Pletcher to have no horses in the Travers

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Cardus

Here is my question about the portion that I highlighted: if Street Sense had been a head better in the Preakness, he would have run in the Belmont Stakes, no questions asked.

Is it your contention that a trainer risks ruining or wearing out a horse for the summer by running him in the third leg of the crown only if he hasn't a chance to win the Triple Crown? Is it acceptable to subject a horse to that grind -- with the chance of ruining him -- if he has won the first two legs?

I never said that he would be ruined. But it is most certainly a risk vs reward thing. If you have the chance for the Triple Crown then you have to go for it unless there is a grave danger of the horse being incapicitated. My contention is that the Belmont is not that important unless you win the other legs and because of the timing of it there is risk that you may knock your horse out for the rest of the year. If you win the Triple Crown, do you really think the horse would continue to run anyway?