Was It Your First Triple Crown?

[Thunder Gulch]

I remember Slew and Affirmed when I was a youngster. Wasn't old enough to appreciate how great they werel

[MLC]

I have been following since 1961, Carry Back's attempt, and have seen most of the attempts and all the successes on television. I live in NJ and have only myself to blame for not planning to get to Belmont this year.
But in answer to the original question, this is my 4th.

[DonGuido]

As for me it is and it is an awesome feeling. I can only imagine how Baffert and crew, Et. al are feeling and if it's really hit them yet or they think in might be a dream. My wife, the real thoroughbred aficionado remembers Secretariat but was not really into him like American Pharoah. She has been a horse racing lover since she was a child and that's some time ago.

We sat through our grand daughters graduation ceremony and I was watching the time through most of the boring yet important proceedings. When our grand daughter walked, and her last name is Worthy of course we zipped out of there, drove down the highway to the restaurant where were having the celebratory dinner and got a seat at the bar 15 minutes before the race. Of course soccer was on TV but we asked to change that quickly.

We made some real noise as he was coming down the stretch and it amped up as he crossed the wire as many sitting down behind us gathered round. As we erupted mildly at the end, not to look to childish, we proceeded to explain to all interested parties what just happened. My wife is brilliant and provided them a short education about the significance and put it all into historic perspective. I learn more about this wonderful sport every time she opens her mouth and I've known her almost 50 years.

A superb day for us on two accounts and a magnificent day for the racing world and more. I have received many emails and calls and texts, some we need to return today, from friends and family who know how much we love horse racing and that too is very special.

All I can say is . . . HOLY MACKAROLLEY!!!

[TheSpyder]

37 years ago is a long time so even for us that have seen this before, I think the level of satisfaction, excitement, and overall exhilaration is well beyond anything I can recall.

And that makes me think back to when horse racing was the national past time, when the entire nation would get behind one horse or two if it was East versus West, male vs. female.

Imagine going to work and everyone would be talking about the big race.

Well, for a brief moment we have this, this feeling of community and joining together witnessing greatness, witnessing history.

It feels good.

[DaTruth]

I was only 9 when Affirmed won it, and I remember hearing more about Cauthen than the horse.

[GenuineRisk]

I was too little to remember the 1970s trio; the first TC I was aware of of Pleasant Colony, but I wasn't following racing until 1989 when I fell for Sunday Silence. Charismatic's was the first Belmont I attended in person.

We had a pretty financially tight spring and I waffled about buying a seat ahead of time (also, I hate Ticketmaster with the heat of a thousand fiery suns), but finally pulled the trigger in April for a cheapie seat in the upper tiers. Best $60 (well, almost $80, by the time Ticketmaster was done with me) I could of spent.

[Hoblin]

The first three races I ever saw on television were Seattle Slew's Triple Crown when I was nine years old. I'm pretty sure the reason I was rooting for him had something to do with his name. It was pretty cool for me 20 years later to see his silks on display in the museum at the Kentucky Horse Park. Hopefully, yesterday's race created some new future fans of the sport.

[LARHAGE]

I was 14 when Secretariat won his but I was a huge horse racing fan already so I appreciated what I was seeing, and knew I would never again see the race he ran in the Belmont, I loved Seattle Slew and enjoyed his and Affirmed was one of my all time favorites, I saw him break his maiden and loved the horse for his kindness and intelligence , Pharoah actually reminds me of him, I've liked American Pharoah from the beginning as well, liked his sire and especially his Grandsire who I named one of my show dogs after so this was a very satisfying win. I had recorded the whole days racing and was eating a late lunch at Outback when the race was ready to go off, I was surprised to see all the TV monitors on the race and as he was pulling away in the stretch the whole place was cheering and clapping, it was awesome to see a whole restaurant stop to enjoy a special occasion and celebrate the greatness of a horse, I had tears !!

[joeydb]

Originally Posted by Thunder Gulch

I remember Slew and Affirmed when I was a youngster. Wasn't old enough to appreciate how great they werel

Ditto that.

[OldDog]

I was in my teens for the previous three, so I remember them but I was too young and hadn't yet got close enough to the sport to appreciate them for what they were. There's nothing like a 37 year drought to bring the Triple Crown into perspective. I've watched "my" teams win the World Series, NCAA basketball championships, and Super Bowls. None of those brought me the emotional surge that this Belmont did . . . watching VE sit motionless as the fractions emerged telling us that this could be the one, still not moving even as Frosted valiantly challenged, and realizing in the stretch that yes! Not only was AP not faltering, but he was drawing away easily! This wasn't my first Triple Crown, but it's the one most special for me.

[keithting]

Seattle Slew remains my favorite TCW

Spectacular Bid "should have" (if not for that darn pin)!!!

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by keithting

Seattle Slew remains my favorite TCW

Spectacular Bid "should have" (if not for that darn pin)!!!

That and a horrible ride. He lost only once more after that, to affirmed. God, hat à horse the bid was

[Arletta]

Jonathan Stettin's "Past The Wire"

http://www.pastthewire.com/finally/

[ateamstupid]

First one for me. I was there for Smarty, Big Brown and Cal Chrome. Satisfying to finally see history.