Triple Crown Productions
Encyclopedia
Triple Crown Productions was an ad hoc
production company that produced the series of Triple Crown races for thoroughbred horses
.
, a group of people wanted to increase the stature of the Triple Crown on television. Other than the Kentucky Derby
, the Preakness Stakes
and Belmont Stakes
were considered the two "other" races. ABC Sports
, which had broadcast the Derby since 1975, wanted to televise all the races as a three race package. CBS Sports
, which showed the other two races, had much lower ratings for them, with the possible exceptions of years in which the Crown was at stake like 1973
, 1977
, and 1978
.
In 1977, ABC was awarded the contract to televise the Preakness. TCP was formed in 1985 after CBS terminated its contract with NYRA. ABC Sports won the rights to broadcast all three races, as well as many prep races. Ratings went up after the package was centralized.
in January 1986 and inaugurated a common nomination form and fees for all three races. Early nominations were set at a fee of $600 for each horse nominated at the closing of mid-January and late nominations for $3,000 (now $6,000) closing six weeks prior to the Derby. Supplemental entries were also set at $150,000 for the Derby and $100,000 for the Preakness and Belmont if nominating a horse after the second nomination close.
The first part of the bonus would be paid out to any horse that could sweep all three legs of the Triple Crown. That bonus brought the combined purse winnings of all three race purses and the extra series bonus to equal $5,000,000 to the winner along with the special Triple Crown Trophy
commissioned by the Thoroughbred Racing Association. A second phase of the bonus was to be paid out as a flat $1,000,000. to any horse that started in all three races and had the highest combined total finish.
Chrysler also offered a third phase to the "Triple Crown Challenge." The automobile company offered a bonus and showcased its vehicles in track infields and on network television, and gave away a new Chrysler vehicle to the winning jockey of every Triple Crown race. If the same jockey won a second race during the same annual series than the Chrysler vehicle would be given to the winning trainer. The $5,000,000 Triple Crown bonus was never paid; the last Triple Crown winner was Affirmed in 1978.
.
In addition to the mass marketing campaign, Visa changed the bonus dramatically. The second and third phases of the bonus were discontinued. The first phase of the bonus was changed from supplementing the purses to equal five million dollars to a flat payment of $5,000,000. in addition to the race purses. That would mean that the winning connections would earn between $1,800,000 to $2,460,000 for the race purses and add an additional $5,000,000. to that to bring a combined purse up to a $7,000,000. range. Pascarella dearly wanted to hand out the $5-million bonus that goes with a sweep of the Triple Crown, and in six of Visa's nine years there was that possibility.
On May 21, 2005, the Visa credit card company withdrew its sponsorship of the Triple Crown, effective in 2006. It relieved Visa of paying the $5 million bonus to the owner of a horse that wons the Triple Crown. Triple Crown Productions has sponsored the races since 2006.
Many believe Visa withdrew its sponsorship as a result of the New York Racing Association's decision to break with the other two tracks on a television contract. On October 4, 2004, NYRA announced that the American Broadcasting Company and ESPN would hold television rights to the Belmont Stakes, breaking from Triple Crown Productions' deal with NBC Sports.[1] NBC Sports holds the broadcasting rights to the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes until 2010. During the entire bonus period no bonus had been paid out since there still has been no Triple Crown winner since 1978. When the NYRA deal ended in 2010, Comcast
acquired rights for all three races, in separate contracts, to air on their channels. The Comcast deal is a five-year deal from 2011-15.
, when NBC Sports
took over. Under NBC, ratings continued to go up, by as much as 20 percent in some years. It did not hurt that many horses, like Funny Cide
and Smarty Jones
, were making Triple Crown runs during those years (although all of them failed). From 2002
to 2004
, the Belmont had the highest ratings of any horse race on television.
After the 2004 race, the New York Racing Association
ended its deal with NBC, citing a conflict over profit-sharing arrangements. ABC won the rights to the Belmont, and TCP was effectively dissolved related to bonuses and broadcast rights. The only function that Triple Crown Production still oversees is joint nomination fees and a small joint marketing effort. However, for 2011, Comcast has once again reacquired the rights to all three races, with the Triple Crown on NBC and the proposed Triple Tiara (Oaks, Black-Eye Susan, Acorn) on Versus.
