5 Triple Crown Teases
Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter
It has happened more times that we can remember. A relatively unknown horse comes out of nowhere to win the Kentucky Derby.
At that point - the words 'Triple Crown' start getting thrown around like a gigantic box full of plastic toys at a New York City daycare for a bunch of ADHD brats. And it's been happening for close to 37-years now.
The second-leg of the 'Triple Crown' (ooooh!) moves from the lush beautiful greens of Kentucky to Baltimore...yes, - the Preakness Stakes is in Baltimore. After running in the usual slop at Pimlico, we've been lucky enough, more than once, to have a 2-straight-win horse.
Then for the final leg of the TC, it moves to the grand toilet of race tracks - Belmont Park. *Don't get us started on that drunken port-a-potty jumping guido-fest.
But how many have come close and not been able to close on the Triple Crown crown?
1. The 37-year drought began in 1979 when it looked like we were going to have our 4th Triple Crown winner in seven years with Spectacular Bid. Unfortunately, legend has it that a safety pin got stuck in his hoof the night before the Belmont, causing the colt discomfort that led to a third place finish.
2. In 2008 the horse Big Brown won the first two legs of the Crown and was the favorite that year at Belmont. Unfortunately, he made history that year by finishing dead last.
3. In 2002 all eyes were on War Emblem! This magnificent beast won the Derby after leading wire-to-wire. Then he won the Preakness by 3/4 a length. But at the Belmont he stumbled (literally) out of the gate.
Where Big Brown had the worst Belmont finish by a horse with a shot at the Triple Crown. War Emblem had the second-worst - finishing 8th.
4. In 2003 Funny Cide came from behind and won the Kentucky Derby in a huge upset over favorite Empire Maker. Funny Cide then went on to win the Preakness by a staggering 9 lengths.
But the horses were matched up again for the Belmont and this time Empire Maker came away the winner.
5. In 1999 Charismatic was a long shot heading into Churchill Downs - but he won! Then he took the win at Pimlico by 1.5 lengths, setting up a shot at the Triple Crown. Unfortunately, Charismatic broke a bone in his lower leg on the home stretch at Belmont. So he had to settle for a third place finish and a trip to the glue factory.
(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
