2021 US Triple Crown Betting Tips, Best Bookmakers & Free Bets
The US Triple Crown is awarded to the thoroughbred which takes home the three biggest three-year-old races in the US. It starts off with the Kentucky Derby, which is run in early May and also features the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic forced the Kentucky Derby back to September. The Belmont Stakes remained in it's usually place in the calendar, with the Preakness Stakes taking place at the start of October.
In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic forced the Kentucky Derby back to September. The Belmont Stakes remained in it's usually place in the calendar, with the Preakness Stakes taking place at the start of October.
Latest US Triple Crown News
Only 13 horses have won the US Triple Crown, with the most recent coming in 2018 when Justify put away his opposition with ease. He became the second Triple Crown winner in four year.
It's not an easy feat to achieve. Many champion thoroughbreds have won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes before not being able to see out the distance of the Belmont.
Making it harder is the fact that some horses only target the Belmont Stakes and are trained to see out the distance.
Winners of the US Triple Crown include War Admiral, Affirmed and Secretariat, which set all kinds of records when winning in 1973.
US Triple Crown Betting Tips
The next Triple Crown race will be the rescheduled Kentucky Derby, which will be run on Saturday 5th September.
Tiz The Law will carry an odds-on price into Churchill Downs, and will have the Triple Crown in his sights, having won the Belmont Stakes earlier in the season.
Read our full preview of the 2020 Kentucky Derby here to see if we're taking on Tiz The Law or siding with the short-priced favourite.
US Triple Crown Key Facts
Kentucky Derby:
The Kentucky Derby kicks off the Triple Crown and in style.
Considered as the best thoroughbred race in North American, "The Run for the Roses" is met with an abundance of fan-fare and the field of 20 always have a dream of winning the Triple Crown.
Held at Churchill Downs in May, the Kentucky-based race is run over 2000m and is the first stepping stone to becoming the next Triple Crown winner.
Preakness Stakes:
The Preakness Stakes can often be easier to win than the Derby, because most of the Derby field has given up hope on the Triple Crown.
Held at Pimlico in Baltimore, the Preakness is a slight drop in distance to 1900m, which doesn't make much of a difference for the Derby runners but it does make a difference for the Belmont Stakes.
With a field of only 14 runners, the Preakness is a more select field and Derby winners always run as the short favourite.
Belmont Stakes:
"The Test of the Champion" is a good way to describe the Belmont Stakes, which has a knack of upset results.
The rise to 2400m catches most Triple Crown contenders out as the other two legs of the Triple Crown are run at much harder pace.
The drop is distance from 2000m to 1900m for the Preakness Stakes is what makes it so tough to win the Triple Crown and the staying distance of the Belmont Stakes is too much to handle.
Some thoroughbreds target the New York feature which also makes winning the Triple Crown that much harder.
Kentucky Derby betting card
| Race | 2019 Winner |
|---|---|
| Humana Distaff | Paulasilverlining |
| Churchill Distaff | Roca Rojo |
| Pat Day Mile | Wild Shot |
| American Turf | Arklow |
| Churchill Downs Stakes | Limousine Liberal |
| Woodford Turf Classic | Divisidero |
| Kentucky Derby | Country House |
Preakness Stakes betting card
| Race | 2019 Winner |
|---|---|
| Chick Lang Stakes | Cambodia |
| Dixie Stakes | World Approval |
| Preakness Stakes | War of Will |
| Maryland Sprint Handicap | Whitmore |
| Sir Barton Stakes | No Mo Dough |
| The Very One Stakes | Everything Lovely |
Belmont Stakes betting card
| Race | 2019 Winner |
|---|---|
| Just A Game Stakes | Antonoe |
| Jaipur Invitational | Disco Partner |
| Acorn Stakes | Abel Tasman |
| Manhattan Handicap | Ascend |
| Woody Stephens Stakes | American Anthem |
| Metropolitan Handicap | Mor Spirit |
| Belmont Stakes | Sir Winston |
| Easy Goer Stakes | West Coast |
| Brooklyn Invitational | War Story |
| Ogden Phillips Handicap | Songbird |
Triple Crown winners
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Justify |
| 2015 | American Pharoah |
| 1978 | Affirmed |
| 1977 | Seattle Slew |
| 1973 | Secretariat |
| 1948 | Citation |
| 1946 | Assault |
| 1943 | Count Fleet |
| 1941 | Whirlaway |
| 1937 | War Admiral |
| 1935 | Omaha |
| 1930 | Gallant Fox |
| 1919 | Sir Barton |