Ad hoc
Ad hoc is a Latin phrase meaning "for this". It generally signifies a solution designed for a specific problem or task, non-generalizable, and not intended to be able to be adapted to other purposes. Compare A priori....
production company that produced the series of Triple Crown races for thoroughbred horses
Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing consists of three races for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. Winning all three of these Thoroughbred horse races is considered the greatest accomplishment of a Thoroughbred racehorse...
.
Formation
In 19851985 in television
The year 1985 involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1985.For the American TV schedule, see: 1985-86 United States network television schedule.-Events:*January 1 – VH1 launches in the United States....
, a group of people wanted to increase the stature of the Triple Crown on television. Other than the Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
, the Preakness Stakes
Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb...
and Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
were considered the two "other" races. ABC Sports
ESPN on ABC
ESPN on ABC is the brand used for sports programming on the ABC television network. Officially the broadcast network retains its own sports division; however, for all practical purposes, ABC's sports division has been merged with ESPN, a sports cable network majority-owned by ABC's parent, The...
, which had broadcast the Derby since 1975, wanted to televise all the races as a three race package. CBS Sports
CBS Sports
CBS Sports is a division of CBS Broadcasting which airs sporting events on the American television network. Its headquarters are in the CBS Building on West 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan, New York City, with programs produced out of Studio 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th Street.CBS...
, which showed the other two races, had much lower ratings for them, with the possible exceptions of years in which the Crown was at stake like 1973
Secretariat (horse)
Secretariat was an American Thoroughbred racehorse, that in 1973 became the first U.S. Triple Crown champion in 25 years, setting new race records in two of the three events in the Series—the Kentucky Derby , and the Belmont Stakes —records that still stand today.Secretariat was sired by Bold...
, 1977
Seattle Slew
Seattle Slew was an American Thoroughbred race horse who won the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in 1977, the tenth of eleven horses to accomplish the feat. He remains the only horse to win the Triple Crown while undefeated. In the Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 U.S...
, and 1978
Affirmed
Affirmed was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who was the eleventh and most recent winner of the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing...
.
In 1977, ABC was awarded the contract to televise the Preakness. TCP was formed in 1985 after CBS terminated its contract with NYRA. ABC Sports won the rights to broadcast all three races, as well as many prep races. Ratings went up after the package was centralized.
Unified Triple Crown Nominations
Triple Crown Publications was charged with marketing the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes as a single entity. Incorporated in September 1985, Triple Crown Productions opened its offices at Churchill DownsChurchill Downs
Churchill Downs, located in Central Avenue in south Louisville, Kentucky, United States, is a Thoroughbred racetrack most famous for hosting the Kentucky Derby annually. It officially opened in 1875, and held the first Kentucky Derby and the first Kentucky Oaks in the same year. Churchill Downs...
in January 1986 and inaugurated a common nomination form and fees for all three races. Early nominations were set at a fee of $600 for each horse nominated at the closing of mid-January and late nominations for $3,000 (now $6,000) closing six weeks prior to the Derby. Supplemental entries were also set at $150,000 for the Derby and $100,000 for the Preakness and Belmont if nominating a horse after the second nomination close.
Chrysler Triple Crown Bonus
In 1986 Triple Crown Productions in an effort to get more publicity for the three race series sought a sponsor. The very next year, beginning in 1987, Chrysler Motors agreed to offer a three tiered bonus called the "Chrysler Triple Crown Challenge" and a "Triple Crown Bonus." The first two phases of the bonus would have two distinct payouts to the owners of horses running in the Triple Crown series.The first part of the bonus would be paid out to any horse that could sweep all three legs of the Triple Crown. That bonus brought the combined purse winnings of all three race purses and the extra series bonus to equal $5,000,000 to the winner along with the special Triple Crown Trophy
Triple Crown Trophy
The Triple Crown Trophy is very distinctive and made of silver. The Triple Crown trophy has come to represent the pinnacle achievement in horseracing. Commissioned in 1950 by the Thoroughbred Racing Association, artisans at the world-famous Cartier Jewelry Company were charged with creating more...
commissioned by the Thoroughbred Racing Association. A second phase of the bonus was to be paid out as a flat $1,000,000. to any horse that started in all three races and had the highest combined total finish.
Chrysler also offered a third phase to the "Triple Crown Challenge." The automobile company offered a bonus and showcased its vehicles in track infields and on network television, and gave away a new Chrysler vehicle to the winning jockey of every Triple Crown race. If the same jockey won a second race during the same annual series than the Chrysler vehicle would be given to the winning trainer. The $5,000,000 Triple Crown bonus was never paid; the last Triple Crown winner was Affirmed in 1978.
