Updated 6/8/98
I'll leave my ranting below for all those interested (which is probably no one)..
Kudo's to Real Quiet and company for giving us an exciting Triple Crown. People can complain if they want, but Real Quiet didn't injure Lil's Lad, Event of the Year, or Coronado's Quest, and shouldn't be penalized for it. People also seem to forget how freakish last year's 3-year old crop was; it's impossible to compare this year's 3-year old's to them. Let it die, Real Quiet is great.
I'll go ahead and start listing the top 3 year olds now, since the Triple Crown's over (and since it's a wheeee bit early to be guessing next year's 3 year old champion...)
Personally, I think we should forget tradition and make the Triple Crown series for 4-year old horses instead of a 3-year old horses. The reason? It would give horses and extra year to physically develop before asking them to compete at such a demanding level. Start maiden races at three instead of two. It may seem drastic, but the last few years have been marred with far too many injuries. I know horses will still get hurt, but not racing horses until they are three would almost have to reduce these injuries. Needless to say, what was once a promising series is once again turning into a debacle...