The more I ponder on it, the more I think contamination, with the interesting
question then being whether said contamination was intentional or inadvertent.

As to seeing a generation of thoroughbreds making double digit starts per year,
other factors are in play. The number of times stallions at the top levels are
bred each year probably has increased and I will leave it to someone more well
versed genetically to explain what effect this would have on the sturdiness of
the breed. This is a rather complex and unfortunately strictly economic issue.

At the top levels, any major Dude, Cat or even a Kitten can turn a million or
two making five or maybe six starts per year.

I'm thinking without knowing that the trainer you are referring to gave Pat
Day a leg up on his first Derby winner. An outstanding trainer, I remember
playing softball against his help in the infield at CD before the turf course
was installed.