Triple Crown Challenge Points
An enduring feature of the Challenge was the establishment of a point system to determine which horse had the highest combined Triple Crown total finish. Points were awarded equally in all three Triple Crown races. Ten points were earned by a win. Five points were earned by a place finish, three points were earned for a show finish and one point was awarded to a fourth place finish[1]. The horse that earned the highest number of points and started in all three races was awarded the million dollars. See table below for Highest combined Triple Crown finish in each year since 1987. The $1,000,000 bonus was discontinued after seven years.Highest combined Triple Crown finish
This is a listing of the horses that finished in either first, second, third or fourth in the Triple Crown Challenge, based on finishes in all three legs of the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred RacingUnited States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
In the United States, the "Triple Crown" is usually the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, a series of three Thoroughbred horse races for three-year-old horses run in May and early June of each year consisting of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.While Daily Racing Form...
.
| Year | |Second Place | |Fourth Place | Bet Twice Bet Twice Bet Twice was a multi-millionaire American thoroughbred Stallion racehorse. Foaled in Kentucky, he was sired by Sportin' Life, who in turn was the son of the great stallion and British Triple Crown champion Nijinsky, out of the mare Golden Dust. He was bred by William S. Farish III and E. J... +20 points | Alysheba Alysheba Alysheba was an American Thoroughbred race horse who won two legs of the Triple Crown in 1987. A successful sire, he produced 11 stakes winners.... +20 points |
Cryptoclearance Cryptoclearance Cryptoclearance was an American Thoroughbred racehorse.Trained by future U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Scotty Schulhofer, leading up to the 1987 U.S. Triple Crown series, Cryptoclearance won the Florida Derby... +9 points |
Gulch Gulch A gulch is a deep V-shaped valley formed by erosion. It may contain a small stream or dry creek bed and is usually larger in size than a gully. Occasionally, sudden intense rainfall may produce flash floods in the area of the gulch.... +4 points |
Triple Crown Productions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Risen Star Risen Star Risen Star, , was a champion thoroughbred race horse.The dark bay colt was the son of the great Triple Crown winner Secretariat out of the mare Ribbon. Bred by Arthur B. Hancock III and Leone J. Peters, Risen Star was bought by Louisianans Ronnie Lamarque and Louie Roussel III at the 1987 Calder... +25 points |
Winning Colors Winning Colors Winning Colors is the third novel in the space opera, military science fiction Familias Regnant fictional universe written by Elizabeth Moon; it continues the plot centered on the adventures of captain Heris Serrano and the maturation of several wealthy Families' scions, which was begun in Hunting... +13 points |
Brian's Time Brian's Time Brian's Time was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. He was sired by Roberto by breeder Joan Phillips. Brian's Time was a grade one stakes winning millionaire that will be remembered most for his striking win in the Florida Derby and a solid runner-up finish to Dual Classic winner Risen Star in... +8 points |
Forty Niner Forty Niner (horse) Forty Niner is an American champion thoroughbred Stallion racehorse. By Champion sire Mr. Prospector and out of the mare, File, Forty Niner was the U.S... +5 points |
Chrysler Corporation |
| 1989 | Sunday Silence Sunday Silence Sunday Silence was an American Thoroughbred racehorse, earning distinction as 1989 American Horse of the Year over American Champion Two-Year-Old Male Horse Easy Goer. He was foaled in 1986, sired by Halo out of Wishing Well by Understanding. Though he was registered as a dark bay/brown, he was in... +25 points |
Easy Goer Easy Goer Easy Goer was an American Champion Hall of Fame Thoroughbred racehorse, famous for earning American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt honors in 1988, and defeating 1989 American Horse of the Year Sunday Silence in the Belmont Stakes by 8 lengths. The victory deprived Sunday Silence of the Triple Crown... +20 points |
Rock Point +3 points | Awe Inspiring +3 points | Chrysler Corporation |
| 1990 | Summer Squall Summer Squall Summer Squall is an American thoroughbred Stallion racehorse. He was sired by Storm Bird, who in turn was a son of 1964 U.S. Champion 3-Yr-Old Colt Northern Dancer, "one of the most influential sires in Thoroughbred history." His dam was Weekend Surprise, a daughter of the great U.S. Triple Crown... +15 points |
