup.