What's Your Favorite Triple Crown Series (1979-2009)?
 

In the last 32 years what the best triple crown series?

Other than the thrill from the TC tries (Bid, Silver Charm, Real Quiet, Funny Cide, War Emblem, etc.), I think the best we've had over that period was just three years ago (2007). Tough to top the Street Sense Derby, Curlin Preakness, Rags to Riches Belmont sequence. Was truly an amazing trio of races with great story lines, drama and performances...

I agree.

I think most people would say the best two series of the last 32 years were 2007 [with Street Sense, Curlin, Hard Spun and Rags to Riches] and 1989 [with Sunday Silence and Easy Goer]. Most feel that those two years were undoubtedly classics that rank up there with any other triple crown seasons period.

But on a personal level, from a rooting stand point, my favorite year was 2004 when Smarty Jones attempted to win the triple crown. I just loved that blue collar, "little horse that could" story. It was Smarty Jones and his run for the triple crown that really made me get into horse racing. I know many other people who became interested in horse racing because of Smarty Jones too.
Smarty Mania swept the nation in 2004 and was great for the sport. I was really pulling for him to win. And very sad when he lost. Every time I watch the 2004 belmont stakes when it gets to the top of the stretch and Smarty Jones turns for home - I still think he's going to win the triple crown. And I still feel sad when he loses. This might not have been the best triple crown series but it was surly my favorite. And to me it was a classic one.

I agree.
also
Silver Charm was very disappointing. I was a big fan of that one.

Sheba
Bet Twice

Nuff said.

1998 was a pretty good sequence. A rivalry formed in the Derby and Preakness, and the Belmont actually delivered the exciting finished that the build-up promised.

It was pretty electric from Smatry Jones right up to the Barbaro tragedy.

sheba , thats a shock........the sunnday silence easy goer was epic. you cant beat those 2 in the preakness.....laying it down like no other.

'89

I voted for '89. You just can't beat those two colts in my mind.

It is a good idea for a poll, but 2009's inclusion as an option over 2003 surprised me a bit. I much preferred the battles of Funny Cide, Empire Maker, and Peace Rules over watching Mine that Bird splash his way past a bunch of a goats, and then watching a mediocre Summer Bird beating a bunch of even slower goats 5 weeks later.

War Emblem, the look on Baffert's face after the Belmont was priceless, plus I was always more of a Medaglia D'oro fan. Kudos to Sarava though I always thought Prado outrode Desormeaux in the Belmont.

I attended Alysheba's Derby and Belmont.

I also attended the Derby and Belmont for Sunday Silence.


If the poll went back two more years it would be relevant that I was at the Preakness of Seattle Slew. And his Belmont.

1977 would be my fave year then.

I have a real hard time between 1987 and 1989 with the choices available.

But I'll tip to 1989.

I do have to say I have a hard time understanding the affection for 1997, other than the near miss by Silver Charm at the Belmont...and possibly the presence of Free House.

Maybe 1997 was when many here cut their teeth on the sport.

That I would understand.

I've told the story before, but by conniving, luck and finally the graciousness of the Hank Allen family I ended up watching the 1989 Kentucky Derby from the near finish line track level box of Northern Wolf's trainer.

It was pretty exciting when Northern Wolf was still in contention on the turn for home. My wagering interests were completely cast aside in those moments.

I was torn when I made the poll because I wanted to put 2003 or 2009. The only reason I chose to put 2009 over 2003 is because 2009 was a very strange and unforgettable year. You had Mine That Bird's 50-1 upset. Perhaps the biggest upset in the history of the Derby when you consider he should really have been 2000 to 1. I think people were looking for a long shot and bet him down but I do not know any real handicapper who honestly would have given him a chance in hell to have won. If he had not been in the Derby no one on planet earth would have said about Mine that Bird "what if he had been in the derby what a shame. He really had a shot".
Than you have the story of Calvin Borel. After giving one of the most replayed and impressive rides in Derby history and winning on a long shot Borel suddenly becomes a media sensation. He's all of the place. Talk shows, etc. And than he gets on another horse to ride the preakness. A precedent. He wins the preakness with a filly (Rachel Alexandra). Mine that Bird places in the preakness and gets a little respect. This causes people to say wow. If not for the filly Mine that bird would have attempted a triple crown this year. No one thought he'd win the Derby let alone have the ability to place in the preakness. I admit that the Belmont was a let down after the first two legs of the triple crown last year. But it was interesting to see Kent Desormeaux (like him or hate him) finally win a belmont. And it was fun to watch Calvin attempt the first Jockey triple crown. Also, after beating smarty Jones, Birdstone (that years upset horse) stamps himself a place in history for siring two horses in one crop that won triple crown races. An incredible feat. Haskin said you could write a book on this triple crown.

Now I am a huge fan of Funny Cide's 2003 triple crown year. I just love his story. He had a Smarty Jones affect on so many people. He made many non-fans love the game and it was very emotionally investing watching him go for the crown. Plus you had a great "bad guy" horse in Empire Maker. Funny Cide also had controversy after the derby with the hole "what was in his jockeys hand" thing. And than you had the owners of the horse following Funny Cide around in a school bus. And the whole country loved there story alone. Yeah, it was a great year for racing. And if I had more choices to put in my poll believe me it would have been on there.

