Forgetting the handicapping opinions involved here (for myself), if Journalism wins the Belmont at Saratoga (1 1/4 miles as you all know and not the Test of Champions 12 furlong distance), . . . can we have all the folks raging and fanning the flames over the Triple Crown spacing pump the brakes?

That would be:
2nd in Derby
1st in Preakness
1st in Belmont

I listened to a few of the old ABC full episodes of the Derby and Preakness during a Louisville to St. Louis drive this morning. In 1994, Al Michaels says: "The Triple Crown is so grueling. We were in Louisville for the Kentucky Derby 2 weeks ago today. 14 horses went to the gate. But only 4 of those are here today. The horses that finished 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 8th. So, 10 others have not come including the Derby favorite Holy Bull, the Derby 2nd choice Brocco, and the horse that finished 2nd in Louisville Strodes Creek. We may see all or a couple of those in the Belmont 3 weeks hence. But we have 4 horses from the Derby plus 6 others comprising a field of 10 today with 9 betting interests."

The more things the change, the more they stay the same.

While at Preakness, a rumor or two flew from some folks (working) at Pimlico that the Preakness folks may just push the race 1 or 2 weeks further out and force NYRA's hand on the Belmont. This, of course, with the goal of attracting fuller fields for the Preakness including more Derby horses.

I maintain it isn't the schedule scaring folks off per se. The purse of the Derby is $5 million. The purse of the Preakness is $2 million. The purse of the Belmont is $2 million. If you want to chase more of those Derby entrants, a significantly higher purse than the Belmont would be a solid first step and force their hand on their Belmont purse. Combine that with a legitimate Triple Crown bonus program for horses competing in all 3 legs like they did with VISA and Chrysler way back when and you could get the horsemen to suddenly ship those horses into Baltimore.

The modern training "programs" also contribute to the "Racing Less is More" approach which means the medication rules and withdrawal times are driving the new approach to spacing. (Among other possible components of various "programs").

May I point out though that the Belmont field with the full 5 weeks of rest since the Derby for the non-Preakness runners has resulted in a probable field of six at the moment and that assumes Journalism goes. So, is it really the Spacing of the Triple Crown leading to these issues? Preakness field was larger than six. On a handicapping note: Sovereignty, Journalism, Baeza, Hill Road, Heart of Honor are all horses nowhere near the lead. Leaving Rodriguez whose trainer suddenly can't find more than a lone G1 winner for 3yo's on dirt for a good while now as has been well documented on X. (NOTE: Two of the Six possible runners return from the Preakness just 3 weeks prior . . .GASP!)

I'm still holding on to the current schedule no matter if Journalism runs or not. It sure seems that's the wrong side of the fence to be on as the game continues to evolve. From a non-gambling perspective, a Journalism victory would hopefully throw some Flame Retardant on the embers of Triple Crown spacing changes.