HORSE RACING / HANDICAPPING 101

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A movement is afoot to alter the timing and spacing of the three races, perhaps as soon as next year. Similar misguided schemes have emerged and receded over the years, but this one is backed by prominent officials at two of the three host tracks and appears to have a chance of succeeding – despite its complete lack of necessity, its clear unpopularity with the sport’s fans, and the strong objections of the connections of the last horses to accomplish the feat.

http://www.drf.com/news/crist-triple-crown-should-stay-classic

This spring’s first proposal to meddle with racing’s most visible and popular events came from management at Pimlico, the site of the Preakness. Tom Chuckas, president of the host Maryland Jockey Club, said he was frustrated that the supporting races on the Preakness undercard were not attracting horses who had run two weeks earlier at Churchill Downs on Derby Day. He advocated extending the gap between the Derby and Preakness from two to four weeks, with the Belmont then four weeks later.