While I do have some issues with the horse racing industry, I also can't help but love to watch these amazing animals run. And every year, I'm in front of the TV on Derby day, and again for the Preakness and Belmont. Every year I hope to see a Triple Crown winner, but so far, it hasn't happened yet. The last one was the year I was born, so don't remember it. But I've definitely seen some great Classic races! And maybe someday I'll get to see that Triple Crown winner.
But for now, some of my favorite finishes in the Triple Crown races over the years!
Probably my favorite by far, the 1989 Preakness Stakes, with Easy Goer and Sunday Silence stride for stride to the wire:
Though I adored Sunday Silence, Easy Goer was my boy (and Pat Day my jockey), and got him in the Belmont:
Rags To Riches, coming from the far outside post and a stumble at the start to edge out Curlin in the 2007 Belmont Stakes, first filly to win it in over 100 years:
Long shot Lil E Tee finally giving the great Pat Day his first Kentucky Derby win in 11 tries in 1992. One of the biggest upsets in Derby history, and I couldn't have been happier:
Afleet Alex falling down to his knees at the top of the stretch and somehow picking himself back up and charging on to win the 2005 Preakness Stakes ("He's just that athletic and I was just that scared!"):
Probably one of the first American Classics I really remember watching, the filly Winning Colors going wire to wire winning the 1988 Kentucky Derby:
I always love the fillies, and Eight Belles ran her heart out in 2008. Rest in peace sweet girl:
Charismatic and Chris Antley in 1999:
The amazing A.P. Indy in the 1992 Belmont Stakes:
Unbridled and his 92 year old owner winning the 1990 Kentucky Derby:
Mine That Bird, the long shot that came flying out of no where to win the 2009 Kentucky Derby:
War Emblem in the 2002:
OMG Amanda I LOOOOVED Easy Goer soooo much when I was a kid!! Watching him lose the derby broke my heart. I recently heard Pat Day say EG was the best horse he EVER rode, which is something:) It was hard for me to cheer for a DErby horse for a long time after that.
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