DERBY NEWS (4/28): Interactif, Endorsement OUT; Draw at noon..

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

Hopefully, Setsuko not being among the entries will ensure a change in the graded earnings system for next year's Derby. Count the horses in this field that have zero graded stakes earnings during their 3YO seasons:

Homeboykris
Make Music for Me


Who am I missing?

If they didn't change the rules after horses like Sunday Break, Rock Hard Ten and Unshaded were excluded from the Derby, do you really think they are going to do it because of Setsuko?

[slotdirt]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

If they didn't change the rules after horses like Sunday Break, Rock Hard Ten and Unshaded were excluded from the Derby, do you really think they are going to do it because of Setsuko?

Find me the horses in those three years with zero graded earnings as 3YO's and then let's discuss. Seriously, we're talking about two horses who, at least in Homeboykris's case, haven't lifted a hoof on the track since like November.

Besides, Rock Hard Ten had his chance two weeks later in the Preakness, and how did that go? Hindsight is always 20/20.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

Find me the horses in those three years with zero graded earnings as 3YO's and then let's discuss. Seriously, we're talking about two horses who, at least in Homeboykris's case, haven't lifted a hoof on the track since like November.

Besides, Rock Hard Ten had his chance two weeks later in the Preakness, and how did that go? Hindsight is always 20/20.

Off the top of my head, action this day and birdstone came into the derby having had dreadful springs. If they had any graded earnings as three year olds, I would be surprised.

[slotdirt]

Good points on Birdstone and Action this Day. That being said, I'm still with Watchmaker on this one: turf, synthetic, and filly restricted earnings shouldn't count towards entry into the biggest DIRT race on the planet.

[Alan07]

www.NBCSports.com will also cover the draw live.

[slotdirt]

The only thing I'd add on the earnings system is that Rock Hard Ten had exactly one on-the-board finish in a graded race to this point of his career - a 3rd (DQ'd from second) in the SA Derby. Setsuko's already finished second in two of the bigger SoCal preps for the Derby. Similarly, Sunday Break had a third in the Wood coming into the Derby - again, Setsuko had superior credentials.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

The only thing I'd add on the earnings system is that Rock Hard Ten had exactly one on-the-board finish in a graded race to this point of his career - a 3rd (DQ'd from second) in the SA Derby. Setsuko's already finished second in two of the bigger SoCal preps for the Derby. Similarly, Sunday Break had a third in the Wood coming into the Derby - again, Setsuko had superior credentials.

Raise the purses in SoCal.

[cakes44]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

Good points on Birdstone and Action this Day. That being said, I'm still with Watchmaker on this one: turf, synthetic, and filly restricted earnings shouldn't count towards entry into the biggest DIRT race on the planet.

Well that would only take out every race of importance for a 3-year-old in the West. What's next, leaving out Delta because their track is too small?

[lemoncrush]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

Good points on Birdstone and Action this Day. That being said, I'm still with Watchmaker on this one: turf, synthetic, and filly restricted earnings shouldn't count towards entry into the biggest DIRT race on the planet.

For fillies, I think they should have a minimum requirement of non-restricted graded earnings ($60K maybe), so they at least have some previous experience to prove they belong in the race.

As far as Endorsement being out, I'm kind of glad. It's a horse I've liked the past month, and have been on the fence about in recent days.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

Off the top of my head, action this day and birdstone came into the derby having had dreadful springs. If they had any graded earnings as three year olds, I would be surprised.

Add a horse like Sea Hero to that list. He did have a 4th in the Blue Grass.

[Thunder Gulch]

Don't throw out any particular race or races, but come up with some weighted average to account for 2yo vs 3yo, sprint vs route, dirt vs others, fillies vs colts. I'm sure the the dirt vs synthetic argument would draw the most heat, but it should be accounted for somewhere.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

Besides, Rock Hard Ten had his chance two weeks later in the Preakness, and how did that go? Hindsight is always 20/20.

And Setsuko would be afforded the same opportunity. Rather, his connections are opting for a $175K turf race??

[slotdirt]

Well, they already shipped to CD, so why not run? Would seem to be a worthless trip otherwise, no?