The Closest To A Triple Crown Since 1978

[Thunder Gulch]

There are some great horses on the list, but this isn't close. It took Spectacular Bid's worst day to lose. There were various circumstances that prevented others, but none of them was in that class.

Of the others, I think it was Smarty Jones. He was a victim of a human mistake and a lifetime best from the victor, who was himself a top shelf horse in NY. Smarty was miles better in the Derby and Preakness, and he was second by a comfortable margin even after Elliot put him through ridiculous fractions in the middle of the race.