I read it asfuth. It must be a terrible burden to be a writer to have to create in order to fill column requirements.

Pricci's "position" is this: The modern horse is not up to the rigors of the Triple Crown thus we must change the format of the Triple Crown to enable the Modern Bred horse to win the Triple Crown.

It is true that there has not been a Triple Crown Winner since 1978 and that the public image of horseracing certainly could benefit (now, more than ever), from an inspiring horse. But, do you tinker with tradition and what makes anyone think tinkering will further separate the horses? We've come very close to Triple Crown winners in recent years and Pricci might consider asking himself: "Was it "close" racing that has prevented a recent Triple Winner or has it been the competition?"

2005- Alex almost did it, but that sick run Rebel and Derby Trip conspired to deny him.

2004- Smarty Jones, Jockey error, pace and being a little lightly bred for 12 marks denied him from being compared to Seattle Slew. In the very end, should he have been mentioned with the great Slew? Would Slew have overcome that Belmont?

2003- Funny Cide was a game Derby winner. He's just been erratic since the Preakness and no one would consider him great.

2002- War Emblem may have won that Belmont had he not stumbled at the break. If he had would he deserve mention in the same breath as Affirmed?

2001- Point Given and Gary Stevens have a pace brain fart in the Derby. Point Given is coming in on a good juvenile campaign, but having run a little light as a 3YO and maybe he wasn't toughened up enough. Still he almost did it. Would race spacing have enabled him one more prep and if it did what about the pace miscalcuation?

1999- Charismatic was awful close. He was already beaten when he broke down though.

1998- Real Quiet got nipped by Victory Gallop. Which was the better horse? Would race spacing have enabled one to sweep?

1997- Silver Charm was probably beaten by Touch Gold's wide ride. Would Charm have let Touch Gold by eyeball to eyeball? Probably not. Did race spacing have anything to do with it?

Do these results support Pricci's hypothesis? And if you do tamper with the race spacing to coddle weakly bred modern horses, does that inure ultimately to the betterment of the animal and the betterment of racing?

Creativity is a terrible burden to earn a check.





Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/18/2005 05:17PM by Chuckles_the_Clown2.