Thanks for an interesting post.
Explains a lot to this novice.
If the folks that run horse racing want a triple crown winner, they may need to change the rules, and require participation in all or 2 of 3 races.
Of course then any triple crown winner will be judged by different criteria.
I did read that the Belmont winning time was >4 seconds slower than Secretariat, so we’re a long way from legendary performance, assuming track conditions were similar.
No that would be a terrible rule change, totally devalue the TC. As it sits now the TC is the equivalent to tennis’ and golf’s grand slams, separate events, with separate rules, and different participants, win them all to be ensconced in history. Turning it into a tournament loses was makes it interesting. Owners just need to change their focus.
After the Kentucky Derby, only one horse is elgible for the Triple Crown. From
there on out it’s win the next two or there is no TC winner. The races get progressively
longer, from 1 1/4 mile at Kentucky, 1 3/8 mile at the Preakness to
1 1/2 mile at the Belmont.