Analysis. History. Perspective.

Sports Then and Now




Okay, We Care About Horse Racing Again (At Least for the Next Three Weeks)

Posted on May 17, 2014 by Dean Hybl
California Chrome will look to break the 36 year drought of Triple Crown champions.

California Chrome will look to break the 36 year drought of Triple Crown champions.

It is very likely that you had no idea that the Preakness Stakes was held this afternoon near Baltimore. However, now that California Chrome has won the first two legs of the Triple Crown you can guarantee that you will hear plenty about the Belmont Stakes, which will be held on June 7th.

While all but the most die-hard of sports fans generally don’t pay much attention to the three triple crown horse races contested over a five year period from early May through early June each year, there is still a little magic left in the idea of the Triple Crown.

Always recognized as an amazing accomplishment, it has been 36 years since a horse has been able to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont in the same year. Since Affirmed became the 11th horse to accomplish the feat in 1978 (ironically the third horse to do it in five years following Secretariat and Seattle Slew), 12 horses have won the first two races, but failed to capture the most physically demanding and longest of the three races.

The first few times that a horse fell short – Spectacular Bid in 1979, Pleasant Colony in 1981, Alysheba in 1987 and Sunday Silence in 1989 – the failure wasn’t necessarily a huge deal as it had only been a few years since the last Triple Crown and each had come pretty close to joining the elite club.

However, when no horse was able to win both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness for seven straight years, by the time Silver Charm claimed the first two races in 1997 the appetite for having another Triple Crown champion was starting to build. He very nearly pulled it off, but Touch Gold came from behind in the final stretch to edge him by three-quarters of a length.

Real Quiet missed winning the triple crown by a nose to Victory Gallop (11) in the 1998 Belmont Stakes.

Real Quiet missed winning the triple crown by a nose to Victory Gallop (11) in the 1998 Belmont Stakes.

The very next year Real Quiet came even closer to claiming the Triple Crown as he was edged by a nose on the last stride of the Belmont by Victory Gallop.

Making it three years in a row with a chance for the Triple Crown, Charismatic came up short in 1999 as he faded down the stretch to finish third. However, the most dramatic moment of the day happened immediately following the finish when jockey Chris Antley suddenly jumped off the horse and held up its right front leg. The quick action proved to save the horse’s life as he underwent successful surgery the next day.

There was another stretch of three straight near-misses from 2002-2004. War Emblem stumbled to an eighth place finish in 2002. In 2003, Funny Cide tried to become the first gelding to win the Triple Crown, but finished third on a muddy track.

With five Triple Crown champions amongst his pedigree and with an undefeated record that included dominant victories in the first two legs of the Triple Crown, Smarty Jones seemed destined to grasp history in 2004. He grabbed the lead as expected, but was shockingly caught down the stretch by 36-1 longshot Birdstone.

Prior to California Chrome, only two horses in the last decade had won the first two Triple Crown races and neither even finished the Belmont Stakes.

In 2008, Big Brown was pulled up prior to the finish as his jockey, Kent Desormeaux, sensed something was wrong. Nothing was found at the time, but later photos surfaced that showed the horse may have had a loose shoe during the race.

When I’ll Have Another was scratched from the 2012 Belmont the day before the race because of tendentious, it deflated the excitement that had been building around the possibility of ending the Triple Crown drought.

Now, just two years later, California Chrome will have a chance to run into immortality. If he can do what the last 12 horses in his position have failed to accomplish, it could reinvigorate a sport that has struggled to maintain relevance has fans have become a bit dismissive following the long string of Triple Crown failures.

So, for the next three weeks expect to hear quite a bit about horse racing and the Chestnut Colt from California. Only time will tell if he becomes part of horse racing immortality or just another footnote.

0 to “Okay, We Care About Horse Racing Again (At Least for the Next Three Weeks)”

  1. Appreciating thhe commitment you put into your sitee annd in depth
    information you offer. It’s good to come acroxs a
    blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed
    information. Excellent read! I’ve saved youjr site and I’m including your RSS feeds to mmy Google account.

  2. So, if you are really looking forward to get rid of all your skin problems in a natural
    way, get all solutions on. Prepare a paste of gram (Cicer arietinum) flour in raw
    milk. Heating dries up the hair, which can also create
    a lot of problems for your hair.

    Here is my website: msm and biosil supplements

  3. This is probably the most popular way to invest in real estate.

    Perhaps a direct result of the fact that there are fewer investors, the owners of commercial real

    estate typically are more flexible when selling their properties.

