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dollars and the Belmont was 40.6 million dollars without Barbaro. Over 200 million dollars bet at tracks across the nation on three Saturdays in May and June for those three races. The rest of the year the crowds are much smaller and interest is spread throughout a niche market of gamblers and others with a serious and or financial interest in the sport.

The day of the Breeders CupRaces are the only thing comparable in handle and interest.

The situation is sad in Florida where Hialeah Race Track has closed, Gulfstream is in bankruptcy and business as usual will probably change shortly after the Florida Derby and the tourist season ends.

Winners of triple crown races are winners in the breeding industry. Syndication deals for Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Big Brown and just about every Kentucky Derby winner is big news and the cycle of dreams and dreamers that are part of the industry goes on (geldings excluded). Bob Baffert, D. Wayne Luckas and others with promising 2 year olds in the barn look forward to the Derby, Preakness, or the Belmont knowing that success in any or all of these races will only multiply the benefits to all their connections.

Owning a race horse and keeping it in training is not cheap and owning a horse that can compete at the highest level needs committed owners. The sport needs big races to feed the big dreams of owners, the sport needs lots of people to bet so that it is worth the trip to the track. The tracks need something to interest people, good horses, big fields and facilities that can handle world class events.

Each major sport needs championship events. The Triple Crown contains more than three good races for 3 year olds, it is the lightning in the bottle, a lifetime achievement, and a place in history for the winning horses, trainers, jockeys, and owners in the sport.

The most exciting two minutes in sports is still a compelling story, whether it's about racing's blue bloods or a guy like Bennie Stutts whose had one horse in the Derby after 50 years in the game.

A Triple Crown winner, this year, next year or whenever will be as special as anything in sport. A little racing luck to make it happen wouldn't hurt.

Learn more about this author, John Asgeirson.
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