kentucky

The Triple Crown, like so many of our best traditions, wasn’t created, it grew into being. During the late 1800’s three different tracks created races to test the new crop of three year olds. These three races, the Belmont Stakes, the Preakness and the Kentucky Derby were held in the same year for the first time in 1875. It wasn’t until 44 years later that Sir Barton (1919) became the first horse to win all three. The term, Triple Crown, wasn’t coined until 1930 when Daily Racing Form’s columnist, Charles Hatton, used it while covering Gallant Fox’s winning efforts.

In the 131 years that have passed only 11 horses have managed to accomplish what is arguably the most difficult feat in sports. Compared to the Triple Crown, no-hitters in baseball are an everyday occurrence; back to back championships in other sporting events, a dime a dozen; there have been more solar eclipses in our lifetime than Triple Crown winners and each year more people are struck by lightening than the total number of Triple Crown winners in history.

Some of horse racing’s most legendary names failed to capture this event. Man o’ War managed only 2 out of the 3 legs (did not start in the Kentucky Derby); Seabiscuit, after losing 17 straight races as a two year old wasn’t even considered (although he did later beat 1937’s Triple Crown winner, War Admiral in a match race); Cigar never competed, starting his great winning streak late in his fourth year.

What makes this event so difficult to win? Several factors have to be considered. First there’s the age of the horses. Triple Crown races are limited to 3 year olds, juveniles, all of whom officially have their birthday on January 1st of each year. By the first Saturday in May (the running of the Kentucky Derby), though most of the contestants will have actually reached their third birthday, they won’t realize their full growth and potential until their fourth or fifth years.

Another significant aspect is the shortness of time between races. Most stakes graded horses of today run with 30 to 60 days off between races, but Triple Crown contenders must run 3 grueling races within the span of 35 days. Notably Sir Barton, the first Triple Crown winner, won the Preakness only 4 days after winning the Kentucky Derby while today’s challengers do have 14 days between the two races.

Perhaps the most important factor is the distance of these races, the Derby is a mile and a quarter (10 furlongs), the Preakness, a mile and three sixteenths (9.5 furlongs) and the Belmont at a mile and a half (12 furlongs) is the longest of the three. The horses that survive their attempt at the Triple Crown will seldom, if ever, compete at these distances again. And yes, survival is a consideration. Many Triple Crown hopefuls are never able to compete again after the Belmont, even potential superstars such as Smarty Jones in 2004.

Will Barbaro be the next Triple Crown winner? He has the breeding and the talent, but as of this writing twenty horses have won the first two legs of the Triple Crown only to fail at Belmont. Twenty five more have won two of the three races, but maybe this year…

The Triple Crown stands as the ultimate test of greatness, and that’s why on the first Saturday in May each year, America’s thoughts turn to horse racing and the hope of just one more Triple Crown winner. Because we do, after all, need another hero.

Triple Crown Facts:

The Belmont Stakes was first run in 1867 for $1,850.00 at the Jerome Park Race Course in New York, and was originally a mile and five eights, but has also been run at a mile and one eighth and a mile and three eights before settling at a mile and a half in 1926

The first Preakness Stakes was held in 1873 with a prize of $1,850.00 at Pimlico Race Course in Maryland at a distance of a mile and a half, but has been run at six different distances between a mile and a mile and a half before stabilizing at a mile and three sixteenths in 1925

The first Kentucky Derby was in 1875 for a purse of $2,850.00 at the Louisville Jockey Club Course, later renamed Churchill Downs, at a mile and a half, but was shortened to a mile and a quarter in 1896

Since 1875 there have been 5 years when it was not possible to have a Triple Crown winner:

In 1890 the Belmont Stakes and the Preakness where on the same day at the same track In 1911 and 1912 the Belmont Stakes was not held In 1917 and 1922 the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness where held on the same day

Only Triple Crown winner to directly sire another, Gallant Fox (1930) sired Omaha (1935)

