He ran second to Dance Floor in the Fountain of Youth Stakes then earned a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Florida Derby.
Sent to Kentucky, at Keeneland Race Course he won the final Derby stepping stone, the important Blue Grass Stakes, then a Grade 2 event.
Pistols and Roses was withdrawn from the Preakness Stakes after swelling was found in his left front ankle.
In 1994, the 5-year-old Pistols and Roses successfully defended his title in the Donn, and also won the Ben Ali Stakes at Keeneland Race Course.
Retired to stud duty for the 1996 season, Pistols and Roses' offspring have met with modest success.