Triple Crown Mania

Like the Swallows returning to Capistrano (whatever that means), every Spring we get our taste of a potential Triple Crown Winner. I remember my first Triple Crown, 1977, Seattle Slew...he made it look so easy. Then the next year, one of the best rivalries in sports unfolded in front of my eyes (how I didn't know)...Affirmed v. Alydar. In Horse Racing Circles this is Red Sox/Yankees. And ever since its been nearly 30 years of close calls (sort of like being a Viking fan). No matter, it's still exciting stuff.

I don't know why, but these three races just get my blood going. Is it the fact that no horse can win the Triple Crown? Is it those cheesy special interest stories leading up to the race? Or is it because its the most low maintainence sport of them all (no regional bias, no research, no year-round banter, 1 hour of special interest story and 90 seconds of racing..that's it)? Or, is early May a dead time for Sports? The pageantry? Whatever?! Come Saturday my whole family will be peeled to the set.

Here are some fun lists to prime your pump:

Great Horses:

1. Smarty Jones (2004) - Almost cried when Birdstone blew by him at the Belmont...this horse was it.
2. Charismatic (1999) - Broke his leg in the Belmont still finished third to Lemon Drop Kid...that's Phil Richard toughness.
3. Easy Goer (1989) - beat Sunday Silence to snatch TC...one of the best finishes in any sport ever.
4. Alydar (1978) - lost three times to Affirmed. Alydar is like Barry Bonds: lots of stats and great blood lines, but not much hardware.
5. Afleet Alex (2005) - A starting gate slip cost this Colt immortality...two easy wins in Preakness and Belmont.

Great Horses I cheered against:

1. Point Given*
2. War Emblem*
3. Silver Charm*
4. Real Quite*
*denotes Bob Baffert trained horse

Favorite Triple Crown Anthem:

Maryland, My Maryland (Preakness)

Best Drink:

1. Black Eyed Susan (Preakness)
2. Mint Julip (Derby)
3. Belmont Breeze (Gross)

Favorite Saying:

And down the stretch the come! (Dave Johnson Style)

Here's his call from the 1999 Derby:

Charismatic is coming on strongly... DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME! Cat Thief digging in at the rail. Worldly Manner with Jerry Bailey. Charismatic, trained by Lukas, on the outside, now Lukas running 1-2. Charismatic on the outside takes command! Cat Thief... in the middle of the track, Menifee is flying, BUT IT'S CHARISMATIC HOLDING ON TO WIN IT BY A HEAD!

Are you pumped yet for Saturday? If not, you're probably not reading this far anyway.

Here's my pick for Saturday:

Curlin (won the Wood Memorial...winner of this prep race has won the most Derbies)