I loved 2003 but 2009 was quiet a series too. If I had more choices on my poll it would be up there. But I have to say 2009 was pretty fun too.

What a horse. You've seen some good triple crown series:)

Yeah, I agree. That was one completely overrated crop.

Don't get me wrong, those were really good horses, and FH was one of the coolest race horses ever, but I can think of quite a few more crops that were better.

That was a great crop, and Java Gold was the best of them. Another favorite from that crop was the speedy Lost Code.

The 1997 Preakness was pretty exciting. It isn't very often where you see three horses hit the wire together in a Triple Crown race.

I'd say there were about 15-20 really awesome horses in that crop!

For sheer depth, I can't think of a crop since I've started watching racing that comes close.

In your opinion Charlie what was the second best crop year from 1979-2009?

I can't think of a deeper crop either. Everyone remembers the obvious ones like Java Gold and Alysheba, and the fringe players like Gone West, Lost Code, Polish Navy, and Cryptoclearance, but then you also had quality horses like On The Line.

The fillies from that crop weren't too shabby either, with Personal Ensign and Very Subtle leading the way.

79 was slightly before my time.

My contenders for next best crop would probably, off the top of my head, have to be between 1985, 1989 and 1998 (not many would agree with 98).

85 had Spend a Buck, Chiefs Crown, Proud Truth, Skywalker and many other top flight horses.

89 had SS, EG, KG and Houston.

98 had IC, RQ, VG, EOTY, LL, HH, Artax, Old Trieste, Coronados Quest, Cape Town. Overall, a very underappreciated group.

I don't know. 85 was crazy deep though.

On the Line was, and still is, one of the top three or four sprinters I believe I've ever seen. Great horse.

Gulch and Mining were ok sorts from that crop too. Capote was cut out to be a freak too.

1989 -- the Sunday Silence/Easy Goer rivalry. That preakness was one of the best races I've ever seen.

My favorite from the 1985 3yos was Turkoman. His stretch rally in the 1986 Tallahasee Hcp was one of the best I've ever seen. It was a sprint and the fractions were crazy, but it was still remarkable how he ran down the leaders.

My favorite from the 1985 3yos was Turkoman. His stretch rally in the 1986 Tallahasee Hcp was one of the best I've ever seen. It was a sprint and the fractions were crazy, but it was still remarkable how he ran down the leaders.

I think that's the race in which he galloped out the mile in about 133. That Turkoman had one of the most electrifying turns of foot you'll ever see.

Oh, and perhaps the most gifted horse from that entire crop never even ran as a 3yo (or beyond).

Saratoga Six.

Agreed. He's one of my all-time favorites as well.

Disagree. 1997 was a very good crop led by Silver Charm. You lost two genuine stars in the triple crown series when Pulpit was sidelined after the Derby and Captain Bodgit was injured in the Preakness, so that hurt the long term rankings. Those guys were all good and running really fast coming in. The stretch drive in all 3 races was memorable.

no love for 2001?

other than the unusually fast churchill track, you might have had a deserving triple crown winner against a reasonably talented crop.

I am a huge point given fan! I got into racing in 2004 with smarty jones and when he lost I kind of felt so angry I decided I will only get into triple crown races and wait for the next big horse to come along.

In 2008 I got back into racing when big brown went for the crown. When he failed I got turned off to racing again. But than in 2009 I was finally bit by the racing bug for good and have been obsessed. I've studied racing constantly - whenever I get a free moment I'm reading about racing or watching it on t.v. I'm heading to the track or driving in my car listing to Steve Byck or TVG.

Sadly, I never got to see the entire broadcasts of the 2001 races - I was not into racing yet - or study the 2001 crop. But from my knowledge of the game, and from what I've seen, I know that Point Given was an awesome horse!!! I also know that Monarchos ran an awesome Derby. Point Given he was really a highlight of the last decade. I would love to have seen that Triple crown series and I too am surprised that it is not on everyones list as a great series.

That was it. The 1/2 was run in under 44, at which point Turkoman was some 15 lengths off the lead. Turkoman came flying down the stretch at Hialeah like he had been fired from a slingshot. He got the final 1/4 in 21 and change.

The DWL curse.

Yeah, he was on a roll at the time.

Landaluce, Saratoga Six, Ketoh, a bunch of others and then Grand Canyon.

I wonder how many hall of famers were potentially ruined/killed.

Perhaps.

Though conceivably, with a better trip in the Preakness, the Lukas filly goes 2 for 3 in the TC that year.

If Winning Colors had been caught by Risen Star in the Derby, Stephens probably would not have instructed Day to send Forty Niner to the lead in the Preakness and float her wide. Then we would have been spared the Klein/Stevens vs Stephens feud after the Preakness.

Risen Star definitely got a perfect setup in the Preakness; it made up for the overland trip in the Derby.