TwinSpires.com Blog

  • The Triple Crown Ain't Broke

    POSTED Jun 11, 2014 By Derek Simon
    On Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 6:55 PM Eastern Time, California Chrome stood at the cusp of greatness — 1 ½ miles away from Triple Crown glory. Two and a half minutes later, he was just another in a long line of horses to fail in the Belmont Stakes after triumphing in both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness.

    2014 Belmont Stakes 


    And, according to California Chrome’s co-owner Steve Coburn, the Belmont result was a travesty.

    “This is his third very big race,” Coburn said of California Chrome immediately after the Test of Champions. “These other horses they always sit ‘em out. They sit ‘em out and try to upset the apple cart.

    “I'm 61 years old and I’ll never see in my lifetime … another Triple Crown winner because the way they do this. It's not fair to these horses that have been in the game since day one. I look at it this way: if you can’t make enough points to get into the Kentucky Derby, you can’t run in the other two races.

    “… It's all or nothing,” Coburn went on. “It's all or nothing. Because this is not fair to these horses that have been running their guts out for these people and for the people that believe in them… this is a coward's way out in my opinion. This is a coward's way out.”

    Coburn has since apologized for his post-race tirade… and for a subsequent tirade on the “Today” show the following morning. Sadly, however, the substance of his comments appear to be drawing quite a bit of consideration from racing fans and non-fans alike — apparently, nothing creates a consensus quite like whining and moaning about the “unfairness” of it all.

    So, I’m writing today to set the record straight: the Triple Crown is not an event, it is an accomplishment.

    Consider: When Sir Barton won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes in 1919, it wasn’t even called the Triple Crown. That term wasn’t widely used — in American racing, at least — until Charles Hatton of the Daily Racing Form popularized it in the 1930s.

    What’s more, when Gallant Fox captured the Crown in 1930, the Preakness preceded the Derby and, for many years, all three races were separated by less than 30 days (versus the five weeks of today). How cowardly were the “fresh” horses in those years?

    The fact is “winning” the American Racing Triple Crown is no different than “winning” the Triple Crown in Major League Baseball (bestowed upon the player with the highest batting average, most home runs and most runs batted in during the season). It is no different than “winning” the Grand Slam of tennis (Australian Open,  French Open, Wimbledon and US Open), which, by the way, has been accomplished exactly three times in men’s singles since 1938 — twice by the same guy (Rod Laver).

    OK, Derek, I hear some of you protesting, but you’re missing the point: horse racing has changed. Thoroughbreds are being bred for speed these days and simply aren’t as durable as in year’s past.

    Alright, then what are the English breeding for, sluggishness? Because there hasn’t been an English Triple Crown (2,000 Guineas, Epsom Derby and St. Leger Stakes) winner since Nijinsky in 1970 — and he was the first  English Triple champ since Bahram in 1935.

    Dennis Rodman
    Furthermore, all sports change. In a previous column, I noted that of the 50 Major League Baseball pitchers with the most career complete games, only five were born after 1900. Among the NBA rebounding leaders who maintained a career average of more than 13 caroms per game, only Dennis Rodman played post-1983. (As an interesting side note, Rodman also averaged 2.7 different shades of hair and lipstick per game during his career as well.)

    Likewise, among the 30 NFL receivers to average 18+ yards per reception during their careers, only Flipper Anderson played predominantly in the 1990s or later.

    I won’t get into the reasons for this as they’re not germane to this discussion, but trust me when I say we will see the 12th Triple Crown winner before we will witness the 29th .400 hitter in Major League Baseball.

    The Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes are independent events, all boasting a purse of $1 million or more and all worth winning on their own merit. The list of Preakness and/or Belmont winners that didn’t capture the Triple Crown is legendary: Colin, Man o’ War, Native Dancer, Bold Ruler, Northern Dancer, Damascus, Needles, Nashua, Conquistador Cielo, Spectacular Bid and Sunday Silence… just to name a few.

