Trouble attaining the Triple Crown
BY BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Saturday, June 09, 2012
6/09/12 at 4:28 AM
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Original Print Headline: Triple trouble
It's been 34 years since Affirmed last won horse racing's Triple Crown, and the drought - which now seems more like a curse - continued Friday when it was announced that Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I'll Have Another would not race in Saturday's Belmont Stakes because of an injury. Here is a look at the most recent near misses in the pursuit of racing's Triple Crown:
2008: Big Brown
A prohibitive favorite, Big Brown did not even finish the race. "He's just out of gas," jockey Kent Desormeaux explained. Nick Zito-trained Da'Tara was the winner - at 38-to-1.
2004: Smarty Jones
Smarty Jones was a tremendously popular horse and, at 1-to-5, the heaviest Belmont Stakes favorite since Spectacular Bid in 1979. Birdstone - at 36-to-1 - rallied late to edge Smarty Jones win by a length.
2003: Funny Cide
In winning the Preakness by 10 lengths, New York-bred Funny Cide may have peaked too soon. In the Belmont Stakes, Funny Cide finished third - 4 1/4 lengths behind the winner, Empire Maker.
2002: War Emblem
After stumbling badly out of the gate, War Emblem moved to the lead just before the final turn but tired down the stretch. At 70-to-1, Sarava became the longest shot ever to win the Belmont Stakes. On a $2 bet, there was a return of $142.50.
1999: Charismatic
After finishing third - 1 1/2 lengths behind the winner, Lemon Drop Kid - Charismatic was transported from the track in a trailer. The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner had sustained a career-ending leg injury.
1998: Real Quiet
At the end of a classic duel, Victory Gallop edged Real Quiet by a nose. It was the closest Belmont Stakes finish since 1978, when Affirmed withstood Alydar to win the Belmont Stakes - and the Triple Crown.
1997: Silver Charm
Silver Charm won the Kentucky Derby by a head and the Preakness by a head. During the final quarter-mile of the Belmont Stakes, however, Silver Charm was passed by Touch Gold. Silver Charm was beaten by three-quarters of a length.
1989: Sunday Silence
In advance of the Belmont Stakes, Sunday Silence's training routine was disrupted by a bruised foot. Easy Goer had a fairly easy trip at Belmont, beating Sunday Silence by eight lengths.
1987: Alysheba
There was no drama in this race. Alysheba finished fourth as Bet Twice won the Belmont Stakes by 14 lengths.
1981: Pleasant Colony
After having prevailed in the Wood Memorial, the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, Pleasant Colony "needed a break," trainer Johnny Campo said. Summing won the Belmont Stakes. A fatigued Pleasant Colony finished third.
1979: Spectacular Bid
Spectacular Bid finished third behind Belmont Stakes winner Coastal and Golden Act. After the race, Spectacular Bid trainer Buddy Delp reported that his horse's gait was affected by a safety pin that had become embedded in the left front hoof.
Associated Images:
Smarty Jones, with jockey Stewart Elliott, wins the 2004 Preakness in Baltimore. Associated Press file
JAMES CRISP/Associated Press file
Jockey Jose Santos rides Funny Cide to the finish line to win the 2003 Kentucky Derby. Associated Press file
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