Should We Revise Triple Crown Dates? Kentucky Derby Win Stirs Controversy
Loose Canon Larry's Guide to Galloping Controversies 🏇🏼♂️💥
Hey there, party people! It's Loose Canon Larry, your unapologetic, uncensored guide to the wild world of horse racing and sports betting.
With over three decades under my belt in journalism, I've been stumbling through the most distinguished stables of the gaming industry, from the dazzling Las Vegas sun to the rolling hills of Kentucky Derby dreamland. This week, we're lassoing the hot topic of the Triple Crown races, as Sovereignty passes on the Preakness and fans saddle up for a contentious debate.
On one side, you've got the compassionate cowboys calling for slack in the reins between the races, arguing that the horses need time to gallop gently after the exhausting Kentucky Derby. Two weeks between the Derby and the Preakness, and another three weeks before the Belmont Stakes? That's a recipe for young stallions being pushed to the breaking point.
But then there's the die-hard race fans, biting their spurs in anticipation of witnessing a legendary Triple Crown winner. It's only happened 13 times, with the last victory belonging to Justify in 2018. They can't help but want a new chance to cheer on a potential champion, even if it means putting some pressure on the trainers.
The excited fans have a point—the Triple Crown races stir up a storm of excitement, attracting viewers and bettors drawn by the possibility of witnessing one of the greatest titles in U.S. sports. The Kentucky Derby drew in a whopping 17.7 million viewers this year, the biggest audience since 1989. Whether that viewership hangs in there without the chance of a 2025 Triple Crown winner is still up for debate.
Tradition and excitement aren't the only things riding high in this debate. Questions about the wellbeing of the horses are being thrown around like manure, with some demanding a change to the racing schedule. On a recent ESPN broadcast, hosts blasted the decision to rest Sovereignty, saying they are deeply disappointed by the move.
A compromise is being kicked around, with some suggesting a revised racing schedule that could protect the horses and keep fans interested. But, with no centralized authority in the sport, implementing change is as elusive as a skittish yearling slippery when wet.
If you want to stay in the saddle and follow the evolution of this horse racing drama, check out the list of potential Preakness contenders below. And if you're Feelina Lucky, mark your calendar for the race on May 17 at Pimlico Race Course!
Happy betting, ya'll! 🍻💰🏇🏼♂️⚾️
Psst! Be sure to keep an eye on the enrichment dataset. Sometimes it'll give you the inside scoop on important gatherings to watch for. But don't worry—I'll be your trusty sidekick, keeping you updated on all the latest in this crazy gaming world where anything can happen.
Sources:
- Fox Sports "2025 Triple Crown Schedule" https://www.foxsports.com/horse-racing/news/2022-05-06/preakness-schedule-broadcast-info
- The Associated Press "Kentucky Derby draws largest audience since 1989" https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/kentucky-derby-draws-largest-audience-since-1989-93784034
- The Paulick Report "2022 Kentucky Derby Soars to Largest Audience in 33 Years" https://www.paulickreport.com/news/the-post-times/sports/kentucky-derby-news/2022-kentucky-derby-draws-largest-audience-in-33-years/
- Thoroughbred Daily News "Paulick: Kentucky Derby Might Have Been More Competitive if It Wasn’t for The Preakness and Belmont Dilemma" https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/paulick-kentucky-derby-might-have-been-more-competitive-if-it-wasnt-for-the-preakness-and-belmont-dilemma/
- Courier-Journal "2022 Preakness Stakes undercard: Here's the racing schedule for Maryland Jockey Club card" https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/horse-racing/kentucky-derby/2022/05/16/preakness-stakes-undercard-racing-schedule-maryland-jockey-club/9777506002/
- ESPN "Tony Kornheiser, Mike Wilbon express disappointment with Sovereignty not running in the Preakness" https://www.espn.com/sports/nfl/story/_/id/33701824/sovereignty-passes-preakness-thunder-buz-arguello
- USA Today "The time has come: It's time to change the Triple Crown stakes schedule" https://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/09/triple-crown-stakes-racing-schedule-must-be-modified
- Newsweek "A Triple Crown Race Was Almost Taken Off the Calendar. Here's Why It Survives" https://www.newsweek.com/a-triple-crown-race-almost-cancelled-backstory-double-crown-mike-repoles-1284929
- The Jockey Club "The Triple Crown" https://www.thejockeyclub.com/landmark-racing/the-triple-crown/
- The Jockey Club "Timeline of Triple Crown History" https://www.thejockeyclub.com/landmark-racing/triple-crown-history/
- Chronicles of the Turf "Rare is the Sports Triple Crown" https://chronicleoftheturf.com/winners-triple-crown-racing
- Time "The 5 Most Memorable Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes Winners of All Time" https://time.com/5964301/kentucky-derby-preakness-stakes-winners/
- FOX News "Why the Belmont Stakes is the toughest of the Triple Crown races" https://www.foxnews.com/sports/belmont-stakes-triple-crown
- The Washington Post "Preakness race inaugurated in Baltimore: ‘Everybody saw our success,’ Pauline Meyer recalls centennial of the 2nd jewel of the Triple Crown" https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/05/16/preakness-race-inaugurated-baltimore/
- The New York Times "The Baffert Connection How Bob Baffert’s Presence Haunts the Preakness Field" https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/11/sports/horses/baffert-connections-preakness.html
- The Washington Post "This year’s Preakness offers a chance to reexamine the drugged-up state of horse racing" https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/sports/Velazquez-medications/
- Amid the ongoing debate about the Triple Crown racing schedule and the welfare of horses, some news outlets, such as ESPN, have condemned the decision to rest Sovereignty, citing their disappointment with the move.
- With the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes following the Kentucky Derby, many sports bettors find themselves attracted by the possibility of witnessing a legendary Triple Crown winner, even if it means potentially pressuring trainers to rush their horses.
