Triple Crown Races should be improved

Agreed. The purses shoud be 3 million minimum.

Ah come on guys. How could a guy like Pletcher know anything? I mean geez, its not like he knows what hes doing or already banked 10 mill this year. How could he know anything? (that was said heavily sarcastically)

[DiscreetCat=Monster]

Hey Oracle, this is for real. They would get true quality fields in the Preakness and Belmont. I think the field is still very strong in the Belmont but not as good as it could be if it was worth 3mill. Plus the last few years we haven't attracted the worlds best and thats what the TC should be a showcase for the worlds best not just for the US's best. Think about all the good 3 yo 1 1/2 turf horses in Europe and throught the world. They would of showed up for the Belmont if there was 3 mill up for grabs. The Japanese would never ship a horse over for a 1 mil race. They could make more running in Nx2 Allowance races at Sha Tin. They should of borrowed that extra mill for the BC juv fillies and put it tword the derby. If the fillies are really that good they can run aginst the boys for the 2 mill.

[Suffolk Shippers]

I think the Maryland Jockey Club would go belly up if they doubled the Preakness purse

[31lengths]

Originally Posted by Suffolk Shippers

I think the Maryland Jockey Club would go belly up if they doubled the Preakness purse

....True dat.

[Thunder Gulch]

The undercard on the first half of Preakness day was a joke. Bunch of 5yo n1x and maiden claimers. They knew the crowds would play whatever they threw out, so why put a good card together and have to pay purses. If it wasn't for one race on the 3rd Saturday of May, Maryland racing (at least Pimlico) would cease to exist.

[Suffolk Shippers]

Originally Posted by Davona Dale

I have never been there but I'm told that Pimlico is not a very attractive race track. This year it did have Barbaro and I'm sure that was a major attraction.

What I don't understand is how can the Derby and the Belmont have such a nice payout but not Preakness.

By the way, while I'm thinking of it, I was looking through some racing manuals that I borrowed. So much talk about too much speed in today's thoroughbreds. Yet Secretariat's Derby and Belmont records haven't been bested. His Preakness record has been but wasn't there something about his final time in that race being challenged - something to do with the comparison of clocks being used.

I think 3 big races in 5 weeks is an awesome accomplishment for these very young horses. As a vet tech, I get to see the damage done to young animals as a result of owners pushing them too much in performance work. I work for a small animal clinic so maybe there is no comparison between small animals and large animals.

I have been to Pimlico...you're thoughts on it being crappy are very accurate. For a track that holds the second jewel of the Triple Crown, you would think it could be improved. However, the state of Maryland racing is "in flux" at best. I would go more along the lines of a "dying breed". They only turn a profit for the year because of Preakness Day. I've also been across town to Laurel and hey, its not a dump, but it's better than Pimlico.
Pimlico needs alot of face lift work and basically a total overhaul, which it appears Magna is unwilling to do right now, probably since their investment in Pimlico and Laurel is almost solely based upon slot revenue, which is nill since the state govt wont approve them.

It's a shame, too, because a track with a history such as Pimlico should not be as run down as it is. Honestly, where else would you want to have the second leg of the Triple Crown? Maybe Gulfstream? Arlington? Certainly not the west coast tracks. It belongs in Maryland.

[randallscott35]

I like the fact that the last post in this room was on June 17th. So 5 months later I feel like someone should venture in here to clear the cobwebs.

Wish it was April and we could talk TC. Instead I can look forward to snow and cold. Sucks big time.