KEE meet, SUN Derby cancelled; KY Derby to September 5th..

[Betsy]

Here’s something:

According to multiple sources, all close to the situation, “The Pressbox” has learned that the 146th Kentucky Derby — which has been scheduled for May 2, 2020 — will be moved to Saturday, Sept. 5 due to complications associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Pressbox” has also learned that Churchill Downs will hold a teleconference on Tuesday, March 17 at 9 a.m. ET to announce the news and begin official preparations for the sport’s longest-running and most historic Grade 1 Stakes event.

https://twitter.com/thepressboxlts/stat ... 4766267392

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

With a quick scan of the past 30-odd Derby winners the phrase "sturdy enough" does not come to mind.

At this point it is strictly a test for precocity. Stamina or sturdiness hardly factor into it at all despite the 10 furlong distance.


Run it after the BC Classic on Thanksgiving weekend the same day as the Kentucky Jockey Club to double up on promotion for the 2021 Derby. Would be a better barometer of champion 3yo that way. Might draw a South American or two...

Keeneland can run the Blue Grass as a prep race on the BC undercard.


New York Triple Crown. Withers, Peter Pan, Belmont Stakes. Keep it rolling with the Dwyer. Add a points system with some bonus money.

Maybe sturdy isn’t the right word....my point was that the race is a test of more than just talent. Some horses aren’t ready for the distance in May, some never will be. I don’t think it’s strictly a test of precocity or else we’d have a multitude of winners who broke their maidens at 5 furlongs.

That’s not a bad idea at all - I much prefer it to September. Still, these colts will be even more like 4 year olds then..,it almost shouldn’t be called a Derby.

I like the N.Y Triple Crown idea...

[ScottJ]

Originally Posted by Betsy

Here’s something:

According to multiple sources, all close to the situation, “The Pressbox” has learned that the 146th Kentucky Derby — which has been scheduled for May 2, 2020 — will be moved to Saturday, Sept. 5 due to complications associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

If this takes place after the summer season (if there is one) and after the Haskell/Travers, the race will mean absolutely NOTHING. Repeat, NOTHING.

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by ScottJ

If this takes place after the summer season (if there is one) and after the Haskell/Travers, the race will mean absolutely NOTHING. Repeat, NOTHING.

It means little to me now. I suppose some will aim for the Travers, some for this fake Derby...the race is the most important thing, not the hooplah and celebs that don’t know one end of the horse from another. Yes, that’s all part of it and it’s wonderful, but strip it all down and the race is still the most exciting two minutes in sports.

Yes, I’m bitter. With no sports to focus on, no baseball, I’ve had some time to stew about this.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by Betsy

It means little to me now. I suppose some will aim for the Travers, some for this fake Derby...the race is the most important thing, not the hooplah and celebs that don’t know one end of the horse from another. Yes, that’s all part of it and it’s wonderful, but strip it all down and the race is still the most exciting two minutes in sports.

Yes, I’m bitter. With no sports to focus on, no baseball, I’ve had some time to stew about this.

There’s a pandemic and you’re mad the Derby is postponed?

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

There’s a pandemic and you’re mad the Derby is postponed?

They should just cancel for this year ..... period!

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by Hickory Hill Hoff

They should just cancel for this year ..... period!

Why?

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

Why?

You really think this will pass by Labor Day? be real

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

There’s a pandemic and you’re mad the Derby is postponed?

Oh please, I don’t need to be lectured. I’ve had to cancel my trip to the UK - I suppose I’m not allowed to be disappointed in that also? We have to put all our feelings on hold about everything? Don’t lecture me - I live at home with my 84 year old father, and while he’s in great shape, of course I’m worried about possibly infecting him - or my mother. You don’t know me, you don’t know what I’m feeling, so get off my back. Oh, and if you’re so concerned about the pandemic, why are you posting about racing instead of focusing entirely on this virus? You have no right to judge me.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by Betsy

Oh please, I don’t need to be lectured. I’ve had to cancel my trip to the UK - I suppose I’m not allowed to be disappointed in that also? We have to put all our feelings on hold about everything? Don’t lecture me - I live at home with my 84 year old father, and while he’s in great shape, of course I’m worried about possibly infecting him - or my mother. You don’t know me, you don’t know what I’m feeling, so get off my back. Oh, and if you’re so concerned about the pandemic, why are you posting about racing instead of focusing entirely on this virus? You have no right to judge me.

I’m not lecturing you. Just found your outrage about the Derby odd in a time like this.

Save your lectures and tantrums for someone else. It’s a message board. You post, people respond. That’s the way it works.

