It’s only been 3 years since a Kentucky Derby winner also won the Preakness Stakes. That was Big Brown in 2008. This back to back feat has happened seven times since 1997. It occurred three times in a row twice since 1997. So it’s not as uncommon as you would think. It’s the three in a row that has eluded horse racing. It hasn’t happened since Affirmed captured the triple crown back in 1978.
Below is a list of other Kentucky Derby and Preakness winners.
Big Brown – 2008
Smarty Jones – 2004
Funny Cide – 2003
War Emblem – 2002
Charismatic – 1999
Real Quiet – 1998
Silver Charm – 1997
Sunday Silence – 1989
Alysheba – 1987
Pleasant Colony – 1981
Spectacular Bid – 1979
Affirmed – 1978 (triple crown winner)
Seattle Slew – 1977 (triple crown winner)
Secretariat – 1973 (triple crown winner)
Canonero II – 1971
Majestic Prince – 1969
Forward Pass – 1968
Kauai King – 1966
Northern Dancer – 1964
Carry Back – 1961
Tim Tam – 1958
Citation – 1948 (triple crown winner)
Assault – 1946 (triple crown winner)
Pensive – 1944
Count Fleet – 1943 (triple crown winner)
Whirlaway – 1941 (triple crown winner)
War Admiral – 1937 (triple crown winner)
Bold Venture – 1936
Omaha – 1935 (triple crown winner)
Burgoo King – 1932
Gallant Fox – 1930 (triple crown winner)
Sir Barton – 1919 (triple crown winner)
In the 131 times the Kentucky Derby and Preakness have run in the same year (Preakness did not run from 1891-1893 and ran twice in 1873 and 1874 before the first Kentucky Derby ran in 1875), we’ve seen a horse win both races 32 times. That’s 23.5% of the time.
11 of those 32 produced triple crown winners. That’s 34.4% of those two-time winners ended up winning the Belmont Stakes too. So what does this mean?
It’s means 2012 Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another has some stats on his side. Knowing that 7 of the last 15 (46.7%) Kentucky Derby winners went on to win the Preakness is a good feeling, knowing that it CAN happen. It also shows that it’s a stat from recent history as well as from decades ago. Of course the colt still has to run his race and anything can happen, but those are healthy numbers considering this is horse racing. A sport where anything can happen.
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