Amanda Duckworth has an interesting column on ESPN regarding the Belmont Stakes.
The Belmont's place
The final jewel in the Triple Crown will be of particular interest this year
http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/10990580/the-belmont-placeUpdated: May 28, 2014, 12:14 PM ET
By Amanda Duckworth | Special to
ESPN.comShe appears to be suggesting that the Belmont Stakes is perhaps the least respected Triple Crown race unless there is a Triple Crown on the line.
I must respectfully disagree.
It is a given that breeders in the US are not looking for 12 furlongs horses. However, it is the case that breeders ARE looking for 10 furlong horses. Breeding a 12 furlong horse is still attractive to breeders seeking to foal a 10 furlong champion.
Examine who the leading sire used to be until recently - A.P. Indy. He is a Belmont Stakes winner. Granted he also won the Breeders Cup Classic, but I am certain Lanes End Farm was proud to advertise their stallion as a Belmont Stakes/Breeders Cup Classic Champion.
Lanes End also has Lemon Drop Kid who won the Belmont Stakes, Travers Stakes, and other race.
Union Rags also stands at Lanes End. The Belmont Stakes was his best race.
The same goes for Jazil who stands at Shadwell Farm.
Remember how Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone was so successful as a stallion in a single year he had the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes winner. Granted, he too had won at 10 furlongs in the Travers Stakes, but I do think that his Belmont Stakes win was an attractive feature on his resume.
If this were the case, most of the Derby entrants would not skip the Preakness Stakes to run in Belmont Stakes.
This happens regardless of whether there is a Triple Crown on the line.
I would argue that the Preakness Stakes, is more likely the least respected race by examining the caliber of the horses entered in that race - few Kentucky Derby starters - usually horses that could not make the Kentucky Derby.
Securing a win in the third leg of the Triple Crown, 12 furlongs or not, is still a meaningful goal of many trainers throughout the country.
