SI's Best Photos of the 2014 Triple Crown Races

SI Staff | Jun 19, 2014

SI's Best Photos of the 2014 Triple Crown Races /

SI's Best Photos of the 2014 Triple Crown Races

SI photographer Bill Frakes, who has shot for the magazine since 1993, attended all three of the 2014 Triple Crown races. Here is a collection of his best shots, beginning with California Chrome (top center) maneuvering through turn one at Churchill Downs.

The field, led by California Chrome with jockey Victor Espinoza in tow, races into turn one at the Kentucky Derby.

A young fan looks on from the grandstand at Churchill Downs.

California Chrome pulls away from the field down the final stretch at the Kentucky Derby.

California Chrome, egged on by jockey Victor Espinoza, races past the grandstand and towards the finish line to win the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby.

California Chrome in the barn area the morning after winning the Kentucky Derby.

California Chrome races into turn one at Pimlico Race Course.

California Chrome is caught in the middle of the pack as he rounds turn one at Pimlico Race Course.

California Chrome, ridden again by Victor Espinoza, creeps up on Pablo Del Monte, ridden by Jeffery Sanchez at the Preakness.

California Chrome passes the grandstand enroute to winning the 139th Preakness Stakes.

California Chrome passes Ride On Curlin, ridden by Joel Rosario, to win the Preakness.

California Chrome after crossing the finish line at Pimlico Race Course to win the Preakness.

Jockey Victor Espinoza pumps his fist in triumph after guiding California Chrome to victory in the Preakness Stakes.

The only three living jockeys to have successfully completed the Triple Crown posed for this photo in the paddock area at the Belmont. They are, from left, Steve Cauthen, who rode Affirmed in 1978, Ron Turcotte (seated), who jockeyed Secretariat in 1973, and Jean Cruguet, who guided Seattle Slew in 1977.

California Chrome, with Victor Espinoza, walks from the paddock to the track before competing in the Belmont Stakes.

California Chrome (2nd from right) races out of the starting gate at the Belmont.

California Chrome (2nd from left) headed into the Belmont with a chance to win the Triple Crown

California Chrome heads toward the finish line to finish fourth in the Belmont.

A collection of the various media passes Frakes has accumulated over the years. He has covered been at the Kentucky Derby 31 times, at the Preakness 28, and at Belmont 25.

Published Jun 19, 2014

SI STAFF