In February 1953, Dark Star won a sprint race at Hialeah,[5] then lost to Money Broker in the Florida Derby in March.
[6] Dark Star broke quickly from a wide draw and was sent into the lead at the first turn by his twenty-three-year-old jockey Hank Moreno, staying clear of the "bumping and pushing" further back in the field, in which the favorite was badly affected.
As the field turned into the straight, Dark Star broke away from his nearest challenger, the Eddie Arcaro-ridden Correspondent, to open a clear lead.
[8] In the book "Horse Racing's Top 100 Moments" by the staff of Blood-Horse Publications, Dark Star's defeat of Native Dancer was ranked number 21.
[9] Before the Preakness Stakes, Dark Star ran in a prep race at Pimlico on May 14, in which he was beaten by Royal Bay Gem, but his rematch with Native Dancer in the second leg of the Triple Crown was nevertheless much anticipated.