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Originally Posted by easy goer
THe original post started with the assumption that he would only count those horses that won 2 legs of the TC. What was the reason? The poster does not say, presumably he doesnt want to deal with all the data pts. Then most of us assumed that that made sense as 2 legs are better than one.... But it's really a bad assumption.
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You are correct I did not want to analyze every single triple crown race over a period of time to compute the number of runners.
Perhaps I could have taken the average runners in each leg of the Triple Crown and and compared the 11 years with Triple Crown winners to all other years. Still that is more work than I have time for or care to do. I just found it curious that during the 11 years that there was a triple crown winner that the average was 10 horses less than when two horses won two legs. If some one else wants to continue the exercise and analze the data differently please do so.
Just thinking about it I originally thought that the field size was simply a matter of time. But than I saw some of the #s from earlier years and was suprised War Admiral and Gallant Fox. I have listed what could be some of the reasons for the field size of the races:
1. Crop sizes are getting larger.
2. The purses, prestige and value as a stallion prospect have increased for winning any of the "classic" races.
3. Some trainers and or owners may have entered horses to prevent others from winning. (ie 1988 when Woody Stevens entered and sacrificed 49er in the Preakness to run with Winning Colors to prevent DWL from having a shot at the Triple Crown)
4. More International entries and interest in the races.
5. Perhaps the breed isn't being bred to excel at "classic" distances any more. It is my opinion that horses are being bred for speed instead of stamina lately. Hopefully a trend which will self correct before it is too late.
6. Derby Fever the popularity of the Derby has caused some people to enter their horses even though the horse has little or no shot.
One of the reasons I posted this was to foster discussion and get ideas and thoughts from other individuals and not necessarily to make a point.