Overview
Since 1931, the order of Triple Crown races has been the Kentucky Derby first, followed by the Preakness Stakes, and then the Belmont Stakes. Prior to 1931, the Preakness Stakes was run before the Kentucky Derby eleven times. On May 12, 1917, and again on May 13, 1922, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes were run on the same day.
| Race | Date | Current Track | Location | Distance | Inaugurated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Derby | First Saturday in May | Churchill Downs | Louisville, Kentucky | 11⁄4 miles (2,000 m) | 1875 |
| Preakness Stakes | Third Saturday in May | Pimlico Race Course | Baltimore, Maryland | 1 3⁄16 (1,911 m) | 1873 |
| Belmont Stakes | Third Saturday following the Preakness (first or second Saturday in June) | Belmont Park | Elmont, New York | 11⁄2 miles (2,400 m) | 1867 |
While there is a similar series of races specifically for fillies, the "Triple Tiara", each Triple Crown race is open to both colts and fillies. Unlike the British and all but one of the French Classics, the races are also open to geldings. All the races are held on dirt tracks, rather than the turf commonly used for important races in Europe.
Read more about this topic: United States Triple Crown Of Thoroughbred Racing