Derby replaces graded earnings with point system
 

http://www.courier-journal.com/artic...e-2013-entries

In one of the most significant changes in the 139-year history of the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs will determine the 20-horse field for next year’s event through points accrued in selected prep races.

The points system, to be known as the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” and intended to build advance fan interest, will begin this fall, with 2-year-olds able to earn points for the May 4 Derby in designated races.

Churchill’s management believes the new structure, which it plans to announce today, organizes the preps into the equivalent of a regular season and playoffs, to which fans can relate. Ever since the field has been limited to 20 horses, some form of earnings has been used to determine the field. Since 1986, Churchill has used graded-stakes earnings.

INFOGRAPHIC

http://www.courier-journal.com/artic...TS08/306140026

KENTUCKY DERBY PREP SEASON

Late September into February

Points: 10 for first, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth

Race Distance Track Location
Royal Lodge mile (T) Newmarket England
Norfolk 1 1/16 miles Santa Anita California
Breeders’ Futurity (S) 1 1/16 miles Keeneland Kentucky
Champagne mile Belmont New York
Grey 1 1/16 miles (S) Woodbine Canada
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile 1 1/16 miles Santa Anita (X) California
Delta Downs Jackpot 1 1/16 miles Delta Downs Louisiana
Remsen 1 1/8 miles Aqueduct New York
Kentucky Jockey Club 1 1/16 miles Churchill Kentucky
CashCall Futurity 1 1/16 miles (S) Hollywood Park California
Sham mile Santa Anita California
Smarty Jones mile Oaklawn Arkansas
Lecomte mile, 70 yards Fair Grounds Louisiana
Holy Bull mile Gulfstream Florida
Robert B. Lewis 1 1/16 miles Santa Anita California
Sam F. Davis 1 1/16 miles Tampa Bay Downs Florida
Withers 1 1/16 miles Aqueduct New York
El Camino Real Derby 1 1/8 miles (S) Golden Gate California
Southwest mile Oaklawn Arkansas


KENTUCKY DERBY CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON

PHASE ONE

Late February to late March

Points: 50 for first, 20 for second, 10 for third, 5 for fourth

Race Distance Track Location
Risen Star 1 1/16 miles Fair Grounds Louisiana
Fountain of Youth 1 1/16 miles Gulfstream Florida
Gotham 1 1/16 miles Aqueduct New York
Tampa Bay Derby 1 1/16 miles Tampa Bay Downs Florida
San Felipe 1 1/16 miles Santa Anita California
Rebel 1 1/16 miles Oaklawn Arkansas
Spiral 1 1/8 miles (S) Turfway Kentucky
Sunland Derby 1 1/8 miles Sunland Park New Mexico


PHASE TWO

Late March through mid-April

Points: 100 for first, 40 for second, 20 for third, 10 for fourth

Race Distance Track Location
Florida Derby 1 1/8 miles Gulfstream Florida
UAE Derby 1 3/16 miles (S) Meydan Racecourse Dubai
Louisiana Derby 1 1/8 miles Fair Grounds Louisiana
Wood Memorial 1 1/8 miles Aqueduct New York
Santa Anita Derby 1 1/8 miles Santa Anita California
Arkansas Derby 1 1/8 miles Oaklawn Arkansas
Blue Grass 1 1/8 miles (S) Keeneland Kentucky


FINAL PHASE

Late April

Points: 20 for first, 8 for second, 4 for third, 2 for fourth

Race Distance Track Location
Lexington 1 1/16 miles (S) Keeneland Kentucky
Derby Trial mile Churchill Kentucky


Key: X-in 2012; T-turf; S-synthetic surfaceNote: Information is based on most recent running of races. The official 2012-13 race dates, purses and distances for each race will be announced by the host tracks.

Poor D Wayne

I love it. Been hoping for something like this for awhile.

A third in the Sunland Derby is as important as a win in the BCJ or Hollywood Futurity?

Do the morons who run CD do ANYTHING right??????

Poor Jim Miller

Really? It seem really poorly thought out to me.

For instance, any top two year old who has a setback late in their 2yo season is going to have difficulty accruing points.

It probably not perfect, but it's a start that can be tweaked.

Doesn't anyone suspect that this may be the hammer that they could use to try and push the anti-Lasix agenda in a few years?

CD isn't exactly thrilled about the lasix ban..

http://www.kentucky.com/2012/06/12/2...ban-would.html

Exactly...could they end up saying that they won't use your race if you let Lasix horses run?

I'm just saying....

People have been bitching about the graded earning system for years. Under this system, Bodemeister probably would have won the Kentucky Derby.

I think it's a fantastic start.
The group that line in the gate on derby day will probably not change much, but this should make the final preps (FL Derby, SA Derby, etc..) much deeper and with better quality.
Also Love the fact that:
• Only one grass race counts
• no races restricted to fillies count
• Races under a mile don't count.

It seems you'll have to earn your way in as a 3-year old, routing on dirt.
That makes the most sense.

IL just got ****ed up and down, not just Hawthorne

I hadn't thought of the filly angle. Not sure I like that.

Just off the top of my head, a few horses who wouldn't have been in the starting gate in recent years if this system were in place would include Homeboykris and Trinneberg.

That must be an oversight on the Illinois Derby. How do you include races like the El Camino Real and skip the Illinois Derby?

They can't possibly exclude the IL Derby, right? That had to have just been an oversight. Why would the UAE Derby be counted and not the IL Derby?

Not that I disagree, but it appears as though the Delta Jackpot will not have the fields they once had. Still will be a money grab for those who try it.

The point system is interesting but at some point some very weird results will produce a bizarre(suspect) Derby starter or two. But that's probably happening already too.

Also, why is the UAE Derby so valuable? The best ever finish by a UAE Derby-Kentucky Derby horse is 8th by Regal Ransom in 2009.

On second glance, this system needs some serious tweaking.

The f'ing Blue Grass will produce a couple guaranteed Derby starters every year (not that this is anything new). We need more Monbas.