17.05.12
The traffic's thick under the radar. This time of year, the crowd lurks behind the scenes or on the sidelines and keeps its talents off the record, and so the future stars often reside incognito.
Last year for example, at precisely this moment on the calendar, Animal Kingdom, Shackleford and Ruler On Ice had not even participated in a stakes;
each had won a maiden race, and that was it, the depth of their accomplishments, the full extent of their résumés: one victory against rivals that had never won or done anything of note. But, of course, Animal Kingdom, Shackleford and Ruler On Ice would go on to divvy up the sport's famous jewels.
Meanwhile, the trio of 2-year-olds that had inspired the most glittery dreams -- Uncle Mo, Boys At Tosconova and To Honor And Serve -- didn't even participate in the Triple Crown series. Dazzling in their precociousness, they stood out from the crowd as juveniles, but as 3-year-olds they missed the defining moment.
Source: ESPN