What's Your Favorite Triple Crown Series (1979-2009)?

[Indian Charlie]

Sheba
Bet Twice

Nuff said.

[cloud_break]

1998 was a pretty good sequence. A rivalry formed in the Derby and Preakness, and the Belmont actually delivered the exciting finished that the build-up promised.

[2Hot4TV]

It was pretty electric from Smatry Jones right up to the Barbaro tragedy.

[alysheba4]

sheba , thats a shock........the sunnday silence easy goer was epic. you cant beat those 2 in the preakness.....laying it down like no other.

[Smooth Operator]

'89

[miraja2]

I voted for '89. You just can't beat those two colts in my mind.

It is a good idea for a poll, but 2009's inclusion as an option over 2003 surprised me a bit. I much preferred the battles of Funny Cide, Empire Maker, and Peace Rules over watching Mine that Bird splash his way past a bunch of a goats, and then watching a mediocre Summer Bird beating a bunch of even slower goats 5 weeks later.

[CSC]

War Emblem, the look on Baffert's face after the Belmont was priceless, plus I was always more of a Medaglia D'oro fan. Kudos to Sarava though I always thought Prado outrode Desormeaux in the Belmont.

[smartbid09]

Originally Posted by miraja2

I voted for '89. You just can't beat those two colts in my mind.

It is a good idea for a poll, but 2009's inclusion as an option over 2003 surprised me a bit. I much preferred the battles of Funny Cide, Empire Maker, and Peace Rules over watching Mine that Bird splash his way past a bunch of a goats, and then watching a mediocre Summer Bird beating a bunch of even slower goats 5 weeks later.

I was torn when I made the poll because I wanted to put 2003 or 2009. The only reason I chose to put 2009 over 2003 is because 2009 was a very strange and unforgettable year. You had Mine That Bird's 50-1 upset. Perhaps the biggest upset in the history of the Derby when you consider he should really have been 2000 to 1. I think people were looking for a long shot and bet him down but I do not know any real handicapper who honestly would have given him a chance in hell to have won. If he had not been in the Derby no one on planet earth would have said about Mine that Bird "what if he had been in the derby what a shame. He really had a shot".
Than you have the story of Calvin Borel. After giving one of the most replayed and impressive rides in Derby history and winning on a long shot Borel suddenly becomes a media sensation. He's all of the place. Talk shows, etc. And than he gets on another horse to ride the preakness. A precedent. He wins the preakness with a filly (Rachel Alexandra). Mine that Bird places in the preakness and gets a little respect. This causes people to say wow. If not for the filly Mine that bird would have attempted a triple crown this year. No one thought he'd win the Derby let alone have the ability to place in the preakness. I admit that the Belmont was a let down after the first two legs of the triple crown last year. But it was interesting to see Kent Desormeaux (like him or hate him) finally win a belmont. And it was fun to watch Calvin attempt the first Jockey triple crown. Also, after beating smarty Jones, Birdstone (that years upset horse) stamps himself a place in history for siring two horses in one crop that won triple crown races. An incredible feat. Haskin said you could write a book on this triple crown.

Now I am a huge fan of Funny Cide's 2003 triple crown year. I just love his story. He had a Smarty Jones affect on so many people. He made many non-fans love the game and it was very emotionally investing watching him go for the crown. Plus you had a great "bad guy" horse in Empire Maker. Funny Cide also had controversy after the derby with the hole "what was in his jockeys hand" thing. And than you had the owners of the horse following Funny Cide around in a school bus. And the whole country loved there story alone. Yeah, it was a great year for racing. And if I had more choices to put in my poll believe me it would have been on there.

I loved 2003 but 2009 was quiet a series too. If I had more choices on my poll it would be up there. But I have to say 2009 was pretty fun too.

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

Sheba
Bet Twice

Nuff said.

I attended Alysheba's Derby and Belmont.

I also attended the Derby and Belmont for Sunday Silence.


If the poll went back two more years it would be relevant that I was at the Preakness of Seattle Slew. And his Belmont.

1977 would be my fave year then.

I have a real hard time between 1987 and 1989 with the choices available.

