Triple Crown History

The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing contest consists of three races, each roughly one mile in length:

The Kentucky Derby: held on the first Saturday in May (from 1875 - present)
The Preakness Stakes: held in Maryland two weeks later (from 1873 - present)
The Belmont Stakes: held in New York three weeks after the Preakness (from 1867 - present)

In 1930, a horse named Gallant Fox won the Kentucky Derby, Belmont, and Preakness in a single season. Sports journalist Charles Hatton used the term "Triple Crown" to describe the wins and it has been in common usage ever since.

The Triple Crown's grueling schedule of three races in five weeks at longer distances than most have run previously in their careers is probably the most difficult task any horse will face in his racing career. Only eleven horses have ever won the Triple Crown in 130 years, with the last being Affirmed in 1978.

Will this year be the year for a new Triple Crown champ?