It's time for the Triple Crown to adapt and make big changes to a brutal schedule

TL;DR

The Triple Crown needs to adapt its schedule to reflect the changing capabilities of modern thoroughbred horses, which are less able to handle the rigorous demands of past eras. Just as MLB has adjusted for pitchers, horse racing must reconsider its approach to ensure the health and longevity of its athletes.

Key points

Modern thoroughbred horses are less capable of frequent racing.
The Triple Crown schedule may need significant changes.
Adaptation is essential for the success of sports, including horse racing.

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. When winners of the Run for the Roses pass on the Preakness, it is a giant sign a change is needed.

Next year would be the perfect time. Two-thirds of the 2026 Triple Crown series will be run at tracks at are not part of its history. The Preakness will be contested at Laurel Park in Maryland while Pimlico is totally rebuilt.

The Belmont once again will be at Saratoga Race Course and not run at the "Test of the Champion" distance of 1 1/2 miles. That is because Belmont Park is undergoing its reconstruction.

Should a 3-year-old navigate the difficult three races over 5 weeks and win them all this year, would it mean this Triple Crown winner would always have the stigma of an asterisk?

A Sports Business Journal report earlier this month suggested when Pimlico reopens, the Preakness could be pushed a week to three weeks after the Derby. That, of course, would be only possible if the NYRA agreed to move the Belmont back a week, too.

Rather than have the Preakness run into Memorial Day weekend during many years, there is a solution, one that has been bandied about: Run each Triple Crown race on the first Saturday of May, June and July, respectively.

This wouldn't guarantee owners and trainers stop ducking the crown jewels. But it could enhance the desire to be in each. The 3-year-old stakes later in the summer would also likely have to adjust, but bowing to a fresh Triple Crown series would be worth it.

For a sport that is so many ways stuck in the past, if horse racing continues to refuse to adjust the Triple Crown, it will be another example of the sport, er, striking out.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Triple Crown schedule needs to change for horse racing future

Q&A

Why do modern thoroughbred horses struggle with the Triple Crown schedule?

Modern thoroughbred horses are not equipped to run as frequently or as hard as those in the past, leading to increased strain and fewer races they can handle.

How has baseball adapted to changes in pitcher performance?

Baseball has adjusted its strategies, allowing pitchers to rest more frequently and limiting their innings to manage fatigue and prevent injuries.

What changes are being suggested for the Triple Crown races?

It is suggested that the Triple Crown schedule be modified to better accommodate the physical limitations of today's horses, similar to adjustments made in other sports.