IMO, a couple of those horses would have been worthy Triple Crown winners - certainly "Bid". However, I think the thing that separates the winners of the 70s from the "almost winners" is that the winners overcame the kinds of obstacles that derailed the others.

Take a look at Seattle Slew's derby. He got left, rushed up and bulled his way between horses, dueled in a fast pace and won at 10F. He actually had something extra left in the tank. In the Preakness he dueled off Cormorant in a fast pace and won. I think those kinds of trips (certainly the Derby) would have derailed most of the recent candidates.

Affirmed had to deal with a horse like Alydar 3 times. Alydar would have been a worthy Triple Crown winner yet Affirmed was able to pull off the sweep.

Pincay rode rings around Ron T. in the Derby and Preakness. The Belmont duel would have killed just about any horse other than Secretariat that day. It certainly killed Sham.

I think what recent years have taught us is that in a series of 3 races loaded with quality horses you are going to get at least 1 bad trip, 1 other superior opponent etc.... and you are going to have to be very superior to overcome it.





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/12/2005 01:04PM by classhandicapper.