The road to the Triple Crown has it share of bumps!

Well, we’ve seen this scenario played out before. The big favorite wins on the “first Saturday in May” and returns as the horse to beat in the Preakness Stakes and dusts his rivals. Since the last Triple Crown winner in 1978 (Affirmed) eleven three year old runners have attempted to gain the Holy Grail of the Triple Crown; the Belmont Stakes and all 11 have failed. Two years ago, I’ll Have Another was attempting to be the 12 horse to try this feat. But an injury thwarted his bid less than 36 hours before the race. He was one of only three horses who won the first two legs of the Triple Crown and were unable to race in the final leg. Before the last Triple Crown winning horse in 1978, eight horses were unsuccessful after winning the first two legs. That was in a span of 59 years; compare 36 years with the current eleven. While everyone talks about how today’s current horses do not match up those runners of yesteryear with the process of racing back in two week’s time, contending for history seems a bit easier for these modern day thoroughbreds.



In most cases, those trying to win the Belmont Stakes usually run a good race in defeat. Only three have been out of the money (Alysheba ’87 – War Emblem ’02 – Big Brown ’08). So when trying for the Triple Crown, the horse in question is an honest and worthy candidate. This year we have California Chrome, an exciting runner with the credentials much like Funny Cide or Smarty Jones and their connections. He’s simple humble runner, whose trainer who wasn’t a household name before the Triple Crown quest. With flamboyant owners that have a flair for the excitement on the big stage. This has all the ingredients for a memorable three weeks leading up to the biggest day in New York racing. But as usual, the road to this feat has its detractors.

He passed the test as the lukewarm favorite in the Derby, even though he earned the lowest Beyer speed in the history of this race. There were people who thought that his quick turnaround in two weeks and racing in the Preakness would be his undoing, once again “they” were wrong. Not even 24 hours after winning the second leg, controversy surrounded him in the name of a “breathing Band-Aid”. Yes, even some media pundits had him possibly bypassing the final leg of the Triple Crown. It seems like the deck is stacked against him in many ways, but taking credit away from the horse is just wrong.



Funny Cide wasn’t fashionable as a gelding or N.Y. bred by some during his bid, War Emblem was a speed ball who got lucky as a member of a weak crop in 2002 and Big Brown really got the chance of a lifetime, only to be “pulled up” and in my opinion showed his true colors. California Chrome may not be a Spectacular Bid or even a Smarty Jones, but there is every indication that this colt matches up with recent Triple Crown contenders and not any lesser of a horse.