What Is the ‘Triple Crown’ in Sports?
The “Triple Crown” in horse racing is the ultimate championship achievement. It is awarded to a three-year-old horse that wins three specific, legendary races in a grueling five-week span.
It is arguably the rarest feat in American sports. Since 1875, only 13 horses (like Secretariat and American Pharoah) have ever won it.
The Three Races (The “Jewels”)
To win the Triple Crown, a horse must finish 1st in all three of these races, in this exact order:
The Kentucky Derby (First Saturday in May)
- Nickname: “The Run for the Roses”
- Location: Churchill Downs (Louisville, KY)
- The Test: It’s the biggest field (20 horses) and the most chaotic race.
The Preakness Stakes (Two weeks later)
- Nickname: “The Middle Jewel”
- Location: Pimlico Race Course (Baltimore, MD)
- The Test: It requires a quick turnaround. The horse has to race again on very short rest.
The Belmont Stakes (Three weeks later)
- Nickname: “The Test of the Champion”
- Location: Belmont Park (Elmont, NY)
- The Test: It is the longest race (1.5 miles). Most horses have never run this far, and many tire out in the final stretch.