Only two trainers have trained more than one Triple Crown winner, James Fitzsimmons – Gallant Fox (1930) and Omaha (1935) and Ben A. Jones – Whirlaway (1941) and Citation (1948)

Only one jockey has ridden more than one Triple Crown winner, Eddie Arcaro – Whirlaway (1941) and Citation (1948)

No filly has ever won the Triple Crown

Number of living Triple Crown winners – none, Seattle Slew (1977) passed away in 2002

Number of Triple Crown winners to win the Breeders’ Cup – none, Last Triple Crown winner Affirmed (1978), inaugural Breeder’s Cup 1984

No matter what time of the day or night you’re reading this, odds are you’re little more than a few mouse clicks away from horse betting somewhere in the world. With action from Hollywood to Hong Kong at more than a 100 racetracks across the globe, you might think that would be more than enough action to satisfy even the most ardent of Mr. Ed followers.

Think again, fetlock breath.

Some enterprising sportsbooks are offering odds on which horses will pick up (not literally, of course) Eclipse Awards for racing excellence when the trophies are handed out in Beverly Hills, California, Jan. 22. It’s a horse of another color, to be sure, a different way for equine bettors to match cold cash to hard convictions.

Even the most adventurous bookmakers aren’t offering odds for every category, some of the honors so obvious that there is no legitimate contest for those awards:

Two-year-old colt or gelding: Street Sense romped by 10 lengths in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile destroying a quality field. Although it was his lone stakes victory, there is no other alternative.

Two-year-old filly: Dreaming of Anna is undefeated, has beaten males and rolled in the Breeders’ Cup. While it’s a forgone conclusion that she’ll win the hardware, wouldn’t it be nice if some innovative bet taker gave odds on whether the vote will be unanimous?

Three-year-old colt or gelding: There is great sentiment for injured Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro but hardly anyone seriously believes that Preakness, Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Bernardini won get the trophy.

Older male and Horse of the Year: Invasor won four Grade 1 races, including the Breeders’ Cup Classic, leaving no doubt as to his worthiness.

Grass Female: Ouija Board is headed to the Hall of Fame. She should pick up an Eclipse Award on her way.

Those were the easy ones. There is legitimate competition–not to mention spirited horse betting–as to which horses will win in four other categories:

Sprint: Voters would have been reluctant to award the title to Thor’s Echo off a single victory, albeit in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, so his connections wisely took the horse to Maryland where he won the De Francis Dash at Laurel, Nov. 25. That ought to be enough to take the title over Bondonaro and Dubai Escapade.

Three-year-old filly: Pine Island was the division leader heading into the Breeders’ Cup Distaff but broke down in the race and was humanely destroyed. Will voters recall that she had four first and two seconds in six starts before her death or turn to Wait a While, a graded stakes winner on both coasts? That’s not just the question but the bet.

Older female: Like Pine Island, Fleet Indian broke down on Breeders’ Cup day and could not finish the Distaff. Her life was saved and voters will have to overlook six victories in as many starts prior to the BC Distaff if they want to cast ballots for Round Pond, who won that ill-fated race and finished the year with three wins, a second and a third in five starts.

Grass male: This could be the most contentious category of all with as many as six candidates expected to garner votes. The edge has to go to Miesque’s Approval, the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile (and four other grass races) over Red Rocks, Lava Man, English Channel, The Tin Man, and Aragon.

There’s also a race of sorts among the two-legged set, including trophies for top jockey, trainer, owner, breeder and apprentice jockey. Garrett Gomez has a clear edge over Edgar Prado and Victor Espinoza for top rider while Todd Pletcher, who set a record for earnings, is the conditioner to beat, although there will be sentiment (and votes) for Michael Matz, who overcame the Barbaro tragedy to return to Churchill Downs to saddle Round Pond to a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Other outfits earned more money and had more winners but the best owner statue likely will go to Roy and Gretchen Jackson, who drew praise for their unwavering support of Barbaro, following that colt’s surgery.

