Forging the Triple Crown: The Early History of Horse Racing's Signature Series, 1918-1948

Horse racing's Triple Crown, much like the World Series, Indianapolis 500, and the Super Bowl, stands as one of the pinnacle achievements of American sports. Its iconic status emerged from the interweaving of three distinct races held across different states--a feat that reflects decades of human effort and equine prowess. While track operators, racing writers, owners, and trainers all contributed to this evolutionary process, it is the Thoroughbred horses that are the central figures of the event.

This book traces the history of the Triple Crown, following the Thoroughbreds from their early days as juveniles and through their three-year-old season, culminating with their later accomplishments as older horses. By examining the challenges faced by each generation of foals, it reveals how the races captured the public's attention and over time morphed into massive events. The intertwined narratives of human contributions and equine accomplishments between 1918 and 1948 illuminate the remarkable evolution of horse racing.