Triple Crown Racing

For horse racing fans the season gets more exciting when a potential Triple Crown candidate emerges. As the Kentucky Derby approaches a handful of horses are discussed but after the Derby only one horse has a chance. And if that horse wins the Preakness also, then the fun really begins. Can anyone beat him? Is he the best race horse ever? One more race will tell.

The Kentucky Derby

The first jewel in the Triple Crown is the Kentucky Derby. This race has earned the reputation of "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports". For most race fans the derby is a day long affair of mint juleps, classy to crazy hats, and celebrity watching. But for the horse owners, the "Run for the Roses" is the first step to see if their thoroughbred has a shot at the crown.

2009 Winner: Mine That Bird
Calvin Borel hugged the rail again and made his move inside to take the 50-1 shot to the winners circle. Mine that Bird pulled away to a huge 6 3/4 length victory for the 2nd largest upset since 1913.

2008 Winner: Big Brown
Kent Desormeaux rode the favorite, Big Brown, to victory at Churchhill Downs. The unbeaten Big Brown took control on the home turn and cruised to a 4 3/4 length win. Unfortunately the runner up, Eight Belles, collapsed on the track after breaking both ankles and had to be euthanized.

2007 Winner: Street Sense
Before a crowd of 156,635, jockey Calvin Borel executed a well planned attack as Street Sense became the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby after winning the Breeder's Cup Juvenile race. Borel held Street Sense back early holding in 19th place of the 20 horses. A move to the rail began his march past the others. Then sweeping wide he caught Hard Spun with an eighth of a mile to go and cruised to victory.

The Preakness Stakes

Thoroughbred racing comes to Maryland on the third Saturday in May each year for the second and shortest leg in The triple Crown. This week-long celebration concludes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore and determines if ther will be a Triple Crown contender for the year.

2009 Winner: Rachel Alexandra
WOW! That Girl Can Run. Calvin Borel changed horses but had the same result as the filly over powered the field.

2008 Winner: Big Brown
Big Brown dominated the weak field and never faced a serious challenge.

2007 Winner: Curlin
There will be no Triple Crown winner again in 2007. Curlin, who was undefeated but only in 3 races prior to the derby, bested the field of 9 for the Preakness crown.

The Belmont Stakes

2 down 1 to go - can we crown a new champion? The Belmont Stakes is the oldest of the Triple Crown races. This third and final leg is contested three weeks after the Preakness and five weeks after the Kentucky Derby. Only 11 times has a horse been able to wrap it all up in New York.

2008 Winner: Da' Tara
There will be no Triple Crown winner this year. Long shot Da' Tara wins the Belmont paying $79 for a $2 bet. Big Brown finished last when jockey Kent Desormeaux pulled up after realizing something was wrong with his horse.

2007 Winner: Rags to Riches
A Filly? For the first time in 102 years a filly wins the Belmont Stakes. This year the Belmont didn't create much pre-race hype but after an exciting stretch duel Rags to Riches created her own story. Since 1900 eleven other fillies have entered the Belmont Stakes and finally #12 has won. Congratulations to Rags to Riches and her jockey, John Velazquez!