Only eleven horses have won the elusive Triple Crown. The grueling schedule of three races in 5 weeks at longer distances than most have run previously in their careers is probably the most difficult task any horse will face in his racing career. Big Brown became the latest to fail when he completely fell apart in the Belmont Stakes and was pulled up around the final turn then eased down the stretch. Now Ill Have Another had a chance to become the 12th Triple Crown winner after his victories in both the 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness, but sadly he was scratched due to an injury the day before the Belmont Stakes and retired to stud. Affirmed in 1978 still remains the last Triple Crown winner, as we wait for the next colt to step up and join this exclusive group. Sadly, the last Triple Crown winner left alive, Seattle Slew, passed away on May 7, 2002. There have been 46 horses who won two out of the three Triple Crown races but only 21 who won both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness only to fail in the Belmont Stakes. The list below gives those horses along with where they finished in the Belmont and who beat them. Seven of the 21 were in the last 12 years, so we are more than due for someone to finally win. Hopefully some talented 3-year-old will step up and get the job done this year. California Chrome gets the bid to become one on the list, and why not Track Officials turned back the challenge to a point system which will give an edge over the task of becoming “A Great Contender” There is a reason the last Triple Crown was won in 1978 by Affirmed and why there is on 11 who ever endured the task of being called a True Champion. Their was no point system to get you in, it was built on True Champions who earned their way to the title. Will California Chrome reach the finish line of all three? Well that remains to be proven but the chances are in favor Thanks to the restless track officials who feel’s the U.S. need another boost in the Racing Industry. “And That’s Making Horse Sense” Gary Glennon Sports Talk Radio TRIPLE CROWN WINNERS Year Name Jockey Trainer Owner 1919 Sir Barton John Loftus H. G. Bedwell J. K. L. Ross 1930 Gallant Fox Earl Sande James Fitzsimmons Belair Stud 1935 Omaha William Saunders James Fitzsimmons Belair Stud 1937 War Admiral Charley Kurtsinger George Conway Sam Riddle 1941 Whirlaway Eddie Arcaro Ben A. Jones Calumet Farm 1943 Count Fleet John Longden Don Cameron Mrs. J. D. Hertz 1946 Assault Warren Mehrtens Max Hirsch King Ranch 1948 Citation Eddie Arcaro Ben A. Jones Calumet Farm 1973 Secretariat Ron Turcotte Lucien Laurin Meadow Stable 1977 Seattle Slew Jean Cruguet William Turner, Jr.Karen Taylor 1978 Affirmed Steve Cauthen Lazaro S. BarreraHarbor View Farm
Posted on: Fri, 09 May 2014 11:34:12 +0000