For years the standard was 3-4 preps, and Charismatic even went beyond that when he won 2/3 of the Triple Crown, plus the Lexington in a 4 week span. I thought Point Given's failed attempt to win roses off 2 preps would keep everyone on the 3 prep schedule. Then along comes Carl Nafzger with his master stroke on Street Sense, and the tide swung quickly back the other way.
I think a lot of the current line of thinking can be put on the Ragozin/Thorograph guys. Those guys are smart and what they do works for them, but when all the trainers are thinking "fresh" instead of "fit", the game suffers. You end up with 3yo's having one test before the Derby, and later in the year you are forced to decide HOY championships from a couple of 5 race campaigns.
__________________
Do I think Charity can win? Well, I am walking around in yesterday's suit.
|