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Originally Posted by Port Conway Lane
I would think that the longer the span in between races the less likely it is that a horse would be able to win all three races.How often does the Derby winner run a poor race in the Preakness?Not often and form cycle has alot to do with that.After two grueling races the winner is tested in the Belmont by fresh horses. Can he do it? They don't call the Belmont the test of champions for nothing.The best have proven they can in a five week time span.
Breeding hasn't changed as much as everyone believes.Bold Ruler was the dominant sire of sires in the late 60's-late 70's.His progeny were bred for speed yet two of the last three triple crown winners are from his sire line.The other comes from the Raise A Native line.The fact is that there are two parents.Secretariat got his stamina from his dam.Breeding today is no different.The Mr. Prospector line has been dominant in american breeding in the last twenty years but there is plenty of stamina through a number of his sons and grandsons.There are large numbers of horses who are bred to sprint,they don't show up for the Derby.The ones who show up are bred for stamina as well as speed.I don't buy the breeding argument.
Fragility is another issue.Fragile horses are subject to injury anytime they step onto a racetrack.Spacing out the races would help their chances but why would one want to make it beneficial for horses that can't withstand the rigors of the triple crown? I would think that would make it more likely that breeders wouldn't be concerned about fragility knowing that the races are spread apart to give their fragile horse a better chance of winning.
Leave the triple crown alone.
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People are trying to have their cake and eat it too when it comes to changing the Triple Crown. Nobody's stopping them from getting G1s for these horses that can't stand the rigors. There are ways for them to go on to lucrative stud deals without putting their horses through the strain. It's not like they can't achieve a lot of things and make a lot of money without winning the TC or even just one of the races. They aren't being deprived of a darn thing. The horses that win all 3 of these races are supposed to be elite. I like Real Quiet a lot and I think he's underrated as a stallion, but honestly, he's not in Affirmed's league. Some people are trying to bring the mountain to Mohammad here and really the only way they have figured out how to do it is by wearing it down to a hill first.