Current TC Spacing Dates Back to 1969

[Calzone Lord]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

If you ask any trainer that has TC experience, they will all tell you that the schedule is a huge issue. If you ask a trainer that doesn't have TC experience, 90% of them will tell you it's a huge issue. I think that guys who are with horses every day and do it for a living may have some idea as to how long it takes horses to recover from races.

As you may have noticed in the article, Asmussen said that if there was more space between races that it would make it easier. That is obvious.

The Super Bowl has only been around since 1967.

If you want to change the Triple Crown series to reflect the realities of modern, up to the minute, thoroughbred racing...why stop with just the spacing?

How about making the Kentucky Derby 9 furlongs. The Preakness 8.5 furlongs. The Belmont Stakes 10 furlongs? That with a nice five weeks of spacing between each.

126 pounds is also an usually high amount of weight. Why not make it 122lbs for colts and geldings?

The name "Triple Crown" has only been around since the 1930's. That phrase wasn't even coined when Sir Barton first completed the sweep. Why not re-name it the "Grand Slam"

1st leg: Derby (9 furlongs)
2nd leg: Preakness (8.5 furlongs)
3rd leg: Belmont (10 furlongs)
4th leg: Travers (10 furlongs)

The extended spacing will work out great.

I suppose if "Grand Slam" sounds too corny -- why not call it 'The Whirlaway Slam' -- since he's the only horse to officially win all 4 of those races.

All kidding aside -- why fix what isn't broken?