[pmayjr]

Casual fans come out in droves for the Triple Crown races. So if there was a Triple Crown winner, that can only help the sport. Why? Because maybe the interest in the sport will stay past June, instead of tailing off until the Breeder's Cup. That fanfare would be blocked if said Triple Crown winner was immediately whisked away to the Breeding Shed after the Belmont.

But seriously you guys, most of my friends have no interest in horse racing. And when I was getting all amp'd up for the Breeder's Cup last year. I'd talk to them about Bernardini, Invasor, Lava Man, Perfect Drift, etc etc... and I'd just get blank looks from them. I BELIEVE THIS IS A TREND FOR ANYONE WHO'S DEEMED A CASUAL FAN. Everyone cares about the TC races, and nothing else after. They might play the Breeder's Cup, but just like when they're playing the Derby, when they look at the Racing Form or Racing Guide, those are the first time they've heard any of those names.

Say Nobiz takes care of business all the way up to the Derby, and is the favorite. I guarantee 8 out of every 10 people that bet the Derby will have no idea who he is until they see his name in the racing guide on Derby Day.