Which Group Will I’ll Have Another Join?
It’s a long line of horses who won just a single triple crown race. The line shortens quite a bit for those who have won two of the three. And as you know, the list of those who won all three is very short. Due to the opportunity for I’ll Have Another in New York, we’ve broken down past Kentucky Derby and Preakness winners to compare the triple crown experiences.
Kentucky Derby & Preakness Stakes 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
Canonero II – 1971
Majestic Prince – 1969
Forward Pass – 1968
Kauai King – 1966
Northern Dancer – 1964
Carry Back – 1961
Tim Tam – 1958
Pensive – 1944
Bold Venture – 1936
Burgoo King – 1932
Triple Crown Winners (Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes)
Affirmed – 1978
Seattle Slew – 1977
Secretariat – 1973
Citation – 1948
Assault – 1946
Count Fleet – 1943
Whirlaway – 1941
War Admiral – 1937
Omaha – 1935
Gallant Fox – 1930
Sir Barton – 1919
The 34 year drought from 1978 to now is the longest in the history of the triple crown. The longest previous to this was from 1948 to 1973, a span of of 24 years. It was the great Secretariat and his incredible record breaking performances that ended that drought. Can I’ll Have Another put his name in the record book as well? In my opinion, if he does win the Belmont Stakes on June 9, the accomplishment will not only snap the 34 years without a triple crown winner, but it will be one of the most, if not the most impressive three races out of the 12 triple crown winners. Why?
In 2012, I’ll Have Another faced 19 horses in the Derby, 10 in the Preakness and ? in the Belmont
In 1978, Affirmed faced 10 in the Derby, 6 in the Preakness and 7 in the Belmont
In 1973, Secretariat faced 12 in the Derby, 5 in the Preakness and 4 in the Belmont
In 1948, Citation faced 5 in the Derby, 2 in the Preakness and 7 in the Belmont
In 1946, Assault faced 16 in Derby, 9 in the Preakness and 6 in the Belmont
In 1943, Count Fleet faced 9 in the Derby, 2 in the Preakness and 2 in the Belmont
In 1941, Whirlaway faced 10 in the Derby, 7 in the Preakness and 3 in the Belmont
In 1937, War Admiral faced 19 in the Derby, 7 in the Preakness and 6 in the Belmont
In 1935, Omaha faced 14 in the Derby, 1 in the Preakness and 4 in the Belmont
In 1930, Gallant Fox faced 14 in the Derby, 7 in the Preakness and 3 in the Belmont
In 1919, Sir Barton faced 11 in the Derby, 1 in the Preakness and 2 in the Belmont
As you can see, previous triple crown winners did not have to race against as many horses. The stats are even more ridiculous back in the 30′s and 40′s. I’ll Have Another faced more horses in the Derby than most of the others did in all three races. I’m not taking away from those accomplishments. I’m proving the point that IF I’ll Have Another wins the Belmont Stakes, his triple crown should be considered either the best or at the very least the 2nd best triple crown of all time. It’s very hard to compete with breaking records and a 30 lengths win like Secretariat did in 1973. However, the level of competition, the number of horses and the technology used today makes it very hard to win three races in five weeks at the highest level. I believe these are a few reasons why it’s so hard in the modern era for a horse to seal the deal and get that 3rd and final race.
Do you agree or disagree? Submit your comments and thoughts below.
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