Congratulations to long shot Da' Tara in his impressive wire to wire win in the Belmont yesterday, the longest (1 1/2 mile) and hardest race in the Triple Crown series. And condolences to Big Brown. To win all three of the races that cover a 5 week period is one of the hardest accomplishments in sports. Citation did it in 1948. It took 25 years for Secretariat to come along in 1972 and blow away all of his competition. Now it's been 30 years since Affirmed, the longest wait in history for a Triple Crown winner. I'll be watching every year for the horse whose name will become as well known as those above.
It is anyone's guess or theory as to why Big Brown was off yesterday. I think Dan Fogelburg said it best of the racehorse, it's something unknown that drives and carries a them to the finish. Their's is a chance of a lifetime, but a lifetime of chance.
The Sadie Lady
Sadie is waiting patiently for her new friend!
Days Since LID
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Congratulations Da' Tara
Friday, June 6, 2008
Reminder: It's Been Thirty Years Since Affirmed!
Place: Belmont Park, Elmont N.Y.
Post-Time: 6:25 EST
Event: 10 horses running for the Belmont Stakes
THE EVENT: One horse running for the Triple Crown!
GO BIG BROWN !!
Triple Crown Trivia
This year is the 30th anniversary of Affirmed's Triple Crown Win and Citation's 60th.
Big Brown has been compared to Secretariat. Big Brown won the Preakness by 5 1/4 lengths. Secretariat beat Sham by 2 1/2 lengths in the Derby and Preakness. He won the Belmont Stakes by 31 lenghths and beat the track record by 3 seconds. He was a 2 year old when he was named Horse of the Year and only lost 5 races in his career. Before the final leg of the crown Time Magazine, Newsweek, and Sports Illustrated featured Secretariat on their covers on June 11, 1973, the first horse to be featured on all three magazines' covers in the same week, though no one expected his absolute domination of the field at the Belmont Stakes.
2008 is the 140th running of the million dollar Belmont Stakes. It is the oldest and longest leg (1 1/2 miles) of the Triple Crown.
The last living Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew passed away on May 7, 2002.
Triple Crown Winners
1919 Sir Barton
1930 Gallant Fox
1935 Omaha
1937 War Admiral
1941 Whirlaway
1943 Count Fleet
1946 Assault
1948 Citation
1973 Secretariat
1977 Seattle Slew
1978 Affirmed
Horses who won the Derby and Preakness, but didn't attain the final jewel:
1932 Burgoo King
1936 Bold Venture
1944 Pensive
1958 Tim Tam
1961 Carry Back
1964 Northern Dancer
1966 Kauai King
1968 Forward Pass
1969 Majestic Prince
1971 Canonero II
1979 Spectacular Bid
1981 Pleasant Colony
1987 Alysheba
1989 Sunday Silence
1997 Silver Charm
1998 Real Quiet
1999 Charismatic
2002 War Emblem
2003 Funny Cide
2004 Smarty Jones
