It's time for the Triple Crown to adapt and make big changes to a brutal schedule
Thoroughbred horses aren't as durable as they used to be. Because of that, it is time to adapt the Triple Crown schedule.
Being able to adapt is a key to the success of all sports. Stay stuck in the past and the present and future will dim. Case in point are MLB starting pitchers.
For decades, they were able to go nine innings on four days' rest -- or less during the postseason. However, times change and the starting arms now get tired after five innings and around 100 pitches. Baseball execs had to adjust and have.
Which brings us to thoroughbred horses and, in particular, the Triple Crown. Today's 3-year-old horses are no longer equipped to run as hard or frequently as the greats of the past. Think of their legs like a pitcher's throwing harm.
There are only so many races in them and as time has gone by, they have become fewer by the year. Call it stubborn or tradition, but the Triple Crown series -- which starts Saturday with the Kentucky Derby and continues two weeks after that with the Preakness, then concludes three weeks later with the Belmont -- is languishing. Just last year, Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty's connections opted to skip the Preakness , thinking of the horse's health and long-term schedule.