California Chrome looks to break 36-year-old drought
It’s been a long time since a horse has won the Triple Crown. California Chrome looks to make history.
When California Chrome takes the track at the Belmont Stakes with the hopes of winning the Triple Crown, he will be following a long list of horses before him who have failed. Since 1978, when Affirmed took home the crown, 12 different horses have won races at the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. All 12 of them have lost at the Belmont Stakes.
That’s the type of drought that California Chrome is trying to break. Of those 12 horses, eight finished within the Top 3; Big Brown did not finish in 2008 and I’ll Have Another did not start in 2012. Spectacular Bid kick-started the drought in 1979, finishing third at the Stakes after winning the Derby and Preakness.
Below is a full list of the colts who just missed winning the Triple Crown since 1978:
| 1979 | Spectacular Big (3rd) |
| 1981 | Pleasant Colony (3rd) |
| 1987 | Alysheba (4th) |
| 1989 | Sunday Silence (2nd) |
| 1997 | Silver Charm (2nd) |
| 1998 | Real Quiet (2nd) |
| 1999 | Charismatic (3rd) |
| 2002 | Warm Emblem (8th) |
| 2003 | Funny Cide (3rd) |
| 2004 | Smarty Jones (2nd) |
| 2008 | Big Brown (DNF) |
| 2012 | I'll Have Another (did not start) |
California Chrome is the odds-on, 3/5 favorite to win at Belmont, according to the track’s official website. Wicked Strong is second at 6/1 odds and Tonalist is third at 8/1.
