Triple Crown winners, Affirmed, Seattle Slew, Secretariat, Citation, Assault
The paramount of horse racing, the Triple Crown, has a long history in each of the major horse racing countries. It usually consists of three races and only three year old Thoroughbred horses are eligible.
In the United States of America the origin of the Triple Crown is disputed but in 1950 the Thoroughbred Racing Associations officially recognized three races series, the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, as the Triple Crown.
Longer distances of these races make it difficult for participants to win the elusive three part title. There hasn’t been a US Triple Crown winner in Thoroughbred racing for thirty-three years.
Without a doubt every trainer, jockey, owner wants to win the Triple Crown but we haven’t had a winner since 1919 and only eleven horses were able to accomplish the most difficult and elusive feat in all sports.
The decade of the 1970’s has produced the most talented and lucky three Triple Crown winners. Since 1978 to 2011 the dry spell continues and it keeps reminding us how special and talented a horse has to be to enter the exclusive Triple Crown club.
To re-live the glory days, we have to rewind the years and go back to the most recent winner, Affirmed, the champion two-year old colt, who won it in 1978.
Foaled in February 21, 1975 and son of Exclusive Native, Affirmed went on to win horse of the year twice and the winner of three Eclipse awards and of course the Triple Crown. He was considered to be in the same class as Secretariat and Buckpasser.
His wining time for Kentucky Derby was 2 minute and 1.15 seconds, for Preakness was 1 minute 54.25 seconds, and for Belmont was 2 minutes 26.45 seconds.
As mentioned earlier, the 70’s was an unforgettable time in horse racing. In 1977 there was a beautiful dark brown colt called Seattle Slew. Foaled on February 15, 1974 and nicknamed “baby huey” after a clumsy cartoon character but by default one of the
best horses in the history of thoroughbred horses.
He retired in ’78 but not before winning many races and titles under his name. His Derby time was 2 minutes 2. 15 seconds, Preakness time 1 minute 54.25 seconds, and Belmont time was 2 minutes and 29.35 seconds.
The legendary and strikingly attractive chestnut, Secretariat,
won the Triple Crown, in 1973. Foaled on March 20, 1970 Chenery’s Meadow Farm in Doswell, Virginia, Secretariat had earnings of $1,316,808, had 21 starts, and 16 wins.
His Derby time was 1 minute 59. 25 seconds, he completed the Preakness in 1 minute and 54.25 seconds and still holds the fastest Belmont time of all time, 2 minutes and 24 seconds.
Secretariat won the Triple Crown after a 25 year drought. Before him the title went to Citation in 1948.
Owned and bred by Warren Wright’s Calumet Farm and foaled on April 11, 1945. Things got interesting in Citation’s career when he evened up the score with his stable mate after winning the Futurity Trial Stakes and was rewarded with divisional championship
honors.
He went on to be the first millionaire in Thoroughbred racing. But he will always be remembered for winning the Triple Crown. His Derby time was 2 minutes and 5.25 seconds, Preakness time was 2 minutes and 2.25 seconds, and Belmont time was 2 minutes and
28.15 seconds.
Assault won the U.S Triple Crown in 1946. Foaled on March 26, 1943, he was triumphant in the Pimlico Special and in his final start in 1946 participated in the Westchester Handicap and he won that by two lengths over Lucky Draw before going on to win the
Triple Crown.
A remarkable effort by an extraordinary horse, which led him to be Horse of the year, and, also the leading money earner with $ 424,195.
His Triple Crown timings were, Kentucky Derby 2 minutes 6.35 seconds, Preakness 2 minutes 1.25 seconds, Belmont 2 minutes 30.45 seconds.
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