What to Expect in the 2023 Triple Crown Races
The Triple Crown Series comprises the three biggest horse racing events in the United States and perhaps even the rest of the world. While winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes in a single year is challenging, securing a Triple Crown title makes you one of the few horseracing legends in history.
The three races completing the Triple Crown Series have distinct features and histories that are major draws to fans. This year, let’s see what racegoers can look forward to in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes!
Kentucky Derby
Known as the Run for the Roses, the 2023 Kentucky Derby will finally happen this coming May 6, 2023, at the Churchill Downs Racetrack, Louisville, Kentucky. It will feature the most vigorous three-year-old thoroughbreds from the United States and other parts of the world.
Viewing Experience
The Kentucky Derby has many viewing packages, but there are basically two ticket categories: infield and seated. The infield ticket is also known as the general admission ticket. This allows you to revel with the Kentucky Derby fans in the iconic infield party.
If you want to avoid the chaotic fun in the infield, you can choose seated tickets, where you will be required to follow a specific dress code.
Ladies are expected to wear Sunday’s best or any presentable cocktail dress they have in their wardrobes. Meanwhile, gentlemen in the seated audience are expected to wear suits and pants. The dress code isn’t that strict, so prioritize comfort when choosing your outfit.
The Horses
As mentioned, three-year-old colts and fillies will compete in a field of 20 in the Kentucky Derby. These thoroughbreds have competed in preparatory races where they earned qualifying points to serve as their ticket to the Run for the Roses.
A horse must secure at least 40 points to guarantee a spot in the Kentucky Derby. To know which three-year-olds compete in the race, see FanDuel horse racing picks and back the horse you think would ace the race.
Preakness Stakes
As the second leg of the Triple Crown Series, the Preakness Stakes is the second most-watched race next to the Kentucky Derby. It is expected to happen on the third Saturday of May at Pimlico Racecourse, Baltimore, Maryland.
Viewing Experience
Tickets for the Preakness Stakes vary from general admission to the VIP experience. The event will also feature a two-day music festival attended by today’s best musical performers. Big names like Maroon 5, Lorde, Zedd, and the Chainsmokers were invited to the InfieldFest.
If you’re going to watch the race at home, you can tune in to NBC or stream it on NBCSports.com, Peacock, or the NBC Sports app.
The Horses
The Preakness Stakes will feature a field of 14 thoroughbreds. Historically, unlike Kentucky Derby, which is points-based, the Preakness Stakes will only look at a horse’s previous winnings, including its standing in the Kentucky Derby.
It will also assess the horses’ lifetime earnings and graded stakes earnings. Traditionally, the top 5 horses in the Kentucky Derby get automatic spots in the Preakness Stakes. However, not all horses will grab the opportunity to compete in the Preakness Stakes.
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes features three-year-old elite thoroughbreds in Belmont Park three weeks after the Preakness Stakes.
It is also called the “Test of the Champion” since it is the longest race in the Triple Crown series, with 1 1/2 miles or 12 furlongs.
It’s the final jewel of the Triple Crown, so whoever wins it after winning the previous two races will become the 13th Triple Crown titleholder.
Viewing Experience
There are plenty of ticketing options in the Belmont Stakes. You can choose from general admission and box seats to the VIP experience. But, if you cannot attend physically, you can watch the race on CNBC and NBC or stream it through platforms like Peacock.
You can also bet in the Belmont Stakes since it is legal in 37 states. You can try the standard win-place-show bet or the exotic wagers like exacta, trifecta, and superfecta.
The Horses
The Belmont Stakes has 12 maximum slots for runners. The horse which won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes will be a prohibitive favorite in the Belmont Stakes.
As of this year, only 13 horses have been named Triple Crown champions. Horses who get purse money from the previous two races will automatically secure a slot in the Belmont Stakes.
Moreover, a horse’s lifetime earnings will also be counted to qualify for the Test of the Champion. In most cases, distance horses will skip the Preakness Stakes because of Pimlico Racetrack’s tight turns and return in the Belmont Stakes, the longest race in the Triple Crown Series with a distance of 1 1/2 mile.
Final Thoughts
The Triple Crown Series is probably the world’s most arduous feat for runners. It features three unique races with different levels of challenge for the thoroughbreds.
More than these, these races are watched by millions of racing enthusiasts around the globe, putting pressure on the Triple Crown hopefuls as they conquer each racetrack.
Horse racing is an unpredictable sport. We might see another Triple Crown titleholder this year, ending the four-year drought after Justify’s win in 2018.
