[smootsirvin]

I'm an old guy.

I've gone on my share of rants, especially when I lose a big bet. This, however was horrifying because of the high profile and the danger that this thinking poses to the game we love.

The "Triple Crown" is not a real thing. The beauty of the Triple Crown is that the races are NOT officially connected. If you've been to Churchill Downs, Pimlico, and Belmont, you see quickly that THEIR race is all that matters. Winning all three races is a true test of greatness, because you have to beat all comers, in differing conditions over a ridiculously short period of time. It's a decathlon.

Any change would cheapen things for the winner. With the status quo we always have a hope that a winner will come forward and take his (or her -heh) place alongside the greats of our game. If you restrict the field, or change the dates, you WILL NEVER have a TRUE Triple Crown winner again.