I‘ll Have Another is the 12th horse to win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness since Affirmed became the last Triple Crown winner in 1978. Among the horses that have failed to close the deal in the Belmont Stakes have been Pleasant Colony (1981), Sunday Silence (1989), Funny Cide (2003) and Big Brown (2008). Here are the five most memorable unsuccessful runs at the Triple Crown. 5. Silver Charm (1997) » He lost by three-quarters of a length in the Belmont to onrushing Touch Gold, which rallied from fourth place at the top of the stretch.
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4. Spectacular Bid (1979) » He won the Preakness with a time faster than Triple Crown winners Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977) or Affirmed (1978). But the morning of the Belmont a safety pin became embedded in his hoof, and he faded to third place behind Coastal.
3. Charismatic (1999) » The horse lived up to his name, winning the Kentucky Derby despite 31-1 odds. But in the Belmont, he faded to third down the stretch, largely because of a leg that was broken in two places.
2. Smarty Jones (2004) »
Success of the 2003 film “Seabiscuit” combined with Smarty Jones’ appealing story — he survived a fractured skull — led to a horse racing revival. Smarty Jones was the first undefeated Derby winner since Seattle Slew but lost in the Belmont to a late charge by 36-1 long shot Birdstone.
1. Real Quiet (1998) »
Leading by four lengths down the stretch, Real Quiet appeared to have the Triple Crown won, but Victory Gallop made a thrilling surge, winning by a nose in a photo finish.
– Kevin Dunleavy
