Now that Pimlico is on the block, we'll start hearing the talk of moving the Preakness out to California and space the triple crown out further than the six weeks it is now. Many will cite the rigors of the campaign and how many horses fell flat in the Belmont on that final leg, and there have been plenty.

Which reminds me that perhaps the best and most overlooked 3 year old of the last 10 years was Afleet Alex. He fell about a length or so short in the Derby, the first leg, and then put on two amazing performances in the Preakness and Belmont. He is proof that the crown doesn't need to space out the races and it should be left alone.

Will not leave Baltimore. The state has made it a historic event and will stay there. And the Rigor of going to Cali would be worse than 3 races in 5 weeks.

When the Maryland Jockey Club went belly up many years ago the Preakness moved to New York. In 1890 it was run at Morris Park in the Bronx and in 1891, 1892, and 1893 it wasn't run at all. From 1894 to 1908 the Preakness was held at the Gravesend Racetrack in Brooklyn.

Part of what makes the Triple Crown the Triple Crown is the three different distances at three different tracks over the 5 weeks. That format should never change. Where the second jewel is located is another story.

I don't care what they do to Pimlico, nor do I care if the race stays in Maryland or not. Just keep it on dirt. The Triple Crown would be ruined if run on the polycrap.

The format has changed many times. TC winner SIR BARTON won the 1919 Preakness just four days after taking the Derby. I understand that the Triple Crown wasn't "officially" recognized until 1930 but that 5 week period isn't all that new considering the ages of the races.

I'm more upset with the Handicap Triple Crown being a thing of the past.

Food for thought if Pimlico goes belly up and the Preakness goes to Belmont Park:

A mile and three sixteenths at Belmont would have to come out of the chute to the training track at one turn or start on the clubhouse turn, making the race a 'turn and a half'.

In the late 60s when Belmont was being rebuilt, the Belmont Stakes was run at Aqueduct and some brawls were made to make the race a mile and quarter or a mile and three-eighths through two turns or a mile and five-eights or two miles through three turns. The traditionalists held sway and the Belmont was run for a few years with the start at the 3/8ths on the turn - out of the gate and make a quick left.

Keep Aqueduct open 2 weeks longer and run the Preakness there. 1 3/16 is an easydistance on the main. lol