BARBARO. . . EIGHT BELLES. . . RACHEL ALEXANDRA. . .Those are the only names of Triple Crown horses that I’ve ever been asked about by friends, co-workers and acquaintances.With Barbaro, I was eager to discuss advancements in equine medicine and orthopedics.Eight Belles nearly broke my heart, but I took the opportunity to try to educate the casual fan about the realities of “fixing” horses where a favorable outcome is simply and sadly an impossibility.barbaro-xraysThe day after the Preakness this year, I couldn’t contain my satisfaction, and yes, a little bit of relief at how wonderfully the thoroughbred industry presented a sport with all of the drama, the human interest and agony of defeat of every other televised sport. . . without anybody getting hurt.I have a very distinct memory of an on-air personality, a, longtime race-caller, in a moment of sadness after a horse broke down on TV. What I recall him saying was this:“People explain this away by saying “that’s horse racing,” but its not horseracing, and we should do everything we can to make sure its not..”Its in that spirit and the “perfect” victories of both Rachel Alexandra and Mine that Bird that I can feel comfortable and, yes, even proud to tell others: Now That’s Horseracing.. . .And the geldings shall multiply and prosper. . .Mine that Bird lost out on his chance for the Triple Crown, but his unlikely success may be the beginning of the change in racing and breeding [ and marketing !] philosophy that will attract new fans to the sport.minebird_colorstripes2Geldings have the power to attract interest, collecting fans and followers that would dwindle once the horse steps off the track and into the breeding shed. And there can be no doubt that there are fans who will take the time and effort to follow a particular horse.One need only look to the unprecedented interest in the horses that have been signaled out as “special.” We saw the general public and all of the power of the “masses” latch on to the stories of Barbaro and Eight Belles and Exceller and Ferdinand. . .Wouldn’t it be nice if all of that enthusiasm and passion for our equine athletes was focused on a horse that is still running (and alive)?The future success of well-bred geldings may influence the sport in another way, as well. Perhaps the “gelding bias” of the Triple Crown races will be put to rest forever, and more horses will be gelded, which could, in the long run reduce the number of 3-year-olds with a panoply of physical idiosyncrasies and genetic faults that become their unfortunate legacy.Those Racing Gods sure can spoil a foregone conclusionWhether you choose to call it luck, destiny, karma, or even the ethereal racing luck. . .there’s plenty of instances where the “we’re number one and your horses wear army boots” attitude of a particular horse’s connections (trainers and owners) seem to be the major contributing factor to all those “sure things” that didn’t come throughLooking BackBig Brown, War Pass, Stardom Bound: their failures as “sure things” might prove that a little humility and respect can go a long way towards pleasing the Gods of Racing. But, if arrogance gets in the way, you’re taking a chance that certain unseen but powerful forces will conspire against you. . . and cut your celebration short.Stardom Bound:Her incredible 5 stakes win-streak cames to an end after joining the IEAH/Dutrow StableRemember this?Undefeated in five career starts, Big Brown had won the Derby and Preakness with ease, just as his trainer, Rick Dutrow, had predicted. Dutrow spoke likewise before the Belmont, calling the outcome “a foregone conclusion,” and dismissed the opposition as a weak group. Two days before the race he said, “I know my horse; I know the other horses. I don’t see any problem.War Pass:The BC Juvenile winner was an absolute “lock” to win the Tampa Bay Derby last year.He had a sizable band of well-wishers and groupies awaiting his return to the winner’s circle.The winning connections from the previous race, giddy with the prospect of having any sort of role in the coronation of the “next big thing” presented the owner of War Pass their spray of victory flowers, practically declaring the speedy Zito-trained runner the winner of the race yet to be run.I think you know what happened after that.