Triple Crown for the fillies?

[MLC]

Thank you for the information. If a filly triple crown were to consist of the Kentucky Oaks, the Black Eyed Susan, and the Coaching Club American Oaks, I wonder how many fillies would have won.

I've always thought the fillies should have a TC just like the traditional one. I hate how almost all the races for females are 1 or 2 furlongs shorter than those for their male counterparts. (Sorry, the Kentucky Oaks and the BC Distaff at 9 furlongs is a farce) Just because they have 2 X chromosomes doesn't mean they don't want to run 10 or 12 furlongs.

[txshorns02]

From Wikepedia:
The Oaks is known for drawing a bigger crowd than the Preakness Stakes, the Belmont Stakes, and the Breeders Cup itself.

I find that sort of hard to believe, well more than the Breeders Cup anyway.

[ManilaRose]

Originally Posted by txshorns02

From Wikepedia:
The Oaks is known for drawing a bigger crowd than the Preakness Stakes, the Belmont Stakes, and the Breeders Cup itself.

I find that sort of hard to believe, well more than the Breeders Cup anyway.

I believe the BC record is in the 80k range. The Oaks has around 100k now.

[Charismatic1]

Originally Posted by Gemtwyst

I've always thought the fillies should have a TC just like the traditional one. I hate how almost all the races for females are 1 or 2 furlongs shorter than those for their male counterparts. (Sorry, the Kentucky Oaks and the BC Distaff at 9 furlongs is a farce) Just because they have 2 X chromosomes doesn't mean they don't want to run 10 or 12 furlongs.

Nobody said they weren't allowed to run in the Derby or Classic. I think we offer way too many distaff and disturf options for fillies and mares at the grade 1 level to the point that connections in this country are almost fearful of running against the boys. Now I'm not saying we should get rid of the Distaff or Oaks, but consider the best mares in Europe the last few years (Ouija Board, Pride, Alexander Goldrun, etc). They ran most of their races against the best males because of fewer group 1 level distaff options. They didn't do too bad. So, to use your point, "just because they have 2 X chromosomes doesn't mean they" can't run against the boys. Take away the vast options, the more you will see girls tackle the boys, and, as a side-effect, you will see girls tackle longer distances more willingly.

[Pedigree Ann]

Until quite recently, the Kentucky Oaks was not as important at the New York Classics. It was (like the Derby) 12f from 1875-1890, then 10f from 1891 to 1895, then 9f from 9f from 1920 to 1941, after which it was 8.5f until 1982. When grading was introduced in 1973, it got a G2 ranking.

Even though it was an attempt to revive the old Pimlico Oaks, the Black-Eyed Susan has never been all that big a race. It wasn't increased from 8.5f to 9f until 1989, and was only a G3 when first graded.

Used to be the Acorn was around Derby weekend, the Mother Goose was Memorial Day weekend and the CC American Oaks was the Saturday after the Belmont, leaving the 3yo fillies plenty of time to run in the Monmouth and Delaware Oaks before tackling the Alabama. Back when trainers ran fillies to win races rather than to enhance their catalogue pages. <Sigh.>

The great mare Shuvee won the Fillies' Triple, two runnings of the Jockey Club Gold Cup over the guys, was a G1 type winner at 2,3,4 and 5. Nobody thought of retiring her (completely sound) after her 3yo season because she had a good enough page (7 G1-type wins).

Yep, everything was better in the good old days. <geezer talk>