    Rather than tinker with the Triple Crown format to get more champions, which would represent the ultimate sports asterisk, let’s just salute those great horses that accomplished it… and appreciate those who tried and failed.
    • #Belmont
    • #KYDerby
    • #Preakness
    • affirmed
    • California Chrome
    • Dennis Rodman
    • Derek Simon
    • English Triple Crown
    • grand slam
    • MLB
    • NFL
    • Nijinsky
    • Triple Crown
  • 23 comments:

    live casino;casino online;live casino online;casino indonesia said...

    The you have is very useful. The sites you have referred was good. Thanks for sharing..

    September 7, 2015 at 6:48 AM
    Poker online;game poker:poker indonesia said...

    This is a very good post. Just wonderful. Truly, I am amazed at what informative things you've told us today

    September 7, 2015 at 6:48 AM
    Casino Online Indonesia said...

    Thanks to share

    October 18, 2015 at 9:35 PM
    Unknown said...


    levelشركة تسليك مجارى بالرياض
    شركة تنظيف بالرياض
    شركة تنظيف شقق بالرياض
    شركة تنظيف منازل بالرياض
    شركة تنظيف خزنات بالرياض
    شركة مكافحة حشرات بالرياض
    شركة رش مبيدات بالرياض
    شركة تخزين اثاث بالرياض
    شركة تنظيف مجالس بالرياض
    شركة تنظيف فلل بالرياض

    February 27, 2016 at 6:39 AM
    Unknown said...


    شركة تنظيف بالدمام
    شركة تنظيف بالجبيل
    شركة تنظيف بالخبر
    شركة تنظيف بالقطيف
    شركة تنظيف بالاحساء

    April 23, 2016 at 5:20 PM
    Unknown said...

    شركه عزل اسطح
    شركه عزل مائى
    شركه عزل الاسطح
    شركه عزل اسطح
    شركه عزل مائى
    عزل خزانات
    شركه عزل خزانات
    شركة عازل خزانات بالرياض
    شركه عزل مسابح
    شركة عزل خزانات
    شركه عزل بالرياض
    عزل فوم
    شركة عزل فوم
    شركة عزل فوم بالرياض
    شركة عزل الفوم
    كشف تسربات المياه
    تسربات المياه
    شركة تسربات بالرياض
    شركه كشف تسربات بالرياض
    شركة رش مبيدات
    شركة رش مبيدات بالرياض
    رش مبيدات
    رش مبيدات بالرياض

    January 12, 2017 at 3:54 AM
    Unknown said...

    Here and there you can apply on the web and demand a delegate to ring you to examine your NRMA auto credits application and related needs. Keep in mind that you will likewise need to send, fax or take face to face, the greater part of the documentation to help your NRMA auto credits application. With NRMA auto credits there is an application expense connected to each advance, in spite of the fact that you can get a rebate on the off chance that you are a NRMA part inside Australia. auto title loans chicago

    April 20, 2018 at 12:37 PM
    Eiliza45 said...

    I love this post.

    โปรโมชั่นGclub ของทางทีมงานตอนนี้แจกฟรีโบนัส 50%
    เพียงแค่คุณสมัคร Gclub กับทางทีมงานของเราเพียงเท่านั้น
    ร่วมมาเป็นส่วนหนึ่งกับเว็บไซต์คาสิโนออนไลน์ของเราได้เลยค่ะ
    สมัครสล็อตออนไลน์ >>> goldenslot
    สนใจร่วมลงทุนกับเรา สมัครเอเย่น Gclub คลิ๊กได้เลย

    April 29, 2019 at 2:20 AM
    lggy1688 said...

    Very cool!

    เว็บไซต์คาสิโนออนไลน์ที่ได้คุณภาพอับดับ 1 ของประเทศ
    เป็นเว็บไซต์การพนันออนไลน์ที่มีคนมา สมัคร Gclub Royal1688
    และยังมีหวยให้คุณได้เล่น สมัครหวยออนไลน์ ได้เลย
    สมัครสมาชิกที่นี่ >>> Gclub Royal1688
    ร่วมลงทุนสมัครเอเย่นคาสิโนกับทีมงานของเราได้เลย

    April 29, 2019 at 3:01 AM
    www.appslure.com said...

    Really very informative and creative. This sharing concept is a good way to enhance knowledge. We are top Mobile App Development.

