Victory and Defeat: Emotional Triple Crown Attempts

See all the emotional reaction from past Triple Crown attempts, both the wins and the losses.

25 photos
1/25
Steve Coburn, co-owner of California Chrome reacts while watching the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 7, 2014 in Elmont, New York. Coburn lashed out at rivals Sunday, after Chrome's loss, accusing them of taking "the coward's way out" by skipping the first two legs of the Triple Crown.
2/25
Getty Images
Owner of Tonalist, #11, Robert S. Evans, holds the trophy after winning the during the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 7, 2014, in Elmont, New York.
3/25
AP
California Chrome trainer Art Sherman listens to questions from the media during a news conference at Belmont Park on June 3, 2014, in Elmont, N.Y. California Chrome lost his bid for the Triple Crown after rival Tonalist was victorious at the Belmont Stakes.
4/25
Simon Bruty/Getty Images
As the nation turns its attention to the Belmont Stakes June 7 to watch California Chrome's Triple Crown attempt, we take a look back at some of the most shocking wins and heartbreaking defeats in American Triple Crown history. Jockey Pat Day rejoiced as he won the 1994 Belmont Stakes while riding Tabasco Cat. Click to see more.
5/25
Gail Kamenish/AP
In 1995, Thunder Gulch won both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, but came in third at Preakness. Doreen Tabor, left, wife of Michael Tabor, owner of Thunder Gulch, reacts along with Emma O'Byrne as Thunder Gulch won the 121st running of the Kentucky Derby.
6/25
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Trainer D. Wayne Lukas celebrates in the winners circle after his horse Thunder Gulch, ridden by Gary Stevens, won the 121st running of the Kentucky Derby, at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 6, 1995, in Louisville, Ky.
7/25
TOM MIHALEK/AFP/Getty Images
In 1997, Silver Charm was on his way to glory after winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Beverly Lewis, owner of Silver Charm, is seen in a heartbreaking moment, surrounded by her grandchildren, as she watches her horse cross the finish line in second place at Belmont Stakes. Silver Charm missed his attempt at the Triple Crown by losing to Touch Gold.
8/25
Kathy Willens/AP
SIlver Charm jockey Gary Stevens is shown, understandably upset, after losing the 129th Belmont Stakes Saturday, June 7, 1997. Touch Gold edged out Silver Charm to win the last leg of the Triple Crown.
9/25
Jon Levy/AFP/Getty Images
Silver Charm was defeated, but Touch Gold's owners Frank Stronach and Robert McMair enjoyed their victory at the 1997 Belmont Stakes.
10/25
Jim McKnight/AP, File
It's not just owners, trainers and jockeys who have a lot on the line. Fans get just as involved with the races. Chris Fitzgerald, left, her husband, John Fitzgerald, and Susan Kahler, right, along with the Fitzgeralds' children, react to the end of the Belmont Stakes as they watch the television broadcast at the Saratoga Equine Center in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on Saturday, June 7, 2003. Kahler and the Fitzgeralds were cheering for Funny Cide to win the race and the Triple Crown. Empire Maker won the race, and Funny Cide finished third.
11/25
Kathy Willens/AP, File
In 2003, Empire Maker had good odds to become a Triple Crown winner, but luck wasn't on his side. Empire Maker came in second at the Kentucky Derby, and his handlers chose not to run him in the Preakness Stakes, a common tactic to rest the horse up for the Belmont. The resting paid off as Emprire Maker won the Belmont Stakes. Jockey Jerry Baily aboard Empire Maker, responds to the crowds' reaction after winning.
12/25
Getty Images
At left, trainer D. Wayne Lukas kisses the winning trophy after his horse Grindstone won the122nd Kentucky Derby; Point Given trainer Bob Baffert (center) holds the trophy in the winners circle after the Preakness at Pimlico Race Course; and Jockey Gary Stevens kisses the trophy after winning the Preakness aboard Point Given at Pimlico Race Course.
13/25
ASSOCIATED PRESS
2004 was a huge year for Triple Crown horse racing. Smarty Jones was a clear favorite: his pedigree included Triple Crown winners Secretariat, Count Fleet, War Admiral, Gallant Fox and Omaha. But a Triple Crown win wasn't to be.
14/25
AP
Smarty Jones skyrocketed to fame, and he became, arguably, the number one fan favorite to win the Triple Crown since Affirmed won it in 1978. Smarty Jones fan Pat Baranyi, center, reacts as she watches the Belmont Stakes from Philadelphia Park in Bensalem, Pa., Saturday, June 5, 2004. Barney was reacting as she watched Smarty Jones get passed on the final stretch by Birdstone, who won the race.
15/25
Getty Images
Smarty Jones won both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, but ran out of steam during the Belmont Stakes. Alison Regan of Philadelphia was overcome with disbelief as she watched Smarty Jones fade in the home stretch and lose the Belmont Stakes.
16/25
AP
The Belmont was Smarty Jones' only loss out of nine starts. Here, trainer John Servis holds the lead on Smarty Jones after the horse lost the Belmont Stakes, and a chance for the Triple Crown, Saturday, June 5, 2004, in Elmont, N.Y.
17/25
AP
While Smarty Jones' Triple Crown win wasn't to be, Joe Lerro, co-owner of Afleet Alex, rejoiced in the winners' circle after his horse won the Belmont Stakes Saturday, June 11, 2005, in Elmont, N.Y.
18/25
AP
The owners of Afleet Alex celebrate after their horse won the 130th Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 21, 2005, at Pimlico race course in Baltimore, Md.
19/25
AP
Jen Reeves, co-owner of Afleet Alex, celebrates after the horse won the 130th Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 21, 2005, at Pimlico race course in Baltimore.
20/25
AP
Ruler On Ice delivered a huge upset in the final leg of the Triple Crown in 2011. He was the 24-1 long shot, but after the Kentucky Derby winner stumbled early and the Preakness winner faded, the Belmont win was up for grabs. Jockey Jose Valdivia Jr., right, reacts after Ruler On Ice won the Belmont Stakes, Saturday, June 11, 2011.
21/25
AP
Jockey John Velazquez, left, talks with Union Rags owner Phyllis Wyeth after Union Rags won the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., on Saturday, June 9, 2012.
22/25
AP
Trainer Todd Pletcher, center, hoists the Belmont Stakes trophy in the winner's circle while standing with jockey Mike Smith, left, and Cot Campbell, President of Dogwood Stables, after Palace Malice won the Belmont Stakes horse race in Elmont, N.Y., Saturday, June 8, 2013.
23/25
AP
Jockey Victor Espinoza, left, with co-owners Carolyn and Steve Coburn, celebrate in the winner's circle after California Chrome won the 139th Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course, Saturday, May 17, 2014, in Baltimore.
24/25
AP
Co-owner Steven Coburn celebrates in the winner's circle after California Chrome won the 139th Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course, Saturday, May 17, 2014, in Baltimore.
25/25
AP
In this image provided by Benoit Photo, co-owner Steve Coburn has a big kiss for his California Chrome following his victory in the San Felipe Stakes horse race Saturday, March 8, 2014, at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.
Contact Us