Triple Crown winners

Andrew Beyer takes a look at the past winners of the Triple Crown.

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Affirmed (1978)

In one of the sport's greatest rivalries, Affirmed outdueled Alydar in the Triple Crown, winning the last two legs by a neck and a head. He was even better as a 4-year-old, when he defeated the great Spectacular Bid.

/ Associated Press

Seattle Slew (1977)

He had as much raw speed as any colt on this list. Though his 3-year-old victories were not exceptional, he proved his greatness at 4, beating Affirmed in history's only showdown between two Triple Crown winners.

/ Associated Press

Secretariat (1973)

He smashed track records in all three Triple Crown races (though his Preakness achievement is not recognized because of a faulty timer.) In the Belmont, where announcer Chic Anderson called, "Secretariat is moving like a tremendous machine!" he won by 31 lengths in what may have been the greatest single performance by any thoroughbred.

/ Associated Press

Citation (1948)

The Calumet Farm colt's dominant performances in the Triple Crown were part of a 16-race winning streak. He went on to become thoroughbred racing's first millionaire.

/ Associated Press

Assault (1946)

In a decade that produced four Triple Crown winners, he was the least impressive, but he was still good enough to be voted horse of the year at 3 and to win races through the age of 7.

/ Associated Press

Count Fleet (1943)

His career ended with an ankle injury he suffered in his 25-length Belmont Stakes runaway. That was his 10th victory in a row, and he was regarded as one of the fastest horses of his era.

/ Associated Press

Whirlaway (1941)

The first great champion from Calumet Farm, which would dominate American racing, he set a track record winning the Kentucky Derby by eight lengths and was a two-time horse of the year.

/ Associated Press

War Admiral (1937)

In the Belmont Stakes, he tore off part of his right front hoof and, bleeding profusely, still managed to set a new track record. He was considered virtually unbeatable until his loss to Seabiscuit in a storied match race the next year.

/ Associated Press

Omaha (1935)

Probably the weakest of the Triple Crown winners, he defeated a sub-par crop and retired with a modest 9-for-22 career record.

/ Associated Press

Gallant Fox (1930)

He won nine of his 10 starts as a 3-year-old, and was an outstanding colt, but is best remembered for his loss in the Travers Stakes to the 100-to-1 Jim Dandy - considered the greatest upset in racing history.

/ Associated Press

Sir Barton (1919)

There was no recognized Triple Crown when he won it; the term was coined by a newspaper columnist in 1930. He was a high-class horse who went on to beat the great Exterminator as a 4-year-old.

/ Associated Press

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