But how else can he win the Triple Crown unless they put more time between the races? I wonder if previous years were the same amount between.
The TC today was never really solidified until the ‘70s. Yes, all races were independently important. There were no rules about it, it is a completely artificial construct of fans and journalists.
Sir Barton ran the Derby 4 days before the Preakness. Gallant Fox ran the Preakness before the Derby. Typically the Derby was ONE week before Preakness, and the Belmont FOUR weeks after Preakness. So, tough horses of old ran a race or two in between those “TC” events.
It’s BS that a horse couldn’t handle even two weeks between big races.