    Richard Kimble, in the episode entitled “The Evil Men – Do,”

    had actually, and quite successfully, prevented Arthur Brame (James – Daly) from returning a favor, thus “morally”

    binding his own hands behindhis back, in preparation for the noose.

    Look into my web blog :: dst systems careers

  4. They want you to come to the salon on a regular basis so they tell you that you
    need to get a haircut every four to six weeks, but it’s
    just a way for them to make more money. Purchase shampoo or other hair care products that are meant specifically for people with thinning hair.
    Refrain or limit the amount of heat applied to your hair through the use of blow dryers, curling irons, straighteners, etc.

    My web-site; cost of low level laser therapy for hair loss

  5. In the final analysis, a particularly good way so you
    can get a reliable price estimate for your kitchen remodel San Diego project is to clearly specify the details discussed above and then obtain 3 different bids from legitimate general contractors.
    Do not forget the cushions for your barstools or towels, kitchen chairs, potholders and oven mitts.

    An update sink fixture with great looking knobs can instantly update a plain and outdated
    kitchen counter and sink area.

    Take a look at my homepage – Backflow prevention pompano beach club

  6. The hair follicles are not receiving the right balance of
    nutrients they need to grow. main light based permanent hair
    removal technique for men. Oils that are perfect
    for sealing are Olive oil, jojoba oil, safflower oil or castor
    oil.

    My blog :: hair growth products for women at walmart

  7. Fruits are great and I would never discourage my patients from eating fruit,
    but if your objective is to lose weight then they have to be eliminated,
    as they prevent Ketosis. Failure to Diagnose
    an Ectopic Pregnancy – Is This Medical Negligence. You
    can consult your neighbors and family members for references.

    Feel free to surf to my web-site; hcg ultra weight loss diet

  8. Johnny Depp is another example of a celebrity who loves stylish sunglasses.

    Albert Watson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland,
    and he quickly established himself as a leading fashion photographer.
    Many people are interested in knowing these and thus, if one is
    looking to start a fashion website, all they have to do is to include this aspect to their portal along with pictures as well.

    Also visit my site boutique party dresses for toddler girls

  9. DHT, otherwise known as dihychrotestosterone, is a chemical that prevents the hair follicle from
    regrowing hair. However, it comes with a relatively steep price tag of $500 or more.

    Are you in a situation where you cannot be among your friends
    and feel free because of your hair issues.

    my web site :: igrow low level laser therapy hair

  10. People everywhere are reporting that they are losing 10, 12, even 18
    pounds in a week due to the addition of these products
    and adhering to their strict rules. Blood HCG test: What is the best time for early pregnancy test.
    This will be accomplished while the egg cells are stored.

    Review my page :: Weight loss Hcg knoxville

  11. Wearing the most elegant fabric which could enrich the beauty in you can be regarded as
    the best technique for fabric selection. The classic man’s
    suit has barely changed for over a hundred years.
    Effectively, I’ve discovered a way to get gorgeous wedding gowns and even designer wedding gowns for a fraction of the original price.

    my page celebrity dresses taylor swift

  12. test says:

    I was excited too find this great site. I want to to thank you for ones time due too this wonderful read!!
    I definitely liked every partt of it and i also have you bookmarked to liok at new things in your web site.

    Feel frere to surf to my homepage: test

  13. Thank you already want to share information, I like your information. koleksi muslim

  14. CSPME says:

    this article is shocking i like your work and i like you that you have grant an important stuff thankful concerning giving… <a href="http://www.cspme.co.uk” target=”_blank”>www.cspme.co.uk

  15. Zeeshan_A says:

    On account of present your charming illuminating information in this site in perspective of offer it. Solicitors in London

  16. Marita says:

    What’s up, all the time i used to check weblog posts here
    in the early hours in the dawn, because i like to learn more and more.

  17. penumbuhrambutpalingampuh says:

    thanks for info !




  • Vintage Athlete of the Month

    • Harold Jackson: Unsung Star WR
      December 12, 2024 | 4:24 pm

      The Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the Month is one of the most underappreciated wide receivers in NFL history, despite boasting a career that spanned 16 seasons and saw him excel as one of the league’s premier deep threats. Known for his speed, route-running, and ability to make plays downfield, Harold Jackson left an indelible mark on the game during an era that was not yet pass-heavy. Standing at 5’10” and weighing 175 pounds, he defied expectations of size to become a dominant force on the field. Over the course of his illustrious career (1968–1983), Jackson totaled 10,372 receiving yards and 76 touchdowns, placing him among the top receivers of his time.

      Read more »

    • RSSArchive for Vintage Athlete of the Month »
  • Follow Us Online

  • Post Categories



↑ Top