" . . . Belmont is going to be the Derby this year."

[Blenheim]

"In essence, in some ways, the Belmont is going to be the Derby this year,” Jack Knowlton, who manages leading 3-year-old Tiz the Law, said last week. “All of the good horses, and anyone who has aspirations of the Triple Crown will be there. Everyone who had what they thought was a Kentucky Derby horse will be a Belmont horse this year.”

How Belmont Officials will Set 2020 Field / Belmont Stakes Possibles

[Spalding No!]

Originally Posted by Blenheim

"In essence, in some ways, the Belmont is going to be the Derby this year,” Jack Knowlton, who manages leading 3-year-old Tiz the Law, said last week. “All of the good horses, and anyone who has aspirations of the Triple Crown will be there. Everyone who had what they thought was a Kentucky Derby horse will be a Belmont horse this year.”

How Belmont Officials will Set 2020 Field / Belmont Stakes Possibles

Unfortunately his statement won't be accurate if the principles from the Santa Anita Derby (probably Authentic and Honor A.P.) don't wheel back on 2 weeks rest and cross the tricky Rocky Mountains...

[Suff]

I think it means that the tracks are not working well together. The Martin Panza interview indicated cooperation with Churchill & other's was tepid.

He's got the horse to go through and NYRA is his home. He wants it to be true.

[Spalding No!]

Originally Posted by Suff

I think it means that the tracks are not working well together. The Martin Panza interview indicated cooperation with Churchill & other's was tepid.

No doubt. And it will likely continue if the Travers is altered or simply pre-empted in some way by the Kentucky Derby being scheduled for early September.

Based on the special circumstances in 2020, it actually ought to be the Travers that ends up the most important race of the year for 3yos. Without changing a thing, it is in perfect position to attract not only Tiz The Law, Nadal, and Charlatan, but also King Guillermo, Maxfield, Authentic, Honor A.P., and the 2 Biancone horses.

[CheckMark]

This has to be the worst Triple Crown in years. Having the Belmont being the first leg with shortening up the distance to 9f, having random prep races for the rest of the 2 TC races and then having both the Derby and the Preakness in the fall??? I know it is because of COVID-19, but seriously does NYRA care about even considering changing the date back to where the other dates will be run? Messed up world we live in right now but if this is what has to happen then go ahead.

[burnsy]

Can’t cry over sports at this point. People not working, getting sick and/or dying ...... it is what it is. If you like horse racing it’s really hard to complain because at least it’s open. Two things here. He’s absolutely right if you think your horse has a shot to win the Triple Crown..... you enter the Belmont. Any other race in the next month is secondary at this point. He also does almost have to say that being from NY the guy is putting the best light on a bad situation. The second thing is.... at this point who cares what the name of the race is, where it is, the changed distance or any of the crap people whine about endlessly. This could be the best race for 3 yo’s to date. If the right entrants show up this could be a great sporting event . Boo hoo, go watch baseball or basketball then..... oh yeah , you can’t. There aren’t even open . And even when they do. Is there season going to be the same? Wahhhhh cry me a river

[CheckMark]

Originally Posted by burnsy

Can’t cry over sports at this point. People not working, getting sick and/or dying ...... it is what it is. If you like horse racing it’s really hard to complain because at least it’s open. Two things here. He’s absolutely right if you think your horse has a shot to win the Triple Crown..... you enter the Belmont. Any other race in the next month is secondary at this point. He also does almost have to say that being from NY the guy is putting the best light on a bad situation. The second thing is.... at this point who cares what the name of the race is, where it is, the changed distance or any of the crap people whine about endlessly. This could be the best race for 3 yo’s to date. If the right entrants show up this could be a great sporting event . Boo hoo, go watch baseball or basketball then..... oh yeah , you can’t. There aren’t even open . And even when they do. Is there season going to be the same? Wahhhhh cry me a river

Not crying a river, just wanting things to be at least back to normal whatever normal is.

[groupie doll]

Originally Posted by burnsy

Can’t cry over sports at this point. People not working, getting sick and/or dying ...... it is what it is. If you like horse racing it’s really hard to complain because at least it’s open. Two things here. He’s absolutely right if you think your horse has a shot to win the Triple Crown..... you enter the Belmont. Any other race in the next month is secondary at this point. He also does almost have to say that being from NY the guy is putting the best light on a bad situation. The second thing is.... at this point who cares what the name of the race is, where it is, the changed distance or any of the crap people whine about endlessly. This could be the best race for 3 yo’s to date. If the right entrants show up this could be a great sporting event . Boo hoo, go watch baseball or basketball then..... oh yeah , you can’t. There aren’t even open . And even when they do. Is there season going to be the same? Wahhhhh cry me a river

+1

[Fightingirish51195]

Originally Posted by CheckMark

This has to be the worst Triple Crown in years. Having the Belmont being the first leg with shortening up the distance to 9f, having random prep races for the rest of the 2 TC races and then having both the Derby and the Preakness in the fall??? I know it is because of COVID-19, but seriously does NYRA care about even considering changing the date back to where the other dates will be run? Messed up world we live in right now but if this is what has to happen then go ahead.

It’s not a real triple crown this year anyways regardless of when the Belmont is run.

[GMB@BP]

Like I said elsewhere, its a prep race this year...its certainly not the Derby.

[classhandicapper]

Originally Posted by GMB@BP

Like I said elsewhere, its a prep race this year...its certainly not the Derby.

It really fell apart from what was hoped a few weeks ago.

Nadal and Charlatan out and Maxfield going to the Bluegrass.