As Thoroughbred racing enters a brand new yr, it faces the inevitable problem of studying from the previous 12 months and making use of these classes to the brand new yr.
With 2026 simply across the nook, BloodHorse has as soon as once more performed a web-based year-end survey, asking among the greatest names within the sport to weigh in on related points going through the game.
On BloodHorse Day by day and www.bloodhorse.com, by way of Jan. 2, a choose group of panelists will handle points resembling probably the most thrilling freshman stallions of 2026, discipline dimension, what attendees inform freshmen they like most concerning the sport, fixed-odds wagering, foal herd dimension, the Breeders’ Cup, and extra. Immediately we proceed our collection with questions concerning the Triple Crown.
We all know there are numerous different voices, however we hope these solutions will spark significant dialogue throughout the trade.
If you want to share your opinion, we encourage you to submit it in writing to editorial@bloodhorse.com for publication in Letters to the Editor. Longer articles could be thought of as trade voice columns.
To entry the 2023 year-end survey, click on the hyperlink under for a PDF model.
Solutions have been edited for type and readability.
query: With new amenities being constructed at Belmont Park and Pimlico Racecourse and a brand new Triple Crown race on the horizon, ought to the races themselves change when it comes to race order, race dates and race distances? Or why should not you make modifications?
Mark Casse, Corridor of Fame Coach: In the event you had requested me this query a yr in the past, I’d have stated it wants to vary. Reaching the triple crown shouldn’t be simple.
However the Kentucky Derby is all the time such an enormous race, on condition that fashionable trainers refuse to run after two or three weeks, and the Preakness Stakes that follows is anticipated to be an enormous drop off. With 4 weeks between the three races, you are virtually assured to have a Kentucky Derby winner within the Preakness. It does not matter if Chad Brown is the coach or Invoice Mott is the coach. They need further time and in the event that they get it they may run within the Preakness.
This yr (Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty) didn’t run within the Preakness, however further time could have modified that.
Every part in life modifications, so I feel now we must always separate the races extra. It is going to even be helpful for the Triple Crown match and the undercard of that day.
Nobody likes to speak about this, however some horses want medicine to recuperate from a race, and the 2 weeks between the Kentucky Derby and Preakness make that tougher for some horses due to the withdrawal interval.
A bigger pockets can also be useful. Speaking about cash.
Invoice Knauf, president and basic supervisor of the Maryland Jockey Membership, stated: As a brand new group, the Maryland Jockey Membership’s method is to evaluate every thing associated to the Preakness Stakes, together with dates, distances and race order. We’re in a singular scenario newly created by Maryland that deserves a recent have a look at one of the best path ahead. That being stated, we acknowledge the good historical past this tribe has and that could be a issue. We’re presently within the strategy of analyzing historic race information and shall be incorporating stakeholder enter sooner or later…all to assist information our choices.
We’re within the early levels of discovering a accomplice for broadcast and media rights for 2027, which may even play a key function within the timing of the race. Moreover, we aren’t in discussions with different Triple Crown vans as we’re targeted on our personal operations first.
Michael McCarthy, coach: I assist preserving the Triple Crown races as they’re when it comes to race dates, spacing between races, and race distances. I’m additionally a proponent of massive wallets for all three races.
The Triple Crown is one thing particular. That is meant to distinguish good horses from nice horses and shouldn’t change that. Regardless of all of the race day components, journey, pomp and ambiance, and all the opposite components, it takes a sure sort of horse to take part in all three races. The horse must be very gifted and have an excellent thoughts to try this.
I see many racetracks and racing workplaces avoiding grime races longer than 1/18th of a mile, however I feel that is too dangerous as there are a lot of horses who wish to go additional distances.
From a pockets perspective, all three races are superb races on their very own deserves. That is what the Kentucky Derby is all about. It is American horse racing. Everybody is aware of that. However taking part in a Triple Crown race requires extraordinary effort from each horse and human.
Even with the decline in foal manufacturing, it’s nonetheless a feat to have round 30 totally different horses competing within the Triple Crown race out of round 16,000 horses. So there’s one thing to be stated for the rewards you get for taking part.
I imagine a handbag of $3 million or extra is the minimal for each the Belmont Stakes and Preakness Stakes. We’ve got bulging wallets for different races and that appears to get individuals’s consideration.
David O’Rourke, CEO and Chairman of the New York Horse Racing Affiliation, stated: The Triple Crown race is horse racing’s most profitable and necessary collection. As a result of it’s an current method, it attracts the eye of sports activities followers yearly. Meaning three traditional races shall be broadcast to a nationwide viewers on community tv throughout a condensed time interval. These occasions proceed to generate record-breaking attendance, attendance, and tv viewership. I’m very conscious of the controversy throughout the trade relating to race spacing, and I’ve all the time been an energetic participant in conversations involving leaders from all three organizations, however we should be very cautious.
Extending the collection by greater than two months, for instance, may basically change the Triple Crown race and create much more uncertainty for horses trying to compete in all three races.
From an informal fan’s perspective, what would occur if March Insanity have been held over two months? Disrupting the continuity of those three races may have a damaging impression on our collective capacity to keep up the general public curiosity. We frequently confuse trade debate with public opinion. This can be a good instance. Triple Crown is broadly common and rising.
stated Tom Rooney, CEO and President of the Thoroughbred Racing Affiliation of America. We’re witnessing a unprecedented level right here the place New York and Maryland will collectively make investments almost $1 billion in these main venues. Moreover, Churchill Downs continues to make vital enhancements to its amenities.
On the finish of the day, the Triple Crown calendar and race format are as much as what the racetrack needs to do. However what advantages one ought to profit all. The general public needs to see Kentucky Derby horses run within the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. With these new amenities up and working, I’m assured that the leaders of our sport will come collectively to make the Triple Crown higher than ever.
