Racing’s Ultimate Achievement
Triple Crown drought ending - American Pharoah (2015) and Justify (2018) winning all three races after 37-year drought - revived interest in horse racing and proved sport’s pinnacle achievement still captivating.
The drought: 1978 (Affirmed) to 2015; 13 horses won first two legs but failed Belmont Stakes
American Pharoah (June 6, 2015): First Triple Crown since 1978; 90,000+ at Belmont; NBC 20M+ viewers
Three races: Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes (Triple Crown)
Why so rare: 3 races in 5 weeks; different distances; 3-year-olds racing peak competition; horse fragility
Justify (2018): Second Triple Crown in 3 years; undefeated through Triple Crown; Bob Baffert trainer
Mainstream interest: Both Triple Crowns dominated sports coverage; casual fans tuned in
Horse racing’s decline: Triple Crown only time sport enters mainstream; otherwise fading relevance
Belmont Stakes: 1.5-mile “Test of the Champion”; longest, most grueling; where dreams die
Bob Baffert controversies: Trained both recent winners; later banned Kentucky Derby for doping violations
Triple Crown represents sport’s ability to create compelling narratives when stakes are highest and history beckons.