The Triple Crown - Horse Racing's Ultimate Challenge

The Triple Crown, like so many of our best traditions,(9.5 furlongs) and the Belmont at a mile and a half (12
wasn't created, it grew into being. During the late 1800'sfurlongs) is the longest of the three. The horses that
three different tracks created races to test the newsurvive their attempt at the Triple Crown will seldom, if
crop of three year olds. These three races, theever, compete at these distances again. And yes,
Belmont Stakes, the Preakness and the Kentuckysurvival is a consideration. Many Triple Crown hopefuls
Derby were held in the same year for the first time inare never able to compete again after the Belmont,
1875. It wasn't until 44 years later that Sir Barton (1919)even potential superstars such as Smarty Jones in
became the first horse to win all three. The term, Triple2004.
Crown, wasn't coined until 1930 when Daily RacingWill Barbaro be the next Triple Crown winner? He has
Form's columnist, Charles Hatton, used it while coveringthe breeding and the talent, but as of this writing
Gallant Fox's winning efforts.twenty horses have won the first two legs of the
In the 131 years that have passed only 11 horses haveTriple Crown only to fail at Belmont. Twenty five more
managed to accomplish what is arguably the mosthave won two of the three races, but maybe this
difficult feat in sports. Compared to the Triple Crown,year...
no-hitters in baseball are an everyday occurrence;The Triple Crown stands as the ultimate test of
back to back championships in other sporting events, agreatness, and that's why on the first Saturday in May
dime a dozen; there have been more solar eclipses ineach year, America's thoughts turn to horse racing and
our lifetime than Triple Crown winners and each yearthe hope of just one more Triple Crown winner.
more people are struck by lightening than the totalBecause we do, after all, need another hero.
number of Triple Crown winners in history.Triple Crown Facts:
Some of horse racing's most legendary names failedThe Belmont Stakes was first run in 1867 for $1,850.00
to capture this event. Man o' War managed only 2 outat the Jerome Park Race Course in New York, and
of the 3 legs (did not start in the Kentucky Derby);was originally a mile and five eights, but has also been
Seabiscuit, after losing 17 straight races as a two yearrun at a mile and one eighth and a mile and three
old wasn't even considered (although he did later beateights before settling at a mile and a half in 1926
1937's Triple Crown winner, War Admiral in a matchThe first Preakness Stakes was held in 1873 with a
race); Cigar never competed, starting his great winningprize of $1,850.00 at Pimlico Race Course in Maryland
streak late in his fourth year.at a distance of a mile and a half, but has been run at
What makes this event so difficult to win? Severalsix different distances between a mile and a mile and
factors have to be considered. First there's the age ofa half before stabilizing at a mile and three sixteenths
the horses. Triple Crown races are limited to 3 yearin 1925
olds, juveniles, all of whom officially have their birthdayThe first Kentucky Derby was in 1875 for a purse of
on January 1st of each year. By the first Saturday in$2,850.00 at the Louisville Jockey Club Course, later
May (the running of the Kentucky Derby), though mostrenamed Churchill Downs, at a mile and a half, but was
of the contestants will have actually reached their thirdshortened to a mile and a quarter in 1896
birthday, they won't realize their full growth andSince 1875 there have been 5 years when it was not
potential until their fourth or fifth years.possible to have a Triple Crown winner:
Another significant aspect is the shortness of timeIn 1890 the Belmont Stakes and the Preakness where
between races. Most stakes graded horses of todayon the same day at the same track In 1911 and 1912
run with 30 to 60 days off between races, but Triplethe Belmont Stakes was not held In 1917 and 1922 the
Crown contenders must run 3 grueling races within theKentucky Derby and the Preakness where held on the
span of 35 days. Notably Sir Barton, the first Triplesame day
Crown winner, won the Preakness only 4 days afterOnly Triple Crown winner to directly sire another,
winning the Kentucky Derby while today's challengersGallant Fox (1930) sired Omaha (1935)
do have 14 days between the two races.Only two trainers have trained more than one Triple
Perhaps the most important factor is the distance ofCrown winner, James Fitzsimmons - Gallant Fox (1930)
these races, the Derby is a mile and a quarter (10and Omaha (1935) and Ben A.
furlongs), the Preakness, a mile and three sixteenths