A group of turf writers and racing secretaries will make the decision as to which horses will win Eclipse Awards but if you’d rather do some horse betting to win a race than win a vote, the next horse race is just minutes away. For those horse bettors who can’t be bothered with the ballot, every day is Election Day at the races.

Kentucky horse racing can be traced back to 1783 when races were being held in the middle of Kentucky streets and on a number of private tracks located on farms throughout the area.

Several concerned citizens complained about safety issues, and eventually the first race track was built in Lexington in 1789.

Almost one hundred years later in 1872, a young entrepreneur named Col. M. Lewis Clark traveled in England and France visiting a number of prominent racing leaders. Upon his return, he devised a plan to create a Louisville Jockey Club to showcase the Kentucky breeding industry.

The track formally opened May 17, 1875 when over 10,000 excited fans witnessed four spectacular races. The winner of the first race was Bonaventure, however the winner of the day’s featured race, the Kentucky Derby, was a three-year-old chestnut colt named Aristides.

Eventually the track became known as “Churchill Downs-Home of the Kentucky Derby” because Clark leased the land from his uncles, John and Henry Churchill.

Over the years, several improvements have been made to the property, including the addition of the now famous spires on the top of the main building, making Churchill Downs the most well known horse racing venue in the United States.

This year, the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby will take place on May 3, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Take this opportunity to officially welcome Spring and plan a Kentucky Derby party. I’ve given you a few of my favorite recipes to help get you started.

Appetizer–Warm Vidalia Onion Dip

Made with the sweetest onions and served warm with your favorite crackers, get ready to hand out this recipe. Our Aunt Diane first made this dip and since then it has become a family favorite.

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup sweet onion, finely chopped

1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1 cup shredded Swiss cheese

Assorted crackers

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In a bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Stir in cheese and spoon mixture into shallow baking dish.

Bake for 40 minutes or until dip is bubbly. Serve warm with crackers.

Main Course–Benedictine (Cucumber Sandwiches)

Served regularly at the Kentucky Derby, Benedictine is made with cucumber and cream cheese and is named after the restaurant that first created it. The most common way to eat it is to make finger sandwiches by spreading the mixture on cocktail bread. You can also thin it out with sour cream to make a dip for vegetables.

1 large cucumber

Grated 8 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 tablespoons onion

1/4 tsp salt

1 tablespoon mayonnaise

Dash green food coloring (optional)

Cocktail bread (pumpernickel is good) or vegetables

To make it, start by paring, grating and draining the cucumber. Combine with remaining ingredients in food processor and pulse until well combined.

Dessert–Kentucky Derby Pie

There are a million recipes for Kentucky Derby Pie but I like this one because it’s made with chocolate and walnuts. It’s rich and gooey.

1/2 cup butter, melted

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup flour

2 eggs

1 tablespoon bourbon

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 prepared 8 inch pie crust

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spread chocolate chips and nuts in bottom of prepared pie shell.

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together. Mix in flour. Beat the eggs slightly, and stir into the creamed mixture. Add bourbon.

Pour filling into pie shell (over chips and nuts) and bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes.

Cocktail–Limoncello Mint Lemonade

Limoncello Mint Lemonade is a new wave cocktail made with fresh mint leaves.

1/2 cup lemonade concentrate

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves

1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Ice cubes

1/4 cup Limoncello (lemon liqueur)

1/2 cup club soda

In a small pitcher, “muddle” mint leaves together with lemonade concentrate and lemon juice. Muddle means to bruise the leaves so they release their flavor. I use the end of a wooden spoon.

Stir in ice cubes, Limoncello and club soda and pour into 4 glasses. Top them off with a lemon slice and a sprig of fresh mint.

Makes 4-10 oz. drinks.

Invite some friends over, make some great food and watch the Kentucky Derby together. Hopefully I’ve given you some recipes to start with.