    July 6, 2019 at 5:08 AM
    Bambubet said...

    You are a good writer. Cause when i read your text its easy to me remember.
    its good.

    I have some articel if you want to visit my articel , Click here :
    Situs Togel Online Terpercaya
    Game Slot Online
    Bocoran Togel Besok
    Bandar Bola Terbaik
    Situs Judi Online Terpercaya
    Daftar LiveBall
    Daftar Casino
    Taruhan Bola
    Situs Judi Online Terpercaya
    Link Alternatif BambuBet
    Agen Casino Online
    Taruhan Bola Terpercaya
    Daftar Casino
    Taruhan Bola
    Daftar LiveBall

    Thankyou for understanding , From Bambubet

    September 21, 2019 at 9:56 PM
    BambuPoker said...

    im so aproud can read your articel , cause you have a good Grammar and Vocabulary.

    lets visit My our website :
    Poker Online Terbaik
    Daftar Judi Poker
    Poker Uang Asli
    Daftar Poker Terpercaya
    Poker Tanpa Deposit
    QQ Online Poker
    QQ Domino Poker
    Poker Capsa Susun
    Judi Online Tanpa Modal

    This website have a hot promo , when you do a deposit 5 thousand Rupiah, you can get Bonus 5 thousand rupiah.
    Click here if you want to claim Promo :
    Link Alternatif BambuPoker
    Poker Uang Asli
    poker tanpa deposit
    situs poker online
    Bambu Poker
    BambuPoker
    Daftar Bambupoker
    Situs Poker Online
    Capsa Susun Online
    Poker Online Terpercaya
    Daftar Poker Online

    thankyou , From Bambupoker

    September 21, 2019 at 10:01 PM
    arianapham said...

    I found a great run 3 on the net. I would recommend everyone surfing the site!

    October 27, 2019 at 6:35 PM
    Susan said...

    Thank you for posting with us. Can you guess how much these celebrities are worth? Test knowledge with Celebrity net worth.

    January 25, 2020 at 5:13 AM
    this link said...

    Your opinion is great, it is exactly what I think. If we go in that direction, everything will become much more perfect

    May 6, 2020 at 11:19 PM
    this link said...

    It's nice to see your writing, which is exactly what I need, it's very detailed

    May 16, 2020 at 1:37 AM
    marsyaoktavia02@gmail.com said...

    CrownQQ Agen DominoQQ BandarQ dan Domino99 Online Terbesar

    Yang Merupakan Agen Bandarq, Agen DominoQQ BandarQ dan Domino99 Online Terbesar Terpercaya di Asia hadir untuk anda semua dengan permainan permainan menarik dan bonus menarik untuk anda semua

    Bonus yang di berikan CrownQQ :

    * Bonus rollingan 0.5%,setiap senin
    * Bonus Refferal 10% + 10%,seumur hidup
    * Bonus Jackpot, yang dapat anda dapatkan dengan mudah

    Games Yang di Hadirkan CrownQQ :

    * Poker
    * Bandar Poker
    * BandarQ
    * AduQ
    * DominoQQ
    * Bandar Sakong
    * Capsa Susun
    * Bandar66 (ADU BALAK)
    * Perang Baccarat (NEW GAMES)

    Info Lebih lanjut Kunjungi :
    Website : CrownQQ
    LINE : CS CROWNQQ
    WHATSAPP : +6287771354805

    BACA JUGA BLOGSPORT KAMI:
    Info CrownQQ
    CrownQQWIN
    Cerita Dewasa
    Berita Unik
    Agen BandarQ | Domino99 Online Terbesar
    Berita dan Info Dunia

    AKSES LINK TERBARU DI :
    - RATUAJAIB.COM
    - RATUAJAIB.NET


    DEPOSIT VIA PULSA TELKOMSEL | XL 24 JAM

    CrownQQ Agen DominoQQ BandarQ dan Domino99 Online Terbesar

    May 31, 2020 at 9:18 AM
    Suman Gupta said...

