Old traditions die, new traditions are born. If MD racing croaks--and maybe it should--what is the frigging point of keeping the Preakness in MD? The haven't played the Super Bowl in L.A. since it became a town without a team.
If there is change, I imagine it could involve trying to prop up the big three racing jurisdictions, so (obviously) you keep the Derby as is; put a middle race at SA, say 3 weeks later. Then run the Belmont a month after that.
Of course there is nothing to prevent PA or WV from trying to pull a "Garden State 1985", either, so there will have to be some kind of sizable TC bonus system, and not just for a sweep. Everyone will always say of a TC winner "Oh, it's not like the Triple Crown of the old days!" True enough, but that is reality--today's horses, for better or worse (I say the latter, obviously) are NOT like the horses of yesteryear. Deal with it.
I am fine if things stay as they are. But if they don't, it can be fine, too.
|