The Triple Crown In order to win the Triple Crown, a horse must win three races. Only 11 horses in history have won the Triple Crown. The last Horse to become a Triple Crown Champion was a horse named "Affirmed" in 1978.    First of the three races is "The Kentucky Derby".  aka: "Run for the Roses" The Kentucky Derby is  the longest continuously held sporting event in the United States,  and one of the most recognizable horse races in the world. First run in 1875 (year Churchill Downs was opened by Col. M Lewis Clark). The million dollar one and a quarter mile event is in its 130th year (2005).  Each year on the first Saturday of May, the Kentucky Derby is held at The Kentucky Church Hill Downs Thoroughbred track in Louisville, Kentucky.  Kentucky Horse Racing Tracks   Second of the three races is "The Preakness Stakes" aka: "Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown" The Preakness Stakes was first run in 1873. The winner is awarded the "Woodlawn Vase" The Woodlawn Vase is the most valuable trophy in American sports and is valued at $1 million dollars. The Preakness Stakes is held 2 weeks after the Kentucky Derby at Pimlico Thoroughbred track in Baltimore, Maryland. Maryland Horse Racing Tracks    Third Race of the three races is "The Belmont Stakes" aka: "The final Jewel" The Belmont Stakes inaugural race was in 1867. The one and a half mile is the longest of the Triple Crown Races. Thoroughbred track "Belmont Park" in Elmont, New York (NYC). New York Horse Racing Tracks    USA Horse Racing and Race Tracks