North American Harness Racing: Triple Crown, All About It

The term "Triple Crown" originated in England in the mid-19th century, when the stallion West Australian won three prestigious races in 1856. This achievement led to the creation of the Triple Crown series, which became a symbol of honour and achievement in the horse racing world. The concept of Triple Crowns spread to other countries, including the United States and Canada. 

In the United States, the American Triple Crown of Thoroughbreds was officially named in 1930 and consists of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes. Winning these three races is considered the pinnacle of success for a Thoroughbred horse. The Canadian Triple Crown Thoroughbred was established in 1959, building on the legacy of the King's Plate and Breeders' Stakes. 

For standardbred horses running in harness, there are two North American Triple Crown series, one for trotters and one for pacers. The Trotting Triple Crown for three-year-old trotters was introduced in 1955, followed by the Pacing Triple Crown for three-year-old pacers a year later. These series highlight the top performers in standardbred horse racing.  

Trotting Triple Crown

The Trotter Triple Crown includes three races, the Hambletonian, the Yonkers Trot and the Kentucky Futurity. In the first year of its holding, the winner of all three stages was Scott Frost, led by the famous Canadian Joe O'Brien. There have been nine series winners throughout the years of the Triple Crown Trotters, including Master of Glyde in 2006, ridden by John Campbell, a Canadian-born jockey. Also, Canadian Scott Zeron won the Triple Crown Cup in 2016 with his horse Merion Marauder. 

Hambletonian Stakes

The world's largest trotter race, begun in 1926 at the New York State Fair in Syracuse, is now held at the Meadowlands Race Course, East Rutherford, New Jersey, on the first Saturday in August. 

This is North America's largest and most prestigious Standardbred race, a 1-mile race with 3-year-old trotters and a $1 million purse. The Hambletonian Society was formed with the aim of developing harness racing in North America, the Hambletonian is the main race of the year on the society and Meadowlands Racecourse calendar. 

John Campbell was a Hambletonian winner 6 times. Also, Canadian racers have repeatedly won first places: Michel Lachance in 1994, 1996,1999 and 2003, Ron Waples in 1989, Bill O'Donnell in 1985. The last one in 2023 was the 2016 Triple Crown winner, Canadian Scott Zeron, who was also first in 2016 and 2018. 

Yonkers Trot

Established in 1955, the race was specifically created to merge the Hambletonian and Kentucky Futurity Triple Crown trotter series. Held at Yonkers Race Course in New York, USA, the race covers a distance of 1 mile with a purse of $300 thousand. 

The race made history in 2000 when female jockey Jacqueline Ingrassia rode Goalfish to victory, becoming the first woman to win a Triple Crown event. In 2016, trainer Paula Wellwood achieved a milestone as the first female trainer to win the Draft Horse Triple Crown with her horse Marion Marauder. 

Renowned Canadian Yannick Gingras, a dominant force in trotter racing, has claimed victory in the race. With over 8,000 wins and earnings surpassing $230 million, Gingras is widely regarded as one of the best in the sport. 

Kentucky Futurity

The oldest race for three-year-old trotters has been held since 1893 at the Red Mile Race Course, Lexington, Kentucky. 3-year-old horses run 1 mile, the race purse is $500 thousand. 

In 2007, stallion Donato Hannover set a world record at this race, running the mile in 1:50:1 and winning $2,198,540 for the season. 

Pacing Triple Crown

The inaugural Pacer Triple Crown took place in 1956, and there have been 10 winners of all three races since: the Cane Pace, Messenger Stakes, and Little Brown Jug. 

One of the first triple-crown winning pacers was Adios Butler, an American stallion who was named US Horse of the Year in 1960 and 1961. After retiring from racing, he had a successful career as a sire. 

Ralph Hanover, ridden by Canadian jockey Ronald Waples, won the Triple Crown in 1983. Waples, who co-owned the horse, was named US Driver of the Year in 1980 and 1981. In 1986, they were both inducted into the Canadian Racing Hall of Fame. 

Cane Pace

The Cane Pace, which has been held at Yonkers Race Course in New York since 1955, serves as the opening race of the pacers' Triple Crown, a tradition that began in 1956. The event made the move to Meadowlands Race Course in 2023, boasting a hefty purse of $315,750. 

In 1969, Meadow Skipper, piloted by Canadian jockey and trainer Earl Avery, emerged victorious in the ninth running of the Cane Pace. While Meadow Skipper notched multiple wins in his racing career, he truly made his mark as a sire. With a whopping 1,267 foals to his name, over 1,000 of his offspring hit the track and collectively earned more than $66 million. Among his famous descendants are the likes of Niatross, Ralph Hanover, Western Dreamer, and No Pan Intended, all of whom went on to claim prestigious titles in harness racing. 

Messenger Stakes

The race began in 1955 at Roosevelt Speedway, Westbury, and is named after Messenger, the father of nearly all North American breeding Standardbreds. The race has changed locations several times; since 2006, it has been held at the Yonkers Racetrack with a prize fund of $500 thousand. 

Canadian John Campbell has won the Messenger Stakes a record eight times. Canadian racers Bill O'Donnell, Ronald Waples, Yannick Gingras, Michel Lachance have won the race more than once. 

The 2023 race winner was the stallion Captain Batboy, ridden by Jordan Stratton. 

Little Brown Jug

The Little Brown Jug, with its origins in the relocation of the county fair in 1937 to the outskirts of Delaware, has a rich history that began with a race in 1946. Named after a local newspaper competition, it quickly became a prestigious event for harness horses in America alongside the Hambletonian. Over the years, the race has grown in importance, becoming the anchor and crown jewel of the Triple Crown of Pacers since its inception in 1956. 

With a total purse of $1 million in 2023, the Jug is contested in two races, with Canadian jockeys making a strong showing alongside their American counterparts. The close ties between Canadian and American racing traditions have led to a shared competitive spirit that adds to the excitement of the sport. The success of Canadian jockeys, such as Michel Lachance and Yannick Gingras, in the Little Brown Jug reflects the longstanding tradition of excellence in North American harness racing.