[Linny]

Part of the issue is that TRAINERS have changed. Most of today's trainers have no idea how to race a horse every 2 weeks.

As for 2yo racing and the TC all the TC winners ran at 2, some of the alot. There was a time when 2yo's meant for the classics were started in June or so. They would then be ready to run in the stakes at Saratoga. Now the classic type colt is held out to break his maiden at Saratoga, run back in the Champagne and then the BCJ. The Hopeful is a glorified NW1x and the Futurity is the same. I remember when Seattle Slew's late start and 3 race juvie campaign was considered radical and many people disagreed with his getting the 2yo championship, not because he wasn't the best but because of his record of a maiden, allowance and (G1) Champagne. The belief was that he didn't "prove" himself in stakes. (Keep in mind that in that era the Champagne was the equivalent of the BCJ.)

Affirmed and Alydar began their rivalry in June of their 2yo season and Secretariat debuted on July 4th. After that start, he still ran a nice race juvie campaign. Today, Laurin would be considered a butcher!

In light of the fact that we have had several close misses (Smarty Jones, Real Quiet) in recent years, I don't think a dramatic shift is needed. If Real Quiet was a hair's breadth away, can it be impossible?