Real Quiet was beaten by THREE different garbage cans in New Mexico. As a former horseracing TV and radio host on that circuit I can tell you that there are only two feasible suggestions as to his form reversal after the trip to New Mexico.

The first has to be looked at in the context of larceny, since that is the big topic these days. Real Quiet was uncoupled with post time favorite Indian Charlie. Both were trained by Baffert. RQ was 8-1. With the KY medication rules "different" in that state, larceny (drugged up Real Quiet?) is not far fetched. (Zito's success in KY is another example as he is a 10% er at best everywhere else).

The second feasible suggestion is the difference in altitude causing a lackluster performance. Rule # 1 when handicapping a shipper from anywhere to Albuquerque, Santa Fe or El Paso is TOSS HIM, as the change in altitude (which translates into thinner air) often causes a horse to have difficulty breathing. Below is a small sample of altitudes at various race tracks:

Santa Anita - 256 feet above sea level
Del Mar - 476 feet...
Pimlico - 196 feet..
Belmont Park- 131 feet...
Churchill Downs - 477 feet..
Sunland Park - 3,762 feet...
Downs at Albuquerque - 5,326 feet

Real Quiet has not been a REAL Star in the breeding shed. Below is his record as stallion:

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/isd/stallion.aspx?stallion=realquiet

Was Real Quiet juiced up for the triple crown, or did he get just beat by the altitude in New Mexico? We may never know.