The term ‘ Triple Crown’ comes from the 1930s, when Charles Hatton, a columnist for the Daily Racing Form began used the term triple crown in reference to the three races - Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes.

The Triple Crown features three races for 3-year-old thoroughbred horses, with just weeks separating each event. A horse who emerges victorious in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes is dubbed a Triple Crown winner.

For the third time in seven years, the Kentucky Derby winner will not run in Preakness Stakes, bringing up the question of whether the races should be spread out.