[moses]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

There’s a pandemic and you’re mad the Derby is postponed?

In fairness to Betsy, I think a lot of people (including myself) were holding onto the Derby as the last sporting event that hadn’t been cancelled and that could maybe restore some normalcy to our lives at a time where the world just seems freaking crazy.

It’s disappointing...but like I said, I’ll enjoy the novelty of the September Derby this year. And yeah, public health is obviously more important than any sporting event. As a sidenote: One thing I’m worried about with this virus is the psychological impact isolation and the disruption of our normal lives will have on people. The physical impact from contracting the virus is one thing but social distancing and all the other adjustments are really going to be difficult for some people.

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by moses

In fairness to Betsy, I think a lot of people (including myself) were holding onto the Derby as the last sporting event that hadn’t been cancelled and that could maybe restore some normalcy to our lives at a time where the world just seems freaking crazy.

It’s disappointing...but like I said, I’ll enjoy the novelty of the September Derby this year. And yeah, public health is obviously more important than any sporting event. As a sidenote: One thing I’m worried about with this virus is the psychological impact isolation and the disruption of our normal lives will have on people. The physical impact from contracting the virus is one thing but social distancing and all the other adjustments are really going to be difficult for some people.

Yes, this. If they cancelled it, I’d actually have understood more since I’m seeing racing conducted in NY without crowds and it’s seemingly doing fine. It’s nice to see some semblance of normalcy during a time that’s unlike anything we’ve known. I just resent the implication that I’m a bad person or something is wrong with me that I don’t care about people getting sick and dying. I won’t take that from people I know, much less a stranger who has the nerve to judge me.

I listen to sports radio, and it’s been mostly virus radio as there’s been no sports to talk about. They raise a good point that, at least in this day and age, we have our gadgets, computers, etc...to keep in touch with people. Essentially being confined to your home is going be hard, but we can still go outside, walk, etc...as long as we’re not too close to people or in crowds. I guess this is the new normal for awhile.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by moses

In fairness to Betsy, I think a lot of people (including myself) were holding onto the Derby as the last sporting event that hadn’t been cancelled and that could maybe restore some normalcy to our lives at a time where the world just seems freaking crazy.

It’s disappointing...but like I said, I’ll enjoy the novelty of the September Derby this year. And yeah, public health is obviously more important than any sporting event. As a sidenote: One thing I’m worried about with this virus is the psychological impact isolation and the disruption of our normal lives will have on people. The physical impact from contracting the virus is one thing but social distancing and all the other adjustments are really going to be difficult for some people.

The world is crazy right now. Whether you or Betsy like it, Churchill has shareholders they have to think about. I’m sure this decision wasn’t easy but again, regardless of how infuriated Betsy is, it’s the right one. All other major sports have cancelled for the foreseeable future. I mean, the March Madness tournament cancelled.

We’re fortunate enough to live in a time where we have Netflix, libraries at our disposals, the ability to FaceTime people, etc. If you’re lucky enough to avoid you or someone you love getting this, social distancing and isolation will be the least of your problems.

[moses]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

The world is crazy right now. Whether you or Betsy like it, Churchill has shareholders they have to think about. I’m sure this decision wasn’t easy but again, regardless of how infuriated Betsy is, it’s the right one. All other major sports have cancelled for the foreseeable future. I mean, the March Madness tournament cancelled.

We’re fortunate enough to live in a time where we have Netflix, libraries at our disposals, the ability to FaceTime people, etc. If you’re lucky enough to avoid you or someone you love getting this, social distancing and isolation will be the least of your problems.

Agreed 100%. They’ve made the right decision. And I agree that social distancing and isolation is much better than the alternative. My wife, daughters, and I have been essentially self-isolating since Thursday. I’ve had to argue with countless family members who thought this was all a media-driven overreaction. They’ve all finally come around.

And I also agree we’re lucky to have all that technology. My daughters have had the chance to facetime my mom and their friends. It’s really great. And we can order stuff off Amazon and have groceries delivered and do curbside pickup and the ability to work from home.

I was only trying to say that I can understand that people are upset.

[richard burch]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

There’s a pandemic and you’re mad the Derby is postponed?

[richard burch]

With the loss of sports and sports betting, this seems like a good opportunity for this sport to shine and be something good for this country. I am thankful that they are still racing and I can put something on that isn't about a deadly disease. If they ran the Derby without any fans I wouldn't mind at all. Just a track feed would be even better.

I give the sport a big for continuing on. Shouldn't the pools and general interest be growing from the addicts who have to bet on something?


Never forget...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0QqdYJeCts