Horse Racing: Horses that Won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, but Lost the Belmont

I’ll Have Another Arrives at Belmont Park

The “Triple Crown” wasn’t officially recognized as such until 1930, off the fingers of “Daily Racing Form writer Charles Hatton.”

But we can still go back through the archives and see which horses won all three races – Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes – as far back as 1875, when all three were first in simultaneous existence, though not really connected.

Only 1 horse, Sir Barton, won pre-1930 what would later be know as the Triple Crown. Sir Barton won in 1919 and is one of 11 triple crown winning horses.

Almost twice as many times – 21 – a thoroughbred has won the first two legs of the Crown – only to drop the Belmont.

So, every few years or so (or even three years in a row 1997-1999), the general public, horse-racing aficionados and blue bloods get all up in a lather waiting to see if THIS is the year we’ll have another triple crown winner.

Which group will I’ll Have Another join?

We’ll find out on Saturday, June 9th, at the Belmont Stakes.

Follow me on Twitter @VinGetz.

UPDATED LIST: Since the post above was originally written on May 21, 2012, to more horses – I’ll Have Another in 2012 and California Chrome in 2014 – won both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, but failed to take home the Belmont Stakes, and thus the triple, crown. In total now, 23 horses have just missed the triple crown after winning the first two races.

2014	California Chrome
2012	I’ll Have Another
2008	Big Brown
2004	Smarty Jones
2003	Funny Cide
2002	War Emblem
1999	Charismatic
1998	Real Quiet
1997	Silver Charm
1989	Sunday Silence
1987	Alysheba
1981	Pleasant Colony
1979	Spectacular Bid
1971	Canonero II
1969	Majestic Prince
1968	Forward Pass
1966	Kauai King
1964	Northern Dancer
1961	Carry Back
1958	Tim Tam
1944	Pensive
1936	Bold Venture
1932	Burgoo King

Photo: abcnews.com