Another Quest For Horse Racing's Elusive Triple Crown

[TruthSeeker56]

Two weeks from now, California Chrome will be the first thoroughbred since Big Brown in 2008 to have a shot at winning the elusive Triple Crown of horse racing.

Unlike Big Brown, Cali Chrome is coming into the Belmont Stakes HEALTHY, and the extra week off should put him in peak condition.

The 36 year drought since the last Triple Crown winner (Affirmed in 1978) is the longest ever.

Since 1978, 11 different horses have won the first two legs of the Triple Crown, only to lose in the Belmont Stakes, and one additional horse won the first two legs of the Triple Crown and did not run in the Belmont due to injury:

1979: Spectacular Bid

1981: Pleasant Colony

1987: Alysheba

1989: Sunday Silence

1997: Silver Charm

1998: Real Quiet

1999: Charismatic

2002: War Emblem

2003: Funny Cide

2004: Smarty Jones

2008: Big Brown

2012: I'll Have Another (did not run in Belmont, injured and retired)

The previous longest Triple Crown drought was the 25 year drought between Citation's 1948 Triple Crown and Secretariat's 1973 Triple Crown.

Only ELEVEN horses have won the Triple Crown. It is truly a rare and very special sports accomplishment.

 

[TheOldSchool]

With his mighty nose strips, Cali Chrome should waltz into the winners circle