I, for one, get it.
Goldolphin and Co.'s condescenscion towards the traditional importance of the Triple Crown can only be proximately redeemmed by running him as a four yr old. And my guess is that would be the plan? They seem to have a greater plan than the Triple Crown. What would that be?
Any change in the The Test of Champions, would necessarily entai a new paradigm for breed performance standards.
Let's forego the many Chicken Littles and thinl seriously about breed performance standards.
Let's say the Test of Champions extends to any given crop's four yr old season.
Let's say a horse must run in designated graded stakes races as a 3yr old AND as a 4yrold to get the top honors. Where a crop runs against themselves as 3yr olds AND must run again against each other as 4yr olds. If you want a new path, let it be a real path.
By Goldolphin and Co.'s own words, they essentially forfeited the Preakness.
So let's run through next year.


And, Rispoli was out of his league. SA and DMR ain't hardknocking tracks. He didn't have the chops. Sovereignty benefited from more savy connections.
It was painful to watch the Belmont replay. (missed it live)
I knew when they got to the far turn Sovereignty had it won. And I bet so did Junior Alvarado
Most jockeys can ride the horse.
Good jockeys can ride the horse and the race.
Today, Rispoli did neither.
it's a tough ask jumping fron sunny So Cal for anyone

Michael Mcarthy had that horse as well as he could have been. He danced all the dances. Great horsemanship