Favorites for the Kentucky Derby, the first of the three, have been given a rest to enter the later races as spoilers. The Kentucky Derby is the Race for the Roses and the Belmont is the Race for the Carnations. In the 1870s thoroughbred owner, Milton H. Sanford, became attracted to the name and called his farms, one in New Jersey and another in Kentucky, and a new winning colt, Preakness. Preakness won the first Dinner Party Stakes at Pimlico, ridden by Hayward, which eventually became the present-day classic. You may wonder why the horses are called thoroughbreds.
Horse racing is the only sport where the athletes pay their fans.
In addition to these eleven illustrious horses, there have been 45 Near Misses, horses that won two of the three cusps for the crown. More on Visa Triple Crown Challenge.