13 Most Heartbreaking Gifs In Horse Racing History
I didn't want to have to pull these out, people. But somebody did not follow the instructions in my pre-Belmont article and probably got a "California Chrome 2014 Triple Crown" tattoo. And so we're here.
13 Most Heartbreaking Gifs in Horse Racing History
#13
1979 - Spectacular Bid finishes 3rd in his Triple Crown bid. His trainer blamed the loss on a hoof injury caused by a safety pin dropped in the horse's stall, but questions remain to this day. Coastal finished 1st.
#12
1981 - Pleasant Colony won the Derby & Preakness, only to fall short in the Belmont to winner Summing.
#11
1987 - Alysheba overcame a stumbling trip in the Derby, took the Preakness, but ran 4th to Bet Twice in the Belmont.
#10
1989 - Sunday Silence had beaten Easy Goer in the Derby & Preakness, but in the Belmont, Easy Goer's home track, Sunday Silence was a valiant second.
#9
1997 - Silver Charm won the Derby & Preakness, catapulting Bob Baffert into national prominence - but he Touch Gold spoiled his Triple Crown hopes.
#8
1998 - The closest we've come to a Triple Crown - Real Quiet loses a photo finish in the Belmont by a whisker to Victory Gallop.
#7
1999 - Charismatic stole America's heart in the Derby & Preakness, but suffered a career-ending injury in the Belmont finishing 3rd. Jockey Chris Antley's quick actions saved the horse's life. Lemon Drop Kid was the winner.
#6
2002 - War Emblem, a headstrong frontrunning Derby & Preakness winner, stumbled at the start of the Belmont and lost to 70-1 longshot Sarava.
#5
2003 - Funny Cide, the New York bred Derby & Preakness winner, splashed home 3rd in the slop at Belmont to Empire Maker.
#4
2004 - Racing fans watched in shock as Birdstone passed Derby & Preakness hero Smarty Jones in the final strides of the Belmont.
#3
2008 - Big Brown is pulled up in mid stretch of the Belmont with a mysterious hoof injury and ends his Triple Crown bid finishing last. Da'Tara lead the field from gate to wire to win.
#2
2012 - I'll Have Another scratched the morning of the Belmont with a tendon injury and never competes - Union Rags defeats Paynter for the win.
#1
2014 - California Chrome finishes fourth in his Triple Crown attempt, behind Tonalist.
-- Gifs by Candice Curtis, who hopes you can forgive her sense of humor.