Man O’ War’s owner did not enter one of the very greatest race horses of all time in the Kentucky Derby, as he didn’t want to have to bring the horse to KY and thought the horse was too young for that race.
Should he have been prevented from entering the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes, which he won easily?
It is self evident only one horse can win the Triple Crown!
You have to have a field of horses to make it a race!
So what do you do, make the Preakness a timed event for the horse that won the previous two. If 2 3 min horse races in 2 months tire your horse to where it’s a disadvantage you might need to get another horse. I much rather have seen the
Winner circle Festivities than some blubbering fool spout idiocy on National TV! Bob Costas is a fool for egging the guy on!
“Should he have been prevented from entering the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes, which he won easily?”
According to the rules, no. The owner was not in violation of any rules, therefore entering his horse in the Preakness and Belmont was legitimate.