Unbridled Unbridled Unbridled was a Champion American Thoroughbred racehorse.The colt was sired by Fappiano , by Mr. Prospector, and his dam Gana Facil, by Le Fabuleux. Unbridled retired with a career record of 8 wins, 6 places and 6 shows in 24 starts, and $4,489,475 in career earnings... +15 points |
Go and Go Go And Go Go And Go was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning an American Classic race. Owned and bred by Swiss businessman, Walter Haefner, Go And Go was bred at his Moyglare Stud Farm in Maynooth, County Kildare... +10 points |
Thirty Six Red +5 points | Chrysler Corporation |
| 1991 | Hansel Hansel (horse) Hansel is an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the final two legs of the U.S. Triple Crown races in 1991 and was voted the Eclipse Award for Outstanding 3-Year-Old Male Horse. Out of the mare Count on Bonnie, his sire was Woodman, a Champion 2-year-old colt in Ireland who was a son of the... +20 points |
Strike the Gold Strike the Gold Strike the Gold is an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 1991 Kentucky Derby. Upon the death of 1987 Derby winner Alysheba in March 2009, Strike the Gold became the oldest living Kentucky Derby winner.... +15 points |
Mane Minister Mane Minister Mane Minister is an American Thoroughbred racehorse best remembered as the first horse to ever finish third in all three of the U.S. Triple Crown races. Bred by Normandy Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, he was out of the mare Lacework, whose sire was In Reality, winner of the 1967 Florida Derby and... +9 points |
Corporate Report Corporate Report Corporate Report was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. A descendant of Damascus, he was sired by Private Account by breeder Equigroup Thoroughbreds... +6 points |
Chrysler Corporation |
| 1992 | Pine Bluff Pine Bluff (horse) Pine Bluff was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred and raced by John Ed Anthony's Loblolly Stable, he was a son of Danzig and grandson of the 20th Century's most important sire, Northern Dancer... +13 points |
A. P. Indy +10 points | Lil E. Tee Lil E. Tee Lil E. Tee was an American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who in 1992 scored one of the biggest upsets in the history of the Kentucky Derby.-Background:... +10 points |
Casual Lies +8 points | Chrysler Corporation |
| 1993 | Prairie Bayou Prairie Bayou Prairie Bayou was an American Thoroughbred Champion racehorse owned and bred by Loblolly Stable of Lake Hamilton, Arkansas. Named for a bayou between Little Rock and Hot Springs in Arkansas, he was sired by Little Missouri and out of the mare Whiffling... +15 points |
Sea Hero Sea Hero Sea Hero is an American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse. He won the 1993 Kentucky Derby as an almost 13:1 longshot. It marked the first Derby win for jockey Jerry Bailey and for 71-year-old trainer MacKenzie Miller... +10 points |
Colonial Affair Colonial Affair Colonial Affair is an American thoroughbred stallion racehorse.... +10 points |
Wild Gale +6 points | Chrysler Corporation |
| 1994 | Tabasco Cat Tabasco Cat Tabasco Cat was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. He was best known for his performances in 1994 when he won the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, the second and third legs of the Triple Crown Series.-Background:... +20 points |
Go for Gin Go for Gin Go for Gin is an American thoroughbred racehorse best known as the winner of the 1994 Kentucky Derby. He was sired by Cormorant out of the dam Never Knock... +20 points |
Strodes Creek +8 points | Concern Concern (horse) Concern is a multi-millionaire American Thoroughbred racehorse. He was sired by top stallion Broad Brush, who in turn was a son of Ack Ack. His dam was Fara's Team. Concern was best known for his wins in the 1994 Breeders' Cup Classic and the grade two Arkansas Derby. Born at owner Robert... +3 points |
Chrysler Corporation |
| 1995 | Thunder Gulch Thunder Gulch Thunder Gulch is a Champion American thoroughbred racehorse who left the starting gate at 25-1 odds in 1995 and went on to win the Kentucky Derby in 2:01.2 from post 16. He was ridden by jockey Gary Stevens. D... +23 points |
Timber Country Timber Country Timber Country is an American Thoroughbred racehorse who was the first horse to ever win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile then go on to win one of the U.S. Triple Crown races for three-year-olds.... +13 points |
Colonial Affair Colonial Affair Colonial Affair is an American thoroughbred stallion racehorse.... +10 points |
Star Standard +6 points | Chrysler Corporation |
| 1996 | Editor's Note Editor's Note Editor's Note is an American thoroughbred Stallion racehorse. He was sired by 1992 U.S. Champion 2 YO Colt Forty Niner, who in turn was a son of Champion sire Mr. Prospector and out of the mare, Beware Of The Cat.Trained by D... +13 points |
