with better spacing of race days,it seems to me that a young 3 yr. old should continue to progress more w/each race both physically and mentally.
My reasoning is : a 4 or 5 year old pointing to the B.C. at the end of year is mature and "conditioned mentally to gear up for a big race;whereas a 3 starting his/her season needs the repitition of racing cicumstances to familiarize himself w/his occupation.
The horses with only 2 week gaps,along w/large jumps in class fall off(unless they peak two weeks before derby and maintain their edge.)
Friedman has long claimed that the main reason good horses are more consistent ,is because their bounce occurs on the training track.
Of course there is something warm and fuzzy betting an animal that has regressed a little and his last top was 6-8 weeks ago,but that doesn't apply as much to improving horses(3yr. olds in spring) as it does w/older nags.
So lets all bet the one who is coming up to a big effort,but has not broken thru yet like a Bob and John!...now...just who is this animal??