TRACKSIDE EDITION – And they’re off! The thunder of hooves, the roar of the crowd, and the drama that only unfolds when racing immortality is on the line — welcome to the electrifying world of the Triple Crown, the most prestigious and punishing challenge in all of horse racing.
For over a century, the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes have formed a gauntlet that only the rarest of thoroughbreds can conquer. Winning just one is a feat. Win all three in the same year? That’s legendary.
The Race for Greatness
Let’s break it down:
- The Kentucky Derby – Known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” this Churchill Downs classic kicks off the Triple Crown in early May.
- The Preakness Stakes – Held just two weeks later at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, it’s the shortest but arguably the most aggressive test.
- The Belmont Stakes – The final jewel, the “Test of the Champion,” stretches a grueling mile and a half at Belmont Park in New York.
Secretariat – The Gold Standard
In 1973, Secretariat didn’t just win the Triple Crown — he rewrote the rulebook. With a 31-length victory in the Belmont Stakes, “Big Red” became the gold standard. Clocking in at 2:24, no horse has run the Belmont faster. Even now, over 50 years later, his name still echoes in the halls of greatness.
Jockey Ron Turcotte, cool under pressure, guided Secretariat with precision and grace — forever linking his name with one of the most dominant performances in sports history.
American Pharoah Ends the Drought
Fast forward to 2015. For 37 years, fans waited, wondering if we’d ever see another Triple Crown winner. Along came American Pharoah, trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Victor Espinoza. With the poise of a seasoned veteran, Pharoah stormed into history, breaking the long drought and reawakening the spirit of the sport.
Justify – The Undefeated Champion
Only three years later, Baffert did it again. This time, it was Justify, a power-packed colt with zero losses under his saddle. With Mike Smith, a Hall of Fame jockey, in the irons, Justify became the second horse in history to win the Triple Crown undefeated, joining the legendary Seattle Slew.
Jockeys Who Rode Into History
Behind every great horse is a jockey with nerves of steel. Ron Turcotte (Secretariat), Jean Cruguet (Seattle Slew), Steve Cauthen (Affirmed), Victor Espinoza (American Pharoah), and Mike Smith (Justify) are more than just names — they are horse racing royalty. These riders read their horses like novels and navigated every step with championship instincts.
The Magic Lives On
Only 13 horses have ever claimed the Triple Crown. It’s not just about speed — it’s stamina, strategy, and heart. For Thunder Bay racing fans and sports lovers alike, the story of the Triple Crown is one of rare brilliance — where history is made on the backstretch and names become eternal.
So next time you hear “And down the stretch they come!” — remember, you might just be watching the next legend in the making.
