Turf Angels.com

On January 1, every Thoroughbred north of the equator will age one year.

This means, obviously, that every two-year-old will become three, and for the 131st time, the dream to win the Kentucky Derby, and then the Triple Crown, will start anew.

In the years since 1978, when Affirmed took the Crown in such heart-stopping style, ten horses have won the first two legs of the series, the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, and lost the third, the Belmont. Six of these came in the last eight years. It seems that every spring, racing is brought on an unforgettable ride up to the top, only to be left hanging and wondering. Will any horse ever win the Triple Crown again? Some believe it isn't possible because Thoroughbreds these days are deemed "too fragile" to withstand the rigors of such a challenge.

However, this assumption is unfair. In 1997, Silver Charm lost by 3/4 of a length when he didn't see Touch Gold run past him on the outside. In 1998, Real Quiet lost by a mere nose. In 1999, Charismatic hobbled home third on a broken leg. In 2002, War Emblem stumbled badly out of the gate and was immediately out of contention. In 2003, Funny Cide finished 5 1/4 lengths behind Empire Marker. This year, Birdstone finished only a length in front of a weary Smarty Jones.

You do the math. With the exception of War Emblem, about ten lengths separates the number of Triple Crown winners from being eleven to sixteen.

Yet letdown after letdown has plagued the sport, and it seems that the time for a Triple Crown winner must finally be at hand, right? Wrong. There will not be a Triple Crown winner in 2005, simply because this crop is too good.

At the dawn of the new year, already several horses have caught the eyes and imaginations of the racing industry. Declan's Moon and Rockport Harbor are both undefeated and have both turned back challenges by good competitors. Wilko, who upset the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, proved that his win was not a fluke by battling bravely down the stretch on a quarter crack to just miss second behind Declan's Moon to an upstart colt named Giacomo.

There are the cinderella story horses like little Afleet Alex, the hard-knocking, steady horses such as Greater Good, the royally-bred babies such as Defer, and the expensive Harlington. The horses who have run consistently well, such as Galloping Grocer and Rush Bay cannot be ignored, either, and of course one can't forget horses on the improve, like Spanish Chestnut, Storm Surge, and Crimson Stag. Mention must be given also to Lost in the Fog, who so far has done nothing wrong and everything right. Already this brilliant juvenile has quite a following.

This year's crop of three-year-olds is far too deep to even think about the prospect of a Triple Crown winner. However, if there is going to be one, it may come in the form of Fusaichi Samurai, a son of Fusaichi Pegasus who cost $4.5 million earlier in 2004. His sire was all the rage in 2000, and after an effortless Derby win, hopes of a Triple Crown were high until a Preakness loss crushed the dreams.

Fusaichi Samurai, who is trained by Neil Drysdale, won his only start impressively, causing many to start dreaming again. Will a horse win two legs of the Crown this year? Will one horse be able to rise over this deeply talented crop? Only time will tell. The road to the 2005 Triple Crown is about to begin.

12/28/2004


	A New Year, The Same Dream by Emily Hufford On January 1, every Thoroughbred north of the equator will age one year. This means, obviously, that every two-year-old will become three, and for the 131st time, the dream to win the Kentucky Derby, and then the Triple Crown, will start anew. In the years since 1978, when Affirmed took the Crown in such heart-stopping style, ten horses have won the first two legs of the series, the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, and lost the third, the Belmont. Six of these came in the last eight years. It seems that every spring, racing is brought on an unforgettable ride up to the top, only to be left hanging and wondering. Will any horse ever win the Triple Crown again? Some believe it isn't possible because Thoroughbreds these days are deemed "too fragile" to withstand the rigors of such a challenge. However, this assumption is unfair. In 1997, Silver Charm lost by 3/4 of a length when he didn't see Touch Gold run past him on the outside. In 1998, Real Quiet lost by a mere nose. In 1999, Charismatic hobbled home third on a broken leg. In 2002, War Emblem stumbled badly out of the gate and was immediately out of contention. In 2003, Funny Cide finished 5 1/4 lengths behind Empire Marker. This year, Birdstone finished only a length in front of a weary Smarty Jones. You do the math. With the exception of War Emblem, about ten lengths separates the number of Triple Crown winners from being eleven to sixteen. Yet letdown after letdown has plagued the sport, and it seems that the time for a Triple Crown winner must finally be at hand, right? Wrong. There will not be a Triple Crown winner in 2005, simply because this crop is too good. At the dawn of the new year, already several horses have caught the eyes and imaginations of the racing industry. Declan's Moon and Rockport Harbor are both undefeated and have both turned back challenges by good competitors. Wilko, who upset the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, proved that his win was not a fluke by battling bravely down the stretch on a quarter crack to just miss second behind Declan's Moon to an upstart colt named Giacomo. There are the cinderella story horses like little Afleet Alex, the hard-knocking, steady horses such as Greater Good, the royally-bred babies such as Defer, and the expensive Harlington. The horses who have run consistently well, such as Galloping Grocer and Rush Bay cannot be ignored, either, and of course one can't forget horses on the improve, like Spanish Chestnut, Storm Surge, and Crimson Stag. Mention must be given also to Lost in the Fog, who so far has done nothing wrong and everything right. Already this brilliant juvenile has quite a following. This year's crop of three-year-olds is far too deep to even think about the prospect of a Triple Crown winner. However, if there is going to be one, it may come in the form of Fusaichi Samurai, a son of Fusaichi Pegasus who cost $4.5 million earlier in 2004. His sire was all the rage in 2000, and after an effortless Derby win, hopes of a Triple Crown were high until a Preakness loss crushed the dreams. Fusaichi Samurai, who is trained by Neil Drysdale, won his only start impressively, causing many to start dreaming again. Will a horse win two legs of the Crown this year? Will one horse be able to rise over this deeply talented crop? Only time will tell. The road to the 2005 Triple Crown is about to begin. 12/28/2004

A New Year, The Same Dream by Emily Hufford

A New Year, The Same Dream
by Emily Hufford