You can never expect something as hard to
accomplish as the Triple Crown in horse racing a lock to happen. However, when
you have the opportunity to see a horse achieve the Triple Crown it’s one of
those true must-see sports moments. There aren’t many things I haven’t seen
already as a sports fan, but a horse completing the Triple Crown is one of
them, because it hasn’t happened since Affirmed did it in 1978, nine years
before I was born.
When I’ll Have Another beat Bodemeister in
a thrilling finish at the Kentucky Derby I didn’t even think for one second
that 2012 would see a run for the Triple Crown. Bodemeister was the favorite
and the fact that he lost in the first leg likely meant there’d be no chance
for history.
However, something amazing happened at the
Preakness Stakes in the second leg of the Triple Crown when I’ll Have Another
did it again in an even more thrilling finish to beat Bodemeister. Now the
excitement was full throttle. Again, you can’t expect a Triple Crown winner,
but we all knew I’ll Have Another was going to be the favorite at the Belmont
Stakes and the event quickly became one of the most anticipated sporting events
of the year.
And, then it was all over. The day before
I’ll Have Another was set to run for a chance at history he was forced to be
scratched from the race and immediately retired due to a tendon injury that
could’ve been life-threatening had he run the race.
The anticipation and excitement of the
Belmont Stakes instantly faded away as we knew there’d really be nothing worth
watching for, even though Union Rags did end up winning the race in an exciting
photo finish.
What was supposed to be an exciting,
potentially historic event turned into a complete disappointment. Will I ever
see a Triple Crown winner? Will there ever be another Triple Crown winner? Is
the Triple Crown cursed? Maybe all of the above.
No comments:
Post a Comment