The Bling

Tweet Yep, this is what he's after. The Triple Crown trophy. Created in 1950 via the Thoroughbred Racing Association and designed by the world famous Cartier Jewelry Company it was bestowed on the previous eight winners of the Triple Crown ('19 Sir Barton, '30 Gallant Fox, '35 Omaha, '37 War Admiral, '41 Whirlaway, '43 Count Fleet, '46 Assault and '48 Citation) retroactively. It wasn't officially awarded to a winner at Belmont (third jewel) until 23 years later to Big Red ('73 Secretariat). Fittingly, it was the largest margin of victory ever in the Belmont Stakes to win the trophy. It was awarded twice more in the late 70's to Seattle Slew ('77) and thirty years ago to Affirmed. The three-sided vase, each face equally representing the three races (jewels) of the triple crown, is a permanent trophy awarded to the winner with engraved information on each side describing each victory. The trophy is on public display (other than triple crown race days) at the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville.

Here's hoping I'm close enought to get a good picture in Elmont on the 7th....

Interesting statistics over at the Crist Blog related to the attempts of 31 winners of the first two legs of the triple crown being 11 for 29 (3 for 20 since 1950) with Savara ($142.50) the longest shot to upset the favorite (War Emblem) in 2002. Note that two runners did not race in the Belmont after winning the first two legs.