Triple Crown History: So it’s been a while. As you’ll see below, there hasn’t been a Triple Crown winner since 1978—30 years ago. It’s also easy to see that there were a lot of crown winners in the 30’s and 40’s but only 3 took the crown over the next 30 years, and absolutely zero have worn a crown since. The last horse to do it was Affirmed, ridden by Steve Cauthen. In this history of the three races, only eleven colts have taken the home the Triple Crown, winning the Kentucky Derby, The Preakness Stakes, as well as The Belmont Stakes.
But don’t give the title to Big Brown just yet - there have been quite a few to just barely miss that last race, coming just a Belmont Stakes leg short of Triple Crown glory. By quite a few, I mean seven. Spectacular Bid, Pleasant Colony, Alysheba, Sunday Silence, Silver Charm, Real Quiet, and Charismatic won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness before falling to the pressure, and the field, at Belmont.
Triple Crown Winners:
Year Horse Jockey
1919 Sir Barton Johnny Loftus
1930 Gallant Fox Earl Sande
1935 Omaha Willie Saunders
1937 War Admiral Charley Kurtsinger
1941 Whirlaway Eddie Arcaro
1943 Count Fleet Johnny Longden
1946 Assault Warren Mehrtens
1948 Citation Eddie Arcaro
1973 Secretariat Ron Turcotte
1977 Seattle Slew Jean Cruguet
1978 Affirmed Steve Cauthen
Big Brown’s Run at History: The most popular horse in the competition takes his run at the Triple Crown on June 7th - and while Big Brown waits for his chance to become a legend, there is plenty of news and drama following his respectable run.
If the horse fails to complete the trio, it won’t be for lack of confidence by his trainer. Rick Dutrow Jr. basically guaranteed victory earlier in the week claiming the Triple Crown Title was a “forgone conclusion.” He also laughed at questions about a wet track and post position, replying -
“He would lot it. It would work to our advantage,” and “I don’t even care about the post positions.”
And why should he? Big Brown took a post position that had never won in the Kentucky Derby and easily ran away with the title, and has yet to be introduced to any suspected kryptonite.
But as I stated earlier, the drama has become real. As minor as it may be, the magnificent horse managed to crack his hoof a while back, and though it’s said to be a “non-issue” the truth remains that there is indeed a minor flaw. On Saturday, Big Brown got new sutures in his hoof, and hoof specialist, Ian McKinlay said,
“The little crack looks like it’s in pretty good shape. It’s not bugging the horse in any kind of way. Ian is very happy with it. We’re right on course, right on target… When you push on it now, he doesn’t even feel it.”
So, while Big Brown looks to be a healthy option come race time, there are definitely interesting headlines following the big guy around.
“if he ever gets the lead in the Belmont, the race is going to be over. I can’t see any horse coming up and catching him.”
This looks to be true, as Big Brown has only extended the lead once in front.
On June 7th, Big Brown’s journey will come full circle as he could become the first horse to take the triple crown in 30 years - fantastic!
