Horse Racing Triple Crown Distances
The Triple Crown races will not be taking place in their usual order for the first time since 1931. The Kentucky Derby was moved from May 2 to September 5 because of efforts to stop the coronavirus. Triple Crowns Winners (Won Derby Preakness and Belmont). Updated horse racing odds for the 2019 Belmont Stakes. Get a full list of the current betting favorites, contenders, and rest of the field. Belmont Stakes is one of the most famous and well-attended races for United States Throughbreds. Established back in 1867.
The US Triple Crown or to give it its’ full name, the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in the United States is one of the longest surviving three race championship in history. The three championship races are made up of;
The Kentucky Derby, run over 1.25 miles on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs, Louisville Kentucky and is also known as ‘the Run for the Roses’. Inaugurated in 1875.
The Preakness Stakes, run over 1 3/16 mile on the third Saturday in May at Pimlico Race Course, in Baltimore, Maryland, and is also known as ‘the Run for the Black-eyed Susans’. Inaugurated in 1873.
The Belmont Stakes, run over 1.5 miles in June, at Belmont Park in New York, and is also known as ‘The Test of the Champion’. Inaugurated in 1867.
All three of these races are run on dirt/sand tracks and are left handed courses, meaning the horses come into the straight on the left hand side of the stands when facing the track. These three races were referred to as the Triple Crown as far back as 1923 but were only officially formed in 1950. Over the years there have been eleven winners of the Triple Crown in a single year, but only one horse, Secretariat holds the course record time for all three races which he won in1973. He is the only horse to appear on three major national magazines, Time, Newsweek and Sports Illustrated, and when running the Belmont Stakes, won by the longest distance ever, 31 lengths. No horse has ever done this before.
One, who the pundits believe was the greatest thoroughbred of all time was a horse called Man ‘O War, who won 20 out of his 21 races was only able to win two legs of the Triple Crown in 1920, only because his owner did not like racing in Kentucky, and proved a point to his owners and handlers by winning the Belmont Stakes by a then record of 20 lengths.
Apprentice rider/allowance — New jockeys start out as apprentices and are given a weight allowances until they have a certain number of wins within a specific period of time. Apprentices also don’t receive weight allowances when riding in a stakes race.
Blinkers — Device placed around a horse’s eyes to prevent seeing to the rear and the side. This encourages the horse to focus on the race. Also known as Blinders.
What Is Horse Racing Triple Crown
Bug — An apprentice jockey, because of the “bug” or asterisk in the official program identifying that the weight carried includes the apprentice allowance.
Claiming race — A race in which the horses can be bought for a specific price.
Colors — Racing silks (jacket and cap) to identify the owner(s) of the horse.
Dead heat — Two or more horses finishing in a tie at the finish line. (Yes, it can happen.)
Field — The horses in a race.
Horse Racing Triple Crown Distances Field
Furlong — One-eighth of a mile.
Graded stakes race — A high-quality race with 3 categories: Grade 1, 2 and 3. Features the best horses, with owner(s) having to pay entry fees.
Handicap race — Race where different horses carry weights to even out the level of competition. The best horse carries the most weight. Think of it like a handicap in golf.
Handle — Total amount of money bet on a single race, day or season.
In the money — Finishing 1st, 2nd or 3rd.
Long shot — A horse with little perceived chance of winning a race. Odds are high on a long shot, with winning bets resulting in big money payouts and even louder screams.
Maiden race — A race for horses looking for a first win.
Nose — Smallest margin of victory a horse can have.
Paddock — Area of a racetrack where the horses are saddled and kept before a race.
Post parade — When horses leave the paddock and pass the stands on their way to the starting gate.
Post position — A horse’s position in the starting gate from the inner rail outward. Also happens to be a horse’s number.
Post time — Designated time for a race to start. Try to place your bets at least 10 minutes before post time.
Purse — Prize money distributed to the owner(s) of a winning horse.
Quarter horse — A breed of horse that excels at sprinting short distances.
Scratch — A horse that has been taken out of a race. Also what you do with your head when your horse comes in last.
Tack — The saddle and other equipment worn by a horse when it runs.
Tote board — A computerized display board that shows betting information like odds, post time, results of each race and winning payouts. Look here to see if hopes are broken or if dreams come true.
Triple Crown — The three most prestigious races in America: The Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
Thoroughbred — A breed of horse known for speed and endurance while racing long distances.