More Triple Crown History
As of May 20, 2006, the longest drought between Triple Crown winning horses is 29 years, dating back to Spectacular
Bid’s ill-fated Triple Crown run in 1979. Since Affirmed, nine horses have won both the Kentucky Derby and the
Preakness Stakes. Of those, Real Quiet has come the closest to winning the Triple Crown, losing the Belmont Stakes by
a nose in 1998. Charismatic led the Belmont in the final furlong in 1999 but broke his leg in the final stretch and
fell back to third. Many horse-racing enthusiasts believe that had he not broken his leg, Charismatic would have won
the Triple Crown. The two most recent to win the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness but lose the Belmont were Funny Cide
in 2003 and Smarty Jones in 2004. Funny lost the Belmont in the slop to fresh horses, and Smarty lost by only a length.
"Kentucky’s claim to being Horse Capital of the World is no idle boast. Since the 18th century, when it was
discovered that the rich limestone deposits of the Bluegrass Region nourished fine thoroughbreds, the industry has
flourished, with the Lexington area alone having 450 horse farms. Some of these farms are legendary - Calumet,
Gainesway, Darby Dan, Three Chimneys, Ashford Stud, and Claiborne; some are open to the public. On these farms,
the world’s most famous thoroughbreds, including Man O’ War, Nashua, Secretariat and Smarty Jones,
have been born, bred or retired to stud."
-- Kentucky Dept. of Tourism
In addition, several horses have won two of the three races since the last Triple Crown win, most recently Afleet Alex
in 2005, who lost the Kentucky Derby but won the Preakness and Belmont.
Only one horse, Alydar, has placed (second place) in all three races. He was defeated by Affirmed in all three races in
1978 by a combined margin of two lengths. In addition, Mane Minister finished 3rd in each race in 1991, and Hawkster
finished 5th in each race in 1989.
One trainer, D. Wayne Lukas, has won the Triple Crown with two different horses, Thunder Gulch and Timber Country, winning
the three races in 1995. While this is not declared a Triple Crown officially, it is unique as a trainer that he is the only
trainer to win the three races in a calendar year with different horses.
2006 is the first time since 2000 that three different horses won the races: Barbaro won the Kentucky Derby (but then suffered
a career-ending and eventual life-ending injury during the Preakness), Bernardini won the Preakness, and Jazil won the Belmont
Stakes.
Also, as of May 21, 2005, the VISA Credit Card company officially withdrew its sponsorship of the U.S. Triple Crown, starting
in 2006. It relieves VISA of paying the $5 million bonus to the owner of the horse that wins the Triple Crown. Triple Crown
Productions is now sponsoring the races, as of 2006. The $5 million bonus remains intact.
"The Belmont Stakes is the oldest and longest race of the Triple Crown. Known as the true Test of the Champion, the
Belmont Stakes has dashed the hopes of three Triple Crown hopefuls -- Smarty Jones, Funny Cide and War Emblem -- in the last five years."
-- NYC Sports Commission
Some believe VISA withdrew its sponsorship as a result of the New York Racing Association’s
decision to break with the other two tracks on a television contract. On October 4, 2004, NYRA announced the American Broadcasting
Company and ESPN would hold television rights to the Belmont Stakes, breaking from Triple Crown Productions’ deal with NBC Sports.
NBC Sports continues the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes rights until 2010. Triple Crown Productions was formed in 1986 with ABC;
prior to that, the individual racing associations made their own deals with the TV networks (ABC and CBS).
Hundreds of millions of dollars are bet each year on the Triple Crown races and an ever increasing amount is at online
sportsbooks.
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