Trainer Bob Baffert's Triple Crown near misses
By Charlie McCarthy
SportsLine.com Staff Writer
 		  
 
   

Bob Baffert has trained three horses -- Silver Charm, Real Quiet, War Emblem -- each of whom won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness but lost the Belmont Stakes.

Here's a closer look at each horse's attempt to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.

2002 -- War Emblem (Owner: Thoroughbred Corp. & Reineman Stable)
Coming off victories in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, War Emblem went off as the 6-5 favorite for the Belmont Stakes. When the gates sprang open, War Emblem nearly fell to his knees. He recovered to move into contention entering the first turn, then was boxed in before grabbing the lead just before the final turn. He couldn't maintain the pace, however, and finished eighth. The race's winner was 70-1 shot Sarava. War Emblem's defeat left racing waiting for its first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978, a span that matches the longest gap between Triple Crown champions.
1998 -- Real Quiet (Owner: Mike Pegram)
In the closest of 14 failed Triple Crown bids, 4-5 favorite Real Quiet lost the Belmont Stakes by a nose to Victory Gallop. The previous smallest margin was the half-length by which Pensive lost to Bounding Basque when he tried for the Triple Crown in 1944; the finish also was the third nose margin in the Belmont since 1905. Victory Gallop, ridden by Gary Stevens, had lost the Kentucky Derby by a half-length and the Preakness by 2 1/4 lengths. Real Quiet, ridden by Kent Desormeaux, would have been disqualified had he won -- he bumped Victory Gallop in the stretch.
1997 -- Silver Charm (Owners: Robert and Beverly Lewis)
Silver Charm falls short in his attempt to become the 12th Triple Crown champion and the first since Affirmed in 1978. The even-money favorite, ridden by Gary Stevens, crossed the finish line three-quarters of a length behind Touch Gold and jockey Chris McCarron. Touch Gold had overtaken Silver Charm and Free House in the final 70 yards. It was the 13th time a horse won the first two jewels of the Triple Crown but lost the Belmont Stakes.