The Horse Racing Tracks Of The Triple Crown

by Lowell Scott

The horse racing tracks which comprise the Triple Crown of horse racing are Churchill Downs, Pimlico Race Course and Belmont Park. The high point of the horse racing season culminates at these three tracks each year although in recent years the Breeder's Cup has challenged as the predictor of the three-year-old champion. The Breeder's Cup is held at a different track each year.

The Kentucky Derby held at Churchill Downs in Kentucky, could be the most challenging of the three. This is not because of the distance, which is one and a quarter miles, but because of the amount of competition. Usually this race draws around 20 entries each year and with that many entries, just about anything can happen and usually does. Very often in this race the favorite does not win. This is probably because of the fast pace which is almost in evidently set.

The second leg is The Preakness held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. This is the shortest of the three and usually with a lot less competition. Although it is the shortest of the three, it is still a long race at 1 3/16 mile. This can be a very interesting race because it always attracts the Derby winner along some of the horses that ran in the Derby and some that didn't run in the Derby. The winner gets a horseshoe of black-eyed susans placed around the neck.

The Belmont Stakes is held at Belmont Park in Elmont, NY and is the longest of the three at a mile and a half. Because of the distance it is called the "Test of the Champion". And it is a true test indeed as most of the horses are not accustomed to such a long distance. Many have won the first two legs only to come up short in this one. The last time a Triple Crown winner was crowned was all the way back to 1978 and was won by Affirmed.

These are horse racing tracks of the Triple Crown. They are always exciting and a difficult challenge for handicappers.