Re: Journalism Needs to Skip the Belmont (597 Views)
Posted by: Fairmount1 (IP Logged)
Date: May 27, 2025 09:27PM
Silver,
I think everyone has a certain stubborn streak but some in these parts are particularly afflicted. I'm a little more open minded and willing to listen and learn on new ideas.
How does changing the schedule grow the audience? I assume the basic idea is that you need that Derby winner in the 2nd leg to keep them interested. If so, are you thinking the First Saturday of May, June, and July? If it leads to bigger fields, more TC horses competing in more races, and bigger audience draws I'm all for it. My thought is the purses are so good for so many 3yo Derby's now at so many tracks that these guys start stalking and pouncing on other spots the moment Derby ends.
Would increasing the spacing to May/June/July remove the TC from people's minds? This would be a concern of mine.
Journalism suggests to me horses can still do it. These trainers, owners, etc just don't want to compete in all three and in part, it is b/c the Derby is bigger than the Triple Crown actually. That may be hard to comprehend but I genuinely believe that to be true now. McPeek and Lynch had to let their owners run in the Derby would be Exhibit 1 of 2025 for that idea. Part of it also is that in the "old days" whenever you want to define it, folks were more willing to go after the Big Dogs once they separated themselves like Sovereignty and Journalism have in this year's crop. I'm not going to say that isn't true now but it is less true it would seem esp with more spots to point towards after Derby. A Belmont field of 6 likely after a 5 week break is concerning if you want to space out the TC, no?
I'll reiterate I believe increased purses for Preakness and Belmont (maybe the same 5 million as Derby) along with a specific Triple Crown bonus program for competing in all three (not just for the winner but for the top 3 let's say) would help the series also. TELL ME WHY THE JOCKEY CLUB COULDN'T USE THEIR MONEY FOR THIS TRIPLE CROWN SERIES????
Long story short. I like the current format and think it can work in the face of modern times. Journalism is potentially proof of that idea. However, I'm open to change IF it actually means it will lead to keeping the Derby names in people's faces, lead to bigger TC fields, and lead to many connections competing in all three. I just have serious doubts that will happen since the Derby "event" seems bigger than even pulling off a TC.
I think everyone has a certain stubborn streak but some in these parts are particularly afflicted. I'm a little more open minded and willing to listen and learn on new ideas.
How does changing the schedule grow the audience? I assume the basic idea is that you need that Derby winner in the 2nd leg to keep them interested. If so, are you thinking the First Saturday of May, June, and July? If it leads to bigger fields, more TC horses competing in more races, and bigger audience draws I'm all for it. My thought is the purses are so good for so many 3yo Derby's now at so many tracks that these guys start stalking and pouncing on other spots the moment Derby ends.
Would increasing the spacing to May/June/July remove the TC from people's minds? This would be a concern of mine.
Journalism suggests to me horses can still do it. These trainers, owners, etc just don't want to compete in all three and in part, it is b/c the Derby is bigger than the Triple Crown actually. That may be hard to comprehend but I genuinely believe that to be true now. McPeek and Lynch had to let their owners run in the Derby would be Exhibit 1 of 2025 for that idea. Part of it also is that in the "old days" whenever you want to define it, folks were more willing to go after the Big Dogs once they separated themselves like Sovereignty and Journalism have in this year's crop. I'm not going to say that isn't true now but it is less true it would seem esp with more spots to point towards after Derby. A Belmont field of 6 likely after a 5 week break is concerning if you want to space out the TC, no?
I'll reiterate I believe increased purses for Preakness and Belmont (maybe the same 5 million as Derby) along with a specific Triple Crown bonus program for competing in all three (not just for the winner but for the top 3 let's say) would help the series also. TELL ME WHY THE JOCKEY CLUB COULDN'T USE THEIR MONEY FOR THIS TRIPLE CROWN SERIES????
Long story short. I like the current format and think it can work in the face of modern times. Journalism is potentially proof of that idea. However, I'm open to change IF it actually means it will lead to keeping the Derby names in people's faces, lead to bigger TC fields, and lead to many connections competing in all three. I just have serious doubts that will happen since the Derby "event" seems bigger than even pulling off a TC.
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