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The significance of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes is huge in the thoroughbred industry. These races are the core of a small number of races which are the basis for the industry as we know it. But first a word about the state of racing: sick.

Each of the tracks hosting Triple Crown events is experiencing some financial difficulties. Attendance is down, handle is flat and whether you like it or not slot machines are viewed as the savior of the industry.

The Triple Crown races are the past, present and future of racing, repeated annually at least for now. The best of the best horses from Kentucky, California, Florida, Arkansas, and tracks throughout the country look to compete in one two or all three of these races if possible.

Secretariat thundering down the stretch in the Belmont and winning by 31 lengths was beyond belief in 1973.

Affirmed going stride for stride with Alydar and beating him in three close races were probably the best three classic races ever in 1978.

Every Triple Crown race has its story but Every Triple Crown winner is a major piece of thoroughbred history. There have been only 11 Triple Crown winners in the history of the sport. It is the most exclusive club in racing from Sir Barton in 1919 to Affirmed in 1978.

I remember watching Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed. There hasn't been a Triple Crown in over 30 years, the largest gap ever. Ten times since 1978 horses have won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness but came up short in the Belmont with its crushing distance of a mile and a half or fresher horses that skipped either the Derby or Preakness. Two out of three ain't bad but the sport needs a new hero badly.

As time goes by, winning the Triple Crown is the Holy Grail of racing, additional purse money from sponsors should there a winner, and for many in the business something that will recharge interest in a sport or validate a lifetime of trying if you are an owner, trainer or jockey. Track owners depend on the bump in handle those three Saturdays, for many it is the only time they will visit a track during the year and the only time they will see racing as it was; with crowds, excitement and a chance to see history.

I like the Breeder's Cup but it isn't the Triple Crown. Sort of like won and it's done. Money doesn't necessarily insure a tradition will endure and sponsors come and go.

The amount of money wagered on the Derby was a staggering 107 million dollars in 2006. The handle on the Preakness was 55 million

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