Louis Quatorze Louis Quatorze (horse) Louis Quatorze is an American thoroughbred stallion racehorse. He was sired by Sovereign Dancer, who in turn was a son of the great 1964 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner, Northern Dancer out of the mare, On To Royalty.... +11 points |
Skip Away Skip Away Skip Away , a gray Thoroughbred race horse, was named America's Champion 3 Year Old Male in 1996 and twice named America's Champion Handicap Horse... +10 points |
Grindstone Grindstone (horse) Grindstone is a thoroughbred racehorse who won the Kentucky Derby in 1996. He became jockey Jerry Bailey's 2nd Kentucky Derby winner and the second in a row for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.... +10 points |
Visa USA |
| 1997 | Silver Charm Silver Charm Silver Charm is an American Champion Thoroughbred race horse. Trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Gary Stevens, Silver Charm will be remembered most for winning the 1997 Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes in the Triple Crown.... +25 points |
Free House Free House (horse) Free House was an American Thoroughbred racehorse that Blood-Horse Publications called one of the best California-bred horses of all time. A descendant of Nearco through both his sire and dam, he was bred and raced by John Toffan & Trudy McCaffery... +11 points |
Touch Gold Touch Gold Touch Gold is an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known as the winner of the Classic Belmont Stakes in which he ended Silver Charm's bid for the U.S.Triple Crown.... +11 points |
Captain Bodgit Captain Bodgit Captain Bodgit is a millionaire American Thoroughbred racehorse who is a multiple grade one stakes winner. He is best known for his "flying" closing finishes in the first two legs of the U.S. Triple Crown races in 1997... +8 points |
Visa USA |
| 1998 | Real Quiet Real Quiet Real Quiet was an American Champion Thoroughbred racehorse. He was nicknamed "The Fish" by his trainer, due to his narrow frame.... +25 points |
Victory Gallop Victory Gallop Victory Gallop was an American-based Thoroughbred racehorse. As a three-year-old he won the Belmont Stakes denying Real Quiet the Triple Crown... +20 points |
Classic Cat +4 points | Indian Charlie +3 points | Visa USA |
| 1999 | Charismatic +23 points | Lemon Drop Kid Lemon Drop Kid Lemon Drop Kid is a Champion American Thoroughbred racehorse.-Background:He is among many stakes-winning Thoroughbreds to be descended from Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew. Seattle Slew is the son of, Charming Lassie. Kingmambo was his sire, himself a son of the very important Champion sire Mr... +10 points |
Menifee Menifee Menifee is an American Thoroughbred racehorse that competed in the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in 1999. His rivalry with Triple Crown contender Charismatic was compared at times with the rivalry between 1978 contenders Affirmed and Alydar, who won and placed in all three races that year.... +10 points |
3 way tie +3 points | Visa USA |
| 2000 | Fusaichi Pegasus Fusaichi Pegasus Fusaichi Pegasus was purchased as a yearling for $4 million by Fusao Sekiguchi. His name is a combination of his owner's name, "Fusao," and the Japanese word for one, "ichi," to mean #1 or the best. The second half is the winged horse of Greek mythology. Fusaichi Pegasus won the Kentucky Derby... +15 points |
Red Bullet Red Bullet Red Bullet is an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 2000 Preakness Stakes. Bred and raced by auto parts magnate Frank Stronach, he was sired by Unbridled, the 1990 American Champion 3-Year-Old Male Horse and winner of that year's Breeders' Cup Classic... +10 points |
Commendable Commendable Commendable is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse, best known for his victory in the 2000 Belmont Stakes.Prior to the Belmont Stakes, Commendable had earned $88,470 in seven races and his only win had been back in August 1999 when he won a Del Mar maiden race for two-year-olds... +10 points |
Aptitude +10 points | Visa USA |
| 2001 | Point Given Point Given Point Given is an American Hall of Fame champion racehorse foaled on March 27, 1998 in Kentucky. As a three-year-old, he won the 2001 Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, along with the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year... +20 points |
Monarchos Monarchos Monarchos is a stallion Thoroughbred racehorse who won the Kentucky Derby in 2001. This thoroughbred's time was 1:59.97 for 1¼ miles. This is the second-fastest winning time in the race's history, behind 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat, who ran 1:59... +13 points |
A P Valentine A P Valentine A P Valentine is a retired Grade I-winning Thoroughbred racehorse sired by A.P. Indy out of an Alydar mare, Twenty Eight Carat... +10 points |
