A follow-up point. I was wondering if it's a coincidence (in the last six or seven Triple Crowns) that Baffert starts strong in Kentucky (the most liberal medication state), maintains it through the Preakness (Maryland's racing establishment is falling apart and it's only two weeks later) and then poops out in the Belmont (longer distance, three weeks later and New York has traditionally been one of the strictest medication-regulating states). This cycle of Baffert's hot 3yos has happened several times, and while I believe he is a top horseman, the pattern is, let's say, interesting.

Lukas' horses tend to boom up in Kentucky out of nowhere, so they've been around in the Belmont a little more in recent years.

While I would not attribute their success to medication exclusively, this is an obvious possibility, and the year-in year-out manifestation is making it harder for me to see it as a coincidence. HP