The Triple Crown trophy has a new look for Justify's attempt

Photo: Eclipse Sportswire

The former Triple Crown trophy design is no more, replaced ahead of Justify's run at the 2018 Belmont Stakes by what looks like the traditional version on steroids.

New York Racing Association officials unveiled the look Tuesday, and it still carries the distinct, three-sided vase to represent each jewel: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.

But it now rests on a much larger stand, has attached handles to support and a gold racehorse atop the otherwise silver piece.

Chris Kay, NYRA's CEO and president, believes it to be the largest trophy in sports.

"It is a fantastic piece of art," Kay said. "It's elegant. It's classical. But it's also modern, in that it's a high-polished silver finish, such that if you angle your smart phone in the right place, you can take a selfie where your face is immersed in the trophy itself."

Commissioned by Roberto Santo and arranged by the NYRA, the trophy will be split by Churchill Downs and the Maryland Jockey Club, other Triple Crown race hosts.

The original version was commissioned in 1950, first awarded to the connections of 1948 Triple Crown winner Citation and then distributed to previous winners in succeeding years. Connections of American Pharoah in 2015 were awarded what likely is the final version of the former trophy.

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