I don't place the blame so much on the race organizers as I do on the breeders and trainers. The trend toward breeding for speed alone has produced horses that are somewhat more fragile than their ancestors. A powerful horse can survive the rigors of a crowded schedule, but the lightweight speed horses may break down. Is there anyone out there old enough to remember Fred Scolari and his two-handed set shot?
It's not the scheduling so much as the age at which they start racing. Derby horses are virtually run into the ground as 2 year olds - the attrition rate is enormous. We have the same issue down here with the second highest prizemoney in racing on offer for the fastest 2 year old over 1200 metres (The Golden Slipper). Most vets and even some trainers will tell you that this can cause serious damage to horses. However, the bloodstock part of the industry wants speed, and will pay for speed. Even though breeding is still pretty much a lottery. Having the Triple Crown over 5 weeks is probably a good thing - racehorses are trained with a schedule in mind. They can't race fast all the time, and tend to peak over a period of a few weeks. Once their performance drops off they are spelled.
I've never put much stock in horse racing, but the opportunity to go the Derby dropped in my lap, so I'll be enjoying whatever may come (save torrential downpours of course). So, regardless of Deford's views (and they may be valid, I have no idea), I plan on enjoying some delicious mint juleps in Kentucky, and If I'm lucky I may see a horse race break out! (If anyone else is going to the derby, drop me a line.)