Congaree Congaree (horse) Congaree is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Out of the mare Mari's Sheba, a granddaughter of Northern Dancer, his sire was Arazi, the 1991 European Horse of the Year.Trained by future U.S... +6 points |
Visa USA |
| 2002 | War Emblem War Emblem War Emblem was the winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 2002. His Derby time was 2:01.13. Victor Espinoza was his jockey for the Derby, never having seen the horse until the morning of the race. War Emblem, who went off at 21-to-1 odds, gave trainer Bob Baffert his third Derby... +20 points |
Sarava Sarava Sarava is an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 2002 Belmont Stakes. Sired by the 1984 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Wild Again, he was out of the mare Rhythm of Life, a daughter of Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee and two-time Leading sire in North America,... +10 points |
Proud Citizen +8 points | Magic Weisner Magic Weisner Magic Weisner was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. A descendant of Bold Forbes, he was sired by Ameri Valay by breeder Nancy H. Alberts... +6 points |
Visa USA |
| 2003 | Funny Cide Funny Cide Funny Cide is a Thoroughbred race horse who won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes in 2003. He is the first New York-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby and the first gelding to win since Clyde Van Dusen in 1929.-Bloodlines:... +23 points |
Empire Maker Empire Maker Empire Maker is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Owned and bred by Prince Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms, he was sired by champion Unbridled, winner of the 1990 Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic... +13 points |
Midway Road Midway Road Midway Road was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. A descendant of Mr. Prospector, he was sired by Jade Hunter by breeder Will Farish. Midway Road was a multiple graded stakes winner but will be remembered most for his two grade one runner-up finishes in important stake races during his career... +5 points |
Ten Most Wanted +5 points | Visa USA |
| 2004 | Smarty Jones Smarty Jones Smarty Jones is a thoroughbred race horse, and winner of the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. He finished second in the Belmont Stakes that took place on June 5th, 2004.... +25 points |
Birdstone Birdstone Birdstone is an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 2004 Belmont Stakes and is gaining notoriety as a fantastic sire.... +10 points |
Rock Hard Ten Rock Hard Ten Rock Hard Ten is a millionaire American thoroughbred Stallion racehorse. Co-owned and bred by Madeleine Paulson, widow of prominent horseman Allen E. Paulson, the bay horse stands at 17 hands. He was sired by the great Kris S., out of the Mr... +5 points |
Lion Heart +5 points | Visa USA |
| 2005 | Afleet Alex Afleet Alex Afleet Alex is an American thoroughbred race horse who, in 2005, won two of America's classic races, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes... +23 points |
Giacomo +13 points | Scrappy T Scrappy T Scrappy T was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. A descendant of Sunny's Halo, he was sired by Fit to Fight by breeder Upson Downs Farm... +5 points |
Closing Argument +5 points | Visa USA |
| 2006 | Bernardini Bernardini Bernardini is a thoroughbred race horse foaled on March 23, 2003 at Darley Stable in Kentucky. A son of A.P. Indy, he is out of Cara Rafaela who won almost a million dollars over the course of her racing career... +10 points |
Barbaro Barbaro Barbaro was an American thoroughbred who decisively won the 2006 Kentucky Derby, but shattered his leg two weeks later in the 2006 Preakness Stakes, ending his racing career and eventually leading to his death.... +10 points |
Jazil Jazil Jazil is an American Thoroughbred racehorse.In 2006, Jazil dead-heated for fourth place in the Kentucky Derby but then won the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the Triple Crown.- Connections :... +10 points |
Bluegrass Cat Bluegrass Cat Bluegrass Cat is a thoroughbred race horse. Foaled on January 23, 2003, he was a contender for the Triple Crown in 2006. However, he came up just short in the Kentucky Derby, finishing in second place, 6.5 lengths behind Barbaro.-Connections:... +10 points |
no bonus offered |
| 2007 | Curlin +18 points | Street Sense Street Sense (horse) Street Sense is an American Thoroughbred racehorse, U.S. Champion 2-Yr-Old Colt and winner of the 2007 Kentucky Derby, the 2007 Travers Stakes and runner up in the 2007 Preakness Stakes by a head. Owned and bred by James B... +15 points |
