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For those new to horse racing, winning the Triple Crown involves winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes in the same year.
Only 11 horses have done it: Affirmed (1978), Seattle Slew (1977), Secretariat (1973), Citation (1948), Assault (1946), Count Fleet (1943), Whirlaway (1941), War Admiral (1937), Omaha (1935), Gallant Fox (1930) and Sir Barton (1919).
Part of the reason for the Triple Crown legend has been the history over the last 30 years. No horse since Affirmed in 1978 has accomplished the feat. Amazingly, 11 horses have won the first two legs since, only to be denied in the longer and more grueling Belmont Stakes.
Those 11 horses are listed below, in addition to where they finished in the Belmont Stakes (in parenthesis). There are lots of second and third place finishes, only adding to the lore.
In 2004, Smarty Jones (1/5 odds) was the heaviest Belmont favorite since Spectacular Bid in 1979. Smarty Jones was chased down by Birdstone for the monumental upset.
That was a big blow for the city of Philadelphia and the entire state of Pennsylvania. The native Smarty Jones was given sports legend status on par with basketball great Julius Erving and baseball Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt.
In 2008, heavy favorite Big Brown (2/5 odds) finished ninth. The hot weather, a cracked left front hoof, and running steroid free for the first time, were reasons given for his poor performance.
It was a big blow for trainer Rick Dutrow, who had guaranteed that his powerful horse would win the Triple Crown.
2008 Big Brown (9th)
2004 Smarty Jones (2nd)
2003 Funny Cide (3rd)
2002 War Emblem (8th)
1999 Charismatic (3rd)
1998 Real Quiet (2nd)
1997 Silver Charm (2nd)
1989 Sunday Silence (2nd)
1987 Alysheba (4th)
1981 Pleasant Colony (3rd)
1979 Spectacular Bid (3rd)
If you want to get in on the action and bet on the Triple Crown of horse racing, head over to Belmont's online racebook.
For those new to horse racing, winning the Triple Crown involves winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes in the same year.
Only 11 horses have done it: Affirmed (1978), Seattle Slew (1977), Secretariat (1973), Citation (1948), Assault (1946), Count Fleet (1943), Whirlaway (1941), War Admiral (1937), Omaha (1935), Gallant Fox (1930) and Sir Barton (1919).
Part of the reason for the Triple Crown legend has been the history over the last 30 years. No horse since Affirmed in 1978 has accomplished the feat. Amazingly, 11 horses have won the first two legs since, only to be denied in the longer and more grueling Belmont Stakes.
Those 11 horses are listed below, in addition to where they finished in the Belmont Stakes (in parenthesis). There are lots of second and third place finishes, only adding to the lore.
In 2004, Smarty Jones (1/5 odds) was the heaviest Belmont favorite since Spectacular Bid in 1979. Smarty Jones was chased down by Birdstone for the monumental upset.
That was a big blow for the city of Philadelphia and the entire state of Pennsylvania. The native Smarty Jones was given sports legend status on par with basketball great Julius Erving and baseball Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt.
In 2008, heavy favorite Big Brown (2/5 odds) finished ninth. The hot weather, a cracked left front hoof, and running steroid free for the first time, were reasons given for his poor performance.
It was a big blow for trainer Rick Dutrow, who had guaranteed that his powerful horse would win the Triple Crown.
2008 Big Brown (9th)
2004 Smarty Jones (2nd)
2003 Funny Cide (3rd)
2002 War Emblem (8th)
1999 Charismatic (3rd)
1998 Real Quiet (2nd)
1997 Silver Charm (2nd)
1989 Sunday Silence (2nd)
1987 Alysheba (4th)
1981 Pleasant Colony (3rd)
1979 Spectacular Bid (3rd)
If you want to get in on the action and bet on the Triple Crown of horse racing, head over to Belmont's online racebook.
