Perfection ........ with the last three Triple Crown winners

We have discussed ad nauseum, the last eleven three year old colts since the last Triple Crown winner in 1978 that attempted to become number twelve and sweep the three races that define thoroughbred racing. While the focus has been on those who came up short in the past 36 years, much can be said of the last three horses who were successful during the five year span in the mid seventies.

It was twenty five years between Citation in 1948 and Secretariat in 1973 that a horse won thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown. During the span, seven horses failed their bids to become horse racing's elite. The great Northern Dancer was one of those five in the 60's and who would have thought that not only would the streak be broken in the next decade, but by three different horses in such a short time.

It was a magical season in 1973, when all eyes were on the thoroughbred world. The horse they called "Big Red" - Secretariat became the greatest thoroughbred since Man o' War when he set three track records and won the Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths. I was nine years old, but can still remember the excitement that was played out on CBS that summer day at Belmont Park. His victory in the 'Test of the Champions' still sends chills up my spine when track announcer Chic Anderson said; "Secretariat was moving like a tremendous machine". He was a fitting runner to become the 11th Triple Crown winner and stamp his part in thoroughbred history.

It would be only four short year's later when a undefeated colt would set the racing world on fire with his Triple Crown victories of 1977. Seattle Slew was the first three year old colt to win the Triple Crown as a undefeated runner. He like Secretariat would find the Belmont Stakes as his easiest in victory of the three races. He became the biggest horse since Big Red to capture the hearts of the racing world. He would race again as a four year old in 1978 and defeat the Triple Crown of that year; Affirmed in the Marlboro Cup at Belmont Park marking the only time that Triple Crown race winners, faced each other.

Less than 12 months later, the thoroughbred world enjoyed a classic match-up rivalry between two three year olds that ran throughout the Triple Crown and came to an unlikely conclusion at Saratoga late in the summer. Probably the greatest rivalry in the sport to date, Affirmed and Alydar hooked up for a memorable Triple Crown of 1978. Running one / two in all three races, Affirmed bested his rival Alydar until the '78 Travers were Affirmed impeded Alydar and was disqualified and placed second. Alydar finally got his victory over Affirmed, but it came via a technically .

Three horses who became legends of the sport in a five year span. Household names who not only won the Triple Crown, but were the best of their generation. These were the last Triple Crown winners of thoroughbred racing. It's been 36 years, I was 14 when it last happened. It took 25 years until Secretariat and today we'll see if California Chrome can make history and become number 12. He may match up to the above three horses or become another footnote in history like Alysheba, Silver Charm, Real Quiet or Smarty Jones. Only time will tell.