But I'll tip to 1989.

[westcoastinvader]

I do have to say I have a hard time understanding the affection for 1997, other than the near miss by Silver Charm at the Belmont...and possibly the presence of Free House.

Maybe 1997 was when many here cut their teeth on the sport.

That I would understand.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by westcoastinvader

I do have to say I have a hard time understanding the affection for 1997, other than the near miss by Silver Charm at the Belmont...and possibly the presence of Free House.

Maybe 1997 was when many here cut their teeth on the sport.

That I would understand.

Yeah, I agree. That was one completely overrated crop.

Don't get me wrong, those were really good horses, and FH was one of the coolest race horses ever, but I can think of quite a few more crops that were better.

[DaTruth]

Originally Posted by westcoastinvader

I do have to say I have a hard time understanding the affection for 1997, other than the near miss by Silver Charm at the Belmont...and possibly the presence of Free House.

Maybe 1997 was when many here cut their teeth on the sport.

That I would understand.

The 1997 Preakness was pretty exciting. It isn't very often where you see three horses hit the wire together in a Triple Crown race.

[Thunder Gulch]

Originally Posted by westcoastinvader

I do have to say I have a hard time understanding the affection for 1997, other than the near miss by Silver Charm at the Belmont...and possibly the presence of Free House.

Maybe 1997 was when many here cut their teeth on the sport.

That I would understand.

Disagree. 1997 was a very good crop led by Silver Charm. You lost two genuine stars in the triple crown series when Pulpit was sidelined after the Derby and Captain Bodgit was injured in the Preakness, so that hurt the long term rankings. Those guys were all good and running really fast coming in. The stretch drive in all 3 races was memorable.

[hi_im_god]

no love for 2001?

other than the unusually fast churchill track, you might have had a deserving triple crown winner against a reasonably talented crop.

[smartbid09]

Originally Posted by hi_im_god

no love for 2001?

other than the unusually fast churchill track, you might have had a deserving triple crown winner against a reasonably talented crop.

I am a huge point given fan! I got into racing in 2004 with smarty jones and when he lost I kind of felt so angry I decided I will only get into triple crown races and wait for the next big horse to come along.

In 2008 I got back into racing when big brown went for the crown. When he failed I got turned off to racing again. But than in 2009 I was finally bit by the racing bug for good and have been obsessed. I've studied racing constantly - whenever I get a free moment I'm reading about racing or watching it on t.v. I'm heading to the track or driving in my car listing to Steve Byck or TVG.

Sadly, I never got to see the entire broadcasts of the 2001 races - I was not into racing yet - or study the 2001 crop. But from my knowledge of the game, and from what I've seen, I know that Point Given was an awesome horse!!! I also know that Monarchos ran an awesome Derby. Point Given he was really a highlight of the last decade. I would love to have seen that Triple crown series and I too am surprised that it is not on everyones list as a great series.

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by westcoastinvader

But I'll tip to 1989.

I've told the story before, but by conniving, luck and finally the graciousness of the Hank Allen family I ended up watching the 1989 Kentucky Derby from the near finish line track level box of Northern Wolf's trainer.

It was pretty exciting when Northern Wolf was still in contention on the turn for home. My wagering interests were completely cast aside in those moments.

[smartbid09]

Originally Posted by westcoastinvader

If the poll went back two more years it would be relevant that I was at the Preakness of Seattle Slew. And his Belmont.

1977 would be my fave year then.

What a horse. You've seen some good triple crown series

[DaTruth]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

Sheba
Bet Twice

Nuff said.

That was a great crop, and Java Gold was the best of them. Another favorite from that crop was the speedy Lost Code.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by DaTruth

That was a great crop, and Java Gold was the best of them. Another favorite from that crop was the speedy Lost Code.

I'd say there were about 15-20 really awesome horses in that crop!

For sheer depth, I can't think of a crop since I've started watching racing that comes close.

[smartbid09]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

I'd say there were about 15-20 really awesome horses in that crop!

For sheer depth, I can't think of a crop since I've started watching racing that comes close.

In your opinion Charlie what was the second best crop year from 1979-2009?