The 1974 U.S. Triple Crown Series Little Current

1 1974 u.s. triple crown series

1.1 kentucky derby
1.2 preakness stakes
1.3 belmont stakes

the 1974 u.s. triple crown series
kentucky derby

one year earlier, thoroughbred racing had witnessed secretariat captivate of american public record-breaking performances en route becoming first triple crown winner in twenty-five years. 1 of spillovers secretariat s enormous popularity record crowd of 163,628 showed @ churchill downs on may 4, 1974 100th running of kentucky derby. among in attendance royal highness princess margaret , husband, lord snowden.

in light of little current s performances leading 1¼ mile derby, given little consideration betting public , sent off @ more 22-1 odds. because jockey miguel rivera had earlier committed ride rube great in derby, bobby ussery aboard little current in twenty-three-horse field, largest in race s history. complicating matters little current fact trainer lou rondinello in hospital recovering surgery.

leaving post position 10, little current last @ quarter pole , @ mile mark still trapped behind large field in seventeenth place. despite strong drive after mile pole, finished fifth, more 6 lengths of winner cannonade ridden angel cordero, jr. little current in homestretch had run down middle of track, , ran past every horse except four. video shows had race been longer, have passed cannonade. result of difficulties experienced many entrants due large field, churchill downs officials, including chairman of board , owner of little current, john w. galbreath, adopted new rule limiting field twenty horses beginning in 1975.

preakness stakes

notwithstanding little current s poor showings in blue grass stakes , derby, handlers believed colt in part victim of circumstances , better racehorse record showed. such, entered in preakness stakes, second leg of triple crown.

ridden miguel rivera, little current again given little chance bettors , sent off @ 13-1 odds. near of pack of 1 3/16 mile race, raced close inner rail until right moment when hole opened between horses. launching explosive drive, colt drove through narrow opening, caught leaders, stormed past them win 7 lengths on neapolitan way , derby winner cannonade. little current s winning margin largest in twenty-three years.

belmont stakes

the third , final leg of american classic races 1½ mile long belmont stakes. on years, many great horses have won derby , preakness fall short in longer race. however, little current s sire, sea bird, had established himself 1 of europe s greatest runners dominating victories @ 1½ miles in 1965 epsom derby , prix de l arc de triomphe.

in nine-horse field, little current sat 9 lengths in eighth place while kentucky derby winner cannonade , jolly johu dueled lead. making turn home, again little current came storming through run away pack , score seven-length win.

after capturing belmont, little current raced 3 times. did not start again until august s monmouth invitational handicap where, after being 20 lengths behind leader, put on explosive drive finish second nose holding pattern. these 2 horses met in travers stakes same result.

john galbreath, little current s owner, had raced in europe. in 1972, colt roberto won england s prestigious race, derby. wanted win france s important race, prix de l arc de triomphe, , because of little current s easy victory @ 1½ miles in belmont stakes, galbreath believed horse had chance in arc. in order first see how colt handle grass surface have run on in france, galbreath entered him in lawrence realization stakes on belmont park s turf course. however, little current chipped bone in right front ankle , retired racing. despite shortened racing season, voted 1974 eclipse award outstanding 3-year-old male horse.