History question

[baravot]

Have the Triple Crown races always had the same spacing as this year, i.e., 2 weeks between the Derby and the Preakness, 3 weeks between the Preakness and the Belmont? Have all Triple Crown winners achieved their feat within a 5 week period?

[Larry Hamilton]

nope, in the good old days, they had all three races on the same day. triple crown winners in those days were rare.

[Tim]

The triple crown has had the current spacing, 14 days, 14 days, 21 days since 1952.
Before that, there are some years where that timing was respected.

The 1st Triple Crown winner, Sir Barton won the Derby on Saturday May 10, 1919. He came back to win the Preakness 4 days later on Wednesday, May 14, 1919. His Belmont win was 25 days later on Saturday, June 11, 1919.

The name "Triple Crown" was not given to the 3 races until 1930.

My source was the CD, PIM and BEL media guides.

[Rick Ransom]

Larry,

Are you serious? When did that happen? It sounds like the old time baseball pitchers pitching every day. I wonder how long a horse would last doing that.