OMG! Am I the only one who was super-sonic ecstatic earlier tonight when American Pharoah won the Triple Crown? For those of you who don’t follow horse racing (and I only do from May through June each year), let me put it in perspective: There hasn’t been a Triple Crown winner since 1978 when Affirmed swept the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont—the three “jewels” in the Triple Crown.
A lot of people look forward to the Triple Crown each year, but for me it holds an extra special meaning. I don’t remember Affirmed winning in 1978, nor do I remember Seattle Slew winning in 1977, but I vividly remember watching all three races of the series in 1973 and seeing Secretariat claim the ultimate trophy (including his World Record Victory at the Belmont). Why were those races and that Triple Crown victory so special?
Because I watched all three races with my parents. In 1973, my father was alive and healthy. In September of 1975, he passed away from colon cancer when I was just thirteen years old. For some reason, seeing a horse take the Triple Crown now creates a connection to that long-ago race, and the whimsy of childhood when everything was right in the world.Year after year, I have watched, hoping to recapture that magical feeling, seeing that victory.
Today, I watched the race with my husband (who never met my father). I feel like I celebrated something that connected him with the other most important man in my life. I am so thoroughly jazzed to have seen TWO Triple Crown winners in my lifetime!
To American Pharoah (and yes, the misspelling is intentional, the result of an error by the Jockey Club), only the twelfth horse (hey, twelve is my favorite number!) to win the Triple Crown—to jockey, Victor Espinoza, trainer Bob Baffert, and owner, Ahmed Zayat—CONGRATULATIONS! You have accomplished something long overdue in the annals of horse racing.
I feel privileged to have witnessed such an amazing feat today! I’m on Cloud Nine. I can only imagine what they must be feeling. 🙂
From the Pen of Mae Clair 
What an awesome way to connect with your father! I think of my dad whenever I scrapbook. He loved to arrange photos on a page, sometimes putting them on pretty colored mats and then labeling each picture with the date and a little information about where the picture was taken. When I take pictures of my grandkids I like to remember how he was always snapping pictures of my brothers and me. I’m glad your horse won today!
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HI, Patricia. It’s so nice to have you drop by again. It sounds like you have very special memories of your father, too. My dad loved old photographs, and I’ve inherited that love as well. Isn’t it wonderful the things we have in our lives that remind us of those who are special?
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with me today. Have a wonderful evening!
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Well I’ve watched every year, and am pretty jazzed about it. I watched Affirmed, Seattle Slew, and Secretariat. I still think Secretariat stands as one of the greatest athletic accomplishments of all time. That Triple Crown trophy means more, but pales in comparison to the Belmont Cup.
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Great to know someone else is as jazzed as I am!
And you are so right about Secretariat, especially that thirty-one length win at the Belmont. I can’t believe I missed Affirmed and Seattle Slew, but I’m over-the-top excited I got to see American Pharoah. Newspaper today has tagged him “Immortal Pharoah.”
I’ve seen a UFO and two Triple Crown winners in my lifetime. Surely, I am blessed 🙂
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I posted about this last year and made comparisons to monarchs, popes, etc. it’s an extremely rare event. The scarcity of an Olympic medal pales in comparison.
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Mae – I have no words, either I can find them in the best dictionary to express my gratitude for this post, just amazing!
Did you received my email as well, I appreciate your assistance…Many Thanks;
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Hi, Mino. Thanks for visiting and commenting, Always lovely to have you drop by. I did get your email. Did you get mine? I have started tweeting! 🙂
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This is thrilling to me too! The horse couldn’t have a better or more memorable name. I well remember Ronnie and I being enthralled by Secretariat and on the edge of our seats. There is something so noble and purely beautiful about these horses. They strike a chord deep within us I think.
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You said it perfectly, Flossie. And Secretariat….wow!…just WOW! Beautiful memories of beautiful animals. Thanks for commenting!
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Wonderful post, Mae. I watch the races every year. When I lived in Rochester, New York, hubby and I would go to the race track. Horses are such powerful, majestic creatures, I love to watch them. I was texting everyone I knew after the race. LOL American Pharoah is a beaut for sure!!!
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Hi, Sherry. Wonderful to have you pop in on my blog. I was doing all of that texting too, after the race, so crazy excited. Horses are so amazing!
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