In a matter of 5 short weeks, the top 3 year olds in the country take part in the covenant Triple Crown Trail in hopes of stealing the jewels and capturing the long awaited Triple Crown by victoriously winning all three races.

Starting on the “first Saturday in May”, the adventure a waits in Louisville with the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Two weeks later, the horses head to Pimlico Race Track in Maryland for the Preakness Stakes where they compete in the shortest distance of the three races. Another three weeks later, they finally meet once again in Elmont, NY for the Belmont Stakes. The longest distance of the three races; there is a reason they call this race the, Test of Champions”. The sweeping turns at Belmont will challenge both the jockey and the horse, and anything can happen when a 3 year old goes a mile and a half for the first time.

Sounds easy? Think again… It’s been 35 years since we’ve crowned a Triple Crown winner. Affirmed in 1978 sealed the deal as he triumphed over his nemesis, Alydar.

Although this year, we have no Triple Crown winner on the line the excitement still continues to brew for the Belmont Stakes on June 8th. A large field is anticipated with the possibility of a filly in the race! New surprises continually add sheer thrill to the sport of Thoroughbred Horse Racing .

As I re-watch old races on YouTube, I’m so amazed on how I am able to go back in time as if I am experiencing the moment all over again. I’ve revisited a few of my favorite Belmont races that I’d like to share with you that still triggers the same emotions each time I watch the videos:

1978 Belmont Stakes, Affirmed edges Alydar by a neck in a stirring stretched duel! I’m at the edge of my seat each time I watch this race. I could not even fathom how it must have felt to be there in person.

1998 Belmont Stakes, Victory Gallop guilty of a crime as he steals the Race from Real Quiet. I am not exaggerating when I say, every single time I watch this race my exact thoughts are, “Did that seriously just happened?”

And one of my all time favorite race calls from Tom Durkin, the 2007 Belmont Stakes, Rags To Riches. The infamous race-call of, “The Battle of the Sexes”, with the gutsy filly winning the race. I consider this race-call, “priceless”.

Thanks to modern technology, and YouTube we are able to go back in time and experience great races in history.

What are some of your favorite Belmont moments?

**All Videos courtesy of YouTube