Is the triple crown an unrealistic goal?

Question

As a Horse racing fan do you think that 3 races in 5 weeks for a 3 year old is asking too much ? Sure looked that way Saturday

Answer 1

No, Big Brown failed because he is by Boundary. I knew he is going to choke.

Answer 2

no....the jockey has too ride his race, and not worry about

the other horses...

Answer 3

That's why it's one of the most elusive prizes.  

It takes a lot of stamina, and colts at that age don't have a lot of racing experience.  They either have to be extra special, or be better than average during an "off" year.  And they still have to have that extra stamina.

It's one of those things that comes in cycles, like fine wines.  There were several winners in the 40's, then nothing for awhile.  Then there were three winners in the 70's and nothing since.  We're probably due for another winner any year now, statistically.

One of the issues in modern racing, however, is that the horse's racing careers are so short now.  They get one or two good seasons under their belt and it's off to the stud farm.  Three year-olds are like teenagers.  Who's to say they won't be better when they're five?  It's not like they qualify for AARP.

Run 'em a little longer, I say.  Then we might have a better idea of who really might be the better long-term stud and get a few more colts who can actually manage the grind.

Answer 4

It's not unrealistic but even MORE difficult because the horses are bread for speed and size not durability.  They break down alot faster, also all of the factors that go along with it.  Kent screwed Big Brown, not saying he would of won but Kent bumped and pulled BigBrown up very hard. It is so hard to get a clean run in three consecutive races, let alone have the ability to win all three. The glory is we get to see a potential Curlin Big Brown match up.

Answer 5

Challenges are tests of phenomena.  It has been done before, therefore it can be accomplished again.  The Triple Crown is no exception.  It is a rare feat.  This is what makes it the treasureable historic event.

Trainer Frank Kirby has been known to run a fit and ready thoroughbred two or three times with in a ten day period with remarkable success.  Knowing the caliber and capability of a thoroughbred dictates how often and how much racing is appropriate.

Classic breeder and owner Paul Mellon preferred that his thoroughbreds race no more than twelve (12) times per year.  Elliot Burch, Ian Balding, and Mack Miller had great success with Rokeby homebreds.  Check the past performances of Arts and Letters, Fort Marcy, Key To The Mint, Amerigo Lady, Quadrangle, Winter's Tale, and Sea Hero

Look at the legendary history of Hail To Reason.  Eighteen starts as a 2YO;

Then there is Affirmed, Seattle Slew, Secretariat, Citation, Assault, Count Fleet, Whirlaway, War Admiral, Gallant Fox, Omaha, and Sir Barton.

U.S. Triple Crown Winners Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner

1919 Sir Barton Johnny Loftus H. Guy Bedwell J. K. L. Ross

1930 Gallant Fox Earl Sande Jim Fitzsimmons Belair Stud

1935 Omaha Willie Saunders Jim Fitzsimmons Belair Stud

1937 War Admiral Charley Kurtsinger George Conway Samuel D. Riddle

1941 Whirlaway Eddie Arcaro Ben A. Jones Calumet Farm

1943 Count Fleet Johnny Longden G. Donald Cameron Fannie Hertz

1946 Assault Warren Mehrtens Max Hirsch King Ranch

1948 Citation Eddie Arcaro Horace A. Jones Calumet Farm

1973 Secretariat Ron Turcotte Lucien Laurin Meadow Stable

1977 Seattle Slew Jean Cruguet William H. Turner, Jr. Karen L. Taylor

1978 Affirmed Steve Cauthen Laz Barrera Harbor View Farm

Answer 6

No.   But maybe after hearing all the talk about how the horses are bred for speed and not stamina needs to be looked at again.  maybe they should go back as they were 30 years ago.

We will see one again sometime.

Answer 7

No how can it be big brown had it all he had to do is not get hurt. plus they took him of the roids so thatmay have done it but it is very possable

Answer 8

It might be slightly unrealistic but when a horse achieves it, then it is all the more special. I don't think the format should be changed. look how close big brown was. And, Big Brown did'nt choke - his jockey did - he held him back too much for what reason we'll probably never truly know.

Answer 9

i dont think so... big brown was so so close and it was kinda ironic that he had an ingury like that and it ended up being worse than expected. it stinks it ended up that way. i love seeing history when it comes to sports.

Answer 10

I don't think so.

I believe that if we regulate the amount of racing a colt (or filly) does in their two year old season, we may see more winners. Of course part of the challenge is 3 races in 5 weeks. That's what makes this the hardest accomplishment in sports. Also, at three the colts (and fillies) aren't done maturing. Their bones aren't done solidifying, and that makes them more prone to breaking down. If we move the starting age to three and the Crown to four we'd have more winners. Of course, you're always going to have a few horses that could do it at three. We just haven't seen one yet.

Also the breeding quality has declined. They're breeding for speed, not stamina and longevity on the race course. American thoroughbreds have always been, not smaller, but less bulky then British Thoroughbreds. I think that if we brought in champion racers from Europe we'd have more horses that could take the strain of racing 3 times over a 5 week period. And...the Europian horse are used to running at a mile and a half or longer. Think about how much that could help in the Belmont. I know foals aren't going to be able to do everything their sire and dam did, but still it could help.