In the U.S., the triple crown in thoroughbred horse racing includes the Kentucky Derby, the Belmont Stakes, and the Preakness Stakes. These three races are held each year to determine the fastest 3-year old horses in the country. To date, there have been only 11 triple crown winners in the history of the events.

The racing season kicks off in January of each year and momentum builds up to the Kentucky Derby, which is run the first weekend in May. The "run for the roses" is a 1 and 1/2 mile event held at Churchill Downs in Louisville Kentucky.

The Kentucky Derby is followed a couple of weeks later by the Preakness Stakes. The Preakness, the second or middle jewel, is held at Pimlico in Baltimore Maryland. Named after an ungainly racehorse, the Preakness was inaugurated in 1873 and is run over a 1 and 3/16 miles track.

The Belmont Stakes, the final jewel in the prestigious racing triumvirate, is held three weeks later at Belmont Park in Elmont New York. This 1 and 1/2 mile race is the oldest jewel in the crown. The first Belmont Stakes were run in 1867.

The first triple crown winner, "Sir Barton" competed in 1919, although the term for the three race win wasn't coined until 11 years later. The last triple crown winner, "Affirmed" took home the title in 1978.

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