Since Affirmed accomplished the historic feat in 1978, many Preakness betting enthusiasts have wondered if it is possible for them to see a new horse win the Triple Crown. Horse betting handicappers have come to know the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, as the three legs of the Triple Crown race. What most haven’t seen is a three year old horse win the entire event. Today we look at if this is the year that a new horse wins the Triple Crown.

For years, horse handicappers have read a plethora of articles stating that this year will be the year they see a Triple Crown winner. However, as tends to be the common theme with most losing streaks, fans see a horse win one or two stages, but fail to win the final stage.  The last horse to get close to winning the Triple Crown was Big Brown in 2008. That year, Big Brown won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, but due to a crack in his back left hoof, Big Brown was unable to finish the Belmont Stakes.

This year however, it stands to reason, that given how wide open the field has been, one horse could very well walk away as the Triple Crown Champion. That horse should and perhaps will be Animal Kingdom, a 24 to one long shot winner of the Kentucky Derby this past weekend. On paper, Animal Kingdom’s only challenge of the three stage event was the Kentucky Derby, as the colt had never run on dirt before. In fact, Animal Kingdom’s Derby victory was the first time a horse had won the race on its first dirt race.

Animal Kingdom should in theory be able to win the Preakness Stakes, as it uses Pimlico Racecourse as its home track. Then moving on to the Belmont Stakes, Animal Kingdom pedigree, has allowed it to set up as a perfect horse for the dreaded Belmont Racecourse. Meaning to say, with the guidance of jockey John Velazquez, we like Animal Kingdom to break the Triple Crown curse.