Rags to Riches Rags to Riches (horse) Rags to Riches is an American thoroughbred filly racehorse who in 2007 became the first filly to win the Belmont Stakes in over a century. She was sired by 1992 U.S. Horse of the Year and U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee A.P. Indy, who in turn was a son of 1977 U.S... +10 points |
Hard Spun Hard Spun Hard Spun is an American Thoroughbred racehorse that finished second in the 2007 Kentucky Derby. He is from one of the last crops of three-time leading sire in North America Danzig. Hard Spun is owned by Wilmington, Delaware automobile dealer Richard C... +5 points |
no bonus offered |
| 2008 | Big Brown Big Brown Big Brown is a retired champion American Thoroughbred racehorse and winner of the 2008 Kentucky Derby and 2008 Preakness Stakes. Bred by Dr. Gary B. Knapp's Monticule Farms in Lexington, Kentucky, he won his first five race starts. He was sired by Grade III winner Boundary, a son of North American... +20 points |
Da'Tara +10 points | Denis of Cork Denis of Cork Denis of Cork is an American Thoroughbred racehorse, sired by Harlan's Holiday and out of the Unbridled mare, Unbridled Girl. Bred by Westbury Stables, he was purchased in the OBS August Yearling Sale in 2006 for $120,000, and then he was purchased a second time in the Barretts March Two-Year Olds... +8 points |
Macho Again Macho Again Macho Again is a retired American thoroughbred stallion racehorse. He was sired by the 2000 American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt Macho Uno, who in turn was a son of leading sire Holy Bull. He is out of the mare Go Donna Go, who is the daughter of Wild Again.Macho Again got his start as a... +5 points |
no bonus offered |
| 2009 | Mine That Bird Mine That Bird Mine That Bird is a retired American racehorse. He is best known for being one of only nine geldings to win the Kentucky Derby, and the second gelding to win the race since 1929... +18 points |
Rachel Alexandra Rachel Alexandra Rachel Alexandra is a retired American Thoroughbred filly racehorse and the 2009 Horse of the Year. She is renowned as the May 16, 2009 Preakness Stakes winner, the second jewel of the Triple Crown, the first filly to win the race in 85 years history... +10 points |
Summer Bird Summer Bird Summer Bird is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse, son of 2004 Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone. He was bred by retired cardiologist Kalarikkal Jayaraman and his wife, retired pathologist Vilasini Jayaraman, at their Tiffany Farm near Ocala, Florida... +10 points |
Musket Man +6 points | no bonus offered |
| 2010 | Lookin at Lucky Lookin at Lucky Lookin At Lucky is an American Thoroughbred racehorse and winner of the 2010 Preakness Stakes. Sired by Smart Strike, a half brother to Canadian Triple Crown Winner Dance Smartly, his dam, Private Feeling, was sired by Belong To Me by the North American Leading Sire of 1993, Danzig.Lookin At... +10 points |
Super Saver Super Saver (horse) Super Saver is a retired American Thoroughbred race horse, best known as the winner of the 2010 Kentucky Derby.-Pedigree:Super Saver's ancestors include damsire A.P. Indy, winner of the 1992 Belmont Stakes, 1957 Preakness Stakes winner Bold Ruler, 1964 Kentucky Derby winner Northern Dancer, and... +10 points |
Drosselmeyer Drosselmeyer Drosselmeyer is an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the third leg of the 2010 U.S. Triple Crown series and the 2011 Breeders' Cup Classic.-Background:... +10 points |
First Dude First Dude (horse) First Dude is an American Thoroughbred stallion racehorse. He was sired by Stephen Got Even, who in turn was a son of leading sire A P Indy. He is out of the mare Run Sarah Run, who is the daughter of Smart Strike.... +8 points |
no bonus offered |
| 2011 | Animal Kingdom Animal Kingdom (horse) Animal Kingdom by the Brazilian-bred Leroidesanimaux out of the German mare Dalicia is a Thoroughbred race horse, notable for winning the 137th Kentucky Derby. The race was run on May 7, 2011 before a record crowd of 164,858... +15 points |
Shackleford Shackleford (horse) Shackleford is a chestnut Thoroughbred race horse who won the 2011 Preakness Stakes. His pedigree traces to major sires of significance, including his grandsire Storm Cat and his damsire Unbridled as well as numerous fourth generation who were champion breeders... +12 points |
Ruler on Ice Ruler on Ice Ruler on Ice is a Thoroughbred racehorse that won the 2011 Belmont Stakes. Ruler on Ice was bred and foaled in Kentucky by Brandywine Farm in partnership with Liberation Farm on April 2, 2008. He is a chestnut gelding sired by Hill 'n' Dale Farms' Roman Ruler out of the Saratoga Six-bred mare,... +10 points |
Nehro +6 points | no bonus offered |
Visa Triple Crown Bonus
