One of the biggest and most sought after horse racing tournament of all time is the U.S Triple Crown Series. This is the best sports that every sports bettor have been waiting all year long since it does not only give out big prizes, but it also showcases various betting categories that every bettor can explore giving them a lot of options to win.
Though the Triple Crown Series has existed for more than a century ago, many bettors don’t know much yet what this horse racing is all about. If you are an avid horse racing fan, you might probably understand what the Triple Crown means but if you are new to horse racing tournament, then there are some things and terms you need to understand so you won’t get lost when joining this event.
In fact, it’s the Triple Crown season and the racing showdown will begin a few days from now. So, if you are new to horse racing industry and wants to know what’s in store for the Triple Crown, check TVG picks, sit back, and relax because we’ve got some basic guides you can follow so you won’t get behind to this year’s Triple Crown competition.
The Triple Crown and The Series of Races
The Triple Crown Series is generally a race of three-year-old thoroughbred colts all competing in Grade 1 Stakes category. It is composed of three major horse racing legs which are held in three major cities within the United States. The show is the biggest horse racing you can find in the world and is often attended by hundreds and thousands of spectators.
The first leg of the Triple Crown Series is the Kentucky Derby which will start on May 4, 2019, in Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky. This is the most exciting event out of the three because this serves as the grandest kickoff. Being dubbed as the “ Run For The Roses” and the “Fastest Two Minutes In Sports”, the derby showcases the most favorite horse racer to possibly win the Triple Crown. It also exposes the mightiest colts who can win big in the derby which will head on to the next series of the Triple Crown show.
Next to the Kentucky Derby is the Preakness Stakes. It is called the “Run For the Black-Eyed Susans”. The Preakness Stakes is the middle jewel of the Triple Crown Series which deems a fewer number of entries and a shorter race course. The Preakness Stakes this year will start two weeks after the Kentucky Derby which will come off by May 18, 2019. It will be held in Pimlico Park in Baltimore, Maryland on the said date.
The last leg of the Triple Crown Series and the most important racing event out of the three is the Belmont Stakes. This entails the longest race course out of the three and a true test of colt’s stamina and agility. This is also where the real Triple Crown winner will be declared that’s why bettors are in full force wagering for their best entries on earth. The Belmont Stakes will come off by June 8, 2019, in the race course of Elmont Park, New York. Dubbed as the “Run For The Carnations” this horse racing show will also serve as a finale of the Triple Crown season this year.
The Existence of the Triple Crown
The Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes have existed for almost a century and a half. Initially, it was not called a Triple Crown not until the second crown was won in 1930. The term was also originally coined to England’s Triple Crown show which as also included the country’s three important races.
Throughout the years that the Triple Crown has existed, it has always been part of the culture of the Americans to take part in the rich history of all thoroughbred colts competing in the said event.
The Challenge of the Triple Crown
To be able to be a real Triple Crown winner, a colt should be able to win the three major racing legs. Aside from that, there are several criteria that each horse racer should follow to be able to a Triple Crown title holder. Also, the distances and challenges in the race course that each colt is undergoing deem not an easy task to take; thus they need to show off great running skills to edge each other.
The Prize At Stake for the Triple Crown Winner
In the series of Triple Crown shows, prizes to be given away are huge. In the Kentucky Derby, around $1.86 million of prizes to be given away, while Preakness is around $900,000 and Belmont has $800,000. Aside from the fact that a winning colt will earn this amount of money, they will ultimately improve their racing career, earned so much bragging right especially the breeder, jockey, and the trainer.