Is it Time to Change the Triple Crown of Pacing?

[The Thorn]

Just took a look at the Messenger entries on Friday night.  Two divisions of horses that are mostly medium class NYSS horses.  Not one established Grand Circuit performer in the bunch.  Time to revamp the "Triple Crown" or call it something else.  Should have been done two decades ago as the Cane Pace is usually not any better and the best horses skip the Jug too. 

The Yonkers Trot entries are not great either.  Highest earner this year has 43,000 on his card. Sucks to be old enough to remember when these races actually meant something.

[Brown jug]

yup
regional sires stakes have put an end to most of these races being relevant
the only few that still matter are below
na cup
meadowlands pace
metro
some  lexington grand circuit
breeders crown

[toothman]

what year did the breeders crown originate?

[Bitter Truth]

It's been discussed before. Since no-one even runs in, let alone wins all three anyhow, I would propose just
go to a grand slam. NAC [7/8] Meadowlands Pace [mile] Adios [5/8] Jug [1/2]  Precious Bunny did it

[Papillon]

It's been discussed before. Since no-one even runs in, let alone wins all three anyhow, I would propose just
go to a grand slam. NAC [7/8] Meadowlands Pace [mile] Adios [5/8] Jug [1/2]  Precious Bunny did it

I doubt we see a horse race in all four let alone win all of them.

When i mention facts about Precious Bunny--all i hear is " Artsplace was sick"

The way Moiseyev blasted the gate in the Jug from post 6 was brilliant

[Bitter Truth]

Ask them if Artsplace was sick in the other three too, Papillon.

[Grandstand Handicapper]

Just took a look at the Messenger entries on Friday night.  Two divisions of horses that are mostly medium class NYSS horses.  Not one established Grand Circuit performer in the bunch.  Time to revamp the "Triple Crown" or call it something else.  Should have been done two decades ago as the Cane Pace is usually not any better and the best horses skip the Jug too. 

The Yonkers Trot entries are not great either.  Highest earner this year has 43,000 on his card. Sucks to be old enough to remember when these races actually meant something.

I hear you on that. The Messenger lost it's prestige a long time ago. It was eaten up by scheduling, other stakes, cannibalism, and so on. The Yonkers Trot still has prestige as a stallion race (more in Europe) although it's losing that stature as well. Most trotting races aren't what they used to be. If it's a stallion making race, that's fine, but today the Europeans are competing here and they are winning their fair share and then some.

[Jazzman]

na cup meadowlandspace breeders crown

[MIKE CAMPBELL]

Screw the triple crown. It is outdated and the T-Breds have it covered. If harness racing wants to get noticed and possibly make some headlines that doesn't include the words PED, EPO and indictments, then they should put together an all age open pace and trot for 10 million each.  I am sure national interest and coverage would occur.

[PLOP PLOP FIZZ FIZZ]

What 3 races? What’s the prize for winning tri crown?

[albitchross]

the harness racing 'Triple Crown' was started by Yonkers Raceway - it will always belong to them

[The Thorn]

What 3 races? What’s the prize for winning tri crown?

It was the Cane Pace at Yonkers, Messenger at wherever was picking it up since the death of Roosevelt in 88 and the Jug.  The prize used to be a trophy and bragging rights.  Now it's probably just something used to drink beer out of.   The Cane is at Meadowlands now and will not get the respect that the Meadowlands pace gets, so that is now outdated as being a championship race. 

I think the Hambo society or whoever should get together and change it to the NA Cup, M pace and Jug.  That way you have three different size tracks. They should get a Million dollars prize for winning all three. 

[Papillon]

Ask them if Artsplace was sick in the other three too, Papillon.

i did-they said he was sick the entire year

[The Exporter]

Why am I seeing an elimination race for the Yonkers trot on Friday when there are only 8 separate entrants?  Who gets eliminated? Is it raced for post position draw preference ?

[The Thorn]

There is very likely a horse or maybe two that got byes.  They give them to the highest money earners.  A horse like Security Protected who is eligible would get that bye if he is in.