In 1996, as Chrysler ended its association as sponsor of the Triple Crown, Visa stepped in. Carl Pascarella, president of Visa, a horse owner himself, took the relationship far beyond where it was during the Chrysler era. Visa looked upon the sponsorship as a true partnership. In the winter and spring, Visa produced and aired television commercials focusing on its sponsorship of the three grade I races comprising the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, and then increased the marketing budget dramatically following the Preakness if a horse was eligible to win the Visa Triple Crown Challenge. Visa helped market racing in ways that racing could not afford to do on its own.In addition to the mass marketing campaign, Visa changed the bonus dramatically. The second and third phases of the bonus were discontinued. The first phase of the bonus was changed from supplementing the purses to equal five million dollars to a flat payment of $5,000,000. in addition to the race purses. That would mean that the winning connections would earn between $1,800,000 to $2,460,000 for the race purses and add an additional $5,000,000. to that to bring a combined purse up to a $7,000,000. range. Pascarella dearly wanted to hand out the $5-million bonus that goes with a sweep of the Triple Crown, and in six of Visa's nine years there was that possibility.
On May 21, 2005, the Visa credit card company withdrew its sponsorship of the Triple Crown, effective in 2006. It relieved Visa of paying the $5 million bonus to the owner of a horse that wons the Triple Crown. Triple Crown Productions has sponsored the races since 2006.
Many believe Visa withdrew its sponsorship as a result of the New York Racing Association's decision to break with the other two tracks on a television contract. On October 4, 2004, NYRA announced that the American Broadcasting Company and ESPN would hold television rights to the Belmont Stakes, breaking from Triple Crown Productions' deal with NBC Sports.[1] NBC Sports holds the broadcasting rights to the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes until 2010. During the entire bonus period no bonus had been paid out since there still has been no Triple Crown winner since 1978. When the NYRA deal ended in 2010, Comcast
Comcast
Comcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
acquired rights for all three races, in separate contracts, to air on their channels. The Comcast deal is a five-year deal from 2011-15.
Later years
Combined broadcast arrangements with ABC continued until 20012001 in television
The year 2001 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 2001.-Events:-Debuts:-1940s:*Meet the Press .*Candid Camera .*CBS Evening News ....
, when NBC Sports
NBC Sports
NBC Sports is the sports division of the NBC television network. Formerly "a service of NBC News," it broadcasts a diverse array of programs, including the Olympic Games, the NFL, the NHL, MLS, Notre Dame football, the PGA Tour, the Triple Crown, and the French Open, among others...
took over. Under NBC, ratings continued to go up, by as much as 20 percent in some years. It did not hurt that many horses, like Funny Cide
Funny Cide
Funny Cide is a Thoroughbred race horse who won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes in 2003. He is the first New York-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby and the first gelding to win since Clyde Van Dusen in 1929.-Bloodlines:...
and Smarty Jones
Smarty Jones
Smarty Jones is a thoroughbred race horse, and winner of the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. He finished second in the Belmont Stakes that took place on June 5th, 2004....
, were making Triple Crown runs during those years (although all of them failed). From 2002
2002 in television
The year 2002 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 2002.For the American TV schedule, see: 2002–03 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-1940s:...
to 2004
2004 in television
The year 2004 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 2004.For the American TV schedule, see: 2004–05 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-1940s:...
, the Belmont had the highest ratings of any horse race on television.
After the 2004 race, the New York Racing Association
New York Racing Association
The New York Racing Association, Inc. is the not-for-profit corporation that operates the three largest thoroughbred horse-racing tracks in the state of New York. It runs Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park, Queens, Belmont Park in Elmont, Long Island , and Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga...
ended its deal with NBC, citing a conflict over profit-sharing arrangements. ABC won the rights to the Belmont, and TCP was effectively dissolved related to bonuses and broadcast rights. The only function that Triple Crown Production still oversees is joint nomination fees and a small joint marketing effort. However, for 2011, Comcast has once again reacquired the rights to all three races, with the Triple Crown on NBC and the proposed Triple Tiara (Oaks, Black-Eye Susan, Acorn) on Versus.