    Nothing is constant but change! In our life, we do changes to various things and travel plan is of them. In this topic, we will help you with a descriptive guide about Delta Flight Change, Flight Change Fee, Phone Number To Contact, and much more. If you are traveling with the Delta Airlines then follow the mentioned steps below to Delta change flight
    Change Flight Delta , How To Avoid Delta Change Flight Fee

    June 2, 2020 at 4:32 AM
    Situs Casino Online Terpercaya said...

    Thank you for sharing a good article
    Casino Online

    June 18, 2020 at 10:53 PM
    Cosmo789 said...

    You are a great blogger and this blog is interesting. Hi, I'm a money-making website developer online. I am very pleased and willing to give you unlimited pleasure, สมัครเว็บ แทงบอล we offer a wide range of games such as more than 200 slots, baccarat, financial system, security and security. Supports all new subscription systems, get free credits immediately.

    October 16, 2020 at 9:56 PM
    ichuuuu said...

    เว็บพนันออนไลน์อันดับ 1 แทงบอลสด เกมสล็อตยอดนิยม 928bet สมัครฟรี พร้อมรับโบนัสในเกมส์มากมาย ฝาก-ถอน รวดเร็ว พร้อมเทคนิคการเล่นบาคาร่า

    October 18, 2020 at 12:23 AM
    sana mirza said...

    Superslot or Thai home language is called super slot. We are an online slots provider, there are many slots games to choose from, play a lot on mobile phones, number 1, both free credit 50, 100, 150, 200 that can support both IOS and Android systems, easy to apply, have easy access to log. -in has a system to make a top-up transaction Withdraw money via automatic system 24 hours a day,

    December 21, 2020 at 4:17 AM
    sana mirza said...

    I blog frequently and I really appreciate your content. Your article has really peaked my interest. I am going to bookmark your website and keep checking for new details about once per week. I subscribed to your RSS feed too.. สล็อต ฟรีเครดิต

    January 14, 2021 at 2:40 AM

    Post a Comment

Newer Post Older Post Home

Welcome to the TwinSpires Blog. Our contributors will be continually updating posts to offer commentary, insight, advice and expert opinions on horse racing and wagering. The goal is to help you win more and become a better all around horse player.

Subscribe vis RSS

Contributors

Derek Simon

TwinSpires' horse racing author, handicapper, and podcast host, Derek Simon of Denver, Colo. offers his insightful, humorous and sometimes controversial take on the horse racing industry. He even publishes the ROI on the picks he gives out.

Frank Cotolo

TwinSpires' harness racing expert, Frank Cotolo follows all of the big North American circuits throughout the year, providing the best value picks and latest news from the sulky.

Ed DeRosa

The Director of Marketing for Bloodstock Research Information Services (BRIS) and a lifelong Thoroughbred racing enthusiast and astute handicapper, Ed joined Churchill Downs Inc. following nine years as a writer and editor with Thoroughbred Times.

Peter Thomas Fornatale

A writer and editor who has been following horse racing for fifteen years. Peter has written books for the Daily Racing Form Press; Crown; and Simon and Schuster; among other publishers, and regular features in The Horseplayer Magazine.

Jill Byrne

A television racing analyst for Churchill Downs, Jill has earned acclaim and a loyal audience throughout Thoroughbred racing.

Tags

Archives

  • September (1)
  • April (1)
  • March (1)
  • December (1)
  • November (1)
  • October (3)
  • September (6)
  • August (16)
  • July (19)
  • June (17)
  • May (16)
  • April (19)
  • March (17)
  • February (16)
  • January (16)
  • December (17)
  • November (17)
  • October (20)
  • September (20)
  • August (29)
  • July (30)
  • June (24)
  • May (30)
  • April (27)
  • March (30)
  • February (30)
  • January (32)
  • December (19)
  • November (28)
  • October (27)
  • September (23)
  • August (24)
  • July (23)
  • June (30)
  • May (34)
  • April (35)
  • March (36)
  • February (26)
  • January (28)
  • December (20)
  • November (23)
  • October (27)
  • September (24)
  • August (23)
  • July (19)
  • June (41)
  • May (18)
  • April (22)
  • March (43)